Patent Description:
In an air jet loom, a weft yarn is inserted through a weft passage by air discharged from a main nozzle and a sub-nozzles. For example, <CIT> discloses a sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device that adjusts a direction of air discharged from a sub-nozzle. In this sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device, a plurality of pitot tubes are disposed along a wall surface of a reed, and a maximum air pressure of air discharged from each of sub-nozzles is measured while the pitot tubes are moved in a weft insertion direction. An operator adjusts a rotation angle and a height of each of the sub-nozzles while checking a digital display and a bar indicator, so that a position where the maximum air pressure is measured is adjusted to a desirable position.

In the above-cited sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device, the rotation angle and the height of each of the sub-nozzles need be moved in a searching manner so as to adjust the direction of air discharged from each of the sub-nozzles. Therefore, there is a demand for efficient adjustment of the direction of air discharged from each of the sub-nozzles.

<CIT> teaches an air jet loom as defined in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure shall solve the above problem. It is the object of the present invention to provide an air jet loom including a sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device that can adjust a direction of air discharged from a sub-nozzle efficiently.

The above object is solved by an air jet loom having the features of claim <NUM>. Further developments are stated in the dependent claims.

Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the disclosure.

The disclosure, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:.

The following will describe an embodiment of a sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device of an air jet loom with reference to <FIG>. In the following description of the present embodiment, "upstream" and "downstream" will be used to indicate directions with respect to a weft insertion direction, i.e., a direction in which a weft yarn is inserted through a warp shed and travels, and the "upstream side" will refer to a side from which the weft yarn is inserted and "downstream side" will refer to a side to which the weft yarn travels. For the sake of description, a weft insertion apparatus will be described firstly, and a sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device will be described next.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a weft insertion apparatus <NUM> includes a weft insertion nozzle <NUM>, a yarn supply package <NUM>, a weft measuring and storing device <NUM>, a reed <NUM>, a plurality of sub-nozzles <NUM> for a weft insertion, and a control device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> is equipped with a display device 16a having display and input functions. The yarn supply package <NUM> is disposed upstream of the weft insertion nozzle <NUM>. With the rotation of a winding arm (not illustrated) of the weft measuring and storing device <NUM>, a weft yarn Y is pulled out from the yarn supply package <NUM> and wound around a storage drum <NUM> to be stored on the storage drum <NUM>.

The weft measuring and storing device <NUM> has a weft stop pin <NUM> and a balloon sensor <NUM> that detects unwinding of the weft yarn Y from the weft measuring and storing device <NUM>. The weft stop pin <NUM> and the balloon sensor <NUM> are arranged at positions around the storage drum <NUM>. The weft stop pin <NUM> is electrically connected to the control device <NUM>. The weft stop pin <NUM> is operable to unwind the weft yarn Y stored on the storage drum <NUM> when an air jet loom is rotated to a predetermined angular position thereof that is preset in the control device <NUM>. A timing at which the weft stop pin <NUM> is actuated for unwinding the weft yarn Y corresponds to a weft insertion start timing.

The balloon sensor <NUM> is electrically connected to the control device <NUM>. The balloon sensor <NUM> detects the weft yarn Y being unwounded from the storage drum <NUM> during the weft insertion, and generates a weft unwinding signal to the control device <NUM>. When the control device <NUM> receives a preset number of weft unwinding signals (four signals in the present embodiment), the control device <NUM> actuates the weft stop pin <NUM>. The control device <NUM> causes the weft stop pin <NUM> to stop the weft yarn Y being unwounded from the storage drum <NUM>, thereby ending the weft insertion.

It is noted that an operation timing of the weft stop pin <NUM> to stop the weft yarn Y is set depending on the number of turns of the weft yarn Y to be wound around the storage drum <NUM> that is required for storing the weft yarn Y of a length corresponding to a weaving width TL of the air jet loom. In the present embodiment, the control device <NUM> is configured to send an operation signal for stopping the weft yarn Y to the weft stop pin <NUM> upon receiving four weft unwinding signals from the balloon sensor <NUM>. Thus, the weft yarn Y of the length corresponding to a length required for the weft yarn Y wound around the storage drum <NUM> for four turns is inserted, according to the weft insertion apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment.

A weft detection signal generated by the balloon sensor <NUM> corresponds to an unwinding signal representing unwinding of the weft yarn Y from the storage drum <NUM>, and is recognized by the control device <NUM> as the weft unwinding timing based on an angular position signal of the air jet loom obtained from an encoder <NUM>.

