Yarn winding machine

Abstract

To prevent a yarn end on a package side from passing through a gap generated between a loosened yarn layer and a surface of a package while suppressing prolongation of a time from a time point when yarn is separated to a time point when yarn piecing is completed as much as possible.SOLUTION: A unit control part 15 of a yarn winding unit 2 performs a first control, a second control, and a third control when a yarn Y is separated between a yarn feeding part 11 and a winding part 13. The first control is a control for making a lift mechanism 44 perform a separating operation for separating a package P from a traverse drum 42. The second control is a control for making the lift mechanism 44 perform a contact operation for bringing the package P into contact with the traverse drum 42 again. The third control is a control for making a sucking pull-out mechanism perform a preparation operation so that a sucking pull-out operation by the sucking pull-out mechanism can be started. The unit control part 15, in the third control, makes the sucking pull-out mechanism operate so that the preparation operation is started before the contact operation is completed, and the preparation operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn winding machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The winding unit (yarn winding machine) disclosed in Patent Document 1 traverses and winds the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying section while rotating the package in contact with the winding drum (contact roller). If the traveling yarn is cut for some reason, the cut yarn is spliced ​​(connected) by a yarn splicing device. More specifically, when the yarn is cut, the package is separated from the contact roller (i.e., the package is lifted), and the package and the contact roller are decelerated. Then, the package is brought into contact with the contact roller (i.e., the package is lowered). The cut yarn on the package side is basically wound onto the package before the package stops rotating. Furthermore, the yarn end on the package side and the yarn end on the yarn supplying section side are sucked and captured by the corresponding suction parts, respectively, and guided to the yarn splicing device. As a result, the two yarn ends are spliced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-11377 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to shorten the time required from when a traveling yarn is broken to when yarn splicing is completed as much as possible, a control that starts the operation of a suction unit for sucking and capturing the yarn end on the package side early has been considered. However, it has been found that if the timing of sucking the yarn end by the suction unit is too early, the following problem may occur. That is, when a traveling yarn is broken, a part of the yarn layer (hereinafter, the yarn layer) wound on the package may become loose on the surface of the package. Then, a gap is generated between the loose yarn layer and the surface of the package. If a suction force is generated by the suction unit near the package before the lifted package is lowered, the yarn end or the loose yarn layer on the package side may move, and the yarn end may pass through the gap. If the package is lowered with the yarn end passing through the gap, the yarn end is sandwiched between the loose yarn layer and the yarn layer further inside. If the yarn end or a part thereof (hereinafter, the yarn end, etc.) is fixed on the package and cannot move, the yarn end, etc. sucked and held by the suction unit may fall off from the suction unit while being guided to the yarn splicing device. Furthermore, even if the yarn end or the like is guided to the yarn joining device, if the yarn joining is performed with the yarn end or the like passing through the above-mentioned gap, a defective yarn layer that will cause unwinding problems in the subsequent process will be mixed into the package.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to prevent the yarn end on the package side from passing through the gap that occurs between the slack yarn layer and the surface of the package, while minimizing the increase in the time from when the yarn is severed to when the yarn splicing is completed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A yarn winding machine of a first aspect of the present invention includes a yarn supplying unit capable of supplying a yarn, a winding unit that performs a winding operation to wind the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit to form a package, a yarn connecting mechanism that connects the broken yarn when the yarn is broken between the yarn supplying unit and the winding unit, and a control unit, wherein the winding unit has a contact roller that comes into contact with a surface of the package and rotates together with the package, and a lift mechanism that is capable of performing a separating operation to separate the surface of the package and an outer circumferential surface of the contact roller from each other, and a contact operation to bring the surface of the package and the outer circumferential surface of the contact roller close to each other and into contact with each other, and the yarn connecting mechanism is configured to connect the broken yarn end of the yarn on the winding unit side by a suction port. the control unit is configured to execute a first control for causing the lift mechanism to perform the separating operation when the yarn is broken between the yarn supplying unit and the winding unit, a second control for causing the lift mechanism to perform the contacting operation after the first control, and a third control for causing the suction pull-out mechanism to perform a predetermined preparatory operation to enable starting of the suction pull-out operation, and the third control for operating the suction pull-out mechanism such that the preparatory operation is started before completion of the contacting operation by the second control and the preparatory operation is completed after completion of the contacting operation.

[0007] In the present invention, the preparatory operation by the suction pull-out mechanism is started before the contact operation is completed. This makes it possible to prevent the timing of the start of the suction pull-out operation from being extremely delayed. This makes it possible to minimize the lengthening of the time from when the yarn is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed. Furthermore, in the present invention, the preparatory operation can be completed after the contact operation is completed. This makes it possible to prevent the yarn end from moving before the contact operation is completed. This makes it possible to prevent the yarn end on the package side from passing through a gap that occurs between the slackened yarn layer and the surface of the package. As described above, it is possible to minimize the lengthening of the time from when the yarn is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed, while preventing the yarn end on the package side from passing through a gap that occurs between the slackened yarn layer and the surface of the package.

[0008] The yarn winding machine of the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the control unit executes the third control when a running yarn is broken while controlling the winding unit to increase the circumferential speed of the package.

[0009] The time when the circumferential speed of the package is increasing means that the circumferential speed of the package is still lower than the target speed. When the yarn breaks while the circumferential speed of the package is still low, the package stops rotating in a short time compared to when the yarn breaks while the circumferential speed of the package is sufficiently high (i.e., the circumferential speed has reached the target speed). Problems that may occur at this time are described below. First, tension is generally applied to the running yarn being wound by the winding section. When the running yarn breaks, the yarn end on the package side exhibits a behavior of bouncing toward the package side due to the tension. Also, as described above, when the running yarn breaks, the yarn on the package side is wound onto the package before the package stops rotating. However, in a situation where the package stops rotating in a short time as described above, the circumferential speed of the package becomes considerably lower before the yarn end on the package side is wound. At this time, it becomes difficult for the yarn end to be wound onto the package. Also, if the momentum of the above-mentioned behavior of the yarn end does not stop, the yarn already wound onto the package near the yarn end may also become slack. Due to the above-mentioned action, when the yarn is broken while the circumferential speed of the package is still low, a loose yarn layer is likely to be formed. As a result, a gap is likely to be formed between the loose yarn layer and the surface of the package, and the possibility that the yarn end on the package side will pass through the gap increases. In the present invention, by performing the third control in such a situation, it is possible to effectively prevent the yarn end on the package side from passing through the gap. Conversely, when the circumferential speed of the package is sufficiently high, all of the yarn on the package side is sufficiently wound onto the package between the time when the yarn is broken and the time when the package stops rotating. This reduces the possibility that the broken yarn will be wound onto the package in a loose state. Therefore, when the yarn is broken while the circumferential speed of the package is sufficiently high, instead of the third control, a control to complete the preparation operation before the contact operation is completed may be performed. This allows the time from when the yarn is broken to when the yarn splicing is completed to be shortened.

