EP3181501A1

EP3181501A1 - Yarn winding device and yarn winding system

Info

Publication number: EP3181501A1
Application number: EP16203989.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hirayuki Kawabata
Original assignee: Murata Machinery Ltd
Current assignee: Murata Machinery Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-16
Filing date: 2016-12-14
Publication date: 2017-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-14
Also published as: JP2017109833A; CN106956971A; EP3181501B1; CN106956971B

Abstract

A first automatic winder (10) includes a plurality of first winder units (11), a first doffing cart (13), a first controlling section (18), and a first communicating section (16). The first winder units (11) are arranged side by side along the X direction. The first doffing cart (13) is travelable along the X direction, and performs doffing in the first winder unit (11). The first controlling section (18) controls traveling of the first doffing cart (13). The first communicating section (16) performs communication with a second automatic winder (20) that is adjacent in the Y direction, and acquires adjacent device information related to an operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the second automatic winder (20). The first controlling section (18) controls the traveling of the first doffing cart (13) based on the adjacent device information acquired by the first communicating section (16). Most Illustrative Drawing: FIG. 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a yarn winding device and a yarn winding system.

2. Description of the Related Art

As an art related to the conventional yarn winding device, a spinning machine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-330596 . The spinning machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-330596 includes a plurality of spinning units arranged side by side, a first yarn joining cart and a second yarn joining cart (a service cart) that travel along a common traveling path, and a central control device that controls the first yarn joining cart and the second yarn joining cart. When the second yarn joining cart is caused to travel towards a spinning unit in which a request for yarn joining has been generated, the first yarn joining cart is caused to travel in a direction away from that spinning unit, thereby reducing the interference between the carts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the conventional art explained above, a second yarn winding device is occasionally arranged adjacent to a first yarn winding device. It was found that in such a configuration, there is a concern that the possibility of a service cart of the second yarn winding device colliding with the operator of the first yarn winding device (hereinafter simply referred to as "colliding possibility") increases according to an operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the second yarn winding device. For example, when the service cart of the second yarn winding device travels towards the service cart of the first yarn winding device, or when the operator is working around the second yarn winding device, there is a concern that the colliding possibility increases.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn winding device and a yarn winding system capable of reducing the possibility of a service cart colliding with the operator.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding device includes a plurality of winding units that is arranged side by side along a predetermined juxtaposition direction and that winds a yarn; a service cart that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that performs service for the winding unit; a controlling section that controls traveling of the service cart; a communicating section that performs direct or indirect communication. The communicating section performs communication with other yarn winding device that is adjacent in an orthogonal direction to the juxtaposition direction, and acquires adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the other yarn winding device. The controlling section controls, based on the acquired adjacent device information, the traveling of the service cart.
According to another aspect of the invention, a yarn winding system includes a first yarn winding device and a second yarn winding device that is adjacent to the first yarn winding device. The first yarn winding device includes a plurality of first winding units that is arranged along a predetermined juxtaposition direction and that winds a yarn; a first service cart that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that performs service for the first winding unit; a first controlling section that controls traveling of the first service cart; and a first communicating section that performs any one of direct and indirect communication with the second yarn winding device, and acquires first adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the second yarn winding device. The second yarn winding device includes a plurality of second winding units that is arranged along the juxtaposition direction and that winds the yarn; a second service cart that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that performs service for the second winding unit; a second controlling section that controls traveling of the second service cart; and a second communicating section that performs any one of direct and indirect communication with the first yarn winding device, and acquires second adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the first yarn winding device (10). The first controlling section controls the traveling of the first service cart based on the first adjacent device information acquired by the first communicating section, and the second controlling section controls the traveling of the second service cart based on the second adjacent device information acquired by the second communicating section.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view that schematically shows a configuration of an automatic winder system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a winder unit shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a traveling control of a first doffing cart and a second doffing cart of the automatic winder system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of a control performed by a first controlling section shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second example of the control performed by the first controlling section shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third example of the control performed by the first controlling section shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of the control performed by the first controlling section shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fifth example of the control performed by the first controlling section shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a winder unit according to a modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical elements or corresponding elements are indicated by the same reference symbols in the drawings and redundant explanation thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic winder system (a yarn winding system) 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first automatic winder (a first yarn winding device) 10 and a second automatic winder (a second yarn winding device) 20. The first automatic winder 10 and the second automatic winder 20 are arranged side by side so as to be adjacent while facing each other. Between the first automatic winder 10 and the second automatic winder 20, an operator's working passage T through which an operator O moves is formed. In other words, the first automatic winder 10 and the second automatic winder 20 are arranged in a state where front sides of both the automatic winders face the operator's working passage T, and the first automatic winder 10 and the second automatic winder 20 face each other across the operator's working passage T.
