Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> (<CIT>) discloses a coupling device formed by a male joint and a female joint. In the coupling device, a valve is provided in a passage formed inside of the male joint and the female joint. When the male joint and the female joint are decoupled from each other, the valve causes the passage to close. However, if the coupling device with such a valve as above is provided on a pipe connected to a yarn sucking device used for a spun yarn take-up system, for example, yarns are likely to be caught by the valve. Moreover, the passage becomes narrow due to the valve therein, leading to easy yarn clogging.

Then, such a structure is preferred, as a coupling device to be provided in the pipe connected to the yarn sucking device, that is configured with couplers without any valves as described in Patent Literature <NUM> (<CIT>), for example. The coupling device described in Patent Literature <NUM> includes a male coupler and a female coupler, either of which is fixed on a movable base. When the movable base is moved upwardly in coupling of the male coupler and the female coupler, the movable base is brought into a horizontally movable state. Accordingly, even if some horizontal deviation is generated between the male coupler and the female coupler, horizontal movement of either of the couplers together with the movable base corrects the horizontal deviation. This allows coupling of the male coupler and the female coupler. Similar coupling devices are derivable from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

If an axis of the male coupler is parallel to an axis of the female coupler, the coupling device described in Patent Literature <NUM> operates with no problem. On the other hand, if the axis of the male coupler is not parallel to the axis of the female coupler (i.e., if the axis of the male coupler is inclined with respect to the axis of the female coupler), it is difficult to insert the male coupler into the female coupler, leading to possibility of poor coupling. Likewise, in the coupling device described in Patent Literature <NUM>, if an axis of the male joint is not parallel to an axis of the female joint, it is difficult to open the valve appropriately, leading to possibility of poor coupling.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device suitable for arrangement in a pipe connected to a yarn sucking device and capable of coupling paired couplers if axes of the couplers are not parallel to each other.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a coupling device including the features of claim <NUM>, in particular with a first coupler and a second coupler, the coupling device configured to connect the first coupler and the second coupler by moving one of the first coupler and the second coupler to the other of the first coupler and the second coupler, the first coupler including a first cylinder body, the second coupler including a second cylinder body facing the first cylinder body, a cylindrical ring member, a seal ring, and a bias mechanism. The ring member is engaged on an outer side of the second cylinder body with a gap, and is movable in an axial direction of the second cylinder body. The seal ring is arranged between the second cylinder body and the ring member. The bias mechanism biases the ring member toward the first cylinder body. A sealing member is disposed on at least one of an end face of the first cylinder body and an end face of the ring member. When one of the couplers is moved toward the other of the couplers, the end face of the first cylinder body contacts the end face of the ring member via the sealing member, whereby an inner passage of the first cylinder body is in communication with an inner passage of the second cylinder body.

In the coupling device according to the aspect of the present invention, the ring member engaged on the second cylinder body is biased toward the first cylinder body by the bias mechanism. The end face of the ring member contacts the end face of the first cylinder body via the sealing member, whereby the inner passage of the first cylinder body is in communication with the inner passage of the second cylinder body. Here, since the gap is obtained between the second cylinder body and the ring member, the ring member biased by the bias mechanism is variable in its attitude. Accordingly, even when the axis of the first coupler is not parallel to the axis of the second coupler, the attitude of the ring member is adjusted such that the end face of the ring member contacts the end face of the first cylinder body via the sealing member. This achieves coupling of the first coupler and the second coupler. Moreover, since the ring member is provided outside of the second cylinder body, both the first cylinder body and the second cylinder body are configurable such that no additional element is arranged in the inner passages individually. Consequently, yarns are capable of passing through the first coupler and the second coupler smoothly, and are suitably useable for the pipe connected to the yarn sucking device.

The present invention may be arranged such that the sealing member is provided on the end face of the ring member.

In doing so, the position of the sealing member is adjusted simultaneously with adjustment of the attitude of the ring member. Accordingly, the end face of the ring member is capable of contacting the end face of the first cylinder body via the sealing member certainly.

The present invention is arranged such that a retainer configured to prevent removal of the ring member from the second cylinder body is provided on the second coupler.

Provision of such a retainer is able to reliably maintain the ring member to be engaged on the second cylinder body, leading to prevention of poor coupling.

The present invention may be arranged such that the second coupler further includes a cylindrical regulator disposed outside of the ring member with a gap, and that the regulator includes an end portion, adjacent to the first cylinder body, where a protruding portion protruding inwardly in a radial direction is provided as the retainer.

In doing so, only assembling the regulator achieves easy provision of the retainer.

The present invention may be arranged such that the seal ring may have a V-shaped cross section orthogonal to the circumferential direction.

In doing so, the seal ring is deformable, and thus the attitude of the ring member is flexibly variable. Accordingly, the first coupler is couplable with the second coupler more certainly when the axis of the first coupler is not parallel to the axis of the second coupler.

The present invention may be arranged such that a flange portion protruding outwardly in the radial direction is formed at the end portion of the first cylinder body adjacent to the second cylinder body.

In doing so, the end face of the first cylinder body is enlarged. Accordingly, the first coupler is couplable with the second coupler suitably if the second coupler is slightly shifted with respect to the first coupler in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

The present invention is arranged such that the bias mechanism includes a spring.

Using the spring as the bias mechanism achieves a low-cost structure of the bias mechanism.

The present invention is arranged such that the bias mechanism includes a plural number of the springs arranged in line in a circumferential direction of the ring member.

