EP0648872A1 - Fault detector and indicator for spinning station - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for indicating spinning-station faults and for qualifying them is proposed. Also proposed is a method for recording and evaluating faults which have occurred on a yarn-spinning station, according to which the abovementioned fault indicator can operate. In order to increase the operating effectiveness of the spinning machine and in order, when a fault occurs in the yarn or in another electrical or mechanical device of the spinning machine, to induce a reaction appropriate to the hierarchy or quality of the fault indication, the parameter signal of the yarn obtained from a measuring device (20) is fed to an evaluation stage (21, 22) which transmits the fault-indication signals. These are assigned to fault groups (A, B, C, D) predetermined in an assignment section (23) provided directly at the spinning station. The output signals from the assignment section in each case represent a group of faults which (automatically) induce graded fault-elimination reactions. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a malfunction indicator and qualifier and thereby to a device for assigning specific malfunction messages and a method for detecting and evaluating the accidents which have occurred at a spinning station of a spinning machine.

Modern spinning machines work essentially automatically and at a particularly high speed. A large number of individual spinning positions (spinning boxes) are lined up and independently of one another develop a preset yarn from an individually fed fiber sliver. For this purpose, the sliver is loosened with an opening roller and the loosened fibers are passed through an air flow into a rotor rotating at a very high speed, where the fibers are collected in a fiber collecting groove in order to pull a yarn or a thread from the conical rotor, which is open on one side, approximately in the middle, which is guided over pulleys or rollers and possibly a traverse to be wound on a spool. In order to ensure the quality of the drawn yarn, it is necessary to record and evaluate the quality of the yarn as soon as possible. For this purpose, a measuring device (measuring head) is usually provided, which is arranged between the yarn take-off and the take-up spool in the course of the yarn.

Due to the high speed, it is necessary for a quick assessment of a yarn error to have a quick error detection available. However, the speed of error detection must not go hand in hand with an increased failure frequency due to incorrectly recognized "errors" in the yarn. This is also dealt with by CH 448 836 A5, which would like to recognize irregularities in a yarn and which provides for two "groups", the first group comprising the natural, purely statistical fluctuations in the number of fibers in a yarn and the resulting fluctuations in the yarn cross section, and the second Group is the "actual group of irregularities", which can be described as real yarn defects. The CH patent mentions, for example, the foreign bodies in the yarn, such as shells, pieces of wood or bast fibers, it also calls machine defects, out-of-round stretching cylinders or irregularities resulting from operating errors, such as dirty cleaners and spun-in dust particles (flight). In order to distinguish the first from the second group, the CH patent proposes the use of two criteria, namely the thread thickness and a length dimension. By adding the length dimension, short, relatively thick faults, which are basically not disturbing, are not recognized as fault group 2, but are assigned to fault group 1. If, on the other hand, long thread sections that only slightly exceed the average thread cross-section are spun, they interfere sensitively so that they are assigned to the essentially essential error group 2.

The invention is therefore based, inter alia, on the problem of not only distinguishing between a real malfunction and an insignificant "malfunction", but also to carry out a malfunction report and qualification at a spinning station which is comprehensive and accurate about the current status - better: the accident just occurred - informed.

This object is achieved by the invention, the main features of which are described in claims 1 (fault indicators and qualifiers) and 10 (recording and evaluation methods).

The invention (s) according to claim 1 and claim 10 - also in their respective concretizations according to dependent claims 2 to 9 and 11 to 13 - recognize that it is insufficient to indicate only one error or no error, rather they take one Assignment of the errors that have occurred and recognized immediately and this assignment enables you to define specific accident groups, each of which requires individual handling of the incident that has occurred. This ensures that each error only triggers a response that is appropriate to its quality. If it is a particularly important error, for example a defect in a measuring device, the spinning station must be switched off. If a fault is detected, for example, in the stationary thickness of the yarn, which is not due to mechanical intervention (Automatic walker) can be remedied or attempts to fix it have been unsuccessful, the spinning position can be blocked in order to be fundamentally functional, however, this function can only be continued if the error in this category has been eliminated by an operator. When blocking, a thread break is created and this spinning position is blocked for the automatic walking machine. Finally, a lighter yarn error, such as a brief fluctuation in the yarn thickness, can cause the spinning station to stop, whereby a yarn break (artificial) is generated in order to spin on a new yarn with the help of an automatic walking machine. Finally, it is possible to define an incident group that only has a notification hierarchy; the "malfunction" that occurs is only logged by means of a printer or by means of a display device, but the production at this spinning station is not stopped.

