JP7564001B2 - Yarn processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to yarn processing equipment.

Patent Document 1 discloses a yarn processing machine (yarn processing equipment) that processes yarn unwound from a spun final product (a yarn supply package formed by winding yarn around a yarn supply bobbin) and winds it around a winding bobbin to form a yarn processing final product (winding package). The yarn processing equipment is configured to support two yarn supply packages (e.g., a first yarn supply package and a second yarn supply package) corresponding to one winding bobbin. In such yarn processing equipment, when the end of the yarn in one of the first yarn supply package and the second yarn supply package is knotted (connected) to the beginning of the yarn in the other, it is possible to supply yarn from the other without interruption after the one becomes empty. Specifically, immediately after the supply of yarn from one of the yarn supply packages is completed, the knotted portion (yarn connection portion) of the two yarns is pulled, and the yarn begins to be unwound from the other yarn supply package. This allows the yarn to be supplied without interruption.

The machine control unit that controls the yarn processing equipment is configured to determine from which yarn supply package the yarn is supplied to a certain winding package (i.e., to associate the individual information of the winding package with the individual information of the yarn supply package). Specifically, the recognition device reads the tag of the individual information of each yarn supply package and the position recognition tag indicating the position of the package mounting unit (first mounting unit and second mounting unit) to which the yarn supply package is attached. Then, based on the recognition result by the recognition device, the individual information of the yarn supply package is associated with the package mounting unit. The yarn processing equipment also includes a detector that detects the knot portion. The machine control unit makes the following judgment when it is known from which yarn supply package the yarn is supplied (for example, when it is known that the yarn is supplied from the first yarn supply package). That is, if the detector does not detect a knot portion from the start to the end of winding the yarn onto the winding bobbin, it is determined that only the yarn contained in the first yarn supply package has been supplied to the winding bobbin. Furthermore, if a knot is detected by the detector between the start and end of winding the yarn onto the winding bobbin, it is determined that both the yarn contained in the first yarn supply package and the yarn contained in the second yarn supply package have been supplied to the winding bobbin.

International Publication No. 2020/127489

As described above, the recognition result by the recognition device and the detection result by the detector provide information on the association between the individual information of the winding package and the individual information of the yarn supply package. However, it is difficult to derive more detailed information from the recognition result and the detection result alone.

The objective of the present invention is to make it possible to derive various useful information in yarn processing equipment capable of supplying yarn without interruption.

The yarn processing equipment of the first invention is a yarn processing machine having a yarn supplying unit configured to be able to supply yarn, a processing unit configured to process the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit, and a winding unit that winds the yarn processed by the processing unit onto a winding bobbin to form a winding package, and an information management unit configured to manage information related to the yarn processing machine, in which the yarn supplying unit has a plurality of mounting units to which a plurality of yarn supply packages can be attached and detached, and a terminal end of a yarn included in a yarn supply package attached to one of the plurality of mounting units is connected to a starting end of a yarn included in a yarn supply package attached to another mounting unit of the plurality of mounting units. The winding unit is configured to be able to supply the yarn without interruption when a certain winding bobbin is being wound, and the winding unit is configured to be able to start winding the yarn onto a new winding bobbin that has been replaced with a certain winding bobbin immediately after winding of the yarn onto the certain winding bobbin is finished, and the information management unit is capable of acquiring, for each yarn supplying package, unwinding start time information relating to the unwinding start time when the yarn began to be unwound from the yarn supplying package in the yarn supplying unit, and is capable of acquiring, for each winding package, individual winding package information of the winding package formed by winding the yarn onto the winding bobbin attached to the winding unit, and replacement time information relating to the replacement time when the winding bobbin was replaced in the winding unit, in association with each other.

In the present invention, the unwinding start time of each yarn supply package is acquired. Also, in the present invention, the replacement time of each winding bobbin is acquired. This allows the time when a certain winding bobbin is attached to the winding section to be treated as the winding start time when the yarn starts to be wound onto that certain winding bobbin. Furthermore, the time when that certain winding bobbin is replaced with the next winding bobbin (i.e., the time when that certain winding bobbin is removed from the winding section) can be treated as the winding end time when the yarn is wound onto that certain bobbin and the winding package is formed. In this way, the winding start time and winding end time can be known for each winding bobbin (winding package).

In this way, in the present invention, various pieces of information can be obtained about the relationship between the winding bobbin (winding package) and the yarn supply package. For example, by performing calculations using the information at each time, it is possible to know which layer of yarn in the yarn supply package a certain winding package was formed from. Also, for example, if the unwinding start time is between the winding start time and winding end time of a certain winding package, it can be determined that a yarn connection portion formed by connecting the end and start ends of the yarn has been mixed into the certain winding package. Furthermore, in this case, it is also possible to know at which position in the certain winding package the yarn connection portion has been mixed in. In this way, various useful information can be derived.

The yarn processing equipment of the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the information management unit determines, based on the unwinding start time information and the replacement time information, that a yarn connection portion formed by connecting the starting end and the ending end is mixed into a specified winding package formed by winding yarn around the specified winding bobbin when the unwinding start time is between a first replacement time when a specified winding bobbin is attached to the winding section and a second replacement time when the specified winding bobbin is removed from the winding section.

In this invention, by using the unwinding start time information and replacement time information, it is easy to know if a yarn connection part has been mixed into the winding package.

The yarn processing equipment of the third invention is the second invention, characterized in that the information management unit estimates the mixed position of the yarn connection portion in the specified winding package based on the first replacement time, the second replacement time, and the unwinding start time.

In the present invention, the position of the yarn connection part in the winding package can be easily determined by calculation using the first replacement time, the second replacement time, and the unwinding start time.

The yarn processing equipment of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the information management unit is capable of acquiring yarn supply package individual information of the yarn supply package attached to the yarn supply unit and the unwinding start time information in association with each yarn supply package.

In the present invention, yarn supply package individual information and unwinding start time information are acquired in association with each other. This makes it possible to know from which yarn supply package yarn was supplied to a certain winding bobbin by considering the context of each time.

The yarn processing equipment of the fifth invention is the yarn processing equipment of the fourth invention, which includes an output unit configured to be able to output information, and an output control unit configured to control the output unit, and the output control unit uses the yarn supply package individual information, the unwinding start time information, the winding package individual information, and the replacement time information to create chart data indicating the unwinding period from when the yarn starts to be unwound until it is finished for each yarn supply package, and the winding period from when the yarn starts to be wound until it is finished for each winding package, and causes the output unit to output a chart based on the chart data.

In the present invention, the operator can easily associate winding package individual information with yarn supply package individual information simply by looking at the output chart.

The yarn processing equipment of the sixth invention is the fourth or fifth invention, characterized in that the information management unit, based on the unwinding start time information and the replacement time information, identifies the yarn supply package from which the yarn most recently started to be unwound before the first replacement time at which a specified winding bobbin was attached to the winding section, and associates the yarn supply package individual information of the identified yarn supply package with the winding package individual information of a specified winding package formed by winding yarn onto the specified winding bobbin.

In the present invention, at least the individual information of a given winding package can be automatically associated with the individual information of the yarn supply package that is supplying yarn when the given winding package begins to be formed.

The yarn processing equipment of the seventh invention is characterized in that, in the sixth invention, when the unwinding start time is between the first replacement time and the second replacement time at which the specified winding package is removed from the winding section, the information management unit associates the yarn supply package individual information of the yarn supply package related to the unwinding start time with the winding package individual information of the specified winding package.

In the present invention, when yarn is supplied in sequence from multiple yarn supply packages when a winding package is formed, the individual information of all of the multiple yarn supply packages can be automatically associated with the individual information of the winding package.

The yarn processing equipment of the eighth invention is any one of the fourth to seventh inventions, further comprising a yarn supply package transport device configured to transport a yarn supply package and to be able to attach and detach the yarn supply package to the yarn supply unit, and the information management unit is characterized in that when a specific yarn supply package is attached to one of the multiple attachment units by the yarn supply package transport device, the yarn supply package individual information of the specific yarn supply package is associated with the one attachment unit.

