Information display device in air-jet loom

Abstract

To provide an information display device in an air-jet loom, which can easily set an operation pattern capable of reducing an impact acting on a weft when the weft is locked by a weft locking pin without changing a weft insertion starting time.SOLUTION: In an information display device in an air-jet loom, a pattern setting storage unit 111 of the information display device 100 stores an operation pattern in which an operation of a sub-valve connected to each of a plurality of sub-nozzles is set for each sub-valve, and acquires a final arrival time point when arrived at a final arrival position and an intermediate arrival time point when arrived at a prescribed position for each of the plurality of stored operation patterns. In addition, the pattern setting storage unit 111 stores a time difference which is a difference between the final arrival time point and the intermediate arrival time point, in association with each operation pattern. A pattern extraction unit 121 extracts an operation pattern in which the associated time difference is the largest, among the plurality of operation patterns stored in the pattern setting storage unit 111. A display device 202 displays the operation pattern extracted by the pattern extraction unit 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display device for an air jet loom. [Background technology]

[0002] In an air jet loom, the weft thread flies through a passage in the reed by the jets of compressed air from the main nozzle and the sub-nozzle. In the air jet loom, at the end of the weft insertion, the weft thread is locked by the weft locking pin to finish the weft insertion. When the weft thread is locked by the weft locking pin, an impact is applied to the weft thread.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a jet loom that reduces the impact acting on a weft yarn when the weft locking pin locks onto the weft yarn. The jet loom disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of photoelectric sensors that detect the weft yarn. The photoelectric sensors are arranged at intervals in the flying direction of the weft yarn. The photoelectric sensors are also arranged on the anti-yarn-feeding side so as to detect the weft yarn immediately before the weft locking pin locks onto the weft yarn at the end of weft insertion.

[0004] In the jet loom disclosed in Patent Document 1, the flying speed of the weft is calculated based on the difference in the detection timing of the weft by the multiple photoelectric sensors. If the calculated flying speed becomes faster, the timing of starting the weft insertion is delayed. This lengthens the time from when the braking device operates to when the weft is locked by the locking pin, so that the weft is subjected to the braking force for a correspondingly longer period, and the impact acting on the weft is reduced. Conversely, if the calculated flying speed becomes slower, the opposite control is performed to advance the timing of starting the weft insertion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-26443 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if the weft insertion start time is delayed, the tip of the weft yarn will reach its final destination position later, which may lead to a higher likelihood of weft insertion errors. Conversely, if the weft insertion start time is advanced, the inserted weft yarn may come into contact with the warp yarn at the entrance of the reed passage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information display device for an air jet loom for solving the above problems includes a weft insertion device that unwinds a weft wound on a storage drum by retracting a weft locking pin, and causes the unwound weft to fly through a reed passage by a main nozzle and a plurality of sub-nozzles to be inserted into a warp opening, a first weft detection unit that outputs a final arrival time when the tip of the inserted weft reaches a final arrival position of the weft, and a second weft detection unit that outputs an intermediate arrival time when the tip of the inserted weft reaches a predetermined position upstream of the final arrival position in the weft insertion direction, The device comprises a pattern setting memory unit that stores operation patterns set for each of a plurality of sub-valves for the operation of the sub-valve that sprays compressed air from the sub-nozzle, obtains the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time for each of the stored operation patterns, and stores a time difference, which is the difference between the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time, linked to each operation pattern; a pattern extraction unit that extracts, from the plurality of operation patterns stored in the pattern setting memory unit, an operation pattern with the largest linked time difference; and a display device that displays the operation pattern extracted by the pattern extraction unit.

[0008] According to this, the pattern setting storage unit actually acquires the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time for each operation pattern, calculates the time difference from the acquired final arrival time and intermediate arrival time, and stores the time difference associated with the operation pattern. Then, the pattern extraction unit extracts an operation pattern that maximizes the time difference between the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time based on the actually acquired values. The larger the time difference between the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time, the smaller the impact acting on the weft when the weft locking pin locks with the weft. Therefore, if each of the multiple sub-valves is operated based on the operation pattern that maximizes the time difference between the extracted final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time, the impact acting on the weft when the weft locking pin locks with the weft can be minimized. Moreover, instead of changing the weft insertion start time as in the background art, the operation pattern that maximizes the associated time difference is extracted from multiple operation patterns set for the operation of the sub-valve that sprays compressed air from the sub-nozzle for each of the multiple sub-valves. Therefore, it is possible to easily set an operation pattern that can reduce the impact acting on the weft when the weft is locked by the weft locking pin, without delaying or advancing the weft insertion start time.

