Automatic winder

Abstract

To provide an automatic winder in which a conveying device for conveying a yarn feeding bobbin placed on a tray is energy-saved based on appropriate information.SOLUTION: The automatic winder includes a conveying device, a plurality of winding units, a sensor, and a control device. The conveying device conveys a tray on which a yarn feeding bobbin is placed. The winding unit has a holding area for holding a plurality of trays, and winds the yarn of the yarn supplying bobbin supplied by the transporting device to form a package. The sensor detects the number of the trays held in the holding area of each winding unit. The control device performs control to stop at least a part of the conveying device when it is determined that the detection result of the sensor satisfies the stop condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic winder that places a yarn supplying bobbin on a tray and transports it to a winding unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic winder equipped with an empty bobbin conveyor that places yarn supplying bobbins wound with yarn on a tray and transports them. The empty bobbin transport conveyor is provided with a detection means and a stopper. The detection means counts the number of yarn supplying bobbins circulating on the empty bobbin transport conveyor without being supplied to any winding unit. The stopper stops the yarn supplying bobbins transported by the empty bobbin transport conveyor. In the automatic winder of Patent Document 1, if the number of yarn supplying bobbins counted by the detection means is greater than a threshold value, the stopper stops the transport of the empty bobbins. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-188360 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the automatic winder of Patent Document 1, there is no mention whatsoever of reducing the energy consumption of the conveying device that places the yarn supplying bobbins on a tray and conveys them.

[0005] Furthermore, in the automatic winder of Patent Document 1, the number of circulating yarn supplying bobbins is counted. The circulation of the yarn supplying bobbins occurs after all of the winding units have been supplied with their upper limit number of yarn supplying bobbins. In other words, the accurate holding status of the yarn supplying bobbins in each winding unit cannot be determined based on the number of circulating yarn supplying bobbins alone, and therefore, there is a possibility that an appropriate decision regarding stopping the conveying device cannot be made.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an automatic winder in which a conveying device that places yarn supplying bobbins on a tray and conveys them is energy-efficient based on appropriate information.

[0007] 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.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic winder having the following configuration. Specifically, the automatic winder includes a conveying device, multiple winding units, a sensor, and a control device. The conveying device conveys trays on which yarn supplying bobbins are placed. The multiple winding units have holding areas that hold the multiple trays, and wind the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbins supplied by the conveying device to form packages, respectively. The sensor detects the number of trays held in the holding area for each winding unit. The control device performs conveyance stop control to stop at least a portion of the conveying device when it is determined that the detection result of the sensor satisfies a stop condition.

[0009] The number of trays held in each winding unit (i.e., the number of yarn supplying bobbins held) can be grasped using a sensor, so that the supply of yarn supplying bobbins in the automatic winder as a whole can be appropriately determined. Then, by stopping at least a part of the conveying devices based on that information, the conveying devices can be stopped at an appropriate timing, thereby realizing energy savings.

[0010] In the above-described automatic winder, it is preferable that the control device determines that the detection result of the sensor satisfies the stop condition and stops the conveying device, and then restarts the stopped conveying device if it determines that the detection result of the sensor satisfies the restart condition.

[0011] This allows the driving of the transport device to be resumed based on information that allows appropriate determination of a shortage of yarn supply bobbins.

[0012] The automatic winder is preferably configured as follows: That is, the automatic winder includes a switching guide disposed for each winding unit, which switches between a take-in state in which the tray can be taken in and a blocked state in which the tray is blocked from being taken in. When the conveying device is restarted, the switching guide disposed in the winding unit in which the number of trays held satisfies the restart condition is preferentially switched to the take-in state.

[0013] As a result, after the driving of the transport device is resumed, trays can be supplied preferentially to the winding unit holding the fewest number of trays.

[0014] The automatic winder is preferably configured as follows. Specifically, the automatic winder includes a bobbin preparation device that performs preparation processing for winding a yarn onto the yarn supplying bobbin and transfers the yarn supplying bobbin placed on the tray to the conveying device. The conveying device includes a plurality of supply paths between the bobbin preparation device and the winding unit. The control device performs the conveying stop control to stop only the supply path closest to the winding unit among the plurality of supply paths according to the detection result of the sensor.

[0015] Since the path connected to the bobbin preparation device is not stopped, it is not necessary to stop the bobbin preparation device, and therefore the influence of stopping the path can be reduced.

