Supply device

Abstract

To provide a supply device capable of avoiding deterioration in supply efficiency of a bobbin caused by a conveyance device stopping frequently.SOLUTION: A supply device includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, an arrival sensor and a control device. The first conveyor divides a plurality of bobbins one by one and conveys the bobbins individually. The second conveyor conveys the bobbin passed from the first conveyor. The arrival sensor detects the bobbin which is at an arrival position. One condition of stopping the first conveyor includes that it is determined that the bobbin exists at the arrival position. In the case where the second conveyor is in operation, the control device determines that the bobbin exists at the arrival position by continuous detection time reaching a first threshold value. In the case where the second conveyor is stopped, the control device determines that the bobbin exists at the arrival position by the continuous detection time reaching a second threshold value. The first threshold value is longer than the second threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a supplying device that supplies a bobbin around which a yarn spun by a spinning machine is wound to a yarn winding machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The yarn supplying bobbin supplying device of Patent Document 1 includes a bobbin insertion section, a bobbin removal section, and a tray placement section. Bobbins transported in a container are inserted into the bobbin insertion section. The bobbin removal section picks up the inserted bobbins one by one, separates them, and passes the bobbins to the tray placement section. The tray placement section places the bobbins received from the bobbin removal section on a tray. The bobbins placed on the tray are transported to the yarn winding machine by a conveyor.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a yarn supplying bobbin supplying device similar to that of Patent Document 1. The yarn supplying bobbin supplying device of Patent Document 2 is provided with bobbin detection sensors at various positions on a transport path of the bobbins. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-184075 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-3066 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The bobbin detection sensor is used, for example, to determine whether or not to permit the transport of the bobbin. Specifically, if it is determined that there is no bobbin at the transport destination, the transport of the bobbin is permitted. If it is determined that there is a bobbin at the transport destination, the transport of the bobbin is not permitted. Therefore, the transport device is stopped until it is determined that there is no bobbin at the transport destination. However, with this method, the transport device is stopped frequently, which reduces the efficiency of supplying bobbins.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a supplying device capable of avoiding a decrease in the efficiency of supplying bobbins caused by frequent stops of the transporting device.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be described.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, a supplying device having the following configuration is provided. That is, the supplying device supplies a bobbin formed by being wound around a yarn core tube spun by a spinning machine to a yarn winding machine. The supplying device includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, an arrival sensor, and a control device. The first conveyor separates the bobbins one by one and transports the bobbins individually. The second conveyor transports the bobbins handed over from the first conveyor. The arrival sensor detects the bobbin at an arrival position, which is the position of the second conveyor and where the bobbin is handed over from the first conveyor. The control device determines whether the bobbin is present at the arrival position based on a continuous detection time during which the bobbin is continuously detected at the arrival position. One of the conditions for stopping the first conveyor includes determining that the bobbin is present at the arrival position. When the second conveyor is in operation, the control device determines that the bobbin is present at the arrival position when the continuous detection time reaches a first threshold value. When the second conveyor is stopped, the control device determines that the bobbin is present at the arrival position when the continuous detection time reaches a second threshold, and the first threshold is longer than the second threshold.

[0009] When the second conveyor is in operation, the bobbins are transported by the second conveyor, so there is a high possibility that the bobbins will be transported from the arrival position after a certain period of time. Therefore, by setting the first threshold value to a time longer than the second threshold value, the frequency at which it is determined that a bobbin is present at the arrival position decreases. Therefore, the first conveyor does not stop frequently, and a decrease in the efficiency of supplying bobbins can be avoided.

[0010] The supply device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the supply device includes a passing sensor that detects the bobbin at a passing position that is the position of the second conveyor and is downstream of the arrival position in the bobbin transport direction. When the second conveyor is in operation, the control device determines that the condition for stopping the first conveyor is met when it determines that the bobbin is present at the arrival position, regardless of whether the bobbin is present at the passing position. When the second conveyor is stopped, the control device determines that the condition for stopping the first conveyor is met when it determines that the bobbin is present at at least one of the arrival position and the passing position.

[0011] When the second conveyor is in operation, the bobbin at the passing position is immediately transported downstream from the passing position. Therefore, by not taking into account the detection result of the passing sensor, it is possible to avoid the first conveyor stopping at an unnecessary timing.

[0012] The supply device is preferably configured as follows: The supply device includes a supply sensor that detects the bobbin at a supply position that is the position of the first conveyor and is a position where the bobbin is handed over to the second conveyor. One of the conditions for stopping the first conveyor includes the supply sensor detecting the bobbin.

[0013] If there is no bobbin at the supply position, the first conveyor will not supply a bobbin to the second conveyor even if the first conveyor continues to operate. Therefore, by performing the above process, it is possible to prevent the first conveyor from stopping at an unnecessary time.

[0014] In the above-mentioned supply device, it is preferable that the conditions for resuming operation of the first conveyor that has been stopped include the control device determining that the bobbin is not present at both the arrival position and the passing position.

