EP0600268B1 - Monitoring device on a textile machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a monitoring device in the preamble of claim 1 specified genus.

The vast majority of monitoring devices used in textile machine technology has a mechanical or at a variety of stations electrical, normally open or closed switch on when it occurs a preselected state, usually an error, is closed or opened (DE-AS 22 15 582, DE-AS 25 44 530, DE 31 38 472 C2). This has the closing of one Indicating light circuit and thus at least lighting the Indicator light result. In most cases, a shutdown signal is also given at the same time generated for the textile machine. The preselected states can e.g. around Act thread break, needle break or the like. The different stations can be in series or be connected in parallel.

Monitoring devices of this type can be manufactured inexpensively and perform their function with regard to switching off the machine without any problems. in the However, with regard to the display, problems arise when the filament lamp of the indicator light is no longer functional. In this case, the operator especially when the monitoring device uses different sources of error can be monitored and the total number of existing stations is very large, perform cumbersome and time-consuming tasks to stop the machine Finding the error that caused the machine to stop. It also has monitoring facilities this type of automatic recording of the operating data of the monitored Machine possible because it only indicates that a machine has stopped due to an error occured. The real cause of this cannot be identified or registered, since all existing stations regardless of which machine status they monitor, are connected to the same transmission line and therefore the machine stop regardless of the type of error. A simplification The fault location would at most be possible by having several transmission lines are provided, to which only a part of the stations is assigned, whereby however, the design effort would be significantly increased.

A control and monitoring device is also known (EP 0 078 550 A1), at which each individual station has a microprocessor and a memory in which a identification code permanently assigned to the station is stored. The microprocessors of the individual stations are connected to a central control system via a common bus system. and monitoring unit connected. This allows the number of control lines reduce, but the effort is not due to the large number of microprocessors irrelevant. In addition, the identification code of each station is only for the purpose of the central control and monitoring unit from individual components of the stations head for. In the event of an error, on the other hand, the respective station issues an error signal issued, on the one hand via the control and monitoring unit to a Shutdown of the textile machine can be used, but also one of the other Each station-assigned indicator light must be fed to be recognizable to make where the error occurred. An automatic operating data acquisition is not possible.

A simultaneous acquisition of the operating data would be if another was used known monitoring device possible (DE 33 45 168 A1), the one to the Existing stations has connected multiplexer to a microprocessor connected and suitable for periodically polling the existing stations. However, even in this case there is a comparatively large amount of design effort required because there is a special transmission line for each existing station is needed. In a high-system circular knitting machine with a variety of Thread guides, each with two stations (e.g. for thread breakage and thread tension), would have, for example, up to 300 transmission lines within the machine frame be relocated, which is rejected for cost reasons. A similarly complex laying of electrical wiring is required when the stations to be monitored be applied within an automatic, computer-aided quality control (e.g. DE 39 06 508 Al) or each station with an address and via a Bus system would be queried periodically (DE 41 05 450 A1).

In a known monitoring device of the type described at the beginning (DE 41 05 450 A1) the expenditure on transmission lines is considerably reduced, that the different stations are connected in series like a shift register be and a data signal with the help of clock pulses in succession is pushed through all stations. If there is no error, none will Reaction achieved. On the other hand, if a preselected state occurs in any station, e.g. Error, then this has the consequence that the data signal via an AND function Error message causes. At the same time, the clock pulses are generated by means of a counter counted so that when an error message appears, the counter reading then reached indicates in which station the data signal is currently located, i.e. which station the Gave reason for submitting the error message. Although using such a Monitoring device except the two lines for the power supply only two more Control lines are required, the overall design effort is still comparatively large because numerous electronic components are required in each station In addition, the monitoring device is not working properly enough because Glitches can lead to incorrect counts in the meter, causing detection of those Station from which the error message originates, difficult and with an automatic Operating data acquisition leads to completely wrong results.

The problems described, which arise when using the known monitoring device can result in the same way even if the monitoring device alternatively or additionally to be used on a Display or the like to show the entire current machine status, i.e. e.g. information desk to give information about the status of certain modules, e.g. Thread guide, Trigger device, lighting, etc., which operator is currently for the Operation of the machine or which work shift it is acts. For these reasons, monitoring devices of the type mentioned at the beginning Genre almost exclusively used for error monitoring.

In contrast, the invention is based, the monitoring device of the genus described at the outset in such a way that they not only transmission lines required, but is also operationally reliable, a flawless Identification of the station emitting a status signal and next to the Fault monitoring is also suitable for a variety of other monitoring tasks.

The characteristic features of claim 1 serve to solve this problem.