[0016] The automatic winder is preferably configured as follows: the conveying device includes a plurality of supply paths for supplying the trays to the winding unit, and the control device performs the conveyance stop control to stop all of the supply paths in accordance with the detection result of the sensor.

[0017] This allows for high energy savings.

[0018] In the automatic winder, it is preferable that the transport stop control does not affect the operating state of the winding unit itself.

[0019] The transport stop control is executed taking into consideration the number of trays held in the holding area of ​​each winding unit, thereby preventing a decrease in work efficiency due to a shortage of yarn supplying bobbins in an operable winding unit caused by a missing tray (yarn supplying bobbins) to be processed in the winding unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first supply path, a second supply path, and a return path. [Figure 3] Block diagram of an automatic winder. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the vicinity of the unit path showing the tray taking-in operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the vicinity of the unit path, illustrating the operation of discharging the taken-in tray after aligning it with the yarn winding position. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of stopping and restarting a part of a supply path. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for stopping and restarting the entire supply path. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of an automatic winder according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first supply path, a second supply path, an auxiliary supply path, and a return path. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of an automatic winder according to a second modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a first supply path, a second supply path, an introduction path, and a return path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] 1, the automatic winder 1 includes a bobbin preparation device 2, a transport device 3, a plurality of winding units 4, and a control box 5. In the following description, the direction in which the plurality of winding units 4 are arranged is referred to as the parallel direction.

[0023] The bobbin preparation device 2 transports the tray 10 on which the yarn supplying bobbin 11 is placed, and performs preparation processing for winding the yarn onto the yarn supplying bobbin 11. The preparation processing in this embodiment is a processing of cutting the backwind yarn wound around the outer periphery of the yarn supplying bobbin 11 to form a yarn end, and a processing of inserting the formed yarn end into the core tube of the yarn supplying bobbin 11. However, the above-described preparation processing is one example, and different preparation processing is performed depending on the specifications, etc. of the winding unit 4. The bobbin preparation device 2 transports the tray 10 on which the prepared yarn supplying bobbin 11 is placed to the transport device 3.

[0024] The conveying device 3 receives the tray 10 on which the yarn supplying bobbins 11 are placed from the bobbin preparation device 2, and conveys it to the winding unit 4. The conveying device 3 also conveys the tray 10 on which the yarn supplying bobbins 11 that have been completely wound by the winding unit 4 are placed to the bobbin preparation device 2.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 , the conveying device 3 includes a first supply path 3a, a second supply path 3b, a plurality of unit paths 3c, and a return path 3d. The first supply path 3a is a path for conveying the trays 10 in the parallel direction from the bobbin preparation device 2 side toward the control box 5 side on the opposite side. The second supply path 3b is a path for conveying the trays 10 in the parallel direction from the control box 5 side toward the bobbin preparation device 2 side on the opposite side. The unit paths 3c arranged for each winding unit 4 are connected to the second supply path 3b. The unit paths 3c are paths for supplying and positioning the yarn supplying bobbins 11 at the yarn winding positions of the winding units 4. The return path 3d is a path for returning the yarn supplying bobbins 11 that have completed winding by the winding units 4 to the bobbin preparation device 2.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying device 3 includes a first belt 31, a first supply motor 31a, a first drive pulley 31b, a first driven pulley 31c, and a first idler pulley 31d as components that form the first supply path 3a. The first supply motor 31a and the first drive pulley 31b are disposed at the end of the parallel arrangement on the control box 5 side (downstream in the conveying direction). Power generated by the first supply motor 31a is transmitted to the first drive pulley 31b and then to the first belt 31 wound around the first drive pulley 31b. The first driven pulley 31c is disposed at the end on the opposite side of the parallel arrangement, and the first belt 31 is wound around it. A first idler pulley 31d for adjusting tension is disposed near the first driven pulley 31c.

[0027] The conveying device 3 includes a second belt 32, a second supply motor 32a, a second drive pulley 32b, a second driven pulley 32c, and a second idler pulley 32d as components that form a second supply path 3b. The components that form the second supply path 3b and subsequent paths are simply the same as the components that form the first supply path 3a, but with the orientation reversed, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] The conveying device 3 includes a third belt 33, a return motor 33a, a third driving pulley 33b, a third driven pulley 33c, and a third idler pulley 33d as members that form the return path 3d.