[0015] This allows the operation of the first conveyor to be resumed at a timing when there is no overlap of the bobbins on the second conveyor.

[0016] The supply device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the time during which the bobbin is continuously not detected at the arrival position or the passing position is referred to as a continuous non-detection time. The conditions for resuming operation of the stopped first conveyor include that the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position reaches a first resume threshold when the second conveyor is in operation. The conditions for resuming operation of the stopped first conveyor include that the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position reaches a second resume threshold when the second conveyor is stopped. The first resume threshold is shorter than the second resume threshold.

[0017] If the second conveyor is operating, the detected bobbin is immediately transported downstream, so by shortening the continuous non-detection time, the operation of the first conveyor can be resumed quickly.

[0018] The supply device is preferably configured as follows: That is, the control device calculates an estimated bobbin number, which is an estimate of the number of bobbins present in an upstream region that is a region from the upstream end to the middle of the second conveyor. When the time during which the estimated bobbin number is 2 continuously exceeds an upper limit threshold, the control device stops the first conveyor.

[0019] This makes it possible to prevent further bobbins from being supplied to the second conveyor in the event that there is a possibility of bobbin overlap in the upstream region.

[0020] In the above-mentioned supply device, it is preferable that when the period during which the estimated number of bobbins is 2 continuously exceeds an upper limit threshold, the control device drives the second conveyor in the reverse direction to discharge the bobbins in the upstream area.

[0021] As a result, if there is overlap of bobbins in the upstream region, the overlap of the bobbins can be eliminated on the device side.

[0022] In the supplying device, it is preferable that the control device increases the estimated bobbin number by one when the bobbin is supplied from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

[0023] This allows the increase in the number of bobbins in the upstream region to be properly calculated.

[0024] The supply device is preferably configured as follows: That is, the control device decreases the estimated bobbin number by one by switching the arrival sensor from a state in which the arrival sensor detects the bobbin to a state in which the arrival sensor does not detect the bobbin.

[0025] This allows the reduction in the number of bobbins in the upstream region to be properly calculated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] Cross-sectional view of the individualization section. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a configuration for performing processes related to driving of a first conveyor and a second conveyor. [Diagram 5] 6 is a flowchart showing a process of determining whether or not to stop the first conveyor while the first conveyor is in operation. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing a process of determining whether or not to resume operation of the first conveyor while the first conveyor is stopped. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for estimating the number of bobbins in the upstream area of ​​the second conveyor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] First, an overview of the supplying device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the following description, the upstream and downstream in the direction in which the bobbin 91 is transported will simply be referred to as upstream and downstream.

[0029] The supplying device 1 supplies a bobbin 91 to a yarn winding machine such as an automatic winder. The bobbin 91 is a yarn supplying bobbin formed by winding yarn spun by a spinning machine around a core tube. The yarn winding machine winds the yarn wound around the bobbin 91 to form a package. As shown in FIG. 1, the supplying device 1 includes a receiving unit 10, an individualizing unit 20, a setting unit 30, a control device 40, and a conveying unit 50.

[0030] 1 accommodates a plurality of bobbins 91 formed by a spinning machine. The accommodation body 90 is a box-shaped member with an opening formed on the upper side. The accommodation body 90 is tilted by an operator or an unillustrated loading device so that the opening faces downward, whereby the plurality of bobbins 91 accommodated in the accommodation body 90 are loaded into the receiving section 10.

[0031] The receiving section 10 has a retention section 11, a limiting section 12, and an inclined section 13. The bobbins 91 inserted from the container 90 are temporarily retained in the retention section 11. The retention section 11 has an inclined surface that decreases in height toward the downstream side, and the bobbins 91 can be transported by their own weight. Note that the bobbins 91 may be transported by a conveyor instead of the inclined surface.

[0032] The limiting section 12 is provided between the accumulating section 11 and the inclined section 13 in the transport direction of the bobbin 91. The limiting section 12 can be raised and lowered by a mechanism described later. As the limiting section 12 rises and falls, the limiting section 12 changes its position between an elevated state and a lowered state. While the limiting section 12 is in the elevated state, the movement of the bobbin 91 is prevented. While the limiting section 12 is in the lowered state, the movement of the bobbin 91 is permitted. In addition, the amount of bobbin 91 supplied from the accumulating section 11 to the inclined section 13 can be adjusted by switching the limiting section 12 between the elevated state and the lowered state at a predetermined timing.

[0033] The inclined section 13 has an inclined surface that decreases in height toward the downstream side. The inclined section 13 transports the bobbin 91 by its own weight. The bobbin 91 moves by rolling or sliding down the inclined section 13 in a fallen state and is supplied to the individualizing section 20. The state in which the bobbin 91 is in a fallen state means that the bobbin 91 is not standing up from the transport surface (inclined surface, etc.) and the axial direction of the bobbin 91 is parallel or approximately parallel to the transport surface.

[0034] The singulating unit 20 separates the multiple bobbins 91 supplied from the inclined portion 13 of the receiving unit 10 into individual bobbins 91 and transports them one by one. The bobbins 91 transported by the singulating unit 20 are transported to the setting unit 30 via the transport unit 50.

