AUTOMATIC PICKING CONTROLLING METHOD

Abstract: The present invention relates to a picking device for a fluid jet loom and, more particularly, to an automatic picking controlling method for automatically controlling the operation of at least the subnozzle groups in a jetting pattern selected on the basis of the actual running mode of a picked weft yarn. A plurality of typical jetting patterns respectively corresponding to different running modes of the picked weft yarn for controlling at least the subnozzle groups are stored previously in a storage unit, the running mode of the picked weft yarn is detected in a detecting process, a jetting pattern meeting the actual running mode among those stored in the storage unit is read, and the operation of the subnozzle groups is controlled in the jetting pattern for a predetermind period.

Description: The present invention relates to a picking device for a fluid jet loom and, more particularly, to a method of automatically controlling the respective jet patterns of subnozzle groups according to the actual running condition of a picked weft yarn. Relevant in this field of the art is the GB-A-2027945, which discloses a loom having electronic control systems which control the loom independent of on the angular position of the main Shaft. Reflecting additional prior art to this invention is the EP-A-0 114 047 which describes a similar apparatus as the one used in this invention for inserting selected weft threads, comprising the same subnozzles. Additionally U.S. Patent No. 4,595,039 and EPO publication No. 0164773 (U.S. Patent No. 4,673,004) disclose an invention relating to automatically controlling the jetting period from the start to the end of jetting operation of subnozzle groups on the basis of the result of operation based on measured weft yarn arrival time measured on the weft yarn arrival side of a loom. This prior invention regulates the jetting condition of the subnozzle groups according to the actual running state of a picked weft yarn, particularly, the running speed of a picked weft yarn, and hence stable picking operation is achieved constantly. However, since this prior invention requires a complicated arithmetic operation by a microcomputer according to a complicated program for every controlling operation, load on the microcomputer increases excessively when the microcomputer is used also for executing other control operations for controling the loom and restrictions are placed on programming realtime control processes. It was found from experiments carried out by the applicant of the present patent application that the variation of the running condition of a picked weft yarn is not complicated and that the running condition can be classified into several typical running modes. This fact shows that not complicated arithmetic operation for every running mode of a picked weft yarn is necessary for every picking operation and suggest that practically optimum picking operation can be achieved by controlling the jetting operation of the subnozzle groups in several typical jetting patterns regardless of the variation of the physical properties of the weft yarn. The picking device of an air jet loom pickes a weft yarn into a shed by a main nozzle and assists the picked weft yarn in running across the shed by a pluarlity of subnozzles. Ordinarily, the subnozzles are divided into a plurality of subnozzle groups along the running path of the picked weft yarn and the subnozzle groups operate sequentially. The jetting pattern of the subnozzle groups represented by jet starting time, jet ending time and jet period influences directly to the running position of a picked weft yarn. Therefore, the running speed of the picked weft yarn must be taken into consideration in determining the jetting pattern. If the operation of the subnozle groups is controlled in an inappropriate jetting pattern, the picked weft yarn is unable to run stably, the picked weft yarn will not be inserted satisfactorily, and compressed air is consumed excessively deteriorating the energy economy of the loom. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to regulate at lest the jetting operation of the subnozzle groups of a picking device of a fluid jet loom in a practically optimum condition in a pluraltiy of typical jetting patterns without requiring a complicated arithmetic operation in an actual picking control process. According to the present invention, a plurality of typical jetting patterns respectively for running modes of picked weft yarns are stored previously in a memory, the running condition of a picked weft yarn is detected during an actual picking operation, a jetting pattern suitable for the running condition of the picked weft yarn is read from the memory, and the jetting operation of the subnozzle groups is controlled on the basis of the jetting pattern for a predetermined period after reading the jetting pattern. Accordingly, at least the subnozzle groups jet picking fluid sequentially in the optimum jetting pattern according to the actual running mode of the picked weft yarn. This jetting pattern is stored in the memory as a specific data every picking starting phase angle and/or evey picking ending phase angle, and an appropriate jetting pattern among those stored in the memory is used according to the actual running condition of a picked weft yarn. The actual running condition of a picked weft yarn is determined on the basis of the running speed of the picked weft yarn by detecting the picking starting phase angle or the picking ending phase angle. According to the present invention, when the running characteristics of a picked weft yarn vary due to the variation of the physical properties of the weft yarn, the jetting pattern of the subnozzle groups is regulated automatically to an optimum jetting pattern according to the variation of the actual running characteristics of the picked weft yarn. Therefore, troubles such as short pick, slack pick and chip trouble are prevented, stable picking operation is carried out constantly and energy can be saved through the elimination of useless jetting of compressed air. Furthermore, the automatic picking controlling method of the present invention flexibly applies also to a control system in which the picking starting phase angle and the picking completion phase angle, i.e., the weft yarn arrival phase angle, are fixed. Accordingly, the optimum control of the picking device of a fluid jet loom can be achieved by the automatic picking controlling method of the present invention in combination with such a control system. