US3511448A - Yarn inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 12,1970 c. w. BROUWER E L 3,511,443

" YARN INSPECTION APPARATUS Filed March 13, 1968 s Sheets-Sheet 1 In a 'ENTORS CHARLES W. BROUWER RAYMON V TATA WQW;

ATTORNEYS May @1970 I A w ahcsfiweR ETAL 3 511,448

YARN INSPECTION APPARATUS I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1968 BZFIGT? lllllllllllllllllfllllllh R mw 8 0w Y TU E NOT N ERA M m w 0 h M M y 1970 o. W. aRouwsR E'I'AL 3,511,448

I 5 YARN INSPECTION APPARATUS v,

Filed March 13, 1968 s Sheets-Sheet 5 :3TDRI QI 4 e 1 IRS ITDRI Sp Z QY F I G. IO

INVENTORS CHARLES W. BROUWER BY RAYMOND V. TATA ATTORN YS United States Patent 3,511,448 YARN INSPECTION APPARATUS Charles W. Brouwer, East Greenwich, and Raymond V.

Tata, Warwick, R.I., assignors to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 13, 1968, Ser. No. 712,864 Int. Cl. B65h 63/04, 63/06 US. Cl. 242-36 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates generally to inspection apparatus for an automatic winding machine and particularly to such apparatus for inspecting the condition of yarn before it is wound onto a take-up package and responsive to the condition of yarn for controlling operation of the winding machine.

In the following specification the term yarn is employed in a general sense to denote various kinds of strand material, either textile or otherwise, and the term package denotes the product of a winding machine, whatever its form.

The commonly assigned US. Pat. No. 2,764,362 to W. V. Goodhue et al., discloses an automatic winding machine which mechanically inspects an advancing strand of supply yarn. When a yarn defect is detected, the supply yarn is cut and a portion of the yarn containing the defect is removed. When an interruption in the yarn is detected, the free ends of yarn from a supply package and a takeup package are retrieved and joined to reinstate the winding operation. The previously mentioned U.S. patent, and a commonly assigned US. Pat. No. 3,081,045 to T. E. Pitts et al., discloses such machines and Lesona Model 644 automatic cone winder manufactured by Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., are examples of such machines.

The present invention is an improvement over the constructions disclosed in the referenced patent and cone winder in that the yarn is inspected for defects or faults as well as for excess tension. According to the invention, an automatic winding machine is provided with a yarn inspection unit located in the path of the supply yarn. If a yarn defect is detected while the yarn is advancing, the inspection unit signals for removal of the defect through operation of a first knife to cut the yarn at a location between the inspection unit and the take-up package and for operation of a mechanism for retrieving and joining the free end from the supply to the free end from the take-up .package. If during the end retrieving and joining operation, tension in the supply yarn is excessive, or if a second successive defect is detected, the inspection unit signals for operation a second knife to cut the yarn at a location between the first knife and the supply package, for introduction of a fresh supply package, and for operation of the mechanism for retrieving and joining the free ends of yarn.

Therefore, a primary object of the invention is to provide new and improved yarn inspection apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved yarn inspection apparatus for a winding machine. A related object is the provision of such apparatus "Ice for continuously inspecting the condition of yarn. Another related object is provision of such apparatus responsive to a predetermined yarn condition to signal for the performance of an ensuing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inspection unit disposed in the path of an advancing strand of yarn adapted to identify a plurality of predetermined yarn conditions, and responsive to a certain predetermined yarn conditions to signal for cutting of the yarn at a first location and responsive to certain other predetermined yarn conditions to signal for cutting of the yarn at a second location spaced from the first location.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for inspecting the condition of yarn and adapted, in the event of a yarn defect, to sever yarn between a supply and a take-up package and to signal, during an ensuing end finding and joining operation, for introduction of a fresh supply package in response to excessive yarn tension.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken together with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view schematically illustrating normal winding operation of an automatic winding machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, in perspective, of parts illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view taken substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section view taken substantially along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in perspec tive, of parts illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1, adapted to control an end finding and joining operation, certain parts being cut away and in section for increased clarity;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section view taken substantially along line 77 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation view looking from the right of FIG. 2, with parts cut away and in section for increased clarity;

FIG. 9 is a section view taken substantially along the line 99 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic diagram illustrating a control system for the winding machine;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a component of the control system illustrated in FIG. 10.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1 illustrated a winding machine during the normal operation of which yarn Y is drawn from an active supply bobbin package 8,, across a top panel 20 of a housing 22, and proceeds to a rotating take-up package P. The package P is in surface engagement with a drive roll 24 which may be of the type having a continuous helical groove 26 for guiding the yarn onto the package.

