System for monitoring the sliver filling level in a spinning can

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for monitoring the sliver filling level of a spinning can (1a) which can be brought to or is arranged at a working point (13) of a sliver processing textile machine (12), comprising a position detection unit (10a) for determining the position of a surface of a sliver (5) arranged in the spinning can facing the open end of the spinning can and / or the positions of components moving intact with the sliver section arranged in the spinning can, an analysis unit which is connected or can be connected to the position detection unit for determining the sliver filling level of the spinning can based on the determined position of the surface of the sliver or the determined positions of the components, and a transmission unit which is connected or can be connected to the analysis unit for transmitting information regarding the determined sliver filling level of the spinning can to an information processing unit which processes the filling level information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a system for monitoring the sliver filling level of a spinning can brought to or placed at a working point of a sliver processing textile machine, and to a textile machine having a sliver processing working point, the textile machine comprising a spinning can holder for holding the spinning can and a take-off device for taking off the sliver from the spinning can. [Background technology]

[0002] Spinning cans are well known as storage and transport media for textile material in strand form, which are used at sliver processing work points of textile machines, such as spinning machines, to provide textile material to be processed. When a spinning can becomes empty at the work point, it needs to be replaced by a full spinning can by an operator.

[0003] In order to reduce downtimes, it is already known from DE 10 2018 118 652 A1 to design a spinning can in such a way that an operator can detect, in particular, the filling level or at least one property of the stored dough material by looking at the outside of the spinning can. For this purpose, the side walls of the spinning can are at least partially transparent so that the operator can identify display elements arranged in the spinning can, by means of which information on the filling level or on at least one property of the stored dough material can be displayed through the transparent side wall part. However, designing the side walls of the spinning can to be transparent, even if only partially, requires a departure from conventional methods for producing spinning cans. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, the present invention is based on the object of providing an alternative system for at least monitoring the sliver filling level of at least one of the spinning cans brought to or placed at the working point of a sliver processing textile machine. In particular, the present invention is based on the object of providing an alternative system for at least monitoring the sliver filling level of at least one of the spinning cans brought to or placed at the working point of a textile machine for processing sliver, which system provides a current filling level quantity of a commercially available spinning can that does not have a transparent side wall portion.

[0005] The invention achieves this object by means of a system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0006] The system according to the present invention for monitoring at least the sliver filling level of a spinning can brought to or placed at a working point of a sliver processing textile machine comprises a position detection unit, an analysis unit connected to the position detection unit, and a transmission unit for transmitting information regarding the determined sliver filling level of the spinning can to an information processing unit which processes the filling level information, the transmission unit being connected to the analysis unit.

[0007] The position detection unit is designed to determine the position of a surface of a sliver arranged in the spinning can facing the open end of the spinning can and / or the position of a component which moves substantially together with the sliver portion, in particular the surface of said component, thus taking into account different design types of commonly used commercially available spinning cans.

