[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

EP3988488A1 - Yarn winder - Google Patents

Yarn winder Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3988488A1
EP3988488A1 EP21197422.5A EP21197422A EP3988488A1 EP 3988488 A1 EP3988488 A1 EP 3988488A1 EP 21197422 A EP21197422 A EP 21197422A EP 3988488 A1 EP3988488 A1 EP 3988488A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
yarn
fulcrum
fulcrum guides
winding
guides
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP21197422.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3988488B1 (en
Inventor
Tosei Yonekura
Shunya Tanaka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TMT Machinery Inc
Original Assignee
TMT Machinery Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TMT Machinery Inc filed Critical TMT Machinery Inc
Publication of EP3988488A1 publication Critical patent/EP3988488A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3988488B1 publication Critical patent/EP3988488B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H57/00Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor
    • B65H57/14Pulleys, rollers, or rotary bars
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01DMECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
    • D01D11/00Other features of manufacture
    • D01D11/04Fixed guides
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H57/00Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor
    • B65H57/003Arrangements for threading or unthreading the guide
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H57/00Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor
    • B65H57/16Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor formed to maintain a plurality of filaments in spaced relation
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/31Textiles threads or artificial strands of filaments
    • B65H2701/313Synthetic polymer threads
    • B65H2701/3132Synthetic polymer threads extruded from spinnerets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a yarn winder configured to wind yarns onto bobbins attached to a winding shaft while traversing the yarns about fulcrum guides that are aligned in the axial direction of the winding shaft.
  • a known yarn winder is configured to wind yarns spun out from a spinning apparatus onto bobbins attached to a winding shaft, while traversing the yarns.
  • fulcrum guides that function as fulcrums when the yarns are traversed are aligned in the axial direction of the winding shaft.
  • roller-shaped fulcrum guides guide rollers in Patent Literature 2 each having a central axis that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the winding shaft are provided, and yarns are placed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the fulcrum guides.
  • the fulcrum guides are arranged not to rotate about each central axis, when the yarns are wound.
  • the fulcrum guides are rollers arranged to be freely rotatable about each central axis.
  • the fulcrum guides of Patent Literature 2 are arranged to be freely rotatable.
  • the fulcrum guides always rotate due to the friction with the yarns during yarn winding, and hence the local wearing is suppressed.
  • the fulcrum guides need bearings.
  • the bearings tend to be damaged soon due to the high-speed rotation of the fulcrum guides, and cost and labor are disadvantageously needed for the maintenance of the bearings.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a yarn winder in which local wearing of fulcrum guides is reliably suppressed and the fulcrum guides does not need bearings.
  • the present invention relates to a yarn winder configured to wind yarns onto bobbins attached to a winding shaft while traversing the yarns about fulcrum guides that are aligned in the axial direction of the winding shaft, the fulcrum guides being rollers each having a central axis, having outer circumferential surfaces on which the yarns are placed, and being arranged not to rotate about the central axis during yarn winding, the yarn winder comprising: a movement mechanism configured to move the fulcrum guides between winding positions where the yarn winding is performed and yarn threading positions where yarn threading is performed; and a rotation mechanism configured to automatically rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides about the central axis, when the movement mechanism moves the fulcrum guides between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions.
  • the at least one fulcrum guide includes two fulcrum guides that are outermost ones in the axial direction.
  • the at least one fulcrum guide includes all fulcrum guides.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably suppress the local wearing of all fulcrum guides.
  • the rotation mechanism includes: a gear portion provided on either each of the fulcrum guides or a holding unit holding each of the fulcrum guides; and an actuating member configured to rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides by actuating the gear portion when the fulcrum guides move.
  • Such a rotation mechanism makes it easy to adjust the angle of rotation of the fulcrum guide by, for example, rotating the fulcrum guide by an angle equivalent to one tooth of the gear portion in one adjustment.
  • the movement mechanism includes: sliders supporting the fulcrum guides; a guide rail to which the sliders are slidably attached; and a drive unit configured to move the sliders along the guide rail.
  • Such a movement mechanism is able to the move the fulcrum guides by moving the sliders along the guide rail.
  • the sliders neighboring each other in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail are close to each other when the fulcrum guides move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions.
  • This arrangement makes it easy to perform yarn threading because, when the fulcrum guides are at the yarn threading positions, the fulcrum guides are gathered to be close to one another.
  • the actuating member is provided on each of the sliders, and the actuating member includes: a protruding portion which protrudes from each of the sliders when the fulcrum guides are at the winding positions; and an actuating portion which is arranged to actuate the gear portion as the protruding portion is pressed by a neighboring one of the sliders, when the fulcrum guides move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably rotate the fulcrum guide by a predetermined angle by the actuating member, when the fulcrum guide moves to the yarn threading position.
  • the yarn winder further includes a biasing member arranged to bias the actuating member in a direction in which the protruding portion protrudes from each of the sliders.
  • This biasing member makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion to a state of protruding from the slider when the fulcrum guide moves to the winding position.
  • the yarn winder further includes an engaging member which is arranged not to actuate the gear portion during yarn winding.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide during yarn winding is avoided.
  • the actuating member is made of a deformable elastic material, when the fulcrum guides move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions, as the protruding portion is pressed by neighboring one of the sliders, the actuating member is deformed so that the actuating portion actuates the gear portion, and when the fulcrum guides move from the yarn threading positions to the winding positions, the protruding portion protrudes from each of the sliders on account of restoring force of the actuating member.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion to a state of protruding from the slider when the fulcrum guide moves to the winding position. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the biasing member is unnecessary on account of the use of the restoring force of the actuating member.
  • an engaging portion with which the gear portion is engaged during the yarn winding is formed to be integrated with the actuating member.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide during yarn winding is avoided. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the engaging portion is integrated with the actuating member.
  • the actuating member is provided on the guide rail.
  • the number of the actuating members can be reduced as compared to a case where an actuating member is provided for each slider.
  • the actuating member includes an actuating portion which is configured to rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides by actuating the gear portion only when the fulcrum guides move to one side in the longitudinal direction.
  • the actuating portion extends in the longitudinal direction and is elastically deformable, and an end portion of the actuating portion on the one side is shaped to extend toward the one side and away from the gear portion.
  • the actuating portion When the actuating portion is shaped in this way, the actuating portion makes contact with the gear portion and is deformed to extend away from the gear portion, at the time of the movement of the fulcrum guide toward the other side in the longitudinal direction. The actuating portion does not therefore rotate the fulcrum guide.
  • friction force between the holding unit and each of the sliders is adjusted so that each of the fulcrum guides is not rotated by each of the yarns during the yarn winding.
  • FIG. 1 is a profile of a spun yarn take-up apparatus of the present embodiment.
  • forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions of the spun yarn take-up apparatus.
  • the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 is configured to take up plural (16 in this embodiment) yarns Y spun out from a spinning apparatus 2 and includes godet rollers 3 and 4 and a yarn winder 10.
  • the spinning apparatus 2 is provided above the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 and is configured to spin out yarns Y which are made of synthetic resin.
  • the godet rollers 3 and 4 are provided below the spinning apparatus 2 and are rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor.
  • the yarns Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2 are sent to the yarn winder 10 via the godet rollers 3 and 4.
  • the yarn winder 10 is provided below the godet rollers 3 and 4.
  • the yarn winder 10 includes two bobbin holders 13 (equivalent to winding shafts of the present invention) cantilevered by a turret 12 accommodated in a frame 11.
  • the bobbin holders 13 extend in the front-rear direction (equivalent to an axial direction in the present invention) and are supported by the turret 12 at the rear end portions. It is possible to attach bobbins B to each bobbin holder 13 so that the bobbins B are aligned in the front-rear direction.
  • the bobbin holders 13 are each rotationally driven about an axis by an unillustrated motor.
  • the turret 12 is a disc-shaped member having a rotational axis in parallel to the front-rear direction.
  • the bobbin holders 13 are attached to an upper position and a lower position of the turret 12, respectively. The upper position and the lower position are deviated from each other in the circumferential direction by 180 degrees. As the turret 12 is rotated, the two bobbin holders 13 are moved between the upper and lower positions. At the bobbin holder 13 at the upper position, the yarns Y are wound onto the bobbins B and packages P are formed. Meanwhile, at the bobbin holder 13 at the lower position, the packages P are collected and new bobbins B are attached.
  • the yarn winder 10 includes a supporting frame 14 cantilevered by the frame 11.
  • the supporting frame 14 is supported at its rear end portion by the frame 11.
  • a guide unit 15 is provided above the supporting frame 14.
  • plural (16 in the present embodiment) fulcrum guides 16 are provided to be aligned in the front-rear direction.
  • the number of the fulcrum guides 16 is identical with the number of the yarns Y.
  • traverse units 17 are provided to be aligned in the front-rear direction.
  • the number of the traverse units 17 is identical with the number of the yarns Y.
  • the traverse unit 17 is configured to traverse the yarn Y in the front-rear direction about the corresponding fulcrum guide 16.
  • a contact roller 18 rotatably supported by the supporting frame 14 is provided below the supporting frame 14.
  • the contact roller 18 makes contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the packages P retained by the bobbin holder 13 at the upper position. As the contact roller 18 rotates while applying a predetermined contact pressure to each package P during yarn winding, the shape of the package P is adjusted.
  • FIG. 2 is a profile of the guide unit 15.
  • FIG. 2(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at winding positions
  • FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at yarn threading positions.
  • the winding positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 16 when the yarns Y are wound onto the bobbins B.
  • the yarn threading positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 16 when the yarns Y are threaded to the fulcrum guides 16.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 are arranged to be movable by a movement mechanism 20 between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions.
  • the guide unit 15 includes the fulcrum guides 16 and the movement mechanism 20.
  • the movement mechanism 20 includes sliders 21, a guide rail 22, and an air cylinder 23 (equivalent to a drive unit of the present invention).
  • the sliders 21 are identical in number with the fulcrum guides 16, and support the fulcrum guides 16 to be rotatable.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 are roller-shaped members that protrude rightward from the sliders 21 (see FIG. 5 ), and each of the fulcrum guides 16 has a central axis extending in a direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the axial direction of the bobbin holder 13.
  • the yarns Y are placed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the fulcrum guides 16. When the yarns Y are wound, the running yarns Y are in contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the fulcrum guides 16. As discussed later, during the yarn winding, each of the fulcrum guides 16 is arranged not to rotate about the central axis in accordance with the running of the yarns Y.
  • the guide rail 22 extends in the front-rear direction (equivalent to a longitudinal direction of the present invention) and is fixed to the supporting frame 14 through the intermediary of an unillustrated bracket.
  • the sliders 21 are attached to be lined up in the front-rear direction and to be slidable. Sliders 21 neighboring to each other in the front-rear direction are connected to each other by an unillustrated belt.
  • the rearmost slider 21 is connected to a rod 23a of the air cylinder 23.
  • the sliders 21 are lined up in the front-rear direction to be separated from one another.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 are also lined up in the front-rear direction to be separated from one another.
  • the positions of the fulcrum guides 16 in this state are the winding positions.
  • the contact positions between the yarns Y and the fulcrum guides 16, i.e., the fulcrums of the traverse of the yarns Y are at equal intervals.
  • the yarn paths of the yarns Y distributed from a godet roller 4 to the fulcrum guides 16 at the winding positions are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane that passes through the center of the fulcrum guides 16 in the front-rear direction.
  • Eight yarns Y that are the front half of the yarns Y are placed on the front sides of the respective fulcrum guides 16, whereas eight yarns Y that are the rear half of the yarns Y are placed on the rear sides of the respective fulcrum guides 16.
  • the rod 23a is elongated by driving the air cylinder 23.
  • the rearmost slider 21 connected to the rod 23a moves forward.
  • the rearmost slider 21 makes contact with the slider 21 immediately in front thereof and presses it forward.
  • each slider 21 makes contact with the slider 21 immediately in front thereof and presses it forward.
  • the expression "contact with” encompasses a case where, for example, sliders 21 are indirectly in contact with each other through the intermediary of another member (e.g., a protruding portion 33a of a later-described actuating member 33) as shown in FIG. 3(b) .
  • the air cylinder 23 stops. As a result, all of the sliders 21 are gathered at the front end portion of the guide rail 22, in a state in which the sliders 21 are close to one another.
  • the positions of the fulcrum guides 16 in this state are the yarn threading positions. Because the fulcrum guides 16 at the yarn threading positions are gathered at the front end portion of the guide rail 22 in a state in which the sliders 21 are close to one another, yarn threading to the fulcrum guides 16 can be easily done.
  • the front end portion of the guide rail 22 may be arranged to function as a stopper, or the rod 23a of the air cylinder 23 may be arranged to stop upon making contact with a stopper.
  • the air cylinder 23 is driven to contract the rod 23a, with the result that the rearmost slider 21 moves rearward.
  • the second rearmost slider 21 is pulled rearward.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 return to the winding positions shown in FIG. 2(a) .
  • the drive unit for moving the sliders 21 may be different from the air cylinder 23, and may be an actuator such as a motor.
  • FIG. 3 shows how a rotation mechanism 30 of First Example operates.
  • FIG. 3(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at winding positions
  • FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at yarn threading positions.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 shown in FIG. 3 are the frontmost fulcrum guides 16.
  • each slider 21 is provided with a rotary device 31.
  • a combination of the rotary devices 31 provided for the respective sliders 21 is termed a rotation mechanism 30.
  • the rotary device 31 includes a gear portion 32a formed on a holding unit 32 holding the fulcrum guide 16 and an actuating member 33 actuating the gear portion 32a.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 is fixed to the holding unit 32 and is rotatable together with the holding unit 32.
  • the holding unit 32 is attached to the slider 21 to be rotatable about the central axis of the fulcrum guide 16 (see a holding unit 52 shown in FIG. 5 ). With this arrangement, the fulcrum guide 16 is rotatable about the central axis.
  • the gear portion 32a, the actuating member 33, and a later-described engaging member 35 are all provided on the front side (right side) of the slider 21.
  • these members may be provided on the back side (left side) of the slider 21.
  • a protruding portion 33a is a portion which protrudes rearward from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 is at the winding position.
  • the protruding portion 33a extends rearward of the slider 21, and is pressed forward by the posterior slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the yarn threading position.
  • the actuating portion 33b is a portion that actuates the gear portion 32a. A leading end portion of the actuating portion 33b presses a tooth of the gear portion 32a.
  • the connecting portion 33c is a portion connecting the protruding portion 33a with the actuating portion 33b.
  • the actuating member 33 is biased rearward, i.e., in a direction in which the protruding portion 33a protrudes from the slider 21.
  • the protruding portion 33a may not protrude rearward and may protrude in another direction, as long as the protruding portion 33a is positioned to be pressed by the posterior slider 21.
  • an engaging member 35 is provided to be engaged with the gear portion 32a.
  • the engaging member 35 is swingable about a fulcrum 35a, and is biased toward the gear portion 32a by a spring 36.
  • the engaging member 35 prevents the gear portion 32a from rotating counterclockwise and prevents the fulcrum guide 16 from rotating counterclockwise.
  • the engaging member 35 and the teeth of the gear portion 32a are shaped so that clockwise rotation of the gear portion 32a is not obstructed by the engaging member 35.
  • the protruding portion 33a of the actuating member 33 is pressed forward by the posterior slider 21.
  • the actuating portion 33b of the actuating member 33 rotates the gear portion 32a clockwise, and hence the fulcrum guide 16 rotates clockwise.
  • the engaging member 35 swings counterclockwise as it is pressed by the teeth of the gear portion 32a which is rotating clockwise. The engaging member 35 does not therefore obstruct the rotation of the gear portion 32a.
  • an angle at which the actuating member 33 rotates the fulcrum guide 16, i.e., the gear portion 32a is adjusted to be equivalent to one tooth of the gear portion 32a.
  • the winding angle of the yarn Y is largest at the outermost fulcrum guides 16 among the fulcrum guides 16, and the circumferential range of wearing is widest at these outermost fulcrum guides 16.
  • the angle of rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 (which is equivalent to one teeth of the gear portion 32a) is arranged to be equal to or larger than the winding angle of the yarn Y at each outermost fulcrum guide 16, the progress of the wearing at the outermost fulcrum guides 16 is effectively suppressed.
  • the degree of rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 is not limited to this and may be suitably changeable.
  • the posterior slider 21 is separated. Due to this, the actuating member 33 is moved rearward by the biasing force of the spring 34, and the protruding portion 33a protrudes rearward from the slider 21.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 returns to the winding position and the winding of the yarn Y starts, a counterclockwise torque is applied to the fulcrum guide 16 due to the running of the yarn Y.
  • the rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 is prevented by the engaging member 35.
  • the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the front side in each of which the yarn Y is threaded to the front side, are structurally identical with the frontmost fulcrum guide 16. Meanwhile, in each of the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the rear side, the yarn Y is threaded to the rear side. On this account, the direction in which a torque is applied due to the running of the yarn Y during yarn winding is opposite to the direction in the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the front side, i.e., is counterclockwise.
  • the gear portion 32a, the actuating member 33, and the engaging member 35 on each of the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the rear side are provided to be symmetrical with those shown in FIG. 3 in the front-rear direction.
  • the arrangements explained above are mere examples.
  • the number of the fulcrum guides 16 in each of which the yarn Y is threaded on the front side and the number of the fulcrum guides 16 in each of which the yarn Y is threaded on the rear side may be changed, and may not be identical.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 are arranged to be movable by the movement mechanism 20 between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions.
  • the rotation mechanism 30 is provided to automatically rotate at least one fulcrum guide 16, when the fulcrum guides 16 are moved by the movement mechanism 20.
  • the at least one fulcrum guide includes two fulcrum guides 16 that are outermost ones in the axial direction.
  • the winding angle of a yarn Y on each guide increases from the central fulcrum guide 16 toward the outermost fulcrum guides 16.
  • the contact pressure of the yarn Y is large and hence the yarn Y tends to be disadvantageously worn.
  • the local wearing of the fulcrum guides 16 is basically resolved.
  • the at least one fulcrum guide includes all fulcrum guides 16. This arrangement makes it possible to reliably suppress the local wearing of all fulcrum guides.
  • the rotation mechanism 30 includes the gear portion 32a formed on the holding unit 32 holding the fulcrum guide 16 and the actuating member 33 rotating the fulcrum guide 16 by actuating the gear portion 32a when the fulcrum guides 16 are moved.
  • Such a rotation mechanism 30 makes it easy to adjust the angle of rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 by, for example, rotating the fulcrum guide 16 by an angle equivalent to one tooth of the gear portion 32a in one adjustment.
  • the movement mechanism 20 includes the sliders 21 supporting the fulcrum guides 16, the guide rail 22 to which the sliders 21 are slidably attached, and the air cylinder 23 configured to move the sliders 21 along the guide rail 22.
  • Such a movement mechanism 20 is able to the move the fulcrum guides 16 by moving the sliders 21 along the guide rail 22.
  • the actuating member 33 is attached to the slider.
  • the actuating member 33 includes the protruding portion 33a that protrudes from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guides 16 are at the winding positions and the actuating portion 33b that actuates the gear portion 32a as the protruding portion 33a presses the neighboring slider 21 when the fulcrum guides 16 move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably rotate the fulcrum guide 16 by a predetermined angle by the actuating member 33, when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the yarn threading position.
