Yarn processing equipment

Abstract

To solve a problem that can occur when a yarn supplying package in which a yarn is unwound is replaced with another new yarn supplying package on the way.SOLUTION: An information management part 110 of a yarn processing facility 100 is configured to acquire by calculating at least one of remaining amount information about a remaining amount of a yarn Y contained in a yarn supplying package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound among a plurality of yarn supplying packages Ps at an arbitrary reference time and remaining time information regarding a remaining time during which the yarn Y can be unwound from the yarn supplying package Ps at the reference time. The information management part 110 performs reset processing for resetting at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information to a predetermined initial value when acquired intermediate replacement information indicating that an intermediate replacement in which the yarn supplying package Ps in which the yarn Y is being unwound among the plurality of yarn supplying packages Ps is replaced with another new yarn supplying package Ps is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn processing facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus (yarn processing equipment) that processes a yarn unwound from a yarn supplying package (described as a supply bobbin in Patent Document 1) formed by winding a yarn around a yarn supplying bobbin, winds the yarn around a take-up bobbin, and forms a wound body (winding package). The yarn processing equipment is configured to support two yarn supplying packages corresponding to one take-up bobbin. In such yarn processing equipment, when the end of a yarn included in one of two yarn supplying packages and the start of a yarn included in the other are knotted (connected), it is possible to supply yarn from the other without interruption after the one becomes empty. Specifically, immediately after the supply of yarn from one of the yarn supplying packages is completed, the knotted portion (yarn connection portion) of the two yarns is pulled, and the yarn begins to be unwound from the other yarn supplying package. This allows the yarn to be supplied without interruption. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2003-526584 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the field of yarn processing, various improvements have been made in order to improve productivity and product quality. The inventors of the present application have been conducting intensive research in order to develop yarn processing equipment with new added value that has not been seen before. For example, it has been considered to dramatically improve production management by predicting the timing when a yarn supply package from which a yarn is unwound will run out. Here, even if the yarn supply package from which a yarn is unwound is replaced with a new yarn supply package midway due to, for example, poor yarn quality, it is required to appropriately predict the timing.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to solve the problems that may arise when a yarn supply package from which yarn is being unwound is replaced with another new yarn supply package midway. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A yarn processing equipment of a first invention is a yarn processing machine having a yarn supplying unit configured to be able to supply yarn, a processing unit configured to process the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit, and a winding unit configured to wind the yarn processed by the processing unit onto a winding bobbin to form a winding package, and an information management unit configured to manage information related to the yarn processing machine, wherein the yarn supplying unit has a yarn supply package holding unit configured to allow a plurality of yarn supply packages each containing a yarn to be attached and detached, and the yarn supply package holding unit holds a terminal end of a yarn included in one of the plurality of yarn supply packages and a terminal end of a yarn included in another yarn supply package from which the yarn is to be unwound after the one yarn supply package. The information management unit is configured to be able to supply yarn without interruption when the starting end is connected, and the information management unit is configured to acquire, at an arbitrary reference time, at least one of remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of yarn contained in a yarn supplying package from which the yarn is unwound among the multiple yarn supplying packages, and remaining time information regarding the remaining time in which the yarn can be unwound from the yarn supplying package at the reference time, by calculation, and is characterized in that, when mid-way replacement information indicating that a yarn supplying package from which the yarn is being unwound has been replaced with another new yarn supplying package among the multiple yarn supplying packages is acquired, a reset process is performed to return at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information to a predetermined initial value.

[0007] First, in the present invention, remaining amount information and / or remaining time information related to the yarn supply package holding unit is acquired at any time. This allows the yarn supply package holding unit to predict when the yarn will run out of the yarn from the yarn supply package being unwound, which allows for a dramatic improvement in production management. Here, a situation may occur in which the yarn supply package from which the yarn is being unwound is replaced with another new yarn supply package due to, for example, poor yarn quality. In such a case, if the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information is not updated, the calculation results of the remaining amount and / or remaining time thereafter may deviate from the actual values, resulting in a problem that it may not be possible to accurately predict when the yarn will run out of the yarn supply package. In this regard, in the present invention, a reset process is performed when the information management unit acquires mid-way replacement information. This allows for the suppression of discrepancies between the calculation results of the remaining amount and / or remaining time and the actual values. This allows for the resolution of problems that may occur when the yarn supply package from which the yarn is being unwound is replaced with another new yarn supply package mid-way.

[0008] The yarn processing equipment of the second invention comprises: In the first aspect of the present invention, The yarn supply package holding unit has a plurality of mounting parts to which the plurality of yarn supply packages are respectively mounted, and the yarn supply unit includes a switching detection unit capable of detecting a yarn supply package switching when unwinding of a yarn from a yarn supply package mounted to a certain mounting part among the plurality of mounting parts ends and unwinding of a yarn from another yarn supply package mounted to a certain mounting part among the plurality of mounting parts other than the certain mounting part begins, and the information management unit performs the reset process for the other mounting part when the switching detection unit detects the yarn supply package switching.

[0009] In the yarn processing equipment of the present invention, in normal operation, when a yarn supply package held in the yarn supply package holding unit becomes empty, yarn starts to be unwound from the next new yarn supply package. At this time, a yarn supply package switch is detected and a reset process is performed. However, if a yarn supply package from which yarn is being unwound is replaced with another new yarn supply package and then yarn starts to be unwound from the new yarn supply package, a yarn supply package switch is not detected. Even in such a case, in the present invention, a similar reset process is performed when the information management unit acquires mid-way replacement information. This makes it possible to effectively suppress discrepancies between the calculation results of the remaining amount and / or remaining time and the actual values ​​while suppressing program complexity.

[0010] The yarn processing equipment of a third invention is the yarn processing equipment of the first or second invention, wherein the information management unit is capable of acquiring, as the initial value information, initial amount information related to an initial amount of yarn contained in each of the plurality of yarn supplying packages, unwinding unit amount information related to an amount of yarn unwound per unit time from each of the plurality of yarn supplying packages, and accumulated time information related to an accumulated time for which yarn has been unwound from a yarn supplying package from which yarn is unwound at the reference time among the plurality of yarn supplying packages, and acquires at least one of the remaining time information and the remaining amount information by performing a calculation using at least the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the accumulated time information, and returns the accumulated time to a predetermined initial time as the reset process, thereby returning at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information to the initial value.

[0011] In a configuration in which initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and accumulated time information are acquired, calculations using these pieces of information make it possible to easily acquire remaining amount information and / or remaining time information at any time. In the present invention, when mid-way replacement information is acquired, accumulated time information is returned to the initial time. Therefore, while remaining amount information and / or remaining time information can be easily acquired, discrepancies between the calculation results of remaining amount information and / or remaining time information and actual values ​​can be easily suppressed.

[0012] The yarn processing equipment of a fourth invention is the yarn processing equipment of the first or second invention, wherein the information management unit is capable of acquiring, as the initial value information, initial amount information related to an initial amount of yarn contained in each of the plurality of yarn supplying packages, unwinding unit amount information related to an amount of yarn unwound per unit time from each of the plurality of yarn supplying packages, and unwinding start time information related to an unwinding start time at which unwinding of yarn started from a yarn supplying package from which yarn is unwound at the reference time among the plurality of yarn supplying packages, and acquires at least one of the remaining time information and the remaining amount information related to each of the plurality of yarn supplying packages by calculation using at least the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the unwinding start time information, and acquires the unwinding start time information related to the new yarn supplying package as the reset process, thereby returning at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information to the initial value.

[0013] In the present invention, similarly to the third invention, remaining amount information and / or remaining time information can be easily acquired, while discrepancies between the calculation results of remaining amount information and / or remaining time information and the actual values ​​can be easily suppressed.

[0014] The yarn processing equipment of the fifth invention is characterized in that, in the third or fourth invention, the information management unit acquires, as the initial amount information, information on the initial weight and fineness of the yarn contained in each of the plurality of yarn supplying packages, and acquires, as the unwinding unit amount information, information on the unwinding speed, which is the length of yarn unwound per unit time from each of the plurality of yarn supplying packages.

[0015] Generally, information on the initial weight of a yarn supply package can be easily obtained in advance, and therefore can be easily handled as initial amount information. Similarly, information on the unwinding speed can be easily obtained in advance, and therefore can be easily handled as unwinding unit amount information. However, while the initial weight has the dimension of mass, the unwinding speed has the dimension of length. In this case, even if an attempt is made to perform calculations related to remaining amount information and / or remaining time information based only on the initial weight, unwinding speed, and integrated time (or unwinding start time), it is not possible to match the units. In this regard, in the present invention, information on fineness (weight per unit length) that can be obtained in advance is also obtained as initial amount information. This makes it possible to easily match the units when performing calculations related to remaining amount information and / or remaining time information.

[0016] A sixth invention is a yarn processing equipment according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, characterized in that the yarn processing machine is configured to unwind yarn from one of the plurality of yarn supplying packages during at least a portion of a threading time during which a threading operation is being performed on the yarn processing machine after the mid-course replacement is performed, the yarn supplying unit has an unwinding detection unit capable of detecting whether or not a yarn is being unwound from the one yarn supplying package, the information management unit uses information on a detection time during which the unwinding detection unit detects that a yarn is being unwound from the one yarn supplying package to obtain at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information, and at least a portion of the yarn threading time is included in the detection time.

[0017] For example, the threading time may be excluded from the detection time. However, in this case, since information regarding the completion of the threading work is required, the processing by the information management unit may become complicated. In the present invention, at least a part of the threading time is included in the detection time. Therefore, the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information can be obtained by simple processing.

[0018] The yarn processing equipment of the seventh invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, the information management unit is configured to be able to acquire a common initial value, which is a common value related to the multiple yarn supply packages, as the initial value.

[0019] In the present invention, it is assumed that the amount of yarn contained in all yarn supply packages is approximately the same, and the reset process can be performed by a simple program compared to the case where the initial value is different for each yarn supply package.

[0020] The yarn processing equipment of an eighth invention is characterized in that, in the seventh invention, the yarn processing machine is configured to be able to process a plurality of yarns simultaneously, the yarn supplying section has a plurality of the yarn supply package holding sections, and the common initial value is set as a common value for the plurality of yarn supply package holding sections.