[0008] In the case of spinning cans, generally referred to as round cans, the spinning can bottom is usually substantially slidable with a lower sliver portion arranged on it and moves from a lower initial position to an upper end position as an upper sliver portion, which is at a distance from the lower sliver portion and accessible from outside the spinning can, is removed from the spinning can, so that the position of the surface of the sliver facing the open end remains essentially constant. The repositioning of the spinning can bottom is usually effected by a force accumulator in the form of one or more coil springs, which preloads the spinning can bottom towards the upper end position and repositions it as the sliver is removed. If a spinning can with a movable spinning can bottom is used, the position detection unit is, according to a preferred embodiment, designed to sense the position of the surface of the spinning can bottom facing the open end, the spinning can bottom forming a component or designed to sense the position of a component which moves substantially together with the spinning can bottom or the lower sliver part deposited on the spinning can bottom.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment, at least one spinning can having a spinning can bottom that can be moved between a start position and an end position is associated with the system, the component being preferably coupled to the spinning can bottom and arranged in an area that can be sensed by the position detection unit, for example in the area of ​​the outer wall side of the spinning can. For example, according to another preferred embodiment, the component can be fixedly connected to the spinning can bottom by a bar extending through the spinning can side wall, the outer wall side of the spinning can having a slot extending in the direction of movement of the spinning can bottom, along which the bar can move substantially unhindered together with the spinning can bottom between the start and end positions of the spinning can bottom. The component can also preferably be an end of a bar protruding from the outer wall side of the spinning can or an end piece of defined dimensions formed with the bar and protruding from the outer wall side of the spinning can, the defined dimensions being selectable according to requirements, as long as sensing by the position detection unit is guaranteed. The slot may be provided with a sealing lip which seats against a bar portion which extends through the slot, more preferably to be at least substantially completely surrounding the slot.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the components may be magnetic or magnetized components that are attached to the outer wall side of the spinning can by magnetic holding forces. The magnetic holding forces can be obtained from magnets, in particular permanent magnets, arranged stationarily on the movable spinning can bottom, and it is also preferred that the intervening part of the spinning can side wall is made of a material that does not influence the magnetic holding forces for the movement of the components substantially along the permanent magnet. This part preferably has a corresponding size along the movement path of the spinning can bottom. The material may, for example, be a plastic-containing material. The surface side of the spinning can side wall facing the components may also preferably be treated or designed in such a way that friction effects between the components and the outer wall side of the spinning can are reduced. Furthermore, the components are preferably guided in the direction of movement, for example in a holding rail, to avoid accidental removal.

[0011] According to another preferred embodiment, the position detection unit is alternatively or additionally designed to determine the surface of the sliver facing the open end of the spinning can. Such a design of the position detection unit is necessary when spinning cans are used in which the can bottom is fixed and the surface of the sliver facing the open end of the can moves towards the can bottom during removal of the sliver.

[0012] According to the invention, the position of the surface of the sliver and / or the position of the components in the spinning can determined by the position detection unit is transmitted by the position detection unit to an evaluation unit, which evaluates the current filling level of the spinning can depending on the determined position of the surface of the sliver and / or the determined position of the components. The analysis unit can preferably be part of the working point, part of a part of the textile machine remote from the working point, part of a higher-level control unit remote from the textile machine, such as a higher-level central control unit inside or outside the spinning house housing the textile machine, or part of another terminal of an operator, in particular a mobile terminal. Information about the filling level can then be transmitted by a transmission unit connected to the analysis unit or connected to the information processing unit, so that, for example, information about the filling level of the spinning can can be provided to an operator or an operating unit as will be explained in more detail below. The information processing unit can be, for example, an output unit, such as a display unit. This display unit can preferably be a simple light emitter that is activated when the filling level amount falls below a predefined filling level amount of the spinning can. However, it is also possible, for example, to use a display unit which shows at least the filling level of the spun cans in alphabetical, alphanumeric, numerical or graphic form on a display.

[0013] Alternatively, the output unit is preferably an acoustic unit such as a speaker, whereby the filling level is acoustically output, in particular in an output language that can be understood by an operator or by an operating unit, which will be explained in more detail below. In the sense of the present invention, the term "speaker" means any output medium capable of acoustically outputting information.

[0014] Alternatively, the output unit is preferably a projection unit by means of which the filling level information can be projected onto a defined object, such as a surface suitable as a projection surface, or at a defined position in the room like or in the manner of a hologram, so that the filling level information is visible to an operator or operating unit.

[0015] Alternatively, it may be preferred that the information processing unit is a combination of at least two of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments.

[0016] In principle, the arrangement of the information processing unit can be freely selected. The information processing unit can preferably be an output unit, in particular an output unit as described above for outputting information about the filling level, the output unit being arranged outside the spinning can. According to a preferred embodiment, the information processing unit, in particular the output unit, can be arranged in the perception range of the operator. For example, the information processing unit can be part of the working point, part of a part of the textile machine remote from the working point, part of a higher-level control unit remote from the textile machine, such as a higher-level central control unit, or part of another terminal, in particular a mobile terminal, for example of the operator. It can thus be ensured that the operator or the operating unit can perceive or obtain the filling level information without any problems.