Further advantageous features of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

Fig. 1

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Überwachungseinrichtung;

Fig. 2 bis 8

schematische Blockschaltbilder von weiteren Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Überwachungseinrichtung; und

Fig. 9

eine spezielle Ausgestaltung einer Station für eine Überwachungseinrichtung nach Fig. 2 bis 4.

The invention is explained in more detail below in connection with the accompanying drawing using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the monitoring device according to the invention;

2 to 8

schematic block diagrams of further embodiments of the monitoring device according to the invention; and

Fig. 9

a special embodiment of a station for a monitoring device according to FIGS. 2 to 4.

In Fig. 1, the usual parts of a monitoring device are here in the right part interesting type indicated. The monitoring device contains at least two in but usually a lot more stations 1a, 1b ... 1n. These can be, for example are thread guards who, for example, stop a knitting or weaving machine, if one of these threads breaks or has too much or too little tension (e.g. DE-AS 15 85 415). Alternatively or additionally, the stations can be made of needle guards exist, the needle breaks or the like. Determine (DE-AS 22 15 582). There is also in the Textile machine technology numerous other conditions that are continuously monitored and which can therefore be assigned to one of the stations of interest here. Such Monitoring is generally known to the person skilled in the art and therefore does not need here are explained in more detail. The same applies to the sensors used for monitoring.

The textile machine is usually switched off by means of an electrical contact initiated, which acts like a switch 2a, 2b ... 2n, the thread breakage or too large Thread tension or the like is closed. Each switch 2a, 2b ... 2n has an indicator light 3a, 3b ... 3n on the one hand to a line 4 connected to a voltage source connected, on the other hand grounded, then one of the switches lights up when the switch is closed 2a ... 2n the assigned indicator light 3a ... 3n. To ensure that the facility also works if one of the indicator lights 3a ... 3n is defective, these are expediently resistors Ra ... Rn connected in parallel. To turn off the machine a connected in line 4 relay or the like. Provided when closing any the switch 2a ... 2n responds. Such a monitoring device can therefore not easily serve to identify the station 1a ... 1n, its switch 2a ... 2n was closed.

In this respect, the monitoring device according to the invention is constructed identically. In addition, however, an integrated circuit IC ₁ , IC ₂ ... IC _{n is connected} in series with each switch 2a ... 2n, which has a memory in which an identification code assigned to the respective station 1a ... 1n is stored. In addition, line 4 forms a transmission line. For this purpose, it is connected to one connection of a coupling coil 5, the other connection of which is grounded or connected to a second line 6 which is connected to ground and which are connected to the connections of those series circuits which are not connected to line 4 and which consist of the switches 2a ... 2n and the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _{n are} formed. All of these series connections are therefore parallel to one another and parallel to the coupling coil 5.

The coupling coil 5 is inductively coupled to a receiver coil 7 of an interrogation and evaluation unit 8 (FIG. 1). This has a receiving device 9 connected to the receiver coil 7 and a processing circuit 10 receiving its output signals, which, when an error or the like occurs, outputs a signal at its output 11 which is characteristic of the monitoring station 1a ... 1n at which the error has occurred. The arrangement according to the invention is such that the status signal emitted by any station 1a ... 1n is always coded according to the identification code stored in the associated integrated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _n and is preferably a coded AC signal. The receiving device 9 serves the purpose of processing the signals supplied by the receiver coil 7. For this purpose, it has, for example, the required filters, square-wave voltage generators, demodulators or the like, while the processing circuit 10 finally emits a serially coded signal which corresponds to the identification code or is assigned to it in such a way that it is used to uniquely identify the station 1a emitting the status signal. .. 1n can serve and for example consists of successive binary "0" and "1" information

A detection logic 15 with two outputs 15a and 15b is connected to the output 11. The output coded at output 15a appears as at output 11, while at output 15b either a logical "0" or a logical "1" information appears. The information "0" means that the detection logic has not recognized anything, which is interpreted to mean that all switches 2a ... 2n are open. If on the other hand from the detection logic detects a signal that corresponds to a signal that is would result if one of the switches 2a ... 2n is closed, then appears at the output 15b a "1" information meaning "reading correctly" or "detection of a Identification codes ". This" 1 "signal can be used for a switching process and can be used, for example, to actuate a relay designed as a break contact the machine switches off.

The signal at output 15a, however, can be supplied to a display in the usual way the operator, for example, in alphanumeric notation indicates from which station 1a ... 1n the status signal originates, so that e.g. an immediate Eliminating an error is possible regardless of whether the associated indicator light burns or is defective. In addition, the signal at the output 11 or 15a of a detection device for the operating data are supplied, for example, in a protocol on the operation of the textile machines to be checked by the operator is made. In contrast to the past, this protocol can easily do more than just that Number of errors or machine stops, but also precisely indicate the sources of errors. Using a circular knitting machine as an example, this would mean that it was precisely recorded can be, on which knitting system which errors have occurred and when this was the case.

