Patent Description:
Conventionally, a yarn winding system including: a spinning frame including a plurality of spinning units each configured to form a yarn supply bobbin; and an automatic winder including a plurality of winder units each configured to wind yarn from the yarn supply bobbin to form a package has been known (see <CIT>, for example). In a yarn winding system described in Patent Literature <NUM>, a medium is provided to a tray on which a bobbin is mounted and that is conveyed so as to travel between a spinning frame and an automatic winder. Onto this medium, information on yarn processing of the winder is written by a writing device. This yarn processing information written on the medium is read by a reading device to be managed by a management computer.

<CIT> is related to a textile machine system and a textile machine in which wireless communication is provided between plural automatic winders and spinning machines. <CIT> and <CIT> are related to transmitting information from spinning machines to winders.

In the yarn winding system described above, from a viewpoint of improving production efficiency and working quality, it is desired to optimize operation control of the automatic winder. Examples of such optimization of operation control may include appropriately changing the processing speed of the automatic winder in accordance with the processing status of the spinning frame as a previous step machine for the automatic winder, and causing the automatic winder to appropriately operate in accordance with a condition for completing spinning in the spinning frame.

In view of this, various aspects of the present invention aim to provide a yarn winding system, a spinning frame, an automatic winder, and a yarn winding method that enable optimization of operation control of the automatic winder.

A yarn winding system according to one aspect of the present invention is a yarn winding system including a spinning frame configured to form a yarn supply bobbin and an automatic winder configured to wind yarn from the yarn supply bobbin to form a package. The spinning frame includes: a generating unit configured to generate spinning information including information on at least one of a processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin and a condition for completing spinning of the yarn supply bobbin; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the spinning information generated by the generating unit to the automatic winder. The automatic winder includes: a receiving unit configured to receive the spinning information; and a control unit configured to control operation of the automatic winder based on the spinning information received by the receiving unit.

In this yarn winding system, from the spinning frame to the automatic winder, the spinning information including information on at least one of the processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin and the condition for completing spinning of the yarn supply bobbin is transmitted. Based on the spinning information received from the spinning frame, the automatic winder controls operation of the automatic winder. By controlling the operation of the automatic winder on the basis of the spinning information received from the spinning frame in this manner, operation control of the automatic winder can be optimized.

The spinning information includes information on the processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin. The control unit may, based on the information on the processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin, determine a winding speed when the automatic winder winds yarn from the yarn supply bobbin, and control operation of the automatic winder so as to wind yarn from the yarn supply bobbin at the determined winding speed. By this configuration, based on the processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin in the spinning frame (e.g., supply timing of the yarn supply bobbin transferred from the spinning frame to the automatic winder), the automatic winder can appropriately control the winding speed of the automatic winder.

The spinning information includes information on a state at the end of yarn winding in the yarn supply bobbin as the information on the condition for completing spinning. The automatic winder includes, in a bobbin transfer unit configured to transfer the yarn supply bobbin from the spinning frame to the automatic winder, a bobbin preparation unit configured to perform preliminary preparation for processing yarn of the yarn supply bobbin. The control unit controls, based on the information on the end of yarn winding, bobbin preparing operation for the yarn supply bobbin in the bobbin preparation unit. By this configuration, based on the state at the end of yarn winding in the yarn supply bobbin formed by the spinning frame (e.g., information indicating the presence of bunch winding and indicating that the bobbin is a partial bobbin), the automatic winder can appropriately control the bobbin preparing operation in the bobbin preparation unit.