[0029] The conveying device 3 is also provided with a first tray sensor 71, a second tray sensor 72, and a third tray sensor 73. These tray sensors are, for example, optical or contact type, and detect trays 10 that are added to predetermined positions in the conveying device 3. The first tray sensor 71 is provided at the upstream end of the first supply path 3a. The second tray sensor 72 is provided at the downstream end of the first supply path 3a. The third tray sensor 73 is provided at the downstream end of the second supply path 3b. Furthermore, a stopper 39 is provided at the downstream end of the first supply path 3a, which is switchable between a state in which it can block the trays 10 and a state in which it can pass the trays 10.

[0030] The above-described conveying mechanism of the conveying device 3 is an example, and for example, two paths may be driven by one motor. Alternatively, instead of a belt conveyor, the trays 10 may be conveyed using a member that presses and sends out the trays 10, as in the unit path 3c described below. Furthermore, although the conveying device 3 of this embodiment is driven by electricity, it may also be driven by other means (for example, fuel, compressed air, etc.).

[0031] The winding unit 4 is disposed at a position overlapping with the unit path 3c in a plan view. The winding unit 4 unwinds the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 11 positioned at the yarn winding position and winds it onto the winding bobbin to form a package. Each unit path 3c also has a standby position in addition to the yarn winding position. The standby position is located upstream of the yarn winding position and is a position where the yarn supplying bobbin 11 from which yarn will be wound in the future is kept on standby. In this embodiment, the tray 10 (yarn supplying bobbin 11) at the yarn winding position and the standby position is referred to as the tray 10 (yarn supplying bobbin 11) held by the winding unit 4.

[0032] The control box 5 is provided with a control device 50 that controls each part of the automatic winder 1. The control device includes a storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory, an arithmetic device such as a CPU, and a communication device. The storage device stores programs for controlling each part of the automatic winder 1. The arithmetic device executes the programs, causing the control box 5 to control each part of the automatic winder 1. The communication device exchanges information with a unit controller that controls the winding unit 4, each device arranged in the transport device 3, and the like.

[0033] An operation panel 51 is also disposed on the front of the control box 5. The operation panel 51 includes a display and operation keys. An operator can issue instructions to the control box 5 by operating the operation panel 51. The side of the automatic winder 1 on which the operation panel 51 is provided corresponds to the front of the automatic winder 1.

[0034] Next, the unit path 3c will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, a first guide (switching guide) 41, a second guide 42, a unit tray sensor (sensor) 43, and a retainer 44 are arranged on the unit path 3c.

[0036] The first guide 41 is disposed at the connection between the second supply path 3b and the unit path 3c. In this specification, the term "connection" refers not only to the boundary between the two paths but also to the area surrounding the boundary. The first guide 41 is a circular guide, and is formed with one recess 41a recessed toward the center. The first guide 41 is rotatable around a shaft 41b. Note that the shape of the first guide 41 and the shape or number of the recesses 41a in this embodiment are merely examples and can be changed.

[0037] The first guide 41 is driven by a first guide motor 61 shown in FIG. 3. The first guide motor 61 is a motor, such as a stepping motor, whose rotation direction and rotation amount (rotation phase) can be controlled. The first guide motor 61 is controlled by a unit controller 60. The first guide 41 is switched between a take-in state and a blocked state under the control of the first guide motor 61. The take-in state is a state in which the recess 41a is located at the connection portion, allowing the tray 10 to be taken in from the second supply path 3b to the unit path 3c (lower diagram in FIG. 4). The blocked state is a state in which the recess 41a is disengaged from the connection portion, blocking the tray 10 from moving from the second supply path 3b to the unit path 3c, making it impossible to take in the tray 10 (upper diagram in FIG. 4).

[0038] The second guide 42 is disposed downstream of the first guide 41 in the unit path 3c. The second guide 42 is an elongated guide and is rotatable around a shaft 42a located in the center in the longitudinal direction. Note that the shape of the second guide 42 in this embodiment is an example and can be changed.

[0039] The second guide 42 is driven by a second guide motor 62 shown in Fig. 3. The second guide motor 62 is a motor, such as a stepping motor, whose rotation amount (rotation phase) can be controlled. The second guide motor 62 is controlled by the unit controller 60. Under the control of the second guide motor 62, the second guide 42 guides the tray 10 guided by the first guide 41 further downstream.

[0040] The unit tray sensor 43 is an optical sensor or a contact sensor. The unit tray sensor 43 detects that the tray 10 has passed at the upstream end of the unit path 3c. As a result, the unit tray sensor 43 detects that the tray 10 has entered the unit path 3c. The detection result of the unit tray sensor 43 is output to the unit controller 60.