INSPECTION UNIT Between the supply package S and the take-up package P, the yarn is directed, by a suitable guide 28 having a pigtail portion 30, into a path aligned with a passage 32 (FIG. 2) extending through an inspection unit 34. The inspection unit 34 is a commercially available device such as Electronic Yarn Clearer, Type FR-3, manufactured by Loepfe Brothers, Limited, of Zurich, Switzerland, and operates in a suitable manner to examine the yarn Y as it advances through the passage 32 and is effective to operate a knife 36 (FIG. 2) for cutting the yarn under certain prescribed conditions. Sensitive to yarn movement, the inspection unit 34 is operable to detect whether the 3 yarn Y is running at a normal winding speed or below such speed. The normal winding speed may vary and may arbitrarily be defined for the purpose of this description as any yarn speed in excess of a predetermined particular speed, as for example, 200 yards per minute. This particular speed is suitably preset into the control of the inspection unit 34. Also, deviations in the yarn Y are compared with a predetermined standard, the sensitivity level of the inspection unit 34 being adjustable, and the inspection unit signals for the elimination of all portions of yarn which exceed this level. For example, an excessive deviation may take the form of a defect having a diameter considerably greater than a nominal yarn diameter, possibly for a relatively short duration. Another example of an excessive deviation may be a defect having a diameter which may be smaller than that just described, but continuing for a considerably longer duration as in the instance of a torpedo, a spinners double, or a double end.

CUTTING-CLAMPING ASSEMBLY When the yarn Y is in the running condition, and the inspection unit 34 senses an unacceptable defect in the yarn, it signals for the operation of a cutting-clamping assembly 38 adapted to cut the yarn at a location between the inspection unit 34 and the take-up package P and to releasably hold a resultant end of the yarn extending from the supply package S The cutting-clamping assembly 38 is suitably mounted on the top panel 20 (FIG. 2) in the normal winding path of the yarn such that the yarn advances through a passage 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in an enclosure 42 of the assembly. Integral with a lower surface of the passage 40 is a fixed cutting edge 44 (FIGS.

3 and 4). To sever the yarn Y, a solenoid 46 is suitably supported within the enclosure 42 and serves to operate an armature 48 at a free end of which is fixed a bluntedged anvil 50. When the solenoid 46 is de-energized, the anvil 50 is held distant from the cutting edge 44 by a compression spring 52 encircling the armature 48 and extending between the solenoid 46 and a retainer ring 54 fixed to the armature. In this way, the yarn is able to advance unhindered through the passage 40 during winding. However, when the solenoid 46 is energized in response to a signal from the inspection unit 34, the armature 48 is projected against the force of the spring 52 such that the anvil 50 moves from a retracted, solid line position (FIG. 4) to an extended phantom line position against the cutting edge 44 to sever the yarn.

Yieldably but firmly holding the free end of yarn extending from the supply package S against a lower surface of the passage 40 adjacent the cutting edge 44 after the yarn has been severed is a yarn clamp 56 adjacent the anvil 50. As seen in FIG. 4, the free end of the armature 48 has a suitable recess 58 adapted to slidably receive the yarn clamp 56 and a compression spring 60 located in the recess bears against the upper end of the yarn clamp and serves to normally hold the yarn clamp in an extended position in which its lowermost edge reaches beyond the anvil 50. In order to define the extended position to which the yarn clamp 56 is moved by the spring, a knob 62 on a surface of the yarn clamp 56 cooperates with a depression 64 in a surface of the anvil 50 to permit the axial movement of the yarn clamp from an extended position (FIG. 4) to a retracted position when the anvil 50 engages the cutting edge 44. With an end of the yarn from the supply package 8, firmly gripped between the lower surface of the passage 40 and the yarn clamp 56, the free end of the yarn from the take-up package P drops away from the assembly 38 and is wound onto the take-up package P.

A releasable holding mechanism 65 responds automatically to operation of the solenoid 46 to releasably maintain the armature 48 in a partially extended position at which the yarn clamp 56 is effective to continue holding the free end of yarn. Specifically, at the top of the enclosure 42 is suitably mounted a cover 66 adapted to pivotally support an L-shaped lever 68. A cam 70 is fixed to the lever 68 within the cover 66, and a torsion spring 72 fixed to the cam 70 at one end is coiled about the lever 68 and at its other end engages the cover 66 thereby urging the lever 68 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 3). The periphery of the cam 70 includes a recess 74 adapted to receive, under certain conditions when the solenoid 46 is de-energized, the upper end of the armature 48 which is biased upwardly by the compression spring 52. When the solenoid 46 is momentarily energized, the armature 48 is drawn downwardly and clears the recess 74 permitting the lever 68 to pivot under the urging of the spring 72 from a depressed position to a raised position, both positions being shown by phantom lines in FIG. 3. The raised position is defined when the lever 68 strikes a stop 76 which is fixed to and extends outwardly from the cover 66 (FIG. 2). When the solenoid 46 is de-energized, the spring 52 urges the armature 48 upwardly, until its upper end engages the outer periphery of the cam 70, the recess 74 having moved to a phantom line position (FIG. 3) when the lever 68 moved to the raised position. At this stage of the operation, the anvil 50 is separated from the cutting edge 44 but the yarn clamp 56 firmly engages the lower surface of the passage 40 to hold the free end of yarn extending through the passage.