[0035] 2 and 3, the individualizing unit 20 includes a first conveyor 21 that conveys the bobbins 91 upward. The first conveyor 21 includes a first belt 22, two rotating rollers 23 arranged one above the other, and a first drive unit 24.

[0036] The first belt 22 is a band-like (sheet-like) member. The first belt 22 is looped around two rotating rollers 23. The upper rotating roller 23 is rotated by a first driving unit 24. In this embodiment, the first driving unit 24 is a stepping motor. The control device 40 operates the first driving unit 24 by transmitting a control command. The rotation of the output shaft of the stepping motor is transmitted to the upper rotating roller 23 via a drive transmission belt or the like. As a result, the first belt 22 is driven to circulate in the vertical direction.

[0037] A support base 25 is provided on the outer surface of the first belt 22. The support base 25 is provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first belt 22. The support base 25 moves vertically together with the first belt 22. The support base 25 scoops up the container 90 that is inserted into the individualizing section 20 by the inclined portion 13. As a result, the bobbin 91 is placed on the support base 25. The support base 25 supports the placed bobbin 91 and transports the bobbin 91 upward. The support base 25 has a rectangular surface so that the fallen bobbin 91 can be placed on it. The rectangular support base 25 is attached to the first belt 22 so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the width direction of the first belt 22.

[0038] A slit 26 is formed in the support base 25. A plurality of slits 26 are formed and aligned in the longitudinal direction of the support base 25. A separating member 27 passes through each of the plurality of slits 26. The separating member 27 is, for example, a metal wire. However, the separating member 27 is not limited to a metal wire.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the separating member 27 has, in order from the bottom, a first straight portion 61, a first protruding portion 62, a second straight portion 63, and a second protruding portion 64. The first straight portion 61 prevents the container 90 inserted by the inclined portion 13 from contacting the first belt 22. The first protruding portion 62 protrudes toward the tip side of the support base 25 compared to the first straight portion 61. When two bobbins 91 are placed on the support base 25, the posture of the bobbin 91 placed on the upper side is disturbed by the first protruding portion 62, so that the bobbin 91 placed on the upper side falls. As a result, the first conveyor 21 places one bobbin 91 on one support base 25 (i.e., separates the bobbins 91). The second straight portion 63 is located toward the base side of the support base 25 compared to the first protruding portion 62. The second protruding portion 64 protrudes toward the tip side of the support base 25 compared to the second straight portion 63. The second protruding portion 64 drops the bobbin 91 that is placed on the support base 25 and transported. The bobbin 91 that has been dropped by the second protruding portion 64 is transported to the transport section 50 by the inclined surface 29.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the end 25a in the longitudinal direction of the support table 25 is located outside the area in which the bobbin 91 is transported. The individualizing unit 20 includes a stop position sensor 71 that detects the end 25a. The stop position sensor 71 is attached to the frame of the individualizing unit 20, not to the first belt 22. The stop position sensor 71 is, for example, a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor (such as a magnet sensor or an optical sensor). The stop position sensor 71 transmits the detection result to the control device 40. When the first belt 22 is driven, the end 25a moves together with the first belt 22, but the position of the stop position sensor 71 does not change. Therefore, the stop position sensor 71 detects the end 25a only when the end 25a reaches a predetermined position. The position of the support table 25 when the stop position sensor 71 detects the end 25a is referred to as a stoppable position. The individualizing unit 20 sets the support table 25 being in a stoppable position as one of the conditions for stopping the first conveyor 21. The reason for setting this condition is that when the first conveyor 21 is stopped while the support table 25 is in a stoppable position, the support table 25 that transfers the bobbin 91 is designed to stop at the optimal position for transfer.

[0041] The stop position sensor 71 is also used as a sensor to detect that the first conveyor 21 is not operating normally. That is, when the first belt 22 is driven, the stop position sensor 71 alternately repeats detection and non-detection of the end 25a. On the other hand, when the first belt 22 is not driven, the detection result of the stop position sensor 71 does not change. That is, the stop position sensor 71 maintains a state in which it continues to detect the end 25a, or maintains a state in which it does not detect the end 25a. When the stop position sensor 71 maintains a state in which it continues to detect the end 25a, or maintains a state in which it does not detect the end 25a, the control device 40 cannot detect the operation of the first conveyor 21. In this case, it is determined that the reason that the bobbin 91 is not supplied to the arrival position is that the bobbin 91 interferes with a mechanical part and cannot operate normally, and the first conveyor 21 is reversed. This eliminates the interference and allows normal operation to be resumed.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, a supply sensor 72 is provided in an area where the bobbin 91 placed on the support table 25 is transported and where the second straight section 63 is provided. The supply sensor 72 is a contact sensor that detects the bobbin 91 transported by the support table 25. The supply sensor 72 is provided at a position that passes through the slit 26, and does not contact the support table 25, but contacts the bobbin 91 placed on the support table 25. The bobbin 91 is not limited to a contact sensor, and may be a non-contact sensor. The position of the bobbin 91 transported by the individualizing unit 20 and the position around the second protrusion 64 is referred to as the supply position. When the bobbin 91 is present at the supply position, the bobbin 91 is supplied to the transport unit 50 by the second protrusion 64 within a short time. The supply sensor 72 detects whether the bobbin 91 is present at the supply position and transmits the detection result to the control device 40.