[0041] The holding portion 44 is disposed near the line winding position. The holding portion 44 rotates around a shaft 44a, thereby moving along a rail 44b. The holding portion 44 is biased toward the upstream side of the unit path 3c by a biasing member (not shown).

[0042] In this embodiment, the first guide 41 and the retaining portion 44 contact and guide the upper tier of the two-tiered tray 10. The second guide 42 contacts and guides the lower tier of the two-tiered tray 10. However, this is just an example and may be different.

[0043] Next, the flow from when the tray 10 is taken into the winding unit 4 until when it is discharged will be described.

[0044] When the loading of the tray 10 is permitted (instructed), the unit controller 60 controls the first guide motor 61 to switch the first guide 41 from the blocked state (upper diagram in FIG. 4) to the permitted state (lower diagram in FIG. 4). As a result, the tray 10 transported on the second supply path 3b is introduced into the unit path 3c. At this time, the unit tray sensor 43 detects the tray 10 and outputs the detection result to the unit controller 60.

[0045] The tray 10 introduced into the unit path 3c is in the recess 41a. In this state, the unit controller 60 controls the first guide motor 61 to further rotate the first guide 41. This transports the tray 10 downstream. Next, the unit controller 60 controls the second guide motor 62 to rotate the second guide 42. This transports the tray 10 further downstream. In addition, a retainer 44 is located in the unit path 3c, and the tray 10 is sandwiched between the second guide 42 and the retainer 44 (upper view in FIG. 5). This aligns the tray 10 with the yarn winding position.

[0046] The winding unit 4 unwinds the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 11 placed on the tray 10 at the yarn winding position. While the winding unit 4 unwinds the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin 11, the first guide 41 may take in a new tray 10. In this case, the taken-in tray 10 waits at the standby position. After the yarn unwinding is complete, the unit controller 60 controls the second guide motor 62 to rotate the second guide 42 with a force that overcomes the biasing force of the pressing portion 44. As a result, the tray 10 is pressed against the second guide 42, causing the pressing portion 44 to retract from the unit path 3c, and the tray 10 is discharged toward the return path 3d (lower diagram in FIG. 5). The tray 10 at the standby position is then guided by the second guide 42 to the yarn winding position.

[0047] Next, a process (transport stop control) for stopping at least a part of the transport device 3 under certain conditions will be described with reference to Fig. 6. This process is performed by the control device 50. The purpose of this process is to save energy, and in particular, since the transport device 3 is electrically driven, the purpose is to reduce power consumption.

[0048] First, the control device 50 acquires the number of trays 10 held in each winding unit 4 via the unit controller 60 (S101). When the unit tray sensor 43 detects a tray 10, the unit controller 60 increases the number of trays 10 held by one. When the unit controller 60 performs a process to eject a tray 10 located at the yarn winding position, the unit controller 60 decreases the number of trays 10 held by one. This allows the unit controller 60 to identify the number of trays 10 held. Note that a sensor (for example, a camera and an image analysis device) that directly detects the number of trays 10 held may be provided.

[0049] Next, the control device 50 determines whether the number of trays 10 held satisfies a stop condition (S102). The stop condition is a condition for determining whether to stop at least a part of the conveying device 3. In this embodiment, the stop condition is that "the number of trays 10 held is equal to or greater than a first threshold value" for all winding units 4.

[0050] The first threshold value is the number of trays 10 that can be held so that yarn can be wound for a while even if no new trays 10 are supplied. The first threshold value is determined by comprehensively considering the maximum number of trays 10 that the winding unit 4 can hold, the time required to wind one yarn supplying bobbin 11, the time required to transport the yarn supplying bobbin 11 to the winding unit 4, etc.

[0051] The first threshold value may be common to all winding units 4, or may be different for each winding unit 4. When the first threshold values ​​are different, for example, the first threshold value of the winding unit 4 located at the upstream end of the second supply path 3b is smaller than the first threshold value of the winding unit 4 located at the downstream end. This is because the winding unit 4 located at the upstream end of the second supply path 3b can supply trays 10 in a short time, and therefore only a small number of trays 10 need be held. By setting the threshold value in this manner, the first threshold value can be set taking into consideration the time it takes for the yarn supplying bobbin 11 to be transported.