The plural number of the springs are provided, whereby variation in number of the springs allows control of a biasing force. Moreover, more flexible variation in attitude of the ring member is obtainable by the plural number of the springs biasing the ring member than in the case where the ring member is biased by one spring.

The present invention may be arranged such that a detent member configured to prevent pivot of the ring member in the circumferential direction is provided.

The ring member is prevented from pivoting, leading to prevention of damages on the bias mechanism due to an unreasonable force applied to the bias mechanism.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a spun yarn take-up system including: a plurality of spun yarn take-up devices arranged in line in a predetermined direction, a yarn threading robot including a sucking retaining unit capable of suction-retaining a yarn and configured to be movable in the predetermined direction and be capable of performing yarn threading operation to each of the spun yarn take-up devices, and a yarn waste unit where the yarn sucked by the sucking retaining unit is wasted, and the coupling device described above is provided on a waste yarn passage extending from the sucking retaining unit to the yarn waste unit.

As described above, the coupling device according to the present invention is configured so as to pass the yarn easily and smoothly, and thus is suitable for use for the waste yarn passage connected to the sucking retaining unit. Moreover, an operator is not always beside an automatic device such as the yarn threading robot, and thus time for leaving a state where the device is clogged by the yarn is likely to become long. Consequently, it is much important to adopt the coupling device unlikely to be clogged by the yarn.

The present spun yarn take-up system may be arranged such that a plurality of the first couplers of the coupling device disposed on the waste yarn passage are provided correspondingly in the spun yarn take-up devices, and the second coupler of the coupling device disposed on the waste yarn passage is provided in the yarn threading robot.

In the coupling device according to the present invention, the second coupler is more complexed and higher in price than the first coupler. With the structure described above, only one high-priced second coupler is needed, leading to reduction in cost.

The present spun yarn take-up system may be arranged such that, in the coupling device disposed on the waste yarn passage, an inner diameter of the first cylinder body is larger than an inner diameter of the second cylinder body.

The yarn sucked by the sucking retaining unit travels from the second cylinder body to the first cylinder body. Accordingly, with the structure as described above, the passage is widened at a boundary between the second cylinder body and the first cylinder body when the yarn passes through the boundary. This achieves easy and smooth passing of the yarn.

The present spun yarn take-up system may be arranged such that a compressed fluid supplier is further provided and configured to cause the sucking retaining unit to generate a suction force by supplying a compressed fluid to the sucking retaining unit, and the coupling device described above is provided on a compressed fluid suppling passage extending from the compressed fluid supplier to the sucking retaining unit.

The coupling device according to the present invention allows certain coupling of the first coupler and the second coupler, leading to suitable usage of the couplers for the passage where the compressed fluid flows.

The present spun yarn take-up system may be arranged such that a plurality of the first couplers of the coupling device disposed on the compressed fluid suppling passage are provided correspondingly in the spun yarn take-up devices, and the second coupler of the coupling device disposed on the compressed fluid suppling passage is provided in the yarn threading robot.

The present spun yarn take-up system may be arranged such that, in the coupling device disposed on the compressed fluid suppling passage, an inner diameter of the second cylinder body is larger than an inner diameter of the first cylinder body.

The compressed fluid supplied to the yarn threading robot flows from the first cylinder body to the second cylinder body. Accordingly, with the structure as described above, the passage is widened at the boundary between the second cylinder body and the first cylinder body when the compressed fluid passes through the boundary. This allows suppressed increase in passage resistance at the boundary.

The present spun yarn take-up system may be arranged such that one coupler of the coupling device disposed on the waste yarn passage and one coupler of the coupling device disposed on the compressed fluid suppling passage are attached to a common attaching member, and the attaching member is moved, whereby the coupling devices are coupled.

In this case, the two coupling devices are coupled simultaneously. When used is the coupling device of a normal type where a male coupler is inserted into a female coupler, it requires more strict precision to couple the plural coupling devices simultaneously than the case where one coupling device is coupled. On the other hand, in the coupling device according to the present invention, it is only necessary to contact the end face of the ring member to the end face of the first cylinder body via the sealing member. Accordingly, strict required precision is suppressible even when the plural coupling devices are coupled simultaneously.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a spun yarn take-up system of the present embodiment. A spun yarn take-up system <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> arranged in a predetermined direction, a yarn threading robot <NUM> configured to perform yarn threading operation to the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, a central controller <NUM> configured to control operation of the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> and the yarn threading robot <NUM>, a compressed air supplier <NUM> (corresponding to the compressed fluid supplier in the present invention) configured to supply compressed air (corresponding to the compressed fluid in the present invention) to the yarn threading robot <NUM>, and a yarn waste unit <NUM> where yarns sucked with the yarn threading robot <NUM> are wasted. In the present embodiment, one yarn threading robot <NUM>, one compressed air supplier <NUM>, and one yarn waste unit <NUM> are each provided, but the number thereof may be two or more. In <FIG>, yarns are not illustrated to avoid complexity in the figure. Hereinafter, directions shown in <FIG> will be referred to appropriately for convenience of explanation.

Now, the spun yarn take-up device <NUM> will be detailed. <FIG> is a side view illustrating the spun yarn take-up device <NUM> and the yarn threading robot. <NUM> The spun yarn take-up device <NUM> is configured to feed yarns Y spun out from an unillustrated spinning device to a winding unit <NUM> by a first godet roller <NUM> and a second godet roller <NUM>, and to wind the yarns Y onto bobbins B in the winding unit <NUM>, thereby forming packages P.