[0043] The conveying section 50 conveys the bobbins 91 supplied from the individualizing section 20 to the setting section 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the conveying section 50 has a second conveyor 51. The second conveyor 51 includes a second belt 52 and a second driving section 53. The second driving section 53 drives a pulley (not shown) with power generated by the second driving section 53, thereby driving the second belt 52 wound around the pulley. As a result, the second conveyor 51 conveys the bobbins 91 on the second belt 52. The second driving section 53 is controlled by the control device 40. Note that the direction indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 3 is the driving direction of the second belt 52 when conveying the bobbins 91 toward the setting section 30. Hereinafter, this direction is referred to as the forward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the reverse direction. The control device 40 can drive the second conveyor 51 in the forward direction or the reverse direction by transmitting a control command. Further, an opening 54 is formed at the end of the second conveyor 51 in the opposite direction, for dropping the bobbins 91 back onto the inclined portion 13 .

[0044] Also, the position of the second conveyor 51 where the bobbin 91 supplied from the individualizing unit 20 arrives is referred to as the arrival position. That is, the arrival position is a position of the second conveyor 51 that is in the vicinity of the slope 29. An arrival sensor 73 is provided in the vicinity of the arrival position to detect whether or not the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position. Also, a position of the second conveyor 51 that is downstream of the arrival position is referred to as the passing position. A passing sensor 74 is provided in the vicinity of the passing position to detect whether or not the bobbin 91 is present at the passing position. The arrival sensor 73 and the passing sensor 74 are non-contact sensors, for example, optical sensors. The arrival sensor 73 and the passing sensor 74 may be cameras. Also, the arrival sensor 73 and the passing sensor 74 may be contact sensors. The arrival sensor 73 and the passing sensor 74 transmit the detection results to the control device 40. Also, the area of ​​the second conveyor 51 from the upstream end to the middle part is referred to as the upstream area. The arrival position and the passing position are included in the upstream area.

[0045] The setting unit 30 sets the bobbins 91 supplied from the individualizing unit 20 on a tray 92. The tray 92 is movable along a transport path 93 formed by a conveyor or the like. The bobbins 91, while being set on the tray 92, move along the transport path 93 and are supplied to the yarn winding machine.

[0046] The control device 40 shown in Fig. 4 includes a calculation device such as a CPU, a RAM, and a storage. The storage is an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, or the like. The storage stores a program related to the supply device 1 and data such as conditions required for executing the program. The calculation device reads the program stored in the storage into the RAM and executes it. In this way, the control device 40 performs various controls related to the restriction unit 12, the individualization unit 20, and the setting unit 30.

[0047] Next, the process for starting and stopping the first conveyor 21 will be described.

[0048] The control device 40 switches between operating and stopping the second conveyor 51 depending on the transport status of the bobbins 91 present on the downstream side of the transport section 50 or in the setting section 30, etc. For example, when the number of bobbins 91 present on the downstream side of the transport section 50 or in the setting section 30 is greater than a threshold value, or when a bobbin 91 is already present at the transport destination of the second conveyor 51, the control device 40 temporarily stops the second conveyor 51.

[0049] Therefore, even if the first conveyor 21 supplies a bobbin 91 to the arrival position, the bobbin 91 is not immediately transported downstream when the second conveyor 51 is stopped. When a bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position and the first conveyor 21 supplies another bobbin 91 to the arrival position, two bobbins 91 will be present at the arrival position, which may cause a malfunction. In the following description, a state in which two or more bobbins 91 are present at a predetermined position on the second conveyor 51 is referred to as an overlap of bobbins 91. In order to avoid the overlap of bobbins 91, the control device 40 temporarily stops the first conveyor 21 when it determines that a bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position.

[0050] However, since switching the first conveyor 21 between operation and stop may take time, frequent stopping of the first conveyor 21 reduces the efficiency of supplying the bobbins 91. In particular, in this embodiment, when the first conveyor 21 is temporarily stopped, the stop position of the support base 25 is determined based on the control relationship. Therefore, since a long time is required to switch the first conveyor 21 between operation and stop, the efficiency of supplying the bobbins 91 is likely to decrease. As described above, by reducing the frequency of stopping the first conveyor 21, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the efficiency of supplying the bobbins 91.

[0051] Whether or not the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position is determined based on the detection result of the arrival sensor 73. In order to prevent malfunction, the control device 40 determines that the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position when the time it takes the arrival sensor 73 to detect the bobbin 91 exceeds a threshold value. Here, when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, even if the arrival sensor 73 detects the bobbin 91, there is a high possibility that the bobbin 91 will immediately move downstream thereafter and move away from the arrival position. On the other hand, when the second conveyor 51 is stopped and the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position, there is a high possibility that the bobbin 91 will continue to be present at the arrival position.

