GB1564142A

GB1564142A - Winding machine

Info

Publication number: GB1564142A
Application number: GB44861/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Kobe Steel Ltd
Current assignee: Kobe Steel Ltd
Priority date: 1975-10-30
Filing date: 1976-10-28
Publication date: 1980-04-02
Also published as: DE2649029C3; DE2649029B2; AU1917376A; FR2329574B1; CA1061761A; DE2649029A1; FR2329574A1

Description

(54) WINDING MACHINE (71) We, KOBE STEEL LTD, also known as KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKOSHO, a Japanese corporation established under Japanese Law of 3-18, 1chome, Wakinohama-cho, Fukiai-ku, Kobe, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a winding machine for winding a filament, such as an electric wire, on a bobbin automatically.

A wire winding machine is known, in which a continuous wire is wound in multiple layers around a drum portion of a bobbin having flanges. The prior art wire winding machine however suffers from a shortcoming in that there is a phase difference 0 between the position of a wire which is about to be wound on to the bobbin and the position of a traverser means which serves as a guide means for the wire, with the result that, upon reversing the traversing stroke of the traverser. there may not be sufficiently accurate control of the reversal of the traverser means, thus presenting a possibility of a lap wind-up layer.

The present invention provides a winding machine for winding a filament around a drum portion of a bobbin in multiple close packed layers, comprising a filament position detector means including a filament contactor means mounted on a first shaft arranged in use to extend parallel to the axis of a bobbin, so that the contactor means reciprocates parallel to the axis of said bobbin, said contactor means being so designed as to urge, in use, the filament against the surface of said drum portion or the previously wound layer of filament at the point where the filament is wound onto said drum portion; traverser means mounted to be drivingly reciprocated on a second shaft extending parallel to the axis of said first shaft; synchronizing means for moving the traverser means in synchronism with said filament position detector means; and lifting means for moving said filament position detector means generally towards and away from said drum portion.

There may be provided a rotation detector means for detecting the rotation of said bobbin.

Said filament position detector means may further comprise lifting members for moving said contactor means generally perpendicularly towards and away from the axis of said bobbin, and said contactor means are pivotally supported by said lifting members.

Said contactor means may comprise two elements, each end of said contactor elements being of an 'L' cross section.

Alternatively, said contactor means may include an end of a 'T' shaped cross section.

In the latter case a portion of the end of said contactor means may be movable towards and away from the bobbin in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis of said bobbin, said portion projecting towards the drum portion of the bobbin. When two contactor elements are provided one may be for use during a leftward traversing stroke and the other for use during a rightward traversing stroke of the contactor means.

There may be preferably provided a detector means for detecting when, in use, the contactor means is adjacent a flange of said bobbin. Said detector means may comprise limit switches or photo-switches.

There may be provided a pair of distance detector members for contacting the inner surfaces of opposite flanges of said bobbin to determine the distance between the inner surfaces of said flanges, said distance detecting members being mounted so as to be withdrawable to a non-operative position.

The machine may include a resistance producing means for causing said contactor means to apply a force to said filament as it is being wound in a direction towards the already wound filament in the layer.

Said traverser means may include a slide guide member for urging the filament towards the filament already wound on the bobbin.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a plan view of a first embodiment of winding machine according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of winding machine of Figure 1 showing a detector means; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the apparatus showing the position detector means, and a traverser means; Figures 4 to 12 are diagrammatic views illustrating the sequence of a winding operation of the winding machine of Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4, 5 and 6 being shown in two parts, one part being partly in plan and partly in front elevation, and the other part being in longitudinal section. and Figures 7 to 12 only showing the first of these parts; Figures 13, 14 are views corresponding to Figures 2 and 3 respectively of an alternative arrangement of winding machine; Figure 15 is a view showing one embodiment of a detecting member for measuring the flange-to-flange distance of a bobbin, from the inner surface of one flange to that of the other.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 a bobbin 1 is formed with flanges la, la at the opposite ends thereof and a drum portion ib. The bobbin 1 is removably mounted on a bobbin shaft 23 which is rotatably supported in a frame by means of a bobbin drive motor 10.

A rotation detector means 14 is provided at one end of the bobbin shaft 23. A wire in the form of an electric wire 2 is provided which is to be wound around the peripheral surface of the drum portion 1b of the bobbin 1 in multiple, close packed layers.

