U.S. patent application number 10/598679 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for method for reinitializing count of thread reel length.
This patent application is currently assigned to RIETER TEXTILE MACHINERY FRANCE. Invention is credited to Gilles Coral.
Application Number | 20070193052 10/598679 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34855214 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070193052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Coral; Gilles |
August 23, 2007 |
Method for reinitializing count of thread reel length
Abstract
This method is distinctive in that: the rotation speed (Vo)
obtained with the reel empty is recorded beforehand; and after
start-up, the rotation speed (Vd) of the reel that is being wound
is measured. The latter speed corresponds to the maximum speed
reached at the end of a start-up acceleration phase and at the
start of a gradual slowdown phase after the winding phase and this
speed is compared to that obtained when the reel was empty. If the
rotation speed (Vd) measured after start-up is substantially equal
to or greater than the rotation speed (Vo) obtained when the reel
was empty, length metering is then reset. If the speed after
start-up is substantially less than the rotation speed obtained
with the reel empty, metering is resumed from a point where it
stopped.
Inventors: |
Coral; Gilles; (Beaumont Les
Valence, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Assignee: |
RIETER TEXTILE MACHINERY
FRANCE
Allee Charles Baron Z.I. des Aureats
Valence Cedex
FR
|
Family ID: |
34855214 |
Appl. No.: |
10/598679 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
February 18, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR05/50106 |
371 Date: |
September 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
33/733 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 63/08 20130101;
B65H 2701/31 20130101; B65H 61/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
033/733 |
International
Class: |
B65H 61/00 20060101
B65H061/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2004 |
FR |
0450459 |
Claims
1. A method for resetting metering of a length of yarn being wound
on a reel, wherein: a rotation speed (Vo) obtained with the reel
empty is recorded beforehand; after start-up, a rotation speed (Vd)
of the reel that is being wound is measured, this speed (Vd)
corresponds to a maximum speed reached at an end of a start-up
acceleration phase and at a start of a gradual slowdown phase after
a winding phase and this speed (Vd) is compared to the speed (Vo)
obtained when the reel was empty; if the rotation speed (Vd)
measured after start-up is substantially equal to or greater than
the rotation speed (Vo) obtained when the reel was empty, the
length metering is then reset; if the rotation speed (Vd) after
start-up is substantially less than the rotation speed (Vo)
obtained when the reel was empty, metering is resumed from a point
where metering stopped.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein reinitialization of
metering comprises a simple zero reset.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, to obtain improved
metering accuracy, the reset comprises resetting a counter to a
winding length recorded during the acceleration phase.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation speed
(Vd) is measured continuously or at regular intervals during
winding of the yarn on the reel.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein: a rotation speed (Va)
measured immediately before a winding stoppage is stored. a
rotation speed (Vd') after restarting is measured and compared
firstly to the rotation speed (Vo) obtained with an empty reel and
secondly to the speed (Va) stored immediately before the stoppage,
so that: if the rotation speed (Vd') measured after restarting is
substantially equal to the rotation speed (Vo) obtained when the
reel was empty, length metering is reset; if the rotation speed
(Vd') measured after restarting is substantially equal to the
rotation speed (Va) obtained immediately before the stoppage,
length metering is not reset and metering resumes from a point at
which metering stopped; if the rotation speed (Vd') measured after
restarting is less than the rotation speed (Va) obtained when the
reel was empty and greater than the rotation speed (Va) obtained
immediately before the stoppage, length metering is not reset and
metering resumes from the point at which metering stopped and an
alarm is triggered.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein if the rotation speed
(Va) measured immediately before the stoppage is substantially
equal to the rotation speed (Vo) obtained when the reel was empty,
length metering is reset and an alarm is triggered in order to
indicate risk of abnormal metering.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotation speed (Vp)
equivalent to a final meterage of a correctly wound reel and/or the
rotation speed equivalent to a maximum diameter of the reel
accommodated by a winding system is recorded beforehand.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotation speed
(Vd) is measured continuously or at regular intervals during
production.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a rotation speed
measured immediately before a winding stoppage is stored so that:
if the rotation speed (Vd) measured after restarting and/or during
winding is substantially equal to or less than the rotation speed
(Vp) equivalent to the final meterage of a correctly wound reel
and/or the rotation speed equivalent to the maximum diameter of the
reel accommodated by the winding system, winding is interrupted and
an alarm is triggered in order to indicate that the reel reached an
excessively large diameter.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rotation speed
(Vp) equivalent to the final meterage of a correctly wound reel is
recorded beforehand so that, if the rotation speed (Va) of the reel
immediately before stoppage on reaching a programmed meterage
differs from the rotation speed (Vp) equivalent to the final
meterage, an alarm is triggered in order to indicate that a
diameter of the wound reel does not match an expected final
diameter.