[0021] In the present invention, even in a configuration in which a plurality of yarn package holding units are provided, the reset process can be performed by a simple program.

[0022] The yarn processing equipment of the ninth invention is any one of the first to sixth inventions, The information management unit The initial value corresponding to each of the plurality of yarn supply packages is capable of being acquired.

[0023] In the present invention, even if the initial amount of yarn contained in each of the multiple yarn supply packages differs among the multiple yarn supply packages, an appropriate reset process can be performed.

[0024] The yarn processing equipment of the 10th invention is characterized in that, in the 9th invention, the yarn processing machine is configured to be able to process a plurality of yarns simultaneously, and the yarn supplying section has a plurality of the yarn supply package holding sections.

[0025] In the present invention, even when a plurality of yarn supply package holding units are provided, appropriate reset processing can be performed for each yarn supply package holding unit.

[0026] The yarn processing equipment of the 11th invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to tenth inventions, the information management unit has an operation unit configured to be operated by an operator, and generates the mid-way replacement information when a predetermined reset operation is performed on the operation unit.

[0027] In the present invention, when the yarn supply package is replaced in the yarn supply package holder by the operator, the reset process can be performed manually.

[0028] The yarn processing equipment of the 12th invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to 11th inventions, it comprises a yarn supply package changing device configured to be able to perform the mid-course replacement, and the yarn supply package changing device is configured to be able to transmit the mid-course replacement information to the information management unit.

[0029] In the present invention, when the yarn supply package is replaced by the yarn supply package replacement device, the reset process can be performed without manual intervention.

[0030] The yarn processing equipment of the 13th invention is characterized in that, in any of the first to 12th inventions, the information management unit obtains information on a predicted yarn disappearance time when all of the yarn supply packages will be empty based on the remaining time information related to all of the yarn supply packages attached to the yarn supply package holding unit.

[0031] By utilizing the information of the predicted yarn disappearance time obtained by the present invention, it is possible to realize advanced control of operations such as changing the yarn supply package or advanced equipment operation management. For such management, it is particularly effective to perform the reset process normally.

[0032] The yarn processing equipment of a 14th invention is the 13th invention, further comprising a first output unit configured to output information, and a first output control unit configured to control the first output unit, wherein the first output control unit causes the first output unit to output information for urging an operator to replace the yarn supply package in the yarn supply package holding unit at a replacement notification time that is a predetermined time before the predicted yarn disappearance time.

[0033] In the present invention, the operator can be prompted to replace the yarn supply package at an appropriate timing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the yarn supply package attached to the yarn supply package holding unit from running out. For such management, it is particularly effective to normally perform the reset process. The first output control unit may be included in the information management unit, or may be provided separately from the information management unit.

[0034] The yarn processing equipment of a 15th invention, in any of the first to fourteenth inventions, includes a connection information acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding whether a terminal end of a yarn included in a predetermined yarn supplying package among the plurality of yarn supplying packages is connected to a starting end of a yarn included in a preliminary yarn supplying package from which the yarn is unwound next to the predetermined yarn supplying package, a second output unit configured to output information, and a second output control unit configured to control the second output unit, wherein the second output control unit outputs information to the second output unit to prompt a connecting operation between the starting end and the ending end when the remaining time for the predetermined yarn supplying package decreases to a predetermined limit time or less while the starting end and the ending end are not connected, based on the information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit.

[0035] In the present invention, it is possible to prevent an operator or the like from forgetting to connect the thread. For such management, it is particularly effective to perform the reset process normally. The first output unit and the second output unit may be the same or different. The first output control unit and the second output control unit may be the same or different. In addition, the second output control unit may be included in the information management unit, or may be provided separately from the information management unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the yarn processing equipment according to the embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the false twisting machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a false twisting machine deployed along a yarn path. [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are graphs showing the relationship between the remaining amount of yarn contained in a yarn supply package and time, and 13C is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of yarn wound onto a winding bobbin and time. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for replacing a yarn supply package during use. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the yarn processing equipment according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a false twisting machine according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] (Outline of yarn processing equipment) Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The outline of the yarn processing equipment 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the yarn processing equipment 100 has a plurality of false twisting machines 1 (yarn processing machines of the present invention) and a management device 101. The plurality of false twisting machines 1 are arranged, for example, along a predetermined machine frame longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2, etc.). Each false twisting machine 1 is configured to be able to false twist a yarn Y (see FIG. 2, etc.) made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon (polyamide fiber). The yarn Y is, for example, a multifilament yarn made of a plurality of filaments (not shown). As will be described later, each false twisting machine 1 is configured to process the yarn Y supplied from the yarn supplying section 2 by the processing section 3, and wind the yarn Y around a winding bobbin Bw attached to the winding section 4 to form a winding package Pw. Each false twisting machine 1 is controlled by a machine frame control device 5, which is a computer device provided in each false twisting machine 1.

[0038] The management device 101 is a host computer for centrally managing information (described in detail below) acquired by a plurality of machine control devices 5. The management device 101 has a management input unit 101a (e.g., a keyboard), a management output unit 101b (e.g., a display), and a management storage unit 101c (e.g., a hard disk). The management device 101 and the plurality of machine control devices 5 together constitute an information management unit 110 of this embodiment. Details of the information handled by the information management unit 110 will be described later.

[0039] (Overall configuration of false twist processing machine) Next, the overall configuration of the false twisting machine 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 is a side view of the false twisting machine 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the false twisting machine 1 developed along the path (yarn path) of the yarn Y. The direction perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 2 is the machine base longitudinal direction, and the left-right direction of the plane of Fig. 2 is the machine base width direction. The direction perpendicular to both the machine base longitudinal direction and the machine base width direction is the up-down direction (vertical direction) in which gravity acts. The direction in which the yarn Y runs is the yarn running direction. The false twisting machine 1 includes a yarn supplying section 2 for supplying multiple yarns Y, a processing section 3 for processing (false twisting) the multiple yarns Y supplied from the yarn supplying section 2, a winding section 4 for winding the multiple yarns Y processed by the processing section 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw, and a machine control device 5.

[0040] The yarn supplying section 2 has a creel stand 6 that holds a plurality of yarn supply packages Ps, and supplies a plurality of yarns Y to the processing section 3. The processing section 3 is configured to unwind and process a plurality of yarns Y from the yarn supplying section 2. The processing section 3 is configured to have a first feed roller 11, a twist stop guide 12, a first heating device 13, a cooling device 14, a false twist device 15, a second feed roller 16, a second heating device 17, and a third feed roller 18 arranged in this order from the upstream side in the yarn running direction. These components in the processing section 3 are provided, for example, on each of a plurality of spindles 9 (see FIG. 3) described later. The winding section 4 has a plurality of winding devices 19. Each winding device 19 winds the yarn Y false twisted in the processing section 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw to form a winding package Pw. The winding section 4 is also provided with a plurality of auto-doffers 10 corresponding to the plurality of winding devices 19, respectively, for replacing the formed winding package Pw with a new empty winding bobbin Bw.

[0041] The machine control device 5 is for controlling each of the components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4. The machine control device 5 is, for example, a general computer device. The machine control device 5 has a machine input unit 5a (operation unit of the present invention), a machine output unit 5b, and a machine memory unit 5c (see FIG. 1). The machine input unit 5a is, for example, a touch panel and / or a keyboard not shown, and is configured to be operable by an operator. The machine output unit 5b has, for example, a display not shown, and is configured to be able to output information. The machine memory unit 5c is configured to store various information for controlling the components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4. The machine control device 5 controls the components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4 based on the various information. Alternatively, the machine control device 5 may indirectly control these components via various control devices (not shown) for controlling each of the components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4. A management device 101, which is a host computer, is electrically connected to the machine control device 5. The management device 101 is capable of using information acquired by the machine control device 5 to perform various judgments and / or calculations, which will be described later.

[0042] The false twisting machine 1 has a main base 7 and a winding table 8 arranged at an interval in the width direction of the machine. The main base 7 and the winding table 8 are provided so as to extend to approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction of the machine. The main base 7 and the winding table 8 are arranged so as to face each other in the width direction of the machine. The false twisting machine 1 has a unit called a span, which includes a pair of the main base 7 and the winding table 8. In one span, each device is arranged so that multiple yarns Y running in a line in the longitudinal direction of the machine can be false twisted simultaneously. In the false twisting machine 1, this span is arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the drawing with the center line C in the width direction of the main base 7 as the axis of symmetry (the main base 7 is common to the left and right spans). In addition, multiple spans are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the machine.

[0043] Moreover, a group of components through which one yarn Y passes from the yarn supplying section 2 until it reaches the winding section 4 is called a "spindle." In other words, the false twisting machine 1 has the same number of spindles 9 (see FIG. 3) as the number of winding packages Pw that can be formed simultaneously. Roughly speaking, the multiple spindles 9 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the machine. In terms of an inclusive relationship, the false twisting machine 1 has multiple spans, and each span has multiple spindles 9. The false twisting machine 1 can false twist the yarn Y on the spindles 9 on which the yarn Y is hung. In other words, in order to perform false twisting on the yarn Y, the false twisting machine 1 needs to hang the yarn Y on one or more spindles 9 (i.e., a threading operation needs to be performed).

[0044] (Yarn feeding section) The configuration of the yarn supplying unit 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. The creel stand 6 of the yarn supplying unit 2 has a plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 (see Fig. 3) provided corresponding to the plurality of spindles 9, respectively. Each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 is configured to allow two yarn supply packages Ps to be attached and detached. That is, the yarn supply package holding unit 20 has two package mounting units 21. For convenience of explanation, one of the two package mounting units 21 is called a first mounting unit 22 (a certain mounting unit of the present invention), and the other is called a second mounting unit 23 (another mounting unit of the present invention). The first mounting unit 22 and the second mounting unit 23 are each configured to allow one yarn supply package Ps to be attached and detached. The yarn supply package Ps is attached and detached to and from the package mounting unit 21 by, for example, an operator.