[0017] According to a preferred design of the invention, the output unit can be arranged at least at the working point of the textile machine or on the spinning can. By arranging the discharge unit at the working point or on the spinning can, an operator or an operating unit can immediately recognize a spinning can which is scheduled or has already been scheduled for replacement due to the charge falling below a defined charge. As soon as a spinning can replacement has been carried out, the corresponding working point is preferably stopped in time by a control unit connected to the working point, for example a control unit as described above, and it is further preferred that a pending and / or current stop of the working point can be signaled by an output unit as described above or by another output medium, for example arranged at the working point. A pending stop can possibly be signaled differently from a current stop.

[0018] The device according to the invention particularly reliably enables the filling level of the spinning cans to be detected and an indication to be provided when the filling level falls below a specified minimum amount, so that a change of the spinning can is prepared and can be quickly carried out automatically, for example by an operating unit, and / or by human interaction, for example by an operator. Thus, downtimes can be effectively minimized and the productivity of the textile machine can be maximized. Sensing the position of the surface of the sliver and / or the position of the components, in particular the position of the surface, is a particularly reliable reference value for determining the filling level of the spinning cans.

[0019] In principle, the position detection unit for determining the position can be designed in any way. According to a preferred embodiment, the position detection unit has optical and / or acoustic sensors, in particular laser and / or ultrasonic sensors, for sensing the position. The use of laser and / or ultrasonic sensors is characterized in that they are particularly reliably suitable for measuring distances and thus allow a particularly accurate sensing of the position. In principle, the arrangement of the position detection unit can be freely selected. For example, the position detection unit can be arranged fixedly at the working point of the textile machine, on the spinning can or on an automatic machine which can move along the working point of the textile machine to perform a given task at the working point.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one spinning can with a spinning can bottom that can be moved between a start position and an end position is associated with the system, and a position detection unit for sensing the position of the surface of the movable spinning can bottom has a magnet unit, in particular a permanent magnet, arranged on the movable spinning can bottom and a fixed or movable Hall sensor positioned relative to the magnet unit in a measurement position that allows the magnetic field of the magnet unit to be sensed. In the case of an arrangement in which the Hall sensor is movable, the Hall sensor can be particularly preferably arranged on an automation unit associated with the system. In the case of a fixed arrangement, the Hall sensor can preferably be arranged on the spinning can side wall, in particular on the outer wall side, integrated in the spinning can side wall or arranged on the inside of the spinning can side wall. Alternatively or additionally, a Hall sensor can be provided at a suitable measurement position for each working point. By means of the Hall sensor, also called "Hall element", the position of the magnet unit arranged on the spinning can bottom and thus the position of the spinning can bottom relative to the Hall sensor can be particularly reliably determined. Alternatively, the magnet unit can also be arranged at the position of a Hall sensor as described above, and the Hall sensor can also be arranged at the position of the magnet unit as described above. The above-described design of the position detection unit constitutes a particularly reliable method for sensing the position of the bottom of the spun can. If a Hall sensor or a magnet unit is arranged on the automation unit, the filling level of a number of spun cans, with which the automation unit can be moved, can be determined particularly economically by using a single Hall sensor or a single magnet unit.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the position detection unit is fixed or movable and the optical or acoustic sensor or Hall sensor or magnet unit is arranged to sense the filling level of the spinning can during the guidance of the spinning can past the position detection unit and vice versa. In the sense of the present invention, "guiding through" means the guidance of the moving spinning can past the fixed position detection, the guidance of the moving position detection unit past the fixed spinning can and the guidance of the moving spinning can past the moving position detection unit.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred design, the position detection unit can be arranged on an automation unit which can be moved along the textile machine. By arranging the position detection unit on the automation unit, several position detection units can be used for monitoring several spinning cans, which makes the monitoring of the spinning cans particularly economical. It is also preferred that the position detection unit can be arranged on a typically already available automation unit, which can be, for example, a service unit, which can move along the individual work points and can, for example, carry out defined maintenance tasks, cut the yarn and / or replace a fully wound package with an empty tube.