A winding position detector means 3 is provided for detecting the position of the wire 2 which is about to be wound around the peripheral surface of a drum portion ib of the bobbin 1. The winding position detector means 3 is provided with a lift means such as an air cylinder 18. so as to move the means 3 up and down relative to the peripheral surface of the drum portion 1b of the bobbin 1. A body 3a of the position detector means 3 has a pair of hold down contactor elements in the form of guide shoes 20 downwardlv depending therefrom and is threadedly mounted on a threaded shaft 5. This shaft 5 has a verv large pitch and may be considered to be a kind of idler shaft. The shaft 5 is supported at opposite ends on a pair of support frames 3b, 3b. Extending between the support frames 3b, 3b and the body 3a are respective guide shafts 5a, 5a which shafts 5a and 5a extend parallel to the threaded shaft 5 and linearly guide the body 3a. As a result, the body 3a may reciprocate parallel to the axis of the bobbin 1, as the wire 2 is being wound around the peripheral surface of the drum portion lb. The threaded shaft 5 is provided with a torque motor 11 serving as an anti-rotation resistance-producing means. A potentiometer 8 is provided as a synchronizing mechanism for a traverser means 4 to be described hereinafter.

As best shown in Figure 2, the pair of support frames 3b, 3b are threadedly mounted on respective threaded shafts 17, 17 being rotatable through respective bevel gears 25, 25 by means of a drive shaft 24 which is driven by a motor 16. The rotation of the threaded shafts 17, 17 cause the support frames 3b, 3b to ascend or descend.

When the guide shoe 20 comes close to one of the flanges la, la of the bobbin 1, the contactor element 20 is lifted a distance corresponding to the diameter of the wire 2, thus providing for the subsequent winding the next layer of wire 2. As shown in Figure 1, there are provided limit switches LS1, LS1 operable when the position detector means 3 approaches the bobbin flange la.

Also. as shown in Figure 2, limit switches LS2, LS2 are provided for detecting the upper and lower limit positions of the body 3a within one of the frames of the lift means 21.

The traverser means 4 comprises, as is best shown in Figure 1 and 3, a body 4a threadedly mounted on a threaded shaft 6 supported on the frame of the winding machine by means of threaded holes through the body 4a, and loosely fitted on guide shafts 6a, 6a supported by support frames 4b, 4b and extending parallel with the threaded shaft 6. The shaft 6 is a drive shaft. As a result. the body 4a may reciprocate parallel to the axis of the bobbin 1, being driven by the threaded shaft 6 to traverse the filament 2, the threaded shaft 6 being rotated in opposite directions through a stepless speed change gear 12 by a traversing motor 13. A potentiometer 9 is provided at the other end of the threaded shaft 6 as a synchronizing member to maintain the shaft 6 in synchronism with the position detector means 3. A mutliple part slide guide member 30 is provided for guiding the wire 2 towards the wire already wound on the bobbin. the member 30 being mounted on the body 4a of the traverser 4.

The torque motor 11 is used as a resistance to rotation of the threaded shaft 5 for the position detector means 3 so that during the winding of the wire 2 hunting of the means 3 due to deflection of the wire 2 may be prevented, and a force is imparted to the element 2 transversely towards the wire 2 which has been wound, so as to bring successive windings into close contact. In addition, the potentiometers 8, 9 are provided at each end of the threaded shafts 5, 6 to bring the position detector means 3 in to synchronism with the traverser means 4.

Thus, as the position detector means 3 traverses in response to the movement of the wire 2 as the wire is being wound on the bobbin 1, it rotates the threaded shaft 5 and the position of the wire 2 being wound on the bobbin 1 may be detected as the threaded shaft 5 is coupled to the potentiometer 8. On the other hand, the traverser means 4 is moved along the threaded shaft 6, by driven rotation thereof, and the potentiometer 9 is thereby actuated. The potentiometers 8, 9 detect the position of the means 3, 4, respectively. When there is a difference therebetween, (ie: the means 3, 4 are not moving in synchronism) then the movement of the traverser means 4 is corrected by means of the stepless speed change gear, to bring the movements of both means 3, 4 into synchronism with each other.

The guide shoe 20 is so designed as to ascend and descend perpendicular to the axis of the bobbin by means of the air cylinder 18 so that the wire 2 may positively engage the surface of the drum portion Ib of the bobbin with a given pressure as is clear from Figure 3 at the point where the filament is wound onto said drum. The guide shoe 20 is of an 'L' shape, as shown in Figure 2, so as to press the wire both onto the drum portion ib and to one side.

