EP2674378B1 - Yarn storage device and yarn winding device - Google Patents
Yarn storage device and yarn winding device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2674378B1 EP2674378B1 EP11858180.0A EP11858180A EP2674378B1 EP 2674378 B1 EP2674378 B1 EP 2674378B1 EP 11858180 A EP11858180 A EP 11858180A EP 2674378 B1 EP2674378 B1 EP 2674378B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- yarn
- ring
- enlarged
- yarn accumulation
- accumulation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H51/00—Forwarding filamentary material
- B65H51/20—Devices for temporarily storing filamentary material during forwarding, e.g. for buffer storage
- B65H51/22—Reels or cages, e.g. cylindrical, with storing and forwarding surfaces provided by rollers or bars
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
- D01H—SPINNING OR TWISTING
- D01H4/00—Open-end spinning machines or arrangements for imparting twist to independently moving fibres separated from slivers; Piecing arrangements therefor; Covering endless core threads with fibres by open-end spinning techniques
- D01H4/48—Piecing arrangements; Control therefor
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
- B65H2701/31—Textiles threads or artificial strands of filaments
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a yarn accumulation device included in a yarn winding machine, and more specifically relates to a mechanism in a yarn accumulation device for applying a tension to a yarn that is unwound from the yarn accumulation device.
- a yarn accumulation device In a yarn winding machine such as a spinning machine, a yarn accumulation device is known that temporarily accumulates a yarn by winding the yarn on a yarn accumulation roller.
- the yarn is pulled out along an extension of the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller, and thereby the yarn wound on the yarn accumulation roller is unwound.
- the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller is wound in a helical shape on an outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller. Therefore, while the yarn pulled out from the yarn accumulation roller is unwound, the yarn is thrown around on the circumference of the yarn accumulation roller. At this time, the trajectory of the yarn being unwound expands outward due to a centrifugal force, and when the yarn is excessively thrown around, the unwinding of the yarn from the roller may be unstable.
- a portion in which the trajectory of the yarn being unwound expands as described above is called a balloon.
- a yarn accumulation device (yarn loosening removal device) includes a flyer that is rotatable relative to the yarn accumulation roller while being engaged in a yarn.
- This flyer is configured to cause a torque in the direction against the relative rotation. This can prevent excessive throwing-around of the yarn that is unwound from the yarn accumulation roller while being engaged in the flyer.
- occurrence of the balloon is suppressed, and unwinding of the yarn can be stabilized.
- the yarn unwound from the yarn accumulation roller causes the relative rotation of the flyer against the torque. Due to the reaction thereof, a force is received from the flyer. The force received from the flyer causes a resistance in unwinding of the yarn from the yarn accumulation roller. Thus, the yarn receives the resistance when being unwound from the yarn accumulation roller, which consequently makes it difficult that the yarn falls off at once. As a result, occurrence of the slaffing, in which a mass of yarn existing on the yarn accumulation roller falls off, can be prevented.
- the yarn receives the resistance when being unwound from the yarn accumulation device in the above-described manner, it is possible to keep the yarn tightened at a location between the flyer and a winding device that winds the yarn at the downstream of the flyer. Thus, an appropriate degree of tension can be applied to the yarn that is wound in the winding device. Therefore, a package with a high quality can be formed.
- the fine spinning machine has a relatively low winding speed, and therefore can normally wind the yarn even in a case of adopting the yarn accumulation device with the flyer (the configuration shown in Patent Document 1).
- the winding speed exceeds the limitation in the speed of rotation of the flyer, and therefore using of the yarn accumulation device with the flyer is difficult.
- the automatic winder winds the yarn onto a wound bobbin while traversing (cross-winding) the yarn. This traversing causes a periodic change in the speed.
- the automatic winder performs a so-called disturb control in which the winding speed is rapidly changed in order to break a ribbon winding of the yarn. Since the flyer has inertia, it is difficult that the rotation of the flyer follows such a change in the winding speed. This also presents a problem in applying the yarn accumulation device with the flyer to the automatic winder.
- a yarn joining winding device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a yarn accumulation device (length-measurement/accumulation part) provided with no flyer.
- the yarn accumulation device shown in Patent Document 2 includes, instead of the flyer, a stopper flange provided at the distal end of an accumulation drum part. Providing such a stopper flange can prevent occurrence of the phenomenon (slaffing) in which a mass of the yarn accumulated on the accumulation drum part falls off at one time.
- this yarn accumulation device 100 is configured such that a rubber ring 102 is attached to an end portion, at the unwinding side, of a yarn accumulation roller 101 made of a metal, so that a yarn 99 unwound from the yarn accumulation roller 101 passes through a space between a surface of the yarn accumulation roller 101 and the rubber ring 102.
- the diameter of the rubber ring 102 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the yarn accumulation roller 101 under the condition that no load is applied thereto. This configuration causes the rubber ring 102 to squeeze an outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 101.
- the yarn 99 can be nipped with a weak force in its portion passing through the space between the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 101 and the rubber ring 102. This enables an appropriate degree of resistance to be applied to the yarn 99 when the yarn 99 is unwound from the yarn accumulation roller 101.
- the yarn accumulation device 100 shown in FIG. 11 has a very simple configuration in which the rubber ring 102 is attached to the yarn accumulation roller 101, but nevertheless is able to apply an appropriate degree of resistance to the yarn 99 that is unwound from the yarn accumulation roller 101. This can prevent occurrence of a balloon, slaffing, and the like, and additionally can apply an appropriate degree of tension to a yarn located downstream of the yarn accumulation device 100.
- the configuration shown in FIG. 11 which does not include a movable part such as a flyer, is excellent in the followability to a rapid change in the winding speed.
- the rubber ring 102 causes an appropriate degree of frictional effect relative to the yarn 99 passing under the rubber ring 102, and rolls the yarn in a twist direction to thereby twist fluff in. Therefore, the effect of reducing fluff of the yarn 99 is highly exerted, which is an excellent feature of the rubber ring 102.
- NBR nonitrile rubber
- NBR nonabrasion resistance
- Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which a yarn is nipped between a finger that extends from a yarn accumulator and a ring that is arranged around the finger. Patent Document 3 states that this configuration exerts a higher yarn pull-out tension and accordingly a relatively balanced yarn pull-out tension.
- Patent Document 3 it is necessary to form a plurality of fingers that act elastically toward the outside of the yarn accumulator. This increases the manufacturing cost.
- a jacket surface is discontinued in the finger portion with respect to the circumferential direction.
- the yarn that is unwound while sliding at a position corresponding to this finger would be damaged.
- the very simple configuration shown in FIG. 11 is achieved merely by providing the rubber ring. This enables a low manufacturing cost and small damage to the yarn.
- a rubber ring made of natural rubber does not have durability, and involves a problem that a surface of the rubber ring is shortly deteriorated due to friction with the yarn. Moreover, since the natural rubber has adhesion properties, for example, a problem arises that fibers, cotton fly, and the like, of the yarn are entwined to form a lump. Furthermore, even though the rubber ring made of natural rubber has a high rate of elasticity, a reduction in the resistance given to the yarn during a high-speed rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 101 cannot be avoided because the centrifugal force acts on the side where the rubber ring is opened.
- the present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a yarn accumulation device that is able to cover a wide range of winding from a low-speed winding to a high-speed winding.
- a yarn accumulation device having the following configuration.
- the yarn accumulation device is a yarn accumulation device configured to wind and accumulate a yarn on a yarn accumulation part that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a rotating element, the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part in a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating element, the yarn accumulation device including a tension applying part.
- the tension applying part is arranged at an unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part.
- the tension applying part includes a ring member made of an expandable elastic material, and an enlarged/reduced portion provided radially inside the ring member and configured such that the yarn is nipped between the enlarged/reduced portion and the ring member.
- the enlarged/reduced portion is configured to enlarge or reduce its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of the rotating element.
- Nipping the yarn between the ring member made of the elastic material and the enlarged/reduced portion in this manner can apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part.
- the enlarged/reduced portion is configured to enlarge or reduce its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of the rotating element. Accordingly, even in a case where the ring member expands outward due to a centrifugal force when the speed of rotation increases, the ring member and the enlarged/reduced portion can be kept in tight contact with each other. Thereby, an appropriate tension can be applied to the yarn during rotations including a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation.
- the yarn accumulation device is configured as follows.
- a recess for restricting movement of the ring member in a direction of the rotation axis of the rotating element is provided in the enlarged/reduced portion.
- the ring member is attached in the recess of the enlarged/reduced portion.
- the enlarged/reduced portion has a recess maintaining mechanism for maintaining the recess irrespective of enlargement and reduction in the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion.
- the yarn accumulation device is configured as follows.
- An outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion is constituted of an elastic film made of a film-like elastic material.
- the recess maintaining mechanism includes a concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion that is formed along a circumferential direction of the enlarged/reduced portion.
- the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion is made of an elastic material, and arranged inside the elastic film.
- the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion having an appropriate diameter inside the elastic film can form a recess in an outer surface of the elastic film (in the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion). Since the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion is made of the elastic material, the diameter of the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion can be enlarged and reduced. Therefore, the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion can be enlarged and reduced while the shape of the recess is maintained.
- the yarn accumulation device is configured as follows.
- a disk member is provided in an end portion of the rotating element at the unwinding side.
- the disk member has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion under a state where the rotating element is stopped.
- the enlarged/reduced portion is provided between the yarn accumulation part and the disk member.
- the yarn unwound from the yarn accumulation part comes into contact with the enlarged/reduced portion, and then is separated away from the enlarged/reduced portion, to travel while being guided by the disk member. Guiding the yarn in this manner can reduce the area over which the yarn is in contact with the enlarged/reduced portion. This can prevent fluffing of the yarn and a deterioration in the physical properties of the yarn. This can also prevent a situation where the enlarged/reduced portion is rubbed by the yarn and damaged when the yarn is pulled out.
- a portion of the ring member that cooperates with the enlarged/reduced portion to nip the yarn therebetween is formed as a plane-shaped portion.
- a drive part for enlarging or reducing the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion is provided.
- a yarn accumulation device having the following configuration.
- the yarn accumulation device is a yarn accumulation device configured to wind and accumulate a yarn on a yarn accumulation part that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a rotating element, the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part in a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating element, the yarn accumulation device including a tension applying part.
- the tension applying part is arranged at an unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part.
- the tension applying part includes a first ring-shaped elastic element, a synchronized rotation member, a second ring-shaped elastic element, and a cylindrical member.
- the first ring-shaped elastic element is mounted on a surface of the rotating element.
- the synchronized rotation member is arranged radially outside the rotating element, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the rotating element.
- the second ring-shaped elastic element is provided to the synchronized rotation member.
- the cylindrical member is provided to the synchronized rotation member such that the cylindrical member is opposed, from the radially outside, to the first ring-shaped elastic element. Under a state where the rotating element is stopped, the first ring-shaped elastic element is not in contact with the cylindrical member while the second ring-shaped elastic element is in contact with the surface of the rotating element.
- a yarn winding machine including the above-mentioned yarn accumulation device and having the following configuration.
- the yarn winding machine includes a yarn supply part that supplies a yarn, a yarn joining device that joins yarn ends that have been disconnected, the yarn accumulation device, a tension applying device that applies a tension to the yarn, and a winding part that winds the yarn supplied from the yarn supply part and forms a package.
- the yarn supply part, the yarn joining device, the yarn accumulation device, the tension applying device, and the winding part are arranged in this order along a direction of traveling of the yarn. Even while the yarn joining device is performing a yarn joining operation, the winding part is able to continue winding with the tension applying device applying a tension to the yarn unwound from the yarn accumulation device.
- the yarn accumulation device is able to apply a constant tension to the yarn that is being unwound during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. This facilitates a tension control performed by the tension applying device that is arranged downstream of the yarn accumulation device. Additionally, since the winding part winds the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation device, the winding operation can be continued without receiving any influence of the yarn joining operation and a fluctuation in the unwinding tension in the yarn supply part.
- FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of a winder unit 2 provided in an automatic winder that is a yarn winding machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the automatic winder of this embodiment is configured with a number of winder units 2 arranged side by side.
- This automatic winder includes a machine management device (not shown) and a blower box (not shown).
- the machine management device collectively manages the winder units 2.
- the blower box includes a compressed air source and a negative pressure source.
- the winder unit 2 mainly includes a yarn supply part 7 and a winding part 8.
- the winder unit 2 is configured to unwind a yarn (spun yarn) 20 from a yarn supply bobbin 21 that is supported on the yarn supply part 7 and rewind the yarn 20 into a package 30.
- FIG. 1 shows a state of the winder unit 2 at a time of normal winding.
- the "time of normal winding" indicates a state where the yarn is continuous between the yarn supply bobbin 21 and the package 30 and additionally the yarn is being unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21 and wound into the package 30.
- the yarn supply part 7 is configured to hold the yarn supply bobbin 21, which is for supplying a yarn, in a substantially upright state.
- the yarn supply part 7 is also configured to discharge the yarn supply bobbin 21 that is empty.
- the winding part 8 includes a cradle 23 and a traverse drum 24.
- the cradle 23 is configured such that a wound bobbin 22 is mounted thereon.
- the traverse drum 24 is configured to traverse the yarn 20 and drive the wound bobbin 22.
- the traverse drum 24 is arranged opposed to the wound bobbin 22.
- the traverse drum 24 is driven in rotation, and thereby the wound bobbin 22 is accordingly rotated. This enables the yarn 20 accumulated on a yarn accumulation device 18 which will be described later to be wound onto the wound bobbin 22.
- a traverse groove (not shown) is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the traverse drum 24. The traverse groove allows the yarn 20 to be traversed (cross-wound) with a predetermined width.
- the yarn 20 is wound on the wound bobbin 22 while being traversed, to form the package 30 having a predetermined length and a predetermined shape.
- the terms "upstream side” and “downstream side” mean the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to a direction of traveling of the yarn.
- Each of the winder units 2 includes a control part 25.
- the control part 25 is composed of hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and software such as a control program stored in the RAM.
- the hardware and the software cooperate with each other, to control each configuration part of the winder unit 2.
- the control part 25 included in each winder unit 2 is configured to communicate with the machine management device. Accordingly, the machine management device can collectively manage operations of the plurality of winder units 2 included in the automatic winder.
- the winder unit 2 also includes various devices that are arranged in a yarn travel path between the yarn supply part 7 and the winding part 8. More specifically, in the yarn travel path, an unwinding assist device 10, a lower yarn blow-up part 11, a first tension applying device 12, an upper yarn catch part 13, a yarn joining device 14, a yarn trap 15, a cutter 16, a clearer (yarn defect detection device) 17, an upper yarn pull-out part 48, a yarn accumulation device 18, and a second tension applying device 19, are arranged in this order from the yarn supply part 7 side toward the winding part 8 side.
- the unwinding assist device 10 assists the unwinding of the yarn 20 by bringing a movable member 40 into contact with a balloon, which is generated above the yarn supply bobbin 21 as a result of the yarn 20 being unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21 and thrown around, and thereby appropriately controlling the size of the balloon.