END FINDING AND JOINING MECHANISM After the inspection unit 34 has signa led for the operation of the cutting-clamping assembly 38, an end finding and joining mechanism is actuated to retrieve the respective ends of yarn from the supply package S and from the take-up package P, one suitable mechanism being that disclosed in the US. Pat. No. 2,764,362. Only so much of the conventional mechanism is described herein as is necessary to provide sufficient background for a complete understanding of the present invention.

To retrieve the free end of yarn from the supply package S;, a tension nozzle 78 (FIG. 1) comprising a substantially inverted U-shaped tube having its lower end portion rotatably mounted in a forward wall of a housing 80 and suitably connected to a source of vacuum (not shown) is swung downwardly in a clockwise direction (FIG. 1). At its open or free end, the tension nozzle 78 is provided with a downwardly opening yarn receiving mouth 82 (FIG. 5) having a hinged closure cap 84 movable between an open position, shown in solid lines, for receiving and releasing a yarn end, and a closed position, shown in phantom lines, to hold the yarn end. As the mouth of the tension nozzle is moved downwardly and forwardly across the top panel 20 and then travels across the path of the yarn extending between the inspection unit 34 and the cutting-clamping assembly 38, a flexible reed 86 fixed to the tension nozzle 78 adjacent the mouth 82 and extending in an outward direction brushes against the lever 68. In this way, the lever 68 is swung in a clockwise direction (FIG. 3) against the urging of the spring 72 from the raised position to the depressed position. With the lever 68 in the depressed position, the recess 74 is again oriented to receive the upper end of the armature 48 under the urging of the spring 52 and the yarn held between the yarn clamp 56 and the lower surface of the passage 40 is released for immediate entry into the mouth 82 under the influence of the vacuum in the tension nozzle 78.

Viewing especially FIG. 5, a substantially rigid finger 88 projects laterally from the closure cap 84 and engages with a cam 90 fixed to the top panel 20 and having a contoured lower edge 92 adapted to pivot the closure cap 84 to the closed position to firmly seize and hold the yarn at the mouth 82. Movement of the tension nozzle 78 is then suitably reversed so that, with the free end of the supply yarn held at its mouth 82, the tension nozzle 78 swings upwardly in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 1) to carry the yarn to a suitable knotter 94. An opening cam 96 is fixed to the frame of the knotter 94 and so positioned that when the tension nozzle 78 approaches the knotter, the finger 88 rides across a cam 96 to pivot the closure cap 84 to the open position thereby releasing the end of yarn from the active bobbin S for engagement by the knotter 94.

To retrieve the free end of yarn from the take-up package during an end finding and joining operation, a suitable mechanism (not shown) is operated to rotate the package P for a brief period in an unwinding direction and to draw off the free end of yarn from the package P, whereupon the end passes into vacuum passage. A yarn pick-up finger 98, pivotally mounted on a bracket 99 on the housing 80 is then swung upwardly and forwardly (FIG. 1) and being upturned at its free end picks up a bight of the yarn being drawn off the package and carries the yarn to the knotter 94. As the knotter 94 is operated to join the free ends, the defect is discarded along with free ends of the knotted yarn, and the pick-up finger 98 and the tension nozzle 78 are returned to their respective rest positions (FIG. 1) and the winding operation is reinstated and proceeds in the customary fashion.

Turning to FIG. 6, illustrating a drive mechanism for selectively operating the end finding and joining mechanism just described, a cam shaft 100 is rotatably supported in opposed sidewalls 102 of the housing 80. Fixed to the cam shaft 100 are a plurality of plate cams 104 adapted to suitably operate the tension nozzle 78, the pick-up finger 98, the knotter 94, and other instrumentalities which assist in performing the end finding and joining operation. The carn shaft 100 remains stationary during the normal winding operation and is operated only in response to an interruption in the supply yarn when it is necessary to join the respective ends from the supply and take-up packages. A continuously driven spur gear 106 is journaled on the cam shaft 100. Similarly journaled on the cam shaft 100 is a drive plate 108 having a plurality of circumferentially, equally spaced notches 110 and fixed to the spur gear 106 by a plurality of axially extending drive pins 112 having their ends respectively fixed to the spur gear 106 and to the drive plate 108.

