Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 ~ 5 ~
Hiqh Speed Precision Yarn Windinq System
The present invention relates in general to the
winding of textile yarns, filaments, or the like of
natural, man made or synthetic materials, all referred to
herein as "yarns", and more particularly to high speed
precision winding of yarn packages on a precision winder
machine having a propeller structure for guiding the yarn
back and forth between the ends of the package during the
winding process, and incorporating sensors and controls
for regulating the propeller drive, the spindle drive for
the yarn package handle, and down pressure drive ta
produce a highly uniform package which is free of
ribboning effects once injecting to dying processes and
the like.
Before the days of the continuous filament extrusion,
texturizing, and similar high speed methods of yarn
production, traditional mechanisms for producing the
traversing mechanism necessary for laying yarn on a
package included a grooved scroll which either engaged the
yarn directly or drove a yarn guide so as to cause it to
carry out a reciprocatory traversing motion. Those
mechanisms were limited as to their speed of operation and
the uniformity of packages produced by such mechanisms.
Upon the more recent development of high speed yarn
production methods, the demand was emphasized for winders
having very much higher speeds of operation. One form of
traversing mechanism proposed for such high speed winders
included slot like yarn guides mounted on closely spaced
driving members moving in opposite directions across the
traverse so that the yarn was carried from one end of the
traverse to the other by one yarn guide and was then
transferred to another yarn guide so as to be carried back
in opposite direction. This avoided inertial problems
which were incident to use of a single yarn guide which
moved in one direction and then the other, but created
problems of yarn transfer from one guide to another.
2 2~2~
While driving arrangements involving two ~uide
members, one moving in one direction and the other in the
opposite direction, have taken forms such as belt or chain
drives for the yarn guides moving them in a straight line
across the traverse, the use of rotary discs or blades
which act as yarn guides moving across the traverse along
and arc of a circle having come into wide use. These
rotary discs or blade type yarn guides move in a
continuous path with no abrupt changes in velocity or
direction, so that the only inertia concerns presented are
in connection with the inertia of the yarn itself at each
reversal point. Care had to be taken, however, to
maintain close control of the yarn as it is transferred
from one yarn guiding blade or disc to another, in a
manner which would avoid nipping action on yarn which may
have an adverse effect on its quality. However full
control over ihe yarn during transfer from one driving
member to another is essential.
One of the widely used types of cross winding systems
employed in the textile industry is of the type disclosed
in U.S. patent 3,823,886 granted to Maschinenfabrik
Scharer, which involve first and second yarn guides of a
propeller or blade type rotatable in opposite directions
about respective axes of rotation which are offset from
each other, associated with respective substantially
circular shaped guide members provided for-each of the
yarn guides, centred on the respective axes of rotation of
the yarn guides so that the guide tracts intersect each
other at a pai~ of diametrically opposite points for
overlapping of the thread guides at these points. Other
yarn traversing apparatus of this general type involving
rotary ~lade or propeller type guides are disclosed in
U.S. patent no. 4,561,603 of December 31, 1985, No.
4,585,181 of April 29, 1986 and No. 4,646,983 of March 3,
1987 all granted to Barmag Barmer Maschinenfabrik A.G.
It has been customary, heretofore, for example in the
Scherer winder machines, to attempt control of the winding
in an effort to achieve uniformity throughout the wound
3 ~ r) l~
packages ~y regulating a drive motor which drives the yarn
guide blades or propellers and the package spindle.
However, it has been found that this arrangement does not
provide sufficient control of the various parameters
.5 affecting uniformity of the density of the yarn package to
achieve the desired extent of yarn package uniformity
wherein the packages are free of ribboning when subjected
to the dying process, and which would have such uniformity
all the way to the bottom of the package so that the
innermost layers of yarn do not need to be discarded. I
have found, however, that by providing separate drive
motors providing separately controlled drive systems for
the spindle drive, the propeller drive, and a down
pressure drive, thus providing three independent motor
systems that can be separately controlled, one can
properly set and regulate the pitch and the tension during
winding of the package so as to maintain the desirable
yarn density or tension throughout the whole package, and
ensures freedom from development of ribboning patterns
during package winding, which are detrimental during the
dying process.
