Automated Bobbin Removal System for Yarn Winding Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing yarn winding equipment requires manual intervention to remove defective bobbins from the transportation path, which is time-consuming and can lead to operational stoppages if not performed promptly, especially when the tray becomes full.

Innovation Solution

A bobbin processing device with automated removal and sorting capabilities, utilizing a transportation path, removing section, and control section that determines and acts on status and yarn quality information to automatically remove defective bobbins and manage their sorting without manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual removal of defective bobbins is performed, then operational stoppages are prevented, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of operational stoppagesVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting defective bobbins through sensors and removing them using a robotic arm, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining continuous operation without productivity loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical removal with an automated robotic system that uses sensors for detection and a robotic arm for removal, substituting human labor with automated mechanical systems to maintain both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated removal system is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system is segmented into distinct functional modules: defect detection sensors, control unit, and robotic removal mechanism. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, managing complexity through functional decomposition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves as an intermediary between the sensor detection system and the robotic removal mechanism, processing sensor data and coordinating the removal action. This intermediary layer manages system complexity by centralizing control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If defective bobbins are not removed promptly, then manual labor is reduced, but operational stoppages occur when trays become full

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction of manual laborVSAvoidcontinuous operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The automated removal system operates continuously alongside the winding process, promptly removing defective bobbins as they are detected. This ensures continuous operation by preventing tray overflow while minimizing manual labor through automated intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3636569B1Bobbin processing device and method and yarn winding system
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 MURATA MASCH LTD
  • EP3636569B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3636569B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3636569B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bobbin processing device (3) for a yarn winding system configured to receive bobbins from and transfer bobbins to a spinning machine (2) and/or a winding machine (4), comprises a transportation path (10) along which the bobbins can move through the bobbin processing device, optionally on a bobbin transport tray (T) a removing section (42) configured to remove a bobbin (B) from the transportation path, optionally from the bobbin transport tray; and a bobbin processing control section (11) that is configured to control the removing section to remove a bobbin from the transportation path in dependence on at least one of quality information linked to the bobbin, yarn amount information linked to the bobbin and status information linked to the bobbin. Further described is a yarn winding/processing system optionally with the bobbin processing device and a bobbin processing method optionally using the bobbin processing device.