In the following explanation, the Z direction corresponds to the height direction, the Y direction corresponds to the direction in which the first automatic winder 10 and the second automatic winder 20 are arranged (facing each other), and the X direction corresponds to the direction in which the operator's working passage T extends. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are mutually orthogonal.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first automatic winder 10 mainly includes a plurality of first winder units 11, a first rail 12, a first doffing cart 13, and a first main control device 14. The second automatic winder 20 has a similar configuration as that of the first automatic winder 10, and mainly includes a plurality of second winder units 21, a second rail 22, a second doffing cart 23, and a second main control device 24.
The first winder unit 11 is a first winding unit that winds a yarn. The first winder units 11 are arranged side-by-side along the X direction that is a predetermined juxtaposition direction. The first winder unit 11 forms a package P by winding a yarn, which is unwound from a yarn supplying bobbin B, around a winding bobbin while traversing the yarn.
The first winder unit 11 includes a first unit body (main body) 11a. The first unit body 11a mainly includes a not-shown bobbin supporting section, a yarn unwinding assisting device, a yarn tension applying device, a tension sensor, a yarn joining device, a yarn monitoring device, and a winding section. The first unit body 11a is mounted on a housing frame 11b. When the package P is fully wound, the first winder unit 11 outputs a doffing request to the first main control device 14.
The first rail 12 is a traveling path arranged along the X direction. The first rail 12 guides the traveling of the first doffing cart 13. The first rail 12 is arranged above the first unit body 11a and extends from the first winder unit 11 present on one end through the first winder unit 11 present on the other end in the X direction.
The first doffing cart 13 is a first service cart that performs service with respect to the first winder unit 11. The first doffing cart 13 performs doffing in the first winder unit 11 from which a doffing request indicating that the package P is fully wound and the doffing is required is output. In other words, the first doffing cart 13 travels up to a position of the first winder unit 11 with the fully wound package P, causes the first winder unit 11 to discharge the fully wound package P, and supplies an empty winding bobbin (a winding tube) to the first winder unit 11. The operation of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled by a first controlling section 18 of the first main control device 14 explained later.
The first doffing cart 13 is travelable (movable) along the X direction. In other words, the first doffing cart 13 can travel along the first rail 12 to move to the position of each of the first winder units 11. The first doffing cart 13 includes a not-shown traveling motor, and travels along the first rail 12 by using the driving force of the traveling motor. The first doffing cart 13 travels above the first unit body 11a along the first rail 12. The first doffing cart 13, while travelling, protrudes on the front side thereof (toward the operator's working passage T) from the first unit body 11a.
The first doffing cart 13 includes a human sensor 13a. The human sensor 13a is a sensor that detects the presence of person around the first doffing cart 13. For example, an optical sensor or an infrared sensor can be used as the human sensor 13a. A plurality of the human sensors 13a is installed, for example, at various locations on the outer surface of the first doffing cart 13. The human sensor 13a sends, upon detecting the presence of person, a detection signal to the first main control device 14.
Upon detecting the presence of person, the human sensor 13a outputs to a first communicating section 16 information indicating that a person is present around the first automatic winder 10. Position of the person present can be mapped with this information. The "position" can be expressed, for example, by the distance from a desired reference point, or based on a unit number assigned to each of the first winder units 11 (same is true for the "position" explained below).
The first main control device 14 includes a first setting section 15, the first communicating section 16, a first warning section 17, and the first controlling section 18. The first setting section 15 is connected to the first winder units 11, and centrally manages the first winder units 11. When the operator O inputs a predetermined setting value, or selects a suitable control method, the first setting section 15 performs settings on each of the first winder units 11. The first setting section 15 includes a displaying section that displays a winding state of the yarn in each of the first winder units 11, details on the encountered problems, and the like. The first setting section 15 can be constituted by, for example, a touch panel.
When the settings are performed by the operator O, the first setting section 15 outputs to the first communicating section 16 the information indicating the presence of person around the first automatic winder 10. In an alternative configuration, even when the settings of the first setting section 15 are not performed by the operator O, and when the human sensor has detected the presence of the operator O in front of the first setting section 15, and the like (or when the first setting section 15 has switched from a power saving mode to a normal mode), the information indicating the presence of person around the first automatic winder 10 can be output to the first communicating section 16. Position of the person present can be mapped with that information.
The first communicating section 16 communicates with the second automatic winder 20, and acquires first adjacent device information related to an operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the second automatic winder 20. Specifically, the first communicating section 16 receives the first adjacent device information sent from a second communicating section 26 of the second automatic winder 20. On the other hand, the first communicating section 16 sends to the second communicating section 26 of the second automatic winder 20, second adjacent device information related to the operating state and / or the surrounding conditions of the first automatic winder 10.
The first warning section 17 generates a warning for the operator O. As the first warning section 17, for example, a speaker and / or an indicator light can be used. As the warning, sound is output from the speaker and / or the indicator light is turned on. The first warning section 17 can be arranged in the first doffing cart 13, and can generate the warning for the operator O. As long as the first warning section 17 can generate the warning, other various known devices can also be used as the first warning section 17.
The first controlling section 18 is constituted by a computer having a processor. The first controlling section 18 is connected to the first doffing cart 13 (the traveling motor of the first doffing cart 13), and controls the operation of the first doffing cart 13 in accordance with a doffing request input from the first winder unit 11.
Specifically, when a doffing request is input from any first winder unit 11, the first controlling section 18 generates a task to perform the doffing in the first winder unit 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as "task"). The first controlling section 18 then controls the operation of the first doffing cart 13 and performs the generated task. Specifically, the first controlling section 18 generates a traveling pattern that causes the first doffing cart 13 to travel in accordance with the generated task. The first doffing cart 13 is controlled so as to travel as per the generated traveling pattern. The first doffing cart 13 discharges a fully wound package P from the first winder unit 11, and supplies an empty winding bobbin to the first winder unit 11.
