Bobbin inspection device

Abstract

To provide a bobbin inspection device capable of preventing threads of different properties from being mixed into a package.SOLUTION: A bobbin inspection device includes a black light, an imaging device, and a computing device. The black light irradiates near-ultraviolet light onto a bobbin around which a thread for forming a package is wound. The imaging device acquires light from the bobbin irradiated with the near-ultraviolet light and generates determination information. The computing device determines whether a thread with different properties from that of a comparison bobbin is wound on the bobbin based on the color of the thread on the bobbin indicated in the determination information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for inspecting the properties of a thread wound on a bobbin. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection device that inspects cheese-shaped packages formed by an automatic winder. The packages formed by the automatic winder are transported to the inspection device by a transport device. The inspection device irradiates the packages with ultraviolet light using a black light. An operator checks the color of the package irradiated with ultraviolet light to determine whether or not yarns of different properties are mixed in the package.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a transport system that transports bobbins toward an automatic winder. The transport system irradiates the bobbins with red, green, and blue visible light and measures the bobbins irradiated with the visible light using a line sensor. The transport system calculates the presence or absence of remaining yarn and its position based on the measurement results of the line sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-89469 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-32530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If an inspection using the inspection device of Patent Document 1 detects that a yarn with a different property has been mixed into the package, the package is either rewound or discarded. Rewounding a package involves unwinding the yarn wound around the package, removing the yarn with a different property, and then rewinding the yarn to recreate the package, which requires a great deal of time and effort. On the other hand, discarding the package results in a lower yield.

[0006] The method disclosed in Patent Document 2 cannot detect a bobbin wound with a thread of a different property, even if such a bobbin exists.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin inspection device that can prevent yarns of different properties from being mixed into a package.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be explained.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bobbin inspection device having the following configuration. Specifically, the bobbin inspection device includes a black light, an imaging device, and a computing device. The black light irradiates near-ultraviolet light onto a bobbin around which a thread for forming a package is wound. The imaging device acquires light from the bobbin irradiated with the near-ultraviolet light and generates determination information. The computing device determines whether a thread with different properties from that of a comparison bobbin is wound on the bobbin based on color information of the thread of the bobbin indicated by the determination information.

[0010] This makes it possible to detect whether a yarn with different properties is wound on a bobbin before the package is formed. This prevents yarns with different properties from being mixed into a single package. This reduces the need to rewind or discard packages compared to a configuration in which the mixing of yarns with different properties is detected after the package is formed.

[0011] The bobbin inspection device preferably has the following configuration: the bobbin inspection device includes a transport path for transporting the bobbin toward a yarn winding machine that forms the package, and the bobbin being transported along the transport path is irradiated with near-ultraviolet light, light is acquired from the bobbin, and a determination is made based on the determination information.

[0012] This allows the type of yarn to be determined while the bobbin is being transported toward the yarn winding machine.

[0013] The bobbin inspection device preferably has the following configuration: the bobbins include a first bobbin to be judged and a second bobbin to be compared. If the arithmetic device determines that the properties of the yarn wound around the first bobbin are different from the properties of the yarn wound around the second bobbin, the conveying path conveys the first bobbin and the second bobbin so that the first bobbin and the second bobbin are not wound onto the same package.

[0014] This prevents yarns of different properties from being wound onto the same package without any operator intervention.

[0015] The bobbin inspection device preferably has the following configuration: the bobbins are transported on a tray; an RF tag is provided on the tray or the core tube of the bobbin; and the inspection result of the bobbin by the arithmetic device is written to the RF tag.

[0016] This allows information about the yarn wound around the bobbin to be obtained by reading the RF tag at an appropriate position on the transport path, so that the bobbin can be transported according to the properties of the yarn wound around it.

[0017] In the bobbin inspection device, it is preferable that the calculation device compares the color information of the bobbin thread indicated by the judgment information with the color information of the bobbin thread indicated by the previous judgment information, and determines, based on the comparison result, whether the thread wound around the bobbin this time has the same properties as the thread wound around the bobbin in the past.

[0018] This allows for a comparison with threads wound onto previous bobbins to determine differences in the properties of the thread.

