Ring Spinning Yarn Piecing Guide Using State Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional yarn piecing apparatuses for ring spinning machines require additional sensors to detect worker location, which is inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A ring spinning machine apparatus that uses yarn break detectors and a position detector with a state memory and worker's position determiner to guide workers to spindles with yarn breaks without additional sensors, utilizing yarn break sensors and indicator lamps to identify and communicate spindle states and worker locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If additional motion sensors are added to detect worker location, then the worker guidance function can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworker guidance to yarn break positionVSAvoidnumber of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the yarn break detector to automatically determine worker position by detecting when a yarn break state changes to a non-yarn break state, eliminating the need for separate worker location sensors. The existing sensor serves dual purposes: detecting yarn breaks and tracking worker movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The yarn break detector is made multi-functional by using it both for its original purpose (detecting yarn breaks) and for a new purpose (detecting worker position). This allows one sensor to perform multiple functions, reducing the total number of sensors needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If motion sensors are added to detect worker location, then guidance accuracy can be achieved, but the measurement precision requirements increase and errors become more prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworker location detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages the inherent reliability of the yarn break detector to determine worker position. Since the yarn break detector is already a reliable component designed for precise detection, using it to detect worker position through state changes maintains high measurement precision while avoiding the reliability issues associated with adding new sensor types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional sensors are installed on each spinning machine, then the yarn piecing assistance function is enabled, but the manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn piecing assistance capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves yarn piecing assistance functionality by repurposing the existing yarn break detector, eliminating the need for additional sensor installation. This self-service approach maintains the adaptability of the system while significantly improving ease of manufacture and installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

By making the yarn break detector multi-functional, the system enables yarn piecing assistance without requiring additional sensors to be manufactured or installed. This reduces manufacturing complexity and installation time while maintaining the desired functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3385415B1Ring spinning machine comprising an apparatus for assisting in yarn piecing
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP3385415B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3385415B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3385415B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A ring spinning machine (10) that includes an apparatus for assisting in yarn piecing is provided. The apparatus includes a position detector (21), at least one guide (13, 30) that guides a worker (W) to a position of one of the spindles (11, 41, 42, 43, 44) having a yarn break, and a controller (25) that controls the guide (13, 30) based on the position of a spindle (11, 41, 42, 43, 44) having the yarn break and a location of the worker (W). The position detector (21) includes a state memory (22) and a worker's position determiner (23) that, when a state of any of the spindles (11, 41, 42, 43, 44) is changed from a yarn break state to a non-yarn break state, determines that the position of the spindle (11, 41, 42, 43, 44) as the location of the worker (W).