The first controlling section 18 performs, when the doffing request is input from a plurality of the first winder units 11 and a plurality of tasks is generated, a task for a first winder unit 11 that is nearer from the current position of the first doffing cart 13 first in the sequence and so on. In other words, sequence of the generated tasks is prioritized such that the traveling distance of the first doffing cart 13 is minimum when traveling among the plurality of the first winder units 11 from which the doffing requests were received.
The first controlling section 18 controls, based on the first adjacent device information acquired by the first communicating section 16, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13. The first controlling section 18 controls the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 such that not even a part of the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are the same in the X direction. When the traveling position of the first doffing cart 13 and the traveling position of the second doffing cart 23 in the X direction are not same, the first controlling section 18 controls the first doffing cart 13 so as to travel at a standard speed, and when the traveling position of the first doffing cart 13 and the traveling position of the second doffing cart 23 in the X direction are same, the first controlling section 18 controls the first doffing cart 13 so as to travel at a low speed that is slower than the standard speed. Moreover, the first controlling section 18 controls the first doffing cart 13 so as to travel at the standard speed, and when a person is present around the second automatic winder 20, controls the first doffing cart 13 so as to travel at a low speed. The standard speed is a normal speed of the first doffing cart 13. The standard speed and the low speed, for example, can be preset fixed values, or can be variable values. Traveling control of the first doffing cart 13 is explained in detail later.
The first controlling section 18 is connected to the human sensor 13a. The first controlling section 18 controls, when the presence of person is detected by the human sensor 13a, the first doffing cart 13 to stop travelling or to travel away from the person.
The first controlling section 18 is connected to the first warning section 17. The first controlling section 18 causes the first warning section 17 to generate a warning when at least a part of the traveling positions or the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 overlap in the X direction.
The second winder unit 21 has almost the same configuration as the first winder unit 11, and includes a second unit body (main body) 21a that is mounted on a housing frame 21b. The second rail 22 has almost the same configuration as the first rail 12. The second doffing cart 23 has almost the same configuration as the first doffing cart 13, and includes a human sensor 23a. The second main control device 24 has almost the same configuration as the first main control device 14, and includes a second setting section 25, the second communicating section 26, a second warning section 27, and a second controlling section 28.
Traveling control of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 in the automatic winder system 100 is explained below with reference to FIG. 3.
In the second automatic winder 20, the first adjacent device information is sent from the second communicating section 26 to the first communicating section 16 (S1). With this transmission, the first adjacent device information is acquired by the first communicating section 16 in the first automatic winder 10 (S2). In the first automatic winder 10, the second adjacent device information is sent from the first communicating section 16 to the second communicating section 26 in the second automatic winder 20 (S3). With this transmission, the second adjacent device information is acquired by the second communicating section 26 in the second automatic winder 20 (S4). The processing at Steps S3 and S4 can be performed after the processing at Steps S1 and S2, or can be performed in parallel with the processing at Steps S1 and S2.
The first adjacent device information includes a traveling pattern of the second doffing cart 23 of the second automatic winder 20. The traveling pattern of the second doffing cart 23 is traveling information related to the traveling of the second doffing cart 23. Specifically, the traveling pattern is information that indicates transition of the traveling of the second doffing cart 23 scheduled for causing the second doffing cart 23 to travel according to one or a plurality of the tasks to perform the doffing in the second automatic winder 20. For example, the traveling pattern is information containing a mapping of the position and the speed of the second doffing cart 23 with time.
The first adjacent device information includes person information related to the person present around the second automatic winder 20. For example, the person information is information acquired when settings are performed in the second setting section 25, or when the presence of person is detected by the human sensor 23a, and the person information indicates that the person is present around the second automatic winder 20. The first adjacent device information can further include information related to one or a plurality of the tasks of the second doffing cart 23, information related to a current position of the second doffing cart 23, and information related to a current speed of the second doffing cart 23. The current position and the current speed of the second doffing cart 23 can be detected by using, for example, a well-known sensor (such as a position sensor or a speed sensor) mounted on the second doffing cart 23.
The second adjacent device information includes a traveling pattern of the first doffing cart 13 of the first automatic winder 10. The traveling pattern of the first doffing cart 13 is traveling information related to the traveling of the first doffing cart 13. Specifically, the traveling pattern is information that indicates transition of the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 scheduled for causing the first doffing cart 13 to travel according to one or a plurality of the tasks to perform the doffing in the first automatic winder 10. For example, the traveling pattern is information containing a mapping of the position and the speed of the first doffing cart 13 with time.
The second adjacent device information includes person information related to the person present around the first automatic winder 10. For example, the person information is information acquired when settings are performed in the first setting section 15, or when the presence of person is detected by the human sensor 13a, and the person information indicates that the person is present around the first automatic winder 10. The second adjacent device information can further include information related to one or a plurality of the tasks of the first doffing cart 13, information related to a current position of the first doffing cart 13, and information related to a current speed of the first doffing cart 13. The current position and the current speed of the first doffing cart 13 can be detected by, for example, a well-known sensor (such as a position sensor or a speed sensor) mounted on the first doffing cart 13.
After performing the processing at Step S2, in the first automatic winder 10, the first controlling section 18 controls the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 as per the traveling pattern in the first adjacent device information acquired by the first communicating section 16 (S5).
After performing the processing at Step S4, in the second automatic winder 20, the second controlling section 28 controls the traveling of the second doffing cart 23 as per the traveling pattern in the second adjacent device information acquired by the second communicating section 26 (S6). At Step S6, the current position and the current speed of the second doffing cart 23 can be detected to control the traveling of the second doffing cart 23. The series of processes explained above can be performed repeatedly at, for example, a predetermined cycle.