[0019] In the bobbin inspection device, it is preferable that the calculation device compares the color information of the bobbin thread indicated by the judgment information with reference color information that is assumed to be the color information of a predetermined reference thread, and based on the comparison result, determines whether the thread wound around the bobbin to be judged has different properties from the reference thread.

[0020] This allows the difference in the properties of the yarn to be determined by comparing it with predetermined reference color information.

[0021] In the bobbin inspection device, the light acquisition device is preferably an imaging device that captures an image of the bobbin irradiated with the near-ultraviolet light and generates a determination image as the determination information.

[0022] This makes it possible to detect whether a thread with different properties from other bobbins is wound on the bobbin by using the thread information that appears in the determination image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a spinning winder system including a conveying system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a bobbin inspection device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting a bobbin on which a different type of yarn is wound. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the spinning winder system 1 includes a spinning machine 2, an automatic winder 3, and a conveying system 4.

[0026] The conveying system 4 includes a conveying path 5 for conveying trays 12 on which bobbins 11 are set. The bobbins 11 are yarn supply bobbins for supplying yarn to the automatic winder 3. The conveying path 5 connects the spinning machine 2 and the automatic winder (yarn winding machine) 3 and is configured in a loop shape, with the trays 12 circulating within the conveying path 5 with the bobbins 11 placed on them. In the following description, the upstream side of the bobbins 11 in the conveying direction may be referred to simply as the "upstream side" and the downstream side of the conveying direction may be referred to simply as the "downstream side," focusing on the flow of the bobbins 11 in the conveying path 5.

[0027] An RF tag 12a is provided on the tray 12. Information can be stored in the RF tag 12a. By using the read / write unit, information can be read from the RF tag 12a or written to the RF tag 12a. The RF tag 12a may be provided on the core tube of the bobbin 11 instead of on the tray 12.

[0028] In the following description, a bobbin on which no thread is wound as shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as an empty bobbin 11a, and a bobbin on which a sufficient amount of thread is wound will be referred to as a full bobbin 11b.

[0029] Next, the spinning machine 2 and the automatic winder 3 that constitute the spinning winder system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] The spinning machine 2 includes a plurality of spinning units arranged side by side. Each spinning unit drafts and spins a roving yarn formed by stretching a sliver to produce a yarn, and winds the yarn around a supplied empty bobbin 11a to prepare a full bobbin 11b. The spinning unit discharges the prepared full bobbin 11b and supplies it to the conveying system 4. In this embodiment, the bobbin 11 is placed on a tray 12, and the bobbin 11 is supplied to the conveying system 4 by conveying the tray 12 using the conveying path 5.

[0031] The method of supplying bobbins 11 from the spinning machine 2 to the conveying system 4 is not limited to the conveying path 5. For example, multiple bobbins 11 may be collected in a container or the like and then fed into the bobbin supplying device. The bobbin supplying device separates the fed bobbins 11 while transporting them on an inclined surface or a conveyor, and places the bobbins 11 on trays 12 that flow along the conveying path 5 of the conveying system 4.

[0032] The automatic winder 3 includes a plurality of winder units (not shown) arranged side by side. Each winder unit unwinds the yarn from a bobbin 11 supplied from the transport system 4, monitors the yarn for defects, removes any detected defects, and winds the yarn to form a package of a predetermined length. The bobbin 11 from which the yarn has been unwound by the automatic winder 3 is discharged to the transport system 4.

[0033] In the spinning winder system 1 configured as described above, full bobbins 11b onto which yarn has been wound by the spinning machine 2 are supplied to the automatic winder 3, and empty bobbins 11a onto which yarn has been unwound by the automatic winder 3 are supplied to the spinning machine 2. As a result, the bobbins 11 are circulated between the spinning machine 2 and the automatic winder 3, and a series of processes from spinning the yarn to forming a package can be completed in the spinning winder system 1.

[0034] Here, when the type, condition, origin, or blending ratio of the sliver (roving yarn) used to produce the yarn in the spinning unit is different, the properties of the produced yarn will be different. The properties of the yarn are a different measure from the quality of the yarn. In other words, even if the quality of the yarn meets a predetermined standard, the properties of the yarn may be different.