These four examples of fault groups, switching off the spinning station, blocking the spinning station, stopping the spinning station or notification / warning for this spinning station are examples of possible hierarchies which can be individually defined and put together according to the invention. For this purpose, the invention provides an assignment section which carries out the qualifying assessment of the yarn defects measured by the evaluation stage via the measuring device. In addition to the yarn errors, such error signals can also enter the accident groups that are caused by the electronics or mechanics and that cannot be measured via the yarn thickness, but rather are fed to the assignment section via separate measurement signals.

It is true that the invention can be used in such a way that a fixed assignment of certain malfunctions (failures, static yarn errors, short-term yarn deviations) is assigned to a specific malfunction group with a specific reporting hierarchy; these are the so-called default settings, which can be set at the factory as a default. In addition, however, the invention can also work with variable assignments (Claim 7, claim 11), which enables individual adaptation of the spinning machine with its large number of spinning stations. The adaptation of the spinning machine preset in the factory can be made dependent on the customer, it can be tailored to the individual situation in which the spinning machine works (user-specific). A change can also be made dependent on certain designs of the spinning machine and can be influenced by certain special requests that are built into a user-specific machine (machine-specific). Finally, there is the possibility of changing the accident groups on a company-specific basis, depending on how the machine behaves at the installation site in the yarn spinning mode. This substantiates claims 13 or 4, which step up a particular accident in a hierarchy if the rectification of this accident cannot be remedied by the intended person, by the intended machine or by simply threading and re-spinning.

Overall, the invention creates much more than the comprehensive and accurate information about the operating state and the incident that has just occurred. Instead, the decentralized qualification of these incidents enables the fault to be eliminated much more quickly by eliminating the accident because the "responsible organ" for each group, the spinner , the vending machine, the mechanic, the electronics technician or the operations center can be informed immediately and immediately - without intermediate considerations or decisions by an operator. The time that a spinning station or a spinning section or even the entire machine is at a standstill can thus be reduced considerably, so that the effectiveness of the spinning machine can be considerably improved with the invention and the central control is relieved of low-quality fault messages.

There is also the possibility, in addition to the immediate elimination of interference sources of the respective incident from an accident group, a sub-grouping in an accident group to make, for example, for certain yarn defects (claim 4, 6, 7).

Finally, the invention can also be used for statistical purposes in order to create a longer-term log of the respective spinning machine, with its errors classified according to groups, in order to obtain reliable information about more frequent error sources and to be able to specifically address these error sources for this user-specific machine. Maintenance time and follow-up costs can therefore be reduced.

The thickness measurement d (t) of the yarn is primarily proposed as parameters which are measured in order to recognize the yarn defects; parameters can also be added, e.g. the thread length (claims 8, 9).

In addition to the signal signals for yarn defects, the assignment section can be supplied with one or more signals from the spinning machine or the spinning station or a spinning station section from their respective mechanical or electronic parts. Monitoring signals for the sensor of the thickness measurement d (t) or speed signals for sliver entry and / or yarn take-off, the function or values of which can be monitored electronically, should be mentioned as an example (claim 12).

An example of the invention is intended to deepen its understanding and possible applications.

For this purpose, the only figure shows a partially schematic representation of a rotor 10 from which a yarn 1 is drawn off at high speed via take-off rollers or rolls 12. FZ schematically indicates the fiber feed, via which fibers of a fiber sliver that are broken up by an opening roller are fed. However, this part of the spinning station is of secondary importance here, which is why it is not dealt with in depth. The geometry of the thread or yarn path is also of secondary importance, it is only shown schematically in the figure.

In the rotor 10 in the fiber collecting groove 10b at the high speed supplied via the drive shaft 11, the yarn is formed, which is twisted when it is pulled off and is then guided to a take-up spool 14 via a traverse device 14a. Before or after the take-off rollers 12, a measuring device 20 is provided, which can consist of a capacitor through which the drawn thread runs. It is used to measure the current thread thickness d (t) via the thread mass or alternatively via an optical detection. A pressure roller 13 can serve for speed detection v (t).