- the lower yarn blow-up part 11 is an air sucker device arranged immediately downstream of the unwinding assist device 10.
- the lower yarn blow-up part 11 is configured to blow up a lower yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side toward the yarn joining device 14 side.
- the lower yarn blow-up part 11 can blow up the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 and guide the yarn to the yarn joining device 14.
- the first tension applying device 12 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn 20 that is traveling.
- the first tension applying device 12 is configured as a gate type in which a movable comb is arranged relative to a fixed comb. When a yarn travels between the combs, a predetermined resistance is applied thereto.
- the movable comb is movable by means of a solenoid, which allows adjustment of the state of engagement between the combs.
- the control part 25 controls the solenoid and thereby can adjust the tension that the first tension applying device 12 applies to the yarn.
- a configuration of the first tension applying device 12 is not limited to this.
- a disk type tension applying device is also adoptable.
- the upper yarn catch part 13 is arranged immediately upstream of the yarn joining device 14.
- the upper yarn catch part 13 is connected to a negative pressure source (not shown), and configured to generate a suction air stream to suck and catch the yarn of the yarn accumulation device 18 side at a time of yarn joining (details will be given later).
- the yarn trap 15 is arranged upstream of the cutter 16 and immediately downstream of the yarn joining device 14.
- a distal end of the yarn trap 15 is formed as a tube-like member, which is provided close to the travel path of the yarn 20 and connected to a negative pressure source (not shown).
- the suction air stream is generated at the distal end of the yarn trap 15. and thereby dusts such as cotton fly adhering to the traveling yarn 20 can be sucked and removed.
- the clearer 17 is configured to detect a yarn defect (yarn fault) such as a slub by, for example, monitoring a yarn thickness of the yarn 20.
- a yarn defect such as a slub
- the clearer 17 transmits a disconnection signal to, for example, the control part 25.
- the disconnection signal instructs to cut and remove the yarn defect.
- the cutter 16 is arranged near the clearer 17, for immediately cutting the yarn 20 in response to the disconnection signal.
- the upper yarn pull-out part 48 is an air sucker device, and configured to, at a time of yarn joining, pull out a yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation device 18 and blow off the yarn toward a yarn guide member 60 (which will be described later).
- the yarn accumulation device 18 includes a yarn accumulation roller 32 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and a roller drive motor 33 configured to drive the yarn accumulation roller 32 in rotation around the axis line thereof which serves as a rotation axis.
- the roller drive motor 33 is controlled by the control part 25.
- the yarn accumulation roller 32 is driven in rotation, and in this condition, the yarn 20 unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21 is wound onto a circumference of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn 20 can be temporarily accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 is pulled out in a direction along the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller 32, and then wound by the winding part 8.
- a detailed configuration of the yarn accumulation device 18 will be described later.
- the yarn joining device 14 performs yarn joining between a yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side and a yarn of the yarn accumulation device 18 side when the yarn is disconnected between the yarn supply bobbin 21 and the yarn accumulation device 18, which occurs, for example, at a time of yarn cutting in which the clearer 17 detects a yarn defect so that the cutter 16 cuts the yarn, at a time of yarn breakage in which the yarn being unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21 is broken, or at a time of replacing the yarn supply bobbin 21.
- the yarn joining device 14 one using fluid such as compressed air, mechanical one, or the like, is adoptable.
- the second tension applying device 19 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn that has been pulled out from the yarn accumulation device 18, thereby controlling the tension of the yarn 20 at a time when the yarn 20 is wound by the winding part 8.
- the second tension applying device 19 is configured as a gate type tenser, which is similar to the first tension applying device.
- the control part 25 appropriately controls a solenoid of the second tension applying device 19, and thereby can adjust the tension that the second tension applying device 19 applies to the yarn.
- a configuration of the second tension applying device 19 is not limited to this.
- a disk type tension applying device is also adoptable.
- a bobbin feeder 26 of magazine type is arranged at the front side of the winder unit 2.
- the bobbin feeder 26 includes a rotary magazine can 27.
- the magazine can 27 is configured to hold a plurality of extra yarn supply bobbins 21.
- the bobbin feeder 26 intermittently drives and rotates the magazine can 27, and thereby feeds a new yarn supply bobbin 21 to the yarn supply part 7.
- the bobbin feeder 26 includes a yarn end holder 28 for sucking and holding a yarn end of the yarn supply bobbin 21 held on the magazine can 27.
- the yarn joining device 14 performs the yarn joining operation when the yarn of the yarn accumulation device 18 side and the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side are disconnected from each other because of yarn breakage, yarn cutting by the cutter 16. replacement of the yarn supply bobbin 21, or the like.
- the control part 25 causes the lower yarn blow-up part 11 to blow up the yarn 20 of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side in an upward direction. The yarn 20 thus blown up is sucked and caught by the yarn trap 15.
- the yarn trap 15 is movable by a yarn trap driver 47. When the yarn trap 15 is moved under a state where the yarn trap 15 sucks and catches a yarn end of the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side, the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side can be introduced to the yarn joining device 14.
- the control part 25 puts the yarn accumulation roller 32 of the yarn accumulation device 18 into reverse rotation, and in this condition causes the upper yarn pull-out part 48 to blow off the yarn 20 existing on the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the direction in which the upper yarn pull-out part 48 blows off the yarn 20 is oriented to a position where a yarn guide member 60 having a curved tube-like shape is arranged.
- the yarn 20 thus blown off is taken into the yarn guide member 60 from one end of the yarn guide member 60 and, along with an air stream, guided to the other end of the yarn guide member 60.
- An exit from the yarn guide member 60, which is provided at the other end thereof, is oriented toward a position where the upper yarn catch part 13 is arranged.
- the yarn 20 of the yarn accumulation roller 32 side which has been blown off by the upper yarn pull-out part 48, is sucked and caught by the upper yarn catch part 13.
- the yarn guide member 60 having a tube-like shape, a slit extending in a longitudinal direction thereof is formed. Through this slit, the yarn 20 located in the yarn guide member 60 can be drawn out to the outside. The yarn drawn out from the yarn guide member 60 is further sucked by the upper yarn catch part 13, and thereby introduced to the yarn joining device 14.
- the control part 25 stops the reverse rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side and the yarn of the yarn accumulation device 18 side can be introduced to the yarn joining device 14.
- the control part 25 actuates the yarn joining device 14, to thereby join the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 side and the yarn of the yarn accumulation device 18 side.
- the control part 25 restarts a normal rotation of the yarn accumulation device 18, to thereby restart the winding of the yarn onto the yarn accumulation device 18.
- the winding of the yarn 20 into the package 30 in the winding part 8 can be continued without interruption. That is, in the automatic winder of this embodiment, as described above, the yarn accumulation device 18 is interposed between the yarn supply part 7 and the winding part 8, so that a certain amount of the yarn 20 is accumulated on the yarn accumulation device 18. Therefore, even when the supply of the yarn from the yarn supply bobbin 21 is interrupted for some reason (for example, during the yarn joining operation), the winding part 8 is able to wind the yarn that is accumulated on the yarn accumulation device 18. Thus, the winding of the yarn 20 into the package 30 can be continued.
- the package 30 can be produced stably at a high speed. Additionally, since the yarn accumulation device 18 is interposed between the yarn supply bobbin 21 and the winding part 8, the winding in the winding part 8 can be performed without receiving an influence of a fluctuation in the tension occurring at a time of unwinding the yarn from the yarn supply bobbin 21.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 includes the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn accumulation roller (rotating element) 32 is a roller member having a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes a yarn accumulation part 37 and a tension applying part 38.
- the yarn accumulation part 37 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn 20 unwound from the yarn supply bobbin 21 is introduced on one end of the yarn accumulation roller 32 to the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32, and wound onto the yarn accumulation part 37. Then, the yarn 20 is pulled out through the other end of the yarn accumulation roller 32, and fed to the winding part 8 side.
- the side of the yarn accumulation roller 32 shown in the lower left in FIG.
- the yarn accumulation part 37 includes a cylindrical portion 37a and a tapered portion 37b.
- An outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation part 37 is made of a metal.
- the cylindrical portion 37a is configured such that a certain amount of the yarn 20 can be wound and accumulated on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 37a. More specifically, the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 is introduced to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 37a from an end portion of the cylindrical portion 37a at the base end side thereof, and wound in a helical shape on the outer circumferential surface.
- the roller drive motor 33 drives the yarn accumulation roller 32 into rotation under a state where the yarn 20 is wound on the cylindrical portion 37a, and thereby the yarn 20 can be sequentially wound on a surface of the cylindrical portion 37a.
- the newly coming yarn 20 pushes away the yarn 20 that is already wound on the cylindrical portion 37a toward the end portion of the cylindrical portion 37a at the unwinding side thereof. Accordingly, the yarn 20 accumulated on the surface of the cylindrical portion 37a sequentially moves toward the end portion at the unwinding side.
- the diameter of the cylindrical portion 37a is not completely constant, but the cylindrical portion 37a has a small taper whose diameter gradually decreases toward the unwinding side. This facilitates the movement of the yarn wound on the cylindrical portion 37a toward the end portion at the unwinding side.
- the tapered portion 37b is formed continuous with the end portion of the cylindrical portion 37a at the base end side.
- the tapered portion 37b has a tapered shape whose diameter increases toward the side (base end side) opposite to the cylindrical portion 37a. Since the tapered portion 37b is formed in this manner, the yarn 20 wound on the tapered portion 37b moves from the tapered portion 37b to the cylindrical portion 37a due to the tension applied at a time of the winding. Accordingly, the yarn 20 previously wound on the cylindrical portion 37a is pushed up by the newly wound yarn 20. The yarn 20 sequentially moves from the tapered portion 37b to the cylindrical portion 37a in the above-mentioned manner, and thereby the yarn 20 is regularly wound in a helical shape on the cylindrical portion 37a.
- the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation part 37 is unwound toward the unwinding side.
- the tension applying part 38 arranged at the unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part 37 gives a predetermined resistance to the yarn being unwound (details will be given later).
- a yarn guide 29 for guiding a yarn is arranged ahead of the end portion of the tension applying part 38 at the unwinding side.
- the yarn guide 29 is configured to guide a yarn in a predetermined position on an extension of the rotation axis of the yarn accumulation roller 32. This enables the yarn 20 wound in a helical shape on the yarn accumulation roller 32 to be pulled out in the direction along the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller 32 when the yarn 20 is unwound from the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn 20, to which a tension has been applied by the tension applying part 38, is wound up to the downstream side (winding part 8 side) via the yarn guide 29.
- an upper limit sensor 36 and a lower limit sensor 35 are arranged near the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the upper limit sensor 36 detects that the amount of the yarn 20 on the yarn accumulation roller 32 reaches a predetermined upper limit amount or more.
- the lower limit sensor 35 detects that the amount of the yarn 20 on the yarn accumulation roller 32 falls below a predetermined lower limit amount. Detection results of the lower limit sensor 35 and the upper limit sensor 36 are transmitted to the control part 25.
- the control part 25 When the control part 25 detects that the upper limit sensor 36 is turned off and the yarn on the yarn accumulation roller 32 falls below the upper limit amount, the control part 25 appropriately controls the roller drive motor 33 to increase the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Accordingly, the speed of winding of the yarn 20 onto the yarn accumulation roller 32 increases. As a result, the amount of the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 can be gradually increased.
- the control part 25 detects that the upper limit sensor 36 is turned on and the yarn on the yarn accumulation roller 32 reaches the upper limit amount or more, the control part 25 appropriately controls the roller drive motor 33 to reduce the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Accordingly, the speed of winding of the yarn 20 onto the yarn accumulation roller 32 decreases. As a result, the amount of the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 can be gradually reduced.
- Such a control enables the amount of the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 to be kept at a substantially constant value near the upper limit amount.
- control part 25 detects that the lower limit sensor 35 is turned off and the amount of the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller 32 falls below the lower limit amount, the control part 25 stops the winding of the yarn 20 by the winding part 8. This prevents occurrence of a situation where the winding part 8 fully winds up the yarn existing on the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the tension applying part 38 is configured to rotate integrally with (rotate in synchronization with) the yarn accumulation part 37.
- the tension applying part 38 includes an enlarged/reduced portion 50 and a rubber ring (ring member) 51.
- an outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is constituted of a rubber film 52 (elastic film) made of an elastic material (in this embodiment, made of NBR).
- a rubber film 52 elastic film
- the yarn accumulation roller 32 includes the rubber film 52 having a substantially cylindrical shape. Both end portions of the rubber film 52 with respect to the axial direction are fixed to an outer circumference of the yarn accumulation roller 32 by appropriate means. Therefore, an outer circumference of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
- the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is not constant but has concavity and convexity constituted of a first protrusion 50a, a second protrusion 50b, and a recess 50c formed between the first protrusion 50a and the second protrusion 50b.
- the enlarged/reduced portion 50 has a recess maintaining mechanism 58 for maintaining the recess 50c.
- the recess maintaining mechanism 58 includes a plurality of concavity/convexity maintaining rings (concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion) 55, 56, and 57 that are arranged radially inside the rubber film 52.
- Each of the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 is formed with a ring-like shape along the circumferential direction.
- the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 are made of an elastic material (in this embodiment, made of NBR).
- the plurality of concavity/convexity maintaining rings are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the first protrusion maintaining ring 55, the recess maintaining ring 56, and the second protrusion maintaining ring 57 are arranged in this order from the base end side.
- the diameter of the recess maintaining ring 56 is smaller than the diameters of the protrusion maintaining rings 55 and 57.
- an outer circumferential surface of the rubber film 52 (the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50) has the first protrusion 50a corresponding to the diameter of the first protrusion maintaining ring 55, the recess 50c corresponding to the diameter of the recess maintaining ring 56, and the second protrusion 50b corresponding to the diameter of the second protrusion maintaining ring 57.
- the rubber ring 51 is a ring member made of an elastic material (in this embodiment, made of NBR).
- the rubber ring 51 is provided in a position corresponding to the recess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and arranged radially outside the recess 50c.
- the diameter of the rubber ring 51 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the recess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. This configuration causes the rubber ring 51 to squeeze, from the radially outside, a portion of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 corresponding to the recess 50c.
- the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation part 37 is wound in a helical shape on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 37a. Therefore, when being unwound from the cylindrical portion 37a, the yarn 20 is thrown around on the circumference of the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the yarn 20 that is thrown around is nipped between the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and the rubber ring 51. This can prevent the yarn 20 from being excessively thrown around, and thus can prevent occurrence of a balloon.
- the rubber ring 51 is attached in the recess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. Therefore, even though the rubber ring 51 is forced to move in the axial direction of the yarn accumulation roller 32 together with the yarn 20 being unwound, the protrusions 50a and 50b hinder such movement. This configuration can prevent the rubber ring 51 from being detached from the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment has a disk member 39 provided in an end portion of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 at the unwinding side.