[0009] In the information display device for the air jet loom, the second weft detection section may be disposed at a position facing the in-reed passage within the weaving width. With this, the distance between the first weft detection unit and the second weft detection unit can be made greater compared to when the second weft detection unit is positioned outside the weaving width of the reed passage, making the correlation between the magnitude of the impact and the time difference more accurate.

[0010] In the information display device for an air jet loom, the second weft detection section may be a balloon sensor that detects the weft unwound from the storage drum. According to this, since the intermediate arrival time can be obtained using a balloon sensor required for flying the weft yarn, the intermediate arrival time can be obtained without increasing the number of parts.

[0011] In an information display device for an air jet loom, the pattern extraction unit may extract, from the plurality of operation patterns stored in the pattern setting memory unit, an operation pattern in which the final arrival time is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the associated time difference is maximum.

[0012] This makes it possible to easily set an operation pattern that can reduce the impact acting on the weft yarn while ensuring that the final arrival time is equal to or less than a predetermined value and maintaining the efficiency of weft yarn transport. The information display device in the air jet loom may further include a mode selection section that displays on the display device selectable conditions for extracting the operation pattern with the maximum time difference.

[0013] This facilitates the extraction of an operation pattern that can reduce the impact acting on the weft yarn. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The present invention makes it possible to easily set an operation pattern that can reduce the impact acting on the weft when the weft is locked by the weft locking pin, without changing the timing of starting weft insertion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a weft insertion device of an air jet loom. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a weft insertion device of an air jet loom. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an information display device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an operation pattern. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a display device that displays three conditions. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a display device that displays two modes. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display device that displays the extracted motion pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] An embodiment of an information display device for an air jet loom will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, the direction in which a weft yarn is inserted into a warp shed and travels is referred to as the weft insertion direction.

[0017] <Air jet loom> As shown in Fig. 1, the air jet loom includes a weft insertion device 10, a first weft detection unit 40, and a second weft detection unit 41. In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the air jet loom includes an information display device 100.

[0018] <Weft Insertion Device> As shown in FIG. 1, the weft insertion device 10 includes a weft insertion nozzle 11, a yarn supplying section 12, a weft length measuring and storing device 13, a reed 14, a plurality of sub-nozzles 15, a brake 23, and a control device 16.

[0019] The yarn supplying section 12 is disposed upstream of the weft insertion nozzle 11 in the weft insertion direction X. The weft Y from the yarn supplying section 12 is pulled out by rotation of a winding arm (not shown) of the weft length measuring and storing device 13, and is stored in a wound state on a storage drum 17.

[0020] The weft length measuring and storing device 13 includes a weft locking pin 18 and a balloon sensor 19 that detects the unwinding of the weft Y from the weft length measuring and storing device 13. The weft locking pin 18 and the balloon sensor 19 are disposed around the storage drum 17. The weft locking pin 18 is electrically connected to the control device 16. The weft locking pin 18 unwinds the weft Y stored in the storage drum 17 by retracting the weft locking pin 18 at a preset loom rotation angle. The time when the weft locking pin 18 unwinds the weft Y is the weft insertion start time.

[0021] The balloon sensor 19 detects the weft Y unwound from the storage drum 17 during weft insertion. The balloon sensor 19 outputs a weft unwinding signal to the control device 16. When the control device 16 receives the weft unwinding signal a preset number of times, the control device 16 returns the weft locking pin 18 to the position before the weft was unwound.

[0022] When the weft locking pin 18 is returned to the position before it was unwound, it locks with the weft Y unwound from the storage drum 17, completing the weft insertion. The point in time at which the weft locking pin 18 locks with the weft Y is set according to the number of windings required to store the weft Y of a length equivalent to the weaving width TL in the storage drum 17.

[0023] The brake 23 is disposed downstream of the storage drum 17 in the weft insertion direction X. The brake 23 brakes the flying weft Y before the weft insertion of the weft Y is completed. The brake 23 brakes the weft Y flying at high speed to reduce the flying speed of the weft Y. This reduces the flying speed of the weft Y before the weft locking pin 18 locks onto the weft Y. As a result, when the tip of the weft Y reaches the final arrival position, which is the weft insertion end, the impact acting on the weft Y is reduced when the weft locking pin 18 locks onto the weft Y. In this embodiment, in addition to braking the weft Y by the brake 23, the flying speed of the weft Y is controlled to reduce the impact when the weft locking pin 18 locks onto the weft Y.