The weft insertion nozzle <NUM> includes a tandem nozzle <NUM> that pulls out the weft yarn Y from the storage drum <NUM> and a main nozzle <NUM> for inserting the weft yarn Y into a weft passage 14a in the reed <NUM>. In the air jet loom, the weft yarn Y is inserted through the weft passage 14a by air discharged from the main nozzle <NUM> and the sub-nozzles <NUM>. A brake <NUM> is disposed upstream of the tandem nozzle <NUM> to apply braking to the weft yarn Y then travelling before the weft insertion ends.

The main nozzle <NUM> is connected to a main valve 22v via a pipe 22a. The main valve 22v is connected to a main air tank <NUM> via a pipe 22b. The tandem nozzle <NUM> is connected to a tandem valve 21v via a pipe 21a. The tandem valve 21v is connected to the main air tank <NUM> that is commonly used for the main valve 22v via a pipe 21b.

The main air tank <NUM> is connected through a main pressure meter <NUM>, a main regulator <NUM>, a source pressure meter <NUM>, and a filter <NUM> to a common air compressor <NUM> which is installed in a weaving factory. Compressed air supplied from the air compressor <NUM> is adjusted to a set pressure by the main regulator <NUM> and stored in the main air tank <NUM>. The pressure of the compressed air which is supplied to the main air tank <NUM> is constantly monitored by the main pressure meter <NUM>.

For example, the sub-nozzles <NUM> are divided into six groups each including four sub-nozzles <NUM>. Six sub-valves <NUM> are provided so as to correspond to each of the groups of the sub-nozzles <NUM>, and each of the sub-nozzles <NUM> is connected to its associated sub-valve <NUM> through a pipe <NUM>. Each of the sub-valves <NUM> is connected to a common sub-air tank <NUM>.

The sub-air tank <NUM> is connected to a sub-regulator <NUM> via a sub-pressure meter <NUM>. The sub-regulator <NUM> is connected through a pipe 36a to a pipe 28a which connects between the main pressure meter <NUM> and the main regulator <NUM>. Compressed air supplied from the air compressor <NUM> is adjusted to a set pressure by the sub-regulator <NUM> and stored in the sub-air tank <NUM>. The pressure of the compressed air which is supplied to the sub-air tank <NUM> is constantly monitored by the sub-pressure meter <NUM>.

The main valve 22v, the tandem valve 21v, the sub-valves <NUM>, the source pressure meter <NUM>, the main pressure meter <NUM>, the sub-pressure meter <NUM>, and the brake <NUM> are electrically connected to the control device <NUM>. Timings and durations of operations of the main valve 22v, the tandem valve 21v, the sub-valves <NUM>, and the brake <NUM> are preset in the control device <NUM>. In addition, the control device <NUM> receives detection signals from the source pressure meter <NUM>, the main pressure meter <NUM>, and the sub-pressure meter <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> outputs an operation instruction signal to the main valve 22v and the tandem valve 21v before the weft insertion start timing at which the weft stop pin <NUM> is actuated, so that compressed air is discharged from the main nozzle <NUM> and the tandem nozzle <NUM>. The control device <NUM> outputs an operation instruction signal to the brake <NUM> before the weft leading end arrival timing at which the weft stop pin <NUM> is operated to stop the weft yarn Y on the storage drum <NUM>. The brake <NUM> applies braking to the weft yarn Y traveling at high speed so as to reduce the travelling speed of the weft yarn Y, thereby relieving the impact on the weft yarn Y at the weft leading end arrival timing.

Data of various fabric conditions and weaving conditions are registered and stored in the control device <NUM>. Examples of the fabric conditions include types of yarn used for the weft yarn Y such as material and count, a density of the weft yarn, types of yarn used for a warp yarn such as material and count, a density of the warp yarn, a weaving width, and a woven fabric structure. The weaving conditions include the rotation speed of the loom, the pressures of compressed air in the main air tank <NUM> and the sub-air tank <NUM>, the opening degrees of the main valve 22v and the tandem valve 21v, the weft insertion start timing, and the target weft leading end arrival timing.

Although the illustration is omitted, the tandem nozzle <NUM>, the brake <NUM>, the weft measuring and storing device <NUM> and the yarn supply package <NUM> are fixed to a bracket or the like that is mounted to a frame of the air jet loom or a floor surface.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the main nozzle <NUM>, the sub-nozzles <NUM> and the reed <NUM> are mounted to a sley <NUM> of the air jet loom, the sley <NUM> making a reciprocating motion in a back and forth direction of the air jet loom. The reed <NUM> includes a plurality of dents 14c arranged in line in the weft insertion direction and each having a guide recess 14b. The weft passage 14a is formed by the guide recesses 14b of the dents 14c.