The control performed by the first controlling section 18 associated with the traveling control of the first doffing cart 13 (S5) is explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. Because of the similarity, explanation of the control performed by the second controlling section 28 associated with the traveling control of the second doffing cart 23 (S6) is omitted.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of the control performed by the first controlling section 18. In the example shown in FIG. 4, according to one or a plurality of doffing requests input from one or the plurality of the first winder units 11, one or a plurality of the tasks to perform the doffing is generated (S11). Then, according to the generated one or plurality of the tasks, a traveling pattern that causes to perform the one or the plurality of the tasks in a sequence (a task sequence starting with a first winder unit 11 that is nearer from the current position of the first doffing cart 13 explained above) set as per the standard conditions is generated (S12).
Next, based on the acquired first adjacent device information, it is determined whether the working areas where the next task of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are to be performed are overlapping (S13). The working area is an area around the winder unit in which the doffing is performed. For example, the working area is an area wide enough to include a plurality of units (two units and the like) on both one side and the other side in the X direction with the corresponding winder unit at the center. Overlapping of the working areas refers to overlapping of a part or whole working areas when seen from the Y direction. The overlapping of the working areas does not only includes a situation where the working areas are exactly the same, but also includes a situation where at least a part of the working areas is the same.
In the case of YES at Step S13, it is determined whether there is any other task among the tasks generated at Step S11 that has a working area that does not overlap with a working area of the second doffing cart 23 (S14). In the case of YES at Step S14, the traveling pattern changes to a traveling pattern that causes the other task to be performed next on priority (S15). In the case of NO at Step S13, or after the processing at Step S15, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled according to the traveling pattern (S16).
For example, it is assumed that a traveling pattern that causes to perform a first task in which the doffing of a first winder unit 11 positioned on one side in the X direction is performed, and then perform a second task in which the doffing of a first winder unit 11 positioned on the other side in the X direction is generated. At this time, if the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 overlap when performing the first task, the task sequence interchanges, and the traveling pattern changes to a traveling pattern that causes to perform the first task after the second task.
In the case of NO at Step S14, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled according to the traveling pattern (S17). Moreover, if the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 overlap, the first warning section 17 is caused to generate a warning (S18).
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second example of the control performed by the first controlling section 18. In the example shown in FIG. 5, similar to the processing at Steps S11 and S12, a task is generated as per the input doffing request, and a traveling pattern is generated according to the generated task (S21 and S22). Then, based on the acquired first adjacent device information, it is determined whether the first doffing cart 13 passes the second doffing cart 23 (S23).
In the case of NO at Step S23, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled according to the traveling pattern (S24). On the other hand, in the case of YES at Step S23, the traveling pattern changes to a traveling pattern in which the speed is reduced at the time of passing (S25). As the traveling pattern in which the speed is reduced at the time of passing, for example, a speed pattern in which traveling is performed at the standard speed, and the speed is temporarily reduced to the low speed at the time of passing can be used. The time of passing can include not only the timing of passing, but also a predetermined time before and after the timing of passing. Next, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled according to the changed traveling pattern (S26). Moreover, when the first doffing cart 13 passes the second doffing cart 23, the first warning section 17 is caused to generate a warning (S27).
For example, even if the first doffing cart 13 overtakes the second doffing cart 23, or is overtaken, in the X direction, a control same as that of shown in FIG. 5 can be performed. Even if the traveling positions of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are the same in the X direction, a control same as that of shown in FIG. 5 can be performed.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third example of the control performed by the first controlling section 18. In the example shown in FIG. 6, similar to the processing at Steps S11 and S12, a task is generated as per the input doffing request, and a traveling pattern is generated according to the generated task (S31, S32). Then, based on the acquired first adjacent device information, it is determined whether the person is present around the second automatic winder 20 (S33).
In the case of YES at Step S33, the traveling pattern is changed to a low speed traveling pattern that causes traveling at the low speed that is slower than the standard speed (S34). In the case of NO at Step S33, or after the processing at Step S34, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled according to the traveling pattern (S35). As a result, at Step S35, in the case of NO at Step S33 resulting in no change of the traveling pattern, the first doffing cart 13 travels at the standard speed as its traveling speed, whereas in the case of YES at Step S33 resulting in change of the traveling pattern to the low speed traveling pattern, the first doffing cart 13 travels at the low speed as its traveling speed.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of the control performed by the first controlling section 18. In the example shown in FIG. 7, similar to the processing at Steps S11 and S12, a task is generated as per the input doffing request, and a traveling pattern is generated according to the generated task (S41, S42). Then, based on the acquired first adjacent device information, it is determined whether the first doffing cart 13 is traveling in the same direction (the same X direction) facing the second doffing cart 23 (S43).
In the case of YES at Step S43, the traveling pattern is changed to a traveling pattern that causes the first doffing cart 13 to travel away from the second doffing cart 23 in the X direction (S44). As the traveling pattern that causes the first doffing cart 13 to travel away from the second doffing cart 23, for example, a traveling pattern that causes the first doffing cart 13 to travel at a traveling speed different than the traveling speed of the second doffing cart 23, a traveling pattern that causes the speed to reduce temporarily, a traveling pattern that causes the speed to increase temporarily, a traveling pattern that causes the traveling start timing to delay, and the like can be used. In the case of NO at Step S43, or after the processing at Step S44, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled according to the traveling pattern (S45).
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fifth example of the control performed by the first controlling section 18. In the example shown in FIG. 8, similar to the processing at Steps S11 and S12, a task is generated as per the input doffing request, and a traveling pattern is generated according to the generated task (S51, S52). Then, it is determined whether the presence of person is detected by the human sensor 13a (S53).