In the present invention, when a yarn supply package is attached to the attachment section by the yarn supply package conveying device, yarn supply package individual information can be automatically associated with the attachment section.

The yarn processing equipment of the ninth invention is any one of the fourth to eighth inventions, characterized in that it includes a detection unit capable of detecting which of the multiple mounting units is mounted on which yarn supply package the yarn is being unwound from, and the information management unit associates the yarn supply package individual information with the unwinding start time information based on the detection result by the detection unit.

In the present invention, by utilizing the detection results from the detection unit, it is possible to easily associate yarn supply package individual information with unwinding start time information.

For example, when the yarn processing machine starts operating, yarn may start being supplied from any of the multiple yarn supply packages attached to the yarn supply unit. In such a case, in a configuration that does not include a detection unit as described above, it is difficult to automatically determine, using only electronic means, which yarn supply package has started to supply yarn. In this regard, in the present invention, the detection unit can always determine which of the multiple attachment units is supplying yarn. Therefore, it is possible to automatically and accurately associate yarn supply package individual information with unwinding start time information.

1 is a schematic plan view of a yarn processing facility according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the yarn processing equipment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the false twisting machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a false twisting machine deployed along a yarn path. 13A and 13B are graphs showing the relationship between the remaining amount of yarn in a yarn supply package and time, and 13C is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of yarn wound onto a winding bobbin and time. 13A is a table showing the association between individual yarn supply package information and various pieces of time information, and FIG. 13B is a table showing the association between individual winding package information and various pieces of time information. 13A is a table showing the association between individual information of a yarn supplying package and individual information of a package mounting unit, and FIG. 13B is a table showing the association between individual information of a package mounting unit and various time information. 11 is a table showing the association between individual yarn package information, a package mounting unit, and various times. 11 is a table showing an association between winding package individual information and supplying yarn package individual information. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a false twisting machine according to a modified example.

(Outline of yarn processing facility)
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The outline of the yarn processing equipment 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic plan view of FIG. 1 and the block diagram of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the yarn processing equipment 100 has a plurality of false twisting machines 1 (yarn processing machines of the present invention), a management device 101, a creel robot 102 (yarn supply package conveying device of the present invention), and a winding package conveying device 103. The plurality of false twisting machines 1 are arranged, for example, along a predetermined machine frame longitudinal direction. Each false twisting machine 1 is configured to be able to false twist a yarn Y (see FIG. 3, etc.) made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon (polyamide-based fiber). As will be described later, each false twisting machine 1 is configured to process the yarn Y supplied from the yarn supplying section 2 by the processing section 3, and wind the yarn Y around a winding bobbin Bw attached to the winding section 4 to form a winding package Pw. Each false twisting machine 1 is controlled by a machine frame control device 5, which is a computer device provided in each false twisting machine 1.

The management device 101 is a host computer for centrally managing information (details will be described later) acquired by multiple machine control devices 5. The management device 101 has a management input unit 101a (e.g., a keyboard), a management output unit 101b (e.g., a display), and a management storage unit 101c (e.g., a hard disk). The management output unit 101b may have a printer (not shown). The management device 101 and the multiple machine control devices 5 are combined to form the information management unit 110 of this embodiment. The information management unit 110 is electrically connected to a creel control device 102a provided in the creel robot 102. The information management unit 110 is also electrically connected to a control device (not shown) of the winding package conveying device 103. Details of the information handled by the information management unit 110 will be described later.

The creel robot 102 is configured to be capable of transporting a yarn supply package Ps (a package formed by winding a yarn Y around a yarn supply bobbin Bs) that is attached to the yarn supply section 2. The creel robot 102 may be configured to transport multiple yarn supply packages Ps at once. The creel robot 102 is configured to be movable within a factory in which multiple false twist processing machines 1 are installed. The creel robot 102 is configured to be capable of reciprocating between a yarn supply package stocker (not shown) in which the yarn supply packages Ps are stored and each false twist processing machine 1. The creel robot 102 is configured to be capable of being loaded with the yarn supply package Ps stored in the yarn supply package stocker by, for example, an operator. Alternatively, the creel robot 102 may be configured to be capable of picking up the yarn supply package Ps stored in the yarn supply package stocker without manual intervention. The creel robot 102 is configured to be capable of attaching and detaching the yarn supply package Ps to and from the yarn supply section 2 of each false twist processing machine 1. In other words, the creel robot 102 is configured to be able to replace the yarn supply package Ps in the yarn supplying section 2. The creel control device 102a that controls the creel robot 102 is electrically connected to the management device 101 (see FIG. 2). The creel control device 102a receives a command signal transmitted from the information management section 110 and controls the creel robot 102 according to the command signal.

The winding package conveying device 103 is configured to collect the winding package Pw formed in the winding section 4 of each false twist processing machine 1. The winding package conveying device 103 may be configured to convey multiple winding packages Pw at once. The winding package conveying device 103 conveys the formed winding package Pw, for example, to a payout port (not shown). A control device (not shown) that controls the winding package conveying device 103 is electrically connected to the management device 101. The winding package conveying device 103 receives a command signal transmitted from the information management unit 110, and collects the formed winding package Pw in accordance with the command signal.

(Overall configuration of false twisting machine)
Next, the overall configuration of the false twisting machine 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a side view of the false twisting machine 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the false twisting machine 1 deployed along the path (yarn path) of the yarn Y. The direction perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 3 is the machine base longitudinal direction, and the left-right direction of the plane of Fig. 3 is the machine base width direction. The direction perpendicular to both the machine base longitudinal direction and the machine base width direction is the up-down direction (vertical direction) in which gravity acts. The direction in which the yarn Y runs is the yarn running direction. The false twisting machine 1 includes a yarn supplying section 2 for supplying a plurality of yarns Y, a processing section 3 for processing (false twisting) the plurality of yarns Y supplied from the yarn supplying section 2, a winding section 4 for winding the plurality of yarns Y processed by the processing section 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw, and a machine control device 5.

The yarn supplying section 2 has a creel stand 6 that holds multiple yarn supply packages Ps, and supplies multiple yarns Y to the processing section 3. The processing section 3 is configured to unwind and process multiple yarns Y from the yarn supplying section 2. The processing section 3 is configured to have a first feed roller 11, a twist stop guide 12, a first heating device 13, a cooling device 14, a false twist device 15, a second feed roller 16, a second heating device 17, and a third feed roller 18 arranged in order from the upstream side in the yarn running direction. These components in the processing section 3 are provided, for example, on each of multiple spindles 9 (see FIG. 4) described later. The winding section 4 has multiple winding devices 19. Each winding device 19 winds the yarn Y false twisted in the processing section 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw to form a winding package Pw. The winding section 4 is also provided with multiple auto-doffers 10 that correspond to the multiple winding devices 19 and replace the formed winding package Pw with a new empty winding bobbin Bw.

The machine control device 5 is for controlling each component of the yarn supplying section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4. The machine control device 5 is, for example, a general computer device. The machine control device 5 has a machine input section 5a, a machine output section 5b, and a machine memory section 5c. The machine input section 5a is, for example, a touch panel and/or a keyboard, etc., not shown, and is configured to be operated by an operator. The machine output section 5b is, for example, a display not shown, and is configured to be able to output information. The machine output section 5b may have a printer not shown. The machine memory section 5c is configured to store various information for controlling the components of the yarn supplying section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4. The machine control device 5 controls the components of the yarn supplying section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4 based on the various information. Alternatively, the machine control device 5 may indirectly control these components via various control devices (not shown) for controlling each component of the yarn supplying section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4. The machine control device 5 is electrically connected to a management device 101, which is a host computer. The management device 101 is capable of using the information acquired by the machine control device 5 to perform various decisions and/or calculations, which will be described later.