The sub-nozzles <NUM> are fixed to the sley <NUM> through support blocks <NUM>. The sub-nozzles <NUM> are movable in and out of a warp shed of warp yarns T from between the warp yarns T with the swinging movement of the sley <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an injection port 15a from which air is discharged is formed in a tip of each of the sub-nozzles <NUM>. Air is injected in the weft passage 14a with air discharged from the injection ports 15a of the sub-nozzles <NUM> towards the guide recesses 14b of the dents 14c.

An operator adjusts the direction of air discharged from the sub-nozzles <NUM> every time the fabric conditions and the weaving conditions changes. The fabric conditions and the weaving conditions are set through the control device <NUM>. In adjusting the air directions of the plurality of sub-nozzles <NUM>, the operator adjusts air directions of the sub-nozzles <NUM> one by one. In the following, the adjustment of the air direction of one sub-nozzle <NUM> will be described as an example. The air direction from the sub-nozzle <NUM> is adjusted by moving the sub-nozzle <NUM> relative to the support block <NUM> along the axial direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM> and by rotating the sub-nozzle <NUM> relative to the support block <NUM> in a circumferential direction with the axis of the sub-nozzle <NUM> at the center. In the following description, the axial direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM> will be simply referred to as an axial direction S11. The circumferential direction with the axis of the sub-nozzle <NUM> at the center will be simply referred to as a circumferential direction S12.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in adjusting the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM>, an adjustment dent 114c, the sub-nozzle <NUM>, and a sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM> are mounted on the sley <NUM>. The adjustment dent 114c is disposed at a portion of the reed <NUM> on the sley <NUM>. The adjustment dent 114c has the same shape as each of the dents 14c, and has an adjustment guide recess 114b having the same shape as the guide recess 14b of each of the dents 14c. A space defined by the adjustment guide recess 114b corresponds to an adjustment weft passage 114a. The adjustment weft passage 114a is formed at the same position as the weft passage 14a formed by the guide recesses 14b of the dents 14c.

When the sub-nozzle <NUM> is mounted on the sley <NUM> by the operator, the length of the sub-nozzle <NUM> projecting out from the support block <NUM> in the axial direction S11 is set at a specific projection length. The specific projection length is set so as to correspond to the fabric conditions and the weaving conditions. After the operator adjusts the sub-nozzle <NUM> along the axial direction S11 so that the projection length corresponds to the fabric conditions and the weaving conditions, the sub-nozzle <NUM> is fixed to the support block <NUM>.

The adjustment of the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM> is accomplished using the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM>. The sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM> includes a pressure measuring device <NUM>, a calculation unit <NUM>, and a display unit <NUM>. The pressure measuring device <NUM>, the calculation unit <NUM>, and the display unit <NUM> are electrically connected. The display unit <NUM> has a first screen 52a, a second screen 52b, and a third screen 52c.

The pressure measuring device <NUM> is configured to measure an air pressure of air discharged from the sub-nozzle <NUM>. The pressure measuring device <NUM> is attached to the sley <NUM> downstream of the adjustment weft passage 114a by the operator. The pressure measuring device <NUM> includes a sensor base member <NUM> that is attachable to and detachable from the sley <NUM>, and a pressure sensor <NUM> mounted on the sensor base member <NUM>. The sensor base member <NUM> includes a base shaft portion 42a having a rectangular pillar shape, and a base main body 42b positioned at a first end portion of the base shaft portion 42a in an axial direction thereof and having a rectangular plate shape. A second end portion of the base shaft portion 42a that is opposite from the base main body 42b in the axial direction of the base shaft portion 42a is mounted to the sley <NUM>. The base main body 42b is positioned downstream of the adjustment dent 114c in the weft insertion direction and side-by side with the adjustment dent 114c.