[0023] Alternatively, the position detection unit can be arranged on an automation unit, preferably an operating unit, in particular an autonomously operating operating unit, more particularly a service robot, which is preferably designed to move the spinning cans between the spinning can filling station and the textile machine. For example, the sliver filling level of the spinning can can be sensed by the operating unit when the operating unit approaches the spinning can. Also preferably, the automation unit, in particular the operating unit, can be associated with the system and can be designed to evaluate whether and in particular when the spinning can should be replaced by a spinning can filled with sliver material according to the information on the determined sliver filling level. Alternatively or additionally, the operating unit can be designed to perform tasks identical or similar to those performed by the above-mentioned service unit.

[0024] The proposed system can be designed not only to monitor the sliver filling level, but also to sense, monitor and / or check parameters of the sliver material deposited in the spinning can. Thus, in this system, at least one sensing unit is provided that is designed to sense, particularly preferably to monitor and / or check, at least one defined parameter of the sliver material. The parameter sensing unit can preferably be arranged or is arranged similarly to the position detection unit according to one of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, and can be connected or connected to an analysis unit or other evaluation device for each case evaluating information on the sensed parameter with respect to compliance and / or deviation of at least one predefinable limit value or limit range, and further preferably connected or connected by a transmission unit to an information processing unit, which is designed to process the evaluated information on the sensed, monitored and / or checked parameter. The sensed, monitored and / or checked parameter can be a defined characteristic of the sliver material, such as, for example, sliver thickness, sliver strength, sliver fineness, hairiness, composition of the sliver material, or a similar parameter. The information processing unit may be an information processing unit as described above with corresponding additional functions or may be an information processing unit provided in addition to the information processing unit described above. The information processing unit may preferably be an output unit as described above, more preferably positioned outside the spinning can or near the spinning can or at the work point, so that the output unit can be perceived by the operator or sensed by the operating unit. This allows for immediate and direct marking of the spinning can, for example, if a sliver material that is not suitable for the work point, in particular for the yarn lot to be produced at the work point, is supplied, or if a spinning can with an incorrect amount of sliver material or an incorrect sliver material is supplied. The latter may occur, for example, if a spun yarn produced from the sliver material leads to the removal or cutting of an excess number of yarns produced from the sliver material.

[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the parameter sensing unit can comprise a writable and readable memory, such as an RFID chip, and a read-out unit for reading the memory. The memory can preferably be arranged or is arranged on a spinning can associated with the system or can be integrated or is integrated in the wall of the spinning can at a position where the memory can be written and read. This makes it possible to check the sliver material deposited in the spinning can, especially in the area of ​​the textile machine where the sliver material is further processed, preferably in a step prior to the further processing, if corresponding parameter information on the sliver material deposited in the spinning can, such as the properties of the sliver material, such as the sliver thickness, sliver strength, sliver fineness, the composition of the sliver material, the length, diameter, weight and / or volume details of the deposited sliver material and / or information on which pre-processing machine or working point the sliver material was produced and / or for which working point the spinning can is intended, is written in the memory. Additionally or alternatively, further information on the sliver material, such as production parameters or similar data, can be stored in the memory, so that it is possible to check, preferably also in the region of the textile machine or the work point and / or directly at the work point, whether the correct sliver material for producing a defined yarn has been supplied to the work point.

[0026] The read-out unit can preferably be or is arranged equivalently to the position detection unit as described above, as long as interaction with the memory can be performed as required.