[0045] Each yarn supply package holding section 20 of the yarn supply section 2 is configured to be able to supply the yarn Y without interruption as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a first yarn supply package PsA (a certain yarn supply package of the present invention) which is one of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps is mounted on the first mounting section 22. A second yarn supply package PsB (another yarn supply package of the present invention) different from the first yarn supply package PsA is mounted on the second mounting section 23. The yarn Y is unwound from the first yarn supply package PsA. The end of the yarn Y included in the first yarn supply package PsA and the start of the yarn Y included in the second yarn supply package PsB are knotted (connected). As a result, a knot portion K (yarn connection portion) is formed between the two yarns Y. In such a case, after the first yarn supply package PsA becomes empty, the yarn Y can be supplied without interruption from the second yarn supply package PsB. Specifically, immediately after the supply of the yarn Y from the first yarn supply package PsA is completed and the first yarn supply package PsA becomes empty, the knot portion K is pulled downstream in the yarn running direction (toward the winding device 19), whereby the yarn Y is unwound from the second yarn supply package PsB. In this manner, the yarn Y is unwound from a certain yarn supply package Ps mounted in a certain package mounting unit 21 among the plurality of package mounting units 21. Then, the yarn Y starts to be unwound from another yarn supply package Ps mounted in a package mounting unit 21 other than the one package mounting unit 21. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, such an event is referred to as a yarn supply package switching. As a result, the yarn Y is supplied without interruption. After that, the empty yarn supply package Ps (yarn supply bobbin Bs) is replaced with a new yarn supply package Ps by, for example, an operator.

[0046] A yarn detection sensor 24 (a switching detection section and an unwinding detection section of the present invention) is disposed downstream of each yarn supply package holding section 20 in the yarn running direction. The yarn detection sensor 24 is configured to be able to detect from which of the first mounting section 22 and the second mounting section 23 the yarn Y is being supplied. As shown in FIG. 3, the yarn detection sensor 24 has a first detection section 25 and a second detection section 26. The first detection section 25 is configured to be able to detect whether the yarn Y is being supplied from the first mounting section 22. The second detection section 26 is configured to be able to detect whether the yarn Y is being supplied from the second mounting section 23. The first detection section 25 and the second detection section 26 are, for example, optical sensors that optically detect the yarn Y. For more details on the yarn detection sensor 24, see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5873105. Alternatively, the first detection section 25 and the second detection section 26 may be, for example, contact-type sensors.

[0047] (Processing department) The configuration of the processing unit 3 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. In the following, only a portion of the processing unit 3 that corresponds to one weight 9 will be described.

[0048] The first feed roller 11 is configured to unwind the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps attached to the yarn supplying section 2 and send it to the first heating device 13. The first feed roller 11 is disposed upstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the first feed roller 11 is substantially equal to the unwinding speed V (see FIG. 3) at which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps. Information on the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the first feed roller 11 is stored in advance in, for example, the machine control device 5.

[0049] The twist stop guide 12 is configured to prevent the twist imparted to the yarn Y by the false twist device 15 from propagating upstream in the yarn running direction of the twist stop guide 12. The twist stop guide 12 is disposed downstream in the yarn running direction of the first feed roller 11 and upstream in the yarn running direction of the first heating device 13.

[0050] The first heating device 13 is configured to heat the yarn Y fed from the first feed roller 11. The first heating device 13 is disposed downstream in the yarn running direction of the twist stop guide 12 and upstream in the yarn running direction of the cooling device 14. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the first heating device 13 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The first heating device 13 may be configured to be able to heat multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0051] The cooling device 14 is configured to cool the yarn Y heated by the first heating device 13. The cooling device 14 is disposed downstream in the yarn running direction of the first heating device 13 and upstream in the yarn running direction of the false twist device 15. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the cooling device 14 is configured to cool one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The cooling device 14 may be configured to be able to cool multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0052] The false twist device 15 is configured to impart a twist to the yarn Y. The false twist device 15 is, for example, but not limited to, a so-called disk friction type false twist device. The false twist device 15 is disposed downstream of the cooling device 14 in the yarn running direction and upstream of the second feed roller 16 in the yarn running direction.

[0053] The second feed rollers 16 are configured to feed the yarn Y processed by the false twist device 15 to the second heating device 17. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the second feed rollers 16 is faster than the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the first feed rollers 11. As a result, the yarn Y is stretched between the first feed rollers 11 and the second feed rollers 16. Information on the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the second feed rollers 16 is stored in advance in, for example, the machine control device 5.

[0054] In the yarn running direction, for example, downstream of the false twist device 15 and upstream of the second feed roller 16, a quality detection unit 27 (see FIG. 2) is disposed for detecting information regarding the quality of the yarn Y. The quality detection unit 27 may have, for example, a tension sensor configured to be able to detect the tension of the yarn Y. The quality detection unit 27 is configured to transmit the detection result to the machine control device 5.

[0055] The second heating device 17 is configured to heat the yarn Y fed from the second feed roller 16. The second heating device 17 extends along the vertical direction. For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the second heating device 17 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The second heating device 17 may be configured to be able to heat a plurality of yarns Y simultaneously.

[0056] The third feed roller 18 is configured to feed the yarn Y heated by the second heating device 17 to the winding device 19. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the third feed roller 18 is slower than the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the second feed roller 16. The yarn Y is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18. Information on the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the third feed roller 18 is stored in advance in, for example, the machine control device 5.

[0057] In the processing section 3 configured as above, the yarn Y stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16 is twisted by the false twist device 15. The twist formed by the false twist device 15 propagates to the twist stop guide 12, but does not propagate upstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction. The yarn Y to which the twist is imparted while being stretched is heated and heat-set by the first heating device 13, and then cooled by the cooling device 14. The yarn Y is untwisted downstream from the false twist device 15, but the above heat-set maintains the state in which each filament is false-twisted in a wavy shape. Furthermore, the yarn Y that has been false-twisted by the false twist device 15 is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18, and is then heat-set by the second heating device 17, and is guided downstream in the yarn running direction. Finally, the yarn Y sent from the third feed roller 18 is wound onto a winding bobbin Bw by the winding device 19. This forms a winding package Pw.

[0058] (Winding section) The configuration of the winding section 4 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. The winding section 4 has a plurality of winding devices 19 that wind the yarn Y onto winding bobbins Bw, and a plurality of auto-doffers 10 (see Fig. 2) provided corresponding to each of the winding devices 19. Each of the plurality of winding devices 19 belongs to a plurality of spindles 9 (see Fig. 3). Each of the winding devices 19 has, for example, a fulcrum guide 31, a traverse device 32, a cradle 33, and a winding roller 34. The fulcrum guide 31 is a guide that serves as a fulcrum when the yarn Y is traversed. The traverse device 32 is configured to be able to traverse the yarn Y by, for example, a traverse guide 35 attached to an endless belt that is reciprocally driven by a motor. The cradle 33 is configured to be able to rotatably support the winding bobbin Bw (winding package Pw). The winding roller 34 is configured to rotate the winding package Pw and apply contact pressure to the surface of the winding package Pw. The winding roller 34 is, for example, rotated by a motor (not shown) while in contact with the surface of the winding package Pw. As a result, the winding package Pw is rotated by frictional force, and contact pressure is applied to the surface of the winding package Pw, shaping the winding package Pw. Note that instead of rotating the winding roller 34, the winding package Pw may be directly rotated by a motor (not shown).

[0059] The auto doffer 10 is configured to remove the winding package Pw from the winding device 19 and mount an empty winding bobbin Bw on the winding device 19. In other words, the auto doffer 10 is configured to be able to replace the winding package Pw after formation with an empty winding bobbin Bw in the winding section 4. The auto doffer 10 also has a cutter (not shown) capable of cutting the yarn Y in the vicinity of the winding package Pw. The running yarn Y is cut by the cutter, and the formation of the winding package Pw is completed. Here, even after the yarn is cut by the cutter, the yarn Y continues to be supplied to the winding device 19. The auto doffer 10 has a suction (not shown) capable of suctioning, capturing, and holding the running yarn Y supplied to the winding device 19 after the winding package Pw is completed and before the yarn Y starts to be wound around the next winding bobbin Bw. The portion of the yarn Y that has been sucked in by suction is removed by suction until the yarn Y is hung on the winding bobbin Bw onto which the yarn Y is next wound. The auto doffer 10 also has a stocker 10a configured to be able to temporarily store the winding package Pw removed from the corresponding winding device 19. The stocker 10a faces, for example, a space formed between the creel stand 6 and the winding table 8. The winding package Pw stored in the stocker 10a is collected, for example, by an operator. For more details on the structure of the auto doffer 10, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-212521.

[0060] Further, for example, a threading device (not shown) is provided near the winding device 19. The threading device is configured to hook the yarn Y onto an empty winding bobbin Bw attached to the winding device 19.

[0061] In the winding section 4 configured as above, the yarn Y sent from the third feed roller 18 is wound around the winding bobbin Bw by each winding device 19 to form a winding package Pw (winding process). The yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the auto doffer 10, and the winding process of the yarn Y around the winding bobbin Bw is completed. Almost simultaneously with this, the yarn Y supplied to the winding device 19 is sucked and held by suction, and the winding package Pw is removed from the cradle 33 by the auto doffer 10. Immediately after this, a new empty winding bobbin Bw is attached to the cradle 33 by the auto doffer 10. That is, after a certain winding package Pw is formed, the winding package Pw (winding bobbin Bw) is replaced with a new winding bobbin Bw by the auto doffer 10 (winding bobbin replacement work). Furthermore, the yarn hooking device hooks the yarn Y around the new winding bobbin Bw. This makes it possible to start winding the yarn Y onto a new winding bobbin Bw.

[0062] During the winding process, the machine control device 5 judges the quality of the yarn Y included in each yarn supply package Ps based on the detection result by the quality detection unit 27 (see FIG. 2). When the quality of the yarn Y included in a certain yarn supply package Ps does not meet a predetermined standard (for example, when the tension varies greatly over time), the machine control device 5 is configured to output information indicating that there is a problem with the quality of the yarn supply package Ps to the machine output unit 5b. Furthermore, when, for example, an operator performs a predetermined stop operation on the machine input unit 5a, the machine control device 5 stops the winding process on a certain spindle 9 during the formation of a winding package Pw on the certain spindle 9 or at the end of the formation of the winding package Pw. More specifically, the machine control device 5 stops the operation of each unit included in the spindle 9 after the yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the auto doffer 10 included in the spindle 9. Alternatively, a cutter for cutting the yarn Y when a stop operation is performed may be provided separately from the cutter of the auto doffer 10.