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a picking device; Fig. 2 is a graph of assistance in explaining the running characteristics of picked weft yarns; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a controller for carrying out an automatic picking controlling method, in a first embodiment, according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a graph of assistance in explaining the running characteristics of picked weft yarn picked by a picking device controlled by an automatic picking controlling method, in a second embodiment, according to the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a controller for carrying out an automatic picking controlling method, in a third embodiment, according to the present invention. A picking device 1 to be controlled by an automatic picking controlling method of the present invention as applied to an air jet loom will be described with reference to Fig. 1 prior to the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. A weft yarn 2 drawn out from a yarn package 3 is passed through a rotary yarn guide 4. The weft yarn 2 is wound around a stationary measuring and storing drum (hereinafter referred to simply as "drum") 5 by the rotary motion of the rotary yarn guide 4 for measuring and storing the weft yarn 2 while a stopper pin 6 is projected to hold the free end of the weft yarn 2 on the circumference of the measuring and storing drum 5. In starting picking operation, the stopper pin 6 is retracted from the circumference of the drum 5 to release the weft yarn 2 from the drum 5, the weft yarn 2 stored on the drum 5 is unwound and is picked into a shed 8 together with a jet of air by a main nozzle 7. The weft yarn 2 thus picked is assisted for running along a running path by jets of air sent out from n groups of subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n which operate sequentially and is extended tight in the shed 8. During the picking operation, the completion of the picking operation is confirmed by detecting the arrival of the exremity of the picked weft yarn 2 by a weft yarn detector 9 disposed at a weft yarn arrival end of the air jet loom. To supply compressed air to the subnozzles 41, 42, through a regulator 11 and a tank 12, and respectively through two-position valves 51, 52, ..., and 5n by an air supply line 13 having branch lines to the inlets of the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n. The two-position valves 51, 52, ..., and 5n are electromagnetic valves which are controlled individually by a controller 20 according to an automatic picking controlling method of the present invention. The inputs of the controller 20 is connected to the weft yarn detector 9 and a phase angle detector 15 connected to the main shaft 14 of the air jet loom. Thus, the weft yarn 2 is picked constantly at a fixed picking starting phase angle together with air by the main nozzle 7, is assisted for running along the running path by the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n which are actuated sequentially, and arrives at an arriving position on the weft yarn arrival side. Referring to Fig. 2, resistance against drawing out the weft yarn 2 varies according to the variation of the condition of the yarn package 3 which occurs when the yarn package 3 is changed for another, the variation of the physical properties of the weft yarn 2 or the vaiation of the size of the yarn package 3. Accordingly, the running mode, paritcularly, the running speed, of the picked weft yarn 2 is always variable even if the picking condition of the picking device 1 is constant. When the picked weft yarn 2 runs at a standard running speed, the picked weft yarn 2 arrives at the weft yarn detector 9 at a fixed standard picking completion phase angle, i.e., a fixed standard arrival phase angle, as indicated by a straight line A in Fig. 2. When the running speed is lower than the standard running speed, the arrival phase angle is greater than the standard arrival phase angle as indicated by a straight line B in Fig. 2. When the running speed of the picked weft yarn 2 is higher than the standard running speed, the arrival phase angle is smaller than the standard arrival phase angle as indicated by a straight line C in Fig. 2. While the picked weft yarn 2 is running, the n groups of subnozzles 41, 42, ..., 4n are operated individually and sequntially respectively for predetermined ranges of phase angle as shown in Fig. 2 for the standard running mode of thepicked weft yarn 2 indicated by the straight line A to jet air along the running direction of the picked weft yarn 2 to assist the picked weft yarn 2 for running. An optimum jet period, namely, an optimum jet duration defined by an optimum startng phase angle and an optimum jet ending phase angle, must properly be changed in response to the change of the running mode from the standard running mode represented by the straight line A to the advanced running mode represented by the straight line B or to the retarded running mode represented by the straight line C. If the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n are not properly operated sequentially, the picked weft yarn 2 is encountered by a chip trouble, is untwisted due to exposure to the jet of air for an excessively long period resulting in short pick or is slackned and not extended tight in the shed 8 for unstable vibratory running due to an insufficient jet period. Fig. 3 shows the essential components of a controller 20, i.e., a computerized controller, for carrying out the picking controlling method of the present invention in an electrical block diagram. The controller 20 comprises a phase angle detecting unit 16 for detecting the phase angle of the main shaft 14 of the air jet loom, an average calculating unit 17, a selecting unit 18, a storage unit 19, a driving unit 21 for driving the two-position valves 51, 52, ..., and 5n, and a control unit 22 