[0035] Furthermore, it is not desirable to create a single package using yarns with different properties. Normally, if the yarn is from the same lot, the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin are the same, so the probability of yarns with different properties being mixed is low. However, for some reason, the properties of the yarn may differ even within the same lot. Furthermore, when a lot is changed, bobbins from different lots may be supplied to the conveying system 4 in a mixed state.

[0036] In view of the above, the conveyance system 4 of this embodiment includes a bobbin inspection device 20 that inspects the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11. The configuration of the conveyance system 4 will be described below.

[0037] The transport system 4 includes a transport path 5 for transporting the bobbins 11. The transport system 4 includes a conveyor mechanism (not shown) and can transport the bobbins 11 placed on trays 12 along the transport path 5.

[0038] The transport path 5 includes a first transport path 51 , a second transport path 52 , a reprocessing transport path 53 , a processed transport path 54 , a return transport path 55 , a retention transport path 56 , and a bypass transport path 57 .

[0039] The upstream end of the first conveying path 51 is connected to the spinning machine 2, and the downstream end is connected to the automatic winder 3. In addition, the downstream portion of the first conveying path 51 is connected to the upstream end of a reprocessing conveying path 53.

[0040] The first conveying path 51 is provided with a bobbin inspection device 20 and a first yarn end preparation device 61. The bobbin inspection device 20 inspects the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 and determines whether the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 has properties different from those of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 being compared. The bobbin inspection device 20 will be described in detail later. A first reading / writing unit 31 is provided near the bobbin inspection device 20 to read information from the RF tag 12a and write information to the RF tag 12a. The bobbin inspection device 20 sends a command to the first reading / writing unit 31 to write the inspection results of the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 to the RF tag 12a. The first yarn end preparation device 61 performs an operation of unwinding the yarn end from the bobbin 11 and arranging the yarn end inside the bobbin tube (hereinafter referred to as "end out").

[0041] The first switching device 63 is disposed at a location where the reprocessing transport path 53 branches off from the first transport path 51. The first switching device 63 switches the transport destination of the bobbin 11 depending on whether the above-mentioned end-cap is successful or not. That is, the bobbin 11 that has been successfully end-capped is transported to the automatic winder 3, and the bobbin 11 that has not been end-capped is transported to the reprocessing transport path 53.

[0042] The downstream end of the reprocessing conveying path 53 is connected to a processed conveying path 54 and a return conveying path 55. The processed conveying path 54 is connected to the automatic winder 3. A second yarn end preparing device 62 and a second switching device 66 are arranged slightly upstream of the point where the reprocessing conveying path 53 branches into the processed conveying path 54 and the return conveying path 55.

[0043] The conveying path 5 includes a retention conveying path 56 that is arranged to connect the first conveying path 51 and the reprocessing conveying path 53. A retention switching device 68 is arranged at the point where the retention conveying path 56 branches off from the first conveying path 51. When the retention switching device 68 detects with a sensor (not shown) that the bobbin 11 is retained by a predetermined amount or more because the process related to the end outlet is delayed for some reason, the retention switching device 68 switches the conveying destination of the bobbin 11 to the retention conveying path 56, and the end outlet is performed by the second yarn end preparing device 62.

[0044] The second switching device 66 transports the bobbins 11 that have been successfully unwound to the automatic winder 3 via the processed transport path 54, and transports the bobbins 11 that have not been unwound to the return transport path 55. The upstream end of the second transport path 52 is connected to the automatic winder 3, and the downstream end is connected to the spinning machine 2. The downstream end of the return transport path 55 is also connected to the second transport path 52.

[0045] The second conveying path 52 is mainly used to convey bobbins 11 that have become empty bobbins 11a after all of the yarn has been unwound by the automatic winder 3. The second conveying path 52 is a conveying path for returning the empty bobbins 11a to the spinning machine 2.