The spinning information may include timing information for identifying timing when the yarn supply bobbin has been formed. A tray configured to transfer the yarn supply bobbin may be provided with a storage unit configured to store therein the timing information. The bobbin preparation unit may include a reading unit configured to read the timing information stored in the storage unit provided to the tray configured to transfer the yarn supply bobbin when the yarn supply bobbin is supplied to the bobbin preparation unit. The control unit may control operation of the bobbin preparation unit, based on spinning information including timing information that is the same as the timing information read by the reading unit. For example, in some cases, the condition for completing spinning of a yarn supply bobbin differs depending on timing when a yarn supply bobbin is formed, and yarn supply bobbins that have been formed at different timings are transferred in a mixed manner to the bobbin preparation unit. By the configuration described above, even in such cases, based on conditions for completing spinning that have been applied to yarn supply bobbins to be processed, operation of the bobbin preparation unit can be appropriately controlled.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an automatic winder according to claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a yarn winding method according to claim <NUM>.

According to one aspect of the present invention, operation control of the automatic winder can be optimized.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like or equivalent elements are designated by like numerals, and duplicate description is omitted.

As depicted in <FIG>, a yarn winding system <NUM> includes a roving frame <NUM>, a spinning frame <NUM>, and an automatic winder <NUM>. The roving frame <NUM> generates roved yarn from a sliver, and winds the roved yarn to form a roved yarn bobbin. The spinning frame <NUM> generates yarn from the roved yarn, and winds the yarn to form a yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. The automatic winder <NUM> winds the yarn from the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> to form a package. The automatic winder <NUM> has a bobbin transfer device (bobbin transfer unit) <NUM>. The bobbin transfer device <NUM> transfers the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM>, and transfers an empty bobbin <NUM> (bobbin around which yarn is not wound) from the automatic winder <NUM> to the spinning frame <NUM>. The bobbin transfer device <NUM> is provided with a bobbin preparation device (bobbin preparation unit) <NUM> and a residual yarn processing device, for example. The bobbin preparation device <NUM> performs preliminary preparation for the automatic winder <NUM> to process the yarn of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. When yarn remains on the bobbin <NUM> that has been discharged from the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>, the residual yarn processing device removes the yarn to form an empty bobbin <NUM>. For this purpose, the bobbin transfer device <NUM> has a complicated conveyance path having many curves.

The yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and the empty bobbin <NUM> are transferred in a manner being set on respective trays <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, each of the trays <NUM> has a disk-like base portion <NUM>, a pin <NUM> protruding upward from the base portion <NUM>, and a radio frequency (RF) tag <NUM> embedded in the base portion <NUM>. The bottom portion 12a of each of the bobbins <NUM> is inserted into the pin <NUM>, whereby the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and the empty bobbin <NUM> are set on the respective trays <NUM> with the top portions 12b of the bobbins <NUM> facing upward. The RF tag (storage unit) <NUM> stores therein information on the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> set on the tray <NUM>. In the yarn winding system <NUM>, the status of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> set on the tray <NUM> is managed by a radio frequency identification (RFID: individual identification using radio waves) technology.

As depicted in <FIG>, the roving frame <NUM> includes a control device <NUM> configured to control operation of the roving frame <NUM> and a plurality of roving units <NUM> each configured to form a roved yarn bobbin. The control device <NUM> includes a display unit 21a such as a display and an operation unit 21b such as input keys. The display unit 21a displays, for example, an operating status of each of the roving units <NUM>. The operation unit 21b is an entity to which an operator sets operating conditions, for example, of each of the roving units <NUM>.

The spinning frame <NUM> includes a control device <NUM> configured to control operation of the spinning frame <NUM> and a plurality of spinning units <NUM> each configured to form a yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. The control device <NUM> includes a display unit 31a such as a display and an operation unit 31b such as input keys. The display unit 31a displays, for example, an operating status of each of the spinning units <NUM>. The operation unit 31b is an entity to which the operator sets operating conditions, for example, of each of the spinning unit <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the spinning unit <NUM> includes a drafting device <NUM> and a twisting device <NUM>.

The drafting device <NUM> includes a back roller pair 33a, a middle roller pair 33b, and a front roller pair 33c. Each pair of the back roller pair 33a, the middle roller pair 33b, and the front roller pair 33c are configured with a bottom roller and a top roller. Around the rollers constituting the middle roller pair 33b, apron belts are each wound. In the drafting device <NUM>, the back roller pair 33a, the middle roller pair 33b, and the front roller pair 33c are rotated at a predetermined speed ratio, whereby a roved yarn <NUM> that has been unwound from a roved yarn bobbin is drafted.