[0052] Considering the above, in this embodiment, the above threshold value is made different depending on whether the second conveyor 51 is in operation or stopped. Specifically, the first threshold value, which is the threshold value when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, is longer than the second threshold value, which is the threshold value when the second conveyor 51 is stopped. For example, when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, it is preferable that the normal time during which the bobbin 91 is detected by the arrival sensor 73 is shorter than the first threshold value. As a result, when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, if the bobbin 91 is normally transported, the first conveyor 21 does not stop in principle. As a result, the frequency of stopping the first conveyor 21 can be reduced, and therefore a decrease in the supply efficiency of the bobbin 91 can be avoided.

[0053] Hereinafter, a process for determining whether or not to stop the operation of the first conveyor 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 5. The process shown in Fig. 5 is performed by the control device 40.

[0054] The control device 40 determines whether or not there is a bobbin 91 at the supply position (S101). This determination is made based on the detection result of the supply sensor 72. If the supply sensor 72 does not detect the bobbin 91, the control device 40 determines that there is no bobbin 91 at the supply position. If there is no bobbin 91 at the supply position, there is no possibility of the bobbins 91 overlapping, so there is no need to stop the first conveyor 21. Therefore, the control device 40 does not perform the following process. On the other hand, if the supply sensor 72 detects the bobbin 91, the control device 40 determines that there is a bobbin 91 at the supply position. If there is a bobbin 91 at the supply position, there is a possibility of the bobbins 91 overlapping. Therefore, the control device 40 performs the following process.

[0055] The control device 40 determines whether the support base 25 is in a stoppable position (S102). This determination is made based on the detection result of the stop position sensor 71. As described above, when the stop position sensor 71 detects the end portion 25a, the support base 25 is in a stoppable position. Therefore, the control device 40 performs the following process.

[0056] The control device 40 determines whether the second conveyor 51 is in operation (S103). Since the control device 40 drives the second conveyor 51, the control device 40 can determine whether the second conveyor 51 is in operation based on the control command. As described above, this process is a process for determining whether the first threshold value or the second threshold value is used when determining whether the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position.

[0057] When the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the control device 40 judges whether the time during which the arrival sensor 73 continuously detects that the bobbin 91 is at the arrival position (hereinafter, the arrival position continuous detection time) has reached a first threshold value (S104). When the arrival position continuous detection time has reached the first threshold value, the control device 40 judges that the bobbin 91 is at the arrival position and stops the first conveyor 21 (S105). As described above, since the first threshold value is longer than the second threshold value, it is difficult to stop the first conveyor 21. On the other hand, when the arrival position continuous detection time has not reached the first threshold value, the bobbin 91 is not at the arrival position, or even if it is present, it is immediately transported downstream. Therefore, the control device 40 does not stop the first conveyor 21.

[0058] When the second conveyor 51 is not in operation, the control device 40 judges whether the continuous detection time of the arrival position has reached the second threshold value (S106). When the continuous detection time of the arrival position has reached the second threshold value, the control device 40 judges that the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position, and stops the first conveyor 21 (S105). On the other hand, when the continuous detection time of the arrival position has not reached the second threshold value, it is considered that the bobbin 91 is not present at the arrival position, but since there is a possibility that the bobbin 91 is present at the passing position, the control device 40 performs the following process.

[0059] The control device 40 judges whether the continuous detection time of the passing position has reached a third threshold value (S107). The third threshold value is for judging the presence of the bobbin 91 during operation of the second conveyor 51, and may be the same value as the second threshold value. However, the third threshold value and the second threshold value may be different values. If the continuous detection time of the passing position has reached the third threshold value, the control device 40 judges that the bobbin 91 is present at the passing position, and stops the first conveyor 21 (S108). On the other hand, if the continuous detection time of the passing position has not reached the third threshold value, it is considered that the bobbin 91 is not present at both the arrival position and the passing position, and therefore there is no need to stop the first conveyor 21.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, it is determined whether or not to stop the first conveyor 21 without determining whether or not the bobbin 91 is present at the passing position. This is because, even if the bobbin 91 is present at the passing position, the second conveyor 51 transports the bobbin 91 downstream, so that the bobbins 91 rarely overlap. On the other hand, when the second conveyor 51 is stopped, there is a possibility that the bobbin 91 present at the passing position will continue to be present at the passing position, so the control device 40 stops the first conveyor 21 even if the bobbin 91 is present at the passing position.

[0061] As described above, in this embodiment, the prerequisites for stopping the first conveyor 21 are (1) that the bobbin 91 is present at the supply position, and (2) that the support base 25 is at a stoppable position. Additional conditions include (3) that the continuous detection time of the arrival position has reached a first threshold value when the second conveyor 51 is in operation. Furthermore, when the second conveyor 51 is stopped, (4) that the continuous detection time of the arrival position has reached a second threshold value, or (5) that the continuous detection time of the passing position has reached a third threshold value. These conditions are merely examples, and for example, the above conditions (1), (2), or (5) may be omitted.