Fixed on the cam shaft 100 at a location spaced slightly from the drive plate 108 in a direction away from the observer in FIG. 6 is an actuator disc 114 which bears a pivot pin 116 (FIG. 7) at a position spaced slightly inwardiv of its periphery. A drive pawl 118 is swingably mounted on the pivot pin adjacent the actuator disc 114 and at a lower end of the pawl 118 is a laterally directed lug 120 arranged to engage with one of the notches 110. An upper end of the pawl 118 is engaged by one end of a torsion spring 122, the other end of which is anchored on a post 124 on the actuator disc 114, so that the spring 122 urges the pawl 118 to swing in a clockwise direction (FIG. 7) about the pivot pin 116. Thus, when the pawl 118 is free to rotate, the lug 120 is urged by the spring 122 into engagement with one of the notches 110 to couple the drive plate 108 to the actuator disc 114 for rotating the cam shaft 100.

In order to hold the lug 120 out of engagement with one of the peripheral notches 110, the upper end of the pawl 118 includes an outwardly projecting beak 126 having a straight lower edge which is adapted to engage a shoulder 128 at an upper end of a laterally directed flange 130 on a cam cycle lever 132. The cam cycle lever 132 is free to rock with a shaft 134 rotatably mounted at its ends in a pair of spaced apart bearing blocks 136 fixed to the housing 80. Lying in approximately the same radial plane as the axial of the pivot pm 116, a substantially circular peripheral edge of the actuator disc 114 is formed with a radial shoulder 138 which is also adapted to engage the shouler 128. As long as the beak 126 and the radial shoulder 138 are engaged with the shoulder 128, the lug 120 is held removed from the periphery of the drive plate 108 and the cam shaft 100 remains stationary.

When a solenoid 140 is actuated, an armature 142 is drawn to the right (FIG. 7) against the urging of a spring 144 to swing the cam cycle lever 132, pivotally connected to the armature 142, on the shaft 134 in a clockwise direction. Thus, the shoulder 128 is momentarily moved out from beneath the beak 126' and the radial shoulder 138 releasing the actuator disc 114 for rotation and allowing the pawl 118 to pivot under the influence of the spring 122 to engage the lug 120 with the first notch which approaches the lug.

When the solenoid 140 is de-energized so that the spring 144 returns the armature 142 and the cam cycle lever 132 to their original positions, the cam shaft 100 continues rotating but only for the remainder of its current revolution. This follows from the fact that as the pawl 118 swings to couple the actuator disc 114 and the drive plate 108 together, the beak 126 is projected into leading relationship with the radial shoulder 138 and as the ensuing revolution is completed, the beak 126 engages the shoulder 128 slightly in advance of the radial shoulder 138. When this occurs, the actuator disc 114, still coupled to the drive plate 108, continues to rotate to bring its radial shoulder 138 into engagement with the shoulder 128. Because the beak 126 on the pawl 118 is no longer free to move, the pawl swings against the force of the spring 122 and disengages the lug from the peripheral notch 110 of the drive plate 108, stopping rotation of the actuator disc 114 and of the cam shaft 100.

When the yarn is running below the particular speed previously discussed, and the inspection unit 34 senses a defect in the yarn, as during threading of a new or reserve bobbin, as S which has been moved to the active position and becomes the active bobbin or package S the sensing unit signals for operation of the cutting-clamping assembly 38 and for operation of the solenoid to commence a succeeding end finding and joining operation to eliminate the defect. If, however, a defect is again detected in the course of the succeeding operation, the inspection unit 34 signals for operation of the blade 36 and for operation of a suitable mechanism to replace the current active supply package S with a fresh supply package S (FIG. 1). It should be explained that it is desirable to remove the current supply bobbin S from the active unwinding position when a yarn doubling is encountered and to replace it with a fresh supply package S From experience, it is known that a doubling would probably cause a down spindle in that the tension nozzle 78 would perform a number of successive end finding attempts without locating a single end of yarn. As the yarn is drawn through the passage 32 upon the counterclockwise rotation (FIG. I) of the tension nozzle 78, a yarn defect detected by the inspection unit may be an ordinary slub or it may be the beginning of a doubling. In the former event, it is merely necessary to eliminate the slub from the yarn while retaining the current supply package S in the active unwinding position. However, should the defect in the yarn be a doubling it is desirable to entirely remove the supply package S and replace it with a fresh supply package S To differentiate between a mere slub and a doubling, it is desirable first to remove the defect and then to reinspect the yarn. If the defect remains, the improbability of the second defect being a mere slub is so great that the doubling is substantially identified and the current supply package S is removed and replaced with a fresh supply package S This follows from the fact that slubs are relatively rare in occurrence such that the presence of two slubs in a short length of yarn, that is, the length of yarn which advances during the inherent delay period between detection of a defect and the actuation of the solenoid 46, strongly suggests a defect having a length longer than an ordinary slub.

SUPPLY REPLENISHING MECHANISM When operated, a replenishing mechanism 146 (FIGS. 8 and 9) within the housing 22 initiates a sequence of events as the result of which the supply package S is replaced with a fresh supply package S The supply packages S and S are suitably mounted at opposite ends of a creel in the form of a spider 148 (FIG. 1) which is fixed to a tubular shaft 150 rotatably supported in a pedestal bearing 152 fixed to a rail 154 constituting a part of the frame of the winding machine. At its upper end, the tubular shaft 150 projects through a floor 156 (FIG. 8) of the housing 22 and an inner shaft 158 extends through the tubular shaft 150 and is appropriately held in a concentric relationship so as to be rotatable independently of the tubular shaft.

