Patent Description:
As a conventional yarn winding machine, for example, a yarn winding machine described in <CIT> is known. The yarn winding machine described in <CIT> includes: a yarn supplying section in which a yarn supplying bobbin is supported; a yarn accumulating device that unwinds a yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin supported by the yarn supplying section and winds the unwound yarn; a yarn joining device that joins a yarn end of the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side and a yarn end of the yarn on the yarn accumulating device; a downstream yarn blow-feeding section that blows and feeds a yarn end of the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side toward a downstream side in a travelling direction at a time of winding of the yarn; a first catching section that catches a yarn end of the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side blown and fed by the downstream yarn blow-feeding section, and guides the yarn to the yarn joining device; and a second catching section that catches a yarn end of the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side and guides the yarn to the yarn joining device.

In the yarn winding machine described in <CIT>, the second catching section is arranged downstream of the first catching section in the travelling direction at a time of winding of the yarn.

The second catching section catches a yarn blown and fed from an upstream side in the travelling direction of the yarn by an upstream yarn blow-feeding section, and guides the yarn to the yarn joining device by advancing and retreating the second catching section with respect to a yarn path with an advancing and retreating drive section.

In a conventional yarn winding machine, in order to avoid entanglement of a yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side and a yarn on the yarn accumulating device side, a yarn end of the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side is caught by the first catching section and guided to the yarn joining device, and then the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side is caught by the second catching section. Therefore, the second catching section is on standby until the first catching section guides the yarn to the yarn joining device. In the yarn winding machine, shortening of a cycle time of a yarn joining operation is demanded in order to improve production efficiency. In order to shorten the cycle time of the yarn joining operation, a time during which the first catching section and the second catching section are on standby needs to be reduced.

The nearest state of the art regarding the present invention is disclosed in <CIT>. This document already shows a yarn winding machine comprising:.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a yarn winding machine capable of shortening a cycle time of a yarn joining operation.

A yarn winding machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a yarn supplying section in which a yarn supplying bobbin is supported; a yarn accumulating device that unwinds a yarn from the yarn supplying bobbin supported by the yarn supplying section and winds the unwound yarn; a package forming section that draws out a yarn accumulated in the yarn accumulating device and winds the yarn as a package; a yarn joining device that joins the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side and the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side; a blow-feeding section that blows and feeds the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side toward a downstream side in a travelling direction at a time of winding of the yarn; a first catching section that catches the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side blown and fed by the blow-feeding section, to guide the yarn to the yarn joining device; and a second catching section that catches the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side and guides the yarn to the
yarn joining device, in which the second catching section is swingably arranged between a first position for catching of the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side on an upstream side in the travelling direction with respect to a position where the first catching section catches the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side, and a second position for guiding of the caught yarn to the yarn joining device.

In the yarn winding machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the second catching section catches a yarn at the first position, and guides the yarn to the yarn joining device at the second position. The first position is a position where a yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side is caught upstream of a position where the first catching section catches the yarn on the yarn accumulating device side, in the travelling direction at a time of winding of the yarn. Thus, in the yarn winding machine, since the second catching section catches the yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side on the upstream side of the first catching section, the yarn caught by the first catching section and the yarn caught by the second catching section are not entangled at the time of catching. Therefore, in the yarn winding machine, the second catching section does not need to be on stand by while the first catching section catches and guides the yarn. Consequently, in the yarn winding machine, a standby time of the first catching section and the second catching section can be reduced. As a result, in the yarn winding machine, a cycle time of a yarn joining operation can be shortened.

According to the invention, the first catching section and the second catching section are configured as an integrated catching device. In this configuration, the configuration can be simplified, and space saving can be achieved.

In one embodiment, the catching device may further include a first connecting section connected to a negative pressure source, and a second connecting section connected to a negative pressure source, in which the first catching section and the first connecting section may form a first airflow path for suction air, the second catching section and the second connecting section may form a second airflow path for suction air, and the first airflow path and the second airflow path may be independent of each other. In this configuration, it is possible to avoid entanglement of a yarn caught by the first catching section and a yarn caught by the second catching section.