The false twisting machine 1 has a main machine base 7 and a winding table 8 arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction of the machine base. The main machine base 7 and the winding table 8 are arranged so as to extend to approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction of the machine base. The main machine base 7 and the winding table 8 are arranged so as to face each other in the width direction of the machine base. The false twisting machine 1 has a unit called a span, which includes a pair of the main machine base 7 and the winding table 8. In one span, each device is arranged so that multiple yarns Y running in a line in the longitudinal direction of the machine base can be false twisted simultaneously. In the false twisting machine 1, this span is arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the page with the center line C in the width direction of the main machine base 7 as the axis of symmetry (the main machine base 7 is common to the left and right spans). In addition, multiple spans are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the machine base.

A group of components through which one yarn Y passes from the yarn supply section 2 until it reaches the winding section 4 is called a "spindle." In other words, the false twisting machine 1 has the same number of spindles 9 (see FIG. 4) as the number of winding packages Pw that can be formed simultaneously. Roughly speaking, the multiple spindles 9 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the machine. In terms of the inclusive relationship, the false twisting machine 1 has multiple spans, and each span has multiple spindles 9.

(Yarn supply section)
The configuration of the yarn supplying unit 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. The creel stand 6 of the yarn supplying unit 2 has a plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 (see Fig. 4) provided corresponding to the plurality of spindles 9, respectively. Each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 is configured to allow two yarn supply packages Ps to be attached and detached. That is, the yarn supply package holding unit 20 has two package mounting units 21 (mounting units of the present invention). For convenience of explanation, one of the two package mounting units 21 is called a first mounting unit 22, and the other is called a second mounting unit 23. The first mounting unit 22 and the second mounting unit 23 are each configured to allow one yarn supply package Ps to be attached and detached. The above-mentioned creel robot 102 is used to attach and detach the yarn supply package Ps to and from the package mounting unit 21.

Each yarn supply package holding section 20 of the yarn supply section 2 is configured to be able to supply the yarn Y without interruption as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a first yarn supply package PsA (a certain yarn supply package of the present invention), which is one of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps, is mounted on the first mounting section 22. A second yarn supply package PsB (another yarn supply package of the present invention) different from the first yarn supply package PsA is mounted on the second mounting section 23. The yarn Y is unwound from the first yarn supply package PsA. The end of the yarn Y contained in the first yarn supply package PsA and the beginning of the yarn Y contained in the second yarn supply package PsB are knotted (connected). As a result, a knot portion K (yarn connection portion) is formed between the two yarns Y. In such a case, after the first yarn supply package PsA becomes empty, it is possible to supply the yarn Y from the second yarn supply package PsB without interruption. Specifically, immediately after the supply of yarn Y from the first yarn supply package PsA is completed and the first yarn supply package PsA becomes empty, the knot portion K is pulled downstream in the yarn running direction (toward the winding device 19), causing the yarn Y to be unwound from the second yarn supply package PsB. In this way, a yarn supply package change occurs in which the yarn supply package Ps that supplies the yarn Y is changed. This allows the yarn Y to be supplied without interruption. The empty yarn supply package Ps is then replaced with a new yarn supply package Ps by the creel robot 102.

A yarn detection sensor 24 (detection unit of the present invention) is disposed downstream of the yarn supply package holding unit 20 in the yarn running direction. The yarn detection sensor 24 is configured to detect whether the yarn Y is supplied from the first mounting unit 22 or the second mounting unit 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the yarn detection sensor 24 has a first detection unit 25 and a second detection unit 26. The first detection unit 25 is configured to detect whether the yarn Y is supplied from the first mounting unit 22. The second detection unit 26 is configured to detect whether the yarn Y is supplied from the second mounting unit 23. The first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 are, for example, optical sensors that optically detect the yarn Y. For more details on the yarn detection sensor 24, please refer to, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5873105. Alternatively, the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 may be, for example, contact-type sensors.

(Processing department)
The configuration of the processing unit 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. In the following, only a portion of the processing unit 3 that corresponds to one spindle 9 will be described.

The first feed roller 11 is configured to unwind the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps attached to the yarn supply section 2 and send it to the first heating device 13. The first feed roller 11 is disposed upstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the first feed roller 11 is approximately equal to the unwinding speed V (see FIG. 4) at which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps.

The twist stop guide 12 is configured so that the twist imparted to the yarn Y by the false twist device 15 does not propagate upstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction. The twist stop guide 12 is disposed downstream of the first feed roller 11 in the yarn running direction and upstream of the first heating device 13 in the yarn running direction.

The first heating device 13 is configured to heat the yarn Y sent from the first feed roller 11. The first heating device 13 is disposed downstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction and upstream of the cooling device 14 in the yarn running direction. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the first heating device 13 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The first heating device 13 may be configured to be able to heat multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

The cooling device 14 is configured to cool the yarn Y heated by the first heating device 13. The cooling device 14 is disposed downstream in the yarn running direction of the first heating device 13 and upstream in the yarn running direction of the false twist device 15. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the cooling device 14 is configured to cool one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The cooling device 14 may be configured to be able to cool multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

The false twist device 15 is configured to impart a twist to the yarn Y. The false twist device 15 is, for example, a so-called disk friction type false twist device, but is not limited to this. The false twist device 15 is disposed downstream in the yarn running direction of the cooling device 14 and upstream in the yarn running direction of the second feed roller 16.

The second feed roller 16 is configured to send the yarn Y processed by the false twist device 15 to the second heating device 17. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the second feed roller 16 is faster than the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the first feed roller 11. As a result, the yarn Y is stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16.

The second heating device 17 is configured to heat the yarn Y fed from the second feed roller 16. The second heating device 17 extends along the vertical direction. For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the second heating device 17 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The second heating device 17 may be configured to be able to heat multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

The third feed roller 18 is configured to feed the yarn Y heated by the second heating device 17 to the winding device 19. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the third feed roller 18 is slower than the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the second feed roller 16. The yarn Y is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18.

In the processing section 3 configured as above, the yarn Y stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16 is twisted by the false twist device 15. The twist formed by the false twist device 15 propagates to the twist stop guide 12, but does not propagate upstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction. The yarn Y to which the twist is imparted while being stretched is heated and heat-set by the first heating device 13, and then cooled by the cooling device 14. The yarn Y is untwisted downstream from the false twist device 15, but the above heat setting maintains the state in which each filament is false-twisted in a wavy shape. Furthermore, the yarn Y that has been false-twisted by the false twist device 15 is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18, and is then heat-set by the second heating device 17, and is guided downstream in the yarn running direction. Finally, the yarn Y sent from the third feed roller 18 is wound onto a winding bobbin Bw by the winding device 19. This forms the winding package Pw.

(Winding section)
The configuration of the winding section 4 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. The winding section 4 has a plurality of winding devices 19 that wind the yarn Y onto a winding bobbin Bw, and a plurality of auto-doffers 10 (see Fig. 3) provided corresponding to each of the winding devices 19. The plurality of winding devices 19 belong to a plurality of spindles 9, one for each (see Fig. 4). Each of the winding devices 19 has, for example, a fulcrum guide 31, a traverse device 32, a cradle 33, and a winding roller 34. The fulcrum guide 31 is a guide that serves as a fulcrum when the yarn Y is traversed. The traverse device 32 is configured to be able to traverse the yarn Y by, for example, a traverse guide 35 attached to an endless belt that is reciprocally driven by a motor. The cradle 33 is configured to be able to rotatably support the winding bobbin Bw (winding package Pw). The winding roller 34 is configured to rotate the winding package Pw and apply contact pressure to the surface of the winding package Pw. The winding roller 34 is, for example, rotated by a motor (not shown) while in contact with the surface of the winding package Pw. As a result, the winding package Pw is rotated by frictional force, and contact pressure is applied to the surface of the winding package Pw, shaping the winding package Pw. Note that instead of rotating the winding roller 34, the winding package Pw may be directly rotated by a motor (not shown).