The pressure sensor <NUM> includes a plurality of pitot tubes <NUM> configured to measure a flow velocity of fluid. The pressure sensor <NUM> of the present embodiment includes eight pitot tubes <NUM>. Each of the pitot tubes <NUM> extends along the weft insertion direction from the base main body 42b towards the adjustment dent 114c. The pressure sensor <NUM> can measure the air pressure of the air discharged from the sub-nozzle <NUM> at eight measurement points with the pitot tubes <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the pitot tubes <NUM> are positioned inside the adjustment guide recess 114b of the adjustment dent 114c, on an edge portion of the adjustment dent 114c forming the adjustment guide recess 114b, and on a portion around the adjustment guide recess 114b, as viewed from the upstream side in the weft insertion direction. Four pitot tubes <NUM> are positioned so as to form a square having a first length A in each side of the square, as viewed from the upstream side in the weft insertion direction. These four pitot tubes <NUM> will be referred to as the first pitot tubes 44a. Four pitot tubes <NUM> other than the first pitot tubes 44a are positioned so as to form a square having a second length B in each side of the square, as viewed from the upstream side in the weft insertion direction. These four pitot tubes <NUM> will be referred to as the second pitot tubes 44b. The second length B is greater than the first length A. The second pitot tubes 44b are disposed outward of the four first pitot tubes 44a, as viewed from the upstream side in the weft insertion direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first screen 52a of the display unit <NUM> displays a measurement point group P1 including four measuring points at which air pressures are measured by the four first pitot tubes 44a, and a preliminary measurement point group P2 including four measuring points at which air pressures are measured by the four second pitot tubes 44b. Similarly to the positional relationship between the first pitot tubes 44a and the second pitot tubes 44b, the four measurement points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 are positioned outward of the four measurement points of the measurement point group P1. The first screen 52a shows an X-Y coordinate system having an X-axis and a Y-axis, extending perpendicularly to each other, in which the measuring points of the measurement point group P1 and the measuring points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 are indicated at their respective coordinates.

Specifically, the four measuring points of the measurement point group P1 displayed on the first screen 52a are defined as a first measurement point P11, a second measurement point P12, a third measurement point P13, and a fourth measurement point P14. The X-coordinate values of the first measurement point P11 and the second measurement point P12 are the same. The Y-coordinate values of the second measurement point P12 and the third measurement point P13 are the same. The X-coordinate values of the third measurement point P13 and the fourth measurement point P14 are the same. The X-coordinate values of the third measurement point P13 and the fourth measurement point P14 are greater than those of the first measurement point P11 and the second measurement point P12. The Y-coordinate values of the fourth measurement point P14 and the first measurement point P11 are the same. The Y-coordinate values of the fourth measurement point P14 and the first measurement point P11 are greater than those of the second measurement point P12 and the third measurement point P13.

Specifically, the four measuring points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 displayed on the first screen 52a are defined as a first preliminary measurement point P21, a second preliminary measurement point P22, a third preliminary measurement point P23, and a fourth preliminary measurement point P24. The X-coordinate values of the first preliminary measurement point P21 and the second preliminary measurement point P22 are the same. The Y-coordinate values of the second preliminary measurement point P22 and the third preliminary measurement point P23 are the same. The X-coordinate values of the third preliminary measurement point P23 and the fourth preliminary measurement point P24 are the same. The X-coordinate values of the third preliminary measurement point P23 and the fourth preliminary measurement point P24 are greater than those of the first preliminary measurement point P21 and the second preliminary measurement point P22. The Y-coordinate values of the fourth preliminary measurement point P24 and the first preliminary measurement point P21 are the same. The Y-coordinate values of the fourth preliminary measurement point P24 and the first preliminary measurement point P21 are greater than those of the second preliminary measurement point P22 and the third preliminary measurement point P23.

The first screen 52a shows an air pressure distribution with a maximum air pressure position Pc at the center based on the measured values measured by the first pitot tubes 44a. The air pressure distribution is shown by dot-hatching in the first screen 52a. In <FIG>, a portion showing the air pressure distribution on the first screen 52a is enlarged. The maximum air pressure position Pc is a position where the air pressure of air discharged from the sub-nozzle <NUM> becomes maximum. In the first screen 52a, the air pressure is shown so as to be lower with increasing distance from the maximum air pressure position Pc so that the air pressure is distributed in a circle with the maximum air pressure position Pc at the center. Since the preliminary measurement point group P2 is positioned outward of the measurement point group P1, the air pressure measure by the preliminary measurement point group P2 is lower than the air pressure measured by the measurement point group P1 when the maximum air pressure position Pc is positioned in an area surrounded by the measurement point group P1.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display unit <NUM> displays information indicating that preliminary adjustment is required for a distance L from the measurement point group P1 to the sub-nozzle <NUM>, based on the measured values at the preliminary measurement point group P2 by the pressure sensor <NUM>. Specifically, when a deviation value of the measured values among the measurement points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 is at or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the display unit <NUM> displays information indicating that preliminary adjustment is required to provide an instruction for the operator to perform the preliminary adjustment. The threshold value is set to a value by which it can be estimated that the maximum air pressure position Pc is positioned in the area surrounded by the measurement point group P1 when the deviation value of the measured values among the measurement points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 is less than the threshold value.

The calculation unit <NUM> calculates a position of the maximum air pressure position Pc based on the measured values measured by the first pitot tubes 44a. In other words, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates the maximum air pressure position Pc based on the measured values at the measurement point group P1 by the pressure sensor <NUM>. The calculation unit <NUM> of the present embodiment calculates the maximum air pressure position Pc based on the measured values at the first measurement point P11, the second measurement point P12, and the third measurement point P13. The maximum air pressure position Pc is positioned on an imaginary plane including the measurement point group P1.