So that each station 1a ... 1n emits a status signal coded with its individual identification code, the power supply required to operate the existing integrated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _{n must} be ensured in each station 1a ... 1n. For example, a power supply line leading to all stations could be provided for this purpose. Furthermore, in this case it would be possible, analogous to the conventional monitoring devices, to omit the coupling coil 5 and to replace it with an evaluation circuit which immediately provides for the desired identification and, if appropriate, also for the machine shutdown and illuminated displays.

In contrast, however, the monitoring device shown in Fig. 1 as the Time felt the best solution because it only made minor changes to the machine structure requires the subsequent installation in existing machines easier and from Assemblies can be assembled that are already used for other purposes and are therefore available at a low cost. This allows the invention Monitoring device are offered so cheaply that they despite the considerable The advantages that it brings with it have no significant influence on the costs of an overall Textile machine company such as a weaving or knitting factory.

In the preferred monitoring device shown in FIG. 1, the stations 1a ... 1n, in contrast to the prior art, consist of passive circuits which are not permanently connected to a battery or the like and are not in themselves suitable for emitting status signals. Rather, to activate these circuits, means 12 are used to emit an interrogation signal, for example an oscillator, whose input 13 can be connected to a voltage source and whose output is connected to ground via a transmission coil 14. The interrogation signal, for example a sinusoidal voltage with a frequency of 100 to 150 KHz, then induces an alternating current in the coupling coil 5, which is converted into a DC voltage by means of a rectifier contained in the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n , which is used to operate the Integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n and with closed switches 2a ... 2n is used to generate the status signals coded with the identification codes. At the same time, the DC voltage generated can be used to supply the associated indicator light 3a ... 3n with the required current when switches 2a ... 2n are closed.

The individual stations 1a ... 1n or their integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n are expediently designed as so-called transponders or response devices which are generally known for other purposes and are implanted, for example, in animals in order to facilitate their identification ( see, for example, US 5,012,236, 5,084,699 and 5,095,309 and WO 87/04900). Since the structure and mode of operation of such transponders are generally known, the documents mentioned are hereby made the subject of the present disclosure by reference to them in order to avoid repetition, so that further explanations can largely be dispensed with. The details explained below therefore only serve the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the monitoring device according to the invention.

Conventional transponders are regularly installed or implanted in moving or at least moving objects or living beings, which naturally do not have their own power supply, and are accommodated in very small chips. To detect the identification code, it is therefore necessary to bring the coupling coils 5 as close as possible to the receiver and transmitter coils 7 and 14, which are usually combined in a transmitter and receiver coil unit, but can also consist of a single coil (WO 87/04900 ). In contrast, in the subject matter of the present application, a relative movement between the transmitting and receiving coil unit on the one hand and the coupling coils on the other hand is generally not necessary, which makes it possible to arrange both stationary and relative to one another in a fixed spatial assignment as is required for the desired inductive coupling when activating the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n on the one hand and when receiving the coded error signals on the other hand is desired. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible, particularly to save costs, to accommodate the query and evaluation unit 8 in a conventional hand-held reader, as is known, for example, when scanning bar codes. In this case, the coupling coil 5 of each individual textile machine would have to be attached to a location that is easily accessible for the hand-held reader and the status report should be connected to an easily recognizable optical and / or acoustic signal, so that the operator is informed on which machine the hand-held reader is for Detection or detection of a condition must apply.

Transponders currently considered best for the purposes of the invention were developed and are developed by Trovan Limited, Isle of Man, Great Britain manufactured in the Federal Republic of Germany by AEG, Frankfurt / Main, and e.g. offered under the model names ID 100, ID 200/300 or LID 500 (cf. especially U.S. Patent 5,095,309). With these transponders the frequency is Interrogation signal e.g. 134 kHz. The interrogation signal is rectified on the one hand in the transponder, to obtain the required operating voltages, on the other hand for generation a clock signal used to read a memory matrix. The in this stored, binary coded identification code has e.g. 40 digits, which results in a huge number of different encodings can be achieved. With the help of these codings is a modulated by phase shift keying (PSK) from the interrogation signal easily distinguishable signal generated in the receiving device 9 in a Binary signal is converted and treated with a phase detector before it is then sent to the Processing circuit 10 is forwarded for further treatment. Alternatively, could the coding, however, also by frequency shift keying (FSK, see. WO 87/04900), amplitude modulation or realized in any other way will.