The first godet roller <NUM> is a roller having an axis substantially in parallel to a left-right direction and is provided above a front end portion of the winding unit <NUM>. The second godet roller <NUM> is a roller having an axis substantially in parallel to the left-right direction, and is provided above and rearward of the first godet roller <NUM>. The first godet roller <NUM> and the second godet roller <NUM> are each rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. The second godet roller <NUM> is movably supported by a guide rail <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> extends obliquely upward and rearward from adjacent to the first godet roller <NUM>. The second godet roller <NUM> is movable along the guide rail <NUM> by an unillustrated cylinder. The second godet roller <NUM> is movable between a winding position (see solid lines in <FIG>) where winding of the yarns Y is performed and a yarn threading position (see dashed lines in <FIG>) adjacent to the first godet roller <NUM>.

The spun yarn take-up device <NUM> further includes an aspirator <NUM> and a yarn regulating guide <NUM>. The aspirator <NUM> is configured to suck and retain the yarns Y spun out from the spinning device temporarily before yarn threading is performed by the yarn threading robot <NUM>. The aspirator <NUM> extends along the left-right direction. The aspirator <NUM> includes, at its right end portion, a suction port 15a for sucking the yarns Y. The aspirator <NUM> is provided somewhat above the first godet roller <NUM> so that the suction port 15a is positioned near the yarns Y. The yarn regulating guide <NUM> is provided between the first godet roller <NUM> and the aspirator <NUM> with respect to an up-down direction. The yarn regulating guide <NUM> is, for example, a yarn guide with a comb teeth shape, and functions to regulate intervals between adjacent yarns Y threaded thereon.

The winding unit <NUM> includes fulcrum guides <NUM>, traverse guides <NUM>, a turret <NUM>, two bobbin holders <NUM>, and a contact roller <NUM>. The fulcrum guides <NUM> are provided for the yarns Y, and are lined up in a front-rear direction. The traverse guides <NUM> are provided for the yarns Y, and are lined up in the front-rear direction. The traverse guides <NUM> are each driven by an unillustrated motor, and are configured to reciprocate in the front-rear direction. With this, the yarns Y threaded onto the traverse guides <NUM> are traversed about the corresponding fulcrum guides <NUM>.

The turret <NUM> is a disc-shaped member having an axis substantially in parallel to the front-rear direction. The turret <NUM> is rotationally driven about an axis by an unillustrated motor. The two bobbin holders <NUM> have axes in substantially parallel to the front-rear direction and are rotatably supported at an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the turret <NUM>. The bobbin holders <NUM> are each rotationally driven about an axis by an unillustrated motor. The bobbins B are attached to each of the bobbin holders <NUM>. The bobbins B are respectively provided for the yarns Y and lined up in the front-rear direction.

When the upper bobbin holder <NUM> is rotationally driven, the yarns Y traversed by the traverse guides <NUM> are wound onto the bobbins B, whereby packages P are formed. After the completion of the formation of the packages P, the positions of the two bobbin holders <NUM> are changed upside down as the turret <NUM> is rotated. As a result, the bobbin holder <NUM> having been at the lower position is moved to the upper position, which allows the yarns Y to be wound onto the bobbins B attached to the bobbin holder <NUM>, whereby the packages P are formable. Meanwhile, the bobbin holder <NUM> having been at the upper position is moved to the lower position, and the packages P are collected by an unillustrated package collector.

The contact roller <NUM> is a roller having an axis substantially in parallel to the front-rear direction and is provided immediately above the upper bobbin holder <NUM>. The contact roller <NUM> is configured to contact surfaces of the packages P supported by the upper bobbin holder <NUM>. With this, the contact roller <NUM> applies a contact pressure to the surfaces of the unfinished packages P to adjust a shape of the packages P.

Now, the yarn threading robot <NUM> will be described. As shown in <FIG>, the yarn threading robot <NUM> includes a main body <NUM>, a robotic arm <NUM>, a yarn threading unit <NUM>, and a coupling unit <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> has an unillustrated robot controller mounted inside thereof. The robot controller is configured to control operations of the robotic arm <NUM>, the yarn threading unit <NUM>, and the coupling unit <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may be supported by and hang down from two guide rails <NUM>. The two guide rails <NUM> are provided in front of the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction. The two guide rails <NUM> extend in the left-right direction so as to cover a range in which the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> are provided. Four wheels <NUM> are provided at an upper end portion of the main body <NUM>. Two wheels <NUM>, which are left and right wheels, are disposed on each of the two guide rails <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> is rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor, whereby the yarn threading robot <NUM> is movable along the two guide rails <NUM> in the left-right direction. In yarn threading operation to one of the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, the yarn threading robot <NUM> performs the yarn threading operation after reaching a position in front of the spun yarn take-up device <NUM>.

The robotic arm <NUM> is attached to the main body <NUM>. The robotic arm <NUM> includes arms 32a and joints 32b connecting the arms 32a with one another. Each joint 32b incorporates therein an unillustrated motor. The motor causes the arm 32a to be swung about the joint 32b. This allows the robotic arm <NUM> to operate three-dimensionally.

The yarn threading unit <NUM> is attached to a distal end portion of the robotic arm <NUM>. On the yarn threading unit <NUM>, a suction <NUM> (corresponding to the sucking retaining unit of the present invention) for sucking and retaining the yarns Y and a cutter <NUM> for cutting the yarns Y are provided.