[0027] Furthermore, the system preferably comprises a writing unit for writing predeterminable information into the memory as required. The reading unit and the writing unit can preferably be realized by a single unit. Thus, preferably, in the process of the textile material processing chain, information can be exchanged between textile material processing machines, in particular spinning machines, and textile material preparation machines, in particular drawing frames. Preferably, in the course of emptying a spinning can, it may be possible to write information into the memory regarding a specific sliver material requirement, for example regarding the type of sliver material and / or the length or weight of the sliver material required for processing at a specific working point of the textile material processing machine, which information is read out in the textile material preparation machine which fills the spinning can with sliver material, which machine is upstream in the process chain of the textile material processing machine, and which is processed and taken into account accordingly for refilling the spinning can. In this way, information can not only be transferred from the preparation machine to the processing machine, but also vice versa in an alternative manner.

[0028] Generally, according to a preferred embodiment, the connections existing as described above or to be established between the corresponding units can be realized in a conventional wired or wireless manner. For the purposes of the present invention, a unit in the normal sense is understood to be a unit that consumes electrical energy.

[0029] The invention further solves the problem by a textile machine, in particular a rotor or air jet spinning machine, with at least one sliver handling work point with a spinning can holder for holding a spinning can and a take-off device for taking off the sliver from the spinning can, the textile machine being equipped with a system according to the preferred embodiment as described above. A textile machine with at least one such work point is characterized in that it is possible to quickly detect a spinning can which needs to be replaced, so that the downtime of the at least one work point of the textile machine can be minimized.

[0030] Further preferably, the textile machine is a spinning machine having a spinning device for spinning a yarn from a supplied sliver material and an inspection unit arranged downstream of the spinning device along the yarn path for inspecting predeterminable or predefined properties of the spun yarn. The inspection unit is coupled to the information processing unit via an analysis unit for evaluating the thread properties detected by the inspection unit in the manner as described above. The inspection unit may preferably be a conventional so-called yarn clearer. The analysis unit is designed to evaluate the properties detected by the inspection unit and to transmit information on the evaluation to the information processing unit. The analysis unit may be an analysis unit of a system for monitoring the sliver filling level or may be a different analysis unit, which may preferably be designed as described above. The coupling of the inspection unit to the information processing unit allows a simple way of detecting defective sliver material, for example when a limit value deviation of at least one defined detected yarn property is evaluated, which preferably leads at least to a stop of the corresponding spinning station, a signaling of a stop and / or a signaling of the detected defective sliver material.

[0031] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures and drawings showing the details essential to the invention, and from the dependent claims. The individual features can be implemented in a meaningful way in preferred embodiments of the invention, either individually or as groups in any combination. Within the meaning of the invention, in the course of describing a preferred specific arrangement of a component associated with a system or textile machine on another component, this other component is to be understood as being preferably also associated with or included in the system or textile machine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, in which: [Figure 1]FIG. 2 shows a schematic, partially cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a spinning can with a movable spinning can bottom. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view, partially in section, of a second embodiment of a spun can with a fixed bottom, together with the associated automation unit. [Diagram 3] 4 shows a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a spinning can cooperating with an automation unit. [Figure 4] 4 shows a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of a spinning can with a movable spinning can bottom. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an end region of an open-end rotor spinning machine according to an exemplary embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] 1 shows a schematic and partially cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a spinning can 1a. The spinning can 1a has a spinning can side wall 4, which in the use position extends vertically upwards from a spinning can base body 3. In the spinning can 1a, a movable can bottom 2a is arranged, which can move, in particular slide, vertically along the spinning can side wall 4 between a start position and an end position. The spinning can bottom 2a is preloaded towards the open end of the spinning can 1a by two helical compression springs 8, which rest at one end against the spinning can base body 3 and at the other end against the underside of the spinning can bottom 2a facing the spinning can base body 3. By means of the compression coil spring 8, the spinning can bottom 2a is repositioned when the sliver 5 is removed at a working point 13 of the textile machine 12 (shown as an example in Figure 5), the spinning can bottom 2a being moved towards the open end of the spinning can 1a, so that the position of the surface of the sliver 5 facing the open end remains substantially constant.