  • the spring 34 is provided to bias the actuating member 33 in the direction in which the protruding portion 33a protrudes from the slider 21. This spring 34 makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion 33a to a state of protruding from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the winding position.
  • the engaging member 35 is provided to prevent the gear portion 32a from being driven during yarn winding. This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion 32a during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 during yarn winding is avoided.
  • FIG. 4 shows how a rotation mechanism 40 of Second Example operates.
  • FIG. 4(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at winding positions
  • FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at yarn threading positions.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 shown in FIG. 4 are the frontmost fulcrum guides 16.
  • the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the front side, in each of which the yarn Y is threaded to the front side, are identical with one another.
  • a gear portion 42a and an actuating member 43 of each of the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the rear side are symmetrical with those of the fulcrum guide 16 on the front side, in the front-rear direction.
  • each slider 21 is provided with a rotary device 41.
  • a combination of the rotary devices 41 provided for the respective sliders 21 is termed a rotation mechanism 40.
  • the rotary device 41 includes a gear portion 42a formed on a holding unit 42 holding the fulcrum guide 16 and an actuating member 43 actuating the gear portion 42a.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 is fixed to the holding unit 42 and is rotatable together with the holding unit 42.
  • the holding unit 42 is attached to the slider 21 to be rotatable about the central axis of the fulcrum guide 16 (see a holding unit 52 shown in FIG. 5 ). With this arrangement, the fulcrum guide 16 is rotatable about the central axis.
  • the gear portion 42a and the actuating member 43 are provided on the back side (left side) of the slider 21. Alternatively, these members may be provided on the front side (right side) of the slider 21.
  • the actuating member 43 is made of a deformable elastic material such as resin.
  • a fixed portion 43a, a first arm portion 43b, a second arm portion 43c, a protruding portion 43d, an actuating portion 43e, and an engaging portion 43f are integrally formed.
  • the actuating member 43 is provided to surround the gear portion 42a by the first arm portion 43b and the second arm portion 43c.
  • the fixed portion 43a is fixed to the slider 21 by, for example, a bolt, and functions as a base end portion of the first arm portion 43b and the second arm portion 43c.
  • the first arm portion 43b extends downward from the fixed portion 43a, is bended, and then extends rearward.
  • the second arm portion 43c extends rearward from the fixed portion 43a.
  • the protruding portion 43d is formed at a leading end portion of the first arm portion 43b.
  • the protruding portion 43d is a portion which protrudes rearward from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 is at the winding position.
  • the actuating portion 43e is branched from the leading end portion of the first arm portion 43b and extends toward the gear portion 42a.
  • the actuating portion 43e is a portion that actuates the gear portion 42a. A leading end portion of the actuating portion 43e presses the teeth of the gear portion 42a.
  • the engaging portion 43f is formed at a leading end portion of the second arm portion 43c. The engaging portion 43f is engaged with the gear portion 42a in order to prevent the fulcrum guide 16 from rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 4 in accordance with the running of the yarn Y during yarn winding.
  • the second arm portion 43c is deformed in such a way that the engaging portion 43f is pressed rearward by a tooth of the gear portion 42a rotating clockwise, with the result that the engaging portion 43f does not obstruct the rotation of the gear portion 42a.
  • the first arm portion 43b regains the original shape on account of the restoring force of the actuating member 43 and the protruding portion 43d partially protrudes rearward from the slider 21.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 returns to the winding position and the winding of the yarn Y starts, a counterclockwise torque is applied to the fulcrum guide 16 due to the running of the yarn Y.
  • the rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 is prevented by the engaging portion 43f.
  • the actuating member 43 is made of a deformable elastic material.
  • the protruding portion 43d is pressed by the neighboring slider 21 while the fulcrum guides 16 move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions, the actuating member 43 is deformed so that the actuating portion 43e actuates the gear portion 42a.
  • the protruding portion 43d protrudes from the slider 21 on account of the restoring force of the actuating member 43.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion 43d to a state of protruding from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the winding position. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the biasing member is unnecessary on account of the use of the restoring force of the actuating member 43.
  • the engaging portion 43f with which the gear portion 42a is engaged during yarn winding is integrated with the actuating member 43.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion 42a during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 during yarn winding is avoided. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the engaging portion 43f is integrated with the actuating member 43.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross section of a rotation mechanism 50 of Third Example.
  • FIG. 6 is a top view of an actuating member 53 of the rotation mechanism 50 of Third Example.
  • FIG. 7 shows how the rotation mechanism 50 of Third Example operates.
  • FIG. 7(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the winding position to the yarn threading position
  • FIG. 7(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the yarn threading position to the winding position.
  • the rotation mechanism 50 of this example is different from the rotation mechanism 30 of First Example and the rotation mechanism 40 of Second Example mainly in two points. Firstly, an engaging member (or an engaging portion) with which a gear portion 52a is engaged in order to prevent a fulcrum guide 16 from rotating during yarn winding is not provided. Secondly, an actuating member 53 is provided not on each slider 21 but on a guide rail 22. The following will describe the details.
  • the rotation mechanism 50 of the example includes a gear portion 52a formed on a holding unit 52 holding each fulcrum guide 16 and an actuating member 53 actuating the gear portion 52a.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 is fixed to the holding unit 52 and is rotatable together with the holding unit 52.
  • the holding unit 52 is attached to an attachment hole 21a formed in the front surface (right surface) of the slider 21.
  • the friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is adjusted so that the fulcrum guide 16, i.e., the holding unit 52 does not rotate about the central axis in accordance with the running of the yarn Y during yarn winding. It is therefore possible to omit the engaging member in this example.
  • the gear portion 52a is provided on the back side (left side) of the slider 21 and is actuated by the actuating member 53 fixed to the guide rail 22.
  • the actuating member 53 is made of a deformable elastic material such as metal or resin, and is provided in the vicinity of a lower end portion of the gear portion 52a. As shown in FIG. 6 , the actuating member 53 is arranged such that a fixed portion 53a and an actuating portion 53b are integrated.
  • the fixed portion 53a is fixed to the guide rail 22 by, for example, a bolt.
  • the actuating portion 53b extends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the guide rail 22.
  • a front portion of the actuating portion 53b is a substantially horizontal plane, and overlaps the lower end portion of the gear portion 52a when viewed in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5 ).
  • the front end portion of the actuating portion 53b is able to press the teeth of the gear portion 52a.
  • a rear end portion of the actuating portion 53b is an inclined portion extending rearward and away from the gear portion 52a. As long as the rear end portion of the actuating portion 53b extends rearward and away from the gear portion 52a, the rear end portion may not be an inclined portion and may be a curved portion.
  • the friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is adjusted so that the gear portion 52a rotates when it is pressed by the front end portion of the actuating portion 53b.
  • the friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is larger than the tension of the yarn Y during yarn winding and smaller than the force with which the front end portion of the actuating portion 53b presses the gear portion 52a.
  • the actuating member 53 provided on the guide rail 22 rotates the fulcrum guide 16 about the central axis.
  • the number of the actuating members 53 may be two or more.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 is rotated when the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the yarn threading position to the winding position.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 may be rotated when the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the winding position to the yarn threading position.
  • the fulcrum guide 16 may be rotated both when moving from the winding position to the yarn threading position and when moving from the yarn threading position to the winding position.
  • the actuating member 53 is provided on the guide rail 22.
  • the number of the actuating members 53 can be reduced as compared to a case where an actuating member is provided for each slider 21.
  • the actuating member 53 includes the actuating portion 53b that rotates the fulcrum guide 16 by actuating the gear portion 52a only when the fulcrum guides 16 move to one side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 22.
  • the actuating member 53 does not rotate the fulcrum guide 16. It is therefore easy to adjust the rotational angle of the fulcrum guide 16.
  • the actuating portion 53b extends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the guide rail 22 and is elastically deformable. Furthermore, an end portion (rear end portion) on one side of the actuating portion 53b is shaped to extend toward one side (rearward) and away from the gear portion 52a. When the actuating portion 53b is shaped in this way, the actuating portion 53b makes contact with the gear portion 52a and is deformed to extend away from the gear portion 52a, at the time of the movement of the fulcrum guide 16 toward the other side (front side).The actuating portion 53b does not therefore rotate the fulcrum guide 16.
  • the friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is adjusted so that the fulcrum guide 16 is not rotated by the yarn Y during yarn winding.
  • the gear portion 32a, 42a, 52a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holding unit 32, 42, 52 holding the fulcrum guide 16.
  • the gear portion may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fulcrum guide 16.
  • the engaging member 35 is provided in First Example, whereas the engaging portion 43f is provided in Second Example.
  • the rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 during yarn winding may be prevented by increasing the friction force between the holding unit 32, 42 and the slider 21 as in Third Example.
  • an engaging member may be provided in Third Example.
  • all fulcrum guides 16 are rotated by the rotation mechanism 30, 40, 50.
  • the rotation mechanism 30, 40, 50 may rotate some fulcrum guides 16 (e.g., the outermost fulcrum guides 16) that tend to involve the problem of local wearing.
  • the fulcrum guides 16 when the fulcrum guides 16 are at the yarn threading positions, the fulcrum guides 16 are gathered at the front end portion of the guide rail 22 to be close to one another.
  • the actuating member 53 is provided on the guide rail 22 as in Third Example, the fulcrum guides 16 are not required to be close to one another at the yarn threading positions.
  • the present invention can be applied to an arrangement in which fulcrum guides 16 move together between winding positions and yarn threading positions without changing the intervals therebetween.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Guides For Winding Or Rewinding, Or Guides For Filamentary Materials (AREA)
  • Winding Filamentary Materials (AREA)