The measuring device 20 is electrically connected to an evaluation stage 21, which processes the signals of the thickness measuring device 20 directly on site and amplifies them if necessary. Interference signals can be filtered out here, but the measurement signal can also only be amplified.

The evaluation stage 21 feeds a distributor (bus) to which a multiplicity of error detection modules 22a, 22b, 22c ... 22f, which are arranged decentrally at the spinning station, are connected. Each of these detection modules - in the following briefly: 22 - stands for an individual type of error in the yarn. In this way, the error identification 22a can immediately and clearly recognize an L / T error of the measurement signal on the bus. The error detection 22d can For example, recognize an N or an S error, which can mean a short thick spot or only a very short thick spot in the yarn. An excessive irregularity in the yarn, caused by errors in the opening roller, the feed roller or the take-off rollers 12, can detect the CV error detection 22e from the bus signal of the evaluation unit 21. The Nm value is observed by the C monitor 22c; Module 22b identifies moiré errors.

If error identifiers 22 are implemented in terms of program technology, the hardware solution of the figure operating in parallel results in a sequential succession of software identifiers in the program, which are all fed with the same measurement signal d (t). The identifiers 22 then advantageously correspond to subroutines 22, each of which identifies an error, for which purpose they are called up by a distributor, even in different frequencies, depending on the weight of the error or the speed at which the error must be recognized.

In addition to the fault detections in the bus signal, other mechanical or electrical faults can also be fed in via a unit 24, which cannot be detected via a measuring head 20. However, they still have an influence on the function of the spinning station, possibly even such a considerable influence that the spinning station must be switched off when certain modules have failed or certain measuring or monitoring functions are no longer functional.

All the individualized incidents - each one forms an individual error at the spinning station - are grouped in an assignment unit 23. Four groups A, B, C and D are shown as examples, each of which corresponds to a decentralized fault hierarchy. Error group A is shown schematically as such an error group that emits an optical signal. Incident group B is assigned to an electrically transmitted signal. With this signal, for example, a robot unit (automatic walking machine) be notified to check this spinning position as soon as possible or to initiate a new thread approach. These assignments A → optical or B → electrical have an exemplary character. It goes without saying that the fault group A can also be signaled electrically, just as the electrical signaling of fault group B can also be optical, for example via glass fiber cables. Accompanying acoustic signals can also be triggered.

The assignment unit 23 combines the possible accidents that are supplied by the individual detection units 22 and assigns them to specific accident groups A, B, C or D. In addition, the sources of errors or faults are also assigned, which are fed to the mechanics or electronics of the spinning station or the spinning device via the error detection 24, they usually have a considerable weight, so that they can be assigned to the shutdown fault group D. However, even minor electronics or mechanical errors can be compensated for by redundancy, so that the failure of one of the redundant devices does not lead to a shutdown, but only to a signaling of a (still) harmless malfunction to be remedied soon.

The assignment can be achieved in different ways. It is possible to assign certain errors to certain group signals A, B, C or D using jumpers. A diode matrix can also be used (shown schematically in the figure). Another possibility is a technical implementation in which the memory cells are linked, which stand for a respective error signal. Finally, there is the possibility of using discrete logic, in which a plurality of AND gates with at least two inputs are used, one input being assigned to an output of an error identifier 22a, 22b and the other input to a control signal as to whether this AND Gate should be activated. The outputs of all AND gates are linked via OR gates so that, for example, the Error output A is only linked to a certain number of AND gate outputs that form this fault group.

In the example, the assignments of the error identifiers 22a to 22e are selected in such a way that they define two groups, namely group A, which enables visual displays, and group B, which transmits an electrical signal to a moving robot unit (automatic walker). These two hierarchies of error assignment can also be viewed as if they form two subgroups to a global group of yarn errors (long or short yarn errors). Then all the error identifiers 22a to 22e are assigned to an accident group - the accident group of yarn errors - and within this yarn error incident group there is a sub-grouping into the two optically or electrically indicating error signals shown.

The dashed lines indicate the changeability of the assignment of the fault signals to the group output signals.

As the highest signal in its hierarchy, a switch-off signal D is shown, with which the spinning station is switched off completely. This output D (switching off the spinning station) can be assigned the faults, which are still to be remedied on site, but only through intervention by a qualified specialist.