[0052] Furthermore, the first threshold value may take into consideration the progress of winding on the yarn supplying bobbin 11 during winding, in addition to the number of trays 10 held. For example, the winding unit 4 may have a sensor that detects the height of the yarn layer on the yarn supplying bobbin 11. The progress of winding on the yarn supplying bobbin 11 can be determined based on the detection result of this sensor. The progress can be expressed as, for example, a numerical value less than an integer. For example, if half of the yarn on the tray 10 at the yarn winding position has been wound and two trays 10 are present at the standby position, the number of trays held is 2.5.

[0053] The control device 50 performs the acquisition process of S101 and the determination process of S102 at predetermined time intervals until it determines that the stop condition is met. When it determines that the stop condition is met, the control device 50 stops the second supply motor 32a and the second supply path 3b (S103).

[0054] While the first supply motor 31a is stopped, power consumption can be reduced. In particular, in this embodiment, the number of trays held by each winding unit 4 is taken into consideration, so even if there is variation in the number of trays held by the winding units 4, the second supply path 3b can be stopped after all winding units 4 each hold a sufficient number of trays 10. Therefore, a shortage of trays 10 is unlikely to occur.

[0055] Furthermore, the second supply path 3b is the most downstream supply path (closer to the winding unit 4) among the multiple supply paths. Therefore, the first supply path 3a and the return path 3d, which are paths connected to the bobbin preparation device 2, continue to operate. As described above, it is not necessary to stop the bobbin preparation device 2 when the second supply path 3b is stopped, which simplifies control.

[0056] If there are three or more supply paths, only the most downstream supply path may be stopped, or all the remaining supply paths except for the most upstream supply path may be stopped. In either case, it is possible to reduce power consumption while eliminating the need to stop the bobbin preparation device 2.

[0057] After stopping the second supply path 3b, the control device 50 determines whether a restart condition is met (S104). The restart condition is a condition for determining whether to restart the stopped portion of the conveying device 3 (specifically, the second supply path 3b). In this embodiment, the restart condition is that "the number of trays 10 held in at least one winding unit 4 is equal to or less than a second threshold value."

[0058] The second threshold value is a value for detecting in advance that the winding unit 4 will soon run out of trays 10. Therefore, the second threshold value is smaller than the first threshold value. Similarly to the first threshold value, the second threshold value is determined by comprehensively considering the maximum number of trays 10 that the winding unit 4 can hold, the time required to wind one yarn supplying bobbin 11, the time required to transport the yarn supplying bobbin 11 to the winding unit 4, etc.

[0059] For the same reason as for the first threshold, the second threshold may be common to all winding units 4 or may be different for all winding units 4. Furthermore, the second threshold may also take into consideration the progress of winding onto the yarn supplying bobbin 11 during winding.

[0060] The control device 50 performs the acquisition process of S105 (the same process as S101) and the determination process of S104 at predetermined time intervals until it determines that the restart condition is met. When it determines that the restart condition is met, the control device 50 restarts driving the second supply motor 32a to restart the operation of the second supply path 3b (S106).

[0061] After the operation of the second supply path 3b is resumed, it is preferable to first supply trays 10 to winding units 4 for which the number of trays 10 held is equal to or less than the second threshold. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 50 sends a command to the unit controller 60 to preferentially supply trays 10 to winding units 4 for which the number of trays 10 held is equal to or less than the second threshold. Specifically, the first guide 41 of the winding unit 4 for which the number of trays 10 held is equal to or less than the second threshold is set to the open state, and the first guides 41 of the other winding units 4 are set to the blocked state. This allows trays 10 to be supplied to winding units 4 for which the number of trays 10 held is equal to or less than the second threshold.

[0062] Alternatively, the first guide 41 of a winding unit 4 that holds a sufficiently large number of trays 10 may be set to the blocked state, and the first guide 41 of the other winding units 4 may be set to the open state. In this case as well, the trays 10 are preferentially supplied to the corresponding winding unit 4. The process of S107 is not essential and can be omitted.

[0063] Thereafter, the control device 50 performs the process of S101 again. That is, after each winding unit 4 holds a sufficient number of trays 10, some of the conveying devices 3 are stopped again, and then the driving of the conveying devices 3 that were stopped before any of the winding units 4 ran out of trays 10 is resumed. As a result, the power consumption of the automatic winder 1 (particularly the conveying devices 3) during yarn winding can be reduced. Furthermore, because some of the conveying devices 3 are stopped after the winding unit 4 holds a sufficient number of trays 10, it is unlikely that a situation will occur in which there are no trays 10 to be processed in the winding unit 4, and therefore the operating state of the winding unit 4 itself is not affected.