~ hus according to the present invention there is
provided a high-speed precision winder for winding a
running yarn onto a tube to form a cross wound yarn
package, including spindle means for rotating the tube
about a spindle axis, yarn traversing means for guiding
running yarn received along an infeed path back and forth
across a traverse zone adjacent said tube to form the
cross wound package, a bail roller disposed in rolling
contact with the peripheral surface of the yarn package
being wound, and the tensioner means for varying tension
of the infeed yarn approaching said traversing means;
wherein there is provided a control system for
continuously regulating operation of the winder during
formation of the package comprising first, second and
third separate variable speed drive motors and respective
associated motor control circuits forming a spindle drive,
a traversing means drive, and a down pressure drive, the
4 2~2~75~
three drive motors and associated motor control circuits
providing three independent motor systems control circuits
providing three independent motor systems which are
separately controllable, means coupling the first drive
motor with the spindle for rotating the package tube about
the spindle axis to wind the yarn thereon, means
connecting the second drive motor with the traversing
means for variably driving the traversing means in
accordance with the speed of the second drive motor, said
down pressure drive including down pressure adjusting
means for positioning said bail roller and traversing
means relative to the spindle axis, and means coupling
said third drive motor with said adjusting means for
regulating the position of said bail roller and traversing
means, an upper main frame plate, a platform forming a
support for said traversing means and bail roll, a pair of
supporting arms fixed to pivot shaft members for arcuate
movement about a horizontal pivot axis spaced above said
plate and platform, a pair of upright bearing posts
extending from said plate journalling said pivot shaft
members for rotation, a reduction gearbox having a pair of
opposed outputs coupled to said pivot shaft members for
rotating the pivot shaft members and the supporting arms
fixed thereto about said horizontal pivot axis from a
lower start position upwardly through increasing angles to
a raised doff position, the down pressure drive motor
forming a retractor motor for driving the gearbox, bail
roll supports carried by said platform for supporting said
bail roll, a load cell forming the support structure for a
portion of the platform beneath said bail roll for
responding to variations in pressure thereon and producing
load cell output signals, said load cell continuously
sensing package down pressure on the bail roll and
platform for producing down pressure status signals and
including means responsive thereto for generating
activation and speed control signals for said re~ractor
motor to vary the angular position of said support arms
above said bail roll and traversing means on said platform
5 ?~2775~`
for controllin~ vertical position of the tube being driven
by said spindle means.
The present invention provides an improved yarn
winding apparatus similar to that disclosed in co-pending
S application number 2 002 309 modified to the extent that the
tu~e supporting mechanism is movable instead of the yarn
guide propeller mechanism and bale roller assembly.
The invention will now be further described by way of
example with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the yarn
winding apparatus of the present invention, showing the
portions of the frame associated with the components
related to production of the yarn package, with lower
portions of the frame not shown;
FIGURE 2 is a vertical section view of the apparatus,
taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l;
FIGURE 3 is a horizontal section view showing the
underside of the moveable platform supporting the yarn
guide propeller members and the drive therefor, taken
along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the propeller
supporting platform, the yarn guide propellers and
associated stationary guide members, and the bail roll and
supports therefor;
FIGURE 5 is a vertical section view showing the bail
roll and the yarn guide propeller drive mechanism and
drive motor therefor, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of the yarn
guide propeller mechanism and supporting platform therefor
and the associated drive components;
FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary front view showing one form
of yarn tensioner mechanism for the apparatus;
FIGURF 8 is a side elevational view of the yarn
tensioner;
FIGURE 9 is a horizontal section view taken along
line 9-9 of Fig. 8;
6 .~ ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ ~
FIGURE 10 is a schematic ~iagram of a typical load
cell circuit for processing load cell signals from a load
cell associated with one of the sensed conditions in the
winder, of the present invention, such as the bail roller
load cell;
FIGURE 11 is a block diagram of the control system
for the winder;
FIGURE 12 is a block diagram of a typical
proportional, integral derivative (PID) motor control
section for the winder control system; and
FIGURE 13 is a block diagram of a typical Digital to
Analog Converter (DAC) section for the winder control
system.