- the disk member 39 is configured to rotate integrally with the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the diameter of the disk member 39 is larger than the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 under a state where the rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped. Accordingly, when the yarn 20 is pulled out from the yarn accumulation roller 32, the yarn 20 is guided by the disk member 39. This can prevent the surface of the rubber film 52 of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 from being strongly rubbed by the yarn 20. As a result, wear-out of the rubber film 52 is reduced, and the durability can be improved. A more detailed description is as follows.
- the yarn 20 unwound from the yarn accumulation roller 32 is thrown around on the circumference of the rubber film 52 when the yarn 20 is passing. Therefore, a situation where only one portion of the rubber film 52 is strongly rubbed by the yarn 20 does not occur.
- the yarn 20 that is not wound linearly passes through a space between the rubber film 52 and the rubber ring 51. If, at this time, the yarn 20 is in contact with the rubber film 52, a portion of this contact is strongly rubbed by the yarn 20, which may damage the rubber film 52.
- the disk member 39 is provided, to allow the passing yarn 20 to float above the rubber film 52.
- damage to the rubber film 52 due to the yarn 20 can be prevented.
- the area over which the yarn 20 is in contact with the rubber film 52 can be reduced. This can consequently prevent fluffing of the yarn 20 and a deterioration in the physical properties of the yarn 20.
- the rubber ring 51 has a plane-shaped portion as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the rubber ring 51 when cut along a plane passing through the central axis line of the yarn accumulation roller 32, the rubber ring 51 has a substantially D-shaped (semicircular) cross-section.
- the rubber ring 51 is, in the plane-shaped portion, in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the rubber ring 51 has a circular cross-section, a rubber ring having a circular cross-section is often twisted due to its shape. In this respect, the rubber ring 51 having a substantially D-shaped cross-section as illustrated in this embodiment is not easily twisted.
- the rubber ring 51 having such a D-shaped cross-section is twisted, the plane-shaped portion thereof tends to be in contact with the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and thereby recovery from the twisting is achieved.
- a rubber ring having a circular cross-section which makes a point-contact with a yarn, may sometimes cause a stick-slip phenomenon so that a yarn breakage occurs due to a fluctuation in the tension.
- the rubber ring 51 having a substantially D-shaped cross-section which makes a line-contact with a yarn, achieves a stable tension application.
- a substantially D-shaped cross-section makes the rubber ring 51 difficult to be twisted, and additionally causes the rubber ring 51 to be in line-contact with a yarn. Therefore, a resistance given to the yarn 20 passing under the rubber ring 51 is stabilized. This can prevent the yarn 20 from being stretched and broken, and also enables the winding part 8 to wind up the yarn 20 with a stable tension.
- the rotation of the yarn accumulation roller causes a centrifugal force to act on the rubber ring, which enlarges the diameter of the rubber ring. Therefore, in the conventional yarn accumulation device (the configuration shown in FIG. 11 ), it may be impossible to give an appropriate resistance to the yarn passing through the space between the rubber ring and the yarn accumulation roller.
- the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is formed of the rubber film 52.
- the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is also enlarged, as shown in FIG. 6 . That is, the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be enlarged and reduced in accordance with the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Therefore, with enlargement in the diameter of the rubber ring 51 caused by the centrifugal force, the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 will also be enlarged accordingly.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is able to give an appropriate resistance to the yarn 20 passing through the space between the surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and the rubber ring 51 even during a high-speed rotation.
- a rubber ring having a smaller squeezing force (a rubber ring having a relatively large diameter) as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 11 is applicable. Adoption of a rubber ring having a relatively weak squeezing force can avoid a problem that the yarn 20 is stretched and broken due to an excessive increase in the resistance that is given to the yarn 20 during a low-speed rotation (at a time when the centrifugal force is small).
- the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is enlarged or reduced accordingly. Therefore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the squeezing force of the rubber ring 51 squeezing the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be kept substantially constant irrespective of the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Moreover, the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is enlarged and reduced with a good responsiveness relative to a change in the speed of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Due to these characteristics, a certain type of a mechanical system, which can be called an automatic tension control system, is achieved.
- a tension applied to a portion of the yarn 20 located downstream of the yarn accumulation device 18 can be kept substantially constant irrespective of the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. This makes it easy to control the second tension applying device 19 such that the tension of the yarn 20 at the downstream side of the yarn accumulation device 18 is kept within a desired range. As a result, the winding part 8 can form a package with a high quality.
- the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 included in the recess maintaining mechanism 58 are made of an elastic material (made of NBR).
- This configuration enables the diameters of the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57, too, to be enlarged and reduced in accordance with the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Therefore, the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be enlarged and reduced while the concavity and convexity thereof are maintained by the recess maintaining mechanism 58.
- the concavity and convexity of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can prevent the rubber ring 51 from being dragged by the yarn 20 and consequently detached from the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the recess maintaining ring 56 is bonded to the rubber film 52 from the inner side of the rubber film 52, such that a portion of the rubber film 52 corresponding to the recess 50c does not expand and protrude outward due to a centrifugal force.
- the protrusion maintaining rings 55 and 57 need not always be bonded in such a manner.
- the first protrusion maintaining ring 55 is bonded to the rubber film 52
- the second protrusion maintaining ring 57 is merely arranged inside the rubber film 52 and not bonded to the rubber film 52. This allows the second protrusion maintaining ring 57 to move with a certain amount of freedom in the direction along the rotation axis. Therefore, when the rubber film 52 is deformed by the centrifugal force, the second protrusion maintaining ring 57 can move to a natural position.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured such that the yarn 20 is wound and accumulated on the yarn accumulation part 37 that is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32 and such that the yarn 20 is unwound from the yarn accumulation part 37 in the direction along the rotation axis of the yarn accumulation roller 32, and the yarn accumulation device 18 has the tension applying part 38.
- the tension applying part 38 is arranged at the unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part 37, and configured to rotate integrally with the yarn accumulation part 37 and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn 20 being unwound from the yarn accumulation part 37.
- the tension applying part 38 includes the rubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the rubber ring 51 is made of an expandable elastic material.
- the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is provided radially inside the rubber ring 51, and configured such that the yarn 20 is nipped between the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and the rubber ring 51.
- the enlarged/reduced portion 50 enlarges or reduces its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- Nipping the yarn 20 between the rubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50 in this manner can apply a tension to the yarn 20 being unwound from the yarn accumulation part 37.
- the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is configured to enlarge or reduce its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32. Accordingly, even in a case where the rubber ring 51 expands outward due to a centrifugal force when the speed of rotation increases, the rubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be kept in tight contact with each other. Thereby, an appropriate tension can be applied to the yarn 20 during rotations including a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured as follows.
- the enlarged/reduced portion 50 has the recess 50c for restricting movement of the rubber ring 51 in the direction of the rotation axis of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the rubber ring 51 is attached in the recess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the enlarged/reduced portion 50 has the recess maintaining mechanism 58 for maintaining the recess 50c irrespective of enlargement and reduction in the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured as follows.
- the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is formed of the rubber film 52.
- the recess maintaining mechanism 58 includes the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 that are formed along the circumferential direction of the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 are made of an elastic material, and arranged inside the rubber film 52.
- concavity/convexity maintaining rings having appropriate diameters inside a rubber film can form the recess 50c in an outer surface of the rubber film 52 (in the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50). Since the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 are made of an elastic material, the diameters of the concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 can be enlarged and reduced. Therefore, the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be enlarged and reduced while the shape of the recess 50c is maintained.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured as follows.
- the yarn accumulation roller 32 has, in its end portion at the unwinding side, the disk member 39 whose diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 under a state where the rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped.
- the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is provided between the yarn accumulation part 37 and the disk member 39.
- the yarn 20 unwound from the yarn accumulation part 37 comes into contact with the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and then is separated away from the enlarged/reduced portion 50, to travel while being guided by the disk member 39. Guiding the yarn 20 in this manner can reduce the area over which the yarn 20 is in contact with the enlarged/reduced portion 50. This can prevent fluffing of the yarn 20 and a deterioration in the physical properties of the yarn 20. This can also prevent a situation where the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is rubbed by the yarn and damaged when the yarn is pulled out.
- a portion of the rubber ring 51 that cooperates with the enlarged/reduced portion 50 to nip the yarn 20 therebetween is formed as a plane-shaped portion.
- the automatic winder of this embodiment includes the yarn supply part 7, the yarn joining device 14, the yarn accumulation device 18, the second tension applying device 19, and the winding part 8 that are arranged in this order along the direction of traveling of the yarn.
- the yarn supply part 7 supplies the yarn 20.
- the yarn joining device 14 joins the yarn ends that have been disconnected.
- the second tension applying device 19 applies a tension to the yarn 20.
- the winding part 8 winds the yarn 20 supplied from the yarn supply part 7 and forms a package. Even while the yarn joining device 14 is performing the yarn joining operation, the winding part 8 is able to continue the winding with the second tension applying device 19 applying a tension to the yarn 20 unwound from the yarn accumulation device 18.
- the yarn accumulation device 18 is able to apply a constant tension to the yarn that is being unwound during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. This facilitates a tension control performed by the second tension applying device 19 that is arranged downstream of the yarn accumulation device 18. Additionally, since the winding part 8 winds the yarn 20 accumulated on the yarn accumulation device 18, the winding operation can be continued without receiving any influence of the yarn joining operation and a fluctuation in the unwinding tension in the yarn supply part 7.
- the yarn having less strength may cause a yarn breakage during a warper process that is a process subsequent to a rewinding operation performed by the automatic winder. Occurrence of a yarn breakage in the warper process is not preferable, because it leads to a considerable drop in the efficiency of production. Accordingly, it is preferable that such a yarn having less strength is removed during the rewinding operation performed by the automatic winder.
- the automatic winder of this embodiment is able to apply a constant tension to a yarn that is being unwound during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. Therefore, a yarn having less strength, which cannot withstand the constant tension, is cut at a location downstream of the yarn path between the rubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50. The yarn having been cut is held under a state of being nipped between the rubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50. This does not cause a situation where a failure in accumulation (such as slaffing or overflow) occurs because the yarn end ramps around during a period from when the yarn breakage occurs to when the yarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped.
- a failure in accumulation such as slaffing or overflow
- a yarn accumulation roller 32 provided in a yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment includes a roller main part 61 and an extensible moving part 62 that is arranged at the unwinding side of the roller main part 61.
- the extensible moving part 62 and the roller main part 61 are coupled by a spline fitting part 63.
- the roller main part 61 and the extensible moving part 62 are configured to integrally rotate about the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller 32, and also to move relative to each other in the direction of the axis line.
- the roller main part 61 includes the yarn accumulation part 37.
- One axial end portion of the rubber film 52 is fixed to the roller main part 61 side and the other axial end portion thereof is fixed to the extensible moving part 62 side by appropriate means such as bonding. That is, in this embodiment, the rubber film 52 is arranged so as to stretch between the roller main part 61 and the extensible moving part 62.
- the yarn accumulation roller 32 of this embodiment is configured to drive the extensible moving part 62 in the direction of the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- a rotational drive shaft of the roller drive motor 33 is a hollow shaft, and the roller main part 61 is fixed to this rotational drive shaft.
- An extensible drive rod 64 is arranged inside the rotational drive shaft such that the axis line of the extensible drive rod 64 is coincident with the axis line of the rotational drive shaft.
- the extensible moving part 62 is attached via a bearing 65 to an end portion of the extensible drive rod 64 at the unwinding side.
- a feed screw 66 is formed in an end portion of the extensible drive rod 64 at the base end side.
- the yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment includes an extension drive part 67 for moving the extensible drive rod 64 in the direction of the axis line by means of the feed screw mechanism. The operation of the extension drive part 67 is controlled by the control part 25.
- the extension drive part 67 is appropriately controlled with the above-described configuration, and thereby the extensible moving part 62 can be moved in the direction of the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- moving the extensible moving part 62 in a direction that decreases the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 weakens the squeezing force of the rubber ring 51 squeezing the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and as a result, a resistance given to the yarn 20 can be made smaller.
- a tension applied to a portion of the yarn located downstream of the yarn accumulation device 181 can be appropriately adjusted. Accordingly, appropriately controlling the extension drive part 67 by means of the control part 25 during, for example, the yarn winding operation, enables a tension applied to a portion of the yarn 20 located downstream of the yarn accumulation device 18 to be changed as needed depending on the situation.
- the yarn accumulation device 181 of this embodiment includes the extension drive part 67 for enlarging and reducing the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50.
- a tension applying part 381 is arranged at the unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part 37, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part 37 and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn 20 being unwound from the yarn accumulation part 37.
- the tension applying part 381 includes a first ring-shaped rubber plate (first ring-shaped elastic element) 70 and a synchronized rotation member 71.
- the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is mounted to the yarn accumulation roller 32, and configured to rotate integrally with the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the synchronized rotation member 71 is arranged radially outside the yarn accumulation roller 32, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the synchronized rotation member 71 is supported on a bearing 72, and freely rotatable with its rotation axis being coincident with the rotation axis of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- a magnet 73 is arranged in the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the synchronized rotation member 71 has a magnet 74 that is arranged opposed to the magnet 73. In this configuration, when the yarn accumulation roller 32 is driven in rotation by the roller drive motor 33, a magnetic force occurring between the magnet 73 and the magnet 74 causes the synchronized rotation member 71 to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- a second ring-shaped rubber plate (second ring-shaped elastic element) 75 is mounted to the synchronized rotation member 71.
- first ring-shaped rubber plate 75 is mounted to the synchronized rotation member 71.
- one end of the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 is fixed to the synchronized rotation member 71.
- the other end of the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 is free.
- An end portion of the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 at this free side will be referred to as a free end of the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75.
- the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32 in the following manner. That is, when seen in a cross-section (see FIGS. 8 and 9 ) cut along a plane extending through the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller 32, one end of the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32. When seen in this cross-section, the other end of the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is free. An end portion of the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 at this free side will be referred to as a free end of the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70.
- the synchronized rotation member 71 has a cylindrical member 76 that is arranged radially outside the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 and opposed to the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70.
- the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is arranged such that the free end of the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is not in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 76 under a state where the rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped.
- the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 is arranged such that the free end of the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32 under a state where the rotation of the yarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped.
- the yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that, when the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation part 37 is pulled out from the yarn accumulation roller 32, the yarn passes through a space between the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 76 and a space between the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 and the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that the free end of the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 opens radially outward and comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 76 at the speed of rotation equal to the speed of rotation at which the free end of the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 rises up from the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that the yarn 20 is nipped by the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 during a low-speed rotation and when the speed of rotation increases so that a centrifugal force increases, the yarn 20 is nipped by the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 instead of the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75. Since the member that gives a resistance to the yarn 20 is changed in accordance with the speed of rotation, an appropriate resistance can be given to the yarn during both a high-speed rotation and a low-speed rotation.
- the yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that the yarn 20 is wound and accumulated on the yarn accumulation part 37 that is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32 and the yarn 20 is unwound from the yarn accumulation part 37 in the direction along the rotation axis of the yarn accumulation roller 32, and the yarn accumulation device 182 has the tension applying part 381.
- the tension applying part 381 is arranged at the unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part 37, and configured to rotate integrally with the yarn accumulation part 37 and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn 20 being unwound from the yarn accumulation part 37.
