Textile Winding Station Integrating Capacitive and Optical Yarn Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current textile machine winding processes lack logical integration of essential components, such as yarn sensors, quality monitors, and connecting devices, leading to inefficiencies in data utilization and optimization of the winding process.

Innovation Solution

A method that links capacitive yarn sensors, optical yarn quality monitors, and machine controllers to share data on yarn speed, length, and quality, enabling precise defect detection and optimization of the winding process by integrating these components to improve system performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If individual components (yarn sensors, quality monitors, connecting devices) work independently, then each component can perform its specific function, but the overall system efficiency and data utilization are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding process efficiencyVSAvoiddata utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent components (capacitive yarn sensor, optical yarn quality monitor, yarn connecting device) into an integrated system where they share a common controller and data bus. This allows real-time data exchange between components, eliminating information silos and improving overall system efficiency while maintaining the specific functions of each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common controller serves multiple functions by receiving and processing data from different sensors, making quality decisions, controlling the connecting device, and managing the winding process. This multi-functional approach consolidates control logic and improves data utilization across the entire system.

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

2Reliability

If multiple components are integrated to share data, then system optimization and data utilization improve, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn quality controlVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a common controller as an intermediary that manages data flow between the capacitive yarn sensor, optical yarn quality monitor, and yarn connecting device. This mediator consolidates the complexity of inter-component communication into a single control unit, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling reliable data sharing and coordinated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If real-time data sharing is implemented, then defect detection accuracy improves, but the data processing requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection accuracyVSAvoiddata processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the common controller continuously receives real-time data from the capacitive yarn sensor and optical yarn quality monitor, processes this information, and immediately controls the yarn connecting device when defects are detected. This closed-loop feedback system improves defect detection accuracy while keeping data processing manageable through centralized control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This integration enhances the accuracy and productivity of the winding process by allowing real-time data sharing and precise evaluation of yarn quality and defects, reducing waste and improving the uniformity of yarn production.

Implementation Method 1

The yarn sensor analyzes the yarn with regard to its speed and/or length and/or foreign material contained in the yarn. While the yarn sensor works according to the capacitive measuring principle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive measurement: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the yarn quality is monitored according to the optical principle. In particular, an optical yarn clearer analyzes the yarn in terms of yarn body and yarn characteristics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical measurement: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3008003B1Method and winding station for improving a winding process of a textile machine
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP3008003B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for improving a winding process of a textile machine and to a winding station of a textile machine, comprising a machine controller (11), a yarn sensor (4), a yarn quality monitoring unit, in particular a yarn cleaner (5), and a yarn-connecting device, in particular a splicing device (3), wherein a yarn (1) is wounded on a spool (2). The yarn (1) is analyzed with regard to the length, quality, and/or speed thereof and is cut if necessary in order to clean a quality flaw, in particular by means of a yarn cleaner (5), and two yarn ends are connected to each other by means of the yarn-connecting device after the quality flaw has been removed. The yarn (1) is analyzed with regard to foreign material, yarn speed, and/or yarn length by means of a capacitive yarn sensor (4) and is analyzed with regard to the yarn body and the yarn characteristics by means of an optical yarn quality monitoring unit, in particular an optical yarn cleaner (5). Thereafter, the yarn (1) is cleaned, if applicable. Data of the capacitive yarn sensor (4) are provided to the yarn quality monitoring unit, in particular the yarn cleaner (5), with regard to the foreign material and/or the yarn speed, and are provided to the machine controller (11), in particular a central controller, section controller, and/or workstation controller, with regard to the yarn length and/or the yarn speed.