Alternatively, however, the shape of the end of the guide shoe 20 may be of a shape which is illustated in Figure 13. In either case, the height of the wall of the shoe 20 which engages the side of the wire 2 should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the wire, so as to prevent the bottom end of the shoe 20 from contacting the wire in the underlying layer. In the case of the 'T' shaped shoe, it is preferable that a vertical portion 15 of the 'T' shaped shoe may be retracted, when the guide shoe 20 approaches to a flange of a bobbin.

For lowering the guide shoe 20 onto the wire 2 for holding it down. the shoe 20 is first lowered to a point some distance above the wire by means of the threaded shafts 17 of the lift means 21. and then the final lowering of the shoe 20 into contact with the wire 2 is carried out by means of the air cylinder 18. Under the above condition, the position detector means 3 (member 3a) traverses on the threaded shaft 5. as the winding of the wire proceeds. In this respect, it should be noted that the position detector means 3 is moved by the wire 2 which is being wound around the drum portion 1b of the bobbin 1. To prevent hunting. and to wind the wire 2 in a close packed layer, it is necessary that a force be imparted to the wire in a direction towards the wire already wound by means of the torque motor 11. In Figure 1 there are shown limit switches LS3, LS3 for detecting the opposite limits of a traversing movement of the traverser means 4 and for reversing the means 4.

In Figure 3 is shown two alternative guide shoes 20a, 20b, for use during winding in opposite directions for the rightward winding each having an associated air cylinder 18a, 18b for lifting and lowering the guide shoes 20a, 20b respectively perpendicular to the axis of the bobbin. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13, a single guide shoe may be formed with a 'T' shaped end. or (not shown) a guide shoe having an 'L' shaped end designed so as to turn through an angle of 180 may be used. The guide shoe 20 contacts the wire all the time and a roller may be provided as guide shoe 20 so as to reduce the frictional resistance between the contactor surface of the end of the element 2 and the wire.

The winding machine also includes a detector means for detecting when the guide shoe approaches the flange of the bobbin.

The detector means may be provided in the form of a photo-switch such as a photoelectric tube as shown in Figures 13 and 14 or. alternatively, may comprise limit switches LS3, LS3. In the case of the photo-switch, as is shown in Figures 13, 14, there is provided a photo-switch 28 and another photo-switch 29 on opposite sides of the guide shoe 20. the photo-switch 28 having photoelectric tube light emitting and receiving portions 28a. 28b respectively and the photo-switch 29 has photoelectric tube light emitting and receiving portions 29a, 29b respectively for detecting the flanges la.

To control the movements of the position detector means and traverser means to achieve the winding of the wire in close packed layers over the entire width of the drum portion 1b of a bobbin, it is necessary that the width of traversing strokes be the same as the width of the drum portion 1b of the bobbin. Hitherto. it has been common practice to control the width of the aforesaid traversing strokes by watching the wire since, because of the differences between different bobbins when installed. the manufacturing errors of the bobbin itself, only a rough setting of the width of the strokes of the position detector means and the traverser means could be made.

To cope with this, the present winding machine provides a pair of drum width detector members which may contact the inner surfaces of the opposite flanges la of the bobbin 1, for detecting the inner width of the bobbin (the distance from the inner surface of one flange to that of the other) accurately, thereby enabling uniform automatic winding of the wire, irrespective of the bobbins used.

As shown in Figure 15, there are provided a pair of detector members 7, 7' which may be moved in a direction parallel with the axis of the bobbin 1, contactor elements 19.

19' being provided on respective detector members 7, 7', and which may contact the inner surfaces of flanges la of the bobbin 1 and may be pivoted when not in use to a position away from the flanges la outwardly thereof; and limit switches LS3 LS3 attached to each member 7, 7' for defining the width of the traverse stroke of the traverser body 4a and the body 3a of the position detector means 3, the aforesaid limit switches LS3, LS3 being positioned to contact the body 4a.

Before the commencement of winding of the wire on the bobbin, therefore, the detector members 7, 7' are first moved by the threaded shaft 27 by motors 22. 26 until the contactor elements 19, 19' contact the inner surfaces of the flanges la, after which the contactor elements are pivoted away from the flanges la. In this manner, the limit switches LS3, LS3 are accurately located in conformity with the width of the bobbin 1, thereby enabling the accurate control of the width of the traversing strokes of the traverser means 4a.