[0062] Next, a process for restarting the temporarily stopped operation of the first conveyor 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. The flowchart of Fig. 6 is executed by the control device 40.

[0063] If the operation of the first conveyor 21 is resumed in a state in which the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position or the passing position, the bobbins 91 may overlap. Therefore, when the control device 40 determines that the bobbin 91 is not present at both the arrival position and the passing position, the control device 40 resumes the operation of the first conveyor 21. The determination that the bobbin 91 is not present is the same as the determination that the bobbin 91 is present. In other words, the control device 40 determines that the bobbin 91 is not present at the arrival position or the passing position when the time during which the bobbin 91 is not continuously detected at the arrival position or the passing position reaches the resume threshold.

[0064] In addition, when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the bobbin 91 is transported downstream by the second conveyor 51 from the timing when the bobbin 91 is no longer detected at the arrival position and the passing position. Therefore, when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, even if the operation of the first conveyor 21 is resumed at a relatively early timing after the bobbin 91 is no longer detected at the arrival position and the passing position, the bobbin 91 does not overlap. Therefore, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned restart threshold is made different depending on whether the second conveyor 51 is in operation or not. Specifically, the first restart threshold, which is the restart threshold when the second conveyor 51 is in operation, is shorter than the second restart threshold, which is the restart threshold when the second conveyor 51 is stopped. As a result, the operation of the first conveyor 21 can be resumed at an early timing, so that a decrease in the supply efficiency of the bobbins can be avoided.

[0065] The following will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. The control device 40 judges whether the second conveyor 51 is in operation or not (S201). This process is for changing the restart threshold value used when judging whether the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position and the passing position.

[0066] When the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the control device 40 judges whether the time during which the bobbin 91 is not detected continuously at the arrival position and the passing position (hereinafter, the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position) reaches a first restart threshold (S202). When the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position reaches the first restart threshold, the control device 40 judges that the bobbin 91 is not present at the arrival position and the passing position, and resumes the operation of the first conveyor 21 (S204).

[0067] When the second conveyor 51 is not in operation, the control device 40 judges whether the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position has reached the second restart threshold (S203). When the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position has reached the second restart threshold, the control device 40 judges that the bobbin 91 is not present at the arrival position and the passing position, and resumes the operation of the first conveyor 21 (S204).

[0068] In this embodiment, the restart threshold value is different depending on whether the second conveyor 51 is in operation or not, but the same restart threshold value may be used regardless of whether the second conveyor 51 is in operation or not. Also, other conditions for restarting the first conveyor 21 may be added.

[0069] Next, a process for estimating the number of bobbins present in the upstream region will be described.

[0070] Although the above-described process makes it difficult for the bobbins 91 to overlap, it is not always possible to completely avoid the overlap of the bobbins 91. Therefore, the control device 40 estimates the number of bobbins present in the upstream region, and performs a process to eliminate the overlap of the bobbins 91 according to the estimation result. Hereinafter, the estimated value of the number of bobbins present in the upstream region is referred to as the estimated bobbin number.

[0071] The control device 40 determines whether or not the bobbin 91 has been supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the second conveyor 51 (S301). For example, when the stop position sensor 71 detects the end 25a after the first conveyor 21 operates and the supply sensor 72 detects the bobbin 91, the control device 40 determines that the bobbin 91 has been supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the second conveyor 51. Alternatively, the control device 40 may determine that the bobbin 91 has been supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the second conveyor 51 when the arrival sensor 73 detects the bobbin 91 after the arrival sensor 73 has not detected the bobbin 91.

[0072] When determining whether or not the bobbin 91 has been supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the second conveyor 51, the control device 40 increments the estimated bobbin number by one (S302).

[0073] Next, the control device 40 determines whether the arrival sensor 73 has changed from a state in which the arrival sensor 73 detects the bobbin 91 (ON state) to a state in which the arrival sensor 73 does not detect the bobbin 91 (OFF state) (S303). When the bobbin 91 is supplied to the arrival position, the arrival sensor 73 detects the bobbin 91 (becomes ON state). Thereafter, when the bobbin 91 is transported by the second conveyor 51, the arrival sensor 73 goes into a state in which the arrival sensor 73 does not detect the bobbin 91 (OFF state). Therefore, step S303 is a process for determining whether the bobbin 91 has passed the arrival position.

[0074] When it is determined that the arrival sensor 73 has changed from the ON state to the OFF state, the control device 40 decrements the estimated bobbin number by one (S304).

[0075] Next, the control device 40 determines whether the time during which the estimated bobbin number is two or more has reached an upper limit threshold (S305). If the estimated bobbin number is two or more, two bobbins 91 are present in the upstream region. In this state, the bobbins 91 are overlapping or are likely to overlap. Therefore, when the control device 40 determines that the time during which the estimated bobbin number is two or more has reached the upper limit threshold, it performs processing to resolve this state.