In calculating the maximum air pressure position Pc, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates differences between the measured values at the first measurement point P11 and the second measurement point P12 and an arbitrary fixed value, which is set in advance, as first calculation values. The arbitrary fixed value is, for example, an air pressure value at the maximum air pressure position Pc which is set by the operator in advance. Then, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates a ratio of the first calculation value corresponding the first measurement point P11 to the first calculation value corresponding to the second measurement point P12.

Then, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates differences between the measured values at the second measurement point P12 and the third measurement point P13 and an arbitrary fixed value, which is set in advance, as second calculation values. The arbitrary fixed value is, for example, an air pressure value at the maximum air pressure position Pc which is set by the operator in advance. Then, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates a ratio of the second calculation value corresponding to the second measurement point P12 to the second calculation value corresponding to the third measurement point P13.

The calculation unit <NUM> calculates the maximum air pressure position Pc based on the calculated ratio of the first calculation values and the ratio of the second calculation values. Specifically, a line drawn by connecting points, at each of which the calculated ratio of the first calculation values is equal to a ratio of a distance to the first measurement point P11 to a distance to the second measurement point P12, is defined as a first measurement line L1. A line drawn by connecting points, at each of which the calculated ratio of the second calculation values is equal to a ratio of the distance to the second measurement point P12 to a distance to the third measurement point P13, is defined as a second measurement line L2. Then, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates an intersection point of the first measurement line L1 and the second measurement line L2 as the maximum air pressure position Pc. For the sake of the description, the first measurement line L1 and the second measurement line L2 are indicated by broken lines in the first screen 52a illustrated in <FIG>, but the first measurement line L1 and the second measurement line L2 need not necessarily be displayed or may be displayed on first screen 52a.

The calculation unit <NUM> is configured to calculate the maximum air pressure position Pc under the condition that the maximum air pressure position Pc is positioned in the area surrounded by the measurement point group P1. Thus, when the maximum air pressure position Pc is positioned in the area surrounded by the measurement point group P1, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates the maximum air pressure position Pc and the first screen 52a shows the maximum air pressure position Pc. On the other hands, when the maximum air pressure position Pc is not positioned in the area surrounded by the measurement point group P1, the calculation unit <NUM> does not calculate the maximum air pressure position Pc and the first screen 52a does not show the maximum air pressure position Pc.

When the first screen 52a does not show the maximum air pressure position Pc, the display unit <NUM> displays information providing an instruction on the preliminary adjustment. In response to this, the operator moves the pressure measuring device <NUM> in the weft insertion direction so as to adjust the distance L of the measurement point group P1 to the sub-nozzle <NUM>. When the maximum air pressure position Pc is thus positioned in the area surrounded by the measurement point group P1, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates the maximum air pressure position Pc and the first screen 52a shows the maximum air pressure position Pc.

Based on the calculated maximum air pressure position Pc, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates a movement path Tp of the maximum air pressure position Pc when the sub-nozzle <NUM> rotates in the circumferential direction S12. The display unit <NUM> displays the movement path Tp calculated by the calculation unit <NUM> on the first screen 52a. The movement path Tp is positioned on an imaginary plane including the measurement point group P1. The movement path Tp is a straight line including the maximum air pressure position Pc and representing a linear function having a slope which is set based on the set fabric conditions and weaving conditions. Under the same fabric conditions and the same weaving conditions, the movement path Tp displayed on the first screen 52a is shifted in the Y-axis direction with the same slope according to the distance L from the measurement point group P1 to the sub-nozzle <NUM>.

In addition, the first screen 52a shows a target position Pt for the maximum air pressure position Pc of the sub-nozzle <NUM> and a movement path of the target position Pt. The movement path of the target position Pt is defined as a target movement path Tt. The target position Pt is the maximum air pressure position Pc set in advance based on fabric conditions and weaving conditions. The target movement path Tt is a straight line including the target position Pt and representing a linear function having a slope which is set based on the set fabric conditions and the weaving conditions. The target position Pt and the target movement path Tt are positioned on the imaginary plane including the measurement point group P1. <FIG> illustrates a display image by the first screen 52a when the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt coincide with each other. In this case, the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt also coincide with each other.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the display unit <NUM> displays a displacement between the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt. Specifically, the display unit <NUM> displays a distance adjustment amount Lb that is an adjustment amount for the distance L from the measurement point group P1 to the sub-nozzle <NUM> in the weft insertion direction as the displacement between the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt on the second screen 52b. The distance adjustment amount Lb is a value set depending on the movement path Tp for a set fabric condition and weaving condition. When the distance L is adjusted by the distance adjustment amount Lb, the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other.