In the case of YES at Step S53, the traveling pattern is changed to a traveling pattern that causes the first doffing cart 13 to stop or travel away from the person (S54). In the case of NO at Step S53, or after the processing at Step S54, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled according to the traveling pattern (S55).
In the above explanation, in the first automatic winder 10, the first communicating section 16 performs communication and acquires the first adjacent device information, and based on this acquired first adjacent device information, the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 is controlled by the first controlling section 18. In the second automatic winder 20, the second communicating section 26 performs communication and acquires the second adjacent device information, and based on this acquired second adjacent device information, the traveling of the second doffing cart 23 is controlled by the second controlling section 28. With this configuration, the first doffing cart 13 can be caused to travel by considering the operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the second automatic winder 20, and the colliding possibility based on that operating state and / or surrounding conditions can be considered for the traveling of the first doffing cart 13. The second doffing cart 23 can be caused to travel by considering the operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the first automatic winder 10, and the colliding possibility based on that operating state and / or surrounding conditions can be considered for the traveling of the second doffing cart 23.
Therefore, according to the first automatic winder 10, the second automatic winder 20, and the automatic winder system 100 equipped therewith, the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O can be reduced, making it possible to enhance the safety of the operator O. With reducing the colliding possibility, the interval between the first automatic winder 10 and the second automatic winder 20 (a distance in the Y direction) can be narrowed, making it possible to provide an efficient working environment. Moreover, with reducing the colliding possibility, large-sized first and second doffing carts 13 and 23 having various functions can be installed.
In the first automatic winder 10, the first adjacent device information includes traveling information related to the traveling of the second doffing cart 23. With this configuration, the first doffing cart 13 can be caused to travel by considering the traveling of the second doffing cart 23. In the second automatic winder 20, the second adjacent device information includes traveling information related to the traveling of the first doffing cart 13. With this configuration, the second doffing cart 23 can be caused to travel by considering the traveling of the first doffing cart 13.
In the first automatic winder 10, the first adjacent device information includes the person information related to the person present around the second automatic winder 20. With this configuration, the first doffing cart 13 can be caused to travel by considering the presence of person around the second automatic winder 20. In the second automatic winder 20, the second adjacent device information includes the person information related to the person present around the first automatic winder 10. With this configuration, the second doffing cart 23 can be caused to travel by considering the presence of person around the first automatic winder 10.
In the first automatic winder 10, the first doffing cart 13 travels along the first rail 12 while protruding on the front side thereof from the first unit body 11a of the first winder unit 11. In the second automatic winder 20, the second doffing cart 23 travels along the second rail 22 while protruding on the front side thereof from the second unit body 21a of the second winder unit 21. In this case, because the configuration is such that the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 can easily collide with the operator O, the effect explained above, in other words, the effect that the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O is reduced is advantageous in particular.
In this configuration, when the traveling positions or the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are the same in the X direction, for example, attention of the operator O may get divided on both sides, the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23. Moreover, for example, when the operator O moves through the operator's working passage T, the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 may hinder the passage of the operator O (such as making it difficult to pass through), and the feelings of intimidation and pressure affecting the operator O may increase. Therefore, there is a concern that the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O is increased.
To address this issue, the first controlling section 18 of the first automatic winder 10 controls the traveling of the first doffing cart 13 such that not even a part of the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 is the same. With this configuration, the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 colliding with the operator O can be reduced. Similarly, in the second automatic winder 20, by controlling the traveling of the second doffing cart 23 such that not even a part of the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 is the same, the possibility of the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O can be reduced. As a result, it can be restrained that, when the operator O moves through the operator's working passage T, the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 hinders the passage of the operator O and the feelings of intimidation and pressure affecting the operator O increases.
The first controlling section 18 of the first automatic winder 10 causes, normally when the traveling positions of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are not the same in the X direction, the first doffing cart 13 to travel at the standard speed. On the other hand, when the traveling positions of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are the same in the X direction (at the time of passing, overtaking, or being overtaken), the first controlling section 18 causes the speed of the first doffing cart 13 to reduce and causes the first doffing cart 13 to travel at the low speed. With this configuration, the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 colliding with the operator O can be reduced. Similarly, in the second automatic winder 20, when the traveling positions of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are the same in the X direction, the second controlling section 28 causes the speed of the second doffing cart 23 to reduce from the standard speed, and causes the second doffing cart 23 to travel at the low speed. With this configuration, the possibility of the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O can be reduced.
In the first automatic winder 10, when at least a part of the traveling positions or the working areas of the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 are the same in the X direction, a warning is generated from the first warning section 17. With this configuration, the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 colliding with the operator O can be reduced. Similarly, in the second automatic winder 20, by generating a warning from the second warning section 27, the possibility of the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O can be reduced.