11. A The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a table containing
rotation speed as a function of the meterage reached for a
correctly wound reel is recorded beforehand, so that, if the
rotation speed measured at any time during winding differs from a
rotation speed equivalent to the meterage reached at an instant in
question for a correctly wound reel, an alarm is triggered
indicating that the diameter of the wound reel does not match the
expected diameter.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the winding length
recorded during the acceleration phase is estimated by counting
reel revolutions during the acceleration phase.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of
textile machinery for converting yarn.
[0002] More precisely, the invention has an application in the area
of winding which involves applying a reel that is being formed on a
powered take-up cylinder in order to ensure both rotational driving
of the reel and take-up of the yarn. Generally speaking, the reel
on which the yarn is wound is slaved to a moving assembly that
grips the central tube between rotating centering devices, enabling
it to rotate around its axis whilst pushing the reel against the
powered cylinder.
[0003] Devices used in order to determine precisely the quantity of
yarn wound onto each reel are known. This information is useful in
order to manage downstream processes that are likely to reuse such
reels. It should also be noted that these devices can be used in
order to produce reels of a predetermined length. In this case, the
device(s) can be connected to means capable of warning the operator
that the programmed meterage has been reached so that the operator
can perform a reel change, i.e. remove the reel and restart winding
on an empty holder. The device may also be connected to means
making it possible to interrupt winding once the programmed winding
has been achieved and wait for an operator. The device may also be
connected to means of performing an automatic reel change once the
programmed meterage has been reached.
[0004] The aim is therefore to produce reels having a perfectly
equal length, for example so that all the warp yarns are identical,
without knots or losses of bottoms of reels.
[0005] The monitoring devices are, for instance, based on measuring
the speed of the take-up components of the machine or of various
means that combine various spooling parameters in order to perform
meterage calculations.
[0006] Patent FR 2.123.176, for example, discloses a technical
solution that relates to a device based on counting pulses output
by a sensor that detects the rotation of a shaft, the velocity of
which represents the feed speed of the yarn.
[0007] Patent FR 2.309.832 describes a system based on counting the
pulses generated by a sensor that detects rotation of the reel and
an electronic circuit that calculates the quantity of yarn wound
around the circumference of the reel during each revolution of the
latter.
[0008] Patent FR 2.517.657 relates to a technical solution that is
equivalent to that defined above and includes means capable of
compensating for measurement errors due to slippage.
[0009] These various metering solutions propose starting from a
manual reset action or starting from completion of metering of the
previous reel.
[0010] However, such solutions do not take into account events that
are likely to occur during winding. These events may, for instance,
be the result of a production stoppage following, for example, a
yam breakage or some other technical problem on the machine.
[0011] In certain cases the operator can decide to continue
production on the same reel without resetting the counter and
metering must continue until the determined meterage is reached.
This applies, for example, in the case of breakage of the yarn if
it is possible to reattach the latter.
[0012] In other cases the operator may decide to restart production
on a fresh reel. In this case it is generally necessary to lift off
and discard the reel and to fit an empty tube in order to restart
production. The meterage counter of the station must then be reset
by means of a contactor connected to the station so that such
metering restarts afresh.
[0013] The technical problem of resetting metering of the length of
reels is therefore important. Simple reset systems have been
proposed, as is apparent, for example, from the teaching of the
above-mentioned patents. For example, the operator may have or may
not have to actuate a reset pushbutton when restarting, depending
whether or not the operator continues or not on the same reel. It
is apparent that this solution depends directly on the alertness of
the operator. It is therefore not possible to exclude the
possibility of errors of judgment.
[0014] Another example of a problem that occurs is if the operator
performs a reset without replacing the full reel by an empty tube.
In this case, the full reel continues to expand and may exceed the
capacity of the system and damage it.