Abstract

A yarn winder (10) in which local wearing of fulcrum guides (16) is reliably suppressed and the fulcrum guides (16) does not need bearings is provided. Fulcrum guides (16) are rollers each having a central axis, having outer circumferential surfaces on which the yarns (Y) are placed, and being arranged not to rotate about the central axis during yarn winding. The yarn winder (10) includes: a movement mechanism (20) configured to move the fulcrum guides (16) between winding positions where the yarn winding is performed and yarn threading positions where yarn threading is performed; and a rotation mechanism (30, 40 , 50) configured to automatically rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides (16) about the central axis, when the movement mechanism (20) moves the fulcrum guides (16) between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a yarn winder configured to wind yarns onto bobbins attached to a winding shaft while traversing the yarns about fulcrum guides that are aligned in the axial direction of the winding shaft.
  • A known yarn winder is configured to wind yarns spun out from a spinning apparatus onto bobbins attached to a winding shaft, while traversing the yarns. In such a yarn winder, fulcrum guides that function as fulcrums when the yarns are traversed are aligned in the axial direction of the winding shaft. For example, in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 ( Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-23787 and Published Japanese Translation of a PCT application No. 2008-531438 ), roller-shaped fulcrum guides (guide rollers in Patent Literature 2) each having a central axis that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the winding shaft are provided, and yarns are placed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the fulcrum guides. In Patent Literature 1, the fulcrum guides are arranged not to rotate about each central axis, when the yarns are wound. In Patent Literature 2, the fulcrum guides are rollers arranged to be freely rotatable about each central axis.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • When the fulcrum guides do not rotate during yarn winding as described in Patent Literature 1, the fulcrum guides tend to be locally worn because yarns running at high speed are continuously in contact with the same parts of the outer circumferential surfaces of the fulcrum guides. The contact state between the yarns and the fulcrum guides may therefore be disadvantageously changed, with the result that the quality of the yarns may be deteriorated. In this connection, a guide rotation mechanism configured to rotate the fulcrum guides is provided in Patent Literature 1. As the fulcrum guides are rotated, the contact position between the yarn and the fulcrum guide is changed. However, if the guide rotation mechanism is not activated by mistake, the fulcrum guides are locally worn.
  • Meanwhile, the fulcrum guides of Patent Literature 2 are arranged to be freely rotatable. On this account, the fulcrum guides always rotate due to the friction with the yarns during yarn winding, and hence the local wearing is suppressed. However, because the fulcrum guides rotate at high speed when the yarns run at high speed, the fulcrum guides need bearings. The bearings, however, tend to be damaged soon due to the high-speed rotation of the fulcrum guides, and cost and labor are disadvantageously needed for the maintenance of the bearings.
  • In consideration of the problem above, an object of the present invention is to provide a yarn winder in which local wearing of fulcrum guides is reliably suppressed and the fulcrum guides does not need bearings.
  • The present invention relates to a yarn winder configured to wind yarns onto bobbins attached to a winding shaft while traversing the yarns about fulcrum guides that are aligned in the axial direction of the winding shaft, the fulcrum guides being rollers each having a central axis, having outer circumferential surfaces on which the yarns are placed, and being arranged not to rotate about the central axis during yarn winding, the yarn winder comprising: a movement mechanism configured to move the fulcrum guides between winding positions where the yarn winding is performed and yarn threading positions where yarn threading is performed; and a rotation mechanism configured to automatically rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides about the central axis, when the movement mechanism moves the fulcrum guides between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions.
  • In the present invention, the fulcrum guides are arranged to be movable by the movement mechanism between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions. The rotation mechanism is provided to automatically rotate at least one fulcrum guide, when the fulcrum guides are moved by the movement mechanism. With this arrangement, each time yarn threading to the fulcrum guides is performed, at least one fulcrum guide is reliably rotated, with the result that the local wearing of the fulcrum guides is reliably suppressed. Furthermore, because the fulcrum guides are arranged not to rotate during winding, high-speed rotation due to the running of the yarns does not occur, and hence the fulcrum guides do not need bearings. In this connection, because a fulcrum guide where local wearing is not significant may not be rotated, the rotation mechanism is required to rotate only at least one fulcrum guide where local wearing tends to be significant.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the at least one fulcrum guide includes two fulcrum guides that are outermost ones in the axial direction.
  • In a typical yarn winder, when fulcrum guides aligned in the axial direction of a winding shaft are compared to one another, the winding angle of a yarn on each guide increases from the central fulcrum guide toward the outermost fulcrum guides. When the winding angle of the yarn is large, the contact pressure of the yarn is large and hence the yarn tends to be disadvantageously worn. In this regard, when at least the two outermost fulcrum guides are rotatable by the rotation mechanism, the local wearing of the fulcrum guides is basically resolved.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the at least one fulcrum guide includes all fulcrum guides.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably suppress the local wearing of all fulcrum guides.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the rotation mechanism includes: a gear portion provided on either each of the fulcrum guides or a holding unit holding each of the fulcrum guides; and an actuating member configured to rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides by actuating the gear portion when the fulcrum guides move.
  • Such a rotation mechanism makes it easy to adjust the angle of rotation of the fulcrum guide by, for example, rotating the fulcrum guide by an angle equivalent to one tooth of the gear portion in one adjustment.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the movement mechanism includes: sliders supporting the fulcrum guides; a guide rail to which the sliders are slidably attached; and a drive unit configured to move the sliders along the guide rail.
  • Such a movement mechanism is able to the move the fulcrum guides by moving the sliders along the guide rail.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the sliders neighboring each other in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail are close to each other when the fulcrum guides move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions.
  • This arrangement makes it easy to perform yarn threading because, when the fulcrum guides are at the yarn threading positions, the fulcrum guides are gathered to be close to one another.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the actuating member is provided on each of the sliders, and the actuating member includes: a protruding portion which protrudes from each of the sliders when the fulcrum guides are at the winding positions; and an actuating portion which is arranged to actuate the gear portion as the protruding portion is pressed by a neighboring one of the sliders, when the fulcrum guides move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably rotate the fulcrum guide by a predetermined angle by the actuating member, when the fulcrum guide moves to the yarn threading position.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the yarn winder further includes a biasing member arranged to bias the actuating member in a direction in which the protruding portion protrudes from each of the sliders.
  • This biasing member makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion to a state of protruding from the slider when the fulcrum guide moves to the winding position.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the yarn winder further includes an engaging member which is arranged not to actuate the gear portion during yarn winding.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide during yarn winding is avoided.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the actuating member is made of a deformable elastic material, when the fulcrum guides move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions, as the protruding portion is pressed by neighboring one of the sliders, the actuating member is deformed so that the actuating portion actuates the gear portion, and when the fulcrum guides move from the yarn threading positions to the winding positions, the protruding portion protrudes from each of the sliders on account of restoring force of the actuating member.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion to a state of protruding from the slider when the fulcrum guide moves to the winding position. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the biasing member is unnecessary on account of the use of the restoring force of the actuating member.
  • In the present invention, preferably, an engaging portion with which the gear portion is engaged during the yarn winding is formed to be integrated with the actuating member.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide during yarn winding is avoided. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the engaging portion is integrated with the actuating member.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the actuating member is provided on the guide rail.
  • When the actuating member is provided on the guide rail, the number of the actuating members can be reduced as compared to a case where an actuating member is provided for each slider.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the actuating member includes an actuating portion which is configured to rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides by actuating the gear portion only when the fulcrum guides move to one side in the longitudinal direction.
  • With this arrangement, when the fulcrum guide moves to the other side in the longitudinal direction, the actuating member does not rotate the fulcrum guide. It is therefore easy to adjust the rotational angle of the fulcrum guide.
  • In the present invention, preferably, the actuating portion extends in the longitudinal direction and is elastically deformable, and an end portion of the actuating portion on the one side is shaped to extend toward the one side and away from the gear portion.
  • When the actuating portion is shaped in this way, the actuating portion makes contact with the gear portion and is deformed to extend away from the gear portion, at the time of the movement of the fulcrum guide toward the other side in the longitudinal direction. The actuating portion does not therefore rotate the fulcrum guide.
  • In the present invention, preferably, friction force between the holding unit and each of the sliders is adjusted so that each of the fulcrum guides is not rotated by each of the yarns during the yarn winding.
  • With this arrangement, it is unnecessary to provide an engaging member by which the rotation of the gear portion is prevented during yarn winding.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    • FIG. 1 is a profile of a spun yarn take-up apparatus of an embodiment.