[0024] The weft insertion nozzle 11 includes a tandem nozzle 21 that pulls out the weft Y from the storage drum 17, and a main nozzle 22 that inserts the weft Y into the reed passage 14a of the reed 14. The main nozzle 22 is connected to a main valve 22v via a pipe 22a. The main valve 22v is connected to a main air tank 26 via a pipe 22b. The tandem nozzle 21 is connected to the tandem valve 21v via a pipe 21a. The tandem valve 21v is connected to a main air tank 26 shared with the main valve 22v via a pipe 21b. The tandem valve 21v may be connected to an air tank other than the main air tank 26. The main air tank 26 is connected to a common air compressor 31 installed in the weaving factory. The main air tank 26 stores compressed air supplied from the air compressor 31.

[0025] The sub-nozzles 15 are divided into six groups, for example, and each group includes four sub-nozzles 15. One sub-valve 32 is connected to each group of four sub-nozzles 15. Thus, the weft insertion device 10 includes six sub-valves 32. Each sub-nozzle 15 in each group is connected to a corresponding sub-valve 32 via a pipe 33. Each sub-valve 32 is connected to a common sub-air tank 34.

[0026] The main valve 22v, the tandem valve 21v, and the sub-valve 32 are electrically connected to the control device 16. In the air jet loom, the weft yarn Y is inserted through the reed passage 14a by air injection from the main nozzle 22 and the sub-nozzles 15 under the control of the operation of the main valve 22v and the sub-valve 32 by the control device 16. Therefore, the weft insertion device 10 makes the weft yarn Y fly through the reed passage 14a of the reed 14 by the main nozzle 22 and the multiple sub-nozzles 15, and inserts it into the warp shed.

[0027] Specifically, when inserting the weft Y, the control device 16 outputs an operation command signal to the main valve 22v and the tandem valve 21v. Also, when inserting the weft Y, the control device 16 outputs an operation command signal to the sub-valve 32. Then, the weft Y receives compressed air jetted from the main nozzle 22 and starts flying, and after starting to fly, receives compressed air jetted from the multiple sub-nozzles 15 and flies to a final destination position. In order to realize the flying speed at which the weft Y is inserted, the operation patterns of the main valve 22v and the sub-valve 32 are preset. Note that the operation of the main valve 22v is the same in all multiple operation patterns, so the operation pattern of the sub-valve 32 will be described.

[0028] <Operation pattern> As shown in Fig. 4, the operation pattern of the main valve 22v and the sub valve 32 is determined by the time when the main valve 22v and the sub valve 32 start to open and the length of time they are open. The horizontal axis of the graph in Fig. 4 indicates the time when the main valve 22v and the sub valve 32 start to open and the length of time they are open. Of the multiple horizontal bars lined up vertically, the bottom horizontal bar indicates the time when the main valve 22v starts to open and the length of time it is open, and all the other horizontal bars indicate the time when the sub valve 32 starts to open and the length of time it is open. In the following explanation, the length of time the main nozzle 22 and the sub valve 32 are open will be referred to as [open time].

[0029] The vertical axis of the graph in Fig. 4 indicates the flight distance of the weft Y from the upstream side to the downstream side in the weft insertion direction X. The dashed line in Fig. 4 indicates a flight curve, which is the trajectory of the tip of the weft Y when the weft Y flies.

[0030] After the weft yarn Y starts flying due to the compressed air from the main nozzle 22, it continues flying due to the compressed air jetted from each sub-nozzle 15 aligned in the weft insertion direction X. The higher the pressure and the jetting time of the compressed air jetted from the main nozzle 22 and each sub-nozzle 15, the faster the average flying speed of the weft yarn Y becomes.

[0031] The longer the opening time of the sub-valve 32, the greater the amount of compressed air sprayed from the sub-nozzle 15 connected to that sub-valve 32. The greater the amount of compressed air sprayed from the sub-nozzle 15, the faster the flying speed of the weft yarn Y. Therefore, by setting various opening times and opening times of the sub-valve 32, it is possible to set operation patterns with different flying speeds of the weft yarn Y. If the flying speed of the weft yarn Y slows down when the weft yarn Y is locked by the weft locking pin 18, the impact acting on the weft yarn Y is reduced. Therefore, among the multiple operation patterns, if the flying speed of the weft yarn Y is slowed down when the weft yarn Y is locked by the weft locking pin 18, the impact acting on the weft yarn Y can be reduced. Then, by setting multiple operation patterns with different flying speeds of the weft yarn Y and performing trial weaving with each operation pattern, it becomes possible to extract multiple operation patterns that can reduce the impact acting on the weft yarn Y from the trial weaving results.