The auto doffer 10 is configured to remove the winding package Pw from the winding device 19 and attach an empty winding bobbin Bw to the winding device 19. In other words, the auto doffer 10 is configured to be able to replace the winding package Pw after formation with an empty winding bobbin Bw in the winding section 4. The auto doffer 10 also has a cutter (not shown) capable of cutting the yarn Y near the winding package Pw. The running yarn Y is cut by the cutter, and the formation of the winding package Pw is completed. Here, even after the yarn is cut by the cutter, the yarn Y continues to be supplied to the winding device 19. The auto doffer 10 has a suction (not shown) capable of suctioning, capturing, and holding the running yarn Y supplied to the winding device 19 after the winding package Pw is completed and before the yarn Y starts to be wound onto the next winding bobbin Bw. The portion of the yarn Y that has been sucked in by the suction is removed by suction until the yarn Y is hung on the winding bobbin Bw onto which the yarn Y is next wound. The auto doffer 10 also has a stocker 10a that is configured to temporarily store the winding package Pw that has been removed from the corresponding winding device 19. The stocker 10a faces, for example, the space formed between the creel stand 6 and the winding table 8. The winding package Pw stored in the stocker 10a is collected by the winding package conveying device 103 described above. For more details on the structure of the auto doffer 10, please refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-212521.

In the winding section 4 configured as above, the yarn Y sent from the third feed roller 18 is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw by each winding device 19 to form a winding package Pw (winding process). The yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the auto doffer 10, and the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw is completed. Almost simultaneously, the winding package Pw is removed from the cradle 33 by the auto doffer 10. Immediately after that, a new empty winding bobbin Bw is attached to the cradle 33 by the auto doffer 10. In other words, immediately after a certain winding package Pw is formed, the winding package Pw (winding bobbin Bw) is replaced with a new winding bobbin Bw by the auto doffer 10 (winding bobbin replacement work). This makes it possible to start winding the yarn Y onto a new winding bobbin Bw. Note that "immediately after" means "after a very short time has elapsed compared to the time required from the start of the winding process onto a certain winding bobbin Bw to the end of the formation of the winding package Pw (winding time)." "Immediately after the winding package Pw is formed" can also be rephrased as "almost simultaneously with the end of the formation of the winding package Pw."

In order to appropriately manage the quality of the winding package Pw, it is desirable to know from which yarn supply package Ps the yarn Y is supplied when the winding package Pw is formed. To obtain such information, a means for associating individual information of the yarn supply package Ps with individual information of the winding package Pw has been proposed. As a specific example of the conventional proposal, a tag (not shown) of individual information of each yarn supply package Ps, a tag (not shown) indicating the position of the first mounting unit 22, and a tag (not shown) indicating the position of the second mounting unit 23 are read by a recognition device (not shown). Then, based on the recognition result by the recognition device, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps is associated with the first mounting unit 22 or the second mounting unit 23. In the conventional proposal, a detector (not shown) that detects the passage of the node portion K is provided. For example, the machine control device 5 performs the following judgment in a state where it is known that the yarn is supplied from the first yarn supply package PsA. That is, if the detector does not detect the passage of the knot portion K from the start of winding the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw to the end of winding, it is determined that only the yarn Y included in the first yarn supplying package PsA has been supplied to the winding bobbin Bw. If the detector detects the passage of the knot portion K from the start of winding the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw to the end of winding, it is determined that both the yarn Y included in the first yarn supplying package PsA and the yarn Y included in the second yarn supplying package PsB have been supplied to the winding bobbin Bw. In this way, from the recognition result by the recognition device and the detection result by the detector, information relating to the association between the individual information of the winding package Pw and the individual information of the yarn supplying package Ps is obtained. However, it is difficult to derive more detailed information from only the recognition result and the detection result.

In this embodiment, therefore, in order to make it possible to derive various useful information, the information management unit 110 acquires the information described below. As a specific example, the information management unit 110 acquires and manages various information related to the events shown in the graphs of Figures 5(a) to (c). Note that, unless otherwise specified, the following explanation will be limited to a specific weight 9.

(Specific examples of events)
Before specifically describing the information acquired by the information management unit 110, the events illustrated in the graphs of Figures 5(a) to (c) and the time at which each event occurred will be described as a premise to help understanding the following description. The information management unit 110 acquires information about at least some of the events shown in the graphs of Figures 5(a) to (c) (details will be described later).

Figure 5(a) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, yarn supply packages Ps1 and Ps3) attached to the first attachment section 22 and time (horizontal axis). Figure 5(b) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, yarn supply packages Ps2 and Ps4) attached to the second attachment section 23 and time (horizontal axis). Figure 5(c) is a graph showing the relationship between the amount (vertical axis) of yarn Y wound onto the winding bobbin Bw (specifically, winding bobbins Bw1, Bw2, Bw3, Bw4, Bw5, and Bw6) and time (horizontal axis). In all of the graphs in Figures 5(a) to (c), the origin is the time t0 at which the yarn Y starts to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the yarn amount (initial amount) of each yarn supply package Ps in a state where the yarn Y has not been unwound from each yarn supply package Ps even once is WF. In reality, in the previous process in which multiple yarn supply packages Ps are formed, the formation of the yarn supply package Ps may be terminated midway due to circumstances such as yarn breakage. Therefore, please note that in reality, the initial amounts of multiple yarn supply packages Ps are not necessarily the same.

First, at time t0, yarn supply package Ps1 is attached to the first attachment section 22. Yarn supply package Ps2 is attached to the second attachment section 23. The remaining amount of yarn Y contained in yarn supply package Ps1 is W0 (less than the initial amount WF). The remaining amount of yarn Y contained in yarn supply package Ps2 is the initial amount WF. The end of yarn Y contained in yarn supply package Ps1 and the beginning of yarn Y contained in yarn supply package Ps2 are knotted to form knot portion K.

At time t0 (time ts1), the auto doffer 10 completes the attachment of the winding bobbin Bw1 to the cradle 33, and the yarn begins to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1. In other words, time ts1 is the winding start time when the yarn Y begins to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1. At this time, the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1. As time passes, the remaining amount of yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 decreases, and the amount of yarn Y wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1 increases. At time te1, the yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the auto doffer 10, and the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw1 ends. In other words, time te1 is the winding end time when the winding of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw1 ends (the formation of the winding package Pw1 ends). The remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps1 at this time is W1. Only the yarn Y supplied from the yarn supply package Ps1 is wound around the winding bobbin Bw1. The yarn Y is cut by the cutter and captured by suction (i.e., the yarn Y is sucked and removed) almost simultaneously. Furthermore, the winding bobbin Bw1 is removed from the cradle 33. Next, at time ts2 immediately after time te1, the winding bobbin Bw2 is attached to the cradle 33, and winding of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw2 is started (the winding bobbin replacement operation is completed). For example, the time when the machine control device 5 outputs a command signal for the winding bobbin replacement operation to the auto doffer 10 (i.e., the time when the winding bobbin replacement operation is started) can be regarded as the winding bobbin replacement time when the winding bobbin replacement operation is performed (hereinafter, simply referred to as the replacement time). The replacement time is equal to the winding end time (time te1) of the winding bobbin Bw (in this case, winding bobbin Bw1) that was attached to the cradle 33 before the winding bobbin replacement work. The replacement time is also approximately equal to the winding start time (time ts2) of the winding bobbin Bw (in this case, winding bobbin Bw2) that was attached to the cradle 33 after the winding bobbin replacement work.