In the first automatic winder 10, the first doffing cart 13 includes the human sensor 13a, and the first controlling section 18 controls, when the presence of person is detected by the human sensor 13a, the first doffing cart 13 so as to stop travelling or travel away from the person. With this configuration, the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 colliding with the operator O can be further reduced. Similarly, in the second automatic winder 20, when the presence of person is detected by the human sensor 23a, by controlling the second doffing cart 23 so as to stop travelling or travel away from the person, the possibility of the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O can be further reduced.
In the first automatic winder 10, in addition to controlling the first doffing cart 13 so as to travel at the standard speed, the first controlling section 18 controls, when a person is present around the second automatic winder 20, the first doffing cart 13 so as to travel at the low speed that is slower than the standard speed. With this configuration, the first doffing cart 13 can travel at a slower speed when a person is present around the second automatic winder 20, thereby making it possible to reduce the possibility of the first doffing cart 13 colliding with the operator O. Similarly, in the second automatic winder 20, the second doffing cart 23 can travel at a slower speed when a person is present around the first automatic winder 10, thereby making it possible to reduce the possibility of the second doffing cart 23 colliding with the operator O.
The first automatic winder 10 includes the first doffing cart 13 that discharges the package P in which the yarn is wound in the first winder unit 11 and supplies a new winding bobbin to the first winder unit 11 as a service cart. With this configuration, doffing can be automatically performed in the first winder unit 11. Similarly, the second automatic winder 20 includes the second doffing cart 23 as the service cart, making it possible to automatically perform doffing in the second winder unit 21.
The embodiments of the present invention are explained above. The present invention, however, is not limited to the above embodiments.
In the above embodiments, as a winding unit, the first winder unit 11 and the second winder unit 21 are used. However, the winding unit is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an air spinning unit 31 that includes a spinning section 32 that performs yarn spinning by using the force of air can be used as the winding unit. In such a configuration, the yarn winding system is an air spinning system, and the yarn winding device is an air spinning frame. The air spinning unit 31 shown in the figure includes a doffing cart 33 that performs doffing. The doffing cart 33 is arranged on the front side of the spinning section 32 and is guided by rails 34 and 35 to travel along the X direction.
In the above embodiments, direct communication is performed between the first communicating section 16 of the first automatic winder 10 and the second communicating section 26 of the second automatic winder 20. However, the communication between the first communicating section 16 and the second communicating section 26 can be performed via a host device such as a host controller. The communication between the first communicating section 16 and the second communicating section 26 can be direct or indirect.
In the above embodiments, the first doffing cart 13 and the second doffing cart 23 that perform the doffing (doffing service) are arranged as the service cart. However, the service cart is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the service cart can be a yarn joining cart that performs yarn joining (yarn joining service). Any service cart that performs any service for the winding unit can be used.
In the above embodiments, the adjacent device information is not particularly limited to the configuration explained above as long as it is information related to the operating state and / or the surrounding conditions of the other adjacent yarn winding device. For example, the adjacent device information can include position information related to the position of the other service cart of the other adjacent yarn winding device. In such a configuration, the service cart of the yarn winding device can travel by considering the position of the other service cart of the other adjacent yarn winding device. With this configuration, it can be restrained that the other service cart that is not traveling (moving) hinders the operator O. Moreover, for example, the adjacent device information can include information related to unit number of a winding unit with suspended operation in the other adjacent yarn winding device, information related to lot change of other adjacent yarn winding device, and / or information related to maintenance of other adjacent yarn winding device.
The material and shape of various components explained in the above embodiments are not limited to those mentioned above, and it is possible to adopt various materials and shapes. In the above embodiments, the standard speed corresponds to a first speed and a third speed, and the low speed that is slower than the standard speed corresponds to a second speed and a fourth speed. However, the standard speed and the low speed are not limited to such configurations. The first speed and the third speed can be mutually different speeds, and the second speed and the fourth speed can be mutually different speeds. That is, the second speed can be slower than the first speed, and the fourth speed can be slower than the third speed.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding device includes a plurality of winding units that is arranged side by side along a predetermined juxtaposition direction and that winds a yarn; a service cart that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that performs service for the winding unit; a controlling section that controls traveling of the service cart; a communicating section that performs direct or indirect communication. The communicating section performs communication with other yarn winding device that is adjacent in an orthogonal direction to the juxtaposition direction, and acquires adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the other yarn winding device. The controlling section controls, based on the acquired adjacent device information, the traveling of the service cart.
In the above yarn winding device, the communicating section performs the communication and acquires the adjacent device information, and the controlling section controls the traveling of the service cart based on the acquired adjacent device information. With this configuration, the service cart can be caused to travel by considering the operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the other adjacent yarn winding device, and the colliding possibility based on that operating state and / or surrounding conditions can be considered for the traveling of the service cart. Accordingly, the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator can be reduced.
In the above yarn winding device, the adjacent device information can include traveling information related to traveling of other service cart included in the other yarn winding device. With this configuration, the service cart of the yarn winding device can be caused to travel by considering the traveling of the other service cart of the other adjacent yarn winding device.
In the above yarn winding device, the adjacent device information can include position information related to a position of the other service cart included in the other yarn winding device. With this configuration, the service cart of the yarn winding device can be caused to travel by considering the position of the other service cart of the other adjacent yarn winding device.
In the above yarn winding device, the adjacent device information can include person information related to a person present around the other yarn winding device. With this configuration, the service cart of the yarn winding device can be caused to travel by considering the presence of person around the other adjacent yarn winding device.