<FIG> illustrates a display image displayed by the display unit <NUM> in a case where the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt are displaced. In the first screen 52a, it is shown that the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt having the same slope are displaced in the Y-axis direction. Additionally, in the first screen 52a, the maximum air pressure position Pc is shown on the movement path Tp and the target position Pt is shown on the target movement path Tt. Thus, the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt are displaced on the first screen 52a.

It is assumed that of points having an identical X-coordinate value of a coordinate value X3, a Y-coordinate value of a point on the movement path Tp is a first coordinate value Y1 and a Y-coordinate value of a point on the target movement path Tt is a second coordinate value. The display unit <NUM> displays the distance adjustment amount Lb on the second screen 52b based on a first difference ΔY that is a difference between the first coordinate value Y1 and the second coordinate value Y2. That is, the display unit <NUM> displays the distance adjustment amount Lb on the second screen 52b based on a displaced amount between the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt in the Y-axis direction. When the operator moves the pressure measuring device <NUM> in the weft insertion direction by the distance adjustment amount Lb displayed on the second screen 52b, the distance L from the measurement point group P1 to the sub-nozzle <NUM> may be adjusted by the distance adjustment amount Lb.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the operator completes the adjustment of the distance L by the distance adjustment amount Lb, the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other. On the first screen 52a, it is shown that the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other.

The display unit <NUM> displays displacement between the maximum air pressure position Pc calculated by the calculation unit <NUM> and the target position Pt. Specifically, the display unit <NUM> displays a rotation adjustment amount Lc for the sub-nozzle <NUM> in the circumferential direction S12 as the displacement between the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt on the third screen 52c. The rotation adjustment amount Lc is a value that allows the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt to coincide with each other when the sub-nozzle <NUM> is adjusted in the circumferential direction S12 by the rotation adjustment amount Lc while the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other. The rotation adjustment amount Lc is set correspondingly to the maximum air pressure position Pc for a set fabric condition and weaving condition.

<FIG> illustrates a display image displayed by the display unit <NUM> in a case where the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt are displaced while the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other. It is assumed that X-coordinate values of the target position Pt and the maximum air pressure position Pc are a fourth coordinate value X1 and a fifth coordinate value X2, respectively. The display unit <NUM> displays the rotation adjustment amount Lc on the third screen 52c based on a second difference ΔX that is a difference between the fourth coordinate value X1 and the fifth coordinate value X2. That is, the display unit <NUM> displays the rotation adjustment amount Lc on the third screen 52c based on a displacement amount between the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt in the X-axis direction. When the operator rotatingly adjusts the sub-nozzle <NUM> in the circumferential direction S12 by the rotation adjustment amount Lc displayed on the third screen 52c, the maximum air pressure position Pc is moved in the X-axis direction so as to coincide the target position Pt while the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other.

Next, an air direction adjustment process for the sub-nozzle <NUM> by the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM> will be described along with the operation of the present embodiment. It is noted that the air direction adjustment process for the sub-nozzle <NUM> is performed on each of the sub-nozzles <NUM> to be mounted on the sley <NUM>. Every time the adjustment of the air direction of one sub-nozzle <NUM> completes, the operator moves the adjustment dent 114c and the pressure measuring device <NUM> to a position corresponding to the next sub-nozzle <NUM> and performs the adjustment of the air direction of the next sub-nozzle <NUM>.

When the air direction of a sub-nozzle <NUM> is adjusted, the operator mounts the sub-nozzle <NUM>, the adjustment dent 114c, and the pressure measuring device <NUM> on the sley <NUM>. The operation of the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM> by the operator starts processing of the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM>.

As shown in the <FIG>, when the processing by the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM> starts, firstly, whether or not discharge of air from the sub-nozzle <NUM> has been started is determined (Step S1). When the pressure sensor <NUM> detects the measured values at the preliminary measurement point group P2 corresponding to the second pitot tubes 44b, it is determined that the discharge of air from the sub-nozzle <NUM> has been started. While it is not determined that the discharge of air from the sub-nozzle <NUM> has been started (NO at Step S1), the determination at Step <NUM> is repeatedly performed. When the discharge of air from the sub-nozzle <NUM> is started by the operation by the operator, it is determined that the discharge of air from the sub-nozzle <NUM> has been started (YES at Step S1).