- the tension applying part 381 includes the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70, the synchronized rotation member 71, the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75, and the cylindrical member 76.
- the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is mounted on the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the synchronized rotation member 71 is arranged radially outside the yarn accumulation roller 32, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 is provided to the synchronized rotation member 71.
- the cylindrical member 76 is provided to the synchronized rotation member 71 such that the cylindrical member 76 is opposed, from the radially outside, to the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70.
- the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 is not in contact with the cylindrical member 76 while the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 is in contact with the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- the yarn 20 passes through a space between the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 and the cylindrical member 76 and a space between the second ring-shaped rubber plate 75 and the surface of the yarn accumulation roller 32.
- a tension is applied to the yarn 20 by the first ring-shaped rubber plate 70 and the cylindrical member 76.
- an appropriate tension can be applied to the yarn 20 during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation.
- NBR NBR is used for the elastic material, this is not limiting. Any material is adoptable for the elastic material of the present invention, as long as the material possesses an adequate elasticity and an adequate durability.
- the recess maintaining mechanism 58 includes a plurality of concavity/convexity maintaining rings 55, 56, and 57 each having a ring-like shape extending along the circumferential direction of the rubber film 52.
- the rubber film 52 expands outward due to a centrifugal force, it is possible to form the first protrusion 50a and the second protrusion 50b by means of this centrifugal force. That is, even in a case of not providing the protrusion maintaining rings 55 and 57, protrusions can be formed by means of the centrifugal force. Therefore, the protrusion maintaining rings 55 and 57 may be omitted.
- the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion is configured with ring-shaped members being arranged inside the rubber film 52, this is not limiting. It may be also acceptable that the rubber film 52 and concavity/convexity maintaining rings are integrated. For example, a ring-shaped thick portion may be formed inside the rubber film 52. Alternatively, it may be also acceptable that a toughened portion capable of maintaining a recess shape and a protruding shape is provided in the enlarged/reduced portion 50. so that a recess and a protrusion are formed and maintained.
- each winder unit 2 includes the control part 25. and instead a plurality of winder units may be controlled by a single control part.
- the single control part 25 collectively controls a plurality of members.
- an individual control part may be provided corresponding to each member to be controlled.
- the tension of the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation roller 32 is stabilized irrespective of the speed of rotation. Therefore, stable winding is achieved in the winding part 8.
- control part 25 is composed of hardware and software. However, it may be acceptable that the function of the control part 25 is partially or wholly implemented by hardware dedicated therefor.
- the winder unit 2 feeds the yarn supply bobbin 21 by means of the bobbin feeder 26 of magazine type.
- this configuration is not limiting.
- a tray having the yarn supply bobbin 21 set thereon may be transported along an appropriate path, to thereby feed the yarn supply bobbin 21 to the winder unit 2.
- the winding part 8 is configured to traverse the yarn 20 by means of the traverse drum 24.
- an arm-type traverse mechanism may be adopted to traverse the yarn 20.
- the automatic winder is configured to guide a yarn by blowing off the yarn toward the yarn joining device 14.
- this is not limiting.
- the automatic winder is configured to suck and catch the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin 21 and the yarn existing on the yarn accumulation roller 32 and guide the yarns thus sucked and caught to the yarn joining device 14 by means of appropriate drive means.
- the present invention is not limited to an automatic winder, and the present invention is applicable to other types of yarn winding machines including a yarn joining device.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tension Adjustment In Filamentary Materials (AREA)
- Forwarding And Storing Of Filamentary Material (AREA)
- Spinning Or Twisting Of Yarns (AREA)
- Winding Filamentary Materials (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a yarn accumulation device included in a yarn winding machine, and more specifically relates to a mechanism in a yarn accumulation device for applying a tension to a yarn that is unwound from the yarn accumulation device.
- In a yarn winding machine such as a spinning machine, a yarn accumulation device is known that temporarily accumulates a yarn by winding the yarn on a yarn accumulation roller.
- In this type of yarn accumulation device, the yarn is pulled out along an extension of the axis line of the yarn accumulation roller, and thereby the yarn wound on the yarn accumulation roller is unwound. Here, the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation roller is wound in a helical shape on an outer circumferential surface of the yarn accumulation roller. Therefore, while the yarn pulled out from the yarn accumulation roller is unwound, the yarn is thrown around on the circumference of the yarn accumulation roller. At this time, the trajectory of the yarn being unwound expands outward due to a centrifugal force, and when the yarn is excessively thrown around, the unwinding of the yarn from the roller may be unstable. A portion in which the trajectory of the yarn being unwound expands as described above is called a balloon.
- Ideally, when the yarn is pulled out from the yarn accumulation roller in this yarn accumulation device, the yarn wound in a helical shape is orderly unwound from the end side. However, in a case where an extremely small force is required for pulling out the yarn from the yarn accumulation roller (in a case where a resistance in pulling out the yarn is low), a mass of the yarn wholly falls off from the yarn accumulation roller at one time only with slight pulling of the yarn existing on the yarn accumulation device. This phenomenon in which a mass of yarn falls off at one time is called slaffing.
- In this respect, in a fine spinning machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, a yarn accumulation device (yarn loosening removal device) includes a flyer that is rotatable relative to the yarn accumulation roller while being engaged in a yarn. This flyer is configured to cause a torque in the direction against the relative rotation. This can prevent excessive throwing-around of the yarn that is unwound from the yarn accumulation roller while being engaged in the flyer. Thus, occurrence of the balloon is suppressed, and unwinding of the yarn can be stabilized.
- In the configuration shown in Patent Document 1, the yarn unwound from the yarn accumulation roller causes the relative rotation of the flyer against the torque. Due to the reaction thereof, a force is received from the flyer. The force received from the flyer causes a resistance in unwinding of the yarn from the yarn accumulation roller. Thus, the yarn receives the resistance when being unwound from the yarn accumulation roller, which consequently makes it difficult that the yarn falls off at once. As a result, occurrence of the slaffing, in which a mass of yarn existing on the yarn accumulation roller falls off, can be prevented.
- Since the yarn receives the resistance when being unwound from the yarn accumulation device in the above-described manner, it is possible to keep the yarn tightened at a location between the flyer and a winding device that winds the yarn at the downstream of the flyer. Thus, an appropriate degree of tension can be applied to the yarn that is wound in the winding device. Therefore, a package with a high quality can be formed.
- In the fine spinning machine shown in Patent Document 1, an increase in the winding speed in the winding device causes an increase in the speed of unwinding of the yarn from the yarn accumulation device. As a result, the speed of relative rotation of the flyer also increases. However, the speed of relative rotation of the flyer has a limitation in its own. Therefore, when the speed of unwinding of the yarn exceeds the limitation in the speed of relative rotation of the flyer, a delay occurs in the rotation of the flyer. This may cause failures such as occurrence of the balloon and winding of the yarn onto the flyer. Accordingly, in a yarn winding machine including the yarn accumulation device of Patent Document 1, there is a limitation in increasing the speed of winding of the yarn. Here, in a yarn winding machine including the yarn accumulation device with the flyer, the winding speed is limited to about 500m/min.
- The fine spinning machine has a relatively low winding speed, and therefore can normally wind the yarn even in a case of adopting the yarn accumulation device with the flyer (the configuration shown in Patent Document 1). On the other hand, for example, in an automatic winder having a relatively high winding speed, the winding speed exceeds the limitation in the speed of rotation of the flyer, and therefore using of the yarn accumulation device with the flyer is difficult. Additionally, the automatic winder winds the yarn onto a wound bobbin while traversing (cross-winding) the yarn. This traversing causes a periodic change in the speed. Moreover, the automatic winder performs a so-called disturb control in which the winding speed is rapidly changed in order to break a ribbon winding of the yarn. Since the flyer has inertia, it is difficult that the rotation of the flyer follows such a change in the winding speed. This also presents a problem in applying the yarn accumulation device with the flyer to the automatic winder.
- In this respect, a yarn joining winding device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a yarn accumulation device (length-measurement/accumulation part) provided with no flyer. In such a configuration in which a member (flyer) that causes a relative rotation is not provided, the above-described problem involved in the flyer does not occur even during a high-speed rotation of the yarn accumulation device. The yarn accumulation device shown in Patent Document 2 includes, instead of the flyer, a stopper flange provided at the distal end of an accumulation drum part. Providing such a stopper flange can prevent occurrence of the phenomenon (slaffing) in which a mass of the yarn accumulated on the accumulation drum part falls off at one time. However, merely providing the stopper flange is not enough to give an appropriate resistance to the yarn that is unwound from the accumulation drum part. Therefore, it is impossible to prevent occurrence of a balloon during a high-speed rotation. Thus, the configuration shown in Patent Document 2 cannot be directly applied to the automatic winder.
- Accordingly, the applicant has discussed a yarn accumulation device including a rubber ring instead of the flyer. To be specific, as shown in
FIG. 11 , thisyarn accumulation device 100 is configured such that arubber ring 102 is attached to an end portion, at the unwinding side, of ayarn accumulation roller 101 made of a metal, so that ayarn 99 unwound from theyarn accumulation roller 101 passes through a space between a surface of theyarn accumulation roller 101 and therubber ring 102. The diameter of therubber ring 102 is set smaller than the outer diameter of theyarn accumulation roller 101 under the condition that no load is applied thereto. This configuration causes therubber ring 102 to squeeze an outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 101. As a result, theyarn 99 can be nipped with a weak force in its portion passing through the space between the surface of theyarn accumulation roller 101 and therubber ring 102. This enables an appropriate degree of resistance to be applied to theyarn 99 when theyarn 99 is unwound from theyarn accumulation roller 101. - As described above, the
yarn accumulation device 100 shown inFIG. 11 has a very simple configuration in which therubber ring 102 is attached to theyarn accumulation roller 101, but nevertheless is able to apply an appropriate degree of resistance to theyarn 99 that is unwound from theyarn accumulation roller 101. This can prevent occurrence of a balloon, slaffing, and the like, and additionally can apply an appropriate degree of tension to a yarn located downstream of theyarn accumulation device 100. The configuration shown inFIG. 11 , which does not include a movable part such as a flyer, is excellent in the followability to a rapid change in the winding speed. Moreover, therubber ring 102 causes an appropriate degree of frictional effect relative to theyarn 99 passing under therubber ring 102, and rolls the yarn in a twist direction to thereby twist fluff in. Therefore, the effect of reducing fluff of theyarn 99 is highly exerted, which is an excellent feature of therubber ring 102. Particularly, NBR (nitrile rubber) with an excellent abrasion resistance, or the like, is suitable for the material of therubber ring 102. - Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which a yarn is nipped between a finger that extends from a yarn accumulator and a ring that is arranged around the finger. Patent Document 3 states that this configuration exerts a higher yarn pull-out tension and accordingly a relatively balanced yarn pull-out tension. However, in the configuration shown in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to form a plurality of fingers that act elastically toward the outside of the yarn accumulator. This increases the manufacturing cost. Additionally, in the configuration shown in Patent Document 3, a jacket surface is discontinued in the finger portion with respect to the circumferential direction. Thus, the yarn that is unwound while sliding at a position corresponding to this finger would be damaged. In this respect, the very simple configuration shown in
FIG. 11 is achieved merely by providing the rubber ring. This enables a low manufacturing cost and small damage to the yarn. - The nearest state of the art regarding this invention is disclosed in
US 3 924 818 A . This document already discloses a yarn accumulation device configured to wind and accumulate a yarn on a yarn accumulation part that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a rotating element, the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part in a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating element, the yarn accumulation device including a tension applying part arranged at an unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part, the tension applying part being configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part, the tension applying part including: a ring member made of an expandable elastic material. -
- Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2010-77576 - Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2004-131276 - Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
63-262376 - (1988)
- In the
yarn accumulation device 100 shown inFIG. 11 , when theyarn accumulation roller 101 rotates, a centrifugal force acts on therubber ring 102. Therubber ring 102 made of NBR has a low rate of elasticity of about 50%, and in other words, does not have "viscosity (elasticity)". Therefore, upon reception of the centrifugal force, therubber ring 102 is easily separated from the surface of theyarn accumulation roller 101. Separation of therubber ring 102 from the surface of theyarn accumulation roller 101 results in a failure to give an appropriate resistance to theyarn 99 that is unwound from theyarn accumulation roller 101. Consequently, occurrence of a balloon and slaffing cannot be prevented. Moreover, an appropriate tension cannot be applied to the yarn located downstream of theyarn accumulation device 100. - To deal with the above-described problems, it is conceivable to adopt a rubber ring (a rubber ring having a smaller diameter) configured to exert such a squeezing force that is able to act against the centrifugal force exerted during a high-speed rotation of the
yarn accumulation roller 101. In this case, however, during a low-speed rotation (when the centrifugal force is small), therubber ring 102 squeezes theyarn accumulation roller 101 with an excessive force. Therefore, an excessive resistance is given when theyarn 99 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 101 during a low-speed rotation. This causes another problem that, during a low-speed rotation, the stretchedyarn 99 is broken when theyarn 99 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 101. - It is also conceivable to adopt a rubber ring (elastic band) made of natural rubber instead of the rubber ring made of NBR. The rubber ring made of natural rubber has a rate of elasticity of 500% to 900%, and in other words, has "viscosity (elasticity)". Therefore, even when the centrifugal force acts on the rubber ring, the rubber ring can be kept in tight contact with the surface of the
yarn accumulation roller 101 without separation therefrom. Thus, it is not necessary that the squeezing exerted by the rubber ring is made too strong so as to withstand the centrifugal force in a high-speed rotation. This can prevent the yarn from being stretched and broken during a low-speed rotation. In a case where theyarn accumulation device 100 shown inFIG. 11 adopts a rubber ring made of natural rubber, no problem occurs in the accumulation of the yarn and an acceptable yarn winding speed ranges from a low speed to a high speed (for example, 1200 m/min), as long as the rubber ring is fresh. - However, a rubber ring made of natural rubber does not have durability, and involves a problem that a surface of the rubber ring is shortly deteriorated due to friction with the yarn. Moreover, since the natural rubber has adhesion properties, for example, a problem arises that fibers, cotton fly, and the like, of the yarn are entwined to form a lump. Furthermore, even though the rubber ring made of natural rubber has a high rate of elasticity, a reduction in the resistance given to the yarn during a high-speed rotation of the
yarn accumulation roller 101 cannot be avoided because the centrifugal force acts on the side where the rubber ring is opened. - The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a yarn accumulation device that is able to cover a wide range of winding from a low-speed winding to a high-speed winding.
- Problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above, and next, means for solving the problems and effects thereof will be described.
- In a first aspect of the present invention, a yarn accumulation device having the following configuration is provided. The yarn accumulation device is a yarn accumulation device configured to wind and accumulate a yarn on a yarn accumulation part that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a rotating element, the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part in a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating element, the yarn accumulation device including a tension applying part. The tension applying part is arranged at an unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part. The tension applying part includes a ring member made of an expandable elastic material, and an enlarged/reduced portion provided radially inside the ring member and configured such that the yarn is nipped between the enlarged/reduced portion and the ring member. The enlarged/reduced portion is configured to enlarge or reduce its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of the rotating element.