<FIG> is a cross-section of the suction <NUM>. The suction <NUM> includes a suction pipe 37a extending linearly, and a supply pipe 37b unitarily connected to an intermediate portion of the suction pipe 37a. One end portion of the suction pipe 37a (on the right end of <FIG>) functions as a suction port 37c through which the yarns Y are sucked. An upstream end portion of a robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM> mentioned later is connected to an other end portion of the suction pipe 37a (on the left end of <FIG>). Moreover, one end portion of the supply pipe 37b (on the right end of <FIG>) is connected to an intermediate portion of the suction pipe 37a. At a connecting portion of the suction pipe 37a and the supply pipe 37b, a communication hole 37d is formed so as to bring an inner passage of the suction pipe 37a to be in communication with an inner passage of the suction pipe 37b. A downstream end portion of a robot-side compressed air hose <NUM> mentioned later is connected to the other end portion of the suction pipe 37b (on the left end of <FIG>).

The communication hole 37d is inclined toward the other end portion of the suction pipe 37a. Consequently, compressed air having flowed from the supply pipe 37b into the suction pipe 37a flows from the one end portion to the other end portion of the suction pipe 37a, as indicated by an arrow in <FIG>. This airflow creates a suction force (negative pressure) at the suction port 37c, which makes it possible to suck the yarns Y from the suction port 37c. The yarns Y sucked from the suction port 37c are discharged to the robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM> along with the airflow of the compressed air in the suction pipe 37a. The yarn threading robot <NUM> performs yarn threading operation while sucking and retaining the yarns Y using the suction <NUM>.

The coupling unit <NUM> forms a part of coupling devices <NUM>, <NUM> mentioned later. The details of the coupling unit <NUM> will be given later.

As shown in <FIG>, the spun yarn take-up system <NUM> includes a compressed air supply passage <NUM> (two-dot chain lines in <FIG>, corresponding to the compressed fluid suppling passage of the present invention) through which an compressed air is supplied from the compressed air supplier <NUM> to the suction <NUM> of the yarn threading robot <NUM>, and a waste yarn passage <NUM> (dashed lines in <FIG>) through which the yarns Y are wasted from the suction <NUM> to the yarn waste unit <NUM>.

The compressed air supply passage <NUM> includes a system-side compressed air hose <NUM> extending from the compressed air supplier <NUM> to the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, and a robot-side compressed air hose <NUM> arranged in the yarn threading robot <NUM>. Likewise, the waste yarn passage <NUM> includes a system-side waste yarn hose <NUM> extending from the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> to the yarn waste unit <NUM>, and a robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM> arranged in the yarn threading robot <NUM>. The system-side compressed air hose <NUM> is connected to the robot-side compressed air hose <NUM> via the compressed-air coupling device <NUM>. The system-side waste yarn hose <NUM> is connected to the robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM> via the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM>. The details of the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> and the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> will be given later.

The system-side compressed air hose <NUM> is formed by a main hose 71a connected to the compressed air supplier <NUM>, and a plurality of sub hoses 71b diverged from the main hose 71a toward the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>. A compressed-air first coupler <NUM> arranged in each spun yarn take-up device <NUM> is attached to a downstream end portion of each sub hose 71b individually. An on-off valve <NUM> controllable by the central controller <NUM> is provided on an intermediate portion of each sub hose 71b. A compressed-air second coupler <NUM> arranged in each coupling unit <NUM> of the yarn threading robot <NUM> is attached to an upstream end portion of the robot-side compressed air hose <NUM>.

The system-side waste yarn hose <NUM> is formed by a main hose 81a connected to the yarn waste unit <NUM>, and a plurality of sub hoses 81b diverged from the main hose 81a toward the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>. A waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> arranged in each spun yarn take-up device <NUM> is attached to an upstream end portion of each sub hose 81b individually. A waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> arranged in the coupling unit <NUM> of the yarn threading robot <NUM> is attached to a downstream end portion of the robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM>.

When the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM> is coupled to the compressed-air first coupler <NUM> provided in any of the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, the system-side compressed air hose <NUM> and the robot-side compressed air hose <NUM> are connected to each other. Moreover, when the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM> is coupled to the waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> provided in any of the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, the system-side waste yarn hose <NUM> is connected to the robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM>. Here, a connection sensor <NUM> is provided in each spun yarn take-up device <NUM>, the sensor being configured to detect coupling between the compressed-air first coupler <NUM> and the compressed-air second coupler <NUM>. The connection sensor <NUM> sends coupling signals to the central controller <NUM>.

The following describes the details of the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> and the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view illustrating the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> and the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM>. The compressed-air coupling device <NUM> includes a compressed-air first coupler <NUM> and a compressed-air second coupler <NUM>. The waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> includes a waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> and a waste-yarn second coupler <NUM>.

The compressed-air first coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> for waste yarn are attached in line to a common supporting plate <NUM>. The supporting plate <NUM> is provided across the two guide rails <NUM>, and is supported by the two guide rails <NUM> substantially horizontally.

The compressed-air second coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> are disposed in the coupling unit <NUM> of the yarn threading robot <NUM>. The coupling unit <NUM> includes, in addition to the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM>, a base member <NUM>, a plurality of guide members <NUM>, a plurality of slide members <NUM>, a liftable plate <NUM>, a drive unit <NUM>, a plurality of supporting members <NUM>, and a supporting plate <NUM> (corresponding to the attaching member in the present invention). The base member <NUM> is fixed on an upper surface of the main body <NUM> of the yarn threading robot <NUM>. The guide members <NUM> are provided so as to extend upwardly from the base member <NUM>. The slide members <NUM> are attached to the guide members <NUM> so as to be movable in the up-down direction. The liftable plate <NUM> is supported by the slide members <NUM> substantially horizontally. The drive unit <NUM> is, for example, formed by a cylinder to move the liftable plate <NUM> upwardly and downwardly. The supporting members <NUM> are provided so as to extend upwardly from the liftable plate <NUM>. The supporting plate <NUM> is supported by the slide members <NUM> substantially horizontally. The compressed-air second coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> are attached in line to the common supporting plate <NUM>.