[0015] Relatively complex electric or electronic systems have been
suggested in order to avert such risks of error or omission by the
operator.
[0016] For example, machines equipped with an electronic monitoring
system connected to an automatic winding switch-off system are
known. The counter is reset automatically as soon as a reel is
finished. This arrangement prevents the risk of forgetting to
perform a reset before restarting. However, this solution does not
work if winding is interrupted manually or if winding is
interrupted before the reel is finished.
[0017] Automatic reset when stoppage of the winding system is
detected has also been proposed. However, a reset is not
appropriate if production is continued on the same reel.
[0018] Other enhancements have been suggested in order to detect
replacement of the reel by an empty tube. For example, a switch
located on the assembly that supports the reel or its tube detects
manipulation of the holder that is characteristic of replacing the
full reel by an empty tube.
[0019] Another means involves installing a switch in the means used
to secure the reel in order to detect its presence and temporary
absence when replacing a full reel by an empty tube. Such means are
generally expensive and difficult to adjust. In addition, they
perform a reset if movements that are characteristic of replacement
of a full reel by an empty tube are detected, even if such
replacement did not actually take place.
[0020] The invention has set itself the object of overcoming these
drawbacks in a simple, dependable, effective and efficient
manner.
[0021] The problem that the invention intends to solve is to ensure
resetting of metering of the length of a reel of yarn with the aim
of eliminating any uncertainty associated with the operator, to
completely automate the resetting of metering in order to simplify
the job of said operator and to optimize the operator's
intervention time at each station whilst excluding the possibility
of producing reels that are too short.
[0022] As already stated, the invention has an advantageous
application in particular in the case of a winding device which
involves applying a reel that is being formed on a powered take-up
cylinder that ensures both rotational driving of the reel and
take-up of the yarn.
[0023] According to the invention, the counter is reset on the
basis of the measured diameter of the reel that is being formed
after it has been started.
[0024] In order to solve the problem in question, a method has been
designed and perfected whereby: [0025] the rotation speed obtained
with the empty reel is recorded beforehand; [0026] after start-up,
the rotation speed of the reel that is being formed is measured,
this speed corresponds to the maximum speed reached at the end of
the start-up acceleration phase and at the start of the gradual
slowdown phase after the winding phase and this speed is compared
to that obtained when the reel was empty; [0027] if the rotation
speed measured after start-up is substantially equal to (or greater
than) the rotation speed obtained when the reel was empty, length
metering is then reset; [0028] if the speed after start-up is
substantially less than the rotation speed that corresponds to an
empty tube, metering is resumed from the point where it
stopped.
[0029] The speed after start-up is measured immediately after the
acceleration phase following start-up. In practice, this speed
corresponds to the maximum speed reached at the end of the start-up
acceleration phase and at the start of the gradual slowdown phase
after the winding phase.
[0030] Counter reinitialization can be a simple zero reset.
[0031] To obtain improved metering accuracy, this reset may involve
resetting the counter to the winding length recorded during the
acceleration phase, estimated, for example, by counting the number
of revolutions that the tube actually made during this phase.
[0032] Building on this basic concept, several enhancements can be
envisaged.
[0033] According to a first enhancement, the rotation speed is
measured continuously or at regular intervals during
production.
[0034] According to this first enhancement: [0035] the rotation
speed measured immediately before a production stoppage is stored.
[0036] the rotation speed after restarting is measured and compared
firstly to the rotation speed obtained with an empty reel and
secondly to the speed stored immediately before the stoppage, so
that: [0037] if the rotation speed measured after restarting is
substantially equal to (or greater than) the rotation speed
obtained when the reel was empty, length metering is reset; [0038]
if the rotation speed measured after restarting is substantially
equal to the rotation speed obtained immediately before the
stoppage, length metering is not reset and metering resumes from
the point at which it stopped; [0039] if the rotation speed
measured after restarting is less than the rotation speed obtained
when the reel was empty and greater than 10 the rotation speed
obtained immediately before the stoppage, length metering is not
reset and metering resumes from the point at which it stopped and
an alarm is triggered in order to indicate risk of abnormal
metering.
[0040] According to this enhancement, the following test may
usefully supplement this process: [0041] if the rotation speed
measured immediately before the stoppage is substantially equal to
the rotation speed obtained when the reel was empty, length
metering is reset and an alarm is triggered in order to indicate
risk of abnormal metering.
