YARN PROCESSING SYSTEM

Abstract: In a yarn processing system including a textile machine (M), accessory equipment (A) along yarn channels (C) extending towards said textile machine (M), a computerised control and monitoring network arrangement with network participating electronic devices (D) and at least one control unit (CU), said network arrangement having at least one DC-power supply line to said devices and said control unit and message transmission paths inter-linking said control unit and said devices, said message transmission paths are combined in a common message transmission bus which is constituted by the conductive part (17) of the DC-power supply line (P).

Description: YARN PROCESSING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a yarn processing system according to the preamble part of claim 1. In a yarn processing system as known from EP 0 752 631 A the well known problem of complex cable harnesses is partially solved by using a common signal or message transmission bus for serial communication to which bus all participants are connected. However, since each participant, in addition, is connected to a DC-power supply via at least one power supply line still relatively many cables have to be accommodated. Along the yarn channels of textile machines like weaving machines or knitting machines many electronic devices have to be accommodated for detecting, measuring, monitoring, acting or reacting purposes, e.g. all related to the yarn being processed. Having power supply lines, to which the participants in the network are connected, and having the signal and message transmission bus, to which also all participants have to be connected, still needs considerable cabling, the arrangement of which is complicated to organise. Each cable line, either for power supply or for signal or message transmission is vulnerable to mechanical damage so that the likelihood of damages is the higher the greater the number of cables. Since many yarn channels might exist each having a plurality of electronic devices, there is considerable demand to cut down the number of cables as much as possible. Furthermore, in order to prepare the cabling prior to equipping a yarn processing system the respective positions of the electronic or electric devices along the yarn channels have to be known beforehand. This is time-consuming and needs to have skilled personnel not only at the manufacturing site of the accessory equipment but also at the manufacturing site of the textile machine itself. In a yarn processing system as known from WO 90/09474 a computerised control and monitoring system is used for the different yarn channels. Said system comprises a two line message transmission bus to which all participants are connected. In the network messages are transmitted which are ranked by different priorities so that messages of highest priority will be transmitted first. A digital communication protocol with standardised mechanical features is used. However, in addition to the message transmission bus and the respective connections of all the participants to said bus separate DC-power supply lines are provided for the respective participants needing DC- power for operation. In case of a considerable number of yarn channels the DC-power lines and the message transmission bus cables still create a large number of vulnerable spots where mechanical damage can occur. It is an object of the present invention to simplify a yam processing system of the kind as disclosed in order to minimise the cabling particularly in case that a considerable number of DC-power supplied participants along the yam channels towards a textile machine, also need to communicate at least with one control unit by electronic signal messages for controlling, monitoring, supervising, measuring, acting or reacting purposes. Said object can be achieved by the solution according to the features of claim 1. In the yarn processing system according to the present invention any separate signal or message transmitting cables are omitted. Instead the conductive part of the common power supply line is used as the combined message transmission path for the participants in the network. Said measure is reducing the number of cables to a minimum and as such is considerably reducing the potential danger of mechanical damage for cables. Furthermore, particularly in case of a yarn processing system having a plurality of yarn channels and a corresponding large number of devices the cabling is simplified and reduced to the necessary minimum. Said minimum is the common power supply line itself connecting all participants to the DC-power supply as necessary for the correct function of all of the devices and of the control unit. Despite omitting separate message transmission paths the participants in the network can communicate reliably and fast, however, not on separate structural message transmission lines, but directly on the conductive part of the power supply line, because it has been found that the conductive part of a DC-power supply line as intended for effecting DC-power supply surprisingly also can be used for transmitting electronic signal messages without any danger of interference and with the particular advantage of the already efficient shielding of the conductive part of the power supply line, e g against electric or electronic noise or magnetic fields Due to only the minimum of cabling the danger of mechanical damage is reduced significantly, the reliability