In one embodiment, the catching device may further include: a swing section that is swingably provided and connected to the second catching section, and causes the second catching section to swing; and a drive section that drives the swing section, in which the swing section may be provided with a flow rate control section that controls circulation and interruption of the suction air flowing through the first airflow path between the first catching section and the first connecting section, and the flow rate control section may perform circulation or interruption of the suction air in accordance with a swing position of the swing section. In this configuration, one drive section can drive the second catching section and control a flow rate of the suction air by the flow rate control section. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified.

In one embodiment, the flow rate control section may interrupt the suction air when the second catching section is located at the first position, and may circulate the suction air when the second catching section is located at a position other than the first position. In this configuration, when the second catching section is located at the first position, no suction airflow is generated in the first catching section. Therefore, it is possible to avoid suctioning and catching of a yarn on the yarn supplying bobbin side by the first catching section.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cycle time of the yarn joining operation can be shortened.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are denoted on the same or equivalent components in the description of the drawings, and the redundant description will be omitted. "Upstream" and "downstream" respectively refer to upstream and downstream in a travelling direction of a yarn.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an automatic winder <NUM> includes a plurality of winding units (yarn winding machines) <NUM> arranged side by side, a machine control device <NUM>, a yarn supplying bobbin supplying device <NUM>, a doffing device <NUM>, and a blower box (not illustrated).

The machine control device <NUM> is configured to be able to communicate with each winding unit <NUM>. An operator of the automatic winder <NUM> can intensively manage the plurality of winding units <NUM> by appropriately operating the machine control device <NUM>. The machine control device <NUM> controls operations of the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device <NUM> and the doffing device <NUM>.

The yarn supplying bobbin supplying device <NUM> sets yarn supplying bobbins <NUM> one by one on a conveyance tray <NUM>. The yarn supplying bobbin supplying device <NUM> supplies the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> set on the conveyance tray <NUM> to each of the plurality of winding units <NUM>.

When a package <NUM> is fully wound (in a state in which a prescribed amount of a yarn <NUM> is wound) in the winding unit <NUM>, the doffing device <NUM> travels to a position of the winding unit <NUM> and detaches the fully-wound package <NUM>. The doffing device <NUM> sets a winding bobbin <NUM> around which the yarn <NUM> is not wound, into the winding unit <NUM> from which the package <NUM> is removed.

Next, a configuration of the winding unit <NUM> will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, the winding unit <NUM> includes a yarn supplying section <NUM>, a yarn accumulating device <NUM>, a package forming section <NUM>, and a wax applying device <NUM>. In the winding unit <NUM>, the yarn <NUM> of the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> of the yarn supplying section <NUM> is unwound, the unwound yarn <NUM> is temporarily accumulated by the yarn accumulating device <NUM>, and then the package forming section <NUM> draws out the yarn accumulated in the yarn accumulating device <NUM> and winds the yarn <NUM> around the winding bobbin <NUM> to form the package <NUM>.

The yarn supplying section <NUM> is configured to support the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> set on the conveyance tray <NUM> at a predetermined position, and unwind the yarn <NUM> from the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM>. When all the yarn <NUM> is unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM>, the yarn supplying section <NUM> discharges a core tube of the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> around which the yarn <NUM> is not wound, and receives supply of a new yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> from the yarn supplying bobbin supplying device <NUM>.