[0076] First, the control device 40 stops the first conveyor 21 (S306). As a result, new bobbins 91 are not supplied to the upstream region, and the number of bobbins 91 present in the upstream region does not increase. Next, the control device 40 drives the second conveyor 51 in the reverse direction until the arrival sensor and the passage sensor are turned OFF (S307). As a result, the bobbins 91 present in the upstream region are dropped from the opening 54 to the inclined portion 13 and returned. As a result, the overlapping of the bobbins 91 or the situation in which the overlapping of the bobbins 91 is likely to occur is eliminated.

[0077] Thereafter, the control device 40 changes the estimated bobbin number to 0 (S308). Next, the control device 40 restarts the operation of the first conveyor 21 and drives the second conveyor 51 in the forward direction (S309). This restarts the operation of supplying the bobbins 91 to the yarn winding machine.

[0078] Instead of the process of reversing the second conveyor 51, a process of notifying an operator that two or more bobbins 91 are present in the upstream area may be performed.

[0079] Instead of using the second belt 52 and the opening 54 to return the bobbin 91 to the inclined portion 13, the control device 40 may use a separate member such as an arm to return the bobbin 91 to the inclined portion 13 or another location.

[0080] The passage sensor 74 may be omitted and the estimated number of bobbins may be calculated using only the arrival sensor 73.

[0081] As described above, the supplying device 1 supplies the bobbin 91 formed by winding the yarn spun by the spinning machine around the core tube to the yarn winding machine. The supplying device 1 includes the first conveyor 21, the second conveyor 51, the arrival sensor 73, and the control device 40. The first conveyor 21 separates the multiple bobbins 91 one by one and transports the bobbins 91 individually. The second conveyor 51 transports the bobbins 91 delivered from the first conveyor 21. The arrival sensor 73 detects the bobbin 91 at the arrival position, which is the position of the second conveyor 51 and is the position where the bobbin 91 is delivered from the first conveyor 21. The control device 40 determines whether the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position based on the continuous detection time during which the bobbin 91 is continuously detected at the arrival position. One of the conditions for stopping the first conveyor 21 includes determining that the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position. When the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the control device 40 determines that the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position when the continuous detection time reaches the first threshold. When the second conveyor 51 is stopped, the control device 40 determines that the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position when the continuous detection time reaches the second threshold. The first threshold is longer than the second threshold.

[0082] When the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the bobbin 91 is transported by the second conveyor 51, so that the bobbin 91 is likely to be transported from the arrival position as time passes. Therefore, by setting the first threshold value to a time longer than the second threshold value, the frequency at which it is determined that the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position decreases. Therefore, the first conveyor 21 does not stop frequently, and therefore a decrease in the efficiency of supplying the bobbin 91 can be avoided.

[0083] The supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a passage sensor 74 that detects a bobbin 91 on the second conveyor 51 at a passing position downstream of the arrival position in the transport direction of the bobbin 91. When the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the control device 40 determines that the condition for stopping the first conveyor 21 is met when it determines that the bobbin 91 is present at the arrival position, regardless of whether the bobbin 91 is present at the passing position. When the second conveyor 51 is stopped, the control device 40 determines that the condition for stopping the first conveyor 21 is met when it determines that the bobbin 91 is present at at least one of the arrival position and the passing position.

[0084] When the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the bobbin 91 at the passing position is immediately transported downstream of the passing position. Therefore, by not taking into account the detection result of the passing sensor 74, it is possible to avoid the first conveyor 21 from stopping at an unnecessary timing.

[0085] The supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a supply sensor 72 that detects a bobbin 91 present at a supply position on the first conveyor 21, the bobbin 91 being the bobbin 91 that delivers the bobbin 91 to the second conveyor 51. One of the conditions for stopping the first conveyor 21 includes the supply sensor 72 detecting the bobbin 91.

[0086] If there is no bobbin 91 at the supply position, even if the first conveyor 21 continues to operate, the bobbin 91 will not be supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the second conveyor 51. Therefore, by performing the above process, it is possible to prevent the first conveyor 21 from stopping at an unnecessary timing.

[0087] In the supply device 1 of this embodiment, the condition for restarting the operation of the stopped first conveyor 21 includes the control device 40 determining that the bobbin 91 is not present at either the arrival position or the passing position.

[0088] This allows the operation of the first conveyor 21 to be resumed at a timing when the bobbins 91 do not overlap on the second conveyor 51.

[0089] In the supply device 1 of this embodiment, the time during which the bobbin 91 is continuously not detected at the arrival position or the passing position is referred to as the continuous non-detection time. The conditions for resuming operation of the stopped first conveyor 21 include that the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position reaches a first resume threshold when the second conveyor 51 is in operation. The conditions for resuming operation of the stopped first conveyor 21 include that the continuous non-detection time at the arrival position and the passing position reaches a second resume threshold when the second conveyor 51 is stopped. The first resume threshold is shorter than the second resume threshold.

[0090] When the second conveyor 51 is in operation, the detected bobbin 91 is immediately transported downstream, so that the operation of the first conveyor 21 can be quickly resumed by shortening the continuous non-detection time.