[0063] Meanwhile, the inventor of the present application has come up with the following idea to realize a production management that is dramatically more advanced than the conventional one. That is, the inventor of the present application has come up with the idea of ​​providing a means for knowing, at any timing, the remaining amount of the yarn Y after a part of the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps (yarn remaining amount) and / or the time during which the yarn Y can be supplied from the yarn supply package Ps (remaining time). By knowing such information, it becomes possible to predict, for example, the timing when the yarn Y will run out in the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound. Here, even if the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound is replaced with another new yarn supply package Ps midway due to, for example, poor yarn quality, it is required to appropriately predict the above timing. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to solve problems that may occur when the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound is replaced with another new yarn supply package Ps midway, the information management unit 110 performs information processing as described below. As a specific example, the information management unit 110 acquires and manages various information related to the events shown in the graphs of Figures 4(a) to 4(c). Note that, in the following, unless otherwise specified, the explanation will be limited to a predetermined weight 9.

[0064] (Examples of events) Before specifically describing the information acquired by the information management unit 110, the events illustrated in the graphs of Figures 4(a) to (c) and the time when each event occurred will be described as a premise to help understanding the following description. The information management unit 110 acquires information related to at least some of the events shown in the graphs of Figures 4(a) to (c) (details will be described later).

[0065] FIG. 4(a) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, yarn supply packages Ps1 and Ps3) attached to the first installation unit 22 and time (horizontal axis). FIG. 4(b) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, yarn supply packages Ps2 and Ps4) attached to the second installation unit 23 and time (horizontal axis). FIG. 4(c) is a graph showing the relationship between the winding amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y on the winding bobbin Bw (specifically, winding bobbins Bw1, Bw2, Bw3, Bw4, and Bw5) and time (horizontal axis). In all of the graphs in FIG. 4(a) to (c), the origin is the time t0 at which the yarn Y starts to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1. In the present embodiment, the weight (initial weight) of each yarn supply package Ps before the yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps is WF.

[0066] First, at time t0, the yarn supply package Ps1 is attached to the first attachment unit 22. The remaining weight of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps1 is W0 (less than the initial weight WF). Also, at time t0, for example, an empty yarn supply bobbin Bs is attached to the second attachment unit 23.

[0067] At time t0 (time ts1), the auto doffer 10 completes mounting the winding bobbin Bw1 on the cradle 33, and the winding of the yarn onto the winding bobbin Bw1 begins. In other words, time ts1 is the winding start time when the winding of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw1 begins. At this time, the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1.

[0068] At time tb1, which is slightly after time t0, the operator removes the empty yarn supplying bobbin Bs from the second mounting unit 23, and mounts a new yarn supplying package Ps2 on the second mounting unit 23. Thereafter, at an appropriate timing, the operator knots (connects) the end end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supplying package Ps1 and the start end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supplying package Ps2 to form a knot portion K (see FIG. 3). The operator may perform the knotting (connecting) operation by hand. Alternatively, the operator may perform the knotting operation by operating, for example, a portable knotting device (not shown).

[0069] As time passes, the remaining amount (remaining weight) of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps1 decreases, and the winding amount (winding weight) of the yarn Y wound around the winding bobbin Bw1 increases. At time te1, the yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the auto doffer 10, and the winding process of the yarn Y around the winding bobbin Bw1 ends. That is, time te1 is the winding end time when the winding of the yarn Y around the winding bobbin Bw1 ends (the formation of the winding package Pw1 ends). At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps1 is W1. Only the yarn Y supplied from the yarn supply package Ps1 is wound around the winding bobbin Bw1. The cutting of the yarn Y by the cutter, the suction capture of the yarn Y by suction (i.e., the start of suction removal of the yarn Y), and the removal of the winding bobbin Bw1 (winding package Pw1) from the cradle 33 are performed almost simultaneously. Next, at time ts2 immediately after time te1, the auto doffer 10 completes mounting the winding bobbin Bw2 on the cradle 33, and starts winding the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw2 (the winding bobbin replacement operation is completed). There is a slight time lag tL (see FIG. 4) between the winding end time (time te1) for the winding bobbin Bw1 and the winding start time (time ts2) for the winding bobbin Bw2 onto which the yarn Y is wound next after the winding bobbin Bw1.

[0070] At time ta1, which is later than time ts2, the yarn supply package Ps1 mounted on the first mounting unit 22 becomes empty. That is, time ta1 is the unwinding end time when the yarn Y is completely unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1. At the same time that the yarn supply package Ps1 becomes empty, at time tb2 (=time ta1), the knot portion K formed by knotting the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps1 and the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps2 is pulled toward the winding device 19. As a result, the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 mounted on the second mounting unit 23. That is, time tb2 is the unwinding start time when the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 (when the yarn Y starts to be unwound). After that, at time te2, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw2 (the formation of the winding package Pw2) ends. At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps2 is W2. Both the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1 and the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 are wound onto the winding bobbin Bw2. The winding package Pw2 includes a knot portion K. Then, at time ts3, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw3 starts. When the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw3 (formation of the winding package Pw3) ends at time te3, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps2 is W3. Only the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw3.

[0071] Furthermore, after time ta1 and before the yarn supply package Ps2 becomes empty (for example, at time ta2), the operator removes the empty yarn supply package Ps1 from the first installation unit 22 and installs a new yarn supply package Ps3 in the first installation unit 22 (yarn supply package replacement work). At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps3 is WF. After that, at an appropriate timing, the end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 and the beginning of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps3 are knotted together to form a knot portion K.

[0072] Here, for example, when the machine control device 5 determines that there is a problem with the quality of the yarn supply package Ps2 during the formation of the winding package Pw3, information indicating that there is a problem with the quality of the yarn supply package Ps2 is output by the machine output unit 5b. When an operator performs a stop operation on the machine input unit 5a based on the output result by the machine output unit 5b, the winding process is stopped. Here, for example, it is assumed that the winding process is stopped when the formation of the winding package Pw3 is completed (time te3).

[0073] After the winding process is stopped, at time tb3 (almost simultaneously with time te3), the operator removes the yarn supply package Ps2 from the second mounting unit 23, and a new yarn supply package Ps4 is mounted on the second mounting unit 23. For convenience of explanation, the operation of replacing the not-yarn-empty yarn supply package Ps with another new yarn supply package Ps is referred to as "mid-way replacement." At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps4 is WF. By performing such mid-way replacement, at time tb3, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps mounted on the second mounting unit 23 changes from W3 to WF. After that, for example, the end end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps4 and the start end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps3 are knotted to form a knot portion K. In this case, the yarn Y continues to be supplied from the second mounting unit 23.

[0074] Thereafter, the threading operation is performed on the predetermined spindle 9. The yarn Y is threaded, for example, through the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4 in that order. When threading the yarn Y on the winding unit 4, before the yarn Y is threaded on the next winding bobbin Bw (winding bobbin Bw4), the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supplying package Ps (for example, the yarn supplying package Ps4) and is sucked and held by the suction of the auto doffer 10. That is, before the winding process is resumed, for example, at time tb4, the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supplying package Ps4. Thereafter, at time ts4, a threading device (not shown) completes threading on the winding bobbin Bw4, and the winding process is resumed. The time difference between time ts4 and time tb4 is, for example, tL1.

[0075] Thereafter, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw4 from time ts4 to time te4 (the winding package Pw4 is formed). Furthermore, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw5 from time ts5 to time te5 (the winding package Pw5 is formed).

[0076] (Summary of basic information acquired by the Information Management Department) Considering the above phenomena, first, an overview of basic information acquired by the information management unit 110 for various judgments and / or calculations will be described. The information management unit 110 acquires, for example, initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and accumulated time information for each yarn supply package Ps as basic information. The initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and accumulated time information are used to acquire information on the remaining amount and / or remaining time (details will be described later) for various management operations related to the yarn processing equipment 100. The information management unit 110 may further acquire various information related to each winding package Pw (information on the start time and end time of the winding process, etc.), but detailed explanations on acquisition of the information will be omitted.

[0077] The initial amount information is information about the initial amount (initial weight or initial length) of yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps before the yarn Y starts to be unwound. The initial amount information is, for example, stored in advance in the machine control device 5 as common information related to all yarn supply packages Ps of all spindles 9 of one false twisting machine 1. More specifically, in this embodiment, information on the above-mentioned initial weight WF and information on the fineness of the yarn Y (weight per unit length) are stored in the machine control device 5 as initial amount information. The unit of the weight of the yarn supply package Ps is, for example, kg. The fineness of the yarn Y is also assumed to be F. The unit of the fineness is, for example, dtex. Decitex is the weight (g) of the yarn Y per 10,000 meters. The value of the initial weight WF corresponds to the common initial value of the present invention.

[0078] The unwinding unit amount information is information on the amount of yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps per unit time. The unwinding unit amount information is, for example, information on the unwinding speed V described above. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the unwinding speed V during the winding process is approximately constant. The unit of the unwinding speed is, for example, m / min. The unwinding unit amount information is, for example, stored in advance in the machine control device 5 as common information for all spindles 9 of one false twisting machine 1. The machine control device 5 acquires the information on the unwinding speed V based on, for example, information on the rotation speed of the first feed roller 11.

[0079] The accumulated time information is information about an accumulated value (accumulated time) of the time for which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps. For convenience of explanation, the accumulated time for the yarn supply package Ps attached to the first mounting unit 22 is called tin1. The accumulated time for the yarn supply package Ps attached to the second mounting unit 23 is called tin2. The machine control device 5 updates tin1 when the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps (e.g., yarn supply package Ps1) attached to the first mounting unit 22. On the other hand, the machine control device 5 updates tin2 when the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps (e.g., yarn supply package Ps2) attached to the second mounting unit 23. For example, the accumulated time information for the yarn supply package Ps2 attached to the second mounting unit 23 is acquired as follows. During the winding process, the machine control device 5 determines whether a yarn supply package switch, in which the yarn supply package Ps supplying the yarn Y is switched, has occurred based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24. For example, referring to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), a yarn supply package switch is an event in which the yarn supply package Ps1 becomes empty and the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2. When the state of the yarn detection sensor 24 switches from a state in which the first detection unit 25 detects the yarn Y to a state in which the second detection unit 26 detects the yarn Y, the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn supply package switch has occurred. When the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn supply package switch has occurred, it sets tin2 to a predetermined initial time (reset process). The initial time is, for example, zero. Furthermore, the machine control device 5 may obtain and store information on the time (time tb2) when the yarn supply package switching occurs as unwinding start time information regarding the unwinding start time when the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2.