[0042] According to a second enhancement, the rotation speed
equivalent to the final meterage of a correctly wound reel and/or
the rotation speed equivalent to the maximum diameter of the reel
accommodated by the winding system is recorded beforehand.
[0043] According to this second enhancement: [0044] if the rotation
speed measured after restarting and/or during winding is
substantially equal to or less than the rotation speed equivalent
to the final meterage of a correctly wound reel and/or the rotation
speed equivalent to the maximum diameter of the reel accommodated
by the winding system, winding is interrupted and an alarm is
triggered in order to indicate that the reel reached an excessively
large diameter.
[0045] According to this second enhancement, the following test may
usefully supplement this process: [0046] if the rotation speed of
the reel immediately before stoppage on reaching the programmed
meterage differs from the rotation speed equivalent to the final
meterage, an alarm is triggered in order to indicate that the final
diameter of the reel does not match the expected final
diameter.
[0047] According to another enhancement, a table containing the
rotation speed as a function of meterage reached for a correctly
wound reel is recorded beforehand, so that, if the rotation speed
measured at any instant during winding differs from the rotation
speed equivalent to the meterage reached at the time in question
for a correctly wound reel, an alarm is triggered to indicate that
the diameter of the reel does not match the expected diameter.
[0048] In order to implement the method, regardless of the
particular embodiment, the device comprises a least one means
capable of measuring the rotation speed of the reel, e.g. a sensor,
that outputs one or more pulses per revolution so that the rotation
speed can be deduced from the frequency of said pulses or from the
time that elapses between said pulses.
[0049] According to another characteristic, the device comprises
electric or electronic means capable of performing the operations
described above and of triggering alarms in the form of, for
example, one or more visible and/or audible signals. These means
may be linked to a display that indicates the causes of the alarm.
These means may be a computer, an automaton or an electronic logic
circuit, possibly combined with other means of processing and/or
diagnostics.
[0050] The invention is explained below in greater detail,
reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0051] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the principle
used to measure the rotation speed of the reel during the following
phases:
[0052] FIG. 1: start-up of reel on an empty tube;
[0053] FIG. 2: stoppage and restarting of reel during winding;
[0054] FIG. 3: end of winding on reaching programmed meterage;
[0055] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing acceleration and then slowdown
of the speed of the reel at the time of start-up;
[0056] FIG. 5 is an algorithm that describes the invention;
[0057] FIG. 6 shows an algorithm that describes the invention in
accordance with a first enhancement;
[0058] FIG. 7 shows an algorithm that describes the invention in
accordance with a second enhancement.
[0059] In these various Figures, identifier (F) denotes the yarn,
(1) denotes the take-up cylinder, (2) denotes the tube of the reel,
(3) denotes winding of the yarn, (4) denotes the yam guide and (5)
denotes the means of measuring the angular velocity of the reel
(2).
[0060] According to the basic principle of the invention, one uses
measurement of the rotation speed of reel (2) which is a quantity
that varies depending on the meterage of yarn that has been wound.
Thus, after the start-up acceleration phase, for a given yarn feed
speed and a given angle of intersection, the rotation speed of reel
(2) is substantially inversely proportional to the circumference of
the reel and hence its diameter.
[0061] As a result, after the start-up acceleration phase, for a
substantially constant yarn feed speed and angle of intersection,
the rotation speed of the reel peaks when the tube is empty and
decreases gradually as the circumference of the reel increases.
[0062] According to the invention, the rotation speed (Vo) obtained
when the tube (2) is empty is measured beforehand.
[0063] At the time of restarting, the rotation speed (Vd) measured
after the reacceleration phase (A) is compared to the rotation
speed (Vo) obtained when the tube was empty. [0064] If the rotation
speed measured immediately after restarting is equal to (or greater
than) (within a certain tolerance) the rotation speed obtained when
the reel was empty, length metering is reset. [0065] If the speed
after start-up is substantially less than the rotation speed that
corresponds to an empty tube, metering is resumed from the point
where it stopped (see algorithm in FIG. 5).
[0066] The speed after start-up is measured immediately after the
acceleration phase following restarting. In practice, this speed
corresponds to the maximum speed reached at the end of the start-up
acceleration phase and at the start of the gradual slowdown phase
after the winding phase.