[0064] Next, a process (conveyance stop control) for stopping all supply paths of the conveying device 3 under certain conditions will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The automatic winder 1 of this embodiment can perform both the process of the flowchart in Fig. 6 and the process of the flowchart in Fig. 7, and one of the processes set in advance is performed. Note that the automatic winder 1 may be capable of performing only the process of one of the flowcharts.

[0065] Some of the processing in the flowchart of Fig. 7 is the same as the processing in the flowchart of Fig. 6. These processing steps are given the same step numbers as in Fig. 6, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The differences between the flowchart of Fig. 6 and the flowchart of Fig. 7 are the processing for stopping the conveying device 3 (S103 in Fig. 6, S203 in Fig. 7) and the processing for restarting the stopped conveying device 3 (S106 in Fig. 6, S206 in Fig. 7).

[0066] Specifically, in S103 of FIG. 6, only the second supply path 3b is stopped, whereas in S203 of FIG. 7, all supply paths (specifically, the first supply path 3a and the second supply path 3b) are stopped. That is, the control device 50 stops both the first supply motor 31a and the second supply motor 32a. This allows for further reduction in power consumption. However, since the first supply path 3a is stopped, it is necessary to also stop the bobbin preparation device 2. For example, if the bobbin preparation device 2 is performing preparation processing, it is necessary to stop the bobbin preparation device 2 when the preparation processing is completed.

[0067] Since all supply paths are stopped when stopped, all supply paths are also restarted when restarted. That is, in S206, the control device 50 restarts the driving of all supply motors (specifically, the first supply motor 31a and the second supply motor 32a) and restarts the operation of all supply paths (specifically, the first supply path 3a and the second supply path 3b). Furthermore, as the operation of the first supply path 3a is restarted, the control device 50 also restarts the operation of the bobbin preparation device 2.

[0068] In this embodiment, the stop condition and the restart condition are determined based only on the detection result of the unit tray sensor 43. However, in addition to the detection result of the unit tray sensor 43, the detection result of at least one of the first tray sensor 71, the second tray sensor 72, and the third tray sensor 73 may also be taken into consideration. For example, the second threshold value of the restart condition may be changed depending on the number of trays 10 present on the first supply path 3a and the second supply path 3b.

[0069] The conveying device 3 of this embodiment is an example, and as shown in the following first and second modified examples, the path constituting the conveying device 3 may be different from that of this embodiment. In the following description, the same or similar members as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description may be omitted.

[0070] 8 and 9 show a first modified example. The bobbin preparation device 2 of the first modified example has two devices that perform preparation processing. The two bobbin preparation devices 2 perform preparation processing on yarn supplying bobbins 11 around which the same type of yarn is wound.

[0071] In the first modified example, as shown in Fig. 8, in addition to the first supply path 3a, an auxiliary supply path 3e is present. The auxiliary supply path 3e is arranged parallel to the first supply path 3a, and transports trays 10 on which yarn supplying bobbins 11 for which preparation processing has been completed are placed. The auxiliary supply path 3e merges with the first supply path 3a. A first tray sensor 71 is also arranged at the upstream end of the auxiliary supply path 3e.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 9, the conveyance device 3 of the first modified example includes a fourth belt 34, a fourth driven pulley 34c, and a fourth idler pulley 34d as components that constitute the auxiliary supply path 3e. The functions of these components are the same as those of the components that constitute the first supply path 3a, etc., and therefore, description thereof will be omitted. The fourth driven pulley 34c is indirectly driven by the first supply motor 31a. Specifically, the first driven pulley 31c and the fourth driven pulley 34c are connected, and the first supply motor 31a drives the first drive pulley 31b to rotate, thereby causing the first driven pulley 31c to rotate, which in turn causes the fourth driven pulley 34c to rotate. In other words, the first supply path 3a and the auxiliary supply path 3e share a common power source (the first supply motor 31a).

[0073] In the first modified example, when the process of the flowchart in Fig. 6 is performed, the auxiliary supply path 3e is not stopped, as in the case of the first supply path 3a. In the first modified example, when the process of the flowchart in Fig. 7 is performed, the auxiliary supply path 3e is stopped and then resumed, as in the case of the first supply path 3a.