The above yarn winding device can further include a traveling path that is arranged along the juxtaposition direction, and the service cart can travel along the traveling path while protruding on a front side thereof from a main body of the winding unit. In this case, because the configuration is such that the service cart can easily collide with the operator, the effect explained above, in other words, the effect that the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator is reduced is advantageous in particular.
In the above yarn winding device, the controlling section can control the service cart such that not even a part of working areas of the service cart and the other service cart of the other yarn winding device are the same in the juxtaposition direction. If the traveling positions or the working areas of the service cart and the other service cart are the same in the juxtaposition direction, for example, attention of the operator may get divided on both sides of these service carts, thereby increasing the possibility of the service carts colliding with the operator. Based on this knowledge, in the yarn winding device of the present invention, by causing the service cart to travel such that not even a part of the working area is same as that of the other service cart in the juxtaposition direction, the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator can be reduced.
In the above yarn winding device, the controlling section can control the service cart so as to travel at a first speed when traveling positions of the service cart and the other service cart of the other yarn winding device are not the same in the juxtaposition direction, and can control the service cart so as to travel at a second speed that is slower than the first speed when the traveling positions of the service cart and the other service cart are the same in the juxtaposition direction. Based on the above knowledge, in the yarn winding device of the present invention, when the traveling position of the service cart is same as that of the other service cart in the juxtaposition direction, the speed of the service cart is reduced from the first speed to the second speed. Accordingly, the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator can be reduced.
The above yarn winding device can further include a warning section that generates a warning when at least a part of the traveling positions or the working areas of the service cart and the other service cart of the other yarn winding device are the same in the juxtaposition direction. Based on this knowledge, in the yarn winding device of the present invention, by generating a warning when at least a part of the traveling position or the working area of the service cart is same as that of the other service cart in the juxtaposition direction, the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator can be reduced.
In the above yarn winding device, the service cart can include a sensor that detects presence of person around the corresponding service cart, and the controlling section can control the service cart so as to stop travelling or travel away from the person when the sensor detects a person. In this case, the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator can be further reduced.
In the above yarn winding device, the controlling section can control the service cart so as to travel at a third speed, and when a person is present around the other yarn winding device, can control the service cart so as to travel at a fourth speed that is slower than the third speed. In this case, the service cart can travel at a slower speed when a person is present around the other yarn winding device, thereby making it possible to reduce the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator.
In the above yarn winding device, the service cart can be a doffing cart that discharges a package in which the yarn is wound in the winding unit and supplies a winding tube to the corresponding winding unit. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically perform doffing in the winder unit by the doffing cart.
In the above yarn winding device, the winding unit can be a winder unit that forms a package by winding the yarn from a yarn supplying bobbin. With this configuration, the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator can be reduced in the yarn winding device as the automatic winder.
In the above yarn winding device, the winding unit can be an air spinning unit that includes a spinning section that spins the yarn by using a force of air. With this configuration, the possibility of the service cart colliding with the operator can be reduced in the yarn winding device as the air spinning frame.
According to another aspect of the invention, a yarn winding system includes a first yarn winding device and a second yarn winding device that is adjacent to the first yarn winding device. The first yarn winding device includes a plurality of first winding units that is arranged along a predetermined juxtaposition direction and that winds a yarn; a first service cart that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that performs service for the first winding unit; a first controlling section that controls traveling of the first service cart; and a first communicating section that performs any one of direct and indirect communication with the second yarn winding device, and acquires first adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the second yarn winding device. The second yarn winding device includes a plurality of second winding units that is arranged along the juxtaposition direction and that winds the yarn; a second service cart that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that performs service for the second winding unit; a second controlling section that controls traveling of the second service cart; and a second communicating section that performs any one of direct and indirect communication with the first yarn winding device, and acquires second adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the first yarn winding device. The first controlling section controls the traveling of the first service cart based on the first adjacent device information acquired by the first communicating section, and the second controlling section controls the traveling of the second service cart based on the second adjacent device information acquired by the second communicating section.
In the yarn winding system according to the present invention, the first communicating section performs communication and acquires the first adjacent device information, and based on the first adjacent device information, the first controlling section controls the traveling of the first service cart. Accordingly, the first service cart can travel by considering an operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the adjacent second yarn winding device, and the colliding possibility based on the operating state and / or the surrounding conditions can be considered for the traveling of the first service cart. Moreover, the second communicating section performs communication and acquires the second adjacent device information, and based on the second adjacent device information, the second controlling section controls the traveling of the second service cart. Accordingly, the second service cart can travel by considering an operating state and / or surrounding conditions of the adjacent first yarn winding device, and the colliding possibility based on the operating state and / or the surrounding conditions can be considered for the traveling of the second service cart. Accordingly, the possibility of the first service cart and the second service cart colliding with the operator can be reduced.
According to the present invention, a yarn winding device and a yarn winding system capable of reducing the possibility of a service cart colliding with an operator can be provided.
In the above explanation, the meaning of "a plurality of" also includes "a predetermined number of".
Although the invention has been explained with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A yarn winding device (10, 20) comprising:
a plurality of winding units (11, 21, 31) that are arranged side by side along a predetermined juxtaposition direction and that are configured to wind a yarn;