for controlling those component units on the basis of a control program for carrying out the picking controlling method of the present invention. The weft yarn detector 9 and the phase angle detector 15 are connected to the inputs of the phase angle detecting unit 16. The phase angle detecting unit 16 is connected through the average calculataing unit 17 to one of the inputs of the selecting unit 18. The selecting unit 18 has inputs connected to the memories 61, 62, ..., and 6n of the storage unit 19, and an output connected to the driving unit 21. The driving unit 21 has an input connected to the phase angle detector 16, and outputs connected to the respective manipulators of the two-position valves 51, 52, ..., and 5n. First Embodiment Operation of the controller 20 on the basis of the control program for carrying out the automatic picking controlling method will be described hereinafter. First in a storing step, the operator stores data of jetting patterns represented each by a picking completion phase angle on the basis of typical running characteristics of picked weft yarns 2 in the memories 61, 62, ..., and 6n of the storage unit 19 for every arrival phase angle. During the weaving operation of the air jet loom, the control unit 22 reads a standard jetting pattern (arrival phase angle = 200°) from the memory 61 and controls the driving unit 21 to open the two-position valves 51, 52, ..., and 5n sequentially respectively for predetermined jetting periods according to the standard jetting pattern so that the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n operates sequentially in that order. Meanwhile, in a phase angle detecting step, the phase angle detecting unit 16 receives a phase angle signal representing a phase angle of the main shaft 14 at the arrival of the picked weft yarn 2 at the weft yarn detector 9 every sampling cylce from the phase angle detector 15 upon the reception of an weft yarn arrival signal from the weft yarn detector 9, and then applies the phase angle signal to the avergae calculating unit 17. Then, the average calculating unit 17 operates the input phase angle signals every calculating cycle, for example, a predtermined number of turns of the main shaft 14 or a predtermined time interval, to calculate an average arrial phase angle, which is applied as an actual picking completion phase angle to the selecting unit 18. Then, in a selecting step, upon the reception of an instruction from the control unit 22, the selecting unit 18 reads a jetting pattern corresponding to the avereage arrival phase angle from one of the memories 61, 62, ..., and 6n of the storage unit 19. Suppose that the average arrival phase angle is, for example, 210°, the selecting unit 18 reads the data of the jetting pattern from the memory 62 storing data for a phase angle 210° and applies the data to the driving unit 21. Then, in an operating step, the driving unit 21 stores the jeting pattern (205° < arrival phase angle ≦ 215°) selected by the selecting unit 18 for the period of the sampling cycle, and opens the two-position valves 51, 52, ..., and 5n sequentially upon the coincidence of the phase angles of the main shaft 14 respectively with operating phase angles defined by the jetting pattern so that the two-position valves 51, 52, ..., and 5n are opened sequentially in that order respectively for predetermined jetting periods to jet compressed air sequentially from the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n. Thus, the picked weft yarn 2 is assisted for running by jets of air sent out from the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n so that the picked weft yarn 2 will run in a stable running position and will arrive at the weft yarn detector 9 at the average arrival phase angle. The arrival phase angle can indirectly be detected on the starting side. Suppose, for example, that four loops of the weft yarn 2 needs to be unwound from the drum 5 for every picking cycle. Then, a phase angle of the main shaft 14 at a moment when the fourth loop of the weft yarn 2 is unwound from the drum is a phase angle slightly before the arrival phase angle. Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the picking starting phase angle is, as a rule, fixed and the jetting pattern is changed selectively according to the variation of the average arrival phase angle. This jetting pattern selecting mode is applicable also to automatically controlling the picking starting phase angle in order to enable the picked weft yarn 2 to arrive at a fixed arrival phase angle. According to prior inventions disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 60-136379, Japanese Patent Application No. 61-221225 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 60-259652, the jet starting phase angle of the main nozzle 7 or the stopping pin retraction starting phase angle is controlled for automatically controlling the picking starting phase angle to fix the arrival phase angle. If such a control operation is implemented effectively, the standard running characteristics of the picked weft yarn 2 indicated by a straight line A shown in Fig. 4 will vary as indicated by straight lines D and E in Fig. 4. Accordingly, in such a control operation, an optimum jetting pattern must be dependent on the picking starting phase angle. To control the jetting pattern in relation to the picking starting phase angle, the picking starting phase angle may be determined through the detection of the running starting phase angle at which a picked weft yarn 2 starts running by the weft yarn detector 9 disposed, for example, near the extremity of the main nozzle 7 or the picking starting phase angle may be represented by a jet strting phase angle of the main nozzle or a retraction starting phase angle of the stopper pin 6 determined through automatic control operation. Naturally, the memories 61, 62, ..., and 6n of the storage unit 19 stores a plurality of jetting patterns respectively for different picking starting phase angles, when the picking starting phase angle is thus controlled. In the first embodiment, when the control program is designed so as to translate the straight lines B and C along the axis of phase angle in Fig. 2 to bring the actual arrival phase angle into