[0034] To sense the position of the surface of the spinning can bottom 2a, the position detection unit 10a has a permanent magnet 7 arranged on the underside of the spinning can bottom 2a and a Hall sensor 6 arranged below the spinning can base 3. By means of the Hall sensor 6, which can be arranged, for example, in the area of ​​the spinning can holder at the working point 13, the position of the permanent magnet 7 relative to the Hall sensor 6 and thus the position of the surface of the spinning can bottom 2a relative to the spinning can base 3 or the position of the surface of the spinning can bottom 2a relative to the open end of the spinning can 1a can be determined particularly reliably. The position determined by the position detection unit 10a is transferred to an analysis unit (not shown here), which determines the filling amount of sliver 5 in the spinning can 1a on the basis of the determined position and signals this by means of an information processing unit connected to the analysis unit, which is in the form of a display unit, if the filling amount falls below a predefined minimum amount.

[0035] According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, not shown, the Hall sensor 6 can be arranged on the outside of the spinning can side wall 4 or can be integrated in the spinning can side wall 4. An arrangement on the inside of the spinning can side wall 6 is also conceivable, provided that the Hall sensor 6 is arranged in such a way that it does not interfere with the sliver 5 held in the spinning can 1a.

[0036] According to this exemplary embodiment, which is not shown, the permanent magnet 7 can be arranged away from the center of the spinning can bottom 2a, close to the spinning can side wall 4, on which the Hall sensor 6 is arranged. In principle, it is conceivable that more than one Hall sensor 6 can be arranged to make the sensing more reliable and / or redundant. For example, in addition to the Hall sensor 6, an additional Hall sensor 6 can be arranged on the spinning can base 3 or integrated into the spinning can base 3 on or in the spinning can wall 4. Alternatively or additionally, an additional Hall sensor 6 can be provided on or in the spinning can wall 4 at a distance from the Hall sensor 6 on or in the spinning can side wall 4.

[0037] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a spinning can 1b, which has a fixed, i.e. not movable, spinning can bottom 2b, as compared to the spinning can 1a shown in Figure 1. During operation of the textile machine 12, the sliver 5 is continuously taken off from the spinning can 1b, so that the surface of the sliver 5 facing the open end of the spinning can 1b is lower in the spinning can 1b. A position detection unit 10b, which has an ultrasonic sensor 11 and is arranged on the automation unit 9, is used to sense the surface of the sliver 5 in the spinning can 1b. The automation unit 9 can move along the textile machine 12, which has a number of working points 13 arranged adjacent to each other, and is usually used to perform service tasks, such as repairing a yarn break or replacing a fully wound spool with an empty tube. When the automation unit 9 is positioned in relation to the work point, a position detection unit 10b arranged on the automation unit 9 can determine the position of the surface facing the open end of the sliver 5 in the spinning can 1b by means of the ultrasonic sensor 11 and thus the filling level of the spinning can 1b by means of an analysis unit connected to the position detection unit 10b. An information processing unit in the form of a display unit can then be used to signal that the filling level has fallen below a predefined level.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a spinning can 1c which differs from the spinning can 1a shown in Figure 1 only in that no magnet is arranged under the spinning can bottom 2a. Instead, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3, the position of the surface of the spinning can bottom 2a is sensed by an ultrasonic sensor 11 of a position detection unit 10b arranged on the automation unit 9, which is designed to sense the position of the spinning can bottom 2a and not to sense the surface of the sliver 5.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a spinning can 1d with a movable spinning can bottom 2a. In contrast to the above-mentioned spinning cans 1a, 1c with a spinning can bottom 2a, the spinning can 1d has a magnet 7, in particular a permanent magnet, arranged on the spinning can bottom 2a. The magnetic element 7a is arranged on the outside of the spinning can side wall 4 and is held there by a magnetic holding force emanating from the magnet 7. During removal of the sliver 5 from the spinning can 1d, the spinning can bottom 2a moves together with the magnet 7 in the direction of the open end of the spinning can 1d, so that the magnetic element 7a is carried away by the magnetic force. The filling level of the spinning can 1d can thus be easily sensed by the operating unit or perceived by the operator. According to a not shown embodiment, more than two magnetic elements 7a and corresponding magnets 7 are provided, in particular distributed evenly around the spinning can 1d. Furthermore, according to an embodiment not shown, the magnetic component 7 a is guided constrainedly in a guide rail on the spun can side wall 4 .