The yarn accumulating device <NUM> is arranged between the yarn supplying section <NUM> and the package forming section <NUM>. The yarn accumulating device <NUM> is arranged at a position upstream in the travelling direction of the yarn <NUM> with respect to the wax applying device <NUM>. The yarn accumulating device <NUM> winds and temporarily accumulates the yarn <NUM> unwound in the yarn supplying section <NUM>. The yarn accumulating device <NUM> supplies the accumulated yarn <NUM> to the package forming section <NUM>. The yarn accumulating device <NUM> includes a yarn accumulating roller <NUM> on which the yarn <NUM> can be wound, and a roller drive motor <NUM> that rotatably drives the yarn accumulating roller <NUM>. The roller drive motor <NUM> rotates the yarn accumulating roller <NUM> in a winding direction of the yarn <NUM> from the yarn supplying section <NUM>. Further, the roller drive motor <NUM> can also rotate the yarn accumulating roller <NUM> in a direction opposite to the winding direction.

The package forming section <NUM> includes a cradle <NUM> that can be provided with the winding bobbin <NUM>, and a traverse drum <NUM> that drives the winding bobbin <NUM> while traversing the yarn <NUM>. The package forming section <NUM> constitutes a winding section. The cradle <NUM> rotatably supports the winding bobbin <NUM> (or the package <NUM>). The cradle <NUM> is configured to allow an outer peripheral surface of the supported package <NUM> to be brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the traverse drum <NUM>.

By being rotatably driven by a drive source (an electric motor or the like) (not illustrated), and rotating in a state of being in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the winding bobbin <NUM> or the package <NUM>, the traverse drum <NUM> is driven to rotate the winding bobbin <NUM>. This allows the yarn <NUM> accumulated in the yarn accumulating device <NUM> to be unwound and drawn out, and wound around the winding bobbin <NUM>. A traverse groove (not illustrated) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the traverse drum <NUM>, and the yarn <NUM> can be traversed at a predetermined width by the traverse groove. The above configuration allows the yarn <NUM> to be wound around the winding bobbin <NUM> while being traversed, to form the package <NUM> of a predetermined shape.

The wax applying device <NUM> is arranged between the yarn accumulating device <NUM> and the package forming section <NUM>. The wax applying device <NUM> applies wax to the yarn <NUM> travelling from the yarn accumulating device <NUM> toward the package forming section <NUM>.

The winding unit <NUM> includes various devices in a yarn travelling path from the yarn supplying section <NUM> to the package forming section <NUM> via the yarn accumulating device <NUM>. Specifically, a yarn path (the yarn travelling path) of the yarn <NUM> includes, in order from the yarn supplying section <NUM> on the upstream side toward the yarn accumulating device <NUM> on the downstream side, an unwinding assisting device <NUM>, a lower yarn feeler <NUM>, a tension applying section <NUM>, a catching device <NUM>, a yarn joining device <NUM>, a yarn monitoring device <NUM>, and a downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> are arranged.

The unwinding assisting device <NUM> assists in unwinding of the yarn <NUM> by bringing a movable member <NUM> into contact with a balloon that is formed above the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> when the yarn <NUM> unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> is swung around, and thus in appropriately controlling a size of the balloon.

The lower yarn feeler <NUM> is arranged at a position close to the unwinding assisting device <NUM> on the downstream side of the unwinding assisting device <NUM>. The lower yarn feeler <NUM> defines the presence or absence of the yarn <NUM> supplied from the unwinding assisting device <NUM>.

The tension applying section <NUM> applies a predetermined tension on the travelling yarn <NUM>. The tension applying section <NUM> applies a predetermined tension on the yarn <NUM> on the basis of a tension of the yarn <NUM> detected by a tension sensor (not illustrated). The tension applying section <NUM> is configured as a gate type in which movable comb teeth are arranged with respect to fixed comb teeth, and applies a predetermined resistance by causing the yarn <NUM> to travel between the comb teeth. The movable comb teeth are configured to be movable by, for example, a solenoid such that the comb teeth are in a meshed state or a released state. Thus, the tension applying section <NUM> can adjust the tension to be applied to the yarn <NUM>. Note that the configuration of the tension applying section <NUM> is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a tension applying section of a disk type.