Thereafter, the winding of the wire 2 around a drum portion ib of the bobbin 1 in multiple layers is carried out in the manner shown in Figures 4 to 12.

As shown in Figure 4, one end of the wire 2 is secured to the flange la of the bobbin 1; and the bobbin 1 is rotated through 17/is to 16Ms turns whilst the wire 2 is being urged by the slide guide member 30 in the direction of the wire 2 already wound, while the extent of rotation of the bobbin 1 is detected by the rotation detector means 14 provided at the end of the bobbin shaft 23.

After the rotation detector means 14 detects that the bobbin 1 has rotated sufficiently the position detector means 3 is lowered bv the rotation of the threaded shaft 17 so that the filament 2 is pressed by the guide shoe 20 on to the drum portion ib of the bobbin 1. In this respect, the position detector means 3 is first lowered to a point a little distance above the wire 2, and then one member 18A of the pair of air cylinders 18A, 18B is fed with pressurized air so as to allow the guide shoe 20 to press on the wire with a given pressure. Once the leading end of the wire 2 is wound around the drum portion lb of the bobbin 1 and the bobbin rotates, the traverser means 4 begins traversing to the right as viewed in the drawing. due to the rotation of the threaded shaft 6 as shown in Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 6, as the bobbin 1 is rotated, the traverser means 4 traverses in synchronism with the position detector means 3 and the wire 2 is wound around the peripheral surface of the drum portion 1b of the bobbin 1. As the winding of the wire 2 proceeds, the position detector means 3 is moved along the threaded shaft 5 by the wire since the guide shoe 20 is engaging the wire 2. As a result, there is no possibility of hunting due to the deflection or the waving motion of the wire 2. The forced movement of the guide shoe 20 by the arrival of the wire at the drum portion causes the shaft 5 to rotate. A resistance against rotation of the shaft 5 causes a force in the direction opposite to the traversing direction to be imparted to the wire 2 by the guide shoe 20 so as to produce close packed windings. The positions of the means 3, 4 are detected and stored by the potentiometers 8, 9, during their movement. Thus, is there is a difference in their relative positions, the movement of the traverser means 4 may be adjusted by the stepless speed gear change 12, thereby bringing back both means 3 and 4 into synchronism with each other.

In this manner, the winding of the first layer of the wire is carried out from the left to the right as viewed in the drawing. When the position detector means 3 approaches the inner surface of the righthand flange la of the bobbin 1, then preparatory operations as shown in Figures 7 and 8 take place.

Firstly, the position detector means 3 abuts the limit switch LS1, as the guide shoe 20 approaches the flange la, thereby indicating the approach of the wire to the flange la, so that the threaded shafts 17, 17 are rotated so as to lift the means 3 by the supporting frames 3b, 3b a distance or height corresponding to one diameter of the wire 2. As a result the guide shoe 20 is lifted from the wire contracting position shown in Figure 7 to the position of Figure 8 by means of the air cylinder 18a. The limit switch LS1 is positioned to operate when the guide shoe 20 is spaced from the inner surface of the flange la by a distance equal to the diameter of the wire.

Rotating of the bobbin 1 continues and when the wire in the first layer eventually contacts the inner side of the flange la, then the traverser means 4 reaches the limit switch LS3. Limit switch LS3 (or photoswitch 29) serves to prevent the wire 2 from riding on the flange la of the bobbin 1.

The bobbin 1 is then rotated by a further 7/8 to 6/s turn, as indicated by the rotation detecting means 14. The winding of the first layer of wire is completed by this rotation of the bobbin by 7,/8 to 6/x turn.

After the detection of this rotation the bobbin 1 is rotated by a further 17/8 to 1 6/s turns whilst the wire 2 is urged by the slide guide member 30 in the direction of the wire 2 being wound so as to prevent the second winding of wire 2 from overlapping the first winding of wire 2 in the vicinity of the flange la, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The first and second windings in the second layer are formed on the last two windings of the first layer.

The rotation detector means 14 detects the rotation of the bobbin 1, and after the above mentioned 17/8 turns the other air cylinder 18B of the cylinders 18A, 18B, is operated so as to cause the other guide shoe 20 to move down and engage the wire in the second layer, as shown.