[0032] In the extracted operation patterns, the open time of the main valve 22v is the same for all of them. In the extracted operation patterns, the open time of a specific sub-valve 32 is set longer than the open times of the other sub-valves 32, and the open times of the other sub-valves 32 are finely adjusted.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, the main nozzle 22, the sub-nozzle 15, and the reed 14 are disposed on a slay 24. The main nozzle 22, the sub-nozzle 15, and the reed 14 are swung back and forth together with the slay 24 in the front-to-back direction of the air jet loom. Each sub-nozzle 15 is fixed to the slay 24 via a support block 25. Each sub-nozzle 15 can enter and exit the warp shed between the rows of warp threads T as the slay 24 sways.

[0034] Although not shown, the tandem nozzle 21, the brake 23, the weft length measuring and storing device 13, and the yarn supplying section 12 are fixed to a bracket or the like attached to the frame or floor surface of the air jet loom.

[0035] The reed 14 is configured by arranging a plurality of reed dents 14c, each having a guide recess 14b, in a row in the weft insertion direction X. The reed passage 14a is formed by the guide recesses 14b of the plurality of reed dents 14c.

[0036] <First weft detection unit and second weft detection unit> 1 and 2, the first weft detection unit 40 is disposed at a position facing the downstream side of the reed passage 14a in the weft insertion direction X. The first weft detection unit 40 is disposed outside the weaving width TL.

[0037] The first weft detection unit 40 is disposed so that the tip position of the weft Y, which corresponds to the weft storage length of n turns of the storage drum 17, becomes the detection position of the first weft detection unit 40 when the weft Y is normally inserted. The first weft detection unit 40 is electrically connected to the control device 16. When the first weft detection unit 40 detects the tip of the weft Y, it outputs a weft detection signal. This weft detection signal is an arrival signal of the weft Y at the final arrival position. Based on the weft detection signal outputted from the first weft detection unit 40, the control device 16 recognizes the final arrival time Tw when the tip of the weft Y reaches the detection position of the first weft detection unit 40. Therefore, the first weft detection unit 40 outputs a weft detection signal for the control device 16 to recognize the final arrival time Tw when the tip of the inserted weft Y reaches the final arrival position of the weft Y.

[0038] The second weft detection unit 41 is a weaving width sensor disposed upstream of the first weft detection unit 40 in the weft insertion direction X and facing the reed passage 14a within the weaving width TL. The second weft detection unit 41 is disposed on the opposite side of the main nozzle 22 from the center of the weaving width TL. The second weft detection unit 41 is disposed so that the tip position of the weft Y corresponding to the weft storage length of (n-1) turns of the storage drum 17 becomes the detection position of the second weft detection unit 41 when the weft Y is normally inserted. The second weft detection unit 41 is electrically connected to the control device 16. When the second weft detection unit 41 detects the tip of the weft Y, it outputs a weft detection signal. Based on the weft detection signal output by the second weft detection unit 41, the control device 16 recognizes the intermediate arrival time Ti when the tip of the weft Y reaches the detection position of the second weft detection unit 41. Therefore, the second weft detection unit 41 outputs a weft detection signal for the control device 16 to recognize the intermediate arrival time Ti when the tip of the inserted weft Y reaches a predetermined position upstream in the weft insertion direction X from the final arrival time Tw.

[0039] 2, the first weft detection unit 40 and the second weft detection unit 41 are fixed to the slay 24 via a support block 43 so as to be positionally adjustable. The second weft detection unit 41 is fixed to the slay 24 at a position where it can detect the weft Y within a range not affected by the spray pressure of the main nozzle 22.

[0040] As described above, the impact acting on the weft yarn Y when the weft locking pin 18 locks onto the weft yarn Y becomes smaller as the flying speed of the weft yarn Y becomes slower. The slower the flying speed of the weft yarn Y, the longer the time required to reach the final arrival time Tw from the intermediate arrival time Ti. Therefore, the more the weft yarn Y is decelerated downstream in the weft insertion direction X to slow down the flying speed, that is, the larger the time difference ΔT, the smaller the impact acting on the weft yarn Y when the weft locking pin 18 locks onto the weft yarn Y.