[0080] Thereafter, when the yarn Y is being unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2, the machine control device 5 increases tin2 (updates tin2) as time passes. For example, when the yarn Y is detected by the second detection unit 26 and the first feed roller 11 is sending the yarn Y downstream in the yarn running direction, the machine control device 5 updates tin2. At this time, the yarn Y is not detected by the first detection unit 25, so tin1 is not updated. Also, for example, when the unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps2 is stopped for some reason, the machine control device 5 stops updating tin2. In this way, the machine control device 5 acquires the time (detection time) at which the second detection unit 26 detects that the yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 after the yarn supply package switching occurs as the accumulated time (tin2) related to the second mounting unit 23. The machine control device 5 can obtain the accumulated time information related to any yarn supply package Ps, including the yarn supply package Ps2, when the yarn Y is being unwound from that yarn supply package Ps.

[0081] In this manner, the information management unit 110 acquires the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the integrated time information as basic information.

[0082] (Information on replacing yarn supply packages and knotting) In addition, as an explanation related to the above-mentioned yarn supply package switching, information acquired by the information management unit 110 when an empty yarn supply package Ps is replaced with a new yarn supply package during the winding process will be explained. When the yarn supply package Ps mounted on one package mounting unit 21 is empty, the operator removes the empty yarn supply package Ps from the one package mounting unit 21 and mounts a new yarn supply package Ps on the one package mounting unit 21. At that time, the operator performs an operation to associate individual information of the new yarn supply package Ps with individual information of the one package mounting unit 21 (input of mounting information). After that, the operator connects the starting end of the yarn Y included in the new yarn supply package Ps to the ending end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps mounted on the other package mounting unit 21 to form a knotted portion K. Next, the operator places the knotted portion K at a predetermined position. Furthermore, the operator inputs information indicating that the knotted portion K has been placed at a predetermined position (for convenience of explanation, the information is referred to as placement information) to the machine control device 5. When such an input operation is performed, the machine control device 5 stores the arrangement information. After that, when a yarn package is switched, the machine control device 5 performs the above-mentioned reset process and stores information indicating that the knot portion K has moved from the predetermined position (for convenience of explanation, this information is referred to as movement information).

[0083] (Remaining amount information and remaining time information) Next, a method for acquiring information based on the above-mentioned basic information (initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and cumulative time information) will be described. The information management unit 110 acquires at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information by calculation using the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the cumulative time information.

[0084] The remaining amount is the remaining amount of the yarn Y contained in each yarn supply package Ps mounted in each package mounting unit 21 at any reference time. The remaining time is the length of time during which the yarn Y can be unwound from each yarn supply package Ps mounted in each package mounting unit 21 at that reference time. By using at least one of these pieces of information, it is possible to predict the timing at which the yarn Y will be completely unwound from each yarn supply package Ps.

[0085] First, an example of a method for acquiring remaining amount information of each yarn supply package Ps at a reference time will be described. For example, the current time at which the remaining amount information is acquired is treated as the reference time. When the current time is time t1 (see FIG. 4(b)), the information management unit 110 determines that the yarn Y is being unwound from the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, the yarn supply package Ps2) attached to the second attachment unit 23 based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24. In addition, the information management unit 110 acquires information on the initial weight WF, the fineness (F described above), the unwinding speed V, and the integrated time related to the yarn supply package Ps2. At time t1, the integrated time (tin2) related to the yarn supply package Ps2 is equal to the difference between time t1 and time tb2.

[0086] When the remaining amount (remaining weight) of the supply yarn package Ps2 at time t1 is Wr1 (see FIG. 4(b)), the value of the remaining weight Wr1 is calculated based on the following formula, where A is a coefficient for converting the calculation result into kg.

[0087] Wr1 = WF-A × V × F × tin2

[0088] In the above formula, WF is included in the initial amount information of the present invention. V×F is the weight of the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 per unit time. In this way, the information management unit 110 acquires information on the remaining weight (remaining amount information) of the yarn supply package Ps2 at time t1 (reference time) using the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the integrated time information. The information management unit 110 may further calculate the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps (yarn supply package Ps1) mounted on the other package mounting unit 21 (first mounting unit 22). At time t1, an empty yarn supply package Ps1 remains in the first mounting unit 22. Since the above-mentioned tin1 has not been updated at time t1, the calculated value of the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps1 at time t1 is approximately zero.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, when the current time is time t2 (see FIG. 4(b)), the value of the remaining weight Wr2 of the supplied yarn package Ps2 at time t2 can be calculated in the same manner.

[0090] The unit of the remaining amount does not necessarily have to be weight. For example, information on the remaining length of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps may be acquired as the remaining amount information. Alternatively, information on the percentage of the remaining weight of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps (i.e., information on the ratio of the remaining weight to the initial weight) may be acquired.

[0091] Next, a method for acquiring the remaining time information will be described. When the remaining time during which the yarn Y can be supplied from the yarn supply package Ps2 at time t1 is tr1, the information on the remaining time tr1 (remaining time information) is calculated based on the following formula using the information on the remaining weight Wr1.

[0092] tr1 = Wr1 / (A × V × F)

[0093] Alternatively, tr1 may be calculated without Wr1 based on the following formula:

[0094] tr1=(WF-A×V×F×tin2) / (A×V×F)

[0095] At time t1, the remaining time during which the yarn Y can be supplied from the yarn supply package Ps1 is approximately zero. This is because, as described above, the remaining amount of the yarn Y related to the yarn supply package Ps1 is approximately zero at time t1.

[0096] Further, for example, when the remaining time for the supplied yarn package Ps2 at time t2 is tr2 (see FIG. 4(b)), the value of the remaining time tr2 can be calculated in a similar manner based on the remaining weight Wr2.

[0097] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 can use the remaining time information to predict the time at which the yarn Y will finish unwinding from the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the reference time (predicted unwinding end time). For example, at time t1, the yarn Y is being unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2. The information management unit 110 may obtain information on the time obtained by adding the remaining time tr1 to time t1 as information on the predicted unwinding end time at which the yarn Y will finish unwinding from the yarn supply package Ps2.

[0098] In this way, at any time, remaining amount information and / or remaining time information related to the yarn supply package holding unit 20 is acquired. Furthermore, when the above-described reset process is performed, the remaining amount and remaining time related to the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y has started to be unwound become the values ​​when the integrated time is zero (i.e., the initial values). Based on the information obtained by such a process, it is possible to predict, for example, the timing at which the yarn Y will finish being unwound from the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is being unwound.

[0099] (Processing when mid-way exchange occurs) Next, a procedure of a process in the case where the above-mentioned mid-course exchange (as a specific example, exchange of the yarn supply package Ps2 with the yarn supply package Ps4) is performed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0100] First, for example, when information indicating that there is a problem with the quality of the yarn supply package Ps2 is output by the machine output unit 5b during the winding process, the operator performs a stop operation on the machine input unit 5a to stop the winding process on the spindle 9. The machine control device 5 determines whether the stop operation has been performed (S101). The winding process continues until the stop operation is performed (S101: No). When the operator performs the stop operation (S101: Yes), the machine control device 5 controls each part of the spindle 9 to stop the winding process (S102). Next, the operator replaces the yarn supply package Ps2 from which the yarn Y is being unwound with a new yarn supply package Ps4 (S103: midway replacement). During mid-course replacement, if the end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 and the beginning of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps3 are knotted together, the operator uses, for example, a cutter not shown in the figure to cut a portion of the yarn Y near the knot K, thereby removing the knot K.

[0101] Next, the operator inputs the mounting information related to the yarn supply package Ps4 to the machine input unit 5a, and performs a predetermined reset operation on the machine input unit 5a to indicate that the midway replacement has been performed (S104). The reset operation may be, for example, an input operation of a predetermined command, or an operation of selecting a predetermined button displayed on the display. Alternatively, a button (not shown) dedicated to the reset operation may be provided. When the reset operation is performed, the machine control device 5 generates (acquires) midway replacement information indicating that the midway replacement has been performed. The machine control device 5 returns tin2 to a predetermined initial time (for example, zero) according to the midway replacement information. As a result, each of the remaining amount related to the second mounting unit 23 and the remaining time related to the second mounting unit 23 returns to the value when tin2 is zero (i.e., the initial value). In this way, the same process as the above-mentioned reset process is performed by the reset operation (S105). As a result, even if the midway replacement has been performed, the remaining amount information and the remaining time information can be normally acquired.

[0102] Next, the operator knots the end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps4 and the beginning of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps3 to form a knot portion K (knotting operation, S106). After that, the operator places the knot portion K at a predetermined position. Furthermore, the operator inputs the above-mentioned arrangement information to the machine control device 5. When such an input operation is performed, the machine control device 5 stores the above-mentioned arrangement information.

[0103] Next, the operator pulls out the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps4 from the yarn supply package Ps4 and performs the threading operation (S107). As described above, before the winding process is resumed, for example, at time tb4, the unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps4 is started. Note that, in general, the unwinding speed of the yarn Y before the winding process is resumed is slower than the unwinding speed V of the yarn Y during the winding process. For example, when the second detector 26 detects the yarn Y while the first feed roller 11 is operating (time tb4 described above), the machine control device 5 determines that the unwinding of the yarn Y has started. The machine control device 5 starts updating the integrated time (i.e., the detection time) at time tb4. That is, a part of the time during which the threading operation is performed (threading time) is included in the detection time. The machine control device 5 may also acquire information on time tb4 as unwinding start time information for the yarn supply package Ps4. Thereafter, the yarn threading onto the winding bobbin Bw4 is completed, and the winding process is resumed (S108). In this manner, the processes from when the stopping operation is performed until when the winding process is resumed are executed.

[0104] As described above, the reset process is performed when the information management unit 110 acquires mid-way replacement information. This makes it possible to suppress discrepancies between the calculation results of the remaining amount and / or remaining time and the actual values. This solves problems that may occur when the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound is replaced with another new yarn supply package Ps mid-way.