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, not shown, instead of the magnet 7 and the corresponding magnetic or magnetized component 7a, a slot is provided extending in the direction of movement of the spinning can bottom 2a, through which a bar projects and which connects to the spinning can bottom 2a the component which projects beyond the outside of the spinning can side wall 4. The slot has such an extension that the component can be moved substantially together with the spinning can bottom 2a by the bar between the start and end positions of the spinning can bottom 2a. According to a further exemplary embodiment, not shown, the slot is provided with a sealing lip which hermetically surrounds the bar.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an end region of a textile machine 12 in the form of an open-end rotor spinning machine. Such an open-end rotor spinning machine generally has two parallel rows of working points, which are positioned between two end frames 16 and therefore each have a plurality of working points 13 arranged adjacent to one another. At each of these working points 13, as is known, the sliver 5 stored in a spinning can 1a is spun by a spinning device 14 and then wound at the working point on a winding device 15 onto a large-capacity cross-wound bobbin (not shown). The spinning can 1a can be a spinning can as described above. Different spinning cans 1a-1d as described above can be mounted on the textile machine 12 in combination as required. A yarn clearer is arranged downstream of the spinning device 14 along the yarn path in the direction of the winding device 15 and tests the yarn for certain properties. Based on this check, defective sliver material can be detected, for example, if the number of yarn breaks initiated by the yarn clearer exceeds a predefined limit value, based on which a stop of the corresponding work point 13, a signalling of a stop and / or a signalling of evaluated information for replacing the spinning can 1a is carried out.

[0042] According to a further exemplary embodiment, not shown, the spinning cans 1a-1d according to any of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments have an RFID chip, which is arranged in the spinning cans 1a-1d at a position where the RFID chip can be written and read. This allows the sliver material deposited in the spinning cans 1a-1d to be sensed, monitored and / or inspected in the area of ​​the textile machine 12 where the sliver material is to be further processed. For this purpose, corresponding parameter information on the sliver material deposited in the spinning cans 1a-1d in the pre-processing step, such as the properties of the sliver material, e.g. the sliver thickness, sliver strength, sliver fineness, the composition of the sliver material, the length, diameter, weight and / or volume details of the deposited sliver material as well as information on the specific pre-processing machine on which the sliver material was produced, is written into the RFID chip. It is thus possible to check in the area of ​​the working point 13 whether the working point 13 has been supplied with the correct sliver material for producing the specified yarn.

[0043] Furthermore, according to another exemplary embodiment, further information regarding the sliver material is stored in the RFID chip, such as production parameters as well as operating parameters related to a work point 13 of the textile machine 12 for producing a given yarn from the sliver 5. In this way, the work point 13 can be prompted to produce the defined yarn to be produced from the sliver 5.

[0044] For this purpose, the textile machine 12 has a read-out unit (not shown) which is arranged on a service unit (not shown) of the textile machine 12 and which is connected to a control unit of the textile machine 12 .

[0045] Furthermore, the textile machine 12 comprises a writing unit for writing information on the RFID chip regarding the sliver material to be processed at a particular work point 13 of the textile machine 12. After the spinning cans 1a-1d are removed from the textile machine 12 and transferred to a preparation machine associated with the textile machine 12, this information is read by a reading unit coupled to the preparation machine in order to fill the preparation machine with the requested sliver 5 corresponding to the spinning cans 1a-1d. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] List of reference numbers 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Spinning cans 2a, 2b Bottom of spinning can 3 Spinning can base 4 Spinning can side wall 5 Sliver 6 Hall Sensor 7. Magnets 7a Magnetic Components 8 Compression coil spring 9 Automation Unit 10a, 10b Position detection unit 11 Ultrasonic Sensor 12 Textile machinery 13 Work Points 14 Spinning equipment 15 Winding device 16 End frame