of the message transmission is enhanced as well as the quality of the message transmission Additionally no cabling preparation of the yarn channels for the message transmission is needed Preferred embodiments are contained in the depending claims Embodiments of the invention will be described with the help of the drawings In the drawings is Fig 1 A schematic diagram of a yarn channel of a knitting machine, Fig 2 A schematic diagram of a yarn channel of a weaving machine, Fig 3 A schematic channel view of concisely shown electronic devices and a control unit in a network using a common DC-power supply line also as a message transmission path, Fig 4 A cross-section of a clamping mechanism of one of the devices or the control unit, ig 5 A block diagram of an emitting section of a device or the control unit, ig 6 A block diagram of a receiving section of a device or a control unit, ig 7 An embodiment having two power supply lines, ig 8 Another embodiment using a single DC-power supply line, ig 9 A block diagram with a generalised illustration of the structure of the participants in a network connected to a DC-power supply, and Fig 10 Schematically a device designed for radio communication In the yarn processing system as shown in the figures, along the yarn channels extending towards the respective textile machine a plurality of equal or different electric or electronic devices are positioned in order to control, measure, monitor, process or sense the respective yarn directly or via contacting or coπtactless components Said devices when powered generate signals or respond to signals and execute functions Some of the devices need to be set, e g by parameters, e g depending on the desired operational behaviour or the yarn quality The operation of the devices in some cases has to be supervised or monitored by communications For those reasons at least one control unit is provided The communication takes place by messages representing signals, parameters, faults, measured values, etc All of the devices as well as the control units in the network are powered by DC-power originating from at least one DC- power source In conventional systems of that kind separate lines were provided for the DC-power supply and the message transmission However, according to the invention the conductive part of the power supply line for the participants in the network simultaneously is used to transmit the necessary messages even in both directions Each participant in the network has to have an emitter/transmitter for the electronic type messages, a communication microprocessor for obtaining messages and for an autonomic dialogue and needs to have a continuous power supply Preferably the emitter/transmitter is a radio transmitter/emitter designed for transmission by radio waves modulated with e g ASK, FSK or other modulation principles Each participant owns or receives an identification code The construction of the messages representing e g signals, is universal in order to be able to handle all types of messages The respective signal or message preferably is amplified by an electronic circuit prior to its transmission Each microprocessor configures the radio signals in an analogous fashion and analyses the same and constructs a numerical frame wnich wnen decoded allows to use the different data given for control purposes, monitoring purposes, registering purposes, etc Among the data contained in the numerical frame a code of the emitter a code of the destination device, a command to execute, or different data and parameters are contained as well as a frame key code During communication the numerical frame is received by all participants the microprocessors of which have their own identification codes In case that a frame is received, the microprocessors compare their identification code with the identification code contained in the frame and the participant which is meant then will execute or respond according to the command as received The other participants then do not respond In case that a microprocessor detected internally that the frame as received is destined for its device, it first checks whether the frame is not erroneous For that purpose, the microprocessor is calculating a numerical key with the help of all the bits contained in the received frame and compares its numerical key with the key code contained in the frame If the result then gives the value zero this is taken as a confirmation that the received frame does not contain a transmission error With this condition the microprocessor passes on the command contained for execution, so that its associated device is reacting accordingly, and e.g sends out a confirmation message to or asks for data from the first emitting device, e g the control unit In order to emit information in the form of a message, the respective device by the configuration of its microprocessor is constructing a numerical frame which then is transmitted with a carrier wave and an analogous signal Said analogous signal can be amplified in order to reliably reach other participants or the control units Due to the coding mode the number of devices which can be integrated into the network and which can communicate simultaneously is practically unrestricted The message transmission takes place on the conductive part of the power supply line to which conductive part all participants have message access by their connectors The power supply line forms a local network The transmission is made by radio waves which