    • FIG. 2 is a profile of a guide unit.
    • FIG. 3 shows how a rotation mechanism of First Example operates.
    • FIG. 4 shows how a rotation mechanism of Second Example operates.
    • FIG. 5 is a cross section of a rotation mechanism of Third Example.
    • FIG. 6 is a top view of an actuating member of the rotation mechanism of Third Example.
    • FIG. 7 shows how the rotation mechanism of Third Example operates.
    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • With reference to drawings, the following will describe an embodiment in which a yarn winder of the present invention is applied to a spun yarn take-up apparatus.
  • (Spun Yarn Take-Up Apparatus)
  • FIG. 1 is a profile of a spun yarn take-up apparatus of the present embodiment. In this specification, forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions of the spun yarn take-up apparatus.
  • The spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 is configured to take up plural (16 in this embodiment) yarns Y spun out from a spinning apparatus 2 and includes godet rollers 3 and 4 and a yarn winder 10. The spinning apparatus 2 is provided above the spun yarn take-up apparatus 1 and is configured to spin out yarns Y which are made of synthetic resin. The godet rollers 3 and 4 are provided below the spinning apparatus 2 and are rotationally driven by an unillustrated motor. The yarns Y spun out from the spinning apparatus 2 are sent to the yarn winder 10 via the godet rollers 3 and 4.
  • The yarn winder 10 is provided below the godet rollers 3 and 4. The yarn winder 10 includes two bobbin holders 13 (equivalent to winding shafts of the present invention) cantilevered by a turret 12 accommodated in a frame 11. The bobbin holders 13 extend in the front-rear direction (equivalent to an axial direction in the present invention) and are supported by the turret 12 at the rear end portions. It is possible to attach bobbins B to each bobbin holder 13 so that the bobbins B are aligned in the front-rear direction. The bobbin holders 13 are each rotationally driven about an axis by an unillustrated motor.
  • The turret 12 is a disc-shaped member having a rotational axis in parallel to the front-rear direction. The bobbin holders 13 are attached to an upper position and a lower position of the turret 12, respectively. The upper position and the lower position are deviated from each other in the circumferential direction by 180 degrees. As the turret 12 is rotated, the two bobbin holders 13 are moved between the upper and lower positions. At the bobbin holder 13 at the upper position, the yarns Y are wound onto the bobbins B and packages P are formed. Meanwhile, at the bobbin holder 13 at the lower position, the packages P are collected and new bobbins B are attached.
  • The yarn winder 10 includes a supporting frame 14 cantilevered by the frame 11. The supporting frame 14 is supported at its rear end portion by the frame 11. A guide unit 15 is provided above the supporting frame 14. On the guide unit 15, plural (16 in the present embodiment) fulcrum guides 16 are provided to be aligned in the front-rear direction. The number of the fulcrum guides 16 is identical with the number of the yarns Y. On the supporting frame 14, traverse units 17 are provided to be aligned in the front-rear direction. The number of the traverse units 17 is identical with the number of the yarns Y. The traverse unit 17 is configured to traverse the yarn Y in the front-rear direction about the corresponding fulcrum guide 16.
  • Below the supporting frame 14, a contact roller 18 rotatably supported by the supporting frame 14 is provided. The contact roller 18 makes contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the packages P retained by the bobbin holder 13 at the upper position. As the contact roller 18 rotates while applying a predetermined contact pressure to each package P during yarn winding, the shape of the package P is adjusted.
  • (Guide Unit)
  • The structure of the guide unit 15 will be described. FIG. 2 is a profile of the guide unit 15. FIG. 2(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at winding positions, whereas FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at yarn threading positions. The winding positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 16 when the yarns Y are wound onto the bobbins B. The yarn threading positions are positions of the fulcrum guides 16 when the yarns Y are threaded to the fulcrum guides 16. The fulcrum guides 16 are arranged to be movable by a movement mechanism 20 between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions.
  • The guide unit 15 includes the fulcrum guides 16 and the movement mechanism 20. The movement mechanism 20 includes sliders 21, a guide rail 22, and an air cylinder 23 (equivalent to a drive unit of the present invention). The sliders 21 are identical in number with the fulcrum guides 16, and support the fulcrum guides 16 to be rotatable.
  • The fulcrum guides 16 are roller-shaped members that protrude rightward from the sliders 21 (see FIG. 5), and each of the fulcrum guides 16 has a central axis extending in a direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the axial direction of the bobbin holder 13. The yarns Y are placed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the fulcrum guides 16. When the yarns Y are wound, the running yarns Y are in contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the fulcrum guides 16. As discussed later, during the yarn winding, each of the fulcrum guides 16 is arranged not to rotate about the central axis in accordance with the running of the yarns Y.
  • The guide rail 22 extends in the front-rear direction (equivalent to a longitudinal direction of the present invention) and is fixed to the supporting frame 14 through the intermediary of an unillustrated bracket. To the guide rail 22, the sliders 21 are attached to be lined up in the front-rear direction and to be slidable. Sliders 21 neighboring to each other in the front-rear direction are connected to each other by an unillustrated belt. The rearmost slider 21 is connected to a rod 23a of the air cylinder 23.
  • As shown in FIG. 2(a), when the rod 23a of the air cylinder 23 is retracted, the sliders 21 are lined up in the front-rear direction to be separated from one another. On this account, the fulcrum guides 16 are also lined up in the front-rear direction to be separated from one another. The positions of the fulcrum guides 16 in this state are the winding positions. When the fulcrum guides 16 are at the winding positions, the contact positions between the yarns Y and the fulcrum guides 16, i.e., the fulcrums of the traverse of the yarns Y are at equal intervals.
  • The yarn paths of the yarns Y distributed from a godet roller 4 to the fulcrum guides 16 at the winding positions are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane that passes through the center of the fulcrum guides 16 in the front-rear direction. Eight yarns Y that are the front half of the yarns Y are placed on the front sides of the respective fulcrum guides 16, whereas eight yarns Y that are the rear half of the yarns Y are placed on the rear sides of the respective fulcrum guides 16. When the fulcrum guides 16 are compared to one another, the winding angle of the yarn Y on each fulcrum guide 16 increases from the central fulcrum guide 16 toward the outermost fulcrum guides 16. When the winding angle of the yarn Y is large, the contact pressure of the yarn Y is large and hence the fulcrum guide 16 tends to be worn.
  • When the yarns are threaded to the fulcrum guides 16, the rod 23a is elongated by driving the air cylinder 23. In response to this, the rearmost slider 21 connected to the rod 23a moves forward. Subsequently, the rearmost slider 21 makes contact with the slider 21 immediately in front thereof and presses it forward. Likewise, each slider 21 makes contact with the slider 21 immediately in front thereof and presses it forward. In this connection, the expression "contact with" encompasses a case where, for example, sliders 21 are indirectly in contact with each other through the intermediary of another member (e.g., a protruding portion 33a of a later-described actuating member 33) as shown in FIG. 3(b).
  • When the frontmost slider 21 makes contact with an unillustrated stopper provided at a front end portion of the guide rail 22, the air cylinder 23 stops. As a result, all of the sliders 21 are gathered at the front end portion of the guide rail 22, in a state in which the sliders 21 are close to one another. The positions of the fulcrum guides 16 in this state are the yarn threading positions. Because the fulcrum guides 16 at the yarn threading positions are gathered at the front end portion of the guide rail 22 in a state in which the sliders 21 are close to one another, yarn threading to the fulcrum guides 16 can be easily done. In place of the above-described stopper, the front end portion of the guide rail 22 may be arranged to function as a stopper, or the rod 23a of the air cylinder 23 may be arranged to stop upon making contact with a stopper.
  • After the end of the yarn threading, the air cylinder 23 is driven to contract the rod 23a, with the result that the rearmost slider 21 moves rearward. When the belt connecting the rearmost slider 21 with the slider 21 directly in front thereof is maximally elongated, the second rearmost slider 21 is pulled rearward. Likewise, as each slider 21 is pulled rearward, the fulcrum guides 16 return to the winding positions shown in FIG. 2(a). The drive unit for moving the sliders 21 may be different from the air cylinder 23, and may be an actuator such as a motor.
  • (First Example of Rotation Mechanism)
  • The following will describe First Example of the rotation mechanism. FIG. 3 shows how a rotation mechanism 30 of First Example operates. FIG. 3(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at winding positions, whereas FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at yarn threading positions. The fulcrum guides 16 shown in FIG. 3 are the frontmost fulcrum guides 16.
  • In this example, each slider 21 is provided with a rotary device 31. A combination of the rotary devices 31 provided for the respective sliders 21 is termed a rotation mechanism 30. The rotary device 31 includes a gear portion 32a formed on a holding unit 32 holding the fulcrum guide 16 and an actuating member 33 actuating the gear portion 32a. The fulcrum guide 16 is fixed to the holding unit 32 and is rotatable together with the holding unit 32. The holding unit 32 is attached to the slider 21 to be rotatable about the central axis of the fulcrum guide 16 (see a holding unit 52 shown in FIG. 5). With this arrangement, the fulcrum guide 16 is rotatable about the central axis. In this example, the gear portion 32a, the actuating member 33, and a later-described engaging member 35 are all provided on the front side (right side) of the slider 21. Alternatively, these members may be provided on the back side (left side) of the slider 21.
  • In the actuating member 33, a protruding portion 33a, an actuating portion 33b, and a connecting portion 33c are integrated. The protruding portion 33a is a portion which protrudes rearward from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 is at the winding position. The protruding portion 33a extends rearward of the slider 21, and is pressed forward by the posterior slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the yarn threading position. The actuating portion 33b is a portion that actuates the gear portion 32a. A leading end portion of the actuating portion 33b presses a tooth of the gear portion 32a. The connecting portion 33c is a portion connecting the protruding portion 33a with the actuating portion 33b. By a spring 34 (equivalent to a biasing member of the present invention), the actuating member 33 is biased rearward, i.e., in a direction in which the protruding portion 33a protrudes from the slider 21. The protruding portion 33a may not protrude rearward and may protrude in another direction, as long as the protruding portion 33a is positioned to be pressed by the posterior slider 21.