[0105] In addition, in normal operation, when a yarn supply package Ps held in the yarn supply package holding unit 20 becomes empty, the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the next new yarn supply package Ps. At this time, a yarn supply package switch is detected, and a reset process is performed. In addition, when the information management unit 110 obtains mid-way replacement information, a similar reset process is performed. This makes it possible to effectively suppress discrepancies between the calculation results of the remaining amount and / or remaining time and the actual values, while suppressing program complication.

[0106] Furthermore, in a configuration in which initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and accumulated time information are acquired, calculations using these pieces of information make it possible to easily acquire remaining amount information and / or remaining time information at any time. In this embodiment, when mid-way replacement information is acquired, accumulated time information is returned to the initial time. Therefore, while remaining amount information and / or remaining time information can be easily acquired, discrepancies between the calculation results of remaining amount information and / or remaining time information and the actual values ​​can be easily suppressed.

[0107] Generally, information on the initial weight of the yarn supply package Ps can be easily obtained in advance, and is therefore easy to handle as initial amount information. Similarly, information on the unwinding speed V can be easily obtained in advance, and is therefore easy to handle as unwinding unit amount information. However, the initial weight has a dimension of mass, whereas the unwinding speed V has a dimension of length. In this case, even if calculations are performed on the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information based only on the initial weight, the unwinding speed, and the accumulated time, it is not possible to match the units. In this regard, in the present invention, information on the fineness (weight per unit length) that can be obtained in advance is also obtained as the initial amount information. This makes it possible to easily match the units when calculating the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information.

[0108] Also, at least a part of the threading time is included in the detection time. For example, the threading time may be excluded from the detection time, but in this case, information regarding the completion of the threading work is required, which may complicate the processing by the information management unit 110. In this embodiment, the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information can be obtained by a relatively simple process.

[0109] Generally, the threading time is very short compared to the time for forming the winding package Pw. Therefore, even if the unwinding speed during threading is slower than the unwinding speed during winding package formation, the error in the remaining amount information and / or the remaining time information is small. Furthermore, if the threading time is excluded from the detection time, the calculation result of the remaining amount information and / or the remaining time information may be larger than the actual value. If the calculation result is larger than the actual value, a problem occurs in that the timing when the yarn Y actually runs out in the yarn supply package Ps is earlier than the timing when the yarn Y is predicted to run out. In order to avoid such a problem, it is preferable to include a part of the threading time in the detection time.

[0110] The information management unit 110 is also configured to be able to acquire a common initial value for multiple yarn supply packages Ps. Therefore, on the premise that the amount of yarn Y contained in all the yarn supply packages Ps is approximately the same, the reset process can be performed by a simple program compared to the case where the initial value is different for each yarn supply package Ps.

[0111] Moreover, the common initial value is set as a common value for the plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20. Therefore, even in a configuration in which a plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 are provided, the reset process can be performed by a simple program.

[0112] In addition, the machine control device 5 generates mid-way replacement information when a predetermined reset operation is performed on the machine input unit 5a. Therefore, when the yarn supply package Ps is replaced in the yarn supply package holding unit 20 by an operator, the reset process can be performed manually.

[0113] Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described, in which the same reference numerals will be used to designate components similar to those in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0114] (1) In the above embodiment, the integrated time is returned to zero as the initial time during the reset process. However, this is not limited to this. The value of the initial time may be a value other than zero. For example, if the accuracy of prediction can be improved by setting the initial time to a predetermined value other than zero, the value of the integrated time may be returned to such a predetermined value during the reset process.

[0115] (2) In the above embodiments, the value of the initial weight WF is stored in the machine control device 5 as a common initial value. However, this is not limited to this. In addition to the initial weight WF, or instead of the initial weight WF, an initial value of the remaining time may be stored in the machine control device 5 as a common initial value. The initial value of the remaining time may be input to the machine control device 5 by an operator, for example. The remaining time and / or remaining amount at a reference time may be calculated based on the initial value of the remaining time.

[0116] (3) In the above-described embodiments, the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information is acquired using the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the accumulated time information. However, this is not limited to this. Instead of the accumulated time information, the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information may be calculated using the unwinding start time information. For example, when calculating the value of the remaining weight Wr1 of the above-described yarn supply package Ps2 at time t1 (reference time), Wr1 may be calculated using the unwinding start time (time tb2) based on the following formula. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to easily acquire the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information, while easily suppressing discrepancies between the calculation results of the remaining amount information and / or remaining time information and the actual values. For the sake of simplicity, the following formula is based on the premise that the yarn Y is continuously unwound from the unwinding start time to the reference time.

[0117] Wr1 = WF-A × V × F × (t1-tb2)

[0118] The value of the remaining time tr1 may be calculated based on the following formula:

[0119] tr1=[WF-{A×V×F×(t1-tb2)}] / (A×V×F)

[0120] In this case, when performing the reset process, the information management unit 110 treats the time when the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the new yarn supply package Ps4 as the unwinding start time for the new yarn supply package Ps, based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24. If the unwinding of the yarn Y is temporarily stopped for some reason, it is necessary to take into consideration the length of time (stop time) during which the unwinding of the yarn Y is temporarily stopped. Therefore, more strictly speaking, it is preferable that a variable indicating the stop time is included in the above formula.

[0121] (4) The knot tying operation after mid-replacement (see S106 in FIG. 5) does not necessarily have to be performed between the reset operation and the threading operation. The knot tying operation may be performed, for example, before the reset operation. Alternatively, the knot tying operation may be performed during the threading operation or after the winding process is resumed.

[0122] In addition, when a mid-way replacement is performed or when an empty yarn supplying bobbin Bs is replaced with a new yarn supplying package Ps, there is a risk that the new yarn supplying package Ps will be left without the operator performing the knotting operation (i.e., knot tying will be forgotten). Therefore, the information management unit 110 may determine whether knot tying has been forgotten as follows. The information management unit 110 determines whether a knot portion K has been formed on a certain spindle 9 during a winding process on the spindle 9. The information management unit 110 can perform this determination based on, for example, whether the above-mentioned arrangement information related to the spindle 9 has been stored after the most recent yarn supplying package switching has occurred on the spindle 9 (after the above-mentioned movement information has been stored). When the information management unit 110 determines that a knot portion K has not been formed on the spindle 9, it further determines whether the remaining time related to the yarn supplying package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound on the spindle 9 has decreased to a predetermined limit time or less. When the information management unit 110 determines that the remaining time is equal to or less than the limit time, the machine control device 5 controls the machine output unit 5b to output information indicating that the operation of forming the knot portion K is necessary to the machine output unit 5b. When it is determined that the knot portion K is formed in the spindle 9, or when it is determined that the remaining time is not equal to or less than the limit time, the above control of the machine output unit 5b is not performed. The new yarn supply package Ps corresponds to the preliminary yarn supply package of the present invention. The yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound corresponds to the predetermined yarn supply package of the present invention. The information management unit 110 corresponds to the connection information acquisition unit of the present invention. The machine control device 5 corresponds to the second output control unit of the present invention. The machine output unit 5b corresponds to the second output unit of the present invention. Alternatively, the above output may be performed by, for example, the management output unit 101b of the management device 101 instead of the machine output unit 5b. In this case, the management device 101 corresponds to the second output control unit of the present invention, and the management output unit 101b corresponds to the second output unit of the present invention.

[0123] (5) In the above embodiment, the yarn supply package Ps (yarn supply packages Ps2 and Ps4) attached to the same package mounting unit 21 immediately before and after the mid-way replacement are continuously used, but this is not limited thereto. That is, the yarn Y may be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps attached to different package mounting units 21 before and after the mid-way replacement. For example, after the yarn supply package Ps2 is removed from the second mounting unit 23 and the yarn supply package Ps4 is attached to the second mounting unit 23, a yarn threading operation or the like may be performed so that the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps3 attached to the first mounting unit 22. In this case, when the reset process (S105) is executed, the integrated time related to the yarn supply package Ps4 attached to the second mounting unit 23 is returned to the initial time. However, when the start of unwinding is detected (S107), the yarn supply package switching from the second mounting unit 23 to the first mounting unit 22 is detected, and the reset process ( That is, A reset process (which is performed during a normal winding process) is performed. Therefore, even if the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps attached to the different package attachment unit 21 before and after the mid-way replacement, the reset process is performed normally. Note that, when the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps3 after the mid-way replacement, the reset operation of step S104 does not necessarily need to be performed. The reason for this will be described below. In this case, the end end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps3 and the start end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps4 are knotted. As a result, after the yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps3, the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps4 (i.e., yarn supply package switching occurs). At that time, the reset process for the yarn supply package Ps4 is performed. Therefore, in this case, even if the reset operation is not performed, no problem occurs in calculating the remaining amount and / or remaining time for the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound.

[0124] (6) In the above-described embodiment, at least the accumulated time (and / or the unwinding start time) of one package mounting unit 21 to which the yarn supplying package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the reference time is mounted may be calculated. Furthermore, the accumulated time (and / or the unwinding start time) of the other package mounting unit 21 may be calculated at the same time to simultaneously calculate the remaining time of each of the two package mounting units 21. For this purpose, the information management unit 110 may perform the following process. For example, the information management unit 110 may return the accumulated time of each of the two package mounting units 21 to an initial time (e.g., zero) when a reset operation is performed by an operator. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 may perform the following process when a yarn supplying package replacement operation is performed during normal winding processing. For example, the information management unit 110 may return the accumulated time of the package mounting unit 21 in which the yarn supplying package replacement operation is performed to the initial time when the above-described input operation of the mounting information is performed on the machine input unit 5a. In this way, the remaining time for each of the two package mounting units 21 can be calculated. In this case, the information management unit 110 may predict the time when all the supply yarn packages Ps held in the supply yarn package holding unit 20 of a certain spindle 9 will be empty (predicted yarn disappearance time). The predicted yarn disappearance time can be calculated by adding the remaining times for the two package mounting units 21 to a reference time, regardless of whether a knot portion K is formed or not. By using the information on the predicted yarn disappearance time, more advanced control or advanced equipment operation management regarding work such as replacing the supply yarn package Ps can be realized. For such management, it is particularly effective to normally perform the reset process.