[0091] In the supply device 1 of this embodiment, the control device 40 calculates an estimated bobbin number, which is an estimate of the number of bobbins 91 present in the upstream region, which is the region from the upstream end to the middle of the second conveyor 51. The control device 40 stops the first conveyor 21 when the time during which the estimated bobbin number is 2 continuously exceeds the upper limit threshold.

[0092] This makes it possible to prevent further bobbins 91 from being supplied to the second conveyor 51 when there is a possibility that the bobbins 91 are overlapped in the upstream region.

[0093] In the supply device 1 of this embodiment, when the time during which the estimated number of bobbins is 2 continuously exceeds the upper limit threshold, the control device 40 drives the second conveyor 51 in the reverse direction to discharge the bobbins 91 in the upstream area.

[0094] As a result, if there is an overlap of the bobbins 91 in the upstream region, the overlap of the bobbins 91 can be eliminated on the device side.

[0095] In the supply device 1 of the present embodiment, when a bobbin 91 is supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the second conveyor 51, the control device 40 increases the estimated bobbin number by one.

[0096] This allows the increase in the number of bobbins 91 in the upstream region to be properly calculated.

[0097] In the supplying device 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 40 decreases the estimated bobbin number by one by switching the arrival sensor 73 from a state in which the bobbin 91 is detected to a state in which the bobbin 91 is not detected.

[0098] This allows the reduction in the number of bobbins 91 in the upstream region to be properly calculated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Feeding device 20 Individualization Department 21 First conveyor 40 Control device 51 Second Conveyor 73 Arrival Sensor 74 Passing Sensor

Claims

1. A supplying device supplies a bobbin formed by winding a yarn spun by a spinning machine around a core tube to a yarn winding machine, a first conveyor that separates the plurality of bobbins one by one and transports the bobbins individually; a second conveyor that conveys the bobbins transferred from the first conveyor; an arrival sensor that detects the bobbin at an arrival position, which is a position of the second conveyor and a position where the bobbin is transferred from the first conveyor; A control device; Equipped with the control device determines whether the bobbin is present at the arrival position based on a continuous detection time during which the bobbin is continuously detected at the arrival position; one of the conditions for stopping the first conveyor includes determining that the bobbin is present at the arrival position; the control device determines that the bobbin is present at the arrival position when the continuous detection time reaches a first threshold value when the second conveyor is in operation; the control device determines that the bobbin is present at the arrival position when the continuous detection time reaches a second threshold value while the second conveyor is stopped; The supplying device, wherein the first threshold is greater than the second threshold.

2. 2. The supply device of claim 1, a passage sensor that detects the bobbin at a passage position that is located at the position of the second conveyor and is downstream of the arrival position in a transport direction of the bobbin, the control device determines that a condition for stopping the first conveyor is satisfied when it is determined that the bobbin is present at the arrival position, regardless of whether the bobbin is present at the passing position, when the second conveyor is in operation; The control device is characterized in that, when the second conveyor is stopped, it determines that the condition for stopping the first conveyor is met when it determines that the bobbin is present at at least one of the arrival position and the passing position.

3. 3. The supply device according to claim 1 or 2, a supply sensor for detecting the bobbin at a supply position which is a position of the first conveyor and is a position where the bobbin is transferred to the second conveyor; A supply device according to claim 1, wherein one of the conditions for stopping the first conveyor includes the supply sensor detecting the bobbin.

4. A supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A supply device characterized in that the conditions for resuming operation of the first conveyor which has been stopped include the control device determining that the bobbin is not present at both the arrival position and a passing position which is downstream of the arrival position in the transport direction of the bobbin.

5. 5. The supply device of claim 4, The time during which the bobbin is continuously not detected at the arrival position or the passing position is referred to as a continuous non-detection time, The condition for resuming operation of the stopped first conveyor includes, when the second conveyor is in operation, that the continuous non-detection time between the arrival position and the passing position reaches a first restart threshold; The condition for resuming operation of the first conveyor that is stopped includes, when the second conveyor is stopped, that the continuous non-detection time between the arrival position and the passing position reaches a second restart threshold; The feeding device, wherein the first restart threshold is less than the second restart threshold.

6. A supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the control device calculates an estimated number of bobbins that is an estimate of the number of the bobbins present in an upstream region that is a region from an upstream end to a middle portion of the second conveyor, The supply device according to the present invention, wherein the control device stops the first conveyor when the time during which the estimated number of bobbins is 2 continuously exceeds an upper limit threshold.

7. 7. The supply device of claim 6, The control device is characterized in that when the time during which the estimated number of bobbins is 2 continuously exceeds an upper limit threshold, the control device drives the second conveyor in the reverse direction to discharge the bobbins in the upstream area.

8. 8. A supply device according to claim 6 or 7, comprising: The control device increases the estimated bobbin number by one when the bobbin is supplied from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

9. A supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The position of the second conveyor, The supply device, wherein the control device reduces the estimated bobbin number by one by switching the arrival sensor from a state in which the bobbin is detected to a state in which the bobbin is not detected.

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