  • To the fulcrum guide 16 shown in FIG. 3, a torque is imparted counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by the running of the yarn Y during yarn winding. In order to prevent the fulcrum guide 16 from being rotated by this torque during the yarn winding, an engaging member 35 is provided to be engaged with the gear portion 32a. The engaging member 35 is swingable about a fulcrum 35a, and is biased toward the gear portion 32a by a spring 36. As the leading end portion of the engaging member 35 is positioned between the teeth of the gear portion 32a and engaged with the gear portion 32a, the engaging member 35 prevents the gear portion 32a from rotating counterclockwise and prevents the fulcrum guide 16 from rotating counterclockwise. The engaging member 35 and the teeth of the gear portion 32a are shaped so that clockwise rotation of the gear portion 32a is not obstructed by the engaging member 35.
  • When the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the winding position to the yarn threading position, the protruding portion 33a of the actuating member 33 is pressed forward by the posterior slider 21. As a result, the actuating portion 33b of the actuating member 33 rotates the gear portion 32a clockwise, and hence the fulcrum guide 16 rotates clockwise. At this stage, the engaging member 35 swings counterclockwise as it is pressed by the teeth of the gear portion 32a which is rotating clockwise. The engaging member 35 does not therefore obstruct the rotation of the gear portion 32a.
  • In this example, an angle at which the actuating member 33 rotates the fulcrum guide 16, i.e., the gear portion 32a is adjusted to be equivalent to one tooth of the gear portion 32a. In this connection, the winding angle of the yarn Y is largest at the outermost fulcrum guides 16 among the fulcrum guides 16, and the circumferential range of wearing is widest at these outermost fulcrum guides 16. On this account, when the angle of rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 (which is equivalent to one teeth of the gear portion 32a) is arranged to be equal to or larger than the winding angle of the yarn Y at each outermost fulcrum guide 16, the progress of the wearing at the outermost fulcrum guides 16 is effectively suppressed. The degree of rotation of the fulcrum guide 16, however, is not limited to this and may be suitably changeable.
  • After the yarn threading to the fulcrum guide 16 is finished and the fulcrum guide 16 is returned from the yarn threading position to the winding position, the posterior slider 21 is separated. Due to this, the actuating member 33 is moved rearward by the biasing force of the spring 34, and the protruding portion 33a protrudes rearward from the slider 21. When the fulcrum guide 16 returns to the winding position and the winding of the yarn Y starts, a counterclockwise torque is applied to the fulcrum guide 16 due to the running of the yarn Y. However, as described above, the rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 is prevented by the engaging member 35.
  • While the rotary device 31 provided at the frontmost fulcrum guide 16 has been described above, the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the front side, in each of which the yarn Y is threaded to the front side, are structurally identical with the frontmost fulcrum guide 16. Meanwhile, in each of the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the rear side, the yarn Y is threaded to the rear side. On this account, the direction in which a torque is applied due to the running of the yarn Y during yarn winding is opposite to the direction in the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the front side, i.e., is counterclockwise. On this account, the gear portion 32a, the actuating member 33, and the engaging member 35 on each of the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the rear side are provided to be symmetrical with those shown in FIG. 3 in the front-rear direction. The arrangements explained above are mere examples. The number of the fulcrum guides 16 in each of which the yarn Y is threaded on the front side and the number of the fulcrum guides 16 in each of which the yarn Y is threaded on the rear side may be changed, and may not be identical.
  • (Effects of First Example)
  • The following will describe effects of this example. In the example, the fulcrum guides 16 are arranged to be movable by the movement mechanism 20 between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions. The rotation mechanism 30 is provided to automatically rotate at least one fulcrum guide 16, when the fulcrum guides 16 are moved by the movement mechanism 20. With this arrangement, each time yarn threading to the fulcrum guides 16 is performed, at least one fulcrum guide 16 is reliably rotated, with the result that the local wearing of the fulcrum guides 16 is reliably suppressed. Furthermore, because the fulcrum guides 16 are arranged not to rotate during yarn winding, high-speed rotation due to the running of the yarns Y does not occur, and hence the fulcrum guides 16 do not need bearings.
  • In the example, the at least one fulcrum guide includes two fulcrum guides 16 that are outermost ones in the axial direction. In a typical yarn winder 10, when fulcrum guides 16 aligned in the axial direction of a bobbin holder 13 are compared to one another, the winding angle of a yarn Y on each guide increases from the central fulcrum guide 16 toward the outermost fulcrum guides 16. When the winding angle of the yarn Y is large, the contact pressure of the yarn Y is large and hence the yarn Y tends to be disadvantageously worn. In this regard, when at least the two outermost fulcrum guides 16 are rotatable by the rotation mechanism 30, the local wearing of the fulcrum guides 16 is basically resolved.
  • In the example, the at least one fulcrum guide includes all fulcrum guides 16. This arrangement makes it possible to reliably suppress the local wearing of all fulcrum guides.
  • In the example, the rotation mechanism 30 includes the gear portion 32a formed on the holding unit 32 holding the fulcrum guide 16 and the actuating member 33 rotating the fulcrum guide 16 by actuating the gear portion 32a when the fulcrum guides 16 are moved. Such a rotation mechanism 30 makes it easy to adjust the angle of rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 by, for example, rotating the fulcrum guide 16 by an angle equivalent to one tooth of the gear portion 32a in one adjustment.
  • In the example, the movement mechanism 20 includes the sliders 21 supporting the fulcrum guides 16, the guide rail 22 to which the sliders 21 are slidably attached, and the air cylinder 23 configured to move the sliders 21 along the guide rail 22. Such a movement mechanism 20 is able to the move the fulcrum guides 16 by moving the sliders 21 along the guide rail 22.
  • In the example, when the fulcrum guides 16 move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions, the sliders 21 that neighbor each other in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the guide rail 22 are close to each other. This arrangement makes it easy to perform yarn threading because, when the fulcrum guides 16 are at the yarn threading positions, the fulcrum guides 16 are gathered to be close to one another.
  • In the example, the actuating member 33 is attached to the slider. The actuating member 33 includes the protruding portion 33a that protrudes from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guides 16 are at the winding positions and the actuating portion 33b that actuates the gear portion 32a as the protruding portion 33a presses the neighboring slider 21 when the fulcrum guides 16 move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions. This arrangement makes it possible to reliably rotate the fulcrum guide 16 by a predetermined angle by the actuating member 33, when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the yarn threading position.
  • In the example, the spring 34 is provided to bias the actuating member 33 in the direction in which the protruding portion 33a protrudes from the slider 21. This spring 34 makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion 33a to a state of protruding from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the winding position.
  • In the example, the engaging member 35 is provided to prevent the gear portion 32a from being driven during yarn winding. This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion 32a during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 during yarn winding is avoided.
  • (Second Example of Rotation Mechanism)
  • The following will describe Second Example of the rotation mechanism. The same arrangements as those in First Example may not be explained, and arrangements different from those of First Example are mainly described. FIG. 4 shows how a rotation mechanism 40 of Second Example operates. FIG. 4(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at winding positions, whereas FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guides 16 are at yarn threading positions. The fulcrum guides 16 shown in FIG. 4 are the frontmost fulcrum guides 16. The eight fulcrum guides 16 on the front side, in each of which the yarn Y is threaded to the front side, are identical with one another. Meanwhile, a gear portion 42a and an actuating member 43 of each of the eight fulcrum guides 16 on the rear side are symmetrical with those of the fulcrum guide 16 on the front side, in the front-rear direction.
  • In this example, each slider 21 is provided with a rotary device 41. A combination of the rotary devices 41 provided for the respective sliders 21 is termed a rotation mechanism 40. The rotary device 41 includes a gear portion 42a formed on a holding unit 42 holding the fulcrum guide 16 and an actuating member 43 actuating the gear portion 42a. The fulcrum guide 16 is fixed to the holding unit 42 and is rotatable together with the holding unit 42. The holding unit 42 is attached to the slider 21 to be rotatable about the central axis of the fulcrum guide 16 (see a holding unit 52 shown in FIG. 5). With this arrangement, the fulcrum guide 16 is rotatable about the central axis. In this example, the gear portion 42a and the actuating member 43 are provided on the back side (left side) of the slider 21. Alternatively, these members may be provided on the front side (right side) of the slider 21.
  • The actuating member 43 is made of a deformable elastic material such as resin. In the actuating member 43, a fixed portion 43a, a first arm portion 43b, a second arm portion 43c, a protruding portion 43d, an actuating portion 43e, and an engaging portion 43f are integrally formed. The actuating member 43 is provided to surround the gear portion 42a by the first arm portion 43b and the second arm portion 43c.
  • The fixed portion 43a is fixed to the slider 21 by, for example, a bolt, and functions as a base end portion of the first arm portion 43b and the second arm portion 43c. The first arm portion 43b extends downward from the fixed portion 43a, is bended, and then extends rearward. The second arm portion 43c extends rearward from the fixed portion 43a. The protruding portion 43d is formed at a leading end portion of the first arm portion 43b. The protruding portion 43d is a portion which protrudes rearward from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 is at the winding position. The actuating portion 43e is branched from the leading end portion of the first arm portion 43b and extends toward the gear portion 42a. The actuating portion 43e is a portion that actuates the gear portion 42a. A leading end portion of the actuating portion 43e presses the teeth of the gear portion 42a. The engaging portion 43f is formed at a leading end portion of the second arm portion 43c. The engaging portion 43f is engaged with the gear portion 42a in order to prevent the fulcrum guide 16 from rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 4 in accordance with the running of the yarn Y during yarn winding.