FIGURE 14 is a front elevational view of a modified
version of the yarn winding apparatus of the present
invention wherein the tube supporting mechanism is movable
instead of the yarn guide propeller drive mechanism and
bale roller assembly, with lower portions of the frame not
shown;
FIGURE 15 is a top elevational view of the version
shown in Fig. 14;
FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view of the apparatus
viewed form the left of Fig. 15;
FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary side elevational view of
the tube supporting lift arm and positioning lever
mechanism for the tube engaging head assembly associated
with the righ~ hand tube support as viewed in Fig. 15;
FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary section view through the
arm of Fig. 17 ta~en along the line 18-18 of Fig. 17.
FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view of the apparatus
viewed from the left of Fig. 15;
FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view
of the drive arrangement for the yarn guide propeller
mechanism, and portions of the propellers and associated
curved guide bar;
FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of one of the infeed
yarn tension control devices; and
FIGUR~ 21 is a fragl~entary section view of parts of
the eccentric shaft supporting the intermediate pair of
pulleys of the spindle drive.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference
characters designate corresponding parts throughout the
several figures, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the
high speed precision yarn winding apparatus of the present
invention is indicated generally by the reference
character lo and comprises, in one preferred embodiment, a
supporting frame 11 formed basically of angle iron
members, including vertical main frame members 12, and
horizontal frame members 13 extending between and fixed to
the vertical frame members 12. Near the upper end portion
of the main frame 11 is a yarn package support assembly,
indicated generally at 14, comprising a driven tube-
engaging head subassembly 15 and an axially movea~le
companion head assembly 16 providing a live centre for the
yarn package tube 17 on which the yarn package 18 is to be
wound. The head assemblies 15 and 16 each include a
truncated conical head 19 and 20, respectively adapted to
partially interfit into the hollow centre of the yarn
package tube 17 and embrace the tube 17 and yarn package
18 therebetween. The driven head 19 is fixed on a support
arm 23 carried by the stationary main frame 11, for
2S example by spacer members 24 and bolts 25 connected to
upright main frame mem~ers 12 at one side of the main
frame or to horizontal cross members extending
therebetween. The end of the spindle 21 opposite the
drive head 19 projects from the bearing block 22 and
carries a pulley 26 driven by a belt 27 trained about the
pulley 26 and about an output drive pulley 28 on the
output shaft of the spindle drive motor 29. The spindle
drive motor 29 may be conveniently supported also from the
support arm 23.
The opposite or live centre head 20 forms a removable
holder for the yarn package tube 17 and is rotatably
supported on a retractable and returnable spindle member
30, for example by roller bearings, rotatably supporting a
truncated conical tu~e holder head 20 on the spindle
member 3Q. The spindle member 30 is supported for axial
movement between an extended, tube holding position as
illustrated in Fig. 1, to a retracted tube removal
~,5 position in a linear slide sleeve 31 housed in a
supporting block 32 carried by another support arm 33
extending from the main frame 11, the spindle member 30
having an internal nut 34 threaded on a screw shaft 35
which projects from the support block 32 on the side
opposite the tube holder head 20. A pulley 36 is provided
on the screw shaft 35, driven through a belt 37 trained
about a drive pulley 3~ on the output shaft of a DC motor
39 operating in a constant torque mode and forming a doff
motor for retracting or doffing a fully wound package 18
and its associated tube 17 when the package is fully
wound. Energizing of the doff motor 39 effects rotation
of the screw shaft 35 through the syste~ of pulleys 38, 36
and belt 37, causing the screw 34 carried by the spindle
member 30 to be driven by the threads on the screw shaft
35 in a direction to axially retract the spindle member 30
and tube holder head 20 through a travel of about 11/2
inches (38 mm), withdrawing the live centre tube holder
head 20 from holding relation to the tube, permitting tube
17 and package 18 tube to be doffed or withdrawn. A new
empty yarn package tube 17 is replaced by fitting one end
of the new empty tube 17 on the companion tube holder head
19 and activating the doff motor 39 to rotate the screw
shaft 35 and axially drive the spindle member 30 in tube
holder head 20 through a return stroke to the tube holding
position shown in Fig. 1.