[0041] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, by extracting from among a plurality of motion patterns an motion pattern that maximizes the time difference ΔT between the final arrival time Tw and the intermediate arrival time Ti, it is possible to minimize the impact acting on the weft yarn Y when the weft yarn locking pin 18 locks onto the weft yarn Y.

[0042] <Information display device> 3, the information display device 100 includes a pattern setting storage unit 111, a pattern extraction unit 121, and a display device 202. The information display device 100 may also include a mode selection unit 131. The pattern setting storage unit 111, the pattern extraction unit 121, and the mode selection unit 131 are provided in the control device 16. The display device 202 is electrically connected to the control device 16. The information display device 100 may also include an input device 201 electrically connected to the control device 16.

[0043] The input device 201 is a physical button, a touch panel, or a voice input device. The input device 201 is a device for inputting various conditions to the control device 16. The various conditions are fabric conditions and weaving conditions. The fabric conditions include, for example, the material of the thread used for the weft thread Y, the weft type such as count, weft density, the material of the thread used for the warp thread T, the warp type such as count, warp density, weaving width TL, and fabric structure. The weaving conditions include, for example, the loom rotation speed, the pressure of the compressed air in the main air tank 26 and the sub air tank 34, the opening degree of the main valve 22v, the tandem valve 21v, and the sub valve 32, and the weft insertion start timing. The input device 201 selects the setting mode of the operation pattern of the sub valve 32 and sets the operation pattern.

[0044] The display device 202 is a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The pattern setting storage unit 111 stores the set operation patterns. As the operation patterns, the pattern setting storage unit 111 stores a first operation pattern P1, a second operation pattern P2, and a third operation pattern P3.

[0045] The first motion pattern P1, the second motion pattern P2, and the third motion pattern P3 are stored as motion patterns in which the flying speed of the weft yarn Y is made different. The first operation pattern P1, the second operation pattern P2, and the third operation pattern P3 are set by a person actually adjusting or experimenting the opening degree and the opening time of the sub-valve 32 based on experiments and empirical rules. Alternatively, the first operation pattern P1, the second operation pattern P2, and the third operation pattern P3 may be generated by machine learning using the pattern setting storage unit 111. Examples of machine learning algorithms include SSD (Single Shot Multibox Detector), R-CNN (Regional Convolutional Neural Network), fast R-CNN, faster R-CNN, and YOLO (You Only Look Once).

[0046] The data relating to the final arrival time Tw is referred to as [final arrival time data D1], the data relating to the intermediate arrival time Ti is referred to as [intermediate arrival time data D2], and the data relating to the time difference ΔT is referred to as [time difference data D3].

[0047] The pattern setting storage unit 111 acquires final arrival time data D1 from the first weft detection unit 40 and intermediate arrival time data D2 from the second weft detection unit 41 when a test weaving is actually performed by the air jet loom for each of the three operation patterns stored in the pattern setting storage unit 111. The acquired final arrival time data D1 and intermediate arrival time data D2 are stored and accumulated in the pattern setting storage unit 111. In addition, the pattern setting storage unit 111 calculates time difference data D3 using the acquired final arrival time data D1 and intermediate arrival time data D2 for each of the three operation patterns stored in the pattern setting storage unit 111. The calculated time difference data D3 is stored and accumulated in the pattern setting storage unit 111. Then, the pattern setting storage unit 111 associates and stores the final arrival time data D1, the intermediate arrival time data D2, and the time difference data D3 for each operation pattern.

[0048] The pattern extraction unit 121 extracts the motion pattern with the maximum time difference data D3, i.e., the maximum time difference ΔT, from the first motion pattern P1, the second motion pattern P2, and the third motion pattern P3 based on the time difference data D3 associated with each motion pattern in the pattern setting storage unit 111. In this embodiment, the pattern extraction unit 121 extracts the first motion pattern P1. That is, the pattern extraction unit 121 extracts the first motion pattern P1 as the motion pattern that minimizes the impact acting on the weft Y when the weft locking pin 18 locks with the weft Y.

[0049] The pattern extraction unit 121 displays the extracted operation pattern, i.e., the first operation pattern P1, on the display device 202. Therefore, the display device 202 displays the first operation pattern P1 extracted by the pattern extraction unit 121. At this time, as shown in Fig. 7, the display device 202 displays the opening times of the main valve 22v and the sub valve 32, and the flight curve of the weft yarn Y.