- Nipping the yarn between the ring member made of the elastic material and the enlarged/reduced portion in this manner can apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part. The enlarged/reduced portion is configured to enlarge or reduce its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of the rotating element. Accordingly, even in a case where the ring member expands outward due to a centrifugal force when the speed of rotation increases, the ring member and the enlarged/reduced portion can be kept in tight contact with each other. Thereby, an appropriate tension can be applied to the yarn during rotations including a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation.
- Preferably, the yarn accumulation device is configured as follows. A recess for restricting movement of the ring member in a direction of the rotation axis of the rotating element is provided in the enlarged/reduced portion. Additionally, the ring member is attached in the recess of the enlarged/reduced portion.
- This can prevent the ring member from being dragged by the yarn pulled out from the yarn accumulation device and consequently detached.
- In the yarn accumulation device, it is preferable that the enlarged/reduced portion has a recess maintaining mechanism for maintaining the recess irrespective of enlargement and reduction in the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion.
- Accordingly, detachment of the ring member from the enlarged/reduced portion can be prevented during both a high-speed rotation and a low-speed rotation.
- Preferably, the yarn accumulation device is configured as follows. An outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion is constituted of an elastic film made of a film-like elastic material. The recess maintaining mechanism includes a concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion that is formed along a circumferential direction of the enlarged/reduced portion. The concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion is made of an elastic material, and arranged inside the elastic film.
- Thus, arranging the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion having an appropriate diameter inside the elastic film can form a recess in an outer surface of the elastic film (in the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion). Since the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion is made of the elastic material, the diameter of the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion can be enlarged and reduced. Therefore, the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion can be enlarged and reduced while the shape of the recess is maintained.
- Preferably, the yarn accumulation device is configured as follows. A disk member is provided in an end portion of the rotating element at the unwinding side. The disk member has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion under a state where the rotating element is stopped. The enlarged/reduced portion is provided between the yarn accumulation part and the disk member.
- Accordingly, the yarn unwound from the yarn accumulation part comes into contact with the enlarged/reduced portion, and then is separated away from the enlarged/reduced portion, to travel while being guided by the disk member. Guiding the yarn in this manner can reduce the area over which the yarn is in contact with the enlarged/reduced portion. This can prevent fluffing of the yarn and a deterioration in the physical properties of the yarn. This can also prevent a situation where the enlarged/reduced portion is rubbed by the yarn and damaged when the yarn is pulled out.
- In the yarn accumulation device, it is preferable that a portion of the ring member that cooperates with the enlarged/reduced portion to nip the yarn therebetween is formed as a plane-shaped portion.
- This can prevent the ring member from being twisted on the enlarged/reduced portion. Thus, a stable tension can be applied to the yarn.
- In the yarn accumulation device, it is preferable that a drive part for enlarging or reducing the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion is provided.
- This enables a tension applied to the yarn to be not only kept constant but also increased or reduced.
- In a second aspect of the present invention, a yarn accumulation device having the following configuration is provided. The yarn accumulation device is a yarn accumulation device configured to wind and accumulate a yarn on a yarn accumulation part that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a rotating element, the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part in a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating element, the yarn accumulation device including a tension applying part. The tension applying part is arranged at an unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part. The tension applying part includes a first ring-shaped elastic element, a synchronized rotation member, a second ring-shaped elastic element, and a cylindrical member. The first ring-shaped elastic element is mounted on a surface of the rotating element. The synchronized rotation member is arranged radially outside the rotating element, and configured to rotate in synchronization with the rotating element. The second ring-shaped elastic element is provided to the synchronized rotation member. The cylindrical member is provided to the synchronized rotation member such that the cylindrical member is opposed, from the radially outside, to the first ring-shaped elastic element. Under a state where the rotating element is stopped, the first ring-shaped elastic element is not in contact with the cylindrical member while the second ring-shaped elastic element is in contact with the surface of the rotating element. When the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation part is unwound, the yarn passes through a space between the first ring-shaped elastic element and the cylindrical member and a space between the second ring-shaped elastic element and the surface of the rotating element.
- In this configuration, during a low-speed rotation of the rotating element, a tension is applied to the yarn by the surface of the rotating element and the second ring-shaped elastic element. In a high-speed rotation of the rotating element, a force acting in a direction that separates the second ring-shaped elastic element away from the rotating element is caused by a centrifugal force, and therefore the second ring-shaped elastic element can no longer apply an appropriate tension to the yarn. However, in a range of the high-speed rotation, the first ring-shaped elastic element is pressed to the cylindrical member due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, during a high-speed rotation, a tension is applied to the yarn by the first ring-shaped elastic element and the cylindrical member. Thus, an appropriate tension can be applied to the yarn during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation.
- In a third aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding machine including the above-mentioned yarn accumulation device and having the following configuration is provided. The yarn winding machine includes a yarn supply part that supplies a yarn, a yarn joining device that joins yarn ends that have been disconnected, the yarn accumulation device, a tension applying device that applies a tension to the yarn, and a winding part that winds the yarn supplied from the yarn supply part and forms a package. The yarn supply part, the yarn joining device, the yarn accumulation device, the tension applying device, and the winding part are arranged in this order along a direction of traveling of the yarn. Even while the yarn joining device is performing a yarn joining operation, the winding part is able to continue winding with the tension applying device applying a tension to the yarn unwound from the yarn accumulation device.
- That is, the yarn accumulation device is able to apply a constant tension to the yarn that is being unwound during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. This facilitates a tension control performed by the tension applying device that is arranged downstream of the yarn accumulation device. Additionally, since the winding part winds the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation device, the winding operation can be continued without receiving any influence of the yarn joining operation and a fluctuation in the unwinding tension in the yarn supply part.
-
- [
FIG. 1 ] A side view of a winder unit provided in an automatic winder according to an embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 2 ] A side view of a yarn accumulation device. - [
FIG. 3 ] A cross-sectional view of the yarn accumulation device. - [
FIG. 4 ] A perspective view showing an external appearance of a tension applying part. - [
FIG. 5 ] A cross-sectional view of the tension applying part during a low-speed rotation. - [
FIG. 6 ] A cross-sectional view of the tension applying part during a high-speed rotation. - [
FIG. 7 ] A cross-sectional view of a yarn accumulation device according to a second embodiment. - [
FIG. 8 ] A cross-sectional view of a yarn accumulation device according to a third embodiment. - [
FIG. 9 ] A cross-sectional view of a tension applying part according to the third embodiment during a low-speed rotation. - [
FIG. 10 ] A cross-sectional view of the tension applying part according to the third embodiment during a high-speed rotation. - [
FIG. 11 ] A side view of a conventional yarn accumulation device. - Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of a winder unit 2 provided in an automatic winder that is a yarn winding machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The automatic winder of this embodiment is configured with a number of winder units 2 arranged side by side. This automatic winder includes a machine management device (not shown) and a blower box (not shown). The machine management device collectively manages the winder units 2. The blower box includes a compressed air source and a negative pressure source. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the winder unit 2 mainly includes ayarn supply part 7 and a windingpart 8. The winder unit 2 is configured to unwind a yarn (spun yarn) 20 from ayarn supply bobbin 21 that is supported on theyarn supply part 7 and rewind theyarn 20 into apackage 30.FIG. 1 shows a state of the winder unit 2 at a time of normal winding. In the description herein, the "time of normal winding" indicates a state where the yarn is continuous between theyarn supply bobbin 21 and thepackage 30 and additionally the yarn is being unwound from theyarn supply bobbin 21 and wound into thepackage 30. - The
yarn supply part 7 is configured to hold theyarn supply bobbin 21, which is for supplying a yarn, in a substantially upright state. Theyarn supply part 7 is also configured to discharge theyarn supply bobbin 21 that is empty. The windingpart 8 includes acradle 23 and atraverse drum 24. Thecradle 23 is configured such that awound bobbin 22 is mounted thereon. Thetraverse drum 24 is configured to traverse theyarn 20 and drive thewound bobbin 22. - The
traverse drum 24 is arranged opposed to thewound bobbin 22. Thetraverse drum 24 is driven in rotation, and thereby thewound bobbin 22 is accordingly rotated. This enables theyarn 20 accumulated on ayarn accumulation device 18 which will be described later to be wound onto thewound bobbin 22. A traverse groove (not shown) is formed in an outer circumferential surface of thetraverse drum 24. The traverse groove allows theyarn 20 to be traversed (cross-wound) with a predetermined width. In the above-described configuration, theyarn 20 is wound on thewound bobbin 22 while being traversed, to form thepackage 30 having a predetermined length and a predetermined shape. In the following description, the terms "upstream side" and "downstream side" mean the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to a direction of traveling of the yarn. - Each of the winder units 2 includes a
control part 25. Thecontrol part 25 is composed of hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and software such as a control program stored in the RAM. The hardware and the software cooperate with each other, to control each configuration part of the winder unit 2. Thecontrol part 25 included in each winder unit 2 is configured to communicate with the machine management device. Accordingly, the machine management device can collectively manage operations of the plurality of winder units 2 included in the automatic winder. - The winder unit 2 also includes various devices that are arranged in a yarn travel path between the
yarn supply part 7 and the windingpart 8. More specifically, in the yarn travel path, an unwindingassist device 10, a lower yarn blow-uppart 11, a firsttension applying device 12, an upperyarn catch part 13, ayarn joining device 14, ayarn trap 15, acutter 16, a clearer (yarn defect detection device) 17, an upper yarn pull-outpart 48, ayarn accumulation device 18, and a secondtension applying device 19, are arranged in this order from theyarn supply part 7 side toward the windingpart 8 side. - The unwinding
assist device 10 assists the unwinding of theyarn 20 by bringing amovable member 40 into contact with a balloon, which is generated above theyarn supply bobbin 21 as a result of theyarn 20 being unwound from theyarn supply bobbin 21 and thrown around, and thereby appropriately controlling the size of the balloon. - The lower yarn blow-up
part 11 is an air sucker device arranged immediately downstream of the unwinding assistdevice 10. The lower yarn blow-uppart 11 is configured to blow up a lower yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 side toward theyarn joining device 14 side. When theyarn 20 is disconnected at a location between theyarn supply bobbin 21 and theyarn accumulation device 18, the lower yarn blow-uppart 11 can blow up the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 and guide the yarn to theyarn joining device 14. - The first
tension applying device 12 applies a predetermined tension to theyarn 20 that is traveling. In this embodiment, the firsttension applying device 12 is configured as a gate type in which a movable comb is arranged relative to a fixed comb. When a yarn travels between the combs, a predetermined resistance is applied thereto. The movable comb is movable by means of a solenoid, which allows adjustment of the state of engagement between the combs. Thecontrol part 25 controls the solenoid and thereby can adjust the tension that the firsttension applying device 12 applies to the yarn. However, a configuration of the firsttension applying device 12 is not limited to this. For example, a disk type tension applying device is also adoptable. - The upper
yarn catch part 13 is arranged immediately upstream of theyarn joining device 14. The upperyarn catch part 13 is connected to a negative pressure source (not shown), and configured to generate a suction air stream to suck and catch the yarn of theyarn accumulation device 18 side at a time of yarn joining (details will be given later). - The
yarn trap 15 is arranged upstream of thecutter 16 and immediately downstream of theyarn joining device 14. A distal end of theyarn trap 15 is formed as a tube-like member, which is provided close to the travel path of theyarn 20 and connected to a negative pressure source (not shown). In this configuration, the suction air stream is generated at the distal end of theyarn trap 15. and thereby dusts such as cotton fly adhering to the travelingyarn 20 can be sucked and removed. - The clearer 17 is configured to detect a yarn defect (yarn fault) such as a slub by, for example, monitoring a yarn thickness of the
yarn 20. When the clearer 17 detects a yarn defect, the clearer 17 transmits a disconnection signal to, for example, thecontrol part 25. The disconnection signal instructs to cut and remove the yarn defect. Thecutter 16 is arranged near the clearer 17, for immediately cutting theyarn 20 in response to the disconnection signal. - The upper yarn pull-out
part 48 is an air sucker device, and configured to, at a time of yarn joining, pull out a yarn accumulated on theyarn accumulation device 18 and blow off the yarn toward a yarn guide member 60 (which will be described later). - The
yarn accumulation device 18 includes ayarn accumulation roller 32 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and aroller drive motor 33 configured to drive theyarn accumulation roller 32 in rotation around the axis line thereof which serves as a rotation axis. Theroller drive motor 33 is controlled by thecontrol part 25. In this configuration, theyarn accumulation roller 32 is driven in rotation, and in this condition, theyarn 20 unwound from theyarn supply bobbin 21 is wound onto a circumference of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Thereby, theyarn 20 can be temporarily accumulated on theyarn accumulation roller 32. The yarn accumulated on theyarn accumulation roller 32 is pulled out in a direction along the axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32, and then wound by the windingpart 8. A detailed configuration of theyarn accumulation device 18 will be described later. - The
yarn joining device 14 performs yarn joining between a yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 side and a yarn of theyarn accumulation device 18 side when the yarn is disconnected between theyarn supply bobbin 21 and theyarn accumulation device 18, which occurs, for example, at a time of yarn cutting in which the clearer 17 detects a yarn defect so that thecutter 16 cuts the yarn, at a time of yarn breakage in which the yarn being unwound from theyarn supply bobbin 21 is broken, or at a time of replacing theyarn supply bobbin 21. As theyarn joining device 14, one using fluid such as compressed air, mechanical one, or the like, is adoptable. - The second
tension applying device 19 applies a predetermined tension to the yarn that has been pulled out from theyarn accumulation device 18, thereby controlling the tension of theyarn 20 at a time when theyarn 20 is wound by the windingpart 8. The secondtension applying device 19 is configured as a gate type tenser, which is similar to the first tension applying device. Thecontrol part 25 appropriately controls a solenoid of the secondtension applying device 19, and thereby can adjust the tension that the secondtension applying device 19 applies to the yarn. However, a configuration of the secondtension applying device 19 is not limited to this. For example, a disk type tension applying device is also adoptable. - A
bobbin feeder 26 of magazine type is arranged at the front side of the winder unit 2. Thebobbin feeder 26 includes a rotary magazine can 27. The magazine can 27 is configured to hold a plurality of extrayarn supply bobbins 21. Thebobbin feeder 26 intermittently drives and rotates the magazine can 27, and thereby feeds a newyarn supply bobbin 21 to theyarn supply part 7. Thebobbin feeder 26 includes ayarn end holder 28 for sucking and holding a yarn end of theyarn supply bobbin 21 held on the magazine can 27. - Next, a yarn joining operation performed in the automatic winder of this embodiment will be described.