[0010] The yarn winding machine of a third invention is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, the suction pull-out mechanism has a fluid passage connecting the suction port and a suction source that generates negative pressure at the suction port, and a shutter section configured to open and close the fluid passage, the preparatory operation includes a first preparatory operation in which the shutter section opens the fluid passage, and the control section, in the third control, operates the shutter section so that the first preparatory operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a strong negative pressure from being generated at the suction port before the contact operation is completed, and therefore it is possible to effectively prevent the yarn end from moving due to the negative pressure before the contact operation is completed.

[0012] The yarn winding machine of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the suction and pull-out mechanism has a moving mechanism that moves the suction port between a predetermined standby position and a suction position for sucking in the yarn end, which is closer to the package than the standby position, the preparatory operation includes a second preparatory operation in which the moving mechanism moves the suction port from the standby position to the suction position, and the control unit, in the third control, operates the moving mechanism so that the second preparatory operation is completed after completion of the contact operation.

[0013] In the present invention, it is possible to prevent the suction port from reaching the suction position before the contact operation is completed, and therefore, even if negative pressure is generated at the suction port, it is possible to effectively prevent the yarn end from moving due to negative pressure before the contact operation is completed.

[0014] The yarn winding machine of a fifth invention is the yarn winding machine of the first or second invention, wherein the suction pull-out mechanism includes a moving mechanism that moves the suction port between a predetermined standby position and a suction position for sucking the yarn end, the suction port being closer to the package than the standby position, a fluid passage that connects the suction port and a suction source that generates negative pressure at the suction port, and an opening / closing unit that is linked to the moving mechanism and is configured to close the fluid passage when the suction port is located at the standby position and to open the fluid passage when the suction port is moved from the standby position to the suction position, wherein the preparatory operation includes a moving operation that moves the suction port from the standby position to the suction position, and the control unit, in the third control, operates the moving mechanism so that the moving operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.

[0015] In the present invention, it is possible to prevent the suction port from reaching the suction position before the contact operation is completed, and to prevent a strong negative pressure from being generated at the suction port before the contact operation is completed, thereby effectively preventing the yarn end from moving due to the negative pressure before the contact operation is completed.

[0016] The yarn winding machine of a sixth invention is any one of the first to fifth inventions, characterized in that the contact roller has a traverse groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller for traversing the running yarn.

[0017] The contact roller is generally configured to apply a contact pressure to the surface of the package. This prevents the yarn wound into the package from slackening. On the other hand, in the present invention, the yarn is traversed through the traverse groove. In this configuration, unlike a configuration in which the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller does not have a traverse groove, the yarn immediately before being wound into the package does not contact the outer peripheral surface of the contact roller. In other words, the contact pressure is applied only to the yarn after it has been wound into the package. In addition, when the running yarn is cut, the package and the contact roller are separated by the first control. For these reasons, when the yarn is cut, the part of the yarn that has not yet been wound into the package is not pressed against the surface of the package, so that the possibility of it being included in the package in a state separated from the surface is increased. For this reason, in the above-mentioned configuration, the possibility of the above-mentioned gap being formed is increased. Therefore, it is particularly effective to perform the third control. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the automatic winder according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the automatic winder. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the yarn winding unit. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic side view of a portion of the yarn winding unit in the up-down direction. FIG. [Diagram 5] 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the winding section. [Figure 6] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams illustrating the operation of a yarn processing unit and a winding unit. [Figure 7] 14(a)-(c) are reference diagrams showing problems caused by loose threads on the surface of a package. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow from when a traveling yarn is cut to when a winding operation is restarted. [Figure 9] 9 is a flowchart showing the details of a part of the processing included in the flowchart of FIG. 8. [Figure 10]13 is a flowchart according to a modified example. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart according to another modified example. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an upper thread catching and guiding portion and its surroundings according to still another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described. For convenience of explanation, as shown in Fig. 1, the direction in which a plurality of yarn winding units 2, which will be described later, are arranged is defined as the left-right direction. The direction in which gravity acts is defined as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to both the left-right direction and the up-down direction is defined as the front-rear direction.

[0020] (Outline of automatic winder configuration) First, a schematic configuration of an automatic winder 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a front view of the automatic winder 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the automatic winder 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the automatic winder 1 includes a plurality of yarn winding units 2, a doffing device 3, and a machine control device 4. Each of the plurality of yarn winding units 2 corresponds to a yarn winding machine of the present invention.

[0021] Each of the multiple yarn winding units 2 is configured to wind the yarn Y, which is pulled out from a yarn supplying bobbin Bs, onto a winding bobbin Bw (see FIG. 3), to form a package P. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple yarn winding units 2 are arranged in the left-right direction.

[0022] The doffing device 3 is configured to perform operations such as removing a full package P to the yarn winding unit 2 and mounting an empty winding bobbin Bw to the yarn winding unit 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the doffing device 3 is disposed above the multiple yarn winding units 2. The doffing device 3 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction. When the doffing device 3 receives a signal from the yarn winding unit 2 indicating that the package P is full, the doffing device 3 moves to above the yarn winding unit 2 to perform the above operations.

[0023] 1, the machine control device 4 is disposed, for example, on the left side of the multiple yarn winding units 2. The machine control device 4 is electrically connected to a unit control unit 15 (see FIG. 2) of the yarn winding unit 2 and a control unit (not shown) of the doffing device 3, and communicates with these control units.

[0024] (Yarn winding unit) Next, the configuration of the yarn winding unit 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the yarn winding unit 2. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a portion of the yarn winding unit 2 in the up-down direction.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the yarn winding unit 2 has a frame 10, a yarn supplying section 11, a yarn processing section 12, a winding section 13, and a unit control section 15. The frame 10 is, for example, a hollow member extending in the vertical direction. The installation position of the frame 10 is fixed. The yarn supplying section 11, the yarn processing section 12, and the winding section 13 are provided on the frame 10 and arranged in this order from upstream to downstream of the yarn path along which the yarn Y travels. The unit control section 15 is, for example, housed inside the frame 10. The unit control section 15 corresponds to the control section of the present invention.

[0026] The yarn supplying section 11 is configured to supply the yarn Y wound around the yarn supplying bobbin Bs in response to unwinding. The yarn supplying section 11 has a yarn supplying bobbin support section 21 and a yarn unwinding assist device 22. The yarn supplying bobbin support section 21 supports the yarn supplying bobbin Bs in a substantially upright state. The yarn unwinding assist device 22 uses a restricting tube 23 to restrict the bulge of the yarn Y that occurs when the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin Bs. The restricting tube 23 is configured to move downward as the amount of yarn wound around the yarn supplying bobbin Bs decreases, thereby maintaining the size of the bulge at a constant size.