[0125] When the information management unit 110 acquires the predicted yarn disappearance time as described above, for example, the machine control device 5 may cause the machine output unit 5b to output information to prompt the operator to replace the yarn supply package Ps at an appropriate timing. For example, the machine control device 5 may determine whether a replacement notification time has arrived that is a predetermined time before the predicted yarn disappearance time related to the yarn supply package holding unit 20 of a certain spindle 9. When the machine control device 5 determines that the replacement notification time has arrived, it may cause the machine output unit 5b to output information indicating that the yarn supply package Ps in the spindle 9 needs to be replaced. For such management, it is particularly effective to normally perform the reset process. The machine control device 5 corresponds to the first output control unit of the present invention, and the machine output unit 5b corresponds to the first output unit of the present invention. Alternatively, the above output may be performed by the management output unit 101b of the management device 101. In this case, the management device 101 corresponds to the first output control unit of the present invention, and the management output unit 101b corresponds to the first output unit of the present invention. The first output unit and the second output unit of the present invention may be the same or different. The first output control unit and the second output control unit of the present invention may be the same or different. In addition, the first output control unit and the second output control unit of the present invention may be included in the information management unit 110 as described above, or may be provided separately from the information management unit 110.

[0126] (7) In the above embodiment, the integrated time (tin1) related to the first mounting unit 22 and the integrated time (tin2) related to the second mounting unit 23 are calculated separately, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the information management unit 110 may be configured to be capable of calculating only the integrated time (for example, called tin) related to the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the reference time. Even in such a configuration in which only tin is calculated, the predicted yarn disappearance time described above can be calculated as follows. That is, the remaining time related to the package mounting unit 21 (one package mounting unit 21) to which the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound is attached, out of the two package mounting units 21, can be calculated using the integrated time. Furthermore, the remaining time related to the other of the two package mounting units 21 can be acquired as a constant when a new yarn supply package Ps is attached to the other package mounting unit 21. Furthermore, when a new yarn supply package Ps is not attached to the other package mounting unit 21, the remaining time can be acquired as zero. By adding these two remaining times together, the predicted yarn disappearance time can be calculated.

[0127] (8) In the above embodiment, the machine control device 5 uses the accumulated time information or the unwinding start time to acquire the remaining amount information and / or the remaining time information. However, this is not limited to this. The machine control device 5 may acquire the remaining amount information and / or the remaining time information related to the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound as follows, without using the accumulated time information or the unwinding start time. For example, when acquiring the remaining amount information, the machine control device 5 stores, as a reset process, WF, which is the initial weight of the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y starts to be unwound, as the remaining amount. In this case, the value of WF corresponds to the initial value of the present invention. Thereafter, the machine control device 5 subtracts a predetermined unit amount obtained by using the unwinding unit amount information from the remaining amount every time a predetermined unit time (for example, dt) has elapsed. The unit amount is a value obtained by multiplying the above-mentioned A, V, F, and dt. This makes it possible to update the value of the remaining amount every time a unit time has elapsed. Furthermore, when acquiring the remaining time information, the machine control device 5 stores, as a reset process, an initial value (initial remaining time) of the remaining time during which the yarn Y can be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y has started to be unwound, as the remaining time. The value of the initial remaining time can be calculated, for example, by dividing the initial weight WF by the above-mentioned A, V, and F. Thereafter, the machine control device 5 subtracts a predetermined unit time from the remaining time each time the unit time elapses. This allows the value of the remaining time to be updated each time the unit time elapses. In this manner, at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information may be acquired by a simple method. In this modified example, the machine control device 5 may acquire the remaining amount information and / or the remaining time information related to both the first mounting unit 22 and the second mounting unit 23. Alternatively, the machine control device 5 may acquire the remaining amount information and / or the remaining time information related to only the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the reference time. In this modified example, the machine control device 5 does not necessarily need to acquire the integrated time information and the unwinding start time.

[0128] (9) The information management unit 110 may be configured to store individual information of the yarn supply package Ps and information on the unwinding start time related to the yarn supply package Ps in association with each other. When a yarn supply package switch occurs, the information management unit 110 may store individual information of the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y was unwound until just before the yarn supply package switch occurs, and information on the time when the yarn supply package switch occurs, in association with each other. The time may be treated as the unwinding end time when the unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps ends. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 may be configured to store individual information of the yarn supply package Ps removed from the package mounting unit 21 in association with information on the time when the mid-way exchange is performed. The time when the mid-way exchange is performed may be treated as the unwinding end time when the unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps removed from the package mounting unit 21 ends.

[0129] (10) In the above embodiments, the information management unit 110 acquires information on the initial weight of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps as the initial amount information, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the information management unit 110 may acquire information on the initial length of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps as the initial amount information. In this case, the information management unit 110 may calculate information on the remaining length of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps as the remaining amount information. In this case, the information management unit 110 does not necessarily need to acquire information on the fineness of the yarn Y.

[0130] (11) In the above embodiments, the initial amount information is stored in the information management unit 110 as a common value for all spindles 9 of the false twisting machine 1, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a plurality of spindles 9 may be divided into a plurality of groups. The information management unit 110 may be configured so that the initial amount information for each of the plurality of groups can be set.

[0131] Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may be configured to allow the initial amount information to be set for each spindle 9. In this case, the information management unit 110 may be further configured to allow the initial amount information (or information on the initial value of the remaining time) corresponding to each of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps to be acquired. More specifically, the information management unit 110 may be configured to allow the initial amount information, etc. related to the new yarn supply package Ps to be acquired individually every time a new yarn supply package Ps is attached to the yarn supply package holding unit 20. In this configuration, even if the initial amount of yarn Y contained in each of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps differs among the multiple yarn supply packages Ps in the multiple spindles 9, an appropriate reset process can be performed. Also, an appropriate reset process can be performed in each of the multiple yarn supply package holding units 20.

[0132] (12) In the above-described embodiment, the operator performs the mid-way replacement. However, this is not limited to this. The mid-way replacement may be performed by, for example, a creel robot 102 (see FIG. 6; the yarn supply package replacement device of the present invention) described below. As shown in FIG. 6, the yarn processing equipment 100a may include a creel robot 102 configured to transport one or more yarn supply packages Ps. The creel robot 102 is configured to perform an operation of mounting the yarn supply package Ps on the package mounting unit 21 and an operation of removing the yarn supply package Ps from the package mounting unit 21. The creel robot 102 may be controlled by a creel control device 102a electrically connected to the management device 101. The creel control device 102a may cause the creel robot 102 to perform the yarn supply package replacement operation during normal winding processing and the mid-way replacement operation. The creel control device 102a may generate the mid-way replacement information described above during mid-way replacement and transmit it to the machine control device 5. In this way, the machine control device 5 may obtain the mid-way replacement information. Note that, even in such a configuration, the operator may be able to manually perform a reset operation. When a new supply yarn package Ps is loaded on the package loading unit 21, the creel control device 102a may send the loading information to the information management unit 110.

[0133] The yarn processing equipment 100a may also include a winding package transport device 103 (see FIG. 6) that collects and transports the full winding package Pw after the winding process.

[0134] (13) The yarn processing equipment 100 or 100a may be configured to perform a reset process as follows. First, each package mounting unit 21 may have a replacement detection sensor (not shown) for detecting replacement of the yarn supply package Ps. For example, the replacement detection sensor may be, for example, a known reflective optical sensor. The machine control device 5 may perform the reset process based on the detection result of the replacement detection sensor. When the yarn supply package Ps is replaced in a package mounting unit 21 by an operator or the above-mentioned creel robot 102, the replacement detection sensor provided in the package mounting unit 21 detects the presence or absence of a yarn supply package as follows. That is, when the yarn supply package Ps before replacement is mounted in the package mounting unit 21, the replacement detection sensor detects that the yarn supply package Ps is "present". After that, when the yarn supply package Ps is removed from the package mounting unit 21, the replacement detection sensor detects that the yarn supply package Ps is "not present". Furthermore, the replacement detection sensor detects that the yarn supply package Ps is "present" when a new yarn supply package Ps is mounted on the package mounting unit 21. When change information (change information) of "present", "absent", and "present" is detected in this manner, the machine control device 5 may perform a reset process for the package mounting unit 21. In other words, the machine control device 5 may perform the reset process at the time when it is determined that the yarn supply package replacement operation has been performed.

[0135] In this modified example, the machine control device 5 may be configured to perform a reset process only when mid-way replacement is performed (i.e., when change information is detected when the winding process is stopped). In this case, the change information corresponds to mid-way replacement information of the present invention. Furthermore, the machine control device 5 may be configured to perform a reset process when change information is detected even during normal winding process. Even in this case, the remaining amount and remaining time can be calculated correctly by correctly calculating the accumulated time for each package mounting section 21.

[0136] (14) In the above embodiment, the occurrence of a yarn supply package change is determined based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24 having the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26. However, this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the yarn supplying unit 2a of the false twisting machine 1a may have a change detection unit 41 having a different configuration from the yarn detection sensor 24 in each spindle 9a. The change detection unit 41 corresponds to the change detection unit of the present invention, similar to the yarn detection sensor 24. The change detection unit 41 may have, for example, a supply sensor 42 (unwinding detection unit of the present invention) and a knot portion sensor 43. The supply sensor 42 is configured to be able to detect whether the yarn Y is supplied from the first attachment unit 22. The knot portion sensor 43 is configured to be able to detect the knot portion K arranged to stand still at a predetermined position. In this configuration, when the knot portion K moves from the predetermined position and is no longer detected by the knot portion sensor 43, it can be determined that a yarn supply package change has occurred. Moreover, whether the yarn Y is supplied from the first mounting portion 22 or the second mounting portion 23 when the yarn supply package is switched can be known based on the detection result by the supply sensor 42. In this way, even when the detection result of the node portion K is used, it is possible to reliably know whether the yarn Y is supplied from the first mounting portion 22 or the second mounting portion 23. The node portion sensor 43 may be configured to be able to detect a moving node portion K.

[0137] (15) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 determines whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24 or the switch detection unit 41. However, this is not limited to the above. The information management unit 110 may determine whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred by using, for example, a predicted unwinding end time.