The twisting device <NUM> includes a spindle shaft <NUM>, a ring rail <NUM>, a ring <NUM>, and a traveller <NUM>. The spindle shaft <NUM> holds the bottom portion 12a of a bobbin <NUM> with the top portion 12b of the bobbin <NUM> facing upward, and rotates the bobbin <NUM>. The ring rail <NUM> is movable in the axial direction of the bobbin <NUM>. The ring <NUM> is fixed to the ring rail <NUM>. The traveller <NUM> is supported by the ring <NUM>, and is movable along the ring <NUM>.

In the twisting device <NUM>, roved yarn <NUM> that has been drafted by the drafting device <NUM> is inserted into a space between the ring <NUM> and the traveller <NUM>, and an end portion of the roved yarn <NUM> is fixed to the bobbin <NUM>. In this state, when the spindle shaft <NUM> rotates the bobbin <NUM>, the traveller <NUM> moves along the ring <NUM> in a manner being pulled by the roved yarn <NUM>. At this time, the ring rail <NUM> gradually moves from the bottom portion 12a side to the top portion 12b side while reciprocating within a predetermined range along the axial direction of the bobbin <NUM>. In the twisting device <NUM>, rotation of the traveller <NUM> lags behind rotation of the bobbin <NUM>, whereby the roved yarn <NUM> is twisted to form yarn <NUM>, and the yarn <NUM> is wound by the bobbin <NUM> to form a yarn supply bobbin <NUM>.

The spinning frame <NUM> including the spinning units <NUM> each configured as described above is of what is called a simultaneous doffing type. Specifically, the spinning frame <NUM> stocks a plurality of empty bobbins <NUM> transferred from the automatic winder <NUM> by the bobbin transfer device <NUM>, simultaneously sets the empty bobbins <NUM> on the respective spinning units <NUM>, and simultaneously starts yarn winding. When winding of yarn has been completed in the respective spinning units <NUM> and yarn supply bobbins <NUM> have been formed, the spinning frame <NUM> simultaneously doffs all of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM>. Subsequently, the spinning frame <NUM> pulls empty bobbins <NUM> that have been already stocked out of the corresponding trays <NUM> and simultaneously sets the empty bobbins on the respective spinning units <NUM> again and, instead, simultaneously sets the doffed yarn supply bobbins <NUM> on the trays <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the automatic winder <NUM> includes a control device <NUM> configured to control operation of the automatic winder <NUM>, a plurality of winder units <NUM> each configured to form a package, and the bobbin transfer device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> includes a display unit 41a such as a display and an operation unit 41b such as input keys. The display unit 41a displays, for example, an operating status of each of the winder units <NUM>. The operation unit 41b is an entity to which the operator sets operating conditions, for example, of each of the winder unit <NUM>. The control device <NUM> also controls operation of the bobbin transfer device <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the winder unit <NUM> includes a winding device <NUM>, a tension applying device <NUM>, a yarn monitoring device <NUM>, an upper yarn catching device <NUM>, a lower yarn catching device <NUM>, and a splicing device <NUM>.

The winding device <NUM> includes a cradle 43a and a winding drum 43b. The cradle 43a supports a package <NUM>. The winding drum 43b rotates the package <NUM> while traversing the yarn <NUM>. Thus, the yarn <NUM> is wound from a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> set at a predetermined position to form the package <NUM>. The tension applying device <NUM> applies a predetermined tension to the yarn <NUM> that is travelling from the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> to the package <NUM>.