At time ta1, which is later than time ts2, the yarn supply package Ps1 mounted on the first mounting unit 22 becomes empty. That is, time ta1 is the unwinding end time when the yarn Y is completely unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1. At the same time that the yarn supply package Ps1 becomes empty, at time tb1 (=time ta1), the knot portion K formed by knotting the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps1 and the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps2 is pulled toward the winding device 19. As a result, the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 mounted on the second mounting unit 23. That is, time tb1 is the unwinding start time when the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 (when the yarn Y starts to be unwound). Thereafter, at time te2, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw2 (the formation of the winding package Pw2) ends. At this time, the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps2 is W2. Both the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1 and the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 are wound onto the winding bobbin Bw2. The winding package Pw2 also includes a knot portion K. Thereafter, at time ts3, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw3 is started. When the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw3 (formation of the winding package Pw3) is completed at time te3, the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps2 is W3. Only the yarn Y supplied from the yarn supply package Ps2 is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw3.

After time ta1 and at time ta2 before the yarn supply package Ps2 becomes empty, the creel robot 102 removes the yarn supply package Ps1 from the first mounting section 22 and mounts the yarn supply package Ps3 on the first mounting section 22 (yarn supply package replacement operation). At this time, the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps3 is WF. Then, at an appropriate timing, the end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 and the beginning of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps3 are knotted to form a knot portion K. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operator performs the knotting operation (connection operation) immediately after the yarn supply package replacement operation by the creel robot 102. The operator may perform the knotting operation by hand. Alternatively, the operator may perform the knotting operation by operating, for example, a portable knotting device (not shown). Alternatively, the creel robot 102 may have an automatic knotting device (not shown) capable of performing the knotting operation. This allows the knot tying work to be done by the creel robot 102, rather than by hand.

The events that occur after that will be briefly described. The events related to the winding unit 4 are as follows. From time ts4 to time te4, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw4 (the winding package Pw4 is formed). From time ts5 to time te5, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw5 (the winding package Pw5 is formed). From time ts6 to time te6, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw6 (the winding package Pw6 is formed). The events related to the yarn supplying unit 2 are as follows. At time tb2 (= time ta3) between time ts4 and time te4, the yarn supplying package Ps2 becomes empty, and the yarn Y begins to be unwound from the yarn supplying package Ps3. After that, at time tb3, the yarn supplying package Ps2 is replaced with the yarn supplying package Ps4. At time ta4 (=time tb4) between time ts6 and time te6, yarn supply package Ps3 becomes empty, and yarn Y begins to be unwound from yarn supply package Ps4.

(Summary of basic information acquired by the Information Management Department)
Considering the above-mentioned phenomena, first, an outline of basic information acquired by the information management unit 110 for performing various judgments and/or calculations will be described with reference to Figs. 6(a) and 6(b). Fig. 6(a) is a table showing associations between individual yarn supply package information, which will be described later, and various pieces of time information. Fig. 6(b) is a table showing associations between individual winding package information, which will be described later, and various pieces of time information.

The information management unit 110 acquires basic information, such as yarn supply package individual information, unwinding start time information, and unwinding end time information, in association with each yarn supply package Ps (see FIG. 6(a)). The information management unit 110 also acquires basic information, such as winding package individual information and replacement time information, in association with each winding package Pw (see FIG. 6(b)). Details of how to acquire this information will be described later. This information is used to associate at least the yarn supply package individual information, which is the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps, with the winding package individual information, which is the individual information of the winding package Pw.

The yarn supply package individual information is identification information given to each of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps. For example, an ID tag (not shown) indicating the yarn supply package individual information is attached to each yarn supply package Ps. The yarn supply package individual information is used to identify the yarn supply package Ps mounted on each package mounting section 21. The unwinding start time information is information on the unwinding start time described above. The unwinding start time is, for example, the above-mentioned tb1, ta3, and tb4. The unwinding end time information is information on the above-mentioned unwinding end time. The unwinding end time is, for example, the above-mentioned times ta1, tb2, and ta4. The winding package individual information is identification information given to each of the multiple winding packages Pw. The replacement time information is information on the above-mentioned replacement time. The replacement time is, for example, the above-mentioned times te1 to te6. The replacement time can be treated as both the first replacement time and the second replacement time, as described later.

(Required Information)
Next, information necessary for the information management unit 110 to actually acquire the yarn supply package individual information, the unwinding start time information, the unwinding end time information, the winding package individual information, and the replacement time information will be described. More specifically, information on the yarn supply package Ps to be attached to or detached from the package mounting unit 21, information on the winding package Pw, and information acquired by the machine control device 5 during the winding process will be described.

(Information about yarn package transported by creel robot)
The information management unit 110 manages the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps conveyed by the creel robot 102 and the information associated therewith as follows. First, before or when the operator loads a full yarn supply package Ps stored in the yarn supply package stocker onto the creel robot 102, the operator inputs the yarn supply package individual information corresponding to the yarn supply package Ps into the creel control device 102a. For example, the operator may input the yarn supply package individual information by reading an ID tag attached to each yarn supply package Ps using an ID reader (not shown) electrically connected to the creel control device 102a. Alternatively, the operator may input the yarn supply package individual information by operating the creel control device 102a based on visible information displayed on each yarn supply package Ps. Alternatively, the creel robot 102 may be provided with an ID reader (not shown), and the creel robot 102 may read the ID tag using the ID reader.

When the creel robot 102 mounts the yarn supply package Ps on the package mounting section 21, the information management unit 110 receives individual information of the yarn supply package Ps from the creel control device 102a. Then, the information management unit 110 associates the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps with individual information of the package mounting section 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps is mounted (see FIG. 7(a)). The individual information of the package mounting section 21 is information regarding which of the multiple spindles 9 the package mounting section 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps is mounted belongs to, and whether the package mounting section 21 is the first mounting section 22 or the second mounting section 23. In this way, the information management unit 110 manages the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps transported by the creel robot 102 in association with the operation of the creel robot 102.

When a new yarn supply package Ps is mounted on the package mounting section 21, the machine control device 5 acquires yarn supply package mounting time information relating to the yarn supply package mounting time when the yarn supply package Ps is mounted on the package mounting section 21. The yarn supply package mounting time is, for example, the above-mentioned times ta2 and tb3. The machine control device 5 associates and stores the yarn supply package individual information, the individual information of the package mounting section 21, and the yarn supply package mounting time information for each yarn supply package Ps (see FIG. 7(a). In FIG. 7(a), the yarn supply package mounting time is simply referred to as the mounting time).

After a new yarn supply package Ps is loaded into one of the package loading sections 21, the operator ties the start end of the yarn Y contained in the new yarn supply package Ps to the end end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps loaded into the other package loading section 21 to form a knot K. The operator then places the knot K in a predetermined position. Furthermore, the operator inputs information indicating that the knot K has been placed in the predetermined position to the machine control device 5. Based on the input information, the machine control device 5 stores information indicating that the knot K has been placed in the predetermined position.

(Information about the winding package)
The information management unit 110 manages the individual information of the winding package Pw as follows. The machine control device 5 stores the time when a signal for replacing the winding bobbin Bw is output to the auto doffer 10 as the replacement time. For a winding bobbin Bw newly mounted on the cradle 33, this replacement time is approximately equal to the winding start time when the yarn Y starts to be wound around the winding bobbin Bw. Such a replacement time is treated as the first replacement time for the winding bobbin Bw (winding package Pw). The machine control device 5 also assigns individual information (winding package individual information) to the winding package Pw when the winding process of the yarn Y around the winding bobbin Bw is completed (when the formation of the winding package Pw is completed). Specifically, the machine control device 5 acquires, for example, information on the machine number (the identification number of the false twisting machine 1) and information on the identification number of the spindle 9 as the individual information of the winding package Pw. Furthermore, the machine control device 5 stores the time when the signal for removing the winding package Pw from the winding device 19 is output to the auto doffer 10 as the second replacement time. The machine control device 5 stores the information of the machine number and the identification number of the spindle 9 in association with the information of the first replacement time (first replacement time information) and the information of the second replacement time (second replacement time information). Both the first replacement time information and the second replacement time information are included in the replacement time information. The machine control device 5 may also acquire a predetermined management number as winding package individual information in association with these pieces of information and assign it to each winding package Pw. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the above-mentioned "Pw1" to "Pw6" are set as management numbers (winding package individual information), the management number is associated with the first replacement time and the second replacement time (note that the machine number and the identification number of the spindle 9 are omitted from the illustration). Furthermore, the machine control device 5 prints these pieces of information on a label (not shown). The label can be attached to the winding bobbin Bw by an operator.