In the described transponders, the direction indicated in Fig. 1 switch sit 2a ... 2n preferably arranged between the associated integrated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _n and the coupling coil 5 that with this transmitted interrogation signal when the switch fully integrated by the associated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _{n is} decoupled and therefore generates neither operating voltages nor clock signals. Rather, the generation of the operating voltages or the clock signals only takes place when one of the switches 2a ... 2n has been brought into the closed state by the occurrence of an error or the like, so that only the integrated one directly associated with it in series connection Circuit IC ₁ ... IC _{n may be the} reason for the retransmission of a status signal. Alternatively, it would be possible to arrange the switches 2a ... 2n in such a way that the operating voltages for the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n are permanently generated in order to keep them in a prepared state, but the query of one of the memories only then occurs when the relevant switch 2a ... 2n is closed.

2, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals. In contrast to FIG. 1, the switches 2a, 2b ... 2n, each with a first coil 16a ... 16n, form a series circuit which is connected on the one hand to line 4 and on the other hand to line 6, which is connected to ground. In contrast, the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _{n are} each connected in parallel to a second coil 17a ... 17n, which is inductively coupled to an assigned first coil 16a ... 16n. This results in an even better electrical isolation of the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n from the other circuit parts. As in the case of FIG. 1, it is not possible to retransfer a status signal to the receiver coil 7 when switches 2a ... 2n are open. When one of the switches 2a ... 2n is closed, the interrogation signal transmitted via the transmission coil 14 and the coupling coil 5 is also passed through the assigned first coil 16a ... 16n and from there inductively to the second coil 17a ... 17n coupled to it transmitted, whereby in the integrated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _{n connected to it} the memory containing the identification code is queried and the generated status signal via the coils 17a ... 17n or 16a ... 16n, the transmission line 4 and the coupling coil 5 is transmitted to the receiver coil 7.

In Fig. 3, the same parts are given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1. The only difference from Fig. 2 is that the switches 2a ... 2n are not in series with the first coils 16a ... 16n, but rather are additionally connected to the circuits consisting of the second coils 17a ... 17n and the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n . Analogously to FIG. 2, when a switch 2a ... 2n is closed, a status signal is transmitted to the receiver coil 7.

In Fig. 4, in which the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in Fig. 1, the coupling coil 5 is connected to a line 18 acting as a transmission line, in which a number of first coils 19a ... 19n is also connected. 4, only schematically shows, each of these first bobbins 19a ... 19n is assigned to a special textile machine TM ₁ ... TM _n and inductively coupled to a second bobbin 20a ... 20n. This corresponds, for example, to the coupling coil 5 in FIG. 1 and is connected to a line 21 acting as a transmission line and to a grounded line 22, between which an arbitrary number of series circuits are connected, which are made up of integrated circuits IC ₁₁ ... IC _1m , IC ₂₁ , IC ₃₁ ... IC _n1 and switches 2a ₁ ... 2a _m , 2b ₁ , 2c ₁ ... 2n ₁ . In contrast to FIG. 1, as many switches 2a ₁ ... 2n _{1 are connected in} parallel to each second coil 20a ... 20n acting as a coupling coil, as there are stations per textile machine TM ₁ ... TM _n . However, since all integrated circuits IC ₁₁ ... IC _{n1 can be} easily provided with a different identification code, it would also be possible in the case of FIG. 4 to assign them to a single one of the coils 20a ... 20n and to query and To program evaluation unit 8 so that, in addition to the usual status signal, there is also a display or the like of the textile machine TM ₁ ... TM _n from which the error signal originated.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows an embodiment which has a plurality of coupling coils 5a, 5b ... 5n, all of which are inductively coupled to a single transmitting and receiving coil arrangement 7, 14. Each of these coupling coils 5a ... 5n can then either be analogous to FIG. 1 (cf. coupling coil 5) or analogous to FIG. 3 (cf. coupling coil 5b) or to any other embodiment described with at least one switch 2a ... 2n and an associated integrated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _{n be} connected. In this way, a complete galvanic decoupling can be achieved and a plurality of coupling coils 5a ... 5n decoupled from one another can be controlled with a single transmitter coil 14. Similarly, a plurality of separate receiving coils 7 could be provided.