The yarn monitoring device <NUM> monitors the travelling yarn <NUM> to detect a yarn defect (thickness abnormality of yarn <NUM>, mixing of foreign matter into yarn <NUM>, etc.). When a yarn defect has been detected, the yarn <NUM> is cut by a cutter separately provided. When the yarn <NUM> has been cut, the upper yarn catching device <NUM> catches a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the package <NUM> side, and guides the yarn end to the splicing device <NUM>. When the yarn <NUM> has been cut, the lower yarn catching device <NUM> catches a yarn end of the yarn <NUM> on the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> side, and guides the yarn end to the splicing device <NUM>. The splicing device <NUM> splices the yarn ends that have been guided by the upper yarn catching device <NUM> and the lower yarn catching device <NUM> to each other.

As depicted in <FIG>, the bobbin transfer device <NUM> includes an RF writer <NUM>. When a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> is transferred from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM>, the RF writer <NUM> writes information on the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> on the RF tag <NUM> of the tray <NUM> on which the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> is set. The information on the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> includes unit identification information for identifying a spinning unit <NUM> that has formed the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and doffing information (timing information) for identifying timing of simultaneous doffing. More specifically, the doffing information is information indicating the timing of doffing, for example, the time when the simultaneous doffing was performed, the total number of doffing having been performed after the time set as a reference, and so on. The RF writer <NUM> may be provided to an exit of the spinning frame <NUM> in the transfer direction of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. Alternatively, the RF writer <NUM> may be provided to every spinning unit <NUM>.

When the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> has been set on the winder unit <NUM> of the automatic winder <NUM>, the information written on the RF tag <NUM> by the RF writer <NUM> is read by an RF reader (reading unit) <NUM> provided to each of the winder units <NUM>, and is transmitted to the control device <NUM> of the automatic winder <NUM>. Based on this information, the control device <NUM> can identify the spinning unit <NUM> that has formed the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and the timing of simultaneous doffing for the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> set on the winder unit <NUM>.

The following describes, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a mechanism in which the spinning frame <NUM> transmits spinning information (described later in detail) to the automatic winder <NUM>, and the automatic winder <NUM> controls operation of the automatic winder <NUM> (i.e., operation of each of the winder units <NUM> and the bobbin preparation device <NUM>) on the basis of the spinning information.

As depicted in <FIG>, the spinning frame <NUM> includes the control device (generating unit) <NUM> and a transmission unit 31c as functional elements constituting the mechanism described above. The automatic winder <NUM> includes the control device (control unit) <NUM>, a receiving unit 41c, the respective winder units <NUM>, and the bobbin transfer device <NUM>. The bobbin transfer device <NUM> is provided with the bobbin preparation device <NUM>. The bobbin preparation device <NUM> is provided with an RF reader 7a.

The control device <NUM> is an electronic control unit including a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and so on. The control device <NUM> loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM, and causes the CPU to execute the program, thereby performing various controls. The control device <NUM> may include a plurality of electronic control units. The control device <NUM> functions as a generating unit configured to generate spinning information including information on at least one of a processing status of forming a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and a condition for completing spinning of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>.

The information on the processing status of forming a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> (hereinafter called "processing status information") is, for example, information indicating remaining time until yarn supply bobbins <NUM> are simultaneously doffed in a plurality of spinning units <NUM> by simultaneous doffing. The control device <NUM> can obtain the processing status information described above by, for example, monitoring the operating status of each of the spinning units <NUM>, or referring to settings for operation of each of the spinning units <NUM>.

The information on the condition for completing spinning of a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> (hereinafter called "completion condition information") is, for example, information on a condition that needs to be satisfied when a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> is doffed in each of the spinning units <NUM> (doffing condition). The completion condition information is, for example, information on a state at the end of yarn winding in the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. Examples of the information on a state at the end of yarn winding include information indicating whether what is called bunch winding has been performed in the state at the end of yarn winding in the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and information indicating whether the yarn supply bobbin has been formed into a partial bobbin in the state thereof.