In yarn threading operation to one of the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, the yarn threading robot <NUM> moves to a position in front of this spun yarn take-up device <NUM>. Then, the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> faces the compressed-air first coupler <NUM> of the spun yarn take-up device <NUM>, and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> faces the waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> of the spun yarn take-up device <NUM>. Under such a state, the drive unit <NUM> causes the liftable plate <NUM> to move upwardly. In doing so, the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> is coupled to the compressed-air first coupler <NUM>, and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> is coupled to the waste-yarn first coupler <NUM>. That is, the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> moved by the drive unit <NUM> correspond to the "one coupler" in the present invention, whereas the compressed-air first coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> correspond to the "the other coupler" in the present invention.

When receiving a connection signal from a connection sensor <NUM> of the spun yarn take-up device <NUM>, the central controller <NUM> causes the on-off valve <NUM> of the spun yarn take-up device <NUM> to open. As a result, the compressed air supply passage <NUM> extending from the compressed air supplier <NUM> to the suction <NUM> of the yarn threading robot <NUM> is brought into communication, leading to a state in which yarn threading to the yarn threading robot <NUM> is possible.

Now, the detailed structure of the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> will be described. Since the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> is basically configured in the same manner as the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM>, the description of the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> is omitted. In the following description, the waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> is simply referred to as a first coupler <NUM>, and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> is simply referred to as a second coupler <NUM> where appropriate.

<FIG> is a cross-section of the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM>. <FIG> shows a state before the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are coupled. <FIG> shows a state where the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are coupled. The system-side waste yarn hose <NUM> and the robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM> are not shown in <FIG>.

The first coupler <NUM> includes a first cylinder body <NUM>. The first cylinder body <NUM> extends in the up-down direction (axial direction). The first cylinder body <NUM> includes, at its lower end portion, a flange portion 91a protruding outwardly in a radial direction. The first cylinder body <NUM> is fixed on the supporting plate <NUM> while being inserted into an attachment hole 41a formed in the supporting plate <NUM> so as for the flange portion 91a to be positioned on the lower side of the supporting plate <NUM>.

The second coupler <NUM> includes a second cylinder body <NUM>, a ring member <NUM>, a sealing member <NUM>, a seal ring <NUM>, a bias mechanism <NUM>, a detent pin <NUM>, and a regulator <NUM>. The second cylinder body <NUM> extends in the up-down direction (axial direction). A lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> faces an upper end face of the second cylinder body <NUM>. The second cylinder body <NUM> is fixed on the supporting plate <NUM> while being inserted into an attachment hole 57a formed in the supporting plate <NUM>.

The ring member <NUM> is a cylindrical member substantially coaxially with the second cylinder body <NUM>, and is disposed outside of the second cylinder body <NUM>. The ring member <NUM> is engaged with an outer portion of the second cylinder body <NUM>, the portion protruding upwardly from the supporting plate <NUM>. The ring member <NUM> is movable in the up-down direction along the second cylinder body <NUM>. An annular groove 93a is formed in an inner circumferential surface of the ring member <NUM>. The ring member <NUM> has an inner diameter uniform except the annular groove 93a and the inner diameter of the ring member <NUM> is larger than an outer diameter of the second cylinder body <NUM>. Accordingly, a gap G1 is present between the outer circumferential surface of the second cylinder body <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the ring member <NUM>. A stepped portion 93b is formed in the outer circumferential surface of the ring member <NUM>. An outer diameter of a portion above the stepped portion 93b is smaller than an outer diameter of a portion below the stepped portion 93b. In addition, an engagement hole 93c for engagement with the detent pin <NUM> is formed in a bottom surface of the ring member <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> and the seal ring <NUM> are provided for obtaining airtightness when the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are coupled. The sealing member <NUM> is an O-ring disposed on an upper end face of the ring member <NUM>. The seal ring <NUM> is arranged between the second cylinder body <NUM> and the ring member <NUM>, more specifically in the annular groove 93a of the ring member <NUM>. The seal ring <NUM> is an annular V-shaped packing whose cross section orthogonal with respect to the circumferential direction of the seal ring <NUM> is V-shaped. Consequently, the seal ring <NUM> is easy deformed.

The bias mechanism <NUM> includes a plurality of springs <NUM>. The springs <NUM> are arranged between the bottom face of the ring member <NUM> and the supporting plate <NUM>, and configured to bias the ring member <NUM> toward the first cylinder body <NUM> (upwardly). The plurality of (e.g., <NUM>) springs <NUM> are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, but may be arranged at different intervals.

The detent pin <NUM> (corresponding to the detent member in the present invention) is a member for preventing pivot of the ring member <NUM> in the circumferential direction. The detent pin <NUM> is attached to the supporting plate <NUM> so as to protrude upwardly from the supporting plate <NUM>. An upper portion of the detent pin <NUM> is inserted into an engagement hole 93c of the ring member <NUM>, whereby the detent pin <NUM> is engaged with the ring member <NUM> to prevent pivot of the ring member <NUM>. Here, the detent pin <NUM> is loosely engaged with the engagement hole 93c such that a gap is generated therebetween for variation in attitude of the ring member <NUM> with respect to the second cylinder body <NUM>.