[0074] 10 and 11 show a second modified example. In the second modified example, a plurality of winding units 4 are arranged in a first area and a second area. The yarn wound by the winding units 4 in the first area is different from the yarn wound by the winding units 4 in the second area in terms of type (material, thickness, etc.). Therefore, in the automatic winder 1 of the second modified example, two sets of paths are provided below.

[0075] The first supply path 3a and the second supply path 3b of the second modified example are supply paths that supply trays 10 to the winding unit 4 in the first area. In addition, in the second modified example, an introduction path 3f is provided that transports the trays 10 to the second area. Furthermore, a first supply path 3g and a second supply path 3h are provided that transport the trays 10 in the second area. The first supply path 3g and the second supply path 3h have the same functions as the first supply path 3a and the second supply path 3b, respectively.

[0076] The return path 3d is a path that returns the tray 10 discharged from the winding unit 4 in the first region to the bobbin preparation device 2. In the second modified example, a return path 3i is further provided that returns the tray 10 discharged from the winding unit 4 in the second region to the bobbin preparation device 2.

[0077] 11, in the conveyance device 3 of the second modified example, components are shared among some paths. Specifically, the first supply path 3a and the first supply path 3g share the first supply motor 31a, the first drive pulley 31b, the first driven pulley 31c, and the first idler pulley 31d. Similarly, the second supply path 3b and the second supply path 3h share the second supply motor 32a, the second drive pulley 32b, the second driven pulley 32c, and the second idler pulley 32d.

[0078] The conveying device 3 of the second modified example includes a fifth belt 35, a fifth driving pulley 35b, a fifth driven pulley 35c, and a fifth idler pulley 35d as components that form the introduction path 3f. The fifth driving pulley 35b is driven to rotate by a first supply motor 31a. In other words, the first supply path 3a and the introduction path 3f share a common power source (first supply motor 31a).

[0079] A portion of the return path 3i (the portion of the second region) is driven by the third belt 33, etc. The conveying device 3 includes a sixth belt 36, a sixth driving pulley 36b, a sixth driven pulley 36c, and a sixth idler pulley 36d as components that make up the remaining portion of the return path 3i. The sixth driving pulley 36b is rotationally driven by a return motor 33a. In other words, the return path 3d and the return path 3i share a common power source (return motor 33a).

[0080] In the second modified example, when the process of the flowchart in Fig. 6 is performed, the first supply path 3g is not stopped, as with the first supply path 3a. In the first modified example, when the process of the flowchart in Fig. 7 is performed, the first supply path 3g is stopped and then resumed, as with the first supply path 3a. Furthermore, the introduction path 3f is also stopped and then resumed.

[0081] As shown in the first and second modified examples, the layout of the paths constituting the transport device 3 and the members constituting each path are various and can be changed as appropriate.

[0082] As described above, the automatic winder 1 of the above embodiment or modified example includes the conveying device 3, multiple winding units 4, a sensor, and a control device 50. The conveying device 3 conveys trays 10 on which yarn supplying bobbins 11 are placed. The multiple winding units 4 have holding areas that hold multiple trays 10, and wind the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbins 11 supplied by the conveying device 3 to form packages. The unit tray sensor 43 detects the number of trays 10 held in the holding area for each winding unit 4. The control device 50 performs conveyance stop control to stop at least a portion of the conveying device 3 when it is determined that the detection result of the unit tray sensor 43 satisfies a stop condition.

[0083] The unit tray sensor 43 can be used to grasp the number of trays 10 held in each winding unit 4 (i.e., the number of yarn supplying bobbins 11 held), making it possible to appropriately determine whether the supply of yarn supplying bobbins 11 is excessive or insufficient in the entire automatic winder 1. Then, by stopping at least a part of the conveying devices 3 based on that information, the conveying devices 3 can be stopped at an appropriate timing, thereby realizing energy savings.

[0084] In the automatic winder 1 of the above embodiment or modified example, the control device 50 determines that the detection result of the unit tray sensor 43 satisfies the stop condition and stops the conveying device 3, and then if it determines that the detection result of the unit tray sensor 43 satisfies the restart condition, it restarts the stopped conveying device 3.

[0085] This allows the driving of the transport device 3 to be restarted based on information that allows appropriate determination of a shortage of the supply of yarn supplying bobbins 11.

[0086] The automatic winder 1 of the above embodiment or modified example includes a first guide 41 that is arranged for each winding unit 4 and switches between an intake state in which trays 10 can be taken in and a blocked state in which the intake of trays 10 is blocked. When the conveying device 3 is restarted, the first guide 41 arranged in the winding unit 4 in which the number of trays 10 held satisfies the restart condition is preferentially switched to the intake state.