[0027] The yarn processing execution unit 12 is for executing various processes related to the yarn Y. The yarn processing execution unit 12 has a yarn feeler 31, a tension applying device 32, a yarn joining device 33, and a yarn clearer .

[0028] The yarn feeler 31 is configured to be capable of detecting the presence or absence of the yarn Y between the yarn unwinding assisting device 22 and the tension applying device 32. The tension applying device 32 is configured to be capable of applying a predetermined tension to the traveling yarn Y. One example of the tension applying device 32 is a so-called gate type. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of fixed gate bodies 32a and a plurality of movable gate bodies 32b are arranged alternately in the vertical direction. By adjusting the horizontal positions of the plurality of movable gate bodies 32b, a predetermined tension is applied to the yarn Y traveling between the fixed gate body 32a and the movable gate body 32b.

[0029] The yarn joining device 33 is configured to join the yarn Y on the yarn supplying section 11 side to the yarn Y on the winding section 13 side when the yarn Y is broken between the yarn supplying section 11 and the winding section 13. For the sake of convenience, the broken yarn Y on the yarn supplying section 11 side is referred to as the lower yarn Y1. Similarly, the yarn Y on the winding section 13 side (i.e., the yarn Y on the package P side) is referred to as the upper yarn Y2. One example of the yarn joining device 33 is a compressed air type. The yarn joining device 33 blows compressed air supplied from a compressed air source (not shown) onto the lower yarn Y1 and the upper yarn Y2 to temporarily loosen both yarn ends. Thereafter, the yarn joining device 33 blows compressed air onto both yarn ends again to intertwine the yarn ends, thereby joining the yarns together.

[0030] A lower yarn catching and guiding section 35 that catches the lower yarn Y1 and guides it to the yarn joining device 33 is provided below the yarn joining device 33. The lower yarn catching and guiding section 35 has a shaft 35a, an arm 35b, and a suction port 35c. The shaft 35a extends, for example, in the left-right direction. The arm 35b is a pipe-shaped member that is rotatable about the shaft 35a. The suction port 35c is disposed at the tip of the arm 35b. The suction port 35c is configured to be able to suck and catch the yarn end of the lower yarn Y1. The arm 35b is driven to rotate by an arm motor 37.

[0031] An upper yarn catching and guiding section 36 that catches the upper yarn Y2 and guides it to the yarn joining device 33 is provided above (downstream of) the yarn joining device 33. The upper yarn catching and guiding section 36 has a shaft 36a, an arm 36b, and a suction port 36c. The shaft 36a extends, for example, in the left-right direction. The arm 36b is a pipe-shaped member that can rotate around the shaft 36a. The suction port 36c is disposed at the tip of the arm 36b. The suction port 36c is configured to be able to suck and catch the yarn end of the upper yarn Y2. The arm 36b is driven to turn by an arm motor 38. The arm motor 38 corresponds to a moving mechanism of the present invention. In this embodiment, the arm motor 38 is included in the upper yarn catching and guiding section 36.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper yarn catching and guiding part 36 is connected to a negative pressure source 102 via a duct 101. A fluid passage 101a through which, for example, air flows is formed inside the duct 101. The fluid passage 101a is a passage for sucking the yarn Y together with air from the suction port 36c to the negative pressure source 102 side. The negative pressure source 102 is, for example, a known blower device. The negative pressure source 102 may be provided in common to, for example, a plurality of yarn winding units 2. The negative pressure source 102 corresponds to the suction source of the present invention. In this case, although not shown, a common duct provided in common to, for example, a plurality of yarn winding units 2 is disposed between the duct 101 and the negative pressure source 102 in the air flow direction. The negative pressure generated at the suction port 36c causes air to be sucked into the negative pressure source 102 through the arm 36b, the duct 101, and the common duct. As a result, the yarn Y is sucked into the suction port 36c together with air, and is sucked and caught by the upper yarn catching and guiding part 36. The lower yarn catching and guiding part 35 is also connected to the negative pressure source 102 via a duct (not shown). The operations of the lower yarn catching and guiding part 35 and the upper yarn catching and guiding part 36 during yarn splicing will be described later.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, a shutter section 39 configured to be able to open and close the fluid passage 101a is disposed in the middle of the fluid passage 101a. The middle section is a section between the suction port 36c and the negative pressure source 102 in the suction direction in which the yarn Y is sucked. The shutter section 39 has, for example, a shutter 39a and a shutter motor 39b. The shutter 39a can switch between a closed state in which the fluid passage 101a is closed and an open state in which the fluid passage 101a is open. When the shutter 39a is in the open state, the space near the suction port 36c communicates with the negative pressure source 102, and negative pressure is generated in and around the suction port 36c. The shutter 39a is driven to move by the shutter motor 39b. The shutter motor 39b is, for example, a known stepping motor. The shutter motor 39b is, for example, electrically connected to the unit control section 15. The upper yarn catching and guiding section 36 and the shutter section 39 together correspond to the suction and drawing mechanism of the present invention.

[0034] The yarn clearer 34 is configured to be able to obtain information on the thickness of the traveling yarn Y. The yarn clearer 34 detects yarn defects based on this information. A cutter 34a is disposed near the yarn clearer 34. When a yarn defect is detected by the yarn clearer 34, the cutter 34a immediately cuts the yarn Y. At approximately the same time, the yarn clearer 34 outputs a detection signal to the unit control unit 15.

[0035] The winding unit 13 is configured to be capable of performing a winding operation of winding the yarn Y around a winding bobbin Bw to form a package P. As shown in FIG. 3, the winding unit 13 includes a cradle 41, a traverse drum 42, a drum drive motor 43, and a lift mechanism 44.

[0036] The cradle 41 is configured to rotatably hold the winding bobbin Bw (package P). As shown in FIG. 3, the cradle 41 supports the winding bobbin Bw at both ends, for example, by a cradle arm 41a and a cradle arm 41b. The cradle arm 41a is disposed on the right side of the winding bobbin Bw. The cradle arm 41b is disposed on the left side of the winding bobbin Bw. The cradle arms 41a and 41b may be disposed in reverse. The cradle arms 41a and 41b are supported by a swing shaft 41c so as to be swingable. The cradle 41 is configured to be swingable between a contact position (see FIG. 4 and the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5(b)) and a separated position (see the solid line in FIG. 5(b)) by the lift mechanism 44. The contact position is the position of the cradle 41 when the package P is in contact with the traverse drum 42. The surface Pa of the package P located at the contact position is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. The separated position is the position of the cradle 41 when the package P is separated from the traverse drum 42. The cradle 41 is provided with a brake unit 45 configured to brake the rotation of the package P. The brake unit 45 is attached to, for example, the cradle arm 41a. A rotation sensor (not shown) that detects, for example, the number of rotations of the package P may be arranged on or near the cradle 41.