Subsequently, whether or not the deviation of the measured values among the measurement points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 is at or greater than the predetermined threshold value is determined (Step S2). When the deviation of the measurement values among the measurement points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 is determined to be at or greater than the threshold value (YES at Step S2), the display unit <NUM> display information indicating that the preliminary adjustment is required (Step S3), and then the operator moves the pressure measuring device <NUM>. When the deviation of the measurement values among the measurement points of the preliminary measurement point group P2 is determined to be less than the threshold value (NO at Step S2) after the pressure measuring device <NUM> is moved by the operator, the process proceeds to the next Step.

Subsequently, the calculation unit <NUM> calculates the maximum air pressure position Pc and the movement path Tp based on the measured values at the measurement point group P1 (Step S4). Then, the maximum air pressure position Pc, the movement path Tp, the target position Pt, and the target movement path Tt are displayed on the first screen 52a of the display unit <NUM> (Step <NUM>).

Next, whether or not the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other is determined (Step S6). When the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt do not coincide with each other (NO at Step S6), the display unit <NUM> displays the distance adjustment amount Lb corresponding to the displacement amount between the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt on the second screen 52b (Step S7), and then, the operator moves the pressure measuring device <NUM> by the distance adjustment amount Lb. When the operator moves the pressure measuring device <NUM> by the distance adjustment amount Lb, and it is determined that the movement path Tp and the target movement path Tt coincide with each other at Step S6 (YES at Step S6), the process proceeds to the next Step.

Then, whether or not the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt coincide with each other is determined (Step S8). When the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt do not coincide with each other (NO at Step S8), the display unit <NUM> displays the rotation adjustment amount Lc corresponding to the displacement amount between the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt on the third screen 52c (Step S9), and then, the operator rotates the sub-nozzle <NUM> in the circumferential direction S12 by the rotation adjustment amount Lc. When the operator adjusts the position of the sub-nozzle <NUM> by rotating the sub-nozzle <NUM> in the circumferential direction S12 by the rotation adjustment amount Lc, and it is determined that the maximum air pressure position Pc and the target position Pt coincide with each other at Step S8 (YES at Step S8), it is determined that the adjustment of the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM> has been completed, and the process ends.

The following effects can be obtained according to the present embodiment.

The present embodiment may be modified in various manners, as exemplified below. The above-embodiment and the following modifications may be combined within the scope of the present disclosure.

The adjustment dent 114c need not necessarily be provided for the adjustment of the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM>. In other words, the dents 14c of the air jet loom may be used for the adjustment of the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM>. In this case, the specifications of the calculation unit <NUM> and the display unit <NUM>, the specification of the air pressure measurement by the pressure sensor <NUM>, the specifications of the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM> may be modified according to the specification of the dents 14c.

The pressure sensor <NUM> may further include a pitot tube <NUM> positioned in a region surrounded by the four first pitot tubes 44a. This pitot tube <NUM> may be positioned at a position where the distances to the first pitot tubes 44a are identical. This pitot tube <NUM> permits measuring the air pressure at the center of the air pressure distribution.

The display unit <NUM> may be configured to display information related to the preliminary adjustment based on the measured values at the preliminary measurement point group P2 by the pressure sensor <NUM>, in addition to the information indicating that the preliminary adjustment of the distance L from the measurement point group P1 to the sub-nozzle <NUM> is required. For example, the display unit <NUM> may be configured to display the adjustment direction for the measurement point group P1, e.g., moving the measurement point group P1 away from and close to the sub-nozzle <NUM>. In this case, for example, the display unit <NUM> displays "+" when the measurement point group P1 need be moved away from the sub-nozzle <NUM> and "-" when the measurement point group P1 need be moved closer to the sub-nozzle <NUM>. For example, the display unit <NUM> may display an adjustment amount for the distance L from the measurement point group P1 to the sub-nozzle <NUM>.

The number of the second pitot tubes 44b for the pressure sensor <NUM> may be changed as long as the pressure sensor <NUM> includes at least three second pitot tubes 44b. In short, the number of the second pitot tubes 44b may be changed as long as the air pressures are measured in the preliminary measurement point group P2 including at least three measurement points positioned outward of the measurement point group P1.

The second pitot tubes 44b may be omitted from the pressure sensor <NUM>. In this case, a plurality of values for the distance L is set depending on the fabric conditions and the weaving conditions, and the operator adjusts the position of the measurement point group P1 relative to the sub-nozzle <NUM> using the value for the distance L set correspondingly to the fabric conditions and the weaving conditions in adjusting the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM>. In the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device <NUM>, the measurement of air pressure at the preliminary measurement point group P2 and the display of information indicating that the preliminary adjustment is required by the display unit <NUM> are omitted. In the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment process shown in <FIG>, Steps S2 and S3 are omitted.