[0087] As a result, after the driving of the transport device 3 is resumed, the trays 10 can be supplied preferentially to the winding unit 4 holding a smaller number of trays 10.

[0088] The automatic winder 1 of the above embodiment or modified example includes a bobbin preparation device 2 that performs preparation processing for winding yarn onto a yarn supplying bobbin 11 and transfers the yarn supplying bobbin 11 placed on a tray 10 to a conveying device 3. The conveying device 3 includes a plurality of supply paths between the bobbin preparation device 2 and the winding unit 4. The control device 50 performs conveyance stop control to stop only the second supply path 3b, which is closest to the winding unit 4 among the plurality of supply paths, according to the detection result of the unit tray sensor 43.

[0089] Since the route connected to the bobbin preparation device 2 is not stopped, it is not necessary to stop the bobbin preparation device 2, and therefore the influence of stopping the route can be reduced.

[0090] In the automatic winder 1 of the above embodiment or modified example, the conveying device 3 includes a plurality of supply paths that supply the trays 10 to the winding unit 4. The control device 50 performs conveyance stop control to stop all of the supply paths according to the detection result of the unit tray sensor 43.

[0091] This allows for high energy savings.

[0092] In the automatic winder 1 of this embodiment, the transport stop control does not affect the operating state of the winding unit itself.

[0093] The transport stop control is executed taking into consideration the number of trays 10 held in the holding area of ​​each winding unit 4. This makes it possible to avoid a decrease in work efficiency caused by a tray 10 (yarn supplying bobbins 11) being lost in the winding unit 4 and an operable winding unit 4 stopping due to a shortage of yarn supplying bobbins 11.

[0094] The preferred embodiment and modifications of the present invention have been described above, but the above configurations can be modified, for example, as follows. Each modification may be made alone, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0095] The flowcharts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and some processes may be omitted, the contents of some processes may be changed, or new processes may be added. For example, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the operator may determine whether the restart condition is met (S104). In this case, S104 can be changed to a process that branches depending on the operator's determination result. In other words, the process of determining whether the restart condition is met is not essential and can be omitted.

[0096] In the above embodiment, only one supply path at the downstream end of the multiple supply paths is stopped (FIG. 6), or all supply paths are stopped (FIG. 7). Alternatively, only one supply path at the upstream end may be stopped, or multiple (fewer than all) supply paths may be stopped. Also, one or more return paths may be stopped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 Automatic winder 3. Conveyor equipment 4 Winding unit 3a First supply route 3b Second supply route 3c Unit Path 3d return path 43 Unit tray sensor (sensor) 50 Control device

Claims

1. a conveying device that conveys a tray on which the yarn supplying bobbins are placed; a plurality of winding units each having a holding area for holding a plurality of the trays, the winding units winding the yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin supplied by the conveying device to form a package; a sensor for detecting the number of trays held in the holding area for each winding unit; a control device that performs a transport stop control to stop at least a part of the transport device when it is determined that the detection result of the sensor satisfies a stop condition; An automatic winder comprising:

2. 2. The automatic winder of claim 1, The control device determines that the detection result of the sensor satisfies the stop condition and stops the conveying device, and then, if the detection result of the sensor determines that the restart condition is met, restarts the stopped conveying device.

3. 3. The automatic winder according to claim 2, a switching guide disposed for each of the winding units, which switches a state between an intake state in which the tray can be taken in and a blocked state in which the tray is blocked from being taken in; An automatic winder characterized in that, when the conveying device is restarted, the switching guide arranged in the winding unit whose number of trays held satisfies the restart condition is preferentially switched to the intake state.

4. 4. An automatic winder according to claim 1, a bobbin preparation device that performs a preparation process for winding a yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin and transfers the yarn supplying bobbin placed on the tray to the conveying device, the conveying device includes a plurality of supply paths between the bobbin preparation device and the winding unit, The control device performs the transport stop control to stop only the supply path closest to the winding unit among the plurality of supply paths in accordance with the detection result of the sensor.

5. 4. An automatic winder according to claim 1, the conveying device includes a plurality of supply paths that supply the trays to the winding unit; The automatic winder is characterized in that the control device performs the transport stop control to stop all of the supply paths in accordance with the detection result of the sensor.

6. 6. An automatic winder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The automatic winder is characterized in that the transport stop control does not affect the operating state of the winding unit itself.

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