[0046] As described above, the RF tag 12a has written thereon the inspection result of the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11. If the inspection result of the yarn properties is unsatisfactory (for example, if the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 being inspected are different from the properties of the yarn wound around the other bobbins 11), this fact is written to the RF tag 12a. This type of tray 12 is guided by the switching device described above to travel on the bypass conveyance path 57 via the retention conveyance path 56, return conveyance path 55, and second conveyance path 52. The bypass conveyance path 57 is a conveyance path leading from the second conveyance path 52 to the first conveyance path 51.

[0047] The bypass conveying path 57 is provided with a bobbin extraction device 71 and a bobbin loading device 72. The bobbin extraction device 71 is a device that extracts the bobbin 11 from the tray 12. A second reading / writing unit 32 is provided near the bobbin extraction device 71, more specifically, upstream of the bobbin extraction device 71. The bobbin loading device 72 is a device that loads the bobbin 11 (empty bobbin 11a) onto the tray 12.

[0048] The second reading / writing unit 32 reads the inspection result from the RF tag 12a. If the inspection result read by the second reading / writing unit 32 is bad, the bobbin extraction device 71 extracts the bobbin 11 from the tray 12. Furthermore, the bobbin extraction device 71 sends a command to the second reading / writing unit 32 to delete information indicating that the inspection result is bad from the RF tag 12a. Next, the bobbin loading device 72 loads an empty bobbin 11a onto this tray 12. The tray 12 with the loaded empty bobbin 11a is guided to the spinning machine 2 via the first conveying path 51, the retention conveying path 56, the return conveying path 55, and the second conveying path 52 described above.

[0049] Next, the bobbin inspection device 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0050] The bobbin inspection device 20 is a device that captures an image of the bobbin 11 while irradiating the bobbin 11 with near-ultraviolet light, and inspects the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 based on the image obtained. As shown in FIG. 2, the bobbin inspection device 20 includes a cover 21, a black light 22, and an imaging device (light acquisition device) 23.

[0051] The cover 21 is a member that covers the conveying path 5. The cover 21 is made of a light-blocking material. This creates a darkroom-like interior space within the cover 21. The properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 are inspected within the interior space of the cover 21. The interior space of the cover 21 has a height that allows the bobbin 11 conveyed along the conveying path 5 to pass through. The cover 21 has an opening 21a that serves as an entrance through which the bobbin 11 conveyed along the conveying path 5 enters the interior of the cover 21 from the outside. A light-blocking sheet 21b is attached to the opening 21a. The light-blocking sheet 21b is a flexible sheet-like member that blocks light from entering the interior of the cover 21 through the opening 21a, but does not prevent the bobbin 11 from entering the interior of the cover 21 through the opening 21a. Although not shown in FIG. 2 , an opening and a light-blocking sheet similar to those on the entrance side are also provided on the exit side of the cover 21.

[0052] It should be noted that the light-shielding sheet 21b is not an essential component. If the effect of light entering the interior of the cover 21 through the opening 21a is small, the light-shielding sheet 21b can be omitted. For example, by bending the transport path 5 inside the cover 21, the effect of light entering the interior of the cover 21 through the opening 21a can be reduced. Alternatively, by providing another cover inside the cover 21, the effect of light entering through the opening 21a can also be reduced.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bobbin 11 irradiated with near-ultraviolet light is not visually confirmed by an operator, but is instead imaged using the imaging device 23. Therefore, if the imaging device 23 has high sensitivity in the wavelength range of near-ultraviolet light or if the cover 21 has a noise reduction function that reduces the influence of white noise (external disturbance light), it may be possible to omit the cover 21. In other words, the cover 21 is not an essential component and can be omitted.

[0054] The black light 22 is disposed inside the cover 21. The black light 22 emits near-ultraviolet light. Near-ultraviolet light has a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 400 nm or less. Near-ultraviolet light is light used industrially for applications such as flaw detection. In this embodiment, the near-ultraviolet light has a wavelength of 315 nm or more and 400 nm or less, which is classified as UV-A, but light below or above this wavelength range may also be used. Here, the yarn absorbs the near-ultraviolet light and releases the absorbed energy as fluorescence. The generation of fluorescence differs depending on the properties of the yarn. Furthermore, the generation of fluorescence appears as a color in an image generated by capturing an image of the bobbin 11. In this way, the color of the bobbin 11 (the color of the yarn) that appears in the image can be used as information for determining whether the properties of the yarn are different.