[0067] Counter reinitialization can be a simple zero reset.
[0068] To obtain improved metering accuracy, this reset may involve
resetting the counter to the winding length recorded during the
acceleration phase, estimated, for example, by counting the number
of revolutions that the tube actually made during this phase.
[0069] According to a first enhancement, the rotation speed is
measured continuously or at regular intervals during production
(see algorithm in FIG. 6).
[0070] In the event of a production stoppage, the rotation speed
(Va) recorded before the stoppage is stored. On restarting, the
rotation speed (Vd) is measured after restarting and compared
firstly to the rotation speed (Vo) obtained with an empty reel and
secondly to the rotation speed (Va) stored immediately before the
stoppage. Using this measurement principle, there are several
possibilities: [0071] if the rotation speed (Vd) measured after
restarting is equal to (or greater than) (within a certain
tolerance) the rotation speed (Vo) obtained when the reel was
empty, length metering is reset; [0072] if the rotation speed (Vd)
measured after restarting is equal to (within a certain tolerance)
the rotation speed (Va) obtained immediately before the stoppage,
length metering is not reset and metering resumes from the point at
which it stopped; [0073] if the rotation speed measured after
restarting is less than (within a certain tolerance) the rotation
speed obtained when the reel was empty and greater than (within a
certain tolerance) the rotation speed obtained immediately before
the stoppage, length metering is not reset and metering resumes
from the point at which it stopped but an alarm is output (risk of
producing an excessively short reel).
[0074] This process may be usefully supplemented by an additional
test. [0075] if the rotation speed (Va) measured immediately before
the stoppage is equal to (within a certain tolerance) the rotation
speed (Vo) obtained when the tube was empty, length metering is
reset and the system outputs an alarm (risk of producing an
excessively long reel).
[0076] According to a second enhancement, the rotation speed (Vp)
equivalent to the final meterage of a correctly wound reel and/or
the rotation speed equivalent to the maximum diameter of the reel
accommodated by the winding system is recorded beforehand (see
algorithm in FIG. 7).
[0077] If the rotation speed (Vd) measured after restarting and/or
during production is equal to or less than (within a certain
tolerance) the rotation speed (Vp) equivalent to the final meterage
of a correctly wound reel and/or the rotation speed equivalent to
the maximum diameter of the reel accommodated by the winding
system, winding is interrupted. The system may output an alarm
indicating that the maximum reel diameter was exceeded.
[0078] This process may be usefully supplemented by an additional
test.
[0079] If the rotation speed (Va) of the reel immediately before
stoppage on reaching the programmed meterage differs (positively or
negatively) from the rotation speed (Vp) equivalent to the final
meterage of a correctly wound reel, an alarm indicates that the
final diameter of the reel does not match the expected final
diameter.
[0080] By extension, one can store, in advance, for example in a
table, the rotation speed as a function of the meterage reached for
a correctly wound reel. If the rotation speed measured at any time
during winding differs (positively or negatively) from the rotation
speed equivalent to the meterage reached at that instant for a
correctly wound reel, an alarm indicates that the progress in the
diameter of the reel that is being wound does not match progress
for the desired diameter.
[0081] According to the invention, in order to measure the rotation
speed of reel (2), means of measuring (5) may consist, for example,
of a magnetic, optical or other type of sensor that outputs one or
more pulses per revolution. The rotation speed is deduced from the
frequency of these pulses or from the time that elapses between
these pulses.
[0082] The device comprises means of performing the measurements
and processing routines stated above. These means may be printed
circuit boards, logic circuits or automata, etc.
[0083] These means are capable of outputting alarms and may
generate one or more visible or audible signals. The alarms may be
identified by a combination of the various signals or by the
different flashing rates, frequencies or codes of these signals.
The alarms may be linked to a display that indicates the reason for
the alarm. Similarly, these alarms may be relayed over a network to
an automaton of the machine or other production management system.
Note that the alarms can be combined with any diagnostic means such
as voltage detectors, yarn detectors, textile flaw detectors and,
more generally speaking, any system that monitors production
quality.
[0084] The various types of processing are performed on printed
circuit boards (e.g. automaton) or are integrated and/or combined
with other diagnostic means.
[0085] The advantages are readily apparent from the
description.
* * * * *