[0050] Among the first operation pattern P1, the second operation pattern P2, and the third operation pattern P3, the second operation pattern P2 is an operation pattern in which the final arrival time Tw is the smallest. The third operation pattern P3 is an operation pattern in which the final arrival time Tw is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the associated time difference ΔT is the largest. The predetermined value of "the final arrival time Tw is equal to or less than a predetermined value" in the third operation pattern P3 is the value of the final arrival time Tw at which the conveying efficiency of the weft yarn Y can be maintained high.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the mode selection unit 131 displays two condition modes on the display device 202. The two condition modes are a condition selection mode M1 and a condition input mode M2. The condition selection mode M1 is a mode that allows a desired condition to be selected from a plurality of conditions set in advance. When the condition selection mode M1 is selected, the mode selection unit 131 displays a plurality of conditions, such as high conveying efficiency J1, impact mitigation J2, and balance J3, on the display device 202 as shown in FIG. 5 so that a condition for extracting an operation pattern with the maximum time difference ΔT can be selected.

[0052] The condition for impact reduction J2 is to minimize the impact acting on the weft yarn Y when the weft locking pin 18 locks the weft yarn Y, i.e., to maximize the time difference ΔT. The condition for high conveying efficiency J1 is to make the tip of the weft yarn Y reach the final arrival position as quickly as possible, i.e., to minimize the final arrival time Tw. The condition for balance J3 is that the final arrival time Tw is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and that the time difference ΔT is maximized among the final arrival times Tw equal to or less than the predetermined value.

[0053] The condition input mode M2 ​​is a mode in which desired conditions are input from the input device 201. Examples of the desired conditions include a predetermined value in the third operation pattern P3, and the number of operation patterns to be displayed when high conveying efficiency J1 and impact mitigation J2 are set as conditions.

[0054] <Operation of the embodiment> Next, a method for presenting a desired operation pattern to a user of an air jet loom will be described as an operation, using the information display device 100. Note that the information display device 100 is operated by an operator other than the user, but may also be operated by the user.

[0055] First, when an operator operates the input device 201 to select an operation pattern setting mode, the operation pattern setting mode is set in the information display device 100. After the operation pattern setting mode is selected, a test weaving is performed by the air jet loom and a weft insertion is performed by the weft insertion device 10. The pattern setting storage unit 111 executes the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3 stored in the pattern setting storage unit 111 individually, and acquires the final arrival time data D1 and the intermediate arrival time data D2 for each of the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3. The acquired final arrival time data D1 and intermediate arrival time data D2 are stored and accumulated in the pattern setting storage unit 111. The pattern setting storage unit 111 calculates time difference data D3 using the acquired final arrival time data D1 and intermediate arrival time data D2 for each of the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3. The calculated time difference data D3 is stored and accumulated in the pattern setting storage unit 111 while being associated with each of the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3.

[0056] When a predetermined amount of data has been accumulated, the operator operates the input device 201 to execute a motion pattern extraction mode. As shown in FIG. 6, the mode selection unit 131 displays two condition modes on the display device 202. When the operator selects the condition selection mode M1, as shown in FIG. 5, the mode selection unit 131 displays three conditions on the display device 202. When the operator selects the impact relaxation J2 as a condition, the pattern extraction unit 121 extracts the first movement pattern P1 with the largest time difference data D3 from the first to third movement patterns P1 to P3 based on the time difference data D3 linked to the first to third movement patterns P1 to P3. That is, the pattern extraction unit 121 extracts the first movement pattern P1 as a movement pattern matching the "impact relaxation J2". Then, the pattern extraction unit 121 displays the extracted first movement pattern P1 on the display device 202.

[0057] As a result, as shown in Fig. 7, an operation pattern of the sub-valve 32 that minimizes the impact when the weft locking pin 18 locks with the weft Y is proposed to the user of the air jet loom. The user adjusts the opening of the sub-valve 32 to perform weft insertion by the weft insertion device 10 in the proposed first operation pattern P1.