[0055] In this embodiment, the black light 22 is elongated in the vertical direction so that it can irradiate the entire longitudinal portion of the bobbin 11. However, since the properties of the yarn wound around one bobbin 11 are likely to be the same, it is not essential to inspect the entire bobbin 11. Therefore, for example, near-ultraviolet light may be irradiated only onto the lower portion of the bobbin 11, and the lower portion of the bobbin 11 may be imaged by the imaging device 23.

[0056] The imaging device 23 captures an image of the bobbin 11, thereby generating an image of the bobbin 11 irradiated with near-ultraviolet light. As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 23 includes a lens 24 and an image sensor 25. The lens 24 is directed upward toward the conveying path 5. The light incident through the lens 24 is detected by the image sensor 25 and converted into an electrical signal. The wavelength range detectable by the image sensor 25 includes the wavelength range of near-ultraviolet light.

[0057] The imaging device 23 of this embodiment is a camera that captures a still image of a rectangular area. Alternatively, the imaging device 23 may be a line sensor that captures a still image of a linear area. The imaging device 23 may also be a video camera that captures moving images. Note that image generation is not essential. For example, if determination information indicating color information for each pixel (each position) is created using the imaging device 23, it is possible to perform the determination of this embodiment without generating an image. In this case, an optical sensor (a sensor that includes a photodiode or the like and does not have an image generation function) can be used instead of the imaging device 23.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the bobbin inspection device 20 includes, in addition to the black light 22 and the imaging device 23, a CPU (arithmetic unit) 26, an image memory 27, a communication unit 28, and a storage unit 29. The CPU 26 stores the electrical signal output by the image sensor 25 of the imaging device 23 as image data in the image memory 27, processes the image, and inspects the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11. The communication unit 28 is a connector for wired communication or an antenna for wireless communication. The communication unit 28 transmits the inspection results of the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 to an external device (for example, a control device that controls the automatic winder 3 or the conveying path 5). However, the communication unit 28 is optional. The storage unit 29 is a flash memory, an SSD, or the like, and stores information related to the control performed by the bobbin inspection device 20.

[0059] Next, inspection of the properties of the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 (hereinafter referred to as yarn property inspection) will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. The flowchart in Fig. 4 shows the processing performed by the CPU 26 of the bobbin inspection device 20.

[0060] First, the CPU 26 determines whether it is time to inspect the bobbin (S101). The bobbin inspection timing is the timing to inspect the yarn properties (more specifically, the timing to image the bobbin 11). A bobbin detection sensor (not shown) is provided upstream of the imaging device 23 in the conveying direction, for example, near the opening 21a. The bobbin detection sensor is, for example, an optical sensor. Based on the detection result of the bobbin detection sensor, the CPU 26 determines the timing when the bobbin 11 passes through the imaging range of the imaging device 23 (i.e., the bobbin inspection timing).

[0061] When the CPU 26 determines that the time for bobbin inspection has arrived, it controls the black light 22 to turn on the black light 22 and irradiate near-ultraviolet light (S102). Note that the black light 22 may be constantly on. Next, the CPU 26 controls the imaging device 23 to capture an image of the bobbin 11 irradiated with near-infrared light and generate an image (S103). The image generated in step S103 is an image for determining the properties of the yarn, and will be referred to as a determination image hereinafter. Next, the CPU 26 controls the black light 22 to turn off the black light 22 (S104).

[0062] Next, the CPU 26 analyzes the determination image to determine whether or not the bobbin has a thread of different properties wound thereon (S105). As described above, since there is a correlation between the properties of the thread and the color of the thread contained in the determination image, the CPU 26 extracts a portion of the determination image corresponding to the thread layer of the bobbin 11 and identifies color information of the extracted portion. The color information includes hue, saturation, and brightness. Note that it is not necessary to use all three pieces of color information; it is sufficient to use at least one. The CPU 26 may, for example, extract multiple locations and calculate the color information by averaging them. In this manner, color information of the bobbin 11 (the bobbin to be determined, the first bobbin) is obtained.