coincidence with the starndard arrival angle, the picking completion phase angle coincides always with the standard arrival phyase angle. Accordingly, the automatic picking controlling method of the present invention, as well as the known method mentioned above, is able to control the picking device so that the picking operation is completed at a fixed arrival phase angle. Third Embodiment As will be understood from the first and second embodiments, the running mode of a picked weft yarn 2 relates substantially to the running speed, and the running mode is represented by the arrival phase angle when the picking starting phase angle is fixed or by the picking starting phase angle when the arrival phase angle is fixed. However, when both the picking starting phase angle and the picking completion phase angle vary during the picking operation, it is possible to represent the running mode of a picked weft yarn by both the picking starting phase angle and the picking completion phase angle detected simultaneously, and to select a jetting pattern corresponding to the picking starting phase angle and the picking completion phase angle from the storage unit 19. In such a case, the memories 61, 62, ..., 6n of the storage unit 19 stores a plurality of different jetting patterns respecitvely for different combinations of the pikcing starting phase angle and the picking completion phase angle. Fourth Embodiment The foregoing first, second and third embodiments have been described as applied to controlling single-color picking operation. Naturally, the present invention is applicable also to controlling multicolor picking operation. Fig. 5 shows a controller for the automatic control of picking operation using a plurality of weft yarns 2. Referring to Fig. 5, the output signal of the weft yarn detector 9 disposed on the arrival side is applied selectively to a phase angle detecting unit 16 corresponding to a picked weft yarn 2 through the AND gate 71, 72, ..., and 7n of a first gate unit 24 which is controlled by a yarn selecting unit 23. One of the two inputs of each of AND gates 81, 82, ..., and 8n of a second gate unit 25 is connected to the yarn selecting unit 23, and the other input of the same is connected to a control unit 201, 202, ..., or 20n corresponding thereto. Upon the reception of a yarn selection signal from the yarn selecting unit 23, the AND gate 81, 82, ..., or 8n applies a signal provided by the corresponding control unit 201, 202, ..., or 20n through an OR gate 26 to a driving unit 21. Then, the driving unit 21 operates so that the subnozzles operate sequentially in a jetting pattern specific to the relevant picked weft yarn among the plurality of weft yarns. Naturally, the operating modes of the control units 201, 202, ..., and 20n may be the same as any one of the operating modes of the control units of the first, second and third embodiments, or may be different from each other and the same as those of the first, second and third embodiments depending on the type of the related weft yarns. Fifth Embodiment In the foregoing embodiments, at least the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n are the principal objectives of the control operation. However, the objectives of the control operation are not limited to the subnozzles 41, 42, ..., and 4n, but may include, for example the main nozzle 7 or a stretching nozzzle disposed on the arrival side. Furthermore, the retraction starting phase angle at which the stopper pin 6 is retracted may be controlled to fix the arrival phase angle. Althugh the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that many variations and chagnes are possible in the invention without departing from the scope thereof. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims: An automatic picking controlling method for controlling the picking operation of a picking device (1) having a main nozzle (7) for picking a weft yarn (2) by a jet of fluid, a plurality of subnozzles (41, 42, ... and 4n) which assist a picked weft yarn (2) for running along a running path by jets of fluid and means for controlling the duration of operation of the subnozzles (41, 42, ... and 4n), characterized by: a storing process for previously storing a plurality of accessible jetting patterns corresponding to the running characteristics of the picked weft yarn (2) for each of groups of the subnozzles (41, 42, ..., and 4n); a detecting process for detecting the actual running mode of the different types of the picked weft yarn (2) as an actual picking starting phase angle and/or a picking completion phase angle during picking operation; a reading process for selectively reading a jetting pattern corresponding of the actual running mode among the previously stored jetting patterns; and a controlling process for controlling the operation and duration of operation of the subnozzles (41, 42, ... and 4n) according to the selected jetting pattern. An automatic picking controlling method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in multicolor picking operation, the respective actual running modes of different types of weft yarns are detected individually in said detecting process, and a plurality of jetting patterns respectively for the different types of weft yarns are read selectively and individually in said reading process. An automatic picking controlling method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the actual running mode of the picked weft yarn is represented by an actual picking completion phase angle detected in said detecting process when the picking starting phase angle is fixed. An automatic picking controlling method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the actual running mode is represented by an actual picking starting phase angle detected in said detecting process when the picking completion phase angle is fixed. An automatic picking controlling method according to claim 2, characterized in that the actual running mode of the picked weft yarn is represented by an actual picking completion phase angle and an actual picking starting phase angle detected in said detecting process.

Inventors: TAKEGAWA, YUJIRO
Applicants: TSUDAKOMA CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: D03D47
IPC codes: D03D47