An optical error indicator was mentioned at output A. It can affect a viewing screen, it can affect LED displays that can be varied in shape and flashing frequency, but it can also affect a printer that prints a message about a specific fault that was not significant and only needs to be logged . For example, a short yarn thickness error that has automatically cleared itself up.

In addition to the three exemplary exits shown, further exits can be provided, such as an exit C, which blocks the spinning position by artificially creating a thread break and blocking this spinning position for the traveling machine. This can result in a logged message and the corresponding maintenance personnel must be informed.

The individual errors of the error identifiers drawn in should be briefly mentioned; 22a identifies the L / T yarn defects that relate to thick spots and are a summary of the long defects. Error identification 22b identifies moiré errors that arise when the yarn has a varying thickness with a certain repetition frequency. The C yarn monitoring is the stationary thickness monitoring, it is filtered with the error identifier 22c from the bus signal from the evaluation stage 21. These three exemplary errors are summarized in an error group A, which cause optical signaling, for example to the spinning machine operator, so that the operator can eliminate an error that can be easily rectified and within the scope of his technical horizon. Such a mistake can be cleaning the rotor, after which it can be rewound. It is also possible to change a spool or the supply belt. If the automatic walking device is set up accordingly, automated troubleshooting can also be carried out on this hierarchy.

The N / S yarn errors and the CV yarn errors are summarized in error group B. The N / S errors are the short errors, they include the short and very short thick points. In addition, the error group B is assigned the CV errors, which denote the large long-term irregularities in the yarn thickness. They can arise, for example, from errors in the opening roller, the feed roller or the take-off roller. Here, a significantly more qualified staff is required because high accuracy is important when changing or replacing rollers and here the person who remedies the fault or the automatic walking machine who was called in with fault group A, no longer have sufficient technical knowledge or mechanical options. For this reason, fault group B can be used to call in a technician, but the automatic walker can also be brought in via an electrical signal in order to carry out certain tests in order to perhaps do without a fitter. If multiple attempts to start again or fail to start failing, the error signal is shifted one group higher, which is shown schematically with C and which leads to blocking (thread breakage and blocking for automatic walker) of the spinning station. As an example, an attempt n times to spin again after a CV error is recognized by the identifier 22f.

Error group D is the one that will completely switch off the spinning station. A significant error that cannot be easily remedied has occurred here, so that the machine manufacturer must be informed. An example of this is a damaged measuring head 20 if no redundant second measuring head is provided. Another example is the failure of length measurement 25.

• (1) Versuch des Automaten, den Garnfehler durch Fadenbruch und Neuanspinnen, ggf. Reinigung, zu beheben (Fehlergruppe A).
• (2) Spinner/Spinnerin zur Fehlerbehebung herbeisignalisieren (Fehlergruppe B), insbesondere nachdem (1) erfolglos blieb.
• (3) Fachpersonal oder Monteur benachrichtigen (Fehlergruppe C), insbesondere nachdem (2) erfolglos blieb. Anschließend wird die Spinnstelle blockiert.
• (4) Maschinenhersteller oder Gruppenleiter informieren (Fehlergruppe D).

An advantageous hierarchy of error responses and a corresponding error group assignment is, for example:

• (1) Attempt by the machine to correct the yarn error by breaking the thread and re-spinning, possibly cleaning (error group A).
• (2) Signal spinner for troubleshooting (error group B), especially after (1) was unsuccessful.
• (3) Notify specialist personnel or mechanic (error group C), especially after (2) was unsuccessful. The spinning station is then blocked.
• (4) Inform machine manufacturer or group leader (error group D).

Unsuccessful attempts to rectify errors lead to an independent increase in the hierarchy, as indicated above by the "particular" additions. For example, re-spinning the machine in the event of a persistent yarn fault (group A) will signal the fault to the spinner (group B), etc.

It goes without saying that the clearly illustrated error identifiers 22, 24, which provide reports of malfunctions that have occurred (yarn errors, machine errors, electronic errors), can be contained not only discretely but also in a signal processor or microcomputer, where certain error detection routines (subroutines ) interrupt-controlled or can run repeatedly in the main program. The interrupt routines then form the error or fault identifiers because they perform their function, but which function cannot be depicted.