The catching device <NUM> is arranged downstream of the tension applying section <NUM>. The catching device <NUM> includes a first catching section 13A and a second catching section 13B. In the present embodiment, the first catching section 13A and the second catching section 13B are integrated and configured as one component. Each of the first catching section 13A and the second catching section 13B is connected to a negative pressure source (not illustrated).

The first catching section 13A is configured as a tubular member in which an opening is formed at a distal end portion. The first catching section 13A generates a suction airflow at a time of yarn joining, and suctions and catches the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side.

The second catching section 13B is configured as a tubular member in which an opening is formed at a distal end portion. The second catching section 13B is swingably provided. The second catching section 13B swings between a catching position (a first position) (a position indicated by a solid line in <FIG>) for catching the yarn <NUM> supplied from the unwinding assisting device <NUM>, and a guiding position (a second position) (a position indicated by a broken line in <FIG>) for guiding the yarn <NUM> to the yarn joining device <NUM>. The catching position may also be a standby position of the second catching section 13B.

At the catching position, the second catching section 13B suctions and catches a yarn end from the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> by generating a suction airflow on the distal end side in a state of being close to the yarn path on the downstream side of the lower yarn feeler <NUM>. When the yarn <NUM> is cut with a cutter <NUM>, the second catching section 13B suctions and catches a yarn end of the cut yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side. Further, the second catching section 13B may be configured to suction and remove fly waste and the like attached to the travelling yarn <NUM>, by generating a suction airflow on the distal end side.

There is arranged an auxiliary blow-feeding section <NUM> that blows and feeds a yarn end to a position downstream of the lower yarn feeler <NUM> (a distal end of the second catching section 13B) in a case immediately after a new yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> is supplied to the yarn supplying section <NUM>, when the yarn <NUM> is to be caught by the second catching section 13B.

The auxiliary blow-feeding section <NUM> forms, at a distal end portion of the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM>, an airflow to blow and feed the yarn <NUM> of the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> toward the lower yarn feeler <NUM>, by ejecting compressed air into the conveyance tray <NUM> and the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> formed in a hollow shape. When the newly supplied yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> is supported by the yarn supplying section <NUM>, a yarn end on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side can be reliably fed toward the lower yarn feeler <NUM> side by operating the auxiliary blow-feeding section <NUM>.

The yarn joining device <NUM> joins the disconnected yarn <NUM>. When the yarn <NUM> between the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> and the yarn accumulating device <NUM> is disconnected, such as at a time of yarn cutting in which the yarn monitoring device <NUM> detects a yarn defect and the yarn <NUM> is cut by the cutter <NUM>, at a time of yarn breakage in which the yarn <NUM> being unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> is broken, or at a time of replacement of the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM>, the yarn joining device <NUM> joins the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side and the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side. The yarn joining device <NUM> is arranged at a position slightly retreated from the yarn path. The yarn joining device <NUM> can connect introduced yarn ends to bring the yarn <NUM> into a continuous state. As the yarn joining device <NUM>, a device using a fluid such as compressed air or a mechanical device can be used.

The yarn monitoring device <NUM> detects a yarn defect such as slub and mixing of a foreign substance, by monitoring a thickness and the like of the yarn <NUM> with an appropriate sensor. At a position close to the yarn monitoring device <NUM> on the upstream side of the yarn monitoring device <NUM>, the cutter <NUM> is arranged. The cutter <NUM> immediately cuts the yarn <NUM> when the yarn monitoring device <NUM> detects a yarn defect. The cutter <NUM> and the yarn monitoring device <NUM> are accommodated in a common housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> that accommodates the yarn monitoring device <NUM> is arranged downstream of the yarn joining device <NUM>.

The downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> is an air sucker device arranged at a position close to the yarn accumulating device <NUM> on the upstream side of the yarn accumulating device <NUM>. By ejecting compressed air, the downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> forms an airflow to suction and then blow off a yarn end that is on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side and present on a surface of the yarn accumulating roller <NUM>, to feed the yarn end to the first catching section 13A. Specifically, the downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> includes a thin tubular guide member (not illustrated) that allows the yarn <NUM> to internally pass through, and a yarn guiding member <NUM> that is a curved tubular member. At one end of the guide member, a blow-out port of the yarn <NUM> is formed. The yarn guiding member <NUM> is arranged to be close to the blow-out port of the downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM>. Openings are individually formed at both ends of the yarn guiding member <NUM> in a longitudinal direction.

The yarn guiding member <NUM> is arranged in a state in which an opening on one end side faces the blow-out port of the downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> and an opening on another end side faces the first catching section 13A. Inside the yarn guiding member <NUM>, a guiding path is formed. The guiding path connects the openings at both ends of the yarn guiding member <NUM> so as to detour around the yarn monitoring device <NUM>, the yarn joining device <NUM>, and the like. The downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM>, the yarn guiding member <NUM>, and the first catching section 13A constitute an accumulation-side yarn end catching device <NUM>.

When the yarn <NUM> is disconnected between the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> and the yarn accumulating device <NUM>, the downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> catches the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side and blows it off to the guiding path of the yarn guiding member <NUM>, and draws out the yarn <NUM> along the guiding path to cause the yarn <NUM> to be caught by the first catching section 13A. Since a penetrating slit (not illustrated) is formed over the entire length of the yarn guiding member <NUM>, the yarn <NUM> can be pulled out from the inside of the yarn guiding member <NUM> while the yarn <NUM> is caught by the first catching section 13A. Thus, the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side can be blown and fed by the downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> and guided toward the yarn joining device <NUM>.

Each winding unit <NUM> includes a control section <NUM>. The control section <NUM> includes hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not illustrated). The RAM stores software such as a control program. The control section <NUM> controls each configuration of the winding unit <NUM> by cooperation of hardware and software. The control section <NUM> is configured to be able to communicate with the machine control device <NUM>. This allows intensive control of an operation of the plurality of winding units <NUM> arranged in the automatic winder <NUM>, in the machine control device <NUM>.

Next, the catching device <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a state in which the second catching section 13B is located at the catching position. <FIG> illustrates a state in which the second catching section 13B is located at the guiding position.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the catching device <NUM> includes the first catching section 13A, the second catching section 13B, a main body section 13C, a swing section 13D, a first connecting section 13E, and a second connecting section 13F.

As described above, the first catching section 13A is configured as a tubular member in which an opening is formed at the distal end portion. The first catching section 13A is formed integrally with the main body section 13C.

As described above, the second catching section 13B is configured as a tubular member in which an opening is formed at the distal end portion. The second catching section 13B includes a straight portion and a bent portion, and has a substantially U shape.

At a distal end of the second catching section 13B, a clamp section <NUM> is provided. The clamp section <NUM> nips the yarn <NUM> suctioned by the second catching section 13B, between the distal end of the second catching section 13B. The clamp section <NUM> releases the nipping of the yarn <NUM> when the second catching section 13B is located at the catching position and the guiding position, and nips the yarn <NUM> when the second catching section 13B moves from the catching position to the guiding position. The clamp section <NUM> is opened by contacting a first contact section <NUM> or a second contact section <NUM>, to release the nipping of the yarn <NUM>. The first contact section <NUM> is arranged at a position where the clamp section <NUM> contacts it when the second catching section 13B is located at the catching position. The first contact section <NUM> is installed on a frame (not illustrated) by a bracket B1. The second contact section <NUM> is arranged at a position where the clamp section <NUM> contacts it when the second catching section 13B is located at the guiding position. The second contact section 13I is installed on a frame (not illustrated) by a bracket B2.

The main body section 13C is configured as a tubular member. The main body section 13C is fixed to a base main body B. One end of the main body section 13C in a longitudinal direction is fixed to the base main body B. The main body section 13C is fixed to the base main body B so as to protrude from one surface of the base main body B in a direction orthogonal to the one surface. The first catching section 13A is provided on a side surface of the main body section 13C. The first catching section 13A is arranged so as to protrude toward the yarn path side and face obliquely upward when viewed in a longitudinal direction (an extending direction) of the main body section 13C.