  • When the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the winding position to the yarn threading position, the protruding portion 43d of the actuating member 43 is pressed forward by the posterior slider 21. As a result, in the actuating member 43 fixed at the fixed portion 43a, the first arm portion 43b is deformed as shown in FIG. 4(b). Accordingly, the actuating portion 43e of the actuating member 43 rotates the gear portion 42a clockwise, and hence the fulcrum guide 16 rotates clockwise. At this stage, the second arm portion 43c is deformed in such a way that the engaging portion 43f is pressed rearward by a tooth of the gear portion 42a rotating clockwise, with the result that the engaging portion 43f does not obstruct the rotation of the gear portion 42a.
  • When the fulcrum guide 16 is returned from the yarn threading position to the winding position after the yarn threading to the fulcrum guide 16, as the posterior slider 21 is separated, the first arm portion 43b regains the original shape on account of the restoring force of the actuating member 43 and the protruding portion 43d partially protrudes rearward from the slider 21. When the fulcrum guide 16 returns to the winding position and the winding of the yarn Y starts, a counterclockwise torque is applied to the fulcrum guide 16 due to the running of the yarn Y. However, as described above, the rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 is prevented by the engaging portion 43f.
  • (Effects of Second Example)
  • Effects of this example will be described. It is noted that effects identical with those of First Example are not described again. In the example, the actuating member 43 is made of a deformable elastic material. When the protruding portion 43d is pressed by the neighboring slider 21 while the fulcrum guides 16 move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions, the actuating member 43 is deformed so that the actuating portion 43e actuates the gear portion 42a. When the fulcrum guides 16 move from the yarn threading positions to the winding positions, the protruding portion 43d protrudes from the slider 21 on account of the restoring force of the actuating member 43. This arrangement makes it possible to automatically return the protruding portion 43d to a state of protruding from the slider 21 when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the winding position. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the biasing member is unnecessary on account of the use of the restoring force of the actuating member 43.
  • In the example, the engaging portion 43f with which the gear portion 42a is engaged during yarn winding is integrated with the actuating member 43. This arrangement makes it possible to reliably prevent the rotation of the gear portion 42a during yarn winding, and hence unintentional rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 during yarn winding is avoided. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced because the engaging portion 43f is integrated with the actuating member 43.
  • (Third Example of Rotation Mechanism)
  • The following will describe Third Example of the rotation mechanism. The same arrangements as those in First Example may not be explained, and arrangements different from those of First Example are mainly described. FIG. 5 is a cross section of a rotation mechanism 50 of Third Example. FIG. 6 is a top view of an actuating member 53 of the rotation mechanism 50 of Third Example. FIG. 7 shows how the rotation mechanism 50 of Third Example operates. FIG. 7(a) shows a state in which the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the winding position to the yarn threading position, whereas FIG. 7(b) shows a state in which the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the yarn threading position to the winding position.
  • The rotation mechanism 50 of this example is different from the rotation mechanism 30 of First Example and the rotation mechanism 40 of Second Example mainly in two points. Firstly, an engaging member (or an engaging portion) with which a gear portion 52a is engaged in order to prevent a fulcrum guide 16 from rotating during yarn winding is not provided. Secondly, an actuating member 53 is provided not on each slider 21 but on a guide rail 22. The following will describe the details.
  • The rotation mechanism 50 of the example includes a gear portion 52a formed on a holding unit 52 holding each fulcrum guide 16 and an actuating member 53 actuating the gear portion 52a. The fulcrum guide 16 is fixed to the holding unit 52 and is rotatable together with the holding unit 52. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding unit 52 is attached to an attachment hole 21a formed in the front surface (right surface) of the slider 21. The friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is adjusted so that the fulcrum guide 16, i.e., the holding unit 52 does not rotate about the central axis in accordance with the running of the yarn Y during yarn winding. It is therefore possible to omit the engaging member in this example. The gear portion 52a is provided on the back side (left side) of the slider 21 and is actuated by the actuating member 53 fixed to the guide rail 22.
  • The actuating member 53 is made of a deformable elastic material such as metal or resin, and is provided in the vicinity of a lower end portion of the gear portion 52a. As shown in FIG. 6, the actuating member 53 is arranged such that a fixed portion 53a and an actuating portion 53b are integrated. The fixed portion 53a is fixed to the guide rail 22 by, for example, a bolt. The actuating portion 53b extends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the guide rail 22. A front portion of the actuating portion 53b is a substantially horizontal plane, and overlaps the lower end portion of the gear portion 52a when viewed in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5). With this arrangement, the front end portion of the actuating portion 53b is able to press the teeth of the gear portion 52a. A rear end portion of the actuating portion 53b is an inclined portion extending rearward and away from the gear portion 52a. As long as the rear end portion of the actuating portion 53b extends rearward and away from the gear portion 52a, the rear end portion may not be an inclined portion and may be a curved portion.
  • As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the winding position to the yarn threading position, the gear portion 52a makes contact with the inclined portion of the actuating portion 53b, with the result that the actuating portion 53b is pressed downward by the gear portion 52a. Consequently, the actuating portion 53b is warped downward and does not rotate the gear portion 52a. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the yarn threading position to the winding position, the teeth of the gear portion 52a are relatively pressed by the front end portion of the actuating portion 53b, with the result that the gear portion 52a rotates clockwise and accordingly the fulcrum guide 16 rotates clockwise. The friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is adjusted so that the gear portion 52a rotates when it is pressed by the front end portion of the actuating portion 53b. In other words, the friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is larger than the tension of the yarn Y during yarn winding and smaller than the force with which the front end portion of the actuating portion 53b presses the gear portion 52a.
  • In the example, when the fulcrum guide 16 moves between the winding position and the yarn threading position, the actuating member 53 provided on the guide rail 22 rotates the fulcrum guide 16 about the central axis. With this arrangement, only one actuating member 53 is required as long as the actuating member 53 is provided at a location where all fulcrum guides 16 (sliders 21) passes. In this regard, the number of the actuating members 53 may be two or more. In the example, the fulcrum guide 16 is rotated when the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the yarn threading position to the winding position. Alternatively, the fulcrum guide 16 may be rotated when the fulcrum guide 16 moves from the winding position to the yarn threading position. Alternatively, as long as the fulcrum guide 16 is rotated from the original position in the end, the fulcrum guide 16 may be rotated both when moving from the winding position to the yarn threading position and when moving from the yarn threading position to the winding position.
  • (Effects of Third Example)
  • Effects of this example will be described. It is noted that effects identical with those of First Example are not described again. In this example, the actuating member 53 is provided on the guide rail 22. When the actuating member 53 is provided on the guide rail 22, the number of the actuating members 53 can be reduced as compared to a case where an actuating member is provided for each slider 21.
  • In the example, the actuating member 53 includes the actuating portion 53b that rotates the fulcrum guide 16 by actuating the gear portion 52a only when the fulcrum guides 16 move to one side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 22. With this arrangement, when the fulcrum guide 16 moves to the other side (front side), the actuating member 53 does not rotate the fulcrum guide 16. It is therefore easy to adjust the rotational angle of the fulcrum guide 16.
  • In the example, the actuating portion 53b extends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the guide rail 22 and is elastically deformable. Furthermore, an end portion (rear end portion) on one side of the actuating portion 53b is shaped to extend toward one side (rearward) and away from the gear portion 52a. When the actuating portion 53b is shaped in this way, the actuating portion 53b makes contact with the gear portion 52a and is deformed to extend away from the gear portion 52a, at the time of the movement of the fulcrum guide 16 toward the other side (front side).The actuating portion 53b does not therefore rotate the fulcrum guide 16.
  • In the example, the friction force between the holding unit 52 and the slider 21 is adjusted so that the fulcrum guide 16 is not rotated by the yarn Y during yarn winding. With this arrangement, it is unnecessary to provide an engaging member by which the rotation of the gear portion 52a is prevented during yarn winding.
  • (Other Embodiments)
  • The following will describe modifications of the above-described embodiment.
  • In the embodiment above, the gear portion 32a, 42a, 52a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holding unit 32, 42, 52 holding the fulcrum guide 16. Alternatively, the gear portion may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fulcrum guide 16.
  • The engaging member 35 is provided in First Example, whereas the engaging portion 43f is provided in Second Example. Instead of providing the engaging member 35 or the engaging portion 43f, the rotation of the fulcrum guide 16 during yarn winding may be prevented by increasing the friction force between the holding unit 32, 42 and the slider 21 as in Third Example. On the contrary, an engaging member may be provided in Third Example.
  • In First to Third Examples, all fulcrum guides 16 are rotated by the rotation mechanism 30, 40, 50. Alternatively, the rotation mechanism 30, 40, 50 may rotate some fulcrum guides 16 (e.g., the outermost fulcrum guides 16) that tend to involve the problem of local wearing.
  • According to the embodiment above, when the fulcrum guides 16 are at the yarn threading positions, the fulcrum guides 16 are gathered at the front end portion of the guide rail 22 to be close to one another. In this regard, when the actuating member 53 is provided on the guide rail 22 as in Third Example, the fulcrum guides 16 are not required to be close to one another at the yarn threading positions. To put it differently, the present invention can be applied to an arrangement in which fulcrum guides 16 move together between winding positions and yarn threading positions without changing the intervals therebetween.