[0037] The traverse drum 42 is configured to rotate the package P by the rotation of the package P and to traverse the running yarn Y. The traverse drum 42 corresponds to a contact roller of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the traverse drum 42 is a substantially cylindrical member. The rotation axis direction of the traverse drum 42 is substantially parallel to the left-right direction. A traverse groove 42a for traversing the yarn Y is formed on the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. The traverse drum 42 rotates in contact with the surface Pa of the package P, thereby rotating the package P by frictional force. At the same time, the traverse drum 42 rotates while passing the yarn Y through the traverse groove 42a, thereby traversing the yarn Y in the left-right direction. As a result, the yarn Y is wound around the winding bobbin Bw while being traversed. Furthermore, the traverse drum 42 has a function of adjusting the shape of the package P. That is, the surface Pa of the package P is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 42b of the traverse drum 42, so that a contact pressure is applied to the surface Pa by the outer circumferential surface 42b.

[0038] The drum drive motor 43 is configured to rotate the traverse drum 42. The drum drive motor 43 can rotate the traverse drum 42 in both the forward and reverse directions. The forward direction is the rotation direction of the traverse drum 42 when the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw. The reverse direction is the rotation direction of the traverse drum 42 when the upper yarn Y2 is pulled out from the package P during yarn splicing. The drum drive motor 43 is electrically connected to the unit control unit 15 (see FIG. 2). The drum drive motor 43 may have a rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotation speed of the traverse drum 42. Alternatively, a rotation speed sensor (not shown) may be disposed near the traverse drum 42.

[0039] The lift mechanism 44 is configured to be able to lift and lower the package P. As shown in FIG. 3, the lift mechanism 44 has, for example, an air cylinder 44a and a lift member 44b. The air cylinder 44a has a piston rod (not shown) that can be extended and contracted by the action of, for example, compressed air. The air cylinder 44a is configured to extend the piston rod when, for example, compressed air is supplied, and to contract the piston rod when, for example, the compressed air is discharged. The lift member 44b is supported by, for example, the piston rod. The lift member 44b supports, for example, the cradle arm 41a. The lift member 44b swings the cradle 41 in response to the extension and contraction of the piston rod (i.e., lifts or lowers the package P). The supply of compressed air to the air cylinder 44a and the discharge of compressed air from the air cylinder 44a may be controlled by, for example, an electromagnetic valve (not shown). The electromagnetic valve is electrically connected to, for example, the unit control unit 15. That is, the lift mechanism 44 is electrically connected to the unit control unit 15 (see FIG. 2).

[0040] The lift mechanism 44 positions the cradle 41 at a position where the surface Pa of the package P and the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42 come into contact with each other when, for example, compressed air is not supplied to the air cylinder 44a. The lift mechanism 44 lifts the package P when, for example, compressed air is supplied to the air cylinder 44a. As a result, the surface Pa of the package P is separated from the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. The operation of lifting the package P is also referred to as a separating operation hereinafter. In addition, the lift mechanism 44 lowers the package P when, for example, compressed air is discharged from the air cylinder 44a. As a result, the package P approaches the traverse drum 42, and the surface Pa of the package P is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. The operation of lowering the package P is also referred to as a contact operation hereinafter. In this embodiment, the contact operation is started when the solenoid valve of the lift mechanism 44 is opened. The contact operation is completed when the surface Pa of the package P comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 42b of the traverse drum 42.

[0041] The unit control section 15 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown). The unit control section 15 controls each section by the CPU in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. More specifically, the unit control section 15 controls the yarn joining device 33, the arm motor 37, the arm motor 38, the shutter motor 39b, the drum drive motor 43, the lift mechanism 44, and the like (see FIG. 2). The unit control section 15 also receives signals from the yarn clearer 34 and the like (see FIG. 2). The unit control section 15 also outputs a signal to the doffing device 3 to request doffing. The signal is sent to the control section (not shown) of the doffing device 3 via the machine control device 4.

[0042] In the yarn winding unit 2 having the above-described configuration, the unit control section 15 drives the drum drive motor 43 to rotate the traverse drum 42 while the package P is in contact with the traverse drum 42. As a result, the yarn Y pulled out from the yarn supplying bobbin Bs is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw, and a package P is formed (winding operation).

[0043] (Operation of the yarn winding unit during yarn splicing) The operation of the yarn winding unit 2 during yarn splicing will be described with reference to Figs. 5(a) to 6(b). Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing the state of the winding section 13 during the winding operation. Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing the state of the winding section 13 after the traveling yarn Y has been cut. Fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing the states of the yarn processing section 12 and the winding section 13 after the yarn processing section 12 has completed a preparatory operation, which will be described later. Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing the states of the yarn processing section 12 and the winding section 13 after the yarn processing section 12 has completed a suction and drawing operation, which will be described later.

[0044] During the winding operation (see FIG. 5(a)), the traveling yarn Y may be broken. Examples of causes of breaking of the yarn Y are as follows. For example, when excessive tension is unintentionally applied to the yarn Y, the yarn breaks and the yarn Y is broken. For example, the yarn Y is also broken when a yarn defect is detected by the yarn clearer 34 and the cutter 34a cuts the yarn Y.

[0045] When the yarn Y is severed, the winding unit 13 stops the winding operation. More specifically, the lift mechanism 44 lifts the package P (separating operation; see FIG. 5(b)). The main purpose of the separating operation is to avoid damage to the surface Pa of the package P due to rubbing against the traverse drum 42 when the package P stops rotating. After the package P is lifted, the drum drive motor 43 stops the rotation of the traverse drum 42. The brake unit 45 stops the rotation of the package P. Before the rotation of the package P stops, the portion of the severed yarn Y on the package P side, i.e., the upper yarn Y2, is wound onto the package P. As a result, the yarn end of the upper yarn Y2 is included in the package P that has stopped rotating.

[0046] For example, after the rotation of the traverse drum 42 and the rotation of the package P have stopped, the yarn processing execution unit 12 and the winding unit 13 perform yarn splicing. When splicing the yarn, the lift mechanism 44 lowers the package P at an appropriate timing. This will be described in detail later.

[0047] Furthermore, when splicing the yarn, the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36 ​​and the shutter unit 39 of the yarn processing execution unit 12 perform the following preparatory operations. The preparatory operations are predetermined operations that are performed before the suction and drawing out operation described below, for enabling the suction and drawing out operation to be started.