To improve the fault detection, for example in the group of yarn defects, further measured variables, such as speed v (t) or thread length s (t) or thread difference length Δs and limit values or tolerance bands that can be set, can be used. In order to detect these “further parameters” of the moving yarn, a speed measurement can be provided, which is indicated schematically as a slip-free idler roller 13. The timer 26 enables the converter 25 to determine the yarn length Δs from the measurement signal v of the speedometer 13. Alternatively, the number of revolutions of the roller 13 can be counted with a known roller circumference. The signal Δs can be used by means of a program or in the discrete error identifiers 22a, 22b, ....

A device for reporting spinning station malfunctions and their qualification is proposed. A method for detecting and evaluating incidents that have occurred at a yarn spinning station is also proposed, according to which the aforementioned fault indicator can operate. In order to increase the operational effectiveness of the spinning machine and to trigger a reaction appropriate to the hierarchy or the quality of the fault message in the event of a malfunction in the yarn or in another electrical or mechanical device of the spinning machine, the parameter signal of the Yarns fed to an evaluation stage (21, 22) which emits fault signal signals. These are assigned to predefined accident groups (A, B, C, D) in an assignment section (23) provided directly at the spinning station. The output signals of the assignment section each stand for a group of faults that initiate graded fault clearance reactions (automatically).

Claims (13)

Spinning station fault notifier and qualifier, - With a measuring device (20, 25) for measuring at least one parameter of a moving yarn in a spinning station; - With an evaluation stage (21; 22; 22a, 22b, 22c ...), in which the measured parameters of the yarn are continuously evaluated taking into account predefined criteria in order to report interference signals (L / T, M₀, C, N / S , CV); - With an assignment section (23) for the qualifying assignment of the fault signal signals in predetermined fault groups (A, B, C, D). Device according to claim 1, in which
the yarn (1) is drawn off from a rotor (10; 10a, 10b; 11) which can be driven at high speed and is fed to a winding device (14), the yarn parameter measuring device (20) between the take-off location on the rotor and the winding device (14) in the yarn path , preferably near the point of departure. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which accident groups (A, B, C, D) are formed directly (decentrally) at the spinning station and have different reporting hierarchies. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which a control is provided so that, in the case of multiple attempts - either unsuccessful or only partially successful - to remedy the same fault (22f), the fault automatically falls into a fault group (B, C , D) to promote. Device according to claim 3 or 4, in which - a reporting hierarchy (C) blocks the spinning station; and or - a (different) reporting hierarchy (B) stops the spinning station; and or - A (further) reporting hierarchy (B) signals a malfunction that can be remedied to a walking automat; in particular by causing a thread break / yarn break; and or - a (further) reporting hierarchy (D) completely switches off the spinning station; and or - A (further) message hierarchy (A) generates a visual message, in particular prints a message, displays a message on a display screen or activates one or more signal lamps Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of sub-accident groups are defined within an accident group (A, B, C, D). Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the qualifying assignment (23) of the fault signal signals or the sub-fault group can be changed. Device according to one of the claims mentioned,
at which the measuring device - Contains a capacitor (20) traversed by the yarn in order to continuously determine the instantaneous thickness (d) of the thread based on its mass or - Has an optical sensor for inertia-free determination of the thread thickness. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which a further measuring device (25, 26, 13) is provided in order to supply the evaluation stage (21, 22) with further yarn parameters, such as thread length per time (v) or thread length (Δs). Procedure for recording and evaluating incidents that have occurred at a yarn spinning station at the
Two or more accident groups (A, B, C, D) are defined, to which individual malfunctions in the operation of the yarn spinning station, in particular groups of yarn errors, electronic component errors, mechanical function element errors, are assigned in order to provide graded accident elimination reactions (automatically) to cause. Method according to Claim 10, in which the assignment of the malfunctions to the malfunction groups (A, B, C, D) can be changed, specifically in a machine-specific, user-specific and / or company-specific manner. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, in which - an accident group (B) signals a vending machine, - an accident group (A) causes manual troubleshooting by a spinner, - an incident group (B, C) notifies a mechanic or electronics technician of the maintenance personnel, - an accident group (C) blocks the spinning station, - An accident group (D) switches off the spinning station and / or - An incident group (D) informs the machine manufacturer. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, in which multiple attempts - unsuccessful or only partially successful - to remedy the same incident (22f) have the effect that the incident is automatically upgraded to an incident group (B, C, D) which is more important in its hierarchy becomes.

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