a service cart (13, 23, 33) that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that is configured to perform service for the winding unit (11, 21, 31);

a controlling section (18, 28) that is configured to control traveling of the service cart (13, 23, 33); and

a communicating section (16, 26) that is configured to perform direct or indirect communication, wherein
the communicating section (16, 26) is configured to perform communication with another yarn winding device (10, 20) that is adjacent in an orthogonal direction to the juxtaposition direction, and to acquire adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the other yarn winding device (10, 20), and

the controlling section (18, 28) is configured to control, based on the acquired adjacent device information, the traveling of the service cart (13, 23, 33).
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the adjacent device information includes traveling information related to traveling of another service cart (13, 23, 33) included in the other yarn winding device (10, 20).
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjacent device information includes position information related to a position of the other service cart (13, 23, 33) included in the other yarn winding device (10, 20).
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the adjacent device information includes person information related to a person present around the other yarn winding device (10, 20).
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 further comprising a traveling path (12, 22, 34, 35) that is arranged along the juxtaposition direction, wherein
the service cart (13, 23, 33) is configured to travel along the traveling path (12, 22, 34, 35) while protruding on a front side thereof from a main body (11a, 21a) of the winding unit (11, 21, 31).
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the controlling section (18, 28) is configured to control the service cart (13, 23, 33) such that not even a part of working areas of the service cart (13, 23, 33) and the other service cart (13, 23, 33) of the other yarn winding device (10, 20) are the same in the juxtaposition direction.
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein
the controlling section (18, 28) is configured to
control the service cart (13, 23, 33) so as to travel at a first speed when traveling positions of the service cart (13, 23, 33) and the other service cart (13, 23, 33) of the other yarn winding device (10, 20) are not the same in the juxtaposition direction, and

control the service cart (13, 23, 33) so as to travel at a second speed that is slower than the first speed when the traveling positions of the service cart (13, 23, 33) and the other service cart (13, 23, 33) are the same in the juxtaposition direction.
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 further comprising a warning section (17, 27) that is configured to generate a warning when at least a part of the traveling positions or the working areas of the service cart (13, 23, 33) and the other service cart (13, 23, 33) of the other yarn winding device (10, 20) are the same in the juxtaposition direction.
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein
the service cart (13, 23, 33) includes a sensor (13a, 23a) that is configured to detect presence of person around the corresponding service cart (13, 23, 33), and
the controlling section (18, 28) is configured to control the service cart (13, 23, 33) so as to stop travelling or travel away from the person when the sensor (13a, 23a) detects a person.
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the controlling section (18, 28) is configured to
control the service cart (13, 23, 33) so as to travel at a third speed, and
when a person is present around the other yarn winding device (10, 20), control the service cart (13, 23, 33) so as to travel at a fourth speed that is slower than the third speed.
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the service cart (13, 23, 33) is a doffing cart (13, 23, 33) that is configured to discharge a package in which the yarn is wound in the winding unit (11, 21, 31) and to supply a winding tube to the corresponding winding unit (11, 21, 31).
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the winding unit (11, 21) is a winder unit (11, 21) that is configured to form a package by winding the yarn from a yarn supplying bobbin.
The yarn winding device (10, 20) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the winding unit (31) is an air spinning unit (31) that includes a spinning section (32) that is configured to spin the yarn by using a force of air.
A yarn winding system (100) comprising:
a yarn winding device (10) according to claim 1 as a first yarn winding device; and

a second yarn winding device (20) that is adjacent to the first yarn winding device (10) and represents the other yarn winding device, wherein
the plurality of winding units (11) of the first yarn winding device is a plurality of first winding units (11);

the service cart (13) of the first yarn winding device (10) is a first service cart (13); and

the communicating section (16) of the first yarn winding device (10) is a first communicating section (16), and

the second yarn winding device (20) includes
a plurality of second winding units (21) that are arranged along the juxtaposition direction and that are configured to wind the yarn;

a second service cart (23) that is travelable along the juxtaposition direction and that is configured to perform service for the second winding unit (21);

a second controlling section (28) that is configured to control traveling of the second service cart (23); and

a second communicating section (26) that is configured to perform any one of direct and indirect communication with the first yarn winding device (10), and to acquire second adjacent device information related to at least one of an operating state and surrounding conditions of the first yarn winding device (10), and

the first controlling section (18) is configured to control the traveling of the first service cart (13) based on the first adjacent device information acquired by the first communicating section (16), and

the second controlling section (28) is configured to control the traveling of the second service cart (23) based on the second adjacent device information acquired by the second communicating section (26).