[0048] Before the preparatory operation, the arm 36b is located at a predetermined standby position (see FIG. 5(b)). Also, the shutter 39a of the shutter section 39 (see FIG. 4) is in a closed state. In the preparatory operation, the shutter section 39 switches the shutter 39a from a closed state to an open state. This opens the closed fluid passage 101a, and a negative pressure capable of suctioning and capturing the yarn end of the upper yarn Y2 is generated inside the suction port 36c. The operation of the shutter section 39 changing from a state in which the fluid passage 101a is closed to a state in which the fluid passage 101a is opened corresponds to the first preparatory operation of the present invention. The first preparatory operation is included in the preparatory operation. Also, in the preparatory operation, the arm 36b is rotationally driven by the arm motor 38 and swings upward from the standby position. As a result, the suction port 36c moves to a suction position (see the solid line in FIG. 6(a)) closer to the package P than the standby position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6(a)). The suction position is a position near the package P, and is a position for suctioning the yarn end of the upper yarn Y2. Such an operation of the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36 ​​corresponds to the second preparatory operation of the present invention. The second preparatory operation is included in the preparatory operations.

[0049] After the preparation operation is completed, the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36 ​​performs the following suction and drawing operation. The upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36 ​​operates in cooperation with the winding unit 13 to draw out the yarn end of the upper yarn Y2 from the package P rotating in the opposite direction to the winding operation. More specifically, the drum drive motor 43 rotates the traverse drum 42 in the opposite direction to the winding operation. This causes the package P to rotate in the opposite direction to the winding operation. Almost simultaneously with such reverse rotation of the package P, the suction port 36c starts suctioning the yarn end of the upper yarn Y2 and catches the yarn end (suction and capture). After the upper yarn Y2 is suctioned and captured, the arm 36b is rotationally driven by the arm motor 38 to swing downward. As a result, the upper yarn Y2 is guided to the yarn joining device 33 by the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36, as shown in FIG. 6(b). The above operation of the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36 ​​is the suction and drawing operation.

[0050] Although not illustrated, the lower yarn catching and guiding unit 35 suctions and catches the yarn end of the lower yarn Y1 by means of the suction port 35c substantially simultaneously with the suction and drawing out operation by the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36. Furthermore, the arm 35b is driven by the arm motor 37 to rotate upward. As a result, the lower yarn catching and guiding unit 35 guides the lower yarn Y1 to the yarn joining device 33. The yarn joining device 33 joins (connects) the lower yarn Y1 guided by the lower yarn catching and guiding unit 35 and the upper yarn Y2 guided by the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36. This completes the yarn joining, making it possible to resume the winding operation.

[0051] As described above, the yarn splicing is performed in cooperation with the yarn processing unit 12 and the winding unit 13. The combination of the yarn processing unit 12 and the winding unit 13 corresponds to a yarn connecting mechanism of the present invention.

[0052] (Timing of suction and capture of yarn end) Here, in order to shorten as much as possible the time required from when the traveling yarn Y is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed, control that causes the upper yarn catching and guiding part 36 to start operating earlier has been considered. However, it has been found that if the timing at which the yarn end starts to be sucked in is too early, the following problems may occur. This will be explained with reference to Figs. 7(a) to 7(c). Figs. 7(a) to 7(c) are reference diagrams showing problems caused by the upper yarn Y2 being loosened on the surface Pa of the package P. Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) are side views of a portion of the yarn winding unit 2 in the up-down direction. Fig. 7(c) is a schematic plan view of the same.

[0053] As described above, when the yarn Y is cut during the winding operation, the package P is lifted by the lift mechanism 44. Then, the rotation of the package P is stopped. The cut upper yarn Y2 is wound onto the package P until the rotation of the package P stops. When a layer of the yarn Y (yarn layer) is formed on the surface Pa of the package P after the package P is lifted, the surface Pa of the package P is separated from the outer circumferential surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. As a result, the upper yarn Y2 is wound without applying contact pressure to the surface Pa. For this reason, a part of the yarn layer may slacken on the surface Pa of the package P as shown in FIG. 7(a). Then, a gap G is generated between the slackened yarn layer and the surface Pa of the package P. Note that the gap G is shown somewhat exaggerated for ease of viewing in the drawing.

[0054] Then, before the contact operation is completed, the yarn end Ye (see Figs. 7(a) to 7(c)) of the upper yarn Y2 may be sucked into the suction port 36c. At this time, as shown in Figs. 7(b) and 7(c), the yarn end Ye may move and pass through the gap G. When the contact operation is performed with the yarn end Ye passing through the gap G, the yarn end is pinched between the slackened yarn layer and the yarn layer further inside. If the yarn end Ye or a portion in its vicinity (hereinafter, the yarn end Ye, etc.) is fixed on the package P and cannot move, the yarn end Ye, etc. may fall off the suction port 36c while being guided to the yarn joining device 33. In this case, a problem occurs in which the yarn joining cannot be performed. Even if the yarn end Ye, etc. is guided to the yarn joining device 33, if the yarn joining is performed with the yarn end Ye, etc. passing through the gap G, a defective yarn layer that causes an unwinding failure in a subsequent process will be mixed into the package P.

[0055] Therefore, in order to minimize the time from when the yarn Y is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed, while preventing the yarn end Ye from passing through the gap G between the slackened yarn layer and the surface Pa of the package P, the following control is performed in the yarn winding unit 2.

[0056] (Control of winding operation from stopping to restarting) The control performed by the unit control section 15 from the stop of the winding operation to the restart thereof will be described mainly with reference to the flowcharts of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow from when the traveling yarn Y is cut to when the winding operation is restarted. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of a part of the processing included in the flowchart of Fig. 8 (more specifically, step S102 described later).

[0057] In an initial state, a winding operation is being performed in the yarn winding unit 2. During the winding operation, the yarn Y is broken for some reason (step S101 in FIG. 8). The breakage of the yarn Y is detected, for example, by the yarn clearer 34. The yarn clearer 34 outputs a detection signal indicating the breakage of the yarn Y.

[0058] When the unit control section 15 receives the detection signal, it controls the winding section 13 to stop the winding operation (step S102). More specifically, in step S102, the unit control section 15 causes the lift mechanism 44 to lift the package P (separating operation). The control by the unit control section 15 for causing the lift mechanism 44 to perform the separating operation corresponds to the first control of the present invention. Also, in step S102, the unit control section 15 controls the drum drive motor 43 to stop the rotation of the traverse drum 42. Also, in step S102, the unit control section 15 controls the brake section 45 to stop the rotation of the package P. Also, in step S102, the unit control section 15 causes the suction and drawing mechanism (the upper yarn catching and guiding section 36 and the shutter section 39) to perform the above-mentioned preparatory operation, and causes the lift mechanism 44 to perform a contact operation. The control by the unit control section 15 for causing the suction and drawing mechanism to perform the preparatory operation corresponds to the third control of the present invention. The control by the unit control section 15 to cause the lift mechanism 44 to perform the contact operation corresponds to the second control of the present invention. Further details of step S102 will be described later.

[0059] After step S102, the unit control unit 15 controls the yarn processing execution unit 12 and the winding unit 13 to guide the upper yarn Y2 and the lower yarn Y1 to the yarn joining device 33 (step S103). More specifically, as described above, the unit control unit 15 controls the drum drive motor 43 and the arm motor 38 to guide the upper yarn Y2 sucked and captured by the suction port 36c to the yarn joining device 33. In addition, the unit control unit 15 controls the arm motor 37 to guide the lower yarn Y1 sucked and captured by the suction port 35c to the yarn joining device 33.