[0058] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the information display device 100, the pattern setting storage unit 111 actually acquires the final arrival time data D1 and the intermediate arrival time data D2 for each of the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3 during the test weaving, calculates the time difference data D3, and stores the data in association with the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3. Then, the pattern extraction unit 121 extracts the first operation pattern P1 as the operation pattern that can minimize the impact when the weft locking pin 18 locks with the weft Y based on the actually acquired values. The larger the time difference ΔT, the smaller the impact acting on the weft Y when the weft locking pin 18 locks with the weft Y. Therefore, by operating each of the sub-valves 32 based on the first operation pattern P1 with the largest time difference data D3 indicating the time difference ΔT, the impact acting on the weft Y when the weft locking pin 18 locks with the weft Y can be minimized. Moreover, instead of changing the weft insertion start time of the weft yarn Y, the first operation pattern P1 with the maximum associated time difference ΔT is extracted from the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3, which are set for each of the sub-valves 32 for spraying compressed air from the sub-nozzles 15. This makes it possible to easily set an operation pattern that can reduce the impact acting on the weft yarn Y when the weft yarn Y is locked by the weft locking pin 18, without delaying or advancing the weft insertion start time.

[0059] (2) The first to third operation patterns P1 to P3 all have the same weft insertion start time. Therefore, no matter which of the first to third operation patterns P1 to P3 is extracted by the pattern extraction unit 121, there is no effect on the productivity of the woven fabric. Furthermore, since the impact acting on the weft yarn Y can be reduced simply by adjusting the operations of the multiple sub-valves 32, the impact acting on the weft yarn Y can be reduced without increasing the production cost of the woven fabric or decreasing the productivity of the woven fabric.

[0060] (3) The inventors discovered that the impact on the weft yarn Y can be minimized when the time difference ΔT between the final arrival time Tw and the intermediate arrival time Ti is maximized. For this reason, the impact on the weft yarn Y can be measured without using a load cell. Thus, unlike the case where a load cell is used, the impact on the weft yarn Y can be reduced without generating sliding resistance when the weft yarn Y is brought into contact with the weft yarn Y and, in turn, without generating an increase in the jet pressure due to the sliding resistance.

[0061] (4) The third operation pattern P3 is an operation pattern in which the final arrival time Tw is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the associated time difference ΔT is the largest among the final arrival times Tw equal to or less than the predetermined value. By extracting this third operation pattern P3, it is possible to easily set an operation pattern that can reduce the impact acting on the weft yarn Y while ensuring that the final arrival time Tw is equal to or less than the predetermined value and maintaining a high conveyance efficiency of the weft yarn Y.

[0062] (5) The second weft detection unit 41, which detects the intermediate arrival time Ti, is an in-weaving width sensor disposed at a position facing the in-reed passage 14a within the weaving width TL. Compared to the case where the second weft detection unit 41 is disposed outside the weaving width TL of the in-reed passage 14a, the distance between the first weft detection unit 40 and the second weft detection unit 41 can be made larger, so that the correlation between the magnitude of the impact and the time difference ΔT becomes more accurate.

[0063] (6) The mode selection unit 131 of the information display device 100 displays extraction conditions on the display device 202 so that the extraction conditions can be selected in advance. This facilitates the extraction of an operation pattern that can reduce the impact acting on the weft yarn Y.

[0064] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. Test weaving using the air jet loom may not be performed for all of the motion patterns stored in the pattern setting memory unit 111, but may be performed for motion patterns narrowed down based on past test weaving results, or for a newly generated motion pattern from the stored motion patterns.

[0065] The pattern extraction unit 121 may extract a plurality of motion patterns including the motion pattern with the maximum time difference ΔT, instead of extracting only the motion pattern with the maximum time difference ΔT. For example, the pattern extraction unit 121 may extract a plurality of top motion patterns with decreasing time difference ΔT, with the motion pattern with the maximum time difference ΔT being the top.

[0066] The intermediate arrival time Ti may be obtained from the weft unwinding signal output by the balloon sensor 19. In this case, the intermediate arrival time Ti is obtained by obtaining the (n-1)th weft unwinding signal from the balloon sensor 19, and set as the intermediate arrival time Ti. In this configuration, the pattern setting storage unit 111 can obtain the intermediate arrival time Ti without using the second weft detection unit 41. In other words, since the intermediate arrival time Ti can be obtained using the balloon sensor 19 required to fly the weft Y, the intermediate arrival time Ti can be obtained without increasing the number of parts.

[0067] The information display device 100 does not have to include the mode selection unit 131. In this case, the pattern extraction unit 121 always extracts the motion pattern with the maximum time difference ΔT and causes the display device 202 to display it.

[0068] The mode selection unit 131 may cause the display device 202 to display only the condition selection mode M1 or only the condition input mode M2. The movement patterns stored in the pattern setting storage unit 111 may be two types, the first movement pattern P1 and the third movement pattern P3, or the first movement pattern P1 and the second movement pattern P2.