The number of the first pitot tubes 44a of the pressure sensor <NUM> may be changed suitably as long as the pressure sensor <NUM> includes at least three first pitot tubes 44a. In short, the number of the first pitot tubes 44a may be changed as long as the air pressures are measured in the measurement point group P1 including at least three measurement points.

The display unit <NUM> may be configured to display information indicating that the adjustment of the position of the measurement point group P1 relative to the sub-nozzle <NUM> is required, instead of displaying the distance adjustment amount Lb. In this case, the display unit <NUM> displays the information indicating that the adjustment of the position of the measurement point group P1 relative to the sub-nozzle <NUM> is required at Step S7 in <FIG>. The display of the distance adjustment amount Lb and the information indicating that the adjustment of the position of the measurement point group P1 relative to the sub-nozzle <NUM> is required by the display unit <NUM> may be omitted. In this case, the processing of Step S7 shown in <FIG> is omitted, and the processing of Step S6 is repeated while it is determined NO at Step S6.

The display unit <NUM> may be configured to display information indicating that the rotation adjustment of the sub-nozzle <NUM> is required, instead of displaying the rotation adjustment amount Lc. In this case, the display unit <NUM> displays information indicating that the rotation adjustment of the sub-nozzle <NUM> is required at Step S9 shown in <FIG>. The display of rotation adjustment amount Lc and information indicating that the rotation adjustment of the sub-nozzle <NUM> by the display unit <NUM> may be omitted. In this case, the processing of Step <NUM> shown in <FIG> is omitted, and the processing of Step S8 is repeated while it is determined NO at Step S8.

The display unit <NUM> need not display the target movement path Tt. In this case, the display unit <NUM> displays the maximum air pressure position Pc, the target position Pt, and the movement path Tp. When the target position Pt displayed by the display unit <NUM> is not positioned on the movement path Tp, the operator adjusts the position of the measurement point group P1 relative to the sub-nozzle <NUM> until the target position Pt is positioned on the movement path Tp.

The display unit <NUM> need not necessarily display the movement path Tp. In this case, the display unit <NUM> displays the maximum air pressure position Pc, the target position, and the target movement path Tt. When the maximum air pressure position Pc displayed by the display unit <NUM> is not positioned on the target movement path Tt, the operator adjusts the position of the measurement point group P1 relative to the sub-nozzle <NUM> until the maximum air pressure position Pc is positioned on the target movement path Tt.

Even in a case where the display unit <NUM> does not display one of the target movement path Tt and movement path Tp, the maximum air pressure position Pc may be adjusted to the target position Pt when the operator rotatingly adjusts the sub-nozzle <NUM> in the circumferential direction S12 after the position of the measurement point group P1 is adjusted. In this way, according to this modification as well, the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM> may be adjusted without adjusting the sub-nozzle <NUM> in the axial direction S11, which permits adjusting the air direction of the sub-nozzle <NUM> efficiently.

Claim 1:
An air jet loom including a sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device (<NUM>), the air jet loom including:
a main nozzle (<NUM>) for weft insertion;
a sub-nozzle (<NUM>) for the weft insertion;
a reed (<NUM>) including a plurality of dents (14c) arranged in a weft insertion direction; and
a weft passage (14a) formed by guide recesses (14b) of the dents;
wherein a weft yarn (Y) to be inserted through the weft passage (14a) by air discharged from the main nozzle (<NUM>) and the sub-nozzle (<NUM>),
the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device (<NUM>) including:
a pressure sensor (<NUM>) that measures an air pressure of the air discharged from the sub-nozzle (<NUM>) at a measurement point group (P1) including at least three measurement points, and
a display unit (<NUM>) that displays the maximum air pressure position (Pc) and a target position (Pt) for the maximum air pressure position (Pc), and displays at least one of a movement path (Tp) of the maximum air pressure position (Pc) obtained by rotating the sub-nozzle (<NUM>) in a circumferential direction (S12) with an axis of the sub-nozzle (<NUM>) at a center, and a movement path (Tt) of the target position (Pt), the movement path (Tp) of the maximum air pressure position (Pc) and the movement path (Tt) of the target position (Pt) being on the imaginary plane including the measurement point group (P1);
characterized in that
the sub-nozzle air direction adjustment device (<NUM>) further includes:
a calculation unit (<NUM>) that calculates a maximum air pressure position (Pc) that is positioned on an imaginary plane including the measurement point group (P1) and where the air pressure of the air discharged from the sub-nozzle (<NUM>) becomes maximum, based on measured values at the measurement point group (P1) measured by the pressure sensor (<NUM>).