Yarn Winder Seed Yarn Routing for Faster Start Joining

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The process of starting the winding of a new type of yarn on a yarn winder is time-consuming, particularly due to the formation of a starter package, which hinders production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The yarn winder is designed with a yarn storage device and a yarn joining device that allows direct guidance of seed yarn to the joining device, bypassing the formation of a starter package, and includes features like a wound yarn breakage dealing section, a cutting mechanism, and a detection system to automate and streamline the start process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a starter package is formed by winding seed yarn onto a new winding bobbin before joining with the new yarn supply, then the yarn joining can be ensured, but the start process time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn joining reliabilityVSAvoidstart process time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary starter package formation step from the traditional yarn winding process. By directly guiding the seed yarn from the seed yarn bobbin to the yarn joining device, the system removes the intermediate winding step that previously required forming a starter package, thereby reducing process time while maintaining joining reliability through direct yarn end detection and joining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the seed yarn on the seed yarn bobbin and preparing the yarn joining device in advance. The seed yarn is guided through the yarn storage device and positioned at the yarn joining device before the actual joining occurs, allowing the system to be ready for immediate joining without requiring starter package formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the seed yarn is directly guided to the yarn joining device via the yarn storage device without forming a starter package, then the start process time is reduced, but the complexity of the guiding mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestart process timeVSAvoidguiding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The yarn storage device is designed to serve multiple functions: it stores the yarn supply, guides the seed yarn from the seed yarn bobbin, and facilitates the joining process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate guiding mechanisms and starter package formation apparatus, reducing overall system complexity while enabling direct seed yarn guidance.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The yarn storage device acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the seed yarn bobbin and the yarn joining device. It provides a controlled path for the seed yarn to pass through, enabling direct guidance without complex external guiding mechanisms, while maintaining tension and control during the transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If the service unit performs multiple predetermined processes including start process and wound yarn breakage dealing process, then the automation level is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice unit automationVSAvoidservice unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service unit is designed as a multi-functional automated system that performs both the start process (guiding seed yarn and facilitating joining) and the wound yarn breakage dealing process. By integrating these multiple functions into a single automated unit with a coordinated control system, the patent achieves high automation while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate dedicated mechanisms for each task.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4467497B1Yarn winder
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 MURATA MASCH LTD
  • EP4467497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4467497B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4467497B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to shorten the time required by a start process of starting the winding of a new type of a yarn. An automatic winder 1 includes a yarn winding unit 2 and a doffing device 3. The yarn winding unit 2 includes a yarn storage device 30 and a yarn joining device 22. The yarn storage device 30 is provided between a yarn supply section 10 and a yarn winding section 40 in a yarn running direction, and configured to temporarily store a yarn Y. The yarn joining device 22 is provided between the yarn supply section 10 and the yarn storage device 30 in the yarn running direction. A doffing device 3 includes a seed yarn supplier 55 which is able to supply a seed yarn Ys from a seed yarn bobbin Bs in the start process. The seed yarn supplier 55 is able to guide the seed yarn Ys from the seed yarn bobbin Bs to the yarn joining device 22 via the yarn storage device 30.