JP2009531553A - Spinning machine with wirelessly connected sensors and actuators - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention is a spinning machine including at least one sensor and at least one actuator, wherein the sensor senses an operating state of the spinning machine and sends a signal characterizing the operating state, Supplied to an actuator, the actuator starting a measure in response to the signal, at least the sensor (1) is connected to the actuator (3) via a wireless connection (2) . Thus, a conductive connection between the sensor and the actuator is not necessary.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a spinning machine comprising at least one sensor and at least one actuator, wherein the sensor senses the operating state of the spinning machine and sends a signal characterizing the operating state, the signal being the actuator. And the actuator initiates action in response to the signal.

Prior art Spinners often have a number of sensors that sense a predetermined operating condition of the machine and send a signal representative of this operating condition or a signal indicating the occurrence or error of this operating condition. This signal is then fed to one or more actuators via a separate signal line or bus system, and these actuators initiate action adapted to the function in response to this signal.

  An example of such a series of functions is a yarn cutting monitoring device. This yarn cutting monitoring device activates a device that interrupts the supply of the coarse yarn to a drawing machine (Streckwerk) or the like when yarn cutting occurs. A yarn cutting sensor is disposed in the yarn traveling unit, and this yarn cutting sensor senses yarn cutting and sends a signal. This signal is supplied via the signal line of the roving stop device, whereby the roving supply is interrupted.

  The working connection between each of the many yarn cutting sensors in the yarn running section at each spinning position and the coarse yarn stopping device respectively assigned to this yarn running section requires a number of conductor connections. Although the required wire connections can be omitted by bus connections between multiple sensors and multiple actuators, conductive connections between these components are still necessary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to make signal transmission easier by omitting a conductive connection between a sensor and an actuator. This problem is solved by the characterizing features described in the main claim of the invention.

  A one-way wireless connection from the sensor to the actuator is usually sufficient. In many cases, however, bidirectional wireless connections from the sensor to the actuator and from the actuator to the sensor are advantageous when the actuator needs to be able to adjust the operation of the sensor.

  The wireless connection can use any known transmission method such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, WLAN.

  In order to omit the connection of conductors for the purpose of supplying energy, it is conceivable to provide a separate battery for at least each sensor. Typically, an actuator is provided with a conductor connection to the component that the actuator regulates so that the conductor connection can also take over the energy supply of the actuator. However, of course, the actuator can be configured to be energy self-supporting.

  Self-sufficient energy supply can be achieved by at least a small amount of the required energy of the sensor being extracted from light, heat, vibration, force, etc.

Detailed Description of the Invention In the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown.
FIG. 1 shows a sensor / actuator combination that only works in one direction.
FIG. 2 shows a sensor / actuator combination acting in both directions.
FIG. 3 shows a sensor / actuator combination comprising a plurality of sensors supplying signals to only one actuator.
FIG. 4 shows a sensor / actuator combination comprising a plurality of actuators supplying signals to only one sensor.

  The sensor / actuator combination of FIG. 1 consists of a sensor S connected to an actuator A via a wireless connection 1.

  This sensor has on the one hand a sensor that can be influenced by action 2. This action is a force, for example, a pressure generated by the displacement of the yarn. This action can also be an effect of light, for example an effect of the light barrier on the receiver. Furthermore, this action can be a temperature, for example a thermocouple that senses the temperature. Other actions are possible. The sensor advantageously sends out an electrical signal, which can be proportional to the force exerted.

  The sensor, on the other hand, has a transmitter that converts the signal output by the sensor into a high frequency signal, which is encoded and transmitted. Further, the sensor is provided with an energy supply unit not shown in detail here, and this supply unit can be a battery. Alternatively, this energy supply can be performed by the action of light, heat, vibration, or the like. Due to the short distance to climb over the wireless bridge 1 (usually 1 to 100 m), the energy demand of the sensor is very small and can be covered by the sources described above.