The regulator <NUM> is a cylindrical member substantially coaxially with the second cylinder body <NUM>, and is disposed outside of the ring member <NUM>. At an upper end portion of the regulator <NUM>, a protruding portion 98a (corresponding to the retainer in the present invention) is formed that protrudes inwardly in the radial direction. The protruding portion 98a of the regulator <NUM> contacts the stepped portion 93b of the ring member <NUM> from the above, leading to prevention of the ring member <NUM> from upward removal from the second cylinder body <NUM>. The regulator <NUM> has an inner diameter uniform except the protruding portion 98a and the inner diameter of the regulator <NUM> is larger than an outer diameter of the ring member <NUM>. Accordingly, a gap G2 is present between an outer circumferential surface of the ring member <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the regulator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the yarn threading robot <NUM> is moved such that the second coupler <NUM> faces the first coupler <NUM> when the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are coupled. Subsequently, the yarn threading robot <NUM> causes the drive unit <NUM> to move the liftable plate <NUM> upwardly, thereby moving the second coupler <NUM> upwardly. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> provided on the upper end face of the ring member <NUM> is pressed against the lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> (lower end face of the flange portion 91a). In other words, the upper end face of the ring member <NUM> contacts the lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> via the sealing member <NUM>. In this manner, the inner passage of the first cylinder body <NUM> is in communication with the inner passage of the second cylinder body <NUM>, achieving coupling between the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM>. When the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are coupled, the lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> and the upper end face of the ring member <NUM> are sealed with the sealing member <NUM>, and the outer circumferential surface of the second cylinder body <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the ring member <NUM> are sealed with the seal ring <NUM>. This ensures airtightness.

Here, as for the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM>, the inner diameter of the first cylinder body <NUM> is larger than the inner diameter of the second cylinder body <NUM>. The yarns Y sucked by the suction <NUM> of the yarn threading robot <NUM> flow from the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> (second cylinder body <NUM>) toward the waste-yarn first coupler <NUM> (first cylinder body <NUM>). Accordingly, the inner diameter of the first cylinder body <NUM> is made larger than the inner diameter of the second cylinder body <NUM>, leading to the widened passage at the boundary between the first cylinder body <NUM> and the second cylinder body <NUM>.

In contrast to this, as for the compressed-air coupling device <NUM>, the inner diameter of the second cylinder body is larger than the inner diameter of the first cylinder body. The compressed fluid supplied to the yarn threading robot <NUM> flows from the compressed-air first coupler <NUM> (first cylinder body) to the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> (second cylinder body). Accordingly, the inner diameter of the second cylinder body is made larger than the inner diameter of the first cylinder body, leading to the widened passage at the boundary between the first cylinder body and the second cylinder body.

The following describes the case where the axis of the first coupler <NUM> is not parallel to the axis of the second coupler <NUM> with reference to <FIG> is a cross-section of the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> in which the axis of the second coupler <NUM> is inclined with respect to the axis of the first coupler <NUM>. <FIG> shows a state before the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are coupled. <FIG> shows a state where the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are coupled. The system-side waste yarn hose <NUM> and the robot-side waste yarn hose <NUM> are not shown in <FIG>.

Here, it is assumed that the axis of the second coupler <NUM> is inclined with respect to the axis of the first coupler <NUM> as shown in <FIG> since the supporting plate <NUM> is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. When the second coupler <NUM> is moved upwardly from this state, a part of the sealing member <NUM> provided on the upper end face of the ring member <NUM> (specifically, a part of the right side in <FIG>) is firstly pressed against the lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM>. Now, the ring member <NUM> is merely biased by the springs <NUM>, and thus is not fixed on the second cylinder body <NUM>. Moreover, the gap G1 is obtained between the ring member <NUM> and the second cylinder body <NUM>, and the gap G2 is obtained between the ring member <NUM> and the regulator <NUM>. Consequently, after the part of the sealing member <NUM> contacts the lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM>, the attitude of the ring member <NUM> (inclination with respect to the second cylinder body <NUM>) is varied such that the axis of the ring member <NUM> biased by the springs <NUM> is substantially parallel to the axis of the first cylinder body <NUM> as the second coupler <NUM> is moved upwardly. Finally, as shown in <FIG>, the axis of the ring member <NUM> is substantially parallel with respect to the axis of the first cylinder body <NUM>, whereby the sealing member <NUM> is entirely pressed against the lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM>. Accordingly, even when the axis of the first coupler <NUM> is not parallel to the axis of the second coupler <NUM>, the inner passage of the cylinder body <NUM> is able to be brought into sealing communication with the inner passage of the second cylinder body <NUM>. This achieves coupling of the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM>.

In the coupling device (the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> and the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM>) according to the present embodiment, the ring member <NUM> engaged on the second cylinder body <NUM> is biased toward the first cylinder body <NUM> by the bias mechanism <NUM>, and the end face of the ring member <NUM> contacts the end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> via the sealing member <NUM>, whereby the inner passage of the first cylinder body <NUM> is brought into communication with the inner passage of the second cylinder body <NUM>. Here, the gap G1 is obtained between the second cylinder body <NUM> and the ring member <NUM>, and thus the ring member <NUM> biased by the bias mechanism <NUM> is variable in its attitude. Accordingly, even when the axis of the first coupler <NUM> is not parallel to the axis of the second coupler <NUM>, the attitude of the ring member <NUM> is adjusted such that the end face of the ring member <NUM> contacts the end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> via the sealing member <NUM>. This achieves coupling of the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM>. Moreover, since the ring member <NUM> is provided outside of the second cylinder body <NUM>, both the first cylinder body <NUM> and the second cylinder body <NUM> are configurable such that no additional element is arranged in the inner passages individually. Consequently, the yarns Y easily pass through the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> smoothly, and thus the couplers are suitably usable for the pipe connected to the suction <NUM> (yarn sucking device).

