Movable Optical Sensor Control in Yarn Winding Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional yarn winding machines have limited flexibility in changing production speed due to a limited number of stages of speed adjustment, restricting the setting range of production speed.

Innovation Solution

A yarn winding machine equipped with an optical sensor that moves radially across the cross-wound package to detect yarn layers, allowing for more flexible speed adjustments based on package diameter changes, and includes a sensor moving device driven by a stepping motor for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a limited number of optical sensors are arranged in parallel in the radial direction to detect package diameter, then the device complexity is reduced, but the speed adjustment flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of optical sensorsVSAvoidspeed adjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical sensor movable rather than fixed. The sensor can dynamically adjust its position in the radial direction of the package, allowing continuous detection of package diameter changes. This enables flexible speed adjustment at any stage of unwinding, resolving the contradiction between using fewer sensors and achieving greater speed adjustment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple optical sensors are arranged to detect different package diameter stages, then the measurement precision of package diameter is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage diameter detection precisionVSAvoidnumber of optical sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single optical sensor that can move dynamically to different radial positions to detect package diameter at various stages of unwinding. This replaces the need for multiple fixed sensors, maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single optical sensor serves multiple functions by detecting package diameter at different stages through radial movement. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensors, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.

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

3Device complexity

If the optical sensor is fixed at a specific radial position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity is limited due to restricted speed change ranges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioning mechanismVSAvoidproduction speed setting range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor is designed to move dynamically in the radial direction based on real-time package diameter detection. This enables continuous speed adjustment throughout the unwinding process, expanding the productivity range without significantly increasing device complexity through a simple movement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the optical sensor's detection of package diameter to control the sensor's radial position and adjust the unwinding speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables flexible speed changes across a wide range while maintaining manageable device complexity.

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

Enables wider setting range of production speed by flexibly changing winding speeds in response to package diameter changes, improving production efficiency and reducing yarn breakage.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor that is arranged on a side of the cross-wound package held by the yarn supplying section and detects a yarn layer of the cross-wound package

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4197949B1Yarn winding machine
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 MURATA MASCH LTD
  • EP4197949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4197949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4197949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A winding unit (10) unwinds a yarn (20) from a cross-wound package (21) and winds the yarn (20) into a package (30). The winding unit (10) includes: an optical sensor (45) that is arranged on a side of the cross-wound package (21) and detects a yarn layer of the cross-wound package (21); and a sensor moving device (60) including a drive motor (61) that moves the optical sensor (45) in a predetermined moving direction (D2).