The swing section 13D is configured as a cylindrical member. The swing section 13D is accommodated in the main body section 13C. The swing section 13D is driven by a drive motor (drive section) 13J. Another end of the swing section 13D is connected to an output shaft of the drive motor 13J via a pulley and a belt (not illustrated). The drive motor 13J is, for example, a stepping motor. The drive motor 13J is fixed to the base main body B. An operation of the drive motor 13J is controlled by the control section <NUM>. Another end of the swing section 13D is connected to the second catching section 13B. As a result, the second catching section 13B swings along with the swing of the swing section 13D.

The swing section 13D is provided with a flow rate control section <NUM> and a communication section <NUM>. The flow rate control section <NUM> and the communication section <NUM> are provided independently in the swing section 13D. Between the flow rate control section <NUM> and the communication section <NUM>, a partition wall is provided. The flow rate control section <NUM> controls circulation and interruption of suction air flowing through an airflow path between the first catching section 13A and the first connecting section 13E. The flow rate control section <NUM> functions as a shutter that performs circulation and interruption of the suction air. The flow rate control section <NUM> is formed in, for example, a groove shape in which a part of the swing section 13D is cut out.

The flow rate control section <NUM> performs circulation and interruption of the suction air in accordance with a swing position of the swing section 13D, that is, in accordance with a position of the second catching section 13B. As illustrated in <FIG>, the flow rate control section <NUM> causes the suction air to circulate between the first catching section 13A and the first connecting section 13E when the second catching section 13B is located at a position other than the catching position (for example, the guiding position). As a result, a suction airflow is generated at a distal end of the first catching section 13A. As illustrated in <FIG>, the flow rate control section <NUM> suppresses circulation of the suction air (reduces the suction air) between the first catching section 13A and the first connecting section 13E when the second catching section 13B is located at the catching position. That is, the flow rate control section <NUM> interrupts circulation of the suction air between the first catching section 13A and the first connecting section 13E when the second catching section 13B is located at the guiding position. As a result, no suction airflow is generated at the distal end of the first catching section 13A.

The flow rate control section <NUM> controls circulation and interruption of suction air with swing of the swing section 13D by driving of the drive motor 13J. That is, circulation and interruption of the airflow path by the flow rate control section <NUM> are performed by driving the drive motor 13J.

The communication section <NUM> connects the second catching section 13B and the second connecting section 13F with each other. The communication section <NUM> connects the second catching section 13B and the second connecting section 13F with each other over the entire movable range of the second catching section 13B. That is, the communication section <NUM> connects the second catching section 13B and the second connecting section 13F with each other in a state in which the second catching section 13B is located at the catching position and at the guiding position and in a state in which the second catching section 13B moves between the catching position and the guiding position. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the communication section <NUM> constantly generates a suction airflow on the distal end side of the second catching section 13B.

The first connecting section 13E is configured as a tubular member. The first connecting section 13E is connected to a negative pressure source (not illustrated). The first connecting section 13E forms a first airflow path for suction air together with the first catching section 13A. When the first connecting section 13E and the first catching section 13A communicate with each other to form the first airflow path, a suction airflow is generated at a distal end of the first connecting section 13E. The first connecting section 13E is connected to a side surface of the main body section 13C. The first connecting section 13E is arranged on the same straight line as the first catching section 13A when viewed from a direction along the yarn path of the yarn <NUM>. Thus, since the airflow path is not bent, lowering of the suction airflow can be avoided, and entanglement of the yarn <NUM> can be avoided in the first airflow path.