As will be understood, the guide shoe 20, 20 have 'L' shaped ends whose open sides are oppositely positioned. Thus, as the wire is wound from the left to the right, the open side of the 'L' shaped end of the guide shoe 20 is directed towards the righthand flange la. On the other hand, as the wire is wound from the right to the left, the open side of the 'L' shaped end of the guide shoe 20 is directed to the lefthand flange la. In this manner, the guide shoes 20, 20 are used alternately, depending on the direction of the wire being wound.

When the guide shoe 20 is positioned to hold down the wire 2 in the second layer.

the winding of the second layer of wire can proceed as is shown in Figure 12. In Figure 12, as the traverser means 4 traverses to the left, the wire 2 is wound around the drum portion lb to the left. In response thereto, the guide shoe 20 is moved to the left. and so moves the position detector means 3. In this case, as in the preceding case, the means 3, 4 are controlled to move in synchronism with each other by means of the potentiometers 8, 9. When the wire 2 in the second layer approaches the lefthand flange la of the bobbin and is at a distance corresponding to the diameter of the wire, then switches LS1, and LS3 positioned on the left side are actuated, so that traversing and winding of the wire in the opposite direction will begin automatically as described with respect to the approach to the right-hand flange la. In this case, it will be understood that rotation of the threaded shaft 5 is resisted in the reverse direction by means of the same torque motor 11 which can operate in either direction.

As is apparent from the foregoing description of the winding machine, wire such as an electric wire may be automatically and accurately wound around the drum portion of a bobbin in close packed layers.

In summary, there are separately provided a position detector means 3 for automatically detecting the position of the wire and a traverser means 4 for the wire.

and both means 3, 4 may operate in synchronism with each other, with the result that the winding of the wire around the drum portion of the bobbin may be achieved extremely accurately over the entire width of the drum portion, with a reduced danger of lap or irregular winding. In addition to this, the position detector means 3 is provided with guide shoes which are adapted to hold down the wire being wound, and may be lifted away from the wire upon completion of the traversing of the traverser means in one direction according to the accurate detection of the detector members. thus allowing for automatic traversing movements of the traverser means, with the accompanying reduction of the possibility of the guide shoes being disengaged from the wire inadvertently. In addition, the position detector means is lifted away from the wire by a distance equal to the diameter of the wire as controlled by the detector members in the form of limit switches, when the position detector means approach a flange of the bobbin. As a result, the winding of the wire for the next layer may be accomplished smoothly. The provision of the rotation detector member ensures accurate control of the reversal of the traverser means, and enables the accurate automatic winding of the wire.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A winding machine for winding a filament around a drum portion of a bobbin in multiple close packed layers, comprising a filament position detector means including a filament contactor means mounted on a first shaft arranged in use to extend parallel to the axis of a bobbin so that the contactor means reciprocates parallel to the axis of said bobbin, said contactor means being so designed as to urge, in use, the filament against the surface of said drum portion or the previously would layer of filament at the portion or the previously wound layer of filament at the point where the filament is wound onto said drum portion; traverser means mounted to be drivingly reciprocated on a second shaft extending parallel to the axis of said first shaft; sychronising means for moving the traverser means in synchronism with said filament position detector means; and lifting means for moving said filament position detector means generally towards and away from said drum portion.

2. A winding machine as claimed in Claim 1. including a rotation detector means for detecting the rotation of said bobbin.