- The
yarn joining device 14 performs the yarn joining operation when the yarn of theyarn accumulation device 18 side and the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 side are disconnected from each other because of yarn breakage, yarn cutting by thecutter 16. replacement of theyarn supply bobbin 21, or the like. To be specific, firstly, thecontrol part 25 causes the lower yarn blow-uppart 11 to blow up theyarn 20 of theyarn supply bobbin 21 side in an upward direction. Theyarn 20 thus blown up is sucked and caught by theyarn trap 15. Theyarn trap 15 is movable by ayarn trap driver 47. When theyarn trap 15 is moved under a state where theyarn trap 15 sucks and catches a yarn end of the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 side, the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 side can be introduced to theyarn joining device 14. - Around this time, the
control part 25 puts theyarn accumulation roller 32 of theyarn accumulation device 18 into reverse rotation, and in this condition causes the upper yarn pull-outpart 48 to blow off theyarn 20 existing on theyarn accumulation roller 32. The direction in which the upper yarn pull-outpart 48 blows off theyarn 20 is oriented to a position where ayarn guide member 60 having a curved tube-like shape is arranged. Theyarn 20 thus blown off is taken into theyarn guide member 60 from one end of theyarn guide member 60 and, along with an air stream, guided to the other end of theyarn guide member 60. An exit from theyarn guide member 60, which is provided at the other end thereof, is oriented toward a position where the upperyarn catch part 13 is arranged. In the above-described configuration, theyarn 20 of theyarn accumulation roller 32 side, which has been blown off by the upper yarn pull-outpart 48, is sucked and caught by the upperyarn catch part 13. In theyarn guide member 60 having a tube-like shape, a slit extending in a longitudinal direction thereof is formed. Through this slit, theyarn 20 located in theyarn guide member 60 can be drawn out to the outside. The yarn drawn out from theyarn guide member 60 is further sucked by the upperyarn catch part 13, and thereby introduced to theyarn joining device 14. When the yarn of theyarn accumulation device 18 side is introduced to theyarn joining device 14, thecontrol part 25 stops the reverse rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. - Through the above-described operation, the yarn of the
yarn supply bobbin 21 side and the yarn of theyarn accumulation device 18 side can be introduced to theyarn joining device 14. In this condition, thecontrol part 25 actuates theyarn joining device 14, to thereby join the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 side and the yarn of theyarn accumulation device 18 side. After the yarn joining operation is completed, thecontrol part 25 restarts a normal rotation of theyarn accumulation device 18, to thereby restart the winding of the yarn onto theyarn accumulation device 18. - As described above, even when the yarn is disconnected at a location between the
yarn supply bobbin 21 and theyarn accumulation device 18, the winding of theyarn 20 into thepackage 30 in the windingpart 8 can be continued without interruption. That is, in the automatic winder of this embodiment, as described above, theyarn accumulation device 18 is interposed between theyarn supply part 7 and the windingpart 8, so that a certain amount of theyarn 20 is accumulated on theyarn accumulation device 18. Therefore, even when the supply of the yarn from theyarn supply bobbin 21 is interrupted for some reason (for example, during the yarn joining operation), the windingpart 8 is able to wind the yarn that is accumulated on theyarn accumulation device 18. Thus, the winding of theyarn 20 into thepackage 30 can be continued. - Since a winding operation of the winding
part 8 is not interrupted by the yarn joining operation or the like, thepackage 30 can be produced stably at a high speed. Additionally, since theyarn accumulation device 18 is interposed between theyarn supply bobbin 21 and the windingpart 8, the winding in the windingpart 8 can be performed without receiving an influence of a fluctuation in the tension occurring at a time of unwinding the yarn from theyarn supply bobbin 21. - Next, the
yarn accumulation device 18 will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and3 . As mentioned above, theyarn accumulation device 18 includes theyarn accumulation roller 32. - The yarn accumulation roller (rotating element) 32 is a roller member having a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes a
yarn accumulation part 37 and atension applying part 38. Theyarn accumulation part 37 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. As shown inFIG. 2 , theyarn 20 unwound from theyarn supply bobbin 21 is introduced on one end of theyarn accumulation roller 32 to the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32, and wound onto theyarn accumulation part 37. Then, theyarn 20 is pulled out through the other end of theyarn accumulation roller 32, and fed to the windingpart 8 side. In the following description, with respect to the direction extending along the central axis of theyarn accumulation roller 32, the side of the yarn accumulation roller 32 (shown in the lower left inFIG. 2 ) on which the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 is introduced to theyarn accumulation roller 32 will be called a base end side, and the side of the yarn accumulation roller 32 (shown in the upper right inFIG. 2 ) on which the yarn is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32 will be called an unwinding side. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theyarn accumulation part 37 includes acylindrical portion 37a and atapered portion 37b. An outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation part 37 is made of a metal. - The
cylindrical portion 37a is configured such that a certain amount of theyarn 20 can be wound and accumulated on the outer circumferential surface of thecylindrical portion 37a. More specifically, the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 is introduced to the outer circumferential surface of thecylindrical portion 37a from an end portion of thecylindrical portion 37a at the base end side thereof, and wound in a helical shape on the outer circumferential surface. Theroller drive motor 33 drives theyarn accumulation roller 32 into rotation under a state where theyarn 20 is wound on thecylindrical portion 37a, and thereby theyarn 20 can be sequentially wound on a surface of thecylindrical portion 37a. When theyarn 20 newly coming to the end portion of thecylindrical portion 37a at the base end side is wound, the newly comingyarn 20 pushes away theyarn 20 that is already wound on thecylindrical portion 37a toward the end portion of thecylindrical portion 37a at the unwinding side thereof. Accordingly, theyarn 20 accumulated on the surface of thecylindrical portion 37a sequentially moves toward the end portion at the unwinding side. The diameter of thecylindrical portion 37a is not completely constant, but thecylindrical portion 37a has a small taper whose diameter gradually decreases toward the unwinding side. This facilitates the movement of the yarn wound on thecylindrical portion 37a toward the end portion at the unwinding side. - The tapered
portion 37b is formed continuous with the end portion of thecylindrical portion 37a at the base end side. The taperedportion 37b has a tapered shape whose diameter increases toward the side (base end side) opposite to thecylindrical portion 37a. Since the taperedportion 37b is formed in this manner, theyarn 20 wound on the taperedportion 37b moves from the taperedportion 37b to thecylindrical portion 37a due to the tension applied at a time of the winding. Accordingly, theyarn 20 previously wound on thecylindrical portion 37a is pushed up by the newly woundyarn 20. Theyarn 20 sequentially moves from the taperedportion 37b to thecylindrical portion 37a in the above-mentioned manner, and thereby theyarn 20 is regularly wound in a helical shape on thecylindrical portion 37a. - The
yarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation part 37 is unwound toward the unwinding side. At this time, thetension applying part 38 arranged at the unwinding side of theyarn accumulation part 37 gives a predetermined resistance to the yarn being unwound (details will be given later). - As shown in
FIG. 2 , ayarn guide 29 for guiding a yarn is arranged ahead of the end portion of thetension applying part 38 at the unwinding side. Theyarn guide 29 is configured to guide a yarn in a predetermined position on an extension of the rotation axis of theyarn accumulation roller 32. This enables theyarn 20 wound in a helical shape on theyarn accumulation roller 32 to be pulled out in the direction along the axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32 when theyarn 20 is unwound from theyarn accumulation roller 32. Theyarn 20, to which a tension has been applied by thetension applying part 38, is wound up to the downstream side (windingpart 8 side) via theyarn guide 29. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , anupper limit sensor 36 and alower limit sensor 35 are arranged near theyarn accumulation roller 32. Theupper limit sensor 36 detects that the amount of theyarn 20 on theyarn accumulation roller 32 reaches a predetermined upper limit amount or more. Thelower limit sensor 35 detects that the amount of theyarn 20 on theyarn accumulation roller 32 falls below a predetermined lower limit amount. Detection results of thelower limit sensor 35 and theupper limit sensor 36 are transmitted to thecontrol part 25. - When the
control part 25 detects that theupper limit sensor 36 is turned off and the yarn on theyarn accumulation roller 32 falls below the upper limit amount, thecontrol part 25 appropriately controls theroller drive motor 33 to increase the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Accordingly, the speed of winding of theyarn 20 onto theyarn accumulation roller 32 increases. As a result, the amount of theyarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation roller 32 can be gradually increased. On the other hand, when thecontrol part 25 detects that theupper limit sensor 36 is turned on and the yarn on theyarn accumulation roller 32 reaches the upper limit amount or more, thecontrol part 25 appropriately controls theroller drive motor 33 to reduce the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Accordingly, the speed of winding of theyarn 20 onto theyarn accumulation roller 32 decreases. As a result, the amount of theyarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation roller 32 can be gradually reduced. Such a control enables the amount of theyarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation roller 32 to be kept at a substantially constant value near the upper limit amount. - Additionally, when the
control part 25 detects that thelower limit sensor 35 is turned off and the amount of theyarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation roller 32 falls below the lower limit amount, thecontrol part 25 stops the winding of theyarn 20 by the windingpart 8. This prevents occurrence of a situation where the windingpart 8 fully winds up the yarn existing on theyarn accumulation roller 32. - Next, a configuration of the
tension applying part 38 will be described in detail. - The
tension applying part 38 is configured to rotate integrally with (rotate in synchronization with) theyarn accumulation part 37. Thetension applying part 38 includes an enlarged/reducedportion 50 and a rubber ring (ring member) 51. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , an outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is constituted of a rubber film 52 (elastic film) made of an elastic material (in this embodiment, made of NBR). A more specific description thereof is as follows. As shown inFIGS. 3 and4 , theyarn accumulation roller 32 includes therubber film 52 having a substantially cylindrical shape. Both end portions of therubber film 52 with respect to the axial direction are fixed to an outer circumference of theyarn accumulation roller 32 by appropriate means. Therefore, an outer circumference of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is not constant but has concavity and convexity constituted of afirst protrusion 50a, asecond protrusion 50b, and arecess 50c formed between thefirst protrusion 50a and thesecond protrusion 50b. - The enlarged/reduced
portion 50 has arecess maintaining mechanism 58 for maintaining therecess 50c. As shown inFIGS. 3 and4 , therecess maintaining mechanism 58 includes a plurality of concavity/convexity maintaining rings (concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion) 55, 56, and 57 that are arranged radially inside therubber film 52. Each of the concavity/convexity maintaining rings convexity maintaining rings - The plurality of concavity/convexity maintaining rings are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the
yarn accumulation roller 32. The firstprotrusion maintaining ring 55, therecess maintaining ring 56, and the secondprotrusion maintaining ring 57 are arranged in this order from the base end side. In a state where no load is applied (the rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped), the diameter of therecess maintaining ring 56 is smaller than the diameters of theprotrusion maintaining rings first protrusion 50a corresponding to the diameter of the firstprotrusion maintaining ring 55, therecess 50c corresponding to the diameter of therecess maintaining ring 56, and thesecond protrusion 50b corresponding to the diameter of the secondprotrusion maintaining ring 57. - On the other hand, the
rubber ring 51 is a ring member made of an elastic material (in this embodiment, made of NBR). Therubber ring 51 is provided in a position corresponding to therecess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and arranged radially outside therecess 50c. In a state where no load is applied, the diameter of therubber ring 51 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of therecess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. This configuration causes therubber ring 51 to squeeze, from the radially outside, a portion of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 corresponding to therecess 50c. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and5 , when theyarn 20 unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32, theyarn 20 passes through a space between the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and therubber ring 51 in thetension applying part 38. Since therubber ring 51 squeezes the enlarged/reduced portion 50, theyarn 20 passing through thetension applying part 38 is nipped between the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and therubber ring 51. This configuration is able to give an appropriate degree of resistance to theyarn 20 when theyarn 20 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32. As a result, slaffing can be prevented. Additionally, since a resistance is given to theyarn 20 when theyarn 20 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32, a portion of theyarn 20 located downstream of theyarn accumulation roller 32 can be kept tightened. Thus, an appropriate degree of tension can be applied to a portion of theyarn 20 located downstream of theyarn accumulation device 18. This enables the windingpart 8 to wind up the yarn with an appropriate tension. - Moreover, the
yarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation part 37 is wound in a helical shape on the outer circumferential surface of thecylindrical portion 37a. Therefore, when being unwound from thecylindrical portion 37a, theyarn 20 is thrown around on the circumference of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. In the configuration of this embodiment, theyarn 20 that is thrown around is nipped between the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and therubber ring 51. This can prevent theyarn 20 from being excessively thrown around, and thus can prevent occurrence of a balloon. Since theyarn 20 is thrown around when being unwound, the position where theyarn 20 passes in the space between the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and therubber ring 51 shifts in the circumferential direction. Such a configuration in which the position where theyarn 20 passes shifts in the circumferential direction can prevent occurrence of a situation where only particular portions of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and therubber ring 51 are rubbed by theyarn 20 and worn out in a short time. - As mentioned above, the
rubber ring 51 is attached in therecess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. Therefore, even though therubber ring 51 is forced to move in the axial direction of theyarn accumulation roller 32 together with theyarn 20 being unwound, theprotrusions rubber ring 51 from being detached from the enlarged/reduced portion 50. - The
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment has adisk member 39 provided in an end portion of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 at the unwinding side. Thedisk member 39 is configured to rotate integrally with theyarn accumulation roller 32. The diameter of thedisk member 39 is larger than the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 under a state where the rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped. Accordingly, when theyarn 20 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32, theyarn 20 is guided by thedisk member 39. This can prevent the surface of therubber film 52 of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 from being strongly rubbed by theyarn 20. As a result, wear-out of therubber film 52 is reduced, and the durability can be improved. A more detailed description is as follows. As long as the yarn is wound on theyarn accumulation roller 32, theyarn 20 unwound from theyarn accumulation roller 32 is thrown around on the circumference of therubber film 52 when theyarn 20 is passing. Therefore, a situation where only one portion of therubber film 52 is strongly rubbed by theyarn 20 does not occur. However, once theyarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation roller 32 is fully unwound, theyarn 20 that is not wound linearly passes through a space between therubber film 52 and therubber ring 51. If, at this time, theyarn 20 is in contact with therubber film 52, a portion of this contact is strongly rubbed by theyarn 20, which may damage therubber film 52. In this respect, as described above, thedisk member 39 is provided, to allow the passingyarn 20 to float above therubber film 52. This can prevent theyarn 20 from being in entangling contact with therubber film 52. Thus, damage to therubber film 52 due to theyarn 20 can be prevented. Additionally, the area over which theyarn 20 is in contact with therubber film 52 can be reduced. This can consequently prevent fluffing of theyarn 20 and a deterioration in the physical properties of theyarn 20. - The