Otherwise, it is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 5 that a capacitor 23 and a tens diode 24 can be connected in parallel with the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n . The zener diode 24 serves the purpose of preventing a higher than the permissible operating voltage from the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n . The capacitor 23 also offers protection against overvoltages by recharging accordingly if necessary.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the same parts are again provided with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. In contrast to Fig. 1, this is not normally open, but normally closed switches 2a ... 2n, which are connected in series in line 4. Each of these switches 2a ... 2n is connected in parallel with a circuit which consists of an integrated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _n and an indicator light 3a ... 3n connected in series therewith, which in turn is a resistor Ra, not shown here. .. Rn (Fig. 1) can be connected in parallel. In addition, a resistor 25 is connected in the ungrounded line 6, which prevents a short circuit of the coupling coil 5. In this embodiment, in the event that, for example, the switch 2a is opened, the current flow in the circuit 4, 5, 6 takes place via the associated integrated circuit IC ₁ , whereby on the one hand the indicator light 3a is switched on and on the other hand a status signal is transmitted via the coupling coil 5, which is coded according to the memory content of the integrated circuit IC ₁ and indicates that the switch 2a is in the open state. The same function results when any other of the switches 2a ... 2n is opened. As long as the switches 2a ... 2n are closed, the associated integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _{n are} de-energized, so that no status signals are transmitted. Switches of this type are used, for example, in needle monitors. They have the advantage that the circuit 4, 5, 6 is open after the dismantling of any station 1a ... 1b and the textile machine cannot be started erroneously before the station is reinstalled.

In the exemplary embodiments described so far, not only the interrogation and status signals, but also the energies required to supply the indicator lights 3a... 3n and possibly a switch-off relay were transmitted via the coils 5, 7 and 14. A circuit arrangement in which this is not necessary is shown in FIG. 7, in which the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 7, in this case the circuits formed from the series-connected switches 2a ... 2n and integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _{n are} connected between lines 4 and 6, so that the same conditions as in Fig 1 result. In contrast, the indicator lights 3a ... 3n are also connected in series with the switches 2a ... 2n, but are connected to a further line 26 which leads via a relay 27 or the like to the positive pole of a voltage source 28. This shows that when one of the switches 2a ... 2n is closed, the associated indicator light 3a ... 3n is supplied with energy via the voltage source 28 and at the same time the relay 27 can cause a machine stop, while the associated integrated circuit IC ₁ ... IC _n transmits its status signal via the coupling coil 5 to the receiver coil 7. This means that the query group is completely separate from the group of users. Instead of two lines 4 and 6, three lines 4, 6 and 26 are required, which is justifiable.

In order to prevent the direct current supplied by the voltage source 28 from hindering or even destroying the proper functioning of the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n , the monitoring device according to FIG. 7 should, however, be known in FIG. 7 with additional ones known to the person skilled in the art Not provided facilities are provided, which come into effect automatically. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible to provide lines 4 and 26 with a switch 29 and 30, respectively, with switch 29 in line 4 normally being opened and switch 30 in line 26 being normally closed. The circuit described has the effect that when one of the switches 2a ... 2n is closed, the textile machine is first stopped via the relay 27. If the operator then briefly opens switch 30 and briefly closes switch 29, an error message is sent via coupling coil 5 to receiver coil 7 without being impeded by the direct current coming from voltage source 28. After the error has been eliminated, the relationships shown in FIG. 7 are restored. To avoid incorrect switching, the switches 29 and 30 can be designed as pushbuttons which are biased by springs into their position shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, it is possible to actuate the switches 29, 30 automatically, for example after a machine stop caused by a switch 2 a ... 2 n, to switch over for a few seconds in each case and then to return them to the position shown in FIG. 7.

In Fig. 8 it is indicated that the monitoring device according to the invention also for tasks other than just error monitoring can be used. Are there with rectangular, round and triangular blocks indicated stations 32, 33 and 34, that serve different purposes.

The stations 32 are, for example, stations corresponding to the stations 1a ... 1n Fig. 1, which are used for error monitoring and include switches, for example Change state when a preselected error, e.g. Thread or needle break occurs. This Stations 32 can be connected to lines 4 and 6 according to FIGS. 1 and 6, the line 6 can in turn be the machine mass.

The stations 33 are, for example, those which serve the general status display or the purpose of alerting the operator to a handle to be carried out. They contain, for example, switches which are actuated when the machine lighting or the like is switched on or which are used to reset devices which are set when an error occurs or the like and which have to be reset before continuing to work with the textile machine. Alternatively, it can be a counter or the like, which must be reset to zero when the machine is started. Switches can also be provided which have to be closed or opened when a certain working shift begins. Finally, it can be a station which is indicated, for example, in FIG. 3 by the coil 16a and is arranged at an easily accessible location on the machine. The unit consisting of the coil 17a and the integrated circuit IC _{1 can be} accommodated in a code card carried by an operator, so that the operator can enter their identity into the textile machine before the start of the shift and, for this purpose, can bring the code card briefly close to the coil 16a. This would make it possible to automatically identify which operator was working on the machine at a particular point in time. Another possibility would be to make the number of revolutions of a circular knitting machine countable, for example, by briefly closing a switch with each revolution and generating a corresponding status signal that triggers a counting process in a counter.