are frequency modulated Using the conductive part of the power supply line for message transmission assures high security of the communication and avoids disturbances by noise or parasitic hertzian waves The transmission of the frequency modulated radio waves on the conductive part of the power supply line does not influence the voltage of the power supply Moreover, the voltage of saiα power supply is without any influences on the communication Even in the absence of power supply voltage the communication by frequency modulated radio waves remains possible among all participants A yarn processing system in Fig 1 consists of a knitting machine M and at least one accessory A defining a yarn channel C along which a yarn Y is brought into the knitting machine M For the sake of clarity only one yarn channel C is shown, even though the textile machine M might have many similar or different yarn channels C A knitting cylinder 1 is equipped with at least one knitting station 2 to which the yarn Y is fed from a yarn feeder 3 The yarn is stored on a yarn bobbin 4 Along the yarn channel C and also integrated e g into yarn feeder 3, are several electric or electronic devices like sensors, switches, measuring devices, monitoring devices or other signal generating devices as well as devices responding by a predetermined function to signals Examples of such devices are yarn running detector, yarn tension detector, yarn store monitoring and supervising sensors, yarn brakes, yarn take-up mechanisms, yarn breakage sensors etc Each of said devices D is powered by DC-power originating from a DC-power source G and a power supply line P The devices are e g grounded at 5 and each has a connector 6 connecting the respective device to the power supply line P The devices either directly co-operate with the yarn or with the help of components e g like opto-elements or the like At least one control unit CU is provided also connected to the power supply line and, if desired, further connected to the control system of the textile machine and the accessory A The signals generated by the respective devices as well as commands or parameters from the control unit to the devices or a respective device are transmitted on the conductive part of the power supply line P A yarn processing system in Fig 2 includes a weaving machine as the textile machine M and an accessory A defining a yarn channel C towards the weaving machine The yarn Y is taken from a bobbin 4, is stored in a yarn feeder 3 and then is fed into a shed 7 of the weaving machine Only one yarn channel C is shown, even though the yarn processing system might include several yarn channels C Along each yarn channel C even within the yarn feeder 3 electric or electronic devices D are provided and are connected by connectors to the common power supply line P connected to a DC-power supply G At least one control unit CU is provided The devices D are connected to ground at 5 and have their connectors 6 to the power supply line P Examples of such devices a weft yarn detector monitoring the run or stop of the yam Y, the yarn store sensors in the feeder 3, an output brake or tensiometer at the outlet of the feeder, a yarn breakage sensor, a yarn tension measuring detector, a yarn cutter, etc The devices D are generating signals and/or are responding to received signals or commands by executing predetermined functions Some or all of the devices can be set by parameters varying their operational behaviour, like the sensor sensitivity of the sensor arrangement in the yarn feeder 3 or the braking effect of a yarn brake Said signals and commands as well as confirmation signals and fault signals or trigger signals are transmitted on the conductive part of the power supply line between the participants in the network thus created In the schematic view of Fig 3 the left device D can be a yarn monitor having an arm 8 contacting the yarn Y in order to e g detect the proper yarn tension or the yarn movement The arm 8 might be deflected so that it actuates a switch 9 generating the signal which is then transmitted via connector 6 into the power supply line The middle device D can be a tensiometer measuring and monitoring the tension in the yarn by a tension pick up arrangement 10 and an evaluation circuit 11 Signals, representing the tension or certain changes of the tension, etc are transmitted on the power supply line P towards control unit CU The right device D shown in Fig 3 can be a controlled yarn brake having adjustable brake elements 11' and an actuation drive 12 as well as an internal control unit 13 The braking effect can be adjusted by transmitting parameters on the power supply line Moreover the brake actuation can be timed in accordance with a predetermined pattern or depending on the operation of the textile machine and by commands emitted by control unit CU Said control unit CU contains a processing unit 13', may have a monitor display and if necessary a keyboard 14 for setting certain parameters or for changing between menus and operational modes Control unit CU can be connected via lines 15 to a superimposed control unit Fig 4 depicts an embodiment of a connector 6 as used for the connection of a device D or the control unit CU to the power supply line P The respective device D is mounted by clamping means 18 to a holding structure 16 Power supply line P, e g in the form of a flat cable, is positioned within said holding structure 16 but is accessible from the upper side Contact pins 19 