rubber ring 51 has a plane-shaped portion as shown inFIG. 5 . In other words, when cut along a plane passing through the central axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32, therubber ring 51 has a substantially D-shaped (semicircular) cross-section. Therubber ring 51 is, in the plane-shaped portion, in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. Although it is conceivable that therubber ring 51 has a circular cross-section, a rubber ring having a circular cross-section is often twisted due to its shape. In this respect, therubber ring 51 having a substantially D-shaped cross-section as illustrated in this embodiment is not easily twisted. Even if therubber ring 51 having such a D-shaped cross-section is twisted, the plane-shaped portion thereof tends to be in contact with the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and thereby recovery from the twisting is achieved. Moreover, a rubber ring having a circular cross-section, which makes a point-contact with a yarn, may sometimes cause a stick-slip phenomenon so that a yarn breakage occurs due to a fluctuation in the tension. On the other hand, therubber ring 51 having a substantially D-shaped cross-section, which makes a line-contact with a yarn, achieves a stable tension application. As thus far described, a substantially D-shaped cross-section makes therubber ring 51 difficult to be twisted, and additionally causes therubber ring 51 to be in line-contact with a yarn. Therefore, a resistance given to theyarn 20 passing under therubber ring 51 is stabilized. This can prevent theyarn 20 from being stretched and broken, and also enables the windingpart 8 to wind up theyarn 20 with a stable tension. - Next, an enlargement/reduction function of the enlarged/
reduced portion 50 will be described. - As already described, the rotation of the yarn accumulation roller causes a centrifugal force to act on the rubber ring, which enlarges the diameter of the rubber ring. Therefore, in the conventional yarn accumulation device (the configuration shown in
FIG. 11 ), it may be impossible to give an appropriate resistance to the yarn passing through the space between the rubber ring and the yarn accumulation roller. - In the
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment, on the other hand, the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is formed of therubber film 52. Thus, when a centrifugal force acts on the enlarged/reduced portion 50, the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is also enlarged, as shown inFIG. 6 . That is, the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be enlarged and reduced in accordance with the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Therefore, with enlargement in the diameter of therubber ring 51 caused by the centrifugal force, the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 will also be enlarged accordingly. This can prevent therubber ring 51 from being separated from the surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 even during a high-speed rotation. Accordingly, theyarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is able to give an appropriate resistance to theyarn 20 passing through the space between the surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and therubber ring 51 even during a high-speed rotation. - Since separation of the
rubber ring 51 from the surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be prevented during a high-speed rotation as mentioned above, a rubber ring having a smaller squeezing force (a rubber ring having a relatively large diameter) as compared with the configuration shown inFIG. 11 is applicable. Adoption of a rubber ring having a relatively weak squeezing force can avoid a problem that theyarn 20 is stretched and broken due to an excessive increase in the resistance that is given to theyarn 20 during a low-speed rotation (at a time when the centrifugal force is small). - Additionally, with enlargement or reduction in the diameter of the
rubber ring 51, the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is enlarged or reduced accordingly. Therefore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the squeezing force of therubber ring 51 squeezing the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be kept substantially constant irrespective of the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Moreover, the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is enlarged and reduced with a good responsiveness relative to a change in the speed of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Due to these characteristics, a certain type of a mechanical system, which can be called an automatic tension control system, is achieved. Therefore, a tension applied to a portion of theyarn 20 located downstream of theyarn accumulation device 18 can be kept substantially constant irrespective of the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. This makes it easy to control the secondtension applying device 19 such that the tension of theyarn 20 at the downstream side of theyarn accumulation device 18 is kept within a desired range. As a result, the windingpart 8 can form a package with a high quality. - In this embodiment, the concavity/
convexity maintaining rings recess maintaining mechanism 58 are made of an elastic material (made of NBR). This configuration enables the diameters of the concavity/convexity maintaining rings yarn accumulation roller 32. Therefore, the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be enlarged and reduced while the concavity and convexity thereof are maintained by therecess maintaining mechanism 58. Accordingly, irrespective of the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32, the concavity and convexity of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can prevent therubber ring 51 from being dragged by theyarn 20 and consequently detached from the enlarged/reduced portion 50. - In this embodiment, the
recess maintaining ring 56 is bonded to therubber film 52 from the inner side of therubber film 52, such that a portion of therubber film 52 corresponding to therecess 50c does not expand and protrude outward due to a centrifugal force. On the other hand, theprotrusion maintaining rings protrusion maintaining ring 55 is bonded to therubber film 52, and the secondprotrusion maintaining ring 57 is merely arranged inside therubber film 52 and not bonded to therubber film 52. This allows the secondprotrusion maintaining ring 57 to move with a certain amount of freedom in the direction along the rotation axis. Therefore, when therubber film 52 is deformed by the centrifugal force, the secondprotrusion maintaining ring 57 can move to a natural position. - As thus far described, the
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured such that theyarn 20 is wound and accumulated on theyarn accumulation part 37 that is provided on the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32 and such that theyarn 20 is unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37 in the direction along the rotation axis of theyarn accumulation roller 32, and theyarn accumulation device 18 has thetension applying part 38. Thetension applying part 38 is arranged at the unwinding side of theyarn accumulation part 37, and configured to rotate integrally with theyarn accumulation part 37 and in this condition apply a tension to theyarn 20 being unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37. Thetension applying part 38 includes therubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50. Therubber ring 51 is made of an expandable elastic material. The enlarged/reducedportion 50 is provided radially inside therubber ring 51, and configured such that theyarn 20 is nipped between the enlarged/reduced portion 50 and therubber ring 51. The enlarged/reducedportion 50 enlarges or reduces its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. - Nipping the
yarn 20 between therubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50 in this manner can apply a tension to theyarn 20 being unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37. The enlarged/reducedportion 50 is configured to enlarge or reduce its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Accordingly, even in a case where therubber ring 51 expands outward due to a centrifugal force when the speed of rotation increases, therubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be kept in tight contact with each other. Thereby, an appropriate tension can be applied to theyarn 20 during rotations including a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. - The
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured as follows. The enlarged/reducedportion 50 has therecess 50c for restricting movement of therubber ring 51 in the direction of the rotation axis of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Therubber ring 51 is attached in therecess 50c of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. - This can prevent the
rubber ring 51 from being dragged by theyarn 20 pulled out from theyarn accumulation device 18 and consequently detached. - In the
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment, the enlarged/reduced portion 50 has therecess maintaining mechanism 58 for maintaining therecess 50c irrespective of enlargement and reduction in the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. - Accordingly, detachment of the
rubber ring 51 from the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be prevented during both a high-speed rotation and a low-speed rotation. - The
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured as follows. The outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is formed of therubber film 52. Therecess maintaining mechanism 58 includes the concavity/convexity maintaining rings reduced portion 50. The concavity/convexity maintaining rings rubber film 52. - Thus, arranging concavity/convexity maintaining rings having appropriate diameters inside a rubber film can form the
recess 50c in an outer surface of the rubber film 52 (in the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion 50). Since the concavity/convexity maintaining rings convexity maintaining rings reduced portion 50 can be enlarged and reduced while the shape of therecess 50c is maintained. - The
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment is configured as follows. Theyarn accumulation roller 32 has, in its end portion at the unwinding side, thedisk member 39 whose diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 under a state where the rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped. The enlarged/reducedportion 50 is provided between theyarn accumulation part 37 and thedisk member 39. - The
yarn 20 unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37 comes into contact with the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and then is separated away from the enlarged/reduced portion 50, to travel while being guided by thedisk member 39. Guiding theyarn 20 in this manner can reduce the area over which theyarn 20 is in contact with the enlarged/reduced portion 50. This can prevent fluffing of theyarn 20 and a deterioration in the physical properties of theyarn 20. This can also prevent a situation where the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is rubbed by the yarn and damaged when the yarn is pulled out. - In the
yarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment, a portion of therubber ring 51 that cooperates with the enlarged/reduced portion 50 to nip theyarn 20 therebetween is formed as a plane-shaped portion. - This can prevent the
rubber ring 51 from being twisted on the enlarged/reduced portion 50. Thus, a stable tension can be applied to theyarn 20. - The automatic winder of this embodiment includes the
yarn supply part 7, theyarn joining device 14, theyarn accumulation device 18, the secondtension applying device 19, and the windingpart 8 that are arranged in this order along the direction of traveling of the yarn. Theyarn supply part 7 supplies theyarn 20. Theyarn joining device 14 joins the yarn ends that have been disconnected. The secondtension applying device 19 applies a tension to theyarn 20. The windingpart 8 winds theyarn 20 supplied from theyarn supply part 7 and forms a package. Even while theyarn joining device 14 is performing the yarn joining operation, the windingpart 8 is able to continue the winding with the secondtension applying device 19 applying a tension to theyarn 20 unwound from theyarn accumulation device 18. - That is, the
yarn accumulation device 18 is able to apply a constant tension to the yarn that is being unwound during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. This facilitates a tension control performed by the secondtension applying device 19 that is arranged downstream of theyarn accumulation device 18. Additionally, since the windingpart 8 winds theyarn 20 accumulated on theyarn accumulation device 18, the winding operation can be continued without receiving any influence of the yarn joining operation and a fluctuation in the unwinding tension in theyarn supply part 7. - In a case where a yarn having less strength is mixed in a package, the yarn having less strength may cause a yarn breakage during a warper process that is a process subsequent to a rewinding operation performed by the automatic winder. Occurrence of a yarn breakage in the warper process is not preferable, because it leads to a considerable drop in the efficiency of production. Accordingly, it is preferable that such a yarn having less strength is removed during the rewinding operation performed by the automatic winder.
- The automatic winder of this embodiment is able to apply a constant tension to a yarn that is being unwound during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. Therefore, a yarn having less strength, which cannot withstand the constant tension, is cut at a location downstream of the yarn path between the
rubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50. The yarn having been cut is held under a state of being nipped between therubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50. This does not cause a situation where a failure in accumulation (such as slaffing or overflow) occurs because the yarn end ramps around during a period from when the yarn breakage occurs to when theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped. Accordingly, it is possible that, after theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped, the yarn nipped between therubber ring 51 and the enlarged/reduced portion 50 is joined with the yarn of the package side and thus the winding operation is continued. Moreover, occurrence of a yarn breakage due to a yarn having less strength during the warper process can be prevented. - Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
FIG. 7 . In the following description, configuration parts identical or similar to those of the above-described first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals on the drawings as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof may be omitted. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , ayarn accumulation roller 32 provided in ayarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment includes a rollermain part 61 and an extensible movingpart 62 that is arranged at the unwinding side of the rollermain part 61. The extensible movingpart 62 and the rollermain part 61 are coupled by a splinefitting part 63. Thus, the rollermain part 61 and the extensible movingpart 62 are configured to integrally rotate about the axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32, and also to move relative to each other in the direction of the axis line. - The roller
main part 61 includes theyarn accumulation part 37. One axial end portion of therubber film 52 is fixed to the rollermain part 61 side and the other axial end portion thereof is fixed to the extensible movingpart 62 side by appropriate means such as bonding. That is, in this embodiment, therubber film 52 is arranged so as to stretch between the rollermain part 61 and the extensible movingpart 62. - The
yarn accumulation roller 32 of this embodiment is configured to drive the extensible movingpart 62 in the direction of the axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32. A specific description will be given below. In this embodiment, a rotational drive shaft of theroller drive motor 33 is a hollow shaft, and the rollermain part 61 is fixed to this rotational drive shaft. Anextensible drive rod 64 is arranged inside the rotational drive shaft such that the axis line of theextensible drive rod 64 is coincident with the axis line of the rotational drive shaft. - The extensible moving
part 62 is attached via abearing 65 to an end portion of theextensible drive rod 64 at the unwinding side. On the other hand, afeed screw 66 is formed in an end portion of theextensible drive rod 64 at the base end side. Theyarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment includes anextension drive part 67 for moving theextensible drive rod 64 in the direction of the axis line by means of the feed screw mechanism. The operation of theextension drive part 67 is controlled by thecontrol part 25. The extension drivepart 67 is appropriately controlled with the above-described configuration, and thereby the extensible movingpart 62 can be moved in the direction of the axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32. - This can change the degree of stretch of the
rubber film 52 extending between the rollermain part 61 and the extensible movingpart 62. Therefore, the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 can be changed. Moving the extensible movingpart 62 in a direction that increases the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 increases the squeezing force of therubber ring 51 squeezing the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and as a result, a resistance given to theyarn 20 can be made larger. On the other hand, moving the extensible movingpart 62 in a direction that decreases the outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50 weakens the squeezing force of therubber ring 51 squeezing the enlarged/reduced portion 50, and as a result, a resistance given to theyarn 20 can be made smaller. - Since a resistance given to the
yarn 20 can be increased and reduced in this manner, a tension applied to a portion of the yarn located downstream of theyarn accumulation device 181 can be appropriately adjusted. Accordingly, appropriately controlling theextension drive part 67 by means of thecontrol part 25 during, for example, the yarn winding operation, enables a tension applied to a portion of theyarn 20 located downstream of theyarn accumulation device 18 to be changed as needed depending on the situation. - As thus far described, the
yarn accumulation device 181 of this embodiment includes theextension drive part 67 for enlarging and reducing the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion 50. - This enables a tension applied to the yarn to be not only kept constant but also increased or reduced.
- Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
FIG. 8 . In the following description, configuration parts identical or similar to those of the above-described first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals on the drawings as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof may be omitted. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , in ayarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment, atension applying part 381 is arranged at the unwinding side of theyarn accumulation part 37, and configured to rotate in synchronization with theyarn accumulation part 37 and in this condition apply a tension to theyarn 20 being unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37. More specifically, thetension applying part 381 includes a first ring-shaped rubber plate (first ring-shaped elastic element) 70 and asynchronized rotation member 71. The first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 is mounted to theyarn accumulation roller 32, and configured to rotate integrally with theyarn accumulation roller 32. Thesynchronized rotation member 71 is arranged radially outside theyarn accumulation roller 32, and configured to rotate in synchronization with theyarn accumulation roller 32. - The
synchronized rotation member 71 is supported on abearing 72, and freely rotatable with its rotation axis being coincident with the rotation axis of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Amagnet 73 is arranged in theyarn accumulation roller 32. Thesynchronized rotation member 71 has amagnet 74 that is arranged opposed to themagnet 73. In this configuration, when theyarn accumulation roller 32 is driven in rotation by theroller drive motor 33, a magnetic force occurring between themagnet 73 and themagnet 74 causes thesynchronized rotation member 71 to rotate in synchronization with theyarn accumulation roller 32. - A second ring-shaped rubber plate (second ring-shaped elastic element) 75 is mounted to the
synchronized rotation member 71. To be more specific, when seen in a cross-section (seeFIGS. 8 and9 ) cut along a plane extending through the axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32, one end of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 is fixed to thesynchronized rotation member 71. When seen in this cross-section, the other end of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 is free. An end portion of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 at this free side will be referred to as a free end of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75. - On the other hand, the first ring-shaped
rubber plate 70 is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32 in the following manner. That is, when seen in a cross-section (seeFIGS. 8 and9 ) cut along a plane extending through the axis line of theyarn accumulation roller 32, one end of the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. When seen in this cross-section, the other end of the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 is free. An end portion of the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 at this free side will be referred to as a free end of the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70. - The
synchronized rotation member 71 has acylindrical member 76 that is arranged radially outside the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 and opposed to the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70. - The first ring-shaped
rubber plate 70 is arranged such that the free end of the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 is not in contact with an inner circumferential surface of thecylindrical member 76 under a state where the rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped. The second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 is arranged such that the free end of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32 under a state where the rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped. - The
yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that, when the yarn accumulated on theyarn accumulation part 37 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32, the yarn passes through a space between the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 and the inner circumferential surface of thecylindrical member 76 and a space between the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 and the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. - In this configuration, during a low-speed rotation, the outer circumferential surface of the
yarn accumulation roller 32 and the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 are in contact with each other as shown inFIG. 9 . Therefore, the yarn being unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32 in a state of being nipped between the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32 and the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75. In other words, during a low-speed rotation, the yarn pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32 is given a resistance by the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32 and the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75. - However, when the speed of rotation of the
yarn accumulation roller 32 increases, the free end of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 rises up from the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32 due to a centrifugal force, to make it impossible that theyarn 20 is nipped between the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 and the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Accordingly, theyarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that the free end of the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 opens radially outward and comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of thecylindrical member 76 at the speed of rotation equal to the speed of rotation at which the free end of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 rises up from the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. - Under a state where the second ring-shaped
rubber plate 75 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of thecylindrical member 76, when theyarn 20 unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37 is pulled out from theyarn accumulation roller 32, theyarn 20 is nipped between the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 and the inner circumferential surface of thecylindrical member 76, as shown inFIG. 10 . In other words, during a high-speed rotation, theyarn 20 pulled out from the yarn accumulation roller is given a resistance by the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 and the inner circumferential surface of thecylindrical member 76. - In the above-described manner, the
yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that theyarn 20 is nipped by the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 during a low-speed rotation and when the speed of rotation increases so that a centrifugal force increases, theyarn 20 is nipped by the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 instead of the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75. Since the member that gives a resistance to theyarn 20 is changed in accordance with the speed of rotation, an appropriate resistance can be given to the yarn during both a high-speed rotation and a low-speed rotation. - As thus far described, the
yarn accumulation device 182 of this embodiment is configured such that theyarn 20 is wound and accumulated on theyarn accumulation part 37 that is provided on the outer circumferential surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32 and theyarn 20 is unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37 in the direction along the rotation axis of theyarn accumulation roller 32, and theyarn accumulation device 182 has thetension applying part 381. Thetension applying part 381 is arranged at the unwinding side of theyarn accumulation part 37, and configured to rotate integrally with theyarn accumulation part 37 and in this condition apply a tension to theyarn 20 being unwound from theyarn accumulation part 37. Thetension applying part 381 includes the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70, thesynchronized rotation member 71, the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75, and thecylindrical member 76. The first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 is mounted on the surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. Thesynchronized rotation member 71 is arranged radially outside theyarn accumulation roller 32, and configured to rotate in synchronization with theyarn accumulation roller 32. The second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 is provided to thesynchronized rotation member 71. Thecylindrical member 76 is provided to thesynchronized rotation member 71 such that thecylindrical member 76 is opposed, from the radially outside, to the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70. Under a state where theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stopped, the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 is not in contact with thecylindrical member 76 while the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 is in contact with the surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. When the yarn accumulated on theyarn accumulation part 37 is unwound, theyarn 20 passes through a space between the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 and thecylindrical member 76 and a space between the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 and the surface of theyarn accumulation roller 32. - In this configuration, during a low-speed rotation of the
yarn accumulation roller 32, a tension is applied to the yarn by the surface of theyarn 20accumulation roller 32 and the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75. In a high-speed rotation of theyarn accumulation roller 32, a force acting in a direction that separates the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 away from theyarn accumulation roller 32 is caused by a centrifugal force, and therefore the second ring-shapedrubber plate 75 can no longer apply an appropriate tension to theyarn 20. However, in a range of the high-speed rotation, the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 is pressed to thecylindrical member 76 due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, during a high-speed rotation, a tension is applied to theyarn 20 by the first ring-shapedrubber plate 70 and thecylindrical member 76. Thus, an appropriate tension can be applied to theyarn 20 during both a low-speed rotation and a high-speed rotation. - While some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described configurations can be changed, for example, as follows.
- Although NBR is used for the elastic material, this is not limiting. Any material is adoptable for the elastic material of the present invention, as long as the material possesses an adequate elasticity and an adequate durability.
- In the above-described embodiment, the
recess maintaining mechanism 58 includes a plurality of concavity/convexity maintaining rings rubber film 52. Here, since therubber film 52 expands outward due to a centrifugal force, it is possible to form thefirst protrusion 50a and thesecond protrusion 50b by means of this centrifugal force. That is, even in a case of not providing theprotrusion maintaining rings protrusion maintaining rings - Although the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion is configured with ring-shaped members being arranged inside the
rubber film 52, this is not limiting. It may be also acceptable that therubber film 52 and concavity/convexity maintaining rings are integrated. For example, a ring-shaped thick portion may be formed inside therubber film 52. Alternatively, it may be also acceptable that a toughened portion capable of maintaining a recess shape and a protruding shape is provided in the enlarged/reduced portion 50. so that a recess and a protrusion are formed and maintained. - It is not always necessary that each winder unit 2 includes the
control part 25. and instead a plurality of winder units may be controlled by a single control part. In the configuration described above, thesingle control part 25 collectively controls a plurality of members. However, this is not limiting. For example, an individual control part may be provided corresponding to each member to be controlled. - It may be acceptable to omit the second
tension applying device 19. In this case as well, in theyarn accumulation device 18 of this embodiment, the tension of the yarn being unwound from theyarn accumulation roller 32 is stabilized irrespective of the speed of rotation. Therefore, stable winding is achieved in the windingpart 8. - In the described configuration, the
control part 25 is composed of hardware and software. However, it may be acceptable that the function of thecontrol part 25 is partially or wholly implemented by hardware dedicated therefor. - In the embodiments described above, the winder unit 2 feeds the
yarn supply bobbin 21 by means of thebobbin feeder 26 of magazine type. However, this configuration is not limiting. For example, in a possible alternative configuration, a tray having theyarn supply bobbin 21 set thereon may be transported along an appropriate path, to thereby feed theyarn supply bobbin 21 to the winder unit 2. - In the embodiments described above, the winding
part 8 is configured to traverse theyarn 20 by means of thetraverse drum 24. Instead, for example, an arm-type traverse mechanism may be adopted to traverse theyarn 20. - In the embodiments described above, the automatic winder is configured to guide a yarn by blowing off the yarn toward the
yarn joining device 14. However, this is not limiting. For example, it may be also acceptable that the automatic winder is configured to suck and catch the yarn of theyarn supply bobbin 21 and the yarn existing on theyarn accumulation roller 32 and guide the yarns thus sucked and caught to theyarn joining device 14 by means of appropriate drive means. - The present invention is not limited to an automatic winder, and the present invention is applicable to other types of yarn winding machines including a yarn joining device.
-
- 18
- yarn accumulation device (first embodiment)
- 181
- yarn accumulation device (second embodiment)
- 182
- yarn accumulation device (third embodiment)
- 32
- yarn accumulation roller (rotating element)
- 37
- yarn accumulation part
- 38
- tension applying part
- 39
- disk member
- 50
- enlarged/reduced portion
- 51
- rubber ring (ring member)
- 52
- rubber film (elastic film)
- 55, 56, 57
- concavity/convexity maintaining ring (concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion)
- 58
- recess maintaining mechanism
- 70
- first ring-shaped rubber film (first ring-shaped elastic element)
- 71
- synchronized rotation member
- 75
- second ring-shaped rubber film (second ring-shaped elastic element)
- 76
- cylindrical member
Claims (9)
- A yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) configured to wind and accumulate a yarn on a yarn accumulation part (37) that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a rotating element (32), the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part (37) in a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating element (32),
the yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) including a tension applying part (38) arranged at an unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part (37), the tension applying part (38) being configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part (37) and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part (37),
characterized in that the tension applying part (38) includes:a ring member (51) made of an expandable elastic material; an enlarged/reduced portion (50) provided radially inside the ring member (51), and configured such that the yarn is nipped between the enlarged/reduced portion (50) and the ring member (51),the enlarged/reduced portion (50) being configured to enlarge or reduce its diameter in accordance with the speed of rotation of the rotating element (32). - The yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) according to claim 1, characterized in that
a recess (50c) for restricting movement of the ring member (51) in a direction of the rotation axis of the rotating element (32) is provided in the enlarged/reduced portion (50),
the ring member (51) is attached in the recess of the enlarged/reduced portion (50). - The yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) according to claim 2, characterized in that
the enlarged/reduced portion (50) has a recess maintaining mechanism (58) for maintaining the recess (50) irrespective of enlargement and reduction in the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion (50). - The yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) according to claim 3, characterized in that
an outer circumferential surface of the enlarged/reduced portion (50) is constituted of an elastic film (52) made of a film-like elastic material,
the recess maintaining mechanism (58) includes a concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion (55, 56, 57) that is formed along a circumferential direction of the enlarged/reduced portion (50),
the concavity/convexity maintaining ring portion (55, 56, 57) is made of an elastic material, and arranged inside the elastic film (52). - The yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that
a disk member (39) is provided in an end portion of the rotating element (32) at the unwinding side, the disk member (39) having a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion (50) under a state where the rotating element (32) is stopped,
the enlarged/reduced portion (50) is provided between the yarn accumulation part (37) and the disk member (39). - The yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that
a portion of the ring member (51) that cooperates with the enlarged/reduced portion (50) to nip the yarn therebetween is formed as a plane-shaped portion. - The yarn accumulation device (182) according to any one of claims I to 6, characterized in that
a drive part (67) for enlarging or reducing the diameter of the enlarged/reduced portion (50) is provided. - A yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) configured to wind and accumulate a yarn on a yarn accumulation part (37) that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a rotating element (32), the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part (37) in a direction along a rotation axis of the rotating element (32),
the yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) including a tension applying part (38) arranged at an unwinding side of the yarn accumulation part (37), the tension applying part (38) being configured to rotate in synchronization with the yarn accumulation part (37) and in this condition apply a tension to the yarn being unwound from the yarn accumulation part (37),
characterized in that
the tension applying part (38) includes:a first ring-shaped elastic element (70) mounted on a surface of the rotating element (32);a synchronized rotation member (71) arranged radially outside the rotating element (32), and configured to rotate in synchronization with the rotating element (32);a second ring-shaped elastic element (75) provided to the synchronized rotation member (71); anda cylindrical member (76) provided to the synchronized rotation member (71) such that the cylindrical member (76) is opposed, from the radially outside, to the first ring-shaped elastic element (70),under a state where the rotating element (32) is stopped, the first ring-shaped elastic element (70) is not in contact with the cylindrical member (76) while the second ring-shaped elastic element (75) is in contact with the surface of the rotating element (32), under a state where the rotating element (32) is rotating at high speed, the first ring-shaped elastic element (70) is in contact with the cylindrical member (76) while the second ring-shaped elastic element (75) is not in contact with the surface of the rotating element (32),
when the yarn accumulated on the yarn accumulation part (37) is unwound, the yarn passes through a space between the first ring-shaped elastic element (70) and the cylindrical member (76) and a space between the second ring-shaped elastic element (75) and the surface of the rotating element (76). - A yarn winding machine (2) comprising the yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by
the yarn winding machine (2) including a yarn supply part (7) that supplies a yarn, a yarn joining device (14) that joins yarn ends that have been disconnected, the yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182), a tension applying device (12) that applies a tension to the yarn, and a winding part (8) that winds the yarn supplied from the yarn supply part (7) and forms a package (30), the yarn supply part (7), the yarn joining device (14), the yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182), the tension applying device (12), and the winding part (8) being arranged in this order along a direction of traveling of the yarn,
even while the yarn joining device (14) is performing a yarn joining operation, the winding part (8) is able to continue winding with the tension applying device (12) applying a tension to the yarn unwound from the yarn accumulation device (18; 181; 182).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2011024152A JP5804306B2 (en) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-02-07 | Yarn storage device and yarn winding machine |
PCT/JP2011/006976 WO2012107984A1 (en) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-12-14 | Yarn storage device and yarn winding device |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2674378A1 EP2674378A1 (en) | 2013-12-18 |
EP2674378A4 EP2674378A4 (en) | 2014-07-23 |
EP2674378B1 true EP2674378B1 (en) | 2015-07-22 |
Family
ID=46638227
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11858180.0A Not-in-force EP2674378B1 (en) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-12-14 | Yarn storage device and yarn winding device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2674378B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5804306B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103354798B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012107984A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2016016969A (en) * | 2014-07-10 | 2016-02-01 | 村田機械株式会社 | Yarn storage device, yarn take-up unit, and yarn take-up machine |
JP2016044016A (en) * | 2014-08-21 | 2016-04-04 | 村田機械株式会社 | Yarn winding machine and automatic winder |
JP2016055985A (en) * | 2014-09-10 | 2016-04-21 | 村田機械株式会社 | Yarn winder |
JP2016079023A (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2016-05-16 | 村田機械株式会社 | Yarn winder |
JP7465740B2 (en) * | 2019-07-30 | 2024-04-11 | Tmtマシナリー株式会社 | Adapter and package exchange device |
CN112359449A (en) * | 2020-09-26 | 2021-02-12 | 周婷婷 | Intelligent manufacturing installation is prevented absolutely by yarn for spinning |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH571601A5 (en) * | 1973-02-20 | 1976-01-15 | Skf Kugellagerfabriken Gmbh | |
DE2743749C3 (en) * | 1977-09-29 | 1984-10-11 | SIPRA Patententwicklungs-und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, 7000 Stuttgart | Yarn storage and delivery device for textile machines |
JPS5924058B2 (en) * | 1977-12-08 | 1984-06-06 | 東レ株式会社 | Storage yarn feeding device |
ES2009817B3 (en) | 1987-04-11 | 1989-10-16 | Sobrevin Soc De Brevets Industriels-Etablissement | HIL SUPPLY DEVICE |
US5388747A (en) * | 1993-06-03 | 1995-02-14 | Chen; Jen-Hui | Positive yarn feeding device |
SE9400248D0 (en) * | 1994-01-26 | 1994-01-26 | Iro Ab | Controllable output brake for yarn feed device for textile machines, in particular projectile or gripper-type weaving machines |
JP3944727B2 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2007-07-18 | 村田機械株式会社 | Yarn splicing device for different types of yarn |
JP2010077576A (en) | 2008-09-29 | 2010-04-08 | Murata Machinery Ltd | Spinning machine |
JP5190703B2 (en) * | 2008-12-24 | 2013-04-24 | 村田機械株式会社 | Yarn winding device and automatic winder |
-
2011
- 2011-02-07 JP JP2011024152A patent/JP5804306B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-12-14 EP EP11858180.0A patent/EP2674378B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2011-12-14 WO PCT/JP2011/006976 patent/WO2012107984A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-12-14 CN CN201180067066.7A patent/CN103354798B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP5804306B2 (en) | 2015-11-04 |
JP2012162362A (en) | 2012-08-30 |
CN103354798A (en) | 2013-10-16 |
WO2012107984A1 (en) | 2012-08-16 |
EP2674378A4 (en) | 2014-07-23 |
CN103354798B (en) | 2015-04-15 |
EP2674378A1 (en) | 2013-12-18 |
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