The inner shaft 158 is continuously rotated in a suitable manner and when a suitable semi-revolution clutch 160 mounted on the floor 156 within the housing 22 is actuated, the tubular shaft 150 is coupled to the internal shaft 158 to effect movement of the supply spider 148 to bring the fresh supply package S into unwinding position and to remove the supply package S to the inactive position, that is, reversing the respective positions shown in FIG. 1.

When a solenoid 162 of the replenishing mechanism 146 is energized, an armature 164 is drawn leftwardly (FIGS. 8 and 9) against the urging of a spring 166. As a lever 168, pivotally connected to an end of the armature 164 and guided through a slot 170 in an upstanding portion of an L-shaped base plate 172, moves to the left (FIGS. 8 and 9), it carries with it a latch 174 which engages a clutch operating finger 176. The operating finger 176 is pivotally mounted about a vertically disposed pin 178 (FIGS. 8 and 9) and, biased in a counterclockwise direction by a tension spring 180 having one end connected to the finger and the other end connected to the floor 156, extends in a substantially radial manner beyond the enclosure of the clutch 160. Thus, the finger 176 is pivoted in a clockwise direction (FIG. 9) about the pin 178 and against the urging of the spring 180 until the clutch 160 is actuated to couple the shaft 150 to the shaft 158. As the armature 164 continues to be drawn to the left (FIGS. 8 and 9) by the solenoid 162, an extreme end of the lever 168 pinned to a link 182 follows an ascending are as it swings the link 182 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 8) about a stub shaft 184 journaled in a pillow block 186 mounted on the floor 156. When the extreme end of the lever 168 reaches an appropriate height, the finger 176 slides off the latch 174, and under the bias of the spring 180, returns to its normal inoperative position. After the solenoid 162 is de-energized, the lever follows a descending are under the urging of the spring 166 and returns to the normal inoperative posi- I tion (FIGS. 8 and 9).

A pin 186 serves to pivotally mount the latch 174 on the lever 168. The latch 174 is urged in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 8) by a torsion spring 188 coiled around the pin 186 so that one end bears against the lever 168 and the other end against the latch 174 to Operation of the blade 36 always precedes operation of the solenoid 162 so that the free end from the supply, if any, is cut at the inspection unit 34 before the current supply package S is removed from the active unwinding position (FIG. 1). A tension mechanism 192, positioned in the normal yarn path intermediate the active supply package S and the inspection unit 34 for controlling tension in the yarn as it advances across the top panel 20, includes an upper tension disc 194 and a lower tension disc 196 between which the yarn advances. The discs 194 and 196 are suitably urged into mutual engagement and when a partially unwound supply package is to be removed, it is desirable to separate the discs after cutting the yarn at the inspection unit 34 in order to release the free end of yarn and to allow for insertion of yarn from the fresh supply package S Upon actuation of the solenoid 162 to operate the clutch 160, a crank 198 integral with the link 182 swings downwardly in the counterclockwise direction (FIG. 8) about the stub shaft 184. The crank 198 is suitably recessed to receive the free end of an axially extending pin 200 fixed to a lower end of a plunger 202. Fixed to the upper end of the plunger 202 is the lower tension disc 196 positioned substantially beneath the upper tension disc 194. The upper tension disc 194 is fixed to the lower end of a rod 204 which is suitably suspended from one end of a cantilever 206. At its other end, the cantilever is suitably fixed to the top of the inspection unit 34. As the crank 198 swings downwardly, a compression spring 208 is effective to cause the lower tension disc 196 to recede from the upper tension disc 194. To this end, the spring 208 is coiled about the plunger 202 and extends between the underside of the top panel 20 and an annular flange 210 on a bushing 212 fixed to the plunger. The bushing 212 is seated on a retainer 214 also fixed to the plunger 202 and is axially movable in a bore 216 through the top panel 20.

An aperture 218 in the top panel 20 communicates with a suitable source of vacuum (not shown) and serves to receive and retain the free end of yarn from the reserve supply package S in the inactive position (FIG. 1). From the aperture 218, the reserve end of yarn stretches over the guide 28, then downwardly to the reserve supply package S and as the reserve package S is moved from the reserve to the active unwinding position, the yarn follows along the guide until it is received in the pigtail portion 30. Simultaneously, the lower tension disc 196 recedes from the upper tension disc 194 for a sufficient period to receive yarn from the fresh supply package S and by the time the fresh supply package S reaches the active, unwinding position, the solenoid 162 is de-energized and the lower tension disc 196 returns to its normal yarn engaging position (FIG. 8).