In the present embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> are provided on the end face of the ring member <NUM>. In doing so, the position of the sealing member <NUM> is adjusted simultaneously with adjustment of the attitude of the ring member <NUM>. Accordingly, the end face of the ring member <NUM> is capable of contacting the end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> via the sealing member <NUM> certainly.

In the present embodiment, the retainer 98a configured to prevent removal of the ring member <NUM> from the second cylinder body <NUM> is provided on the second coupler <NUM>. Provision of such a retainer 98a is able to reliably maintain the ring member <NUM> to be engaged in the second cylinder body <NUM>, leading to prevention of poor coupling.

In the present embodiment, the second coupler <NUM> further includes the cylindrical regulator <NUM> disposed outside of the ring member <NUM> with the gap G2, and the regulator <NUM> includes the end portion adjacent to the first cylinder body <NUM> where the protruding portion 98a protruding inwardly in the radial direction is provided as the retainer. In doing so, only assembling the regulator <NUM> achieves easy provision of the retainer 98a.

In the present embodiment, the seal ring <NUM> has a V-shaped cross section orthogonal with respect to the circumferential direction. In doing so, the seal ring <NUM> is deformable easily, and thus the attitude of the ring member <NUM> is flexibly variable. Accordingly, the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are certainly couplable when the axis of the first coupler <NUM> is not parallel to the axis of the second coupler <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the first cylinder body <NUM> includes, at its end portion adjacent to the second cylinder body <NUM>, the flange portion 91a protruding outwardly in the radial direction. In doing so, the end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> is widened. Accordingly, the first coupler <NUM> is couplable with the second coupler <NUM> suitably if the second coupler <NUM> is slightly shifted in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction with respect to the first coupler <NUM>.

In the present invention, the bias mechanism <NUM> includes the springs <NUM>. Using the springs <NUM> as the bias mechanism <NUM> achieves a low-priced structure of the bias mechanism <NUM>.

In the present invention, the bias mechanism <NUM> includes the springs <NUM> arranged in line in the circumferential direction of the ring member <NUM>. The plural number of the springs <NUM> are provided, whereby variation in number of the springs <NUM> allows control of a biasing force. Moreover, more flexible variation in attitude of the ring member <NUM> is obtainable by the plural number of the springs <NUM> biasing the ring member <NUM> than in the case where the ring member <NUM> is biased by one spring <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the detent member <NUM> configured to prevent pivot of the ring member <NUM> in the circumferential direction is provided. The ring member <NUM> is prevented from pivoting, leading to prevention of damages on the bias mechanism <NUM> (springs <NUM>) due to an unreasonable force applied to the bias mechanism <NUM>.

In the spun yarn take-up system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> is provided on the waste yarn passage <NUM> extending from the suction <NUM> to the yarn waste unit <NUM>. As described above, the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> is configured so as to pass the yarns Y easily and smoothly, and thus is suitable for use in the waste yarn passage <NUM> connected to the suction <NUM>. Moreover, an operator is not always beside an automatic device such as the yarn threading robot <NUM>, time for leaving a state where the device is clogged by the yarns Y is likely to become long. Consequently, it is much important to adopt the coupling device <NUM> unlikely to be clogged by the yarns.

In the present embodiment, the first couplers <NUM> of the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> disposed on the waste yarn passage <NUM> are provided correspondingly in the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, and the second coupler <NUM> of the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> disposed on the waste yarn passage <NUM> is provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM>. In the coupling device <NUM>, the second coupler <NUM> is more complexed and higher in price than the first coupler <NUM>. With the structure described above, only one high-priced second coupler <NUM> is needed, leading to reduction in cost.

In the present embodiment, as for the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> disposed on the waste yarn passage <NUM>, the inner diameter of the first cylinder body <NUM> is larger than the inner diameter of the second cylinder body <NUM>. The yarns Y sucked by the suction <NUM> travel from the second cylinder body <NUM> toward the first cylinder body <NUM>. Accordingly, with the structure as described above, the passage is widened at the boundary between the second cylinder body <NUM> and the first cylinder body <NUM> when the yarns Y pass through the boundary. This achieves easy and smooth passing of the yarns Y.

In the present embodiment, the coupling device <NUM> for waste yarn is provided on the compressed air supply passage <NUM> extending from the compressed air supplier <NUM> to the suction <NUM>. The compressed-air coupling device <NUM> allows certain coupling of the first coupler <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM>, leading to usage of the couplers for the passage where the compressed fluid flows.

In the present embodiment, the first couplers <NUM> of the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> disposed on the compressed air supply passage <NUM> are provided correspondingly in the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM>, and the second coupler <NUM> of the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> disposed on the compressed air supply passage <NUM> is provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM>. In the compressed-air coupling device <NUM>, the second coupler <NUM> is more complexed and higher in price than the first coupler <NUM>. With the structure described above, only one high-priced second coupler <NUM> is needed, leading to reduction in cost.