[0063] The purpose of this determination is to prevent yarns with different properties from being included in one package. Therefore, what is important is not the absolute value of the color information, but the degree of difference when comparing the color information of the yarn to be determined and the yarn to be compared. The yarn to be compared is the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 that most recently passed through the bobbin inspection device 20. Therefore, for example, the CPU 26 reads out color information for each of the multiple bobbins 11 (the comparison bobbin, the second bobbin) that most recently passed through the bobbin inspection device 20. Next, the CPU 26 generates color information for the comparison bobbin by, for example, averaging the multiple pieces of color information that have been read out.

[0064] Next, the CPU 26 compares the color information of the bobbin being judged with the color information of the bobbin being compared and determines whether the difference exceeds a threshold. If the difference exceeds the threshold, the CPU 26 determines that the properties of the yarns are different between the two. In other words, it determines that the bobbin being judged is wound with a yarn having different properties from the bobbin being compared. On the other hand, if the difference between the two is within the threshold, the CPU 26 determines that the properties of the yarns are similar between the two. The CPU 26 performs the inspection as described above and stores the inspection results in the memory unit 29. Furthermore, the CPU 26 sends a command to the first reading / writing unit 31 to write the inspection results to the RF tag 12a of the tray 12 of the bobbin being judged (S106). Note that the process using the RF tag 12a is an example of using the inspection results, and the process of writing the inspection results to the RF tag 12a or the RF tag 12a itself may be omitted.

[0065] The above-described determination method is merely an example and can be modified. For example, the process of reading out color information from multiple bobbins 11 and generating color information for comparison can be omitted for each determination. For example, the yarn from the bobbin 11 whose color information was first generated can be treated as the reference yarn, and the color information (hereinafter referred to as reference color information) can be stored in the storage unit 29. Then, in the determination of step S105, the color information from the bobbin being determined is compared with the pre-stored reference color information to determine whether the difference exceeds a threshold. By adopting this method, the process of obtaining color information for comparison each time can be omitted. Note that if the properties of the yarn used to generate the package change due to a lot change or the like, the reference color information must be calculated again. The reference yarn is not limited to the yarn from the single bobbin 11 whose color information was first generated. For example, the reference yarn may be an average of the yarns from multiple bobbins 11, or the yarn created for generating the reference color information may be used.

[0066] Next, a method for utilizing the results of the yarn property inspection will be described.

[0067] In this embodiment, the conveying system 4 conveys a bobbin 11 that is determined to have a yarn wound thereon with the same properties as the comparison target, to the automatic winder 3 using the conveying path 5. On the other hand, the conveying system 4 removes a bobbin 11 that is determined to have a yarn wound thereon with different properties from the comparison target, using the bobbin removal device 71. However, this usage method is just one example, and for example, a bobbin 11 that is determined to have a yarn wound thereon with different properties from the comparison target may be retained using the retention conveying path 56, or the bobbin 11 may be conveyed to a recovery unit (not shown) for recovering the bobbin 11. In this way, bobbins 11 wound with yarns of different properties from the others are not supplied to the automatic winder 3, thereby preventing yarns of different properties from being mixed into packages.

[0068] Alternatively, the winder unit to which the bobbin is transported may be determined based on the properties of the yarn. In this embodiment, the inspection results are written to the RF tag 12a of the tray 12. Furthermore, the winder unit has a selective acceptance configuration that selectively accepts the tray 12. The selective acceptance configuration is a configuration in which an open / close member is provided on the transport path 5 connected to each winder unit, and the tray 12 can be accepted only when the open / close member is open. Then, in the automatic winder 3, the open / close member is controlled while reading the RF tag 12a with an RF reader. In detail, the open / close member is controlled so that bobbins 11 wound with yarn of the same properties are supplied to the same automatic winder 3. This allows bobbins 11 wound with yarn of different properties from the comparison target to be supplied to the automatic winder 3 without being retained or discarded.