[0069] The pattern setting storage unit 111 may store four or more types of operation patterns. The operation patterns extracted by the pattern extraction unit 121 do not have to be displayed as a graph as shown in Fig. 7. In other words, as long as the operation patterns of the sub-valves 32 can be grasped to the extent that the first operation pattern P1 can be realized, the manner in which the first operation pattern P1 is displayed may be changed as appropriate. For example, the open time of each sub-valve 32 may be displayed numerically, or the position of the sub-valve 32 that extends the open time may be displayed in text.

[0070] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. [Aspect 1] a weft insertion device that unwinds a weft wound on a storage drum by retracting a weft locking pin, and causes the unwound weft to fly through a reed passage of a reed by a main nozzle and a plurality of sub-nozzles, thereby inserting the weft into an opening for a warp thread; a first weft detection unit that outputs a final arrival time when the tip of the inserted weft reaches a final arrival position of the weft; and a second weft detection unit that outputs an intermediate arrival time point when a tip end of the weft inserted reaches a predetermined position upstream of the final arrival position in a weft insertion direction, a pattern setting storage unit that stores operation patterns set for each of a plurality of sub-valves for spraying compressed air from the sub-nozzle, obtains the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time for each of the stored plurality of operation patterns, and stores a time difference between the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time in association with each operation pattern; a pattern extraction unit that extracts a motion pattern having the largest associated time difference from among the plurality of motion patterns stored in the pattern setting storage unit; and a display device that displays the operation pattern extracted by the pattern extraction unit.

[0071] [Aspect 2] The information display device in the air jet loom according to [Aspect 1], wherein the second weft detection unit is disposed at a position facing the reed passage within the weaving width.

[0072] [Aspect 3] The information display device in an air jet loom according to [Aspect 1], wherein the second weft detection unit is a balloon sensor that detects the weft being unwound from the storage drum.

[0073] [Aspect 4] The information display device in an air jet loom described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the pattern extraction unit extracts an operation pattern from the multiple operation patterns stored in the pattern setting memory unit, the operation pattern in which the final arrival time is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the associated time difference is the largest.

[0074] [Aspect 5] An information display device for an air jet loom described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], comprising a mode selection unit that causes the display device to display selectable conditions for extracting the operation pattern with the maximum time difference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] ΔT...time difference, T...warp thread, Ti...intermediate arrival time, Tw...final arrival time, Y...weft thread, 10...weft insertion device, 14...reed, 14a...reed passage, 15...sub-nozzle, 17...storage drum, 18...weft locking pin, 19...balloon sensor, 22...main nozzle, 32...sub-valve, 40...first weft detection unit, 41...second weft detection unit, 100...information display device, 111...pattern setting memory unit, 121...pattern extraction unit, 131...mode selection unit, 202...display unit.

Claims

1. a weft insertion device that unwinds a weft wound on a storage drum by retracting a weft locking pin, and causes the unwound weft to fly through a reed passage of a reed by a main nozzle and a plurality of sub-nozzles, thereby inserting the weft into an opening for a warp thread; a first weft detection unit that outputs a final arrival time when a tip end of the inserted weft reaches a final arrival position of the weft; and a second weft detection unit that outputs an intermediate arrival time point when a tip end of the weft inserted reaches a predetermined position upstream of the final arrival position in a weft insertion direction, a pattern setting storage unit that stores operation patterns set for each of a plurality of sub-valves for spraying compressed air from the sub-nozzle, obtains the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time for each of the stored plurality of operation patterns, and stores a time difference between the final arrival time and the intermediate arrival time in association with each operation pattern; a pattern extraction unit that extracts a motion pattern having the largest associated time difference from among the plurality of motion patterns stored in the pattern setting storage unit; and a display device that displays the operation pattern extracted by the pattern extraction unit.

2. 2. The information display device for an air jet loom according to claim 1, wherein the second weft detection section is disposed at a position facing the reed passage within the weaving width.

3. 2. The information display device for an air jet loom according to claim 1, wherein the second weft detection section is a balloon sensor that detects the weft being unwound from the storage drum.

4. 3. The information display device for an air jet loom according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pattern extraction unit extracts, from the plurality of operation patterns stored in the pattern setting storage unit, an operation pattern in which the final arrival time is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the associated time difference is maximum.

5. 3. The information display device for an air jet loom according to claim 1, further comprising a mode selection unit that causes the display device to display selectable conditions for extracting the operation pattern that maximizes the time difference.

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