[0138] (16) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 acquires the information on the unwinding speed V based on the information on the rotation speed of the first feed roller 11, but this is not limited to the above. As another example, the machine control device 5 may store information on the rotation speed of the second feed roller 16 and information on the ratio between the rotation speed of the first feed roller 11 and the rotation speed of the second feed roller. The information management unit 110 may acquire the information on the unwinding speed based on these pieces of information. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may acquire information on the weight of the yarn Y unwound per unit time from the yarn supply package Ps as the unwinding unit amount information, instead of the information on the unwinding speed. Such information may be input in advance to the machine control device 5 by, for example, an operator.

[0139] (17) When the yarn Y is wound around a certain winding bobbin Bw of a certain spindle 9, the information management unit 110 may acquire information on a winding start time at which winding of the yarn around the winding bobbin begins (for convenience of explanation, this information is referred to as winding start information). The information management unit 110 may also acquire information on at least one of the following planned winding end time, planned winding amount, and planned winding time (for convenience of explanation, this information is referred to as winding end information). The planned winding end time is the planned time at which winding of the yarn Y around the winding bobbin Bw ends. The planned winding amount is the planned winding amount to be wound around the winding bobbin Bw. The planned winding time is the planned time required from the current time until winding of the yarn Y around the winding bobbin Bw ends. By acquiring the winding start information and the winding end information, it becomes possible to perform management such as the following.

[0140] The information management unit 110 may predict that a knot portion K will be mixed into a winding package Pw formed by winding the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw when the predicted unwinding end time is between the winding start time and the planned winding end time. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may predict that a knot portion K will be mixed into a winding package Pw when the remaining amount of a yarn supplying package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the winding start time is less than the planned winding amount. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may predict that a knot portion K will be mixed into a winding package Pw when the remaining time of a yarn supplying package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the winding start time is shorter than the planned winding time. The information management unit 110 may perform one or more of these three types of predictions.

[0141] Furthermore, when the information management unit 110 predicts that the winding package Pw will contain a node portion K, the information management unit 110 may output information indicating that the winding package Pw will contain a node portion K. For example, the machine control device 5 may control the machine output unit 5b to notify an operator that the winding package Pw will contain a node portion K.

[0142] (18) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 has a plurality of machine control devices 5 and management devices 101, but this is not limited to the above. That is, the information management unit 110 may include a computer device (not shown) other than the machine control device 5 and the management device 101. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may have only the machine control device 5 or the management device 101. That is, only one of the machine control device 5 or the management device 101 may acquire the necessary information.

[0143] (19) In the above embodiment, the yarn processing equipment 100 is provided with a plurality of false twisting machines 1, but this is not limited thereto. The yarn processing equipment 100 may be provided with only one false twisting machine 1. Also, the management device 101 may not be provided. In this case, the false twisting machine 1 corresponds to the yarn processing equipment of the present invention. Also, the false twisting machine 1 is provided with a plurality of spindles 9, but this is not limited thereto. That is, the false twisting machine 1 may have only one spindle 9. In other words, the yarn supplying unit 2 may have only one yarn supplying package holding unit 20.

[0144] (20) The present invention may be applied to another yarn processing equipment equipped with a yarn processing machine, instead of the yarn processing equipment 100 equipped with the false twisting machine 1. For example, the present invention may be applied to yarn processing equipment equipped with an air processing machine (yarn processing machine) described in JP 2002-088605 A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1. False twist processing machine (yarn processing machine) 2 Yarn feeding section 3 Processing section 4 Winding section 5 Machine control device (first output control unit, second output control unit) 5a Machine input section (operation section) 5b Machine output section (1st output section, 2nd output section) 20 Yarn package holder 21 Package mounting part (mounting part) 22 First mounting part (a certain mounting part) 23 Secondary attachment part (another attachment part) 24 Yarn detection sensor (switching detection section, unwinding detection section) 41 Switching detection unit 42 Supply sensor (unwinding detection section) 100 Yarn processing equipment 102 Creel robot (yarn package changer) 110 Information management unit (connection information acquisition unit) Bw Winding bobbin Ps Yarn Supply Package PsA 1st yarn feed package (a yarn feed package) PsB 2nd yarn feeding package (another yarn feeding package) Pw Winding Package tin1 Accumulation time tin2 ​​Accumulation time tr1 remaining time tr2 remaining time V Unwinding speed WF initial weight Wr1 remaining weight Wr2 remaining weight Y Thread

Claims

1. a yarn processing machine including a yarn supplying unit configured to be able to supply a yarn, a processing unit configured to process the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit, and a winding unit configured to wind the yarn processed by the processing unit onto a winding bobbin to form a winding package; An information management unit configured to manage information regarding the yarn processing machine, The yarn supplying section has a yarn supply package holding section configured to enable a plurality of yarn supply packages, each of which includes a yarn, to be attached and detached, the yarn supply package holding unit is configured to be able to supply the yarn without interruption when a trailing end of a yarn included in a certain yarn supply package among the plurality of yarn supply packages is connected to a leading end of a yarn included in another yarn supply package from which the yarn is unwound next to the certain yarn supply package; The information management unit at least one of remaining amount information on a remaining amount of yarn contained in a yarn supplying package from which a yarn is unwound among the plurality of yarn supplying packages at an arbitrary reference time and remaining time information on a remaining time during which the yarn can be unwound from the yarn supplying package at the reference time is acquired by calculation; the yarn processing equipment performs a reset process to return at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information to a predetermined initial value when mid-way replacement information is obtained, the reset process returning ... a mid-way replacement has been performed, in which a yarn supplying package from which a yarn is being unwound is replaced with another new yarn supplying package.

2. the yarn supply package holding portion has a plurality of mounting portions to which the plurality of yarn supply packages are respectively mounted, The yarn supplying section includes: a switching detection unit capable of detecting a yarn supply package switching in which a yarn is finished being unwound from a certain yarn supply package attached to a certain attachment unit among the plurality of attachment units, and a yarn is started being unwound from another yarn supply package attached to a different attachment unit among the plurality of attachment units, The information management unit The yarn processing facility according to claim 1 , wherein the reset process is performed for the other mounting unit when the switching detection unit detects the switching of the yarn supply package.

3. The information management unit As the information of the initial value, initial amount information regarding an initial amount of yarn included in each of the plurality of yarn supply packages; unwinding unit amount information relating to an amount of yarn unwound per unit time from each of the plurality of yarn supply packages; and integrated time information regarding an integrated time for which a yarn is unwound from a yarn supplying package from which the yarn is unwound at the reference time among the plurality of yarn supplying packages; At least one of the remaining time information and the remaining amount information is obtained by a calculation using at least the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the integrated time information; 3. The yarn processing facility according to claim 1, wherein the reset process includes returning the integrated time to a predetermined initial time, thereby returning at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information to the initial value.

4. The information management unit As the information of the initial value, initial amount information regarding an initial amount of yarn included in each of the plurality of yarn supply packages; unwinding unit amount information relating to an amount of yarn unwound per unit time from each of the plurality of yarn supply packages; and unwinding start time information relating to a time at which unwinding of a yarn from a yarn supplying package from which a yarn is unwound at the reference time among the plurality of yarn supplying packages is started. by performing a calculation using at least the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the unwinding start time information, at least one of the remaining time information and the remaining amount information relating to each of the plurality of yarn supply packages is obtained; The yarn processing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, as the reset process, at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information is returned to the initial value by acquiring the unwinding start time information related to the new yarn supply package.

5. The information management unit As the initial amount information, information on an initial weight and a fineness of the yarn contained in each of the plurality of yarn supply packages is obtained; and 5. The yarn processing facility according to claim 3, wherein information on an unwinding speed, which is a length of yarn unwound per unit time from each of the plurality of yarn supply packages, is obtained as the unwinding unit amount information.

6. The yarn processing machine includes: After the mid-way replacement is performed, during at least a portion of a threading time during which a threading operation is being performed on the yarn processing machine, a yarn is unwound from one of the plurality of yarn supply packages, the yarn supplying unit has an unwinding detection unit capable of detecting whether or not a yarn is unwound from the one yarn supply package, The information management unit information on a detection time during which the unwinding detection unit detects that the yarn is being unwound from the one yarn supply package is used to acquire at least one of the remaining amount information and the remaining time information; The yarn processing facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least a portion of the yarn threading time is included in the detection time.

7. The yarn processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the information management unit is configured to acquire, as the initial value, a common initial value which is a common value related to the plurality of yarn supply packages.

8. The yarn processing machine is configured to process a plurality of yarns simultaneously, The yarn supplying section has a plurality of the yarn supply package holding sections, The yarn processing facility according to claim 7, wherein the common initial value is set as a common value for the plurality of yarn supply package holding units.

9. The yarn processing facility according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information management unit is configured to be able to acquire the initial value corresponding to each of the plurality of yarn supply packages.

10. The yarn processing machine is configured to be capable of processing a plurality of yarns simultaneously, The yarn processing facility according to claim 9 , wherein the yarn supplying section has a plurality of the yarn supply package holding sections.

11. The information management unit The yarn processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an operation unit configured to be operated by an operator, and wherein the mid-way replacement information is generated when a predetermined reset operation is performed on the operation unit.

12. A yarn package changing device configured to be able to perform the mid-way change, The yarn processing facility according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the yarn package changing device is configured to be able to transmit the mid-way change information to the information management section.

13. The information management unit The yarn processing facility according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that information on a predicted yarn disappearance time when all of the yarn supply packages will be empty is acquired based on the remaining time information related to all of the yarn supply packages attached to the yarn supply package holding unit.

14. A first output unit configured to be able to output information; a first output control unit configured to control the first output unit; The yarn processing facility according to claim 13, characterized in that the first output control unit causes the first output unit to output information for urging an operator to replace the yarn package in the yarn package holding unit at a replacement notification time that is a predetermined time before the predicted yarn disappearance time.

15. a connection information acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding whether a trailing end of a yarn included in a predetermined yarn supplying package among the plurality of yarn supplying packages is connected to a leading end of a yarn included in a preliminary yarn supplying package from which a yarn is unwound next to the predetermined yarn supplying package; A second output unit configured to be able to output information; a second output control unit configured to control the second output unit; The yarn processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, when the remaining time for the specified yarn supply package decreases to or below a specified limit time in a state where the starting end and the ending end are not connected, based on the information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit, the second output control unit outputs information to the second output unit to prompt a connecting operation between the starting end and the ending end.

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