The second connecting section 13F is configured as a tubular member. The second connecting section 13F is connected to a negative pressure source (not illustrated). The second connecting section 13F forms a second airflow path for suction air together with the second catching section 13B. The first airflow path and the second airflow path are independent of each other. The second connecting section 13F is connected to a side surface of the main body section 13C. The second connecting section 13F is connected to an outer end side in a longitudinal direction of the main body section 13C with respect to the first connecting section 13E.

Next, a yarn joining operation in the winding unit <NUM> will be described. Hereinafter, as an example, a description is given to the yarn joining operation at a time of yarn cutting in which the yarn monitoring device <NUM> detects a yarn defect and the cutter <NUM> cuts the yarn <NUM>.

When the yarn <NUM> is cut by the cutter <NUM>, the second catching section 13B suctions and catches the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side at the catching position. At this time, the clamp section <NUM> is in contact with the first contact section <NUM> and is in an open state. When the yarn <NUM> is caught by the second catching section 13B, the swing section 13D swings, and the second catching section 13B moves from the catching position to the guiding position. When the second catching section 13B starts to move, the clamp section <NUM> is separated from the first contact section <NUM>, and the clamp section <NUM> is closed. This causes the yarn <NUM> to be nipped by the clamp section <NUM>, and the yarn <NUM> is held by the second catching section 13B.

Subsequently, when the second catching section 13B is located at the guiding position, the yarn <NUM> is guided to the yarn joining device <NUM>. Further, when the second catching section 13B is located at the guiding position, the clamp section <NUM> contacts the second contact section 13I. This causes the clamp section <NUM> to be opened, and the nipping of the yarn <NUM> is released.

Further, when the yarn <NUM> is cut by the cutter <NUM>, the downstream yarn blow-feeding section <NUM> catches the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side and blows off the yarn <NUM> toward the guiding path of the yarn guiding member <NUM>. When the second catching section 13B starts moving to the guiding position, the first catching section 13A catches the yarn <NUM> drawn out along the guiding path of the yarn guiding member <NUM>. When the first catching section 13A catches the yarn <NUM>, the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side is guided to the yarn joining device <NUM>. Then, the yarn joining device <NUM> joins the yarn <NUM> guided by the first catching section 13A and the yarn <NUM> guided by the second catching section 13B. Thus, the yarn joining operation is completed.

As described above, in the winding unit <NUM> of the automatic winder <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the second catching section 13B catches the yarn <NUM> at the catching position, and guides the yarn <NUM> to the yarn joining device <NUM> at the guiding position. The catching position is a position where a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side is caught on the upstream side in the travelling direction at a time of winding of the yarn <NUM> with respect to a position where the first catching section 13A catches a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side. In this way, in the winding unit <NUM>, the second catching section 13B catches a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side on the upstream side with respect to the first catching section 13A, so that the yarn <NUM> caught by the first catching section 13A and the yarn <NUM> caught by the second catching section 13B are not entangled at the time of catching. Therefore, in the winding unit <NUM>, the second catching section 13B does not need to be on stand by while the first catching section 13A catches and guides the yarn <NUM>. Therefore, in the winding unit <NUM>, a waiting time of the first catching section 13A and the second catching section 13B can be reduced. As a result, in the winding unit <NUM>, a cycle time of the yarn joining operation can be shortened.

In a conventional yarn joining device, a yarn on a yarn supplying bobbin side supplied from an unwinding assisting device is blown and fed downstream by an upstream yarn blow-feeding section (an air sucker device), and the yarn is caught by a second catching section. In this configuration, a distance between the upstream yarn blow-feeding section and the second catching section is long, and thus a problem that the yarn is not able to be caught by the second catching section may occur when the yarn is not blown up for some reason. In the winding unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the second catching section 13B catches a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side on the upstream side in the travelling direction at a time of winding of the yarn <NUM> with respect to a position where the first catching section 13A catches a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the yarn accumulating device <NUM> side. That is, the second catching section 13B catches the yarn <NUM> at a position close to the unwinding assisting device <NUM>. Therefore, an occurrence of a problem that the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side is not able to be caught by the second catching section 13B can be avoided.