[0069] Furthermore, if the CPU 26 determines that a thread with different properties from that of the comparison target is wound around the item, it may send a command to the conveyance system 4 to stop conveyance, generate an alarm, and call an operator. In this case, it is not necessary to write the inspection result to the RF tag 12a.

[0070] As described above, the bobbin inspection device 20 of this embodiment includes the black light 22, the imaging device 23, and the CPU 26. The black light 22 irradiates near-ultraviolet light onto the bobbin 11 around which a thread for forming a package is wound. The imaging device 23 acquires light from the bobbin 11 irradiated with the near-ultraviolet light and generates determination information (specifically, a determination image). The CPU 26 determines whether a thread with different properties from that of a comparison bobbin 11 is wound around the bobbin 11 based on color information of the thread of the bobbin 11 indicated by the determination information.

[0071] This makes it possible to detect whether a yarn with a different property is wound on one bobbin 11 before the package is formed. This prevents yarns with different properties from being mixed into one package. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the mixing of yarns with different properties is detected after the package is formed, the package is less likely to need to be rewound or discarded.

[0072] The bobbin inspection device 20 of this embodiment includes a conveying path 5 that conveys the bobbin 11 toward a yarn winding machine that forms a package. The bobbin 11 being conveyed along the conveying path 5 is irradiated with near-ultraviolet light, light is acquired from the bobbin 11, and a judgment is made based on the judgment information.

[0073] This allows the type of yarn to be determined while the bobbin 11 is being transported toward the automatic winder 3.

[0074] In the bobbin inspection device 20 of this embodiment, the bobbins 11 include a first bobbin to be judged and a second bobbin to be compared. If the CPU 26 determines that the properties of the yarn wound around the first bobbin are different from the properties of the yarn wound around the second bobbin, the conveying path 5 conveys the first bobbin and the second bobbin so that the first bobbin and the second bobbin are not wound into the same package.

[0075] This prevents yarns of different properties from being wound onto the same package without any operator intervention.

[0076] In the bobbin inspection device 20 of this embodiment, the bobbin 11 is transported while being placed on a tray 12. An RF tag 12a is attached to the tray 12 or the core tube of the bobbin 11. The inspection result of the bobbin 11 by the CPU 26 is written to the RF tag 12a.

[0077] This allows information about the yarn wound around the bobbin 11 to be obtained by reading the RF tag 12a at an appropriate position on the transport device. Therefore, the bobbin 11 can be transported according to the properties of the yarn wound around it.

[0078] In the bobbin inspection device 20 of this embodiment, the CPU 26 compares the color information of the yarn on the bobbin 11 indicated by the judgment information with the color information of the yarn on the bobbin 11 indicated by the past judgment information, and determines, based on the comparison result, whether the yarn wound around the current bobbin 11 has the same properties as the yarn wound around the previous bobbin 11. As the past judgment image, a judgment image selected by an operator as a non-defective product can be used, but it is also possible to provide the bobbin inspection device 20 with a machine learning function so that it can select a judgment image that is a non-defective product from multiple past judgment images or generate a judgment image that is a non-defective product.

[0079] This allows for a comparison with yarns wound on the bobbin inspection device 20 in the past to determine differences in the properties of the yarn.

[0080] In the bobbin inspection device 20 of this embodiment, the CPU 26 compares the color information of the thread of the bobbin 11 indicated by the judgment information with reference color information that is assumed to be the color information of a predetermined reference thread, and based on the comparison result, determines whether the thread wound around the bobbin 11 to be judged has different properties from the reference thread.

[0081] This allows the difference in yarn properties to be determined by comparing with predetermined reference color information.

[0082] In the bobbin inspection device 20 of this embodiment, the imaging device 23 captures an image of the bobbin 11 irradiated with near-ultraviolet light, and generates a determination image as determination information.

[0083] This makes it possible to detect whether or not a thread with properties different from those of the other bobbins 11 is wound around the bobbin 11 by using the thread information that appears in the determination image.