As another means for acquiring the winding package individual information, for example, an ID tag (not shown) may be attached to the empty winding bobbin Bw in advance. As a result, the winding package individual information may be assigned to the winding bobbin Bw before the winding process. Furthermore, the auto doffer 10 may have an ID reader (not shown). For example, when the auto doffer 10 mounts a certain winding bobbin Bw on the winding device 19 or removes a winding package Pw from the winding device 19, the ID reader may read the ID tag attached to the certain winding bobbin Bw, and the individual information of the certain winding bobbin Bw may be transmitted to the machine control device 5. Alternatively, instead of the auto doffer 10, an operator may read the ID tag with an ID reader (not shown). Alternatively, instead of reading the ID tag with an ID reader, the operator may manually input the individual information of the winding bobbin Bw to the machine control device 5.

As described above, the replacement time information includes both the first replacement time information and the second replacement time information. As a specific example, let us focus on time te1. Time te1 is the time when a command signal to start the replacement work of the winding bobbin Bw1 (winding package Pw1) where the winding process of the yarn Y has been completed and the new winding bobbin Bw2 (winding package Pw2) is output from the machine control device 5. Time te1 is equal to the winding end time for the winding package Pw1 and is approximately equal to the winding start time for the winding package Pw2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the information management unit 110 treats the information of time te1 as the first replacement time information and associates the first replacement time information with the winding package individual information of the winding package Pw2. That is, time te1 is treated as the first replacement time for the winding package Pw2. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 handles the information of time te1 as second replacement time information and associates the second replacement time information with the winding package individual information of winding package Pw1. In this case, time te1 is handled as the second replacement time related to winding package Pw1. Such first replacement time information and second replacement time information are similarly acquired for other winding packages Pw.

The first replacement time for a certain winding bobbin Bw (winding package Pw) can be used as the winding bobbin installation time when the winding bobbin Bw is installed on the cradle 33. The second replacement time for a certain winding bobbin Bw (winding package Pw) can be used as the winding bobbin removal time when the winding bobbin Bw is removed from the cradle 33. In other words, the first replacement time information can be used as winding start time information regarding the winding start time of the winding bobbin Bw. The second replacement time information can be used as winding end time information regarding the winding end time of the winding bobbin Bw. The information management unit 110 may handle the first replacement time information as the winding start time information and the second replacement time information as the winding end time information. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may obtain more precise information on the winding start time and/or winding end time by performing a predetermined calculation on the replacement time.

(Information acquired by the machine control device during winding process)
Next, a description will be given of information acquired by the machine control device 5 during the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw. This information is information for acquiring yarn supply package individual information, unwinding start time information, and unwinding end time information in association with each other by combining with the information shown in Fig. 7(a) .

Based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24, the machine control device 5 determines whether a yarn supply package switch has occurred, in which the yarn supply package Ps supplying the yarn Y is switched. For example, referring to FIGS. 5(a) and (b), a yarn supply package switch is an event in which the yarn supply package Ps1 becomes empty and the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2. When the state of the yarn detection sensor 24 switches from a state in which the yarn Y is detected by one of the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 to a state in which the yarn Y is detected by the other of the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26, the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn supply package switch has occurred. When the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn supply package switch has occurred, it acquires and stores the following information shown in the table in FIG. 7(b). The machine control device 5 stores the individual information of the package mounting unit 21 that started supplying the yarn Y when the yarn package switching occurred (either the first mounting unit 22 or the second mounting unit 23) in association with the time when the yarn package switching occurred. For the package mounting unit 21 that started supplying the yarn Y, the time when the yarn package switching occurred is treated as the unwinding start time. The machine control device 5 also stores the individual information of the package mounting unit 21 that finished supplying the yarn Y when the yarn package switching occurred in association with the time when the yarn package switching occurred. For the package mounting unit 21 that finished supplying the yarn Y, the time when the yarn package switching occurred is treated as the unwinding end time.

(Method of acquiring unwinding start time information and unwinding end time information)
Next, a method for acquiring the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information based on the information acquired by the machine control device 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 5(a), (b), 7(a), (b) and 8. Fig. 8 is a table showing the association between yarn supply package individual information, package mounting units and various times.

The machine control device 5 uses the yarn supply package mounting time information and the yarn supply package switching information to acquire the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information in the following procedure. As a specific example, when acquiring the unwinding start time and the unwinding end time of the yarn supply package Ps3, the machine control device 5 acquires the individual information (first mounting section 22) of the package mounting section 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps3 is mounted and the information of the yarn supply package mounting time (time ta2) based on the yarn supply package mounting time information. Next, the machine control device 5 acquires the information of the earliest time (time ta3; see Figures 5(a) and (b)) that is later than time ta2 among the unwinding start times of the yarn supply package Ps mounted in the first mounting section 22 as the unwinding start time of the yarn supply package Ps3. The machine control device 5 also acquires information on the unwinding end time (time ta4) associated with the unwinding start time as the unwinding end time of the yarn supply package Ps3. In this way, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps is associated with the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information. In other words, by associating the yarn supply package attachment time information of a certain yarn supply package Ps with the information on the time when the yarn supply package was switched earliest after the yarn supply package attachment time, the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information of the yarn supply package Ps are acquired (see FIG. 8). The above information is not limited to the yarn supply package Ps3, and can be acquired for each yarn supply package Ps.

In this manner, the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information are acquired by the machine control device 5. The machine control device 5 can acquire the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information at any timing. For example, the machine control device 5 may acquire the unwinding start time information and/or the unwinding end time information at the timing when the yarn supply package is switched. Alternatively, the machine control device 5 may acquire the unwinding start time information and/or the unwinding end time information using the yarn supply package attachment time information and the yarn supply package switching information acquired in the past when an operation is performed by the operator at any timing. The management device 101 may acquire the unwinding start time information and/or the unwinding end time information.

(Association of winding package individual information with supplying yarn package individual information)
Next, a method for associating the winding package individual information with the yarn supplying package individual information will be described. For specific association between the winding package individual information and the yarn supplying package individual information, please refer to the table shown in Fig. 9. In the following method, for example, the management device 101 acquires the association information, but this is not limited to this. In other words, the machine control device 5 may acquire the information.

As specific examples of association, a first and a second specific example will be described below. As a first specific example, when acquiring individual information of the yarn supplying package Ps that has supplied the yarn Y to the winding bobbin Bw3 (winding package Pw3), the management device 101 first acquires information on the first replacement time (time te2) and the second replacement time (time te3) related to the winding bobbin Bw3 (winding package Pw3). The first replacement time can be treated as the winding bobbin mounting time or the winding start time. The second replacement time can be treated as the winding bobbin removal time or the winding end time. Next, the management device 101 associates the individual information of the yarn supplying package Ps (yarn supplying package Ps2, see FIG. 6B) that is associated with the latest unwinding start time (time tb1, see FIG. 5B) that is earlier than time te2 with the individual information of the winding package Pw3. In other words, the management device 101 identifies, from among the individual information of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps associated with the latest unwinding start time that is earlier than the winding start time. Then, the management device 101 associates the individual information of the identified yarn supply package Ps with the individual information of the winding package Pw associated with the winding start time. Furthermore, the management device 101 determines whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred between time te2 and time te3. In this example, there is no time at which a yarn supply package switch has occurred between time te2 and time te3 (i.e., an unwinding start time). Therefore, the management device 101 determines that a yarn supply package switch has not occurred between time te2 and time te3. Therefore, information is acquired that the yarn Y has been supplied to the winding package Pw3 only from the yarn supply package Ps2 (see FIG. 9 ).