[0060] Next, the unit control section 15 controls the yarn joining device 33 to join the upper yarn Y2 and the lower yarn Y1 (step S104). Finally, the unit control section 15 controls the winding section 13 to resume the winding operation (step S105).

[0061] (Details of preparation operations, etc.) Next, details of the above-mentioned step S102 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. First, when the unit control section 15 receives the above-mentioned detection signal, it executes, for example, the following two processes in parallel. For convenience of explanation, the two processes will be referred to as a first process and a second process, respectively.

[0062] The first process will be described. First, the unit control unit 15 causes the lift mechanism 44 to lift the package P (the above-mentioned separating operation; step S201). Next, the unit control unit 15, for example, controls the drum drive motor 43 to stop the rotation of the traverse drum 42, and controls the brake unit 45 to stop the rotation of the package P. The unit control unit 15 determines whether the traverse drum 42 has stopped rotating (step S202) based on the detection result of the above-mentioned rotary encoder (not shown). The unit control unit 15 waits, for example, until the traverse drum 42 stops rotating (step S202: No), and proceeds to the next process after the traverse drum 42 stops rotating (step S202: Yes). The unit control unit 15 determines whether the package P has stopped rotating (step S203) based on the detection result of the above-mentioned rotation speed sensor (not shown). The unit control unit 15 waits, for example, until the package P stops rotating (step S203: No), and proceeds to the next process after the package P stops rotating (step S203: Yes). After both the traverse drum 42 and the package P stop rotating, the unit control unit 15 controls the lift mechanism 44 to start the contact operation (step S204). The above process is the first process. Note that the order of steps S202 and S203 may be reversed. Alternatively, the unit control unit 15 may execute steps S202 and S203 in parallel.

[0063] The second process will be described. In parallel with the first process, the unit control unit 15 causes the yarn processing execution unit 12 to start at least a part of the preparatory operation. More specifically, the unit control unit 15 controls (operates) the arm motor 38 of the upper yarn catching and guiding unit 36, for example, to start moving the suction port 36c from the standby position to the suction position (step S205). In other words, the unit control unit 15 starts at least a part of the preparatory operation (the second preparatory operation in this embodiment) before the surface Pa of the package P contacts the outer circumferential surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. In this way, by starting the preparatory operation before the completion of the contact operation, it is possible to minimize the length of time from the division of the yarn Y to the completion of the yarn splicing.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the specific timing of the start of the second preparation operation is preset in the unit control section 15, for example, as follows. For example, the timing may be approximately simultaneous with the completion of the separating operation by the lift mechanism 44, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of the separating operation. Alternatively, the timing may be after the traveling yarn Y is cut and before or simultaneous with the start of the separating operation by the lift mechanism 44. Alternatively, the timing may be approximately simultaneous with the stop of rotation of the traverse drum 42 and / or the package P. Alternatively, the timing may be when a predetermined time has elapsed since the stop of rotation of the traverse drum 42 and / or the package P.

[0065] The unit controller 15 performs the following process after the first process and the second process. The unit controller 15 operates the arm motor 38 in consideration of the timing of the start of the second preparation operation so that the movement of the suction port 36c to the suction position is completed after the start of the contact operation and before the completion of the contact operation (step S206). The arrival of the suction port 36c at the suction position may be detected by some detection means. For example, a sensor (not shown) that detects the suction port 36c may be provided. Alternatively, the arm motor 38 may be provided with a rotary encoder (not shown). Alternatively, the unit controller 15 may determine that the suction port 36c has reached the suction position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of control of the arm motor 38.

[0066] After the suction port 36c has moved to the suction position, the surface Pa of the package P comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 42b of the traverse drum 42, completing the contact operation (step S207). The completion of the contact operation may be detected by some kind of detection means. Alternatively, the unit control unit 15 may determine that the contact operation is completed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the contact operation.

[0067] Thereafter, the unit control unit 15 controls the shutter motor 39b to open the shutter 39a (step S208, the first preparatory operation described above). As a result, the preparatory operation is completed after the contact operation of the package P is completed, and the suction and drawing operation described above becomes possible. In other words, the unit control unit 15 completes the first preparatory operation after the surface Pa of the package P comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. As a result, the unit control unit 15 completes the third control.

[0068] In this manner, the unit control unit 15 operates the shutter motor 39b so that the preparation operation is completed after the contact operation is completed. This makes it possible to prevent the yarn end Ye from passing through the gap G generated between the slackened yarn layer and the surface Pa of the package P.

[0069] The unit control unit 15 may be configured to always cause the yarn processing execution unit 12 to perform a preparation operation when the yarn Y is cut during the winding operation. However, in this case, the time required from when the yarn Y is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed may always be long. Therefore, it is particularly preferable that the unit control unit 15 executes the third control only when the traveling yarn Y is cut while the winding unit 13 is controlled to increase the circumferential speed of the package P (i.e., the package P is accelerated). The circumferential speed of the package P is increasing when the circumferential speed of the package P and the traverse speed of the yarn Y are still lower than the target speed. When the yarn Y is cut while the circumferential speed of the package P is still low, the package P stops rotating in a short time compared to when the yarn Y is cut while the circumferential speed of the package P is sufficiently high (i.e., the circumferential speed has reached the target speed). Problems that may occur at this time will be described below. First, tension is generally applied to the traveling yarn Y that is wound by the winding unit 13. When the traveling yarn Y is cut, the yarn end Ye on the package P side behaves as if it bounces toward the package P side due to the tension. In addition, as described above, when the traveling yarn Y is cut, the yarn Y on the package P side is wound onto the package P before the package P stops rotating. However, in a situation in which the package P stops rotating in a short time as described above, the circumferential speed of the package P becomes significantly lower before the yarn end Ye on the package P side is wound. At this time, the yarn end Ye is difficult to wind onto the package P. In addition, if the momentum of the above-mentioned behavior of the yarn end Ye does not stop, the yarn Y already wound onto the package P near the yarn end Ye may also become slack. Due to the above-mentioned actions, if the yarn Y is cut while the circumferential speed of the package P is still low, a slack yarn layer is likely to be formed. As a result, a gap G is likely to be formed between the slack yarn layer and the surface Pa of the package P, and the yarn end Ye on the package P side is more likely to pass through the gap G. In this embodiment, the yarn end Ye on the package P side can be effectively prevented from passing through the gap G by performing the third control in such a situation.Conversely, when the circumferential speed of the package P is sufficiently high, all of the yarn Y on the package P side is sufficiently wound onto the package P between when the yarn Y is cut and when the package P stops rotating. This reduces the possibility that the cut yarn Y will be wound onto the package P in a slack state. Therefore, when the yarn Y with high tension is cut, the unit control unit 15 may complete the preparatory operation before the contact operation is completed, for example. This reduces the risk of the yarn end Ye on the package P side passing through the gap G, and shortens the time from when the yarn Y is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed.