A movable sub~rame 40 is guided for vertical up and
down movement in the main frame 11 between the vertical
frame members 12, for example, by vertical guide rods 41
slidir.g in guide sleeves or brackets 42 fixed to
appropriate portions of the main frame 11. The vertically
movable subframe 40 comprises a bail roll and yarn guide
propeller supporting upper platform 43 at the uppermost
end of the subframe 40, connected by vertical subframe
9 ~iJ~2~7~
members 44 with a bottom horizontal subframe member 45 to
form a unitary movable subframe which can be raised and
lowered as required as the yarn package 18 is being formed
on the tube 17. The upper platform 43 supports a bail
roll 46 supported in bearing brackets 47 at its opposite
ends, at least one of which is carried on a load cell 48
mounted on the uppermost surface of the platform 43 and
disposed between the upwardly facing surface of the
platform 43 and the bottom surfaces of the bail roll
bearing brackets 46. The mounting of the bail roll 46 on
load cell 48 and the processing circuitry associated with
the output signals from these load cells provides a down
pressure sensing and control system, as later described in
greater detail, to maintain proper down pressure
properties responsive to pressure of the pac~age on the
bail roll and causing the platform 43 to be raised and
lowered relative to the spindle axis to maintain proper
package winding. The load cell 48 may be of the kind
marketed by Transducer Techniques, Inc. of Rancho,
California, described as low profile load cells, which
incorporate strain gauge transducers providing an output
signal proportional to the load as a member which in this
case is the bail roll 46. This provides a highly accurate
and reliable signal output indicative of the down pressure
of the yarn package on the bail roll, by providing a beam
structure or the li~e having suitable mounting surfaces
for a plurality of electrical strain gauges and utilizing
the transducive electrical strain gauges to measure the
shear stresses caused by the applied loads. The
transducive effect of a strain gauge allows for accurate
translation between a given amount of stress imposed on a
surface by a load and its electrical equivalent, resulting
in an accurate stress measurement. Foil, semiconductor,
or other types of strain gauges may be effectively used to
provide such shear stress measurements. Typically, the
strain gauges are connected into a Wheatstone bridge
network to provide the correct output. The principles of
the strain gauge employed may be similar to those
lo 2~2~7~
disclosed in earlier U.S. patents 3,92~,560 and 4,127,001,
as typical examples.
Also mounted on the vertical translation platform, 43
of the movable subframe 40 is a pair of yarn guide blades
or propellers 50a, 50b rotating in opposite directions
through appropriate paths immediately above the curved
yarn guide bar 51 fixed to the vertical translation
platform 43 and having a convexly curved working edge 52,
spanning a yarn traversing zone of appropriate width
between a pair of end control guide rails 53, 54. As will
be well understood by persons skilled in the relevant art,
the yarn guide propeller blades 50a, 50b and the
stationary yarn guide bar 51 and end control guide rails
53, 54 form a yarn winding station whereby the uppermost
yarn guiding propeller and blade 50a, as best shown in
Fig. 4, traverses the yarn, indicated at 55, from top to
bottom (as shown in Fig. 4) or from right to left as
viewed in Fig. 1, along the length of the package 18 and,
after transfer to the guide propeller or blade 50b while
the yarn is captured against outward disengaging movement
from the blade system by the end control guide rail 54, at
the lower or left and end of the field of traverse, the
yarn 55 is traversed back again to the upper right hand
end where it is again transferred back to the yarn guide
propeller or blade 50a.
The driving mechanism for the yarn guide propellers
or blades 50a, 50b comprises a propeller shaft s6
supported for rotation in a ~ertical axis, which is fixed
to the uppermost blade or propeller 50a and extends
through a centre opening in the lower blade or propeller
50b. The lower blade or propeller 50b is fixed to an
upper pulley member 57, in the form of a downwardly
opening c~p or hollow cylinder, having a centre collar
portion 57a encircled by roller bearing assemblies 58
whose outer portions are supported in an extension S9a of
a bearing housing 59, the lower portion of which supports
the outer portion of the roller bearing asse]nbly 60
encircling and mounted on the centre post or spindle
11 2~27~
port.ion 61a of the lower pulley 61. The bearin~ housing
59 by retainer rings 62 and the centre opening s7b in the
centre collar portion s7a of the upper pulley 57 is of a
sufl-`iciently large diameter to accommodate rotation of the
.5 upper pulley s7 about an eccentric axis A2 located
eccentrically relative to the vertical axis A1 which
extends through the centres of the propeller shaft 56 and
the lower pulley 61. The lower end of the propeller shaft
56 driving the upper propeller or blade 50a is fixed
lo against relative rotation in the socket formation in the
spindle or centre post portion 61a of the lower pulley 61,
and the lower pulley 61 is coupled by a locking ring 63
and a lock nut 64 to the drive shaft 65 of the propeller
or blade drive motor 66. The motor 66 is mounted by a
suitable hanger bracket 67 depending from the platform 43,
with its vertical legs spaced outwardly from the
peripheries of the eccentrically related upper and lower
pulleys 57, 61. The outer surfaces of the cylindrical
pulleys 57, 58 are provided with teeth interfitted with
tooth formations on the toothed endless belt 68 which is
trained about the lower pulley 61, driven directly from
the output shaft of the propeller drive motor 66, the belt
system being arranged to effect rotary drive of the upper
pulley 57 in a reverse direction. This is accomplished by
training the belt 68 about an idler roll or pair of idler
pulleys on an interconnecting shaft, shown at 69,
journaled for rotation in a mounting block 70 and
protruding from both ends thereof providing end portions
about which the belt is wrapped, with the upper portion of
the belt in a horizontal path immediately above the idler
roll 69 extending about and interfitting with the teeth on
the outer periphery of the uppex pulley 57.