[0084] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. Each modification may be made alone, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0085] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the bobbin inspection device 20 is disposed in the conveyance system 4, but the location of the bobbin inspection device 20 can be changed. For example, a bobbin inspection device 20 may be disposed for each winder unit of the automatic winder 3. In this case, it is preferable that the bobbin 11 to be compared is the one most recently supplied to the corresponding winder unit.

[0086] The bobbin inspection device 20 can also be applied to a magazine-type automatic winder 3 in which an operator manually supplies bobbins 11 for each winder unit, rather than a tray-type automatic winder 3. In this case, the bobbin inspection device 20 may be disposed in the magazine, or in a location where the bobbin passes when it is supplied from the magazine to the yarn supplying section.

[0087] The bobbin inspection device 20 may also be disposed in the bobbin supply device described above. In this case, it is preferable to dispose the bobbin inspection device 20 on a conveyor or the like that separates and transports the loaded bobbins 11.

[0088] The bobbin inspection device 20 may also be installed independently at a location independent of other textile machines. In this case, the bobbin inspection device 20 is used to select bobbins 11 wound with yarns of different properties from the multiple bobbins 11 produced by the spinning machine 2.

[0089] The bobbin inspection device 20 of the above embodiment inspects the transported bobbin 11. Alternatively, the bobbin inspection device 20 may inspect the stationary bobbin 11.

[0090] The flowcharts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and some processes may be omitted, some processes may be changed, or new processes may be added. For example, if the imaging device is a line sensor, a process of synthesizing line images may be added. If the imaging device is a video camera that captures moving images, a process of extracting a still image each time the bobbin 11 passes may be performed to generate a determination image.

[0091] In the spinning winder system 1 shown in the above embodiment, actual bobbins 11b wound with yarn by the spinning machine 2 are supplied to the automatic winder 3, but instead of the spinning machine 2, a bobbin supplying device may be provided that takes out actual bobbins 11b from a container box in which the actual bobbins 11b are stocked and supplies them individually. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Spinning Winder System 2 spinning machine 3 Automatic Winder 22 Black Light 23 Imaging device 26 CPU (computing unit)

Claims

1. a black light that irradiates near-ultraviolet light onto a bobbin around which a thread for forming a package is wound; a light acquisition device that acquires light from the bobbin irradiated with the near-ultraviolet light and generates determination information; a computing device that determines whether a thread having a different property from that of the bobbin being compared is wound thereon based on the color information of the thread of the bobbin indicated by the determination information; and A bobbin inspection device comprising:

2. The bobbin inspection device according to claim 1, a conveying path for conveying the bobbin toward a yarn winding machine that forms the package; The bobbin inspection device is characterized in that the bobbin being transported along the transport path is irradiated with the near-ultraviolet light, the light is acquired from the bobbin, and a judgment is made based on the judgment information.

3. The bobbin inspection device according to claim 2, The bobbins include a first bobbin to be judged and a second bobbin to be compared, A bobbin inspection device characterized in that, when the calculation device determines that the properties of the thread wound on the first bobbin are different from the properties of the thread wound on the second bobbin, the conveying path conveys the first bobbin and the second bobbin so that the first bobbin and the second bobbin are not wound onto the same package.

4. The bobbin inspection device according to claim 2 or 3, The bobbins are transported on a tray, an RF tag is provided on the tray or the core tube of the bobbin; The bobbin inspection device is characterized in that the inspection result of the bobbin by the arithmetic unit is written to the RF tag.

5. The bobbin inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The bobbin inspection device is characterized in that the calculation device compares the color information of the bobbin thread indicated by the judgment information with the color information of the bobbin thread indicated by the previous judgment information, and based on the comparison result, determines whether the thread wound around the bobbin this time has the same properties as the thread wound around the bobbin in the past.

6. The bobbin inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The bobbin inspection device is characterized in that the calculation device compares the color information of the bobbin thread indicated by the judgment information with reference color information that is assumed to be the color information of a predetermined reference thread, and based on the comparison result, determines whether the thread wound around the bobbin to be judged has different properties from the reference thread.

7. The bobbin inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The bobbin inspection device is characterized in that the light acquisition device is an imaging device that images the bobbin irradiated with the near-ultraviolet light and generates a determination image as the determination information.

Images