[0070] As described above, the preparatory operation is started before the surface Pa of the package P lifted by the lift mechanism 44 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 42b of the traverse drum 42 again. This makes it possible to prevent the timing of the start of the suction and drawing operation from being extremely delayed. This makes it possible to minimize the increase in the time from when the yarn Y is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed. In addition, the preparatory operation can be completed after the contact operation is completed. This makes it possible to prevent the yarn end Ye from moving before the package P comes into contact with the traverse drum 42. This makes it possible to prevent the yarn end Ye on the package P side from passing through the gap G generated between the slack yarn layer and the surface Pa of the package P. As described above, it is possible to minimize the increase in the time from when the yarn Y is cut to when the yarn splicing is completed, while preventing the yarn end Ye on the package P side from passing through the gap G generated between the slack yarn layer and the surface Pa of the package P.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, it is particularly preferable that the unit control unit 15 executes the third control when the traveling yarn Y is broken while controlling the winding unit 13 to increase the circumferential speed of the package P. This makes it possible to effectively prevent the yarn end Ye on the package P side from passing through the gap G, as described above. Also, as described above, it is possible to further prevent the time from when the yarn Y is broken until the yarn splicing is completed from becoming longer.

[0072] Furthermore, in the third control, the unit control section 15 operates the shutter section 39 so that the first preparation operation is completed after the second control is completed. This makes it possible to prevent a strong negative pressure from being generated in the suction port 36c before the contact operation is completed. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the yarn end Ye from moving due to the negative pressure before the contact operation is completed.

[0073] In addition, the traverse drum 42 has a traverse groove 42a. As a result, the yarn Y is traversed through the traverse groove 42a. In this configuration, the yarn Y immediately before being wound into the package P does not contact the outer circumferential surface 42b of the traverse drum 42. In other words, contact pressure is applied only to the yarn Y after being wound into the package P. In addition, when the traveling yarn Y is cut, the package P and the traverse drum 42 are separated by the first control. For these reasons, when the yarn Y is cut, the part of the yarn Y that has not yet been wound into the package P is not pressed against the surface Pa of the package P, and therefore the possibility that the part of the yarn Y that has not yet been wound into the package P is separated from the surface Pa and included in the package P increases. For this reason, in the above-mentioned configuration, the possibility that the gap G is formed increases. Therefore, it is particularly effective to perform the third control.

[0074] Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described, in which the same reference numerals will be used to designate components similar to those in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0075] (1) In the above embodiment, the second preparatory operation is started before the contact operation is completed. Also, the first preparatory operation is started after the contact operation is completed. However, this is not limited to this. Another control example will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of step S102 in this modified example. As shown in FIG. 10, the unit control unit 15 executes the first process (steps S201 to S204 described above) in the same manner as in the above embodiment. In the second process, the unit control unit 15 may control the shutter motor 39b to start opening the shutter 39a instead of starting the operation of the arm motor 38 (step S209). That is, the unit control unit 15 may start the first preparatory operation before the contact operation is completed. The unit control unit 15 may control the shutter unit 39 so that the shutter 39a finishes opening (step S210) before the contact operation of the package P is completed (step S207 described above). The unit control unit 15 may control the arm motor 38 to raise the suction port 36c after the contact operation is completed (step S211). Such control can prevent the suction port 36c from reaching the suction position before the contact operation is completed. Therefore, even if negative pressure is generated in the suction port 36c, the yarn end Ye can be prevented from moving due to the negative pressure before the package P is contacted.

[0076] (2) In the above embodiment, one of the first preparatory operation and the second preparatory operation is started before the contact operation is completed. Also, the other of the first preparatory operation and the second preparatory operation is started after the contact operation is completed. However, this is not limited to this. Another control example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of step S102 in this modified example. As shown in FIG. 11, the unit controller 15 executes the first process (steps S201 to S204 described above) in the same manner as in the above embodiment. In the second process, the unit controller 15 may start the lifting of the suction port 36c (step S205 described above) and may also start opening the shutter 39a (step S209 described above). That is, the unit controller 15 may start both the first preparatory operation and the second preparatory operation before the contact operation is completed. The order of steps S205 and S209 may be reversed from that described above. Alternatively, the unit controller 15 may start steps S205 and S209 approximately at the same time. After the contact operation of the package P is completed (step S207 described above), the unit control section 15 may complete the lifting of the suction port 36c (step S212) and finish opening the shutter 39a (step S213). That is, the unit control section 15 may operate the upper thread catching and guiding section 36 and the shutter section 39 so that the first and second preparatory operations are completed after the contact operation is completed. Alternatively, the unit control section 15 may complete the first preparatory operation before the contact operation is completed. The order of steps S212 and S213 may be reversed from that described above. Alternatively, the unit control section 15 may start the first and second preparatory operations at a timing when steps S212 and S213 occur substantially simultaneously. As described above, the unit control section 15 operates the upper thread catching and guiding section 36 and the shutter section 39 so that at least a part of the preparatory operation is started before the contact operation is completed and all of the preparatory operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.

[0077] (3) In the above embodiment, the preparatory operation includes the first preparatory operation and the second preparatory operation. The preparatory operation may further include another operation. For example, the automatic winder 1 includes the negative pressure source 102 (see FIG. 4) common to the multiple yarn winding units 2. In addition to the negative pressure source 102, or instead of the negative pressure source 102, an individual negative pressure source (not shown) may be provided corresponding to each yarn winding unit 2. For example, an individual negative pressure source may be disposed between the negative pressure source 102 and the shutter unit 39 in the air flow direction. The individual negative pressure source may be, for example, a known blower device. The blower device may be in operation when generating negative pressure at the suction port 36c of the corresponding yarn winding unit 2, and may be stopped when negative pressure is not generated at the suction port 36c. The unit control unit 15 may, for example, control the on / off of the power supply of the blower device. The on / off operation of the blower device may be included in the preparatory operation. In this embodiment, the opening and closing operation of the shutter portion 39 can be replaced with the on / off switching operation of the blower device.