TENSION SENSOR Also located in the path of the supply yarn is a tension sensor 220 fixed to the top panel 20 intermediate the inspection unit 34 and the cutting-clamping assembly 38. The tension sensor 220 operates only during the end finding and joining operation and serves to detect excessive tension in the supply yarn as the tension nozzle 78 swings upwardly to deliver the free end of supply yarn to the knotter 94. In the course of an end finding and joining operation, the yarn is guided, generally as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2, adjacent a switch 222 by a pair of angularly disposed guide pins 224 fixed to and extending downwardly from the enclosure for the switch 222 and a switch actuating arm 226 which extends outwardly and upwardly from the switch 222 and overlies the yarn. Under normal conditions, the yarn has no effect on the actuating arm 226, but when yarn tension becomes excessive and the yarn becomes taut, as for example, when the yarn no longer unwinds freely from the supply package 8,, the yarn slides upwardly along the guide pins 224 and when a predetermined force has been applied to the actuating arm 226 by the yarn, the tension sensor 220 is effective to signal for operation of the blade 36 to cut the yarn extending from the supply package S and for operation of the solenoid 162 to move a fresh supply package S into the active unwinding position.

CONTROL CIRCUIT Turn now to the electrical diagram, FIG. 10, all components are shown in positions assumed when the winding machine is lnoperative. A continuous source of electric potential EMF is provided across supply lines L and L and activates the control circuit when a master switch MS is closed.

Upon closure of the master switch MS, the solenoid 140 is energized initiating rotation of the cam shaft 100. Because a suitable detector 228 within the inspection unit 34 senses that the yarn is currently running below the particular speed. The detector 228 is a photo-electric cell connected in a suitable circuit, indicated by the box 229, of the previously mentioned Loepfe inspection device 34, to provide various signals utilized and described hereinafter. Thus, a relay 1R remains de-energized such that its contacts (1R11R8) assume the positions indicated in FIG. 10. Thus, a time delay relay lTDR is energized and its normally closed contact 1TDR1 remains closed until a predetermined period preset into the relay has lapsed, at which time it opens.

The relay lTDR permits a plurality of successive end finding and joining attempts in the event a first or a succeeding attempt fails, and for this purpose operates to hold the solenoid 140' energized for an arbitrarily preset period of time. Specifically, the contact 1TDR1 normally assumes a closed position, but when the preset period in the relay lTDR has lapsed, the contact 1TDR1 opens and remains open until the relay lTDR is de-energized. Thus, as long as the contact 1TDR1 remains closed, the solenoid 140 remains energized, the cam cycle lever 132 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is held withdrawn from the actuator disc 114 so that the drive plate 108 and the actuator disc 114 remain coupled together, and the cam shaft 100 continues to rotate. When the contact 1TDR1 opens after the preset period of time has lapsed, the solenoid 140 is de-energized and the cam shaft 100 continues rotating only to complete the cycle which has already commenced.

Consider now the instance in which a fully or partially wound supply package or bobbin S (FIG. 1) is in the unwinding position such that yarn Y extends through the passage 32 (FIG. 2) of the sensing unit 34 and is held at the cutting-clamping assembly 38. In that event, the tension nozzle 78 is effective to draw the yarn Y laterally out of the passage 32. The yarn slides off the angularly disposed guide pins 224 of the tension sensor 220 and away from the yarn clamp 56 which is released by the flexible reed 86 (FIG. engaging the lever 68 as the tension nozzle 78 swings in the clockwise direction (FIG. 1). As the tension nozzle 78 approaches its extreme position, the rigid finger 88 brushes against and momentarily closes contacts of a switch 230 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 10) suitably mounted on the top panel adjacent the closure cam 90. However, removal of the yarn from the passage 32 generates a signal within the inspection unit 34 which operates to energize a relay 2TDR to open its normally closed contact 2TDR1 for a preset period of time lasting at least until the rigid finger 88 has moved to close the contacts of the switch 230. Therefore, it is apparent that when yarn is present in the passage 32 and is subsequently removed, a solenoid 232 (FIG. 10) for operating the knife 36 is unaffected and remains inactive.

After the yarn ends from the bobbin S and the package P have been tied by the knotter 94 and winding is reinstated, the yarn movement detector 228 signals the relay 1R accordingly, cause its contacts (1R1, etc.) to assume positions opposite those indicated in FIG. 10. With the opening of the contacts 1R7 and IRS, the relay 1TDR is a de-energized and the solenoid 140 is de-energized to terminate rotation of the cam shaft 100 when it has completed its current cycle. A sufficient dwell period is suitably provided in the operation of the winding machine to assure that the yarn will have attained a linear speed in excess of the minimum value so that the solenoid 140 will have been de-energized prior tothe beginning of a subsequent end finding and joining operation.