In the present embodiment, as one example, the control device <NUM> generates, as the spinning information, data including the processing status information, the completion condition information, and doffing information for identifying timing when the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> has been formed, and transmits the spinning information to the automatic winder <NUM> via the transmission unit 31c. The timing when the control device <NUM> generates and transmits the spinning information to the automatic winder <NUM> may be optionally set. In the present embodiment, as one example, the control device <NUM> periodically generates spinning information at predetermined intervals that are set in advance, and transmits the spinning information to the automatic winder <NUM>. By this setting, the automatic winder <NUM> can grasp the processing status of the spinning frame <NUM> in a timely manner, and every time the automatic winder grasps the status, the winding speed of each of the winder units <NUM> can be appropriately controlled (details thereof will be described later).

The transmission unit 31c transmits the spinning information generated by the control device <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM>. Transmission by the transmission unit 31c may be performed through wired communication using a cable, for example, or may be performed through wireless communication. When the transmission by the transmission unit 31c is performed through wireless communication, radio waves, infrared rays, or light may be used as a conveyance medium. In <FIG>, the transmission unit 31c is illustrated as an element separate from the control device <NUM>. However, the transmission unit 31c may be included in the control device <NUM>. In other words, the transmission unit 31c may be a communication function implemented in the control device <NUM>.

The receiving unit 41c receives the spinning information transmitted from the spinning frame <NUM>. Reception by the receiving unit 41c may be performed through wired communication using a cable, for example, or may be performed through wireless communication. When the reception by the receiving unit 41c is performed through wireless communication, radio waves, infrared rays, or light may be used as a conveyance medium. In <FIG>, the receiving unit 41c is illustrated as an element separate from the control device <NUM>. However, the receiving unit 41c may be included in the control device <NUM>. In other words, the receiving unit 41c may be a communication function implemented in the control device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> is an electronic control unit including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control device <NUM> loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM, and causes the CPU to execute the program to perform various controls. The control device <NUM> may include a plurality of electronic control units. Based on the spinning information received by the receiving unit 41c, the control device <NUM> controls operation of the automatic winder <NUM>. Specifically, the control device <NUM> determines operation of each of the winder units <NUM> on the basis of the spinning information, and transmits a control signal indicating the determined operation to the winder unit <NUM> in a timely manner, thereby controlling the operation of the winder unit <NUM>.

Based on the processing status information included in the spinning information, the control device <NUM> determines a winding speed when each of the winder units <NUM> winds yarn from the corresponding yarn supply bobbin <NUM>, and controls operation of the winder unit <NUM> so as to wind yarn from the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> at the determined winding speed.

As described above, while yarn supply bobbins <NUM> are transferred from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM>, empty bobbins <NUM> are transferred from the automatic winder <NUM> to the spinning frame <NUM>. Herein, the fact that a pace (supply pace) at which each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> is transferred from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM> in a unit time is slower than a pace (discharge pace) at which each of the empty bobbins <NUM> is transferred from the automatic winder <NUM> to the spinning frame <NUM> in a unit time means that the automatic winder <NUM> has enough processing capacity. This means that the winding speed of each of the winder units <NUM> can be reduced. In contrast, the fact that the supply pace is faster than the discharge pace means that the automatic winder <NUM> does not have enough processing capacity. This means that the winding speed of each of the winder units <NUM> needs to be increased in order to balance the processing speeds of the spinning frame <NUM> and the automatic winder <NUM>.