The stations 34 can finally be those with a control or setting function act, for example, an on or off switch for the textile machine, a Switch that is used when jogging or when switching the textile machine to creeper is operated, or are assigned to a device that is used to adjust the pulling force a take-off device that serves thread tension or the like.

With the help of the described stations it is not only possible to have a comprehensive, more or less automatic recording of all important operating data, but on a screen 35 or connected to the query and evaluation unit 8 according to FIG. 1. Like. All important data for the current machine condition in alphanumeric Make the spelling immediately visible so that the operator can see through a quick look at the screen at any time about the state of the ones it is monitoring or operated machine or the functional elements provided on it can. This is particularly useful in cases where one operator has several Must monitor machines that he cannot keep an eye on at the same time, and indicated in Fig. 8 that at the output 15a of the query and evaluation unit a computer 36, for example connected in the form of a conventional personal computer on the one hand the screen 35 and on the other hand an operating data acquisition device 37 are connected.

Finally, with the help of the monitoring device according to the invention usual tax tasks can be solved. This is indicated in Fig. 8 by the fact that more Outputs of the computer 36 blocks 38 to 40 are connected. These blocks 38 through 40 represent, for example, a relay, a contactor or the like for a preselected one Control process. In the exemplary embodiment, block 38 is the drive motor of a circular knitting machine assigned in such a way that it is started if an assigned one is used Start switch is operated within one of the stations 34. Block 39 is correspondingly associated with a brake that is activated when an associated stop switch within one of the stations 34 is actuated. Finally, block 40 is a switch assigned to stations 33 and serves e.g. to an automatic oiler or Turn on the down blowing device of the circular knitting machine. In a similar way numerous other control, setting or monitoring tasks can be solved For example, an output of the computer 36 would be possible with a counter Connect that counts the machine revolutions or the like. Or via further outputs of the Computer 36 to make preselected settings. In this context it would be conceivable, e.g. to provide one of the stations 34 with a key switch, which at each Operation emits a signal corresponding to the associated integrated circuit is coded and fed to an actuator via an output of the computer 36, the e.g. the setting of the pulling force of a pulling device of a circular knitting machine serves. The pull-off force could e.g. each time the button is pressed in stages from e.g. 5 pond increases or decreases and the choice of the sign via a key of the Be set.

It is to solve the described setting, monitoring and control tasks expedient to provide the computer 36 with a card that has a corresponding number of programmable Has outputs. The arrangement can preferably be such that receive certain states (e.g. "lighting on") when the main switch is actuated remain and do not have to be restored when the machine is switched on again In all cases there is the particular advantage that only one line at a time is necessary to the query and evaluation unit 8 with the various stations 32, 33 and 34 on the one hand or to the computer 36 on the other hand, because all of the Stations 32 to 34 signals coming from serially coded AC signals exist and from the query and evaluation unit 8 as a multi-digit, alphanumeric Information is forwarded to the computer 36, which this information for intended purposes. The computer 36 therefore only needs one effective serial interface, e.g. according to the RS 232 standard.

Instead of the switches 2a ... 2n shown, numerous other switches or sensors in the form of inductive or capacitive switches, optocouplers, light barriers or the like can also be provided. An exemplary embodiment for an inductive switch is indicated in FIG. 9. This shows a known thread storage and delivery device 42 with a storage drum 43, around which a thread 44, which, for example, is to be fed to a knitting machine and is drawn off from a take-off spool, not shown, is wound with a plurality of turns. At the exit of the device 42, the thread 44 passes through two thread eyelets 45 and 46 or the like, between which a bow-like sensor 47 is arranged, which normally rests on the thread 44. In the event of a thread break or a strong decrease in the thread tension, the sensor 47 falls due to its gravity into the position 47a shown in broken lines and thereby triggers a switching operation in the sense of the above description (DE-PS 35 01 944), which is used to switch off the knitting machine . According to the invention, the switching process is effected in that the sensor 47 is provided with a metal lug 48 which, when the sensor is resting on the thread 44, is arranged in the gap 47 between two coils, for example the coils 16a and 17a according to FIG. 3. These are assigned, for example, to a monitoring station for the device 42. If it is a monitoring station according to FIG. 3, switch 2a may be missing there, for example. In this case, if the thread tension is so great that the metal lug 48 is arranged between the coils 16a, 17a, no status signal can be transmitted by them, which corresponds to the open switch position in FIG. 3. If, on the other hand, the sensor 47 falls into the position 47a due to an insufficient thread tension, the metal flag 48 is thereby moved out of the gap between the two coils 16a, 17a, which results in the transmission of a status signal with the coding provided by the circuit IC ₁ and corresponds to the closed position of the switch 2a in Fig. 3.