As a second specific example, when the management device 101 acquires the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps that supplied the yarn Y to the winding bobbin Bw4 (winding package Pw4), the management device 101 first acquires the information of the first exchange time (time te3) and the information of the second exchange time (time te4) of the winding bobbin Bw4 (winding package Pw4). Next, the management device 101 associates the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps (yarn supply package Ps2, see FIG. 6B) that is associated with the latest unwinding start time (time tb1, see FIG. 5B) that is earlier than time te3, with the individual information of the winding package Pw4. Furthermore, the management device 101 determines whether or not a yarn supply package switch occurred between time te3 and time te4. In this example, there is a time (i.e., an unwinding start time) at which a yarn supply package switch occurred between time te3 and time te4 (time ta3). Therefore, the management device 101 determines that a yarn supply package switch occurred between time te3 and time te4. Based on this determination, the management device 101 associates the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps associated with time ta3 (yarn supply package Ps3; see FIG. 6B) with the individual information of the winding package Pw4. In other words, the management device 101 associates, among the individual information of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps associated with an unwinding start time between the first exchange time and the second exchange time with the individual information of the winding package Pw associated with the first exchange time. Therefore, information is acquired that the yarn Y has been supplied to the winding package Pw3 from the yarn supply package Ps2 and the yarn supply package Ps3 (see FIG. 9).

(Determining the presence or absence of nodules)
The management device 101 also makes the following determinations depending on whether or not the above-mentioned yarn supply package switching has occurred. For example, when the management device 101 determines that no yarn supply package switching has occurred between the first replacement time (time te2) and the second replacement time (time te3) for the winding bobbin Bw3 (winding package Pw3), the management device 101 determines that the winding package Pw3 does not include the node portion K (see FIG. 9 ). When the management device 101 determines that no yarn supply package switching has occurred between the first replacement time (time te3) and the second replacement time (time te4) for the winding bobbin Bw4 (winding package Pw4), the management device 101 determines that the winding package Pw4 includes the node portion K (see FIG. 9 ).

Furthermore, the management device 101 estimates the position of the knot portion K in the winding package Pw by performing the following calculation. As a simple example, the management device 101 calculates the ratio of the time from time te3 to the time when the yarn supply package switching occurs (time ta3) to the time from the first replacement time (time te3) to the second replacement time (time te4) for the winding bobbin Bw4 (winding package Pw4). In other words, the ratio of ta3-te3 to te4-te3 is calculated. If this value is, for example, N percent, it can be estimated that the knot portion K was mixed into the winding package Pw4 when N percent of the yarn Y was wound onto the winding bobbin Bw4.

(Chart output)
The information management unit 110 also outputs the charts described below. The information management unit 110 creates chart data for indicating the unwinding period for each yarn supply package Ps and the winding period for each winding package Pw, using the yarn supply package individual information, the unwinding start time information, the winding package individual information, and the replacement time information. The unwinding period is a period from when the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps to when the unwinding is completed. The winding period is a period from when the yarn Y starts to be wound around the winding bobbin Bw to when the winding is completed. The information management unit 110 displays (outputs) graphs (charts) such as those shown in Figs. 5(a) to (c) on, for example, the management output unit 101b (display) of the management device 101 based on the created chart data. The management device 101 corresponds to an output control unit of the present invention. The management output unit 101b corresponds to an output unit of the present invention. The type of chart is not limited to the above, and any chart that allows the operator to visually check the unwinding period for each yarn supply package Ps and the winding period for each winding package Pw may be output. This allows the operator to easily associate the yarn supply package individual information with the winding package individual information. The chart may show more detailed information in addition to the information shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c). For example, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps associated with the winding package Pw may be displayed in the area where the individual information of the winding package Pw is displayed. Furthermore, information indicating from which layer of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps the yarn Y is supplied to the winding package Pw may be displayed together with the yarn supply package individual information. If the management output unit 101b has a printer, the information management unit 110 may cause the printer to print the chart. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may cause the machine output unit 5b of the machine control device 5 to output (display) the chart. Alternatively, the output control unit that creates the chart data and the output unit that outputs the chart may be provided separately from the information management unit 110 .

As described above, the information management unit 110 can know the unwinding start time of each yarn supply package Ps. In addition, by acquiring the replacement time information, the winding start time and winding end time can be known for each winding package Pw. This makes it possible to obtain various information about the relationship between the winding bobbin Bw (winding package Pw) and the yarn supply package Ps. For example, it is possible to know which layer of yarn Y in the yarn supply package Ps a certain winding package Pw was formed from. It is also possible to determine whether a knot portion K has been mixed into the winding package Pw. In this case, it is also possible to know at which position in the winding package Pw the knot portion K has been mixed into. In this way, various useful information can be derived.

In addition, by using the unwinding start time information and replacement time information, it is easy to know if a knot portion K is mixed into the winding package Pw.

In addition, by performing calculations using the first replacement time, the second replacement time, and the unwinding start time, the location of the knot portion K in the winding package Pw can be easily determined.

In addition, the yarn supply package individual information and the unwinding start time information are acquired in association with each other. This makes it possible to know from which yarn supply package Ps the yarn Y was supplied to a certain winding bobbin Bw by considering the relationship between the times.

In addition, the operator can easily associate the winding package individual information with the yarn supply package individual information simply by looking at the output chart.

In addition, the individual information of a given winding package Pw can be automatically associated with the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps that is supplying the yarn Y when the yarn begins to be wound onto the given winding package Pw.

In addition, when yarn Y is supplied to a certain winding bobbin Bw in sequence from multiple yarn supply packages Ps, the individual information of all of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps can be automatically associated with the individual information of the certain winding package Pw.

In addition, when the yarn supply package Ps is loaded onto the package loading section 21 by the creel robot 102, the yarn supply package individual information can be automatically associated with the package loading section 21.

The yarn detection sensor 24 can always determine which of the multiple package mounting sections 21 the yarn is being supplied from. This allows automatic and accurate association of yarn supply package individual information with unwinding start time information.

Next, we will explain modified versions of the above embodiment. However, parts that have the same configuration as the above embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

(1) In the above embodiment, the occurrence or non-occurrence of a yarn supply package switch is determined based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24 having the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the yarn supply unit 2a of the false twist processing machine 1a may have a switch detection unit 41 having a configuration different from that of the yarn detection sensor 24 in each spindle 9a. The switch detection unit 41 may have, for example, a supply sensor 42 and a knot portion sensor 43. The supply sensor 42 is configured to be able to detect whether or not the yarn Y is supplied from the first attachment unit 22. The knot portion sensor 43 is configured to be able to detect the knot portion K arranged to stand still at a predetermined position. In such a configuration, when the knot portion K moves from the predetermined position and is no longer detected by the knot portion sensor 43, it can be determined that a yarn supply package switch has occurred. In addition, whether the yarn Y is being supplied from the first mounting section 22 or the second mounting section 23 when switching the yarn supply package can be known based on the detection result by the supply sensor 42. In this way, even when the detection result of the knot portion K is used, it is possible to reliably know whether the yarn Y is being supplied from the first mounting section 22 or the second mounting section 23. The knot portion sensor 43 may be configured to be able to detect a moving knot portion K.

(2) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 determines whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred based on the detection result by the yarn detection sensor 24 or the switch detection unit 41, but this is not limited to the above.

(3) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 acquires the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information based on the yarn supply package mounting time information and the yarn supply package switching time information. In other words, the information management unit 110 associates the yarn supply package mounting time with the unwinding start time. However, this is not limited to this. The information management unit 110 may associate the individual information of the package mounting unit 21 that started supplying the yarn Y when the yarn supply package switching occurred, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps mounted in the package mounting unit 21, and the unwinding start time (i.e., the switching time) in the package mounting unit 21. In this way, the unwinding start time information may be acquired. In this case, the information management unit 110 does not necessarily have to acquire the information on the yarn supply package mounting time. In other words, when the yarn supply package Ps is attached to the yarn supply package holding unit 20, the information management unit 110 may simply acquire individual information of the yarn supply package Ps in association with individual information of the package attachment unit 21.