  Sensor S transmits a signal to actuator A via the sensor's wireless transmitter. Correspondingly, the actuator A is equipped with a wireless receiver for sensor signals. This radio receiver decodes the signal and converts this signal into a signal to be transmitted via the signal line 3 only if the code of this signal is defined for this receiver. Thereafter, the spinning machine or the components of the spinning machine are activated. This actuator can also be provided with a self-sufficient energy supply unit, like the sensor.

  An example of application of such a sensor / actuator combination is yarn cutting monitoring of a spinning machine. Here, the sensor S can be arranged in the yarn traveling section at the spinning position of the spinning machine, and when the yarn is cut, this sensor sends a radio signal to the actuator in the roving stop device at the spinning position. Then, the roving stop device is activated to interrupt the roving supply to the spinning position.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the wireless connections 1, 1 ′ are configured bi-directionally so that the actuator A is also connected to the sensor S. Here, the actuator can also influence the sensor and adjust the signal formation of the sensor. For this purpose, the actuator has a wireless transmitter, and the signal of this actuator can be received and converted by a sensor having a wireless receiver as well.

  Thus, for example, in the application case described above, the actuator instructs the sensor not to generate a yarn cut signal until the generated yarn cut is repaired and as long as the yarn cut signal prevents this.

  Of course, the signals exchanged between the sensor S and the actuator A must be encoded so that these signals are only supplied to both the given sensor and actuator of interest.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an application example in which a plurality of sensors S are supplied with signals to only one actuator A is also conceivable. Here all sensor signals have the same code that matches the assigned actuator.

  FIG. 4 conversely shows an arrangement in which one actuator A is supplied with signals to a plurality of sensors S. The plurality of actuator radio signals have one code, to which all intended sensors respond. The application example of this embodiment is implemented, for example, when the signal formation of a plurality of sensors should be coincident and started or changed.

  In addition to signal transmission, the sensor and / or actuator lead connection can be dispensed with, in addition to signal transmission, in particular by the self-sufficient energy supply of the sensor and likewise by the self-sufficient energy supply of the actuator. This makes installation of sensors and / or actuators very simple, quick and low cost. Of course, if a conductor connection is required for the sensor or for the actuator as in the embodiment via the signal line 3, any self-sufficient energy supply is not necessary.

  In many cases, the sensor signal need only be identified as yes-no. However, there are cases where the sensor signal must be proportional to the situation investigated. For example, a sensor that senses the temperature, i.e., a sensor that monitors the temperature rise of the component or the component space, can start the cooling device via the actuator in the first temperature region. In the higher second temperature region, the warning lamp can be activated, and in the third dangerous temperature region, the heat generating component can be shut off.

  The subject matter of the present invention arises not only from the structure of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims.

  All of the problems, features, and particularly illustrated spatial configurations disclosed in this application are claimed as essential features of the present invention as long as they are new to the prior art, either individually or in combination.

FIG. 1 shows a sensor / actuator combination that only works in one direction. FIG. 2 shows a sensor / actuator combination acting in both directions. FIG. 3 shows a sensor / actuator combination comprising a plurality of sensors supplying signals to only one actuator. FIG. 4 shows a sensor / actuator combination comprising a plurality of actuators supplying signals to only one sensor.

Claims (5)

A spinning machine comprising at least one sensor and at least one actuator,
The sensor senses the operating state of the spinning machine and sends a signal characterizing the operating state;
The signal is supplied to the actuator;
In the spinning machine, the actuator starts measures in response to the signal,
At least the sensor (1) is connected to the actuator (3) via a wireless connection (2),
A spinning machine characterized by that. The spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein
The wireless connection (2) acts in both directions, so the actuator (3) also initiates action on the sensor (1),
A spinning machine characterized by that. In the spinning machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The wireless system (2) operates using known methods (Zigbee, Bluetooth, WLAN),
A spinning machine characterized by that. In the spinning machine according to claim 1 or 2,
At least the sensor (1) is powered by a battery,
A spinning machine characterized by that. In the spinning machine according to claim 1 or 2,
At least the sensor (1) is configured to be self-sufficient in energy,
The sensor obtains the energy of the sensor from light, heat, vibration, force, etc.
A spinning machine characterized by that.

Images