Should the knotter 94 fail to join the ends of yarn, the contacts of the relay 1R remain in the positions indicated in FIG. 10 such that the relay TDR and the solenoid 140 remain energized. The end finding and joining operation is then repeated until such time that the yarn is successfully joined and winding is commenced or until the relay 1TDR finally operates to open the contact 1TDR1. If the yarn is not joined when sufilcient time has elapsed for the contact ITDRl to open, the winding machine becomes inactive until an attendant corrects the malfunction.

If for any reason yarn Y does not extend in a path suitable for seizure by the tension nozzle 78, no signal is generated by the inspection unit 34, the relay 2TDR remains de-energized, and the contact 2TDR1 remains closed. When the tension nozzle 78 reaches its extreme position and momentarily closes the switch 230, the solenoid 232 is energized to sever any yarn which may yet remain in the passage 32 and the solenoid 162 is energized to actuate the clutch 160, replacing the current supply package S with a fresh supply package S Movement of the fresh supply package S into the active unwinding position is performed in a sufficiently rapid manner that the yarn from the package S is moved laterally into the open jaws of the closure cap 84 before the mouth 82 reaches the cam 90. If the yarn is successfully joined and winding reinstated, the yarn movement detector 228 energizes the relay 1R to move its contacts 1R1 etc.) to positions reversed from those indicated in FIG. 10. Thus, with the opening of the contact 1R8, the solenoid 140 is de-energized and rotation of the cam shaft terminates after it completes its current revolution.

Consider now that yarn is running in the normal manner such that the relay IR is energized and its contacts (1R1 etc.) are moved to positions opposite those indicated in FIG. 10. If in this condition a defect is detected in the yarn Y by the detector 228 within the inspection unit 34, a time delay relay 3TDR is mometnarily energized thus closing its normally open contact 3TDR1 for a preset period of time. Because the contact 1R6 had previously been closed by the relay 1R, the solenoid 46 is energized to cut the yarn and to hold at the assembly 38 the free end of yarn extending from the supply package S The resulting condition of the yarn running below the particular speed is sensed by the detector 228 de-energizes the relay 1R to return its contacts to the positions indicated in FIG. 10. With the closure of the contact 1TDR1, the solenoid is energized and the cam shaft 100 commences rotation.

Consider the instance in which the detector 228 senses a yarn defect when the yarn is running below the particular speed, as during the end finding and joining operation. When this occurs, the relay 3TDR is momentarily energized by a signal from the detector 228 and its contact 3TDR1 is closed. Because the movement detector 228 senses that the yarn running below the particular speed, the relay IR is de-energized and all of its contacts (1R1 etc.) assume the positions indicated in FIG. 10. Thus, the contact IRS is closed, switching a normally cut-otf transistor T to drive it into conduction so as to energize a suitable stepping switch S8. One instance of a suitable steppingswitch SS is a device designated Rotary Solenoid Switch, part No. 250-124-256, manufactured by Ledex Inc. of Dayton, Ohio, and is schematically shown in FIG. 11. When the stepping switch SS is energized, a suitable drive motor 236 is effective to rotate a shaft 238 on which is fixed a radially extending wiper element 240. A free end of the wiper element 240 is adapted to successively engage a plurality of stationary contacts SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 fixed on a stationary disc 242. A capacitor C (FIG. 10) in parallel with the stepping SS serves to sufiiciently retard rotation of the shatf 238 (FIG. 11) to assure that positive engagement is made between the wiper element 240 and each of the contacts. The wiper element 240 is initially positioned (FIG. 11) to hold the contact SS1 open. The time period preset into the relay 3T'DR is of sufiicient duration to swing the wiper element 240 across at least two of the contacts ont he disc 242. Thus, when the motor 236 is energized, the wiper element 240 is rotated through a second position at which it momentarily closes the contact SS2 and continues to a dead position at a contact SS3. Although the contact SS1 is held open initially by the wiper element 240, it remains closed during the subsequent operation of the stepping switch SS.

Should a yarn defect be detected as the yarn Y is drawn through the passage 32 in the course of the counterclockwise movement of the tension nozzle 78 (FIG. 1), the detector 228 signals the relay 3TDR to close its contact 3TDR1 thus energizing the solenoid 46 to cut the yarn and hold the free end at the assembly 38. The end finding and joiining operation is repeated and if no defect is detected this time, the relay 3TDR1 receives no signal from the detector 228 and the contact 3TDR1 remains open. When winding resumes and detector 228 energizes the relay 1R to move its contacts to assume positions opposite those indicated in FIG. 10, closure of the contact 1R4 causes the stepping switch SS to be energized, because the contact SS1 is closed in all intermediate positions of the stepping switch SS, and to remain energized until the wiper element 240 moves to its initial position, opening the contact SS1. The stepping switch SS is thereupon de-energized.