In view of this, the control device <NUM> calculates the supply pace of each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> on the basis of the processing status information included in the spinning information, and determines the winding speed of each of the winder units <NUM> such that the supply pace and the pace of a winding process in the winder unit <NUM> (i.e., discharge pace of the empty bobbin <NUM>) are balanced. Thus, when the supply pace is faster than the discharge pace, the control device <NUM> can balance the processing of the spinning frame <NUM> and the processing of the automatic winder <NUM> by increasing the winding speed of each of the winder units <NUM>. When the supply pace is slower than the discharge pace, the control device <NUM> can improve the winding quality (i.e., quality of a package <NUM>) of each of the winder units <NUM> by reducing the winding speed of the winder unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, based on the information on the end of yarn winding included in the spinning information, the control device <NUM> controls bobbin preparing operation for each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> in the bobbin preparation device <NUM> provided to the bobbin transfer device <NUM>. For example, it is transmitted to the control device <NUM>, whether the bunch winding has been performed in the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> on the basis of the information on the end of yarn winding. If it is determined that the bunch winding has been performed in a yarn supply bobbin <NUM>, the control device <NUM> controls operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> so as to omit operations that are unnecessary when the bunch winding has been performed (e.g., operations such as cutting of a yarn end of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> by a yarn-end cutting device (not depicted) provided to the bobbin preparation device <NUM> and suctioning of the yarn end of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> by a yarn-end suction device (not depicted) provided to the bobbin preparation device <NUM>). Consequently, unnecessary operations can be prevented from being performed in the bobbin preparation device <NUM>.

Furthermore, for example, the control device <NUM> determines whether each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> has been formed into a partial bobbin, based on the information on the end of yarn winding. If it is determined that a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> has been formed into a partial bobbin, the control device <NUM> controls operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> such that, for example, search operation (operation for searching a yarn end of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>) by the yarn-end cutting device and the yarn-end suction device described above is performed within a range corresponding to the partial bobbin (e.g., a predetermined range on the bottom portion 12a side). Consequently, the search operation can be prevented from being performed in an unnecessary range, and also the yarn end can be found quickly. By controlling the bobbin preparing operation in the bobbin preparation device <NUM> in accordance with the state at the end of yarn winding in each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> as described above, operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> can be optimized.

In some cases, the condition for completing spinning of a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> differs depending on timing of simultaneous doffing in the spinning frame <NUM>. For example, there are cases in which the condition for completing spinning is set such that the bunch winding is performed in yarn supply bobbins <NUM> in simultaneous doffing at the first timing and the bunch winding is not performed in yarn supply bobbins <NUM> in simultaneous doffing at the second timing later than the first timing. Examples of a factor contributing the case in which the bunch winding is not performed in yarn supply bobbins <NUM> in simultaneous doffing at the second timing include a case in which roved yarns wound around roved yarn bobbins set on the spinning frame <NUM> have been completely consumed in many spinning units <NUM>, and a case in which doffing has to be performed in an unfinished state due to trouble with the spinning frame <NUM>. There is a case in which yarn supply bobbins <NUM> that have been formed at the first and second timings at which the conditions for completing spinning are different as described above are transferred in a mixed manner to the bobbin preparation device <NUM>. In this case, when preparatory work is performed for yarn supply bobbins <NUM> formed at the first timing, the control device <NUM> needs to control operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> on the basis of completion condition information (i.e., completion condition information applied to the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> formed at the first timing) included in first spinning information including doffing information indicating the first timing. Similarly, when preparatory work is performed for yarn supply bobbins <NUM> formed at the second timing, the control device <NUM> needs to control operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> on the basis of completion condition information (i.e., completion condition information applied to the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> formed at the second timing) included in second spinning information including doffing information indicating the second timing. The automatic winder <NUM> is configured to be able to implement this control. The following describes this mechanism.

To begin with, the control device <NUM> periodically receives spinning information from the spinning frame <NUM> via the receiving unit 41c, thereby accumulating the first spinning information including doffing information indicating the first timing and the second spinning information including doffing information indicating the second timing. When each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> is supplied to the bobbin preparation device <NUM>, the RF reader 7a provided to the bobbin preparation device <NUM> reads information written on an RF tag <NUM> provided to the corresponding tray <NUM> transferring the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>, and transmits the information to the control device <NUM>. Thus, the control device <NUM> acquires doffing information indicating timing when the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> supplied to the bobbin preparation device <NUM> has been formed.