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described, which can be modified in many ways. This initially applies to the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n , in their place of which circuits made up of individual switching elements could of course also be used. Programmable read-only memories (PROM, EPROM, etc.) are preferably suitable as memories in both cases. The transmitting and receiving coil unit can be provided with a single coil (WO 87/04900), but in the solution which has hitherto been considered the best (for example US Pat. No. 5,012,236), two receiving coils are connected in a differential circuit and are arranged within a transmitter coil that the interrogation signals generated by the latter are not noticeable in the receiver circuit. Furthermore, it goes without saying that instead of the transmission and reception coil units 5, 7 and 14, which comprises inductively coupled coils with a coupling coil, any other transmission and reception units could be used, in particular those with antennas or the like for transmitting the interrogation signals or to receive the status signals on one side and to receive the query signals or to send the status signals on the other side. It is also possible to use the monitoring device described for monitoring a plurality of textile machines, each of which has only a single station la... 1n. Furthermore, the further processing of the received and evaluated status signals is largely arbitrary, even if the invention except for pure error detection and error display can be used successfully, particularly in the context of the daily recording of current operating data and to fulfill tax tasks. A particularly important further monitoring would be, for example, checking the different thread guides of a thread changing device. Since only one of the thread guides is switched on while all other thread guides are switched off at the same time, the possibility described above of providing each individual thread guide with its own identification code can easily contribute to determining whether an inactive thread guide is due to an error or is currently inactive due to a predetermined pattern, and in the latter case can be used to avoid an undesired machine stop. With regard to the evaluation part of the monitoring device, it could be expedient to send out the interrogation signals in the form of pulse trains and to receive the status signals during the pauses occurring between them and / or to process the various information in such a way that not only the first status to be recorded is reliable can be recognized, but also several, more or less simultaneously or shortly occurring errors or changes in state can be distinguished from each other. It also goes without saying that instead of the inductive coupling described, other couplings, in particular combined inductive / capacitive couplings for transmitting the status signals and / or the operating energy, can also be provided, although it is also possible to use the operating energy for the integrated circuits IC ₁ ... IC _n to be transmitted by other means, for example via line 26 in FIG. 7 Finally, the invention can be used with particular advantage wherever certain coded functions or information have to be transmitted between components which carry out relative movements to one another, as is the case, for example, with Circular knitting machines between the lock and the needle cylinder or the frame and the take-off device or, in the case of flat knitting machines, between the carriage and the needle beds. To avoid the hitherto customary and complex grinding wheel or trailing cable arrangements, it would be possible to arrange the query and evaluation unit 8 on a stationary part, and selected stations 1 a ... 1n on a moving part. Since devices of the type described can easily bridge distances of a few millimeters, it would only be necessary to arrange the transmitting and receiving coils 7, 14 or the like and the coupling coils 5 or 5a ... 5n assigned to them in such a way that they pass sufficiently close to each other at each revolution or stroke of the parts moving relative to one another. This could result in a completely contactless transmission of identifiable status signals.

Claims (29)