If, however, the detector 228 again detects a yarn defect, it again signals the relay 3TDR to close its contact 3TDR1 so that the stepping switch SS is energized through the normally non-conducting transistor T and its wiper element 240 continues from the dead position SS3 through a position in which the contact SS4 is momentarily closed. Because the movement detector 228 senses that the yarn is running below the particular speed, the contact 1R3 is closed and, upon closure of the contact SS4, energizes the solenoids 162 and 232 to cut the yarn at the inspection unit 34 and to index a fresh supply bobbin S into the active unwinding position. An end finding and joining operation is commenced and when winding is resumed, the stepping switch SS is de-energized with its wi-per element 240 in its initial position, opening the contact SS1.

Should yarn tension be excessive during the end finding and joining operation so as to effect closure of the switch 222, the solenoids 162 and 232 are energized because the contact 2TDR1 is closed. In this manner, the yarn is severed by the knife 36 and a fresh supply bobbin S is indexed into unwinding position thus removing the defective supply package S and its associated yarn.

OVERALL OPERATION When yarn is running above the previously described predetermined particular speed and the inspection unit 34 detects an unacceptable yarn defect, the assembly 38 is operated to cut the yarn and in the course of the subsequent end finding and joining operation the defect is eliminated, and winding is resumed. The yarn thus removed is at most a few feet and if in movement of this particular span of a few feet, an unacceptable yarn defect is detected, the solenoid 46 at the assembly 38 is initially operated and an end finding and joining operation is commenced. Should another defect be detected during movement of the particular span of a few feet through the assembly 34 during the end finding and joining operation, the knife 36 is operated and the active supply package S is replaced with a fresh, reserve supply package S Also should excessive yarn tension be detected during the end finding and joining operation, the knife 36 is operated and a fresh supply package S is moved into unwinding position.

If yarn from an active supply bobbin 8; does not lie in a path enabling the tension nozzle 78 to seize the yarn in the course of an end finding and joining operation, or if the supply package S has become exhausted, a fresh 12 supply package S is moved into the active unwinding position.

For the reason that the invention is capable of numerous forms other than those disclosed without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that the embodiment disclosed be deemed illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:

1. Yarn winding apparatus comprising supply means for operatively positioning an active source of supply of yarn to be wound onto a package and operable for re lacing said active source with a reserve source of supply of yarn, means operable for threading yarn from said supply means to said package, and control means for sensing yarn tension and operating said supply means for replacing said active source only during operation of the threading means and responsive to yarn tension above a predetermined value.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said control means is operable for sensing the tension of yarn extending from said supply means toward said package to so operate said supply means.

3. Yarn winding apparatus comprising supply means for positioning an active source of supply of yarn to be wound onto a package and operable for replacing said active source with a reserve source of supply of yarn, means for winding the yarn from said active source onto said package, means operable for removing a fault from said yarn, and control means for sensing yarn tension and responsive to yarn tension above a predetermined value and to the fault removing means operating more than once within a predetermined span for operating said supply means to replace said active source with said reserve source.

4. Yarn winding apparatus comprising supply means for positioning an active source of supply of yarn to be wound onto a package and operable for replacing said active source with a reserve source of supply of yarn, means for winding the yarn from said active source onto said package at a rate above a particular winding speed during normal winding operation, fault removing means for removing a fault from said yarn and for reducing the yarn speed below said particular winding speed while removing a fault, and control means responsive to the fault removing means operating more than once within a predetermined span which terminates when the yarn speed rises above said particular speed following operation of said fault removing means for operating said supply means to replace said active source with said reserve source.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including means operable for threading yarn from said supply means to said package, and in which said control means is operable for sensing the tension of yarn extending from said supply means toward said package and for operating said supply means to replace said active source with said reserve source responsive to said yarn tension being above a predetermined value only during operation of the threading means.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the sources of supply of yarn are bobbins, said supply means includes a holder for supporting said bobbins, means movably mounting said holder for replacing an active bobbin with a reserve bobbin, drive means, and clutch means operable to couple said holder to said drive means for movement of said holder to replace said active bobbin with said reserve bobbin, and said control means is operable for operating said clutch.

7. Apparatus for winding yarn from a supply to a take-up package, comprising first and second spaced apart cutting means operable to cut the yarn, and inspection means for detecting a predetermined yarn condition and upon detecting such condition responsive to yarn speed above a predetermined rate for operating said first cutting means and responsive to yarn speed below said pre- 13 14 determined rate for operating said second cutting means. 2,935,268 5/ 1960 Barbati 24219 XR 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first 3,155,331 11/1964 Pitts 242-36 XR cutting means includes a cutting member operable for 3,304,015 2/1967 Jenny 24235.6 movement between a retracted, inoperative position and 3,343,008 9/ 1967 Bancroft 24236 XR an extended position for cutting the yarn, and a clamp- 5 ing member for yieldably holding the yarn concurrently STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner with operation of said cutting mgmber' W. H. SCHROEDER, Assistant Examiner References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,752,103 6/195 FllI'St 242-36 US. 01. X.R. 2864; 242 19, 29, 35.6

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