In the present embodiment, as for the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> disposed on the compressed air supply passage <NUM>, the inner diameter of the second cylinder body is larger than the inner diameter of the first cylinder body. The compressed fluid supplied to the yarn threading robot <NUM> flows from the first cylinder body to the second cylinder body. Accordingly, with the structure as described above, the passage is widened at the boundary between the second cylinder body and the first cylinder body when the compressed fluid passes through the boundary. This allows suppressed increase in passage resistance at the boundary.

In the present embodiment, the second coupler <NUM> (one of the couplers) of the waste-yarn coupling device <NUM> disposed on the waste yarn passage <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> (the other of the coupler) of the compressed-air coupling device <NUM> disposed on the compressed air supply passage <NUM> are attached to the common supporting plate <NUM>, and the supporting plate <NUM> is moved, whereby the coupling devices <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled. In this case, the two coupling devices <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled simultaneously. When used is the coupling device of a normal type where a male coupler is inserted into a female coupler, it requires more strict precision to couple the plural coupling devices simultaneously than the case where one coupling device is coupled. On the other hand, in the coupling devices <NUM>, <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is only necessary to contact the end face of the ring member <NUM> to the end face of the first cylinder body <NUM> via the sealing member <NUM>. Accordingly, strict required precision is suppressible even when the plural coupling devices <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled simultaneously.

The following will describe modifications of the above-described embodiment.

In the present embodiment described above, the sealing member <NUM> is provided on the upper end face of the ring member <NUM>. Alternatively, the sealing member <NUM> may be provided on the lower end face of the first cylinder body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment described above, the regulator <NUM> is provided to prevent removal of the ring member <NUM> from the second cylinder body <NUM>. Alternatively, the regulator <NUM> is omittable. For instance, a retainer configured to prevent removal of the ring member <NUM> may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second cylinder body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment described above, the seal ring <NUM> is a V-shaped packing whose cross section is V-shaped. Alternatively, another one except the V-shaped packing may be used as the seal ring <NUM>.

In the present embodiment described above, the flange portion 91a is provided on the lower end portion of the first cylinder body <NUM>. However, the flange portion 91a may be omitted when the first cylinder body <NUM> has a large thickness.

In the present embodiment, the bias mechanism <NUM> configured to bias the ring member <NUM> toward the first cylinder body <NUM> includes the springs <NUM> arranged in line in the circumferential direction of the ring member <NUM>. However, the structure of the bias mechanism is not limited to this. According to examples which are not part of the invention, the bias mechanism <NUM> may be formed by one spring <NUM>. Alternatively, the ring member <NUM> may be biased by an elastic body except the spring <NUM>. Alternatively, the ring member <NUM> may be biased by a translatory mechanism such as an air cylinder.

In the embodiment above, the detent pin <NUM> is provided, but the detent pin <NUM> is omittable.

In the embodiment above, the first couplers <NUM> are provided in the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> individually, and the second coupler <NUM> is provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM>. However, the second couplers <NUM> may be provided in the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> individually, and the first coupler <NUM> may be provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM>.

In the embodiment above, the second coupler <NUM> provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM> is moved toward the first couplers <NUM> provided in the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> individually. Alternatively, the first couplers <NUM> provided in the spun yarn take-up devices <NUM> individually may be moved toward the second coupler <NUM> provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM> and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> provided in the yarn threading robot <NUM> are attached to the common supporting plate <NUM>, and the supporting plate <NUM> is moved in the up-down direction, whereby the compressed-air second coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> are moved in the up-down direction simultaneously. However, such a structure is not essential. The compressed-air second coupler <NUM> and the waste-yarn second coupler <NUM> may be moved in the up-down direction independently.

Claim 1:
A coupling device (<NUM>, <NUM>) with a first coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>), the coupling device (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to connect the first coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) by moving one coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the first coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the other coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the first coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>),
the first coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a first cylinder body (<NUM>),
the second coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) including
a second cylinder body (<NUM>) facing the first cylinder body (<NUM>),
a cylindrical ring member (<NUM>) movable in an axial direction of the second cylinder body (<NUM>),
a seal ring (<NUM>) arranged between the second cylinder body (<NUM>) and the ring member (<NUM>), and
a bias mechanism (<NUM>) biasing the ring member (<NUM>) toward the first cylinder body (<NUM>),
a sealing member (<NUM>) being disposed on at least one of an end face of the first cylinder body (<NUM>) and an end face of the ring member (<NUM>), and
when the one coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) is moved toward the other coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>), the end face of the first cylinder body (<NUM>) contacting the end face of the ring member (<NUM>) via the sealing member (<NUM>), whereby an inner passage of the first cylinder body (<NUM>) is in communication with an inner passage of the second cylinder body (<NUM>),
wherein the coupling device (<NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises a retainer (98a) provided on the second coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to prevent removal of the ring member (<NUM>) from the second cylinder body (<NUM>);
wherein the cylindrical ring member (<NUM>) is engaged on an outer side of the second cylinder body (<NUM>) with a gap;
wherein the bias mechanism (<NUM>) includes a spring (<NUM>) ;
characterized in that the bias mechanism (<NUM>) includes a plural number of the springs (<NUM>) arranged in line in a circumferential direction of the ring member (<NUM>) ;
the springs (<NUM>) being arranged between a bottom face of the ring member (<NUM>) and a supporting plate (<NUM>) being configured to bias the ring member (<NUM>) toward the first cylinder body (<NUM>).