1. Monitoring device for a textile machine which has at least two stations (1a ... 1n) which, upon the occurrence of pre-selected conditions, emit electrical condition signals, containing an evaluating unit (8) receiving the condition signals for identifying the stations (1a ... 1n) emitting a condition signal, characterised in that each station (1a ... 1n) has a memory in which an identification code securely associated therewith is stored, in such a way that the condition signal emitted thereby is coded with the identification code allocated thereto, and in that the evaluation unit has means (9, 10, 15) for recognising the identification codes.
2. Monitoring device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the stations (1a ... 1n) contain passive switching circuits (IC₁ ... IC_n), and the evaluation unit (8) is in the form of an enquiry and evaluation unit and for that purpose has means (12) for generating an enquiry signal, by means of which the passive switch circuits (IC₁ ... IC_n) may be activated.
3. Monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that the stations (1a ... 1n) are inductively coupled to the evaluation unit (8).
4. Monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3,
   characterised in that the passive switch circuits (IC₁ ... IC_n) have switch circuits formed in the manner of transponders.
5. Monitoring device according to one of claims 2 to 4,
   characterised in that the switch circuits (IC₁ ... IC_n) have memories with non-alterable identification codes.
6. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that the evaluation unit (8) has a transmitter and receiver coil arrangement (7, 14) and the stations (1a ... 1n) are connected to at least one coupling coil (5) inductively coupled to the transmitting and receiving coil unit (7, 14).
7. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that at least one station (1a ... 1n) has a switch (2a ... 2n) normally located in the open (closed) condition, transferring upon occurrence of an associated alteration in condition into its closed (open)condition and thus enabling the emission of a condition signal.
8. Monitoring device according to one of claims 3 to 6,
   characterised in that at least one station has a means (48) normally preventing its inductive coupling with the enquiry and evaluating unit, producing the inductive coupling upon occurrence of an associated condition and in this way enabling the emission of a condition signal.
9. Monitoring device according to claim 8,
   characterised in that the means (48) is a component which may be slid into the gap between two coils.
10. Monitoring device according to one of claims 6 to 9,
    characterised in that one single coupling coil (5) is provided and this latter is connected to a transmission line (4) connected to all the stations (1a ... 1n).
11. Monitoring device according to claim 10,
    characterised in that at least one station has a series circuit connected to the transmission line (4), and comprising a switch (2a ... 2n) and a passive switch circuit (IC₁ ... IC_n) connected therewith.
12. Monitoring device according to claim 10,
    characterised in that at least one station has a passive switch circuit (IC₁ ... IC_n) with a first coil (17a ... 17n) and a second coil (16a ... 16n) inductively coupled therewith, which forms with a switch (2a ... 2n) a series circuit connected to the transmission line (4).
13. Monitoring device according to claim 10,
    characterised in that there is incorporated, between the transmission and receiving device (7, 14) and the coupling coil (4), a current circuit with two further coils, of which one is inductively coupled to the transmission and receiving arrangement (7, 14) and the other is inductively coupled to the coupling coil.
14. Monitoring device according to claim 10,
    characterised in that at least one station (1a ... 1n) has a passive switch circuit (IC₁ ... IC_n) with a switch (2a₁ ... 2_1m) and a first coil (20a ... 20m) which is inductively coupled to a second coil (19a ... 19n) connected to the transmission line (18).
15. Monitoring device according to claim 10,
    characterised in that there is incorporated in the transmission line (18) a plurality of coils (19a ... 19n), each of which is allocated to a textile machine (TM₁ ... TM_n), and each coil (19a ... 19n) is inductively coupled to at least one station.
16. Monitoring device according to one of claims 6 to 9,
    characterised in that a plurality of coupling coils (5a ... 5n) is coupled to the transmitting and receiving coil arrangement (7, 14), and each coupling coil (5a ... 5n) communicates with at least one station each, which has a passive switch circuit (IC₁ ... IC_n) and a switch (2a ... 2n).
17. Monitoring device according to one of claims 7 to 16, characterised in that the switch (2a ... 2n) of at least one station (1a ... 1n) is connected in parallel to the transmission line (4) (Figure 1).
18. Monitoring device according to one of claims 7 to 17, characterised in that the switch (2a ... 2n) of at least one station (1a ... 1n) is incorporated in series in the transmission line (4) (Figure 6).
19. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that stations (32) are provided which serve for fault monitoring.
20. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that stations (34) are provided which fulfil a control function.
21. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that stations (33) are provided which serve to display conditions.
22. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that there are associated with the stations (1a ... 1n) display members (3a ... 3n), and the transmission line (4) also transmits the energy necessary for their operation.
23. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterised in that there are associated with the stations (1a ... 1n) display members (3a ... 3n), which are connected to a further line (26) serving to supply them with power.
24. Monitoring device according to claim 23
    characterised in that the display members (3a ... 3n) are incorporated in parallel with the passive switch circuits (IC₁ ... IC_n), and the line (26) serving to supply power has a normally closed switch (30), while the transmission line (4) on the other hand has a normally opened switch (29).
25. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterised in that a computer (36) is connected to one output (15a) of the evaluating unit (8) in order to form a monitoring and control device.
26. Monitoring device according to claim 25,
    characterised in that the computer (36) is provided with a pre-selected number of programmable outputs connectable to switch members (38 to 40).
27. Monitoring device according to claim 25 or 26,
    characterised in that the computer (36) is connected to the evaluation unit (8) by means of one single series interface.
28. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterised in that, in order to transmit the condition signals to the evaluating unit (8), a common transmission line (4) is provided for a plurality of stations (1a ... 1n).
29. Monitoring device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterised in that, in order to transmit the condition signals to the evaluating unit (8), a common transmission line (4) is provided for all the stations (1a ... 1n).

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