Claims

1. 1. A system for monitoring the sliver filling level of a spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) which can be brought to or is arranged at a working point (13) of a sliver processing textile machine (12), comprising: - a position detection unit (10a, 10b) for determining the position of the surface of the sliver (5) arranged in the spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) facing the open end of the spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) and / or the position of a component which moves substantially together with the sliver portion arranged in the spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), an analysis unit which can be connected or is connected to the position detection unit (10a, 10b) in order to determine the sliver filling level of the spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to the determined position of the surface of the sliver (5) or the determined positions of the components, a transmitting unit which can be connected or is connected to the analyzing unit for transmitting information regarding the determined sliver filling level of the spinning cans (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) to an information processing unit which processes the filling level information.

2. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the position detection unit (10b) comprises optical and / or acoustic sensors, in particular laser and / or ultrasonic sensors (11), for sensing the position of the surface of the sliver (5) and / or the position of the component, or the position detection unit (10a) comprises a magnet unit, in particular a permanent magnet (7), arranged on the component and a fixed or movable Hall sensor (6) positioned at a measuring position opposite the magnet unit.

3. 3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the position detection unit (10a, 10b) is fixed or mobile and the optical or acoustic sensor or the Hall sensor (6) is arranged to sense the filling level during the guidance of the spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) past the position detection unit (10a, 10b) (or vice versa).

4. 4. A system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the mobile position detection unit (10a, 10b) is formed by an automation unit (9) which can move along the textile machine (12).

5. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing unit is an output unit arranged outside the spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) for outputting information regarding the filling level.

6. 6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one spinning can (1a) having a spinning can bottom (2a) which can be moved between a start position and an end position is associated with the system, and the component is formed by the spinning can bottom (2a).

7. 6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one spinning can (1a, 1c, 1d) having a spinning can bottom (2a) which can be moved between a start position and an end position is associated with the system, and the component is arranged on the spinning can (1a) at its outer wall side and is connected to the movable spinning can bottom (2a) by a bar so as to move along it substantially between the start position and the end position, the bar extending through a slot in a spinning can side wall (4), the slot extending at least between the start position and the end position of the spinning can bottom (2a).

8. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is assigned at least one spinning can (1d) having a spinning can base (2a) which is adjustable between a start position and an end position, the component (7a) being magnetized or magnetic and held on the outside of the spinning can side wall (4) via a magnetic holding force, and a magnet (7) is arranged at a fixed position on the spinning can base (2a) which is adjustable to generate the magnetic holding force.

9. 9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a parameter sensing unit for sensing defined parameters relating to the sliver material, the parameter sensing unit being designed to transmit information about the detected parameters to an analysis unit, in particular to said analysis unit, which is designed to evaluate the transmitted information with regard to compliance with and / or deviation from at least one defined limit value or range and to forward the evaluated information.

10. 10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that a spinning can (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) comprising a writeable memory chip for storing at least one of the defined parameters is associated with the system, and the parameter sensing unit has a read-out unit for reading out the memory chip.

11. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the parameter sensing unit comprises a writing unit for writing need-based information into the memory chip.

12. A textile machine (12) comprising a sliver processing work point (13) comprising a spinning can holder for holding the spinning cans (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) and a take-off device for taking off the sliver (5) from the spinning cans (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), characterized in that the textile machine (12) comprises a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. 13. The textile machine (12) according to claim 12, characterized in that the textile machine (12) is a spinning machine having a plurality of working points (13), in particular arranged adjacent to one another, each working point having a spinning device (14) for spinning a yarn from the supplied sliver (5) and an inspection unit arranged downstream of the spinning device (14) along the yarn path for inspecting predeterminable or predetermined properties of the spun yarn, and connected to an information processing unit, in particular via the analysis unit, for evaluating the yarn properties sensed by the inspection unit in order to bring about a stop of the working point (13) or a signal transmission of said stop or a signal transmission regarding the evaluated information when defective sliver material is detected as evaluated information.

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