Subsequently, the control device <NUM> extracts, from among the accumulated pieces of spinning information, spinning information including doffing information that is the same as the doffing information (doffing information indicating timing when the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> has been formed, which is, for example, information for identifying in what number doffing the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> has been doffed. ) received from the RF reader 7a, and controls operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> on the basis of this spinning information. Specifically, when the doffing information received from the RF reader 7a indicates the first timing (e.g., the first doffing), the control device <NUM> controls the bobbin preparing operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> on the basis of completion condition information included in the first spinning information. When the doffing information received from the RF reader 7a indicates the second timing (e.g., the second doffing), the control device <NUM> controls the bobbin preparing operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> on the basis of completion condition information included in the second spinning information. Thus, based on the condition for completing spinning that has been applied to each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> supplied to the bobbin preparation device <NUM> (e.g., information on the end of yarn winding, such as whether the bunch winding has been performed and whether the yarn supply bobbin has been formed into a partial bobbin), the bobbin preparing operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> can be appropriately controlled.

The following describes operation of the yarn winding system <NUM> (operation including a yarn winding method according to the present embodiment) with reference to <FIG>. As depicted in <FIG>, to begin with, the control device <NUM> of the spinning frame <NUM> generates spinning information including at least one of processing status information and completion condition information (step S1, generating step). Subsequently, the transmission unit 31c of the spinning frame <NUM> transmits the spinning information generated at step S1 to the automatic winder <NUM> (step S2, transmitting step).

Subsequently, the receiving unit 41c of the automatic winder <NUM> receives the spinning information (step S3, receiving step). The spinning information received by the receiving unit 41c is delivered to the control device <NUM>. Based on the processing status information included in the spinning information, the control device <NUM> controls the winding speed of each of the winder units <NUM> (step S4, control step). Specifically, the control device <NUM> calculates the supply pace of each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> on the basis of the processing status information included in the spinning information, and determines the winding speed of each of the winder units <NUM> such that the supply pace and the pace of a winding process in the winder unit <NUM> (i.e., discharge pace of the empty bobbin <NUM>) are balanced. The control device <NUM> then controls operation of each of the winder units <NUM> so as to wind yarn from the corresponding yarn supply bobbin <NUM> at the determined winding speed.

When each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> is supplied to the bobbin preparation device <NUM>, the RF reader 7a provided to the bobbin preparation device <NUM> reads doffing information written on the RF tag <NUM> provided to the corresponding tray <NUM> transferring the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>, and transmits the doffing information to the control device <NUM> (step S5). Subsequently, based on spinning information including doffing information that is the same as the doffing information received from the RF reader 7a, the control device <NUM> controls the bobbin preparing operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM>. (step S6, control step). Specifically, as described above, the control device <NUM> controls operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM>, for example, based on information on the end of yarn winding in the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> included in the spinning information.

As described in the foregoing, in the yarn winding system <NUM>, from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM>, spinning information including information on at least one of the processing status of forming a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and the condition for completing spinning of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> is transmitted. Based on the spinning information received from the spinning frame <NUM>, the control device <NUM> of the automatic winder <NUM> controls operation of the automatic winder <NUM> (i.e., operation of each of the winder units <NUM>, and operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM>, etc.). By controlling the operation of the automatic winder <NUM> on the basis of the spinning information received from the spinning frame <NUM> in this manner, operation control of the automatic winder <NUM> can be optimized.

In the yarn winding system <NUM>, the spinning information includes information on the processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. Based on the information on the processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>, the control device <NUM> determines the winding speed when each of the winder units <NUM> winds yarn from the corresponding yarn supply bobbin <NUM>, and controls operation of the winder unit <NUM> so as to wind yarn from the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> at the determined winding speed. Thus, based on the processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> in the spinning frame <NUM> (e.g., supply timing of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> transferred from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM>), the automatic winder <NUM> can appropriately control the winding speed of the winder unit <NUM>.