here can be driven by a pusher 20 into the conductive part 17 of the power supply line in order to establish galvanic contact between a line 21 of the device and the conductive part 17 of power supply line P Of course, instead of connector 6 as shown in Fig 4 a conventional plug connector can be used In Fig 5 the message emitting components of a device D or the control unit CU are shown A communication microprocessor MP is fed with data or signals generated by the device or a control unit D, CU and is constructing a numerical frame containing the message representing the signal in the form of numerical data and outputs said frame together with an analogous signal to a radio emitter E If desired, an amplifier can be used in this arrangement The transmission is carried out by radio carrier waves on the conductive part of the power supply line A proper frequency modulation principle is used e g according to the ULFCM standards, i e within a predetermined high frequency range The frame as constructed by the communication microprocessor MP might contain an address code for the destination device, a code of the emitting device, a command and/or data and/or a parameter, and a frame key code In Fig 6 the message receiving part of a device or a control unit D, CU is shown, including a communication microprocessor MP and a receiving circuit EC between the communication microprocessor MP and the power supply line P A message received via power supply line P is evaluated and analysed by communication microprocessor MP The data contained in the message is then output into the device or the control unit, D, CU In the embodiment of Fig 7 a device D is communicating with control unit CU The power supply line P in this case is constituted by two lines O and +V both connected to the DC-power source G In this case line O (zero voltage) can serve as "sιgnal"-ground for the participants in the network while line +V is used for the transmission of messages In Fig 8 an embodiment similar to the embodiment of Fig 3 is shown for one device D and the control unit CU only Both devices are connected to ground Power supply line P is connected to the DC-power source G The power supply line P is used also for message transmission by means of radio carrier waves In Fig 9 an embodiment similar to Fig 3 is shown having several electric or electronic devices D each being connected to a common power supply line P, and further comprising two control units CU also connected to power supply line P leading to the DC- power source G Each device D is e g a sensor and has a combination e g of the equipment shown in Figs 5 and 6, namely to emit or receive or to emit and receive messages Each control unit CU can be equipped with a monitor display 22 In case that the devices should need another DC-voltage for operation than the control unit CU the control unit CU could be connected to a separate DC-power supply line instead Connectors 6 then only serve to transmit or receive messages transmitted on the DC-power supply line P to which the devices are connected Fig 10 illustrates the schematic design of a device e g D, CU for ULFCM- radio transmission (ultra-low frequency chopper modulation) Power supply line P (+12 volts) is connected to port 6 of the device At 5 the device is connected to ground Microprocessor MP is connected to the power supply line P within a network of operation power lines 33 via a voltage regulation circuit 23 and a voltage supervision circuit 25 Microprocessor MP has an interrupt communication port 27, a data out port 28 and a data in port 29 A module E, 31 for ULFCM- emission is connected within a network of information lines 32 to the power supply line P and to the microprocessor MP A module EC 24 for reception ULFCM is connected within the network of information line 32 to a decoding FSK-circuit 26 connected to the microprocessor MP Module EC, 24 as well as decoding FSK-circuit 26 both are connected to the network of operation power lines 33 Said network of operation power lines 33 is connected by a separate line 33' to a power out port 30

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Yarn processing system (T), comprising a yam feeding device (F) and at least one accessory device (Z, Z1 , Z2, Z3) associated to said yarn feeding device (F), said yarn feeding device (F) including at least one component (K, M, 4) driven in controlled fashion by an electric motor (M) said accessory device having at least one moveable part (M1 , 10) which is driven to move by using a signal representing the rotational speed of said component of said yarn feeding device, characterised in that said signal is generated in a electronic sensor (S) which is galvanically separated from a control system (C) or the electric drive motor (M) of said yam feeding device (F) and structurally independent from said yam feeding device (F), said sensor (S) being positionable at or close to the yarn feeding device (F) at a mounting location (X, X1) where at least a part of a magnetic field is detectable which rotates with said component (K, M, 4) within said yarn feeding device (F), said part of said magnetic field being otherwise unused in said yam feeding device (F) at said mounting location (X, X1) of said sensor (S). 2. Yarn processing system as in claim 1, characterised in that said sensor (S) has at least one signal exit port (H) connectable to said accessory device (Z, Z1 , Z2, Z3), preferably to the electronic control unit (C1) of said accessory device, preferably by means of a cable (14) with a releasable connector (20). 3. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said sensor (S) is connected to an own power supply source. 4. Yarn processing system as in claim 3, characterised in that the sensor (S) is connected for its power supply to said accessory device (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3) or to a power supply box (B) of said yarn feeding device (F). 5. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said accessory device (Z, Z2) is a controlled yarn impregnation device (9) associated along the yarn path to the yarn (Y), and that said yarn impregnation device (9) preferably is mounted to said yarn feeding device (F). 6. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said accessory device (Z2, Z3) is at least one controlled slip conveyor associated to the yam (Y) along the yam path, and preferably is mounted at the yarn feeding device (F) at its inlet and/or outlet side. 7. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said accessory device (Z2, Z3) is at least one controlled yarn brake associated to the yam (Y) along the yam path, and is preferably mounted at the yarn feeding device (F) inlet and/or outlet side. 8. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said accessory device (Z1) is at least one rotation drive of a rotatable storage bobbin (15) carrying said yarn (Y) supplied to said yarn feeding device (F). 9. Yarn processing system as in claim 5, characterised in that said yarn impregnation device (9) is mounted by means of a carrier means (12) to the yarn feeding device (F), that said sensor (S) is secured to said carrier means (12), and that with said carrier means (12) mounted to said yam feeding device (F) the sensor (S) is positioned at the intended mounting location (X), preferably at or close to the inlet side housing end wall of the yam feeding device (F). 10. Yarn processing system as in claim 9, characterised in that said yam impregnation device (9) includes at least one treatment element (10) and a control unit (C1) for an electric motor (M1) driving said treatment element (10), said control unit (C1) being permanently or interuptably connected to the signal exit port (H) of sensor (S). 11. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that at said mounting location (X, X1) at said housing 1 of the yarn feeding device (F) a receiving socket for said sensor (S) is provided, like an insertion socket, a threaded bore or a hang-in opening. 12. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said accessory device (Z1, Z2, Z3) is located separately and remotely from said yam feeding device (F), that said sensor (S) is situated at or close to said yam feeding device (F), and that said sensor (S) is connected to said accessory device by a cable (14). 13. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said detectable part of the magnetic field not used at mounting location (X, X1) for the function of the yarn feeding device (F) is originating from a driving, a controlling or a monitoring magnetic field of the driving electric motor (M) of said yarn feeding device (F). 14. Yarn processing system as in claim 1 , characterised in that said part of the magnetic field unused for the function of the yarn feeding device (F) at the mounting location (X1) is originating from a permanent magnet (8) situated on a rotatable winding element (4) of the yarn feeding device (F), said permanent magnet being part of a rotation detector integrated into said yarn feeding device (F). 15. Electronic sensor (S) for generating a signal representing the rotational speed of the rotatable component (K, M, 4) of a yam feeding device (F), said component being driven in a controlled fashion by an electric motor (M), characterised in that said sensor (S) is galvanically separated from a control system (C) or the electric drive motor (M) of said yarn feeding device (F) and is mounted from the exterior at or close to said yam feeding device (F) in a mounting location (X, X1) and that said sensor (S) comprises a pick-up head (A) responding to at least a part of a magnetic field rotating with said component within the said yarn feeding device (F), said part being unused for the function of said yarn feeding device (F) at the mounting location (X, X1) of said sensor (S). 16. Electronic sensor as in claim 15, characterised in that said sensor (S) comprises a probe-shaped housing (16) receiving said pick-up head (A) responding to rotating magnetic fields and/or magnetic field variations, and further comprising a fixation means (G) for positioning said sensor (S) at said mounting location (X, X1), and that, preferably, said housing (16) further includes amplification and evaluation circuitries (D. E). 17. Electronic sensor as in claim 16, characterised in that said fixation means (G) of said housing (16) is defined by at least one body made of plastic, rubber or foam material and having an adhesive coating. 18. Electronic sensor as in claim 16, characterised in that said fixation means (G) is a tensioning band. 19. Electronic sensor as in claim 16, characterised in that said fixation means (G) is constituted by at least one, preferably spring-loaded, clamp for fixing the sensor (S) at a protrusion or a cooling fin of said yarn feeding device housing (1).

Inventors: MUNOZ REGIS, MUNOZ, REGIS
Applicants: MUNOZ REGIS, MUNOZ, REGIS
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G05B19
IPC codes: G05B19, H04B3