In the winding unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the first catching section 13A and the second catching section 13B constitute a part of the catching device <NUM>. In the catching device <NUM>, the first catching section 13A and the second catching section 13B are integrated. In this configuration, the configuration can be simplified, and space saving can be achieved.

In the winding unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the catching device <NUM> includes the first connecting section 13E connected to the negative pressure source and the second connecting section 13F connected to the negative pressure source. The first catching section 13A and the first connecting section 13E form the first airflow path for suction air. The second catching section 13B and the second connecting section 13F form the second airflow path for the suction air. The first airflow path and the second airflow path are independent of each other. In this configuration, entanglement of the yarn <NUM> caught by the first catching section 13A and the yarn <NUM> caught by the second catching section 13B can be avoided.

In the winding unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the catching device <NUM> includes the swing section 13D that is swingably provided and connected to the second catching section 13B and causes the second catching section 13B to swing, and the drive motor 13J that drives the swing section 13D. The swing section 13D is provided with the flow rate control section <NUM> that controls circulation and interruption of suction air flowing through the first airflow path between the first catching section 13A and the first connecting section 13E. The flow rate control section <NUM> performs circulation and interruption of suction air in accordance with a swing position of the swing section 13D. In this configuration, one drive motor 13J can drive the second catching section 13B and control a flow rate of suction air by the flow rate control section <NUM>. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified.

In the winding unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the flow rate control section <NUM> interrupts suction air when the second catching section 13B is located at the catching position, and circulates the suction air when the second catching section 13B is located at a position other than the catching position. In this configuration, when the second catching section 13B is located at the catching position, no suction airflow is generated in the first catching section 13A. Therefore, suctioning and catching of a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supplying bobbin <NUM> side by the first catching section 13A can be avoided.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the above-described embodiment, the mode has been described as an example in which the catching device <NUM> includes the first connecting section 13E and the second connecting section 13F. However, the first catching section 13A and the second catching section 13B may be connected to one connecting section.

Claim 1:
A yarn winding machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a yarn supplying section (<NUM>) in which a yarn supplying bobbin (<NUM>) is supported;
a yarn accumulating device (<NUM>) adapted to unwind a yarn (<NUM>) from the yarn supplying bobbin (<NUM>) supported by the yarn supplying section (<NUM>) and to wind the unwound yarn (<NUM>);
a package forming section (<NUM>) adapted to draw out the yarn (<NUM>) accumulated in the yarn accumulating device (<NUM>) and to wind the yarn (<NUM>) as a package (<NUM>);
a yarn joining device (<NUM>) adapted to join the yarn (<NUM>) on the yarn supplying bobbin (<NUM>) side and the yarn (<NUM>) on the yarn accumulating device (<NUM>) side;
a blow-feeding section (<NUM>) adapted to blow and feed the yarn (<NUM>) on the yarn accumulating device (<NUM>) side to a downstream side in a travelling direction at a time of winding of the yarn (<NUM>);
a first catching section (13A) adapted to catch the yarn (<NUM>) on the yarn accumulating device (<NUM>) side blown and fed by the blow-feeding section (<NUM>), to guide the yarn (<NUM>) to the yarn joining device (<NUM>); and
a second catching section (13B) adapted to catch the yarn (<NUM>) on the yarn supplying bobbin (<NUM>) side and to guide the yarn (<NUM>) to the yarn joining device (<NUM>), wherein the second catching section (13B) is swingably arranged at a first position for catching of the yarn (<NUM>) on the yarn supplying bobbin (<NUM>) side on an upstream side in the travelling direction with respect to a position where the first catching section (13A) catches the yarn (<NUM>) on the yarn accumulating device (<NUM>) side, and at a second position for guiding of the caught yarn (<NUM>) to the yarn joining device (<NUM>)characterized in that the first catching section (13A) and the second catching section (13B) are configured as a catching device (<NUM>) that is integrated.