Claims (15)

  1. A yarn winder (10) configured to wind yarns (Y) onto bobbins (B) attached to a winding shaft (13) while traversing the yarns (Y) about fulcrum guides (16) that are aligned in the axial direction of the winding shaft (13),
    the fulcrum guides (16) being rollers each having a central axis, having outer circumferential surfaces on which the yarns (Y) are placed, and being arranged not to rotate about the central axis during yarn winding,
    the yarn winder (10) comprising: a movement mechanism (20) configured to move the fulcrum guides (16) between winding positions where the yarn winding is performed and yarn threading positions where yarn threading is performed; and
    a rotation mechanism (30, 40, 50) configured to automatically rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides (16) about the central axis, when the movement mechanism (20) moves the fulcrum guides (16) between the winding positions and the yarn threading positions.
  2. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 1, wherein, the at least one of the fulcrum guides (16) include two fulcrum guides (16) that are outermost ones in the axial direction.
  3. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 2, wherein, the at least one of the fulcrum guides (16) include all of the fulcrum guides (16).
  4. The yarn winder (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,
    the rotation mechanism (30, 40, 50) includes:
    a gear portion (32a, 42a, 52a) provided on either each of the fulcrum guides (16) or a holding unit (32, 42, 52) holding each of the fulcrum guides (16); and
    an actuating member (33, 43, 53) configured to rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides (16) by actuating the gear portion (32a, 42a, 52a) when the fulcrum guides (16) move.
  5. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 4, wherein, the movement mechanism (20) includes:
    sliders (21) supporting the fulcrum guides (16);
    a guide rail (22) to which the sliders (21) are slidably attached; and
    a drive unit (23) configured to move the sliders (21) along the guide rail (22).
  6. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 5, wherein, the sliders (21) neighboring each other in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail (22) are close to each other when the fulcrum guides (16) move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions.
  7. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 6, wherein, the actuating member (33, 43) is provided on each of the sliders (21), and
    the actuating member (33, 43) includes:
    a protruding portion (33a, 43d) which protrudes from each of the sliders (21) when the fulcrum guides (16) are at the winding positions; and
    an actuating portion (33b, 43e) which is arranged to actuate the gear portion (32a, 42a) as the protruding portion (33a, 43d) is pressed by a neighboring one of the sliders (21), when the fulcrum guides (16) move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions.
  8. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 7, further comprising a biasing member (34) arranged to bias the actuating member (33) in a direction in which the protruding portion (33a) protrudes from each of the sliders (21).
  9. The yarn winder (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, further comprising an engaging member (35) which is arranged not to actuate the gear portion (32a) during yarn winding.
  10. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 7, wherein, the actuating member (43) is made of a deformable elastic material,
    when the fulcrum guides (16) move from the winding positions to the yarn threading positions, as the protruding portion (43d) is pressed by neighboring one of the sliders (21), the actuating member (43) is deformed so that the actuating portion (43e) actuates the gear portion (42a), and
    when the fulcrum guides (16) move from the yarn threading positions to the winding positions, the protruding portion (43d) protrudes from each of the sliders (21) on account of restoring force of the actuating member (43).
  11. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 10, wherein, an engaging portion (43f) with which the gear portion (42a) is engaged during the yarn winding is formed to be integrated with the actuating member (43).
  12. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, the actuating member (53) is provided on the guide rail (22).
  13. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 12, wherein, the actuating member (53) includes an actuating portion (53b) which is configured to rotate at least one of the fulcrum guides (16) by actuating the gear portion (52a) only when the fulcrum guides (16) move to one side in the longitudinal direction.
  14. The yarn winder (10) according to claim 13, wherein,
    the actuating portion (53b) extends in the longitudinal direction and is elastically deformable, and
    an end portion of the actuating portion (53b) on the one side is shaped to extend toward the one side and away from the gear portion (52a).
  15. The yarn winder (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, friction force between the holding unit (52) and each of the sliders (21) is adjusted so that each of the fulcrum guides (16) is not rotated by each of the yarns (Y) during the yarn winding.
EP21197422.5A 2020-10-23 2021-09-17 Yarn winder Active EP3988488B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2020178038A JP7529532B2 (en) 2020-10-23 2020-10-23 Yarn Winding Machine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3988488A1 true EP3988488A1 (en) 2022-04-27
EP3988488B1 EP3988488B1 (en) 2023-09-06

Family

ID=77821651

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21197422.5A Active EP3988488B1 (en) 2020-10-23 2021-09-17 Yarn winder

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3988488B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7529532B2 (en)
CN (1) CN114481347A (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2548830A2 (en) * 2011-07-22 2013-01-23 TMT Machinery, Inc. Spinning winder
DE102013001889A1 (en) * 2013-02-02 2014-08-07 Oerlikon Textile Gmbh & Co. Kg Winding machine for winding multiple threads on coil, has deflection rollers held by bearings, where bearings are formed as sliding bearing with bearing bush formed of copper material
WO2016180679A1 (en) * 2015-05-12 2016-11-17 Oerlikon Textile Gmbh & Co. Kg Winding machine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2548830A2 (en) * 2011-07-22 2013-01-23 TMT Machinery, Inc. Spinning winder
JP2013023787A (en) 2011-07-22 2013-02-04 Tmt Machinery Inc Spinning winder
DE102013001889A1 (en) * 2013-02-02 2014-08-07 Oerlikon Textile Gmbh & Co. Kg Winding machine for winding multiple threads on coil, has deflection rollers held by bearings, where bearings are formed as sliding bearing with bearing bush formed of copper material
WO2016180679A1 (en) * 2015-05-12 2016-11-17 Oerlikon Textile Gmbh & Co. Kg Winding machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN114481347A (en) 2022-05-13
JP7529532B2 (en) 2024-08-06
EP3988488B1 (en) 2023-09-06
JP2022069073A (en) 2022-05-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP6275972B2 (en) Textile machinery
EP2186765B1 (en) Take-up winding facility
EP2792629B1 (en) Traverse device in a yarn winding apparatus
JP2015040116A5 (en)
JP5065290B2 (en) Winder
JP2006335573A (en) Yarn traverse device for winder of fiber machine for manufacturing traverse-winding bobbin
JP7014804B2 (en) Winder
EP3363756B1 (en) Yarn winder
EP3988488B1 (en) Yarn winder
EP3988487A1 (en) Yarn winding machine
JP7130365B2 (en) Yarn guide pulley for a mechanical yarn accumulator located in the traverse triangle area in a textile machine work station producing cross-wound packages
JP7304201B2 (en) thread tension device for sewing machine
JP4612673B2 (en) Winding device
EP4032843A1 (en) Guide member and yarn winder
US4156441A (en) Yarn tensioner for weaving machines
EP4428082A1 (en) Yarn winder
JP2008137816A (en) Thread traversing device for winding device in textile machine for producing crosswound bobbin
CN104891272A (en) Workstation of a textile machine with a paraffinization device
EP4242155A1 (en) Yarn winding machine
EP4424623A1 (en) Yarn winding machine
JP2024045689A (en) Yarn winding device
JP7550038B2 (en) Yarn Winding Machine
JP5191911B2 (en) Traverse equipment
JP2024122851A (en) Yarn Winding Machine
CN116101846A (en) Yarn tightener and textile machine work with same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20220627

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B65H 57/16 20060101ALI20230317BHEP

Ipc: B65H 57/14 20060101ALI20230317BHEP

Ipc: B65H 57/00 20060101AFI20230317BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20230405

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230426

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602021004907

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20230906

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231207

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231206

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231207

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1608321

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230906

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240106

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240106

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240108

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230917

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20230930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230917

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602021004907

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230917

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230917

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230906

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20240607

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230930

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240912

Year of fee payment: 4

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20231106

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20231106