(4) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 performs various associations and/or acquires various information based on the winding start time information, winding end time information, unwinding start time information, and unwinding end time information, but this is not limited to the above. That is, the information management unit 110 may simply acquire yarn supply package individual information, unwinding start time information, and unwinding end time information in association with each other, and may also acquire winding package individual information and replacement time information in association with each other. Using these pieces of information, various useful information can also be acquired by another computer device (not shown).

(5) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 acquires the unwinding end information, but this is not limited to this. In other words, the unwinding start time of a certain yarn supply package Ps is the unwinding end time of the yarn supply package Ps that supplied the yarn Y until just before the yarn Y began to be unwound from that yarn supply package Ps. Based on this fact, the unwinding start time information of a certain yarn supply package Ps (e.g., yarn supply package Ps2) may be used as the unwinding end information of another yarn supply package Ps (e.g., yarn supply package Ps1). However, in such a configuration, the procedures for various judgments and/or calculations may become complicated. Therefore, in order to simplify various judgments and/or calculations, it is recommended that the information management unit 110 acquires the unwinding end information.

(6) In the above embodiments, the yarn supply package replacement work is performed by the creel robot 102. Also, the winding bobbin replacement work is performed by the auto doffer 10. However, this is not limited to this. The yarn supply package replacement work may be performed by an operator. Necessary information such as individual yarn supply package information may be input by the operator, for example, to the machine control device 5. The installation and removal of the winding bobbin Bw may also be performed by the operator. Necessary information such as individual winding package information may be input by the operator, for example, to the machine control device 5.

(7) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 acquires the yarn supply package individual information and the unwinding start time information in association with each yarn supply package Ps, but this is not limited to the above. The information management unit 110 does not necessarily have to acquire the yarn supply package individual information and the unwinding start time information in association with each other. For example, the information management unit 110 may not acquire the yarn supply package individual information, but may acquire only the unwinding start time information for each yarn supply package Ps. Even when such processing is performed, various useful information, such as information on whether the winding package Pw contains a knot portion K, can be obtained by using the unwinding start time information and the replacement time information.

(8) In the above embodiment, the machine control device 5 acquires information on the time when a signal is output to cause the auto doffer 10 to perform the winding bobbin replacement work as replacement time information. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the machine control device 5 may be configured to detect and/or determine the completion of the winding bobbin replacement work. The machine control device 5 may also acquire information on the time when the winding bobbin replacement work is completed as replacement time information.

(9) In the above embodiment, the information management unit 110 has multiple machine control devices 5 and management devices 101, but this is not limited to this. That is, the information management unit 110 may include a computer device (not shown) other than the machine control device 5 and management device 101. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may have only the machine control device 5 or the management device 101. That is, only one of the machine control device 5 or the management device 101 may acquire the necessary information.

(10) In the above embodiment, the yarn processing equipment 100 is provided with multiple false twisting machines 1, but this is not limited thereto. The yarn processing equipment 100 may be provided with only one false twisting machine 1. Also, the management device 101 may not be provided. In this case, the false twisting machine 1 corresponds to the yarn processing equipment of the present invention. Also, the false twisting machine 1 is provided with multiple spindles 9, but this is not limited thereto. In other words, the number of spindles 9 provided in the false twisting machine 1 may be one. In other words, the number of yarn supply package holders 20 provided in the yarn supplying unit 2 may be one.

(11) The present invention may be applied to another yarn processing equipment equipped with a yarn processing machine, instead of the yarn processing equipment 100 equipped with the false twisting machine 1. For example, the present invention may be applied to a yarn processing equipment equipped with an air processing machine (yarn processing machine) described in JP 2002-088605 A.

1. False twist processing machine (yarn processing machine)
2 yarn supplying section 3 processing section 4 winding section 24 yarn detection sensor (detection section)
100 Yarn processing equipment 101 Management device (output control unit)
101b Management output section (output section)
102 Creel robot (yarn package conveying device)
110 Information management unit Bw Winding bobbin K Node part (yarn connection part)
Ps Yarn supply package Pw Winding package Y Yarn

Claims (9)

a yarn processing machine including a yarn supplying unit configured to be able to supply a yarn, a processing unit configured to process the yarn supplied from the yarn supplying unit, and a winding unit configured to wind the yarn processed by the processing unit onto a winding bobbin to form a winding package;
An information management unit configured to manage information regarding the yarn processing machine,
The yarn supplying section includes:
the yarn supplying device has a plurality of mounting sections to which a plurality of yarn supplying packages can be attached and detached one by one, and is configured to be able to supply the yarn without interruption when a trailing end of a yarn contained in a yarn supplying package attached to one of the plurality of mounting sections is connected to a leading end of a yarn contained in a yarn supplying package attached to another mounting section of the plurality of mounting sections;
The winding section includes:
The winding machine is configured such that immediately after winding of the yarn onto a certain winding bobbin is completed, winding of the yarn onto a new winding bobbin that has been replaced with the certain winding bobbin can be started;
The information management unit
The yarn supplying unit is capable of acquiring, for each yarn supplying package, unwinding start time information regarding a time when the yarn starts to be unwound from the yarn supplying package, and
A yarn processing equipment characterized in that it is possible to acquire, for each winding package, individual winding package information of a winding package formed by winding yarn onto a winding bobbin attached to the winding section, and replacement time information regarding the time when the winding bobbin was replaced in the winding section, in association with each other. The information management unit
Based on the unwinding start time information and the replacement time information,
2. The yarn processing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, when the unwinding start time falls between a first replacement time at which a specific winding bobbin is attached to the winding unit and a second replacement time at which the specific winding bobbin is removed from the winding unit, it is determined that a yarn connection portion formed by connecting the starting end and the ending end is mixed into a specific winding package formed by winding yarn around the specific winding bobbin. The information management unit
The yarn processing facility according to claim 2 , wherein a mixed position of the yarn connection portion in the predetermined winding package is estimated based on the first changing time, the second changing time, and the unwinding start time. The information management unit
The yarn processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that yarn supply package individual information of a yarn supply package attached to the yarn supplying section and the unwinding start time information can be acquired in association with each yarn supply package. An output unit configured to be able to output information;
An output control unit configured to control the output unit,
The output control unit is
Using the yarn supply package individual information, the unwinding start time information, the winding package individual information, and the exchange time information,
5. The yarn processing equipment according to claim 4, further comprising: creating chart data for indicating, for each yarn supply package, an unwinding period from when the yarn starts to be unwound until it is finished, and for each winding package, a winding period from when the yarn starts to be wound until it is finished, and causing the output unit to output a chart based on the chart data. The information management unit
Based on the unwinding start time information and the replacement time information,
6. The yarn processing equipment according to claim 4, further comprising: a yarn supplying package from which the yarn most recently started to be unwound before a first replacement time when a specific winding bobbin is attached to the winding section; and an individual yarn supplying package information of the specific yarn supplying package is associated with an individual winding package information of a specific winding package formed by winding the yarn onto the specific winding bobbin. The information management unit
7. The yarn processing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, when the unwinding start time is between the first changing time and a second changing time at which the specified winding package is removed from the winding section, the yarn supplying package individual information of the yarn supplying package related to the unwinding start time is associated with the winding package individual information of the specified winding package. a yarn supply package conveying device configured to convey a yarn supply package and be attachable to and detachable from the yarn supplying section,
The information management unit
The yarn processing equipment according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that when a specific yarn supply package is loaded into one of the multiple loading sections by the yarn supply package conveying device, the yarn supply package individual information of the specific yarn supply package is associated with the one loading section. a detection unit capable of detecting which of the plurality of mounting units a yarn supply package is mounted on which the yarn is being unwound,
The yarn processing facility according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the information management unit associates the yarn supply package individual information with the unwinding start time information based on a detection result by the detection unit.

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