3. A winding machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said filament position detector means further comprises lifting members for moving said contactor means generally towards and away from the axis of said bobbin. and said contactor means are pivotally supported by said lifting members.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. bobbin 1 is rotated by a further 17/8 to 1 6/s turns whilst the wire 2 is urged by the slide guide member 30 in the direction of the wire 2 being wound so as to prevent the second winding of wire 2 from overlapping the first winding of wire 2 in the vicinity of the flange la, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The first and second windings in the second layer are formed on the last two windings of the first layer. The rotation detector means 14 detects the rotation of the bobbin 1, and after the above mentioned 17/8 turns the other air cylinder 18B of the cylinders 18A, 18B, is operated so as to cause the other guide shoe 20 to move down and engage the wire in the second layer, as shown. As will be understood, the guide shoe 20, 20 have 'L' shaped ends whose open sides are oppositely positioned. Thus, as the wire is wound from the left to the right, the open side of the 'L' shaped end of the guide shoe 20 is directed towards the righthand flange la. On the other hand, as the wire is wound from the right to the left, the open side of the 'L' shaped end of the guide shoe 20 is directed to the lefthand flange la. In this manner, the guide shoes 20, 20 are used alternately, depending on the direction of the wire being wound. When the guide shoe 20 is positioned to hold down the wire 2 in the second layer. the winding of the second layer of wire can proceed as is shown in Figure 12. In Figure 12, as the traverser means 4 traverses to the left, the wire 2 is wound around the drum portion lb to the left. In response thereto, the guide shoe 20 is moved to the left. and so moves the position detector means 3. In this case, as in the preceding case, the means 3, 4 are controlled to move in synchronism with each other by means of the potentiometers 8, 9. When the wire 2 in the second layer approaches the lefthand flange la of the bobbin and is at a distance corresponding to the diameter of the wire, then switches LS1, and LS3 positioned on the left side are actuated, so that traversing and winding of the wire in the opposite direction will begin automatically as described with respect to the approach to the right-hand flange la. In this case, it will be understood that rotation of the threaded shaft 5 is resisted in the reverse direction by means of the same torque motor 11 which can operate in either direction. As is apparent from the foregoing description of the winding machine, wire such as an electric wire may be automatically and accurately wound around the drum portion of a bobbin in close packed layers. In summary, there are separately provided a position detector means 3 for automatically detecting the position of the wire and a traverser means 4 for the wire. and both means 3, 4 may operate in synchronism with each other, with the result that the winding of the wire around the drum portion of the bobbin may be achieved extremely accurately over the entire width of the drum portion, with a reduced danger of lap or irregular winding. In addition to this, the position detector means 3 is provided with guide shoes which are adapted to hold down the wire being wound, and may be lifted away from the wire upon completion of the traversing of the traverser means in one direction according to the accurate detection of the detector members. thus allowing for automatic traversing movements of the traverser means, with the accompanying reduction of the possibility of the guide shoes being disengaged from the wire inadvertently. In addition, the position detector means is lifted away from the wire by a distance equal to the diameter of the wire as controlled by the detector members in the form of limit switches, when the position detector means approach a flange of the bobbin. As a result, the winding of the wire for the next layer may be accomplished smoothly. The provision of the rotation detector member ensures accurate control of the reversal of the traverser means, and enables the accurate automatic winding of the wire. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A winding machine for winding a filament around a drum portion of a bobbin in multiple close packed layers, comprising a filament position detector means including a filament contactor means mounted on a first shaft arranged in use to extend parallel to the axis of a bobbin so that the contactor means reciprocates parallel to the axis of said bobbin, said contactor means being so designed as to urge, in use, the filament against the surface of said drum portion or the previously would layer of filament at the portion or the previously wound layer of filament at the point where the filament is wound onto said drum portion; traverser means mounted to be drivingly reciprocated on a second shaft extending parallel to the axis of said first shaft; sychronising means for moving the traverser means in synchronism with said filament position detector means; and lifting means for moving said filament position detector means generally towards and away from said drum portion.

4. A winding machine as claimed in

Claim 3, wherein said contactor means comprises two elements, each end of said contactor elements being of an 'L' shaped cross section.

5. A winding machine, as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the end of said contactor means is of a 'T' shaped cross section.

6. A winding machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a portion of the end of said contactor means is movable towards and away from the bobbin in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis of said bobbin, said portion projecting towards the drum portion of said bobbin.

7. A winding machine as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said two contactor elements are provided for use during leftward and rightward traversing strokes, respectively of the contactor means.

8. A winding machine as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 including a detector means for detecting when, in use, the contactor means is adjacent a flange of said bobbin.

9. A winding machine, as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said detector means comprise limit switches.

10. A winding machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said detector means comprise photoswitches.

11. A winding machine as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, including a pair of distance detector members for contacting the inner surfaces of opposite flanges of said bobbin to determine the distance between the inner surfaces of said flanges, said distance detecting members being mounted so as to be withdrawable to a non-operative position.

12. A winding machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 including a resistance producing means for causing said contactor means to apply a force to said filament as it is being wound in a direction towards the already wound filament in the layer.

13. A winding machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein said traverser means includes a slide guide member for urging the filament in the direction of the filament being wound.

14. A winding machine as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 12 or as modified as shown in Figures 13 or 14 or 15 of the accompanying drawings.