[0078] (4) Another modified example will be described with reference to Figs. 12(a) and 12(b). The yarn winding unit 2 may have an upper thread catching and guiding part 60, as shown in Figs. 12(a) and 12(b), instead of the upper thread catching and guiding part 36 described above. The upper thread catching and guiding part 60 is connected to, for example, the upstream end of the fluid passage 101a in the air flow direction. For example, an opening 101b is formed at the upstream end of the fluid passage 101a in the air flow direction. The upper thread catching and guiding part 60 may have the shaft 36a, the arm 36b, and the suction port 36c described above. Furthermore, for example, an opening / closing part 61 may be provided at the base end of the arm 36b. The opening / closing part 61 may be configured to be rotatable integrally with the arm 36b. That is, the opening / closing part 61 may be configured to be movable in conjunction with the arm motor 38. The opening / closing part 61 may have a lid 62a and an opening 62b. The lid 62a is configured to be able to open and close the opening 101b. The lid 62a is disposed at a position in the circumferential direction of the opening / closing unit 61. The opening 62b is disposed at a position different from the lid 62a in the circumferential direction of the opening / closing unit 61. As shown in FIG. 12(a), for example, when the suction port 36c is located at the standby position, the lid 62a blocks the opening 101b (i.e., closes the fluid passage 101a). When the suction port 36c moves from the standby position to the suction position, the state in which the lid 62a blocks the opening 101b is released. In other words, as shown in FIG. 12(b), when the suction port 36c is located at the suction position, the suction port 36c and the fluid passage 101a are connected via the opening 62b. That is, when the suction port 36c is located at the suction position, the opening 101b is in an open state. In this manner, the opening / closing unit 61 is configured to open the fluid passage 101a when the suction port 36c is located at the suction position. In this modified example, the preparation operation includes a moving operation in which the arm motor 38 moves the suction port 36c from the standby position to the suction position. In the third control, the unit control unit 15 may operate the arm motor 38 so that the moving operation is started before the contact operation is completed and is completed after the contact operation is completed.This makes it possible to prevent the suction port 36c from reaching the suction position before the contact operation is completed, and also makes it possible to suppress the generation of a strong negative pressure in the suction port 36c before the contact operation is completed. For a configuration similar to the opening / closing unit 61, see, for example, the sliding cutter (not shown) described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 57-30255.

[0079] (5) In the above embodiments, the package P is raised and lowered relative to the traverse drum 42 by the lift mechanism 44. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the traverse drum 42 may be configured to be movable relative to the package P. In other words, as long as the package P and the traverse drum 42 are configured to be relatively movable, either one or both of the package P and the traverse drum 42 may be movable.

[0080] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the yarn Y is traversed by the traverse drum 42. However, this is not limited to the above. The winding section 13 may have, for example, a traverse guide (not shown) and a roller (not shown) instead of the traverse drum 42. The traverse guide may be provided separately from the roller. The traverse guide may be attached to the tip of an arm that is driven to swing by a motor (not shown) and configured to be reciprocating in the left and right directions. Alternatively, the traverse guide may be attached to an endless belt instead of an arm. The traverse guide may be configured to be reciprocating by driving the endless belt to reciprocate within a predetermined range. The roller contacts the surface Pa of the package P and rotates together with the package P. The roller corresponds to the contact roller of the present invention. The roller may rotate the package P in the same manner as the traverse drum 42. Alternatively, the package P may be driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). In other words, the roller may be configured to rotate in a manner following the package P.

[0081] (7) In the above embodiments, the unit control unit 15 controls the yarn winding unit 2. However, this is not limited to the above. For example, the machine control device 4 may be configured to be able to control a plurality of yarn winding units 2. In this case, the machine control device 4 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention, and the automatic winder 1 corresponds to the yarn winding machine of the present invention.

[0082] (8) In addition to the automatic winder 1, the present invention can also be applied to known air spinning frames, open-end spinning frames (not shown), and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 2 Yarn winding unit (yarn winding machine) 11 Yarn feeder 12 Thread processing execution unit (thread connection mechanism) 13 Winding section (thread connecting mechanism) 15 Unit control section (control section) 36 Upper thread catching guide section (suction pull-out mechanism) 36c suction port 38 Arm motor (movement mechanism) 39 Shutter section (suction extraction mechanism) 42 Traverse drum (contact roller) 42a Traverse groove 42b Outer surface 44 Lift mechanism 61 Opening and closing section 101a Fluid passage 102 Negative pressure source (suction source) P Package Pa surface Y Thread Ye thread end

Claims

1. A yarn winding machine including: a yarn supplying unit capable of supplying a yarn; a winding unit that performs a winding operation to wind the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit to form a package; a yarn connecting mechanism that connects the severed yarn when the yarn is broken between the yarn supplying unit and the winding unit; and a control unit, The winding section includes: a contact roller that contacts a surface of the package and rotates together with the package; a lift mechanism capable of performing a separation operation for separating the surface of the package and the outer circumferential surface of the contact roller from each other, and a contact operation for bringing the surface of the package and the outer circumferential surface of the contact roller closer to each other and into contact with each other, The thread connecting mechanism includes: a suction and drawing out mechanism that is capable of performing a suction and drawing out operation of suctioning and capturing the yarn end of the severed yarn on the winding section side by a suction port and drawing out the yarn end from the package rotating in a direction opposite to that during the winding operation, The control unit is a first control that causes the lift mechanism to perform the separating operation when the yarn is broken between the yarn supplying unit and the winding unit; a second control for causing the lift mechanism to perform the contact operation after the first control; a third control that causes the suction and withdrawal mechanism to perform a predetermined preparatory operation to enable the suction and withdrawal operation to be started, the third control causes the suction and pull-out mechanism to be operated so that the preparatory operation is started before the contact operation is completed by the second control and the preparatory operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.

2. The control unit is The yarn winding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the third control is executed when the traveling yarn is broken while the winding section is being controlled to increase the peripheral speed of the package.

3. The suction extraction mechanism includes: a fluid passage connecting the suction port and a suction source that generates a negative pressure at the suction port; a shutter portion configured to be able to open and close the fluid passage, the preparatory operation includes a first preparatory operation in which the shutter portion opens the fluid passage, The control unit is The yarn winding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the third control, the shutter section is operated so that the first preparation operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.

4. The suction extraction mechanism includes: a moving mechanism for moving the suction port between a predetermined standby position and a suction position for suctioning the yarn end, the suction port being closer to the package than the standby position; the preparatory operation includes a second preparatory operation in which the moving mechanism moves the suction port from the standby position to the suction position, The control unit is The yarn winding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the third control, the moving mechanism is operated so that the second preparation operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.

5. The suction extraction mechanism includes: a moving mechanism that moves the suction port between a predetermined standby position and a suction position for suctioning the yarn end, the suction port being closer to the package than the standby position; a fluid passage connecting the suction port and a suction source that generates a negative pressure at the suction port; an opening / closing unit configured to be linked with the moving mechanism to close the fluid passage when the suction port is located at the standby position and to open the fluid passage when the suction port is located at the suction position from the standby position, the preparatory operation includes a moving operation of moving the suction port from the standby position to the suction position, The control unit is The yarn winding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the third control, the moving mechanism is operated so that the moving operation is completed after the contact operation is completed.

6. The contact roller is The yarn winding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a traverse groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the contact roller for traversing the running yarn.

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