In the yarn winding system <NUM>, the spinning information includes information on a state at the end of yarn winding in a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> as the information on the condition for completing spinning. The automatic winder <NUM> includes, in the bobbin transfer device <NUM> configured to transfer each of the yarn supply bobbins <NUM> from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM>, the bobbin preparation device <NUM> configured to perform preliminary preparation for processing yarn of the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. Based on the information on the end of yarn winding, the control device <NUM> controls bobbin preparing operation for the yarn supply bobbin <NUM> in the bobbin preparation device <NUM>. Thus, based on the state at the end of yarn winding in a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> formed by the spinning frame <NUM> (e.g., information indicating the presence of the bunch winding and indicating that the yarn supply bobbin is a partial bobbin), the automatic winder <NUM> can appropriately control the bobbin preparing operation in the bobbin preparation device <NUM>.

In the yarn winding system <NUM>, the spinning information includes doffing information for identifying timing when a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> has been formed. Each tray <NUM> configured to transfer a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> is provided with the RF tag <NUM> configured to store therein the doffing information. The bobbin preparation device <NUM> has the RF reader 7a. When a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> is supplied to the bobbin preparation device <NUM>, the RF reader 7a reads the doffing information stored in the RF tag <NUM> provided to the tray <NUM> configured to transfer the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. Based on spinning information including doffing information that is the same as the doffing information read by the RF reader 7a, the control device <NUM> controls operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM>. For example, in some cases, the condition for completing spinning of a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> differs depending on timing when a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> is formed, and yarn supply bobbins <NUM> that have been formed at different timings are transferred in a mixed manner to the bobbin preparation device <NUM>. By the configuration described above, even in such cases, based on conditions for completing spinning that have been applied to yarn supply bobbins <NUM> to be processed, operation of the bobbin preparation device <NUM> can be appropriately controlled.

When attention is focused on each of the spinning frame <NUM> and the automatic winder <NUM>, the spinning frame <NUM> and the automatic winder <NUM> have the following effects. Specifically, in the spinning frame <NUM>, the spinning information is transmitted to the automatic winder <NUM>, whereby the automatic winder <NUM> can grasp the information on at least one of the processing status of forming a yarn supply bobbin <NUM> and the condition for completing spinning in the yarn supply bobbin <NUM>. Thus, in the automatic winder <NUM>, operation control of each of the winder units <NUM> based on the spinning information can be optimized. In the automatic winder <NUM>, operation of the automatic winder <NUM> is controlled based on the spinning information received from the spinning frame <NUM>, whereby operation control of the automatic winder <NUM> can be optimized.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. For example, transmission of the spinning information from the spinning frame <NUM> to the automatic winder <NUM> does not have to be performed directly between the spinning frame <NUM> and the automatic winder <NUM>, and may be performed via a predetermined repeating device, for example.

Claim 1:
An automatic winder (<NUM>) configured to wind yarn from a yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) to form a package (<NUM>), the automatic winder (<NUM>) comprising:
a receiving unit (41c) configured to receive, from a spinning frame (<NUM>) configured to form the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>), spinning information including information on at least one of a processing status of forming the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) and a condition for completing spinning of the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>); and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to control operation of the automatic winder (<NUM>) based on the spinning information received by the receiving unit (41c);
wherein the spinning information includes information on a state at the end of yarn winding in the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) as the information on the condition for completing spinning, wherein the information on the processing status of forming a yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) is information indicating remaining time until yarn supply bobbins (<NUM>) are simultaneously doffed, wherein the information on a state at the end of yarn winding in the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) is information indicating whether bunch winding has been performed or information whether the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) has been formed into a partial bobbin;
characterized in that the automatic winder (<NUM>) includes, in a bobbin transfer unit (<NUM>) configured to transfer the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) to the automatic winder (<NUM>), a bobbin preparation unit (<NUM>) configured to perform preliminary preparation for processing yarn of the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>), and
the control unit (<NUM>), based on the information on the end of yarn winding, controls bobbin preparing operation for the yarn supply bobbin (<NUM>) in the bobbin preparation unit (<NUM>).