The entire subframe assembly 40 is movable upwardly
and downwardly responsive to down pressure signals derived
from the bail roll 46 and load cells 48, and the
associated circuitry, activating a down pressure control
motor or platform positioning motor 72 mounted on the main
frame 11. Vertical movement of the subframe 40 and the
12 ~2~
vertical translation piatform 43 is achieved, in a
preferred example, by an Acme screw and nut assembly, as
indicated by the vertical lag screw 73 journaled for
rotation at its lower end in a bearing bracket 74 carried
by a horizontal stationary beam 75 fixed to and forming
part of the main frame 11 and extending through the nut 76
carried by the lower cross frame member 45 of the
vertically movable subframe 40. The Acme screw 73 is
driven by a pulley 77 fixed against relative rotation on
lo the drive screw 73, as by keying the pulley to the drive
screw, driven by a belt 78 trained about the pulley 77 and
about drive pulley 79 fixed to the output shaft of the
down pressure control motor 72.
It will be apparent from the above description that
this apparatus, therefore, provides three motors providing
separate control of three principal factors determining
the precision winding of the yarn package so as to provide
the desired level of uniformity and absence of ribboning.
First the down pressure control motor 72 controls the
vertical position of the vertical translation platform 43
carrying the yarn guide propellers or blades 50a, 50b and
associated yarn guide structure, as well as carrying the
bail roll 46 and its associated load cells 48. Secondly,
the propeller drive motor 66 carried by the vertically
movable platform 43 determines the speed of drive of the
yarn guide propellers or blades 50a, 50b and thus the
speed of traverse of the yarn between the opposite ends of
the package being formed. Thirdly, the spindle drive
motor 29 carried by the stationary main frame 11 drives
the spindle 21 and tube holder head 19 to rotate the yarn
package tube 17 and thus determine the speed of winding of
yarn onto the package.
Control of the spindle drive motor 29 is derived from
the yarn tensioner assembly, indicated generally at 80, to
sense the tension of incoming yarn leading to the winder
and provide load cell output signals which are processed
to effect yarn drive so as to maintain a predetermined
yarn tension and preserve uniformity of winding and
13 ~ 7~ ~
tracking of the yarn of the package. Alternatively, the
owner has the option of having a constant speed drive for
the spindle motor 29 instead of a control system which is
responsive to sensing of incoming yarn tension.
.5 Referring particularly to Figures 7-9, there i5 shown
in those figures one preferred embodiment of the yarn
tensioner assembly 80 which, in general may be described
as forming a pair of yarn guides 81, 82 which are
vertically spaced along the yarn feed path 83, with a
sensor arm 84 interposed therebetween bearing against the
yarn and deflecting it slightly out o the yarn path
defined by the eyes in the yarn guides 81, 82. In this
yarn tensioner, the guides 81, 82 are formed as a pair of
parallel legs bent from a plate to form a U-shaped bracket
85 having a transverse base portion 86 and outwardly bent
legs 86a defining the guides B1, 82. The legs 86a, 86b
include a projecting finger portion 86c having an inclined
surface 86b forming one side of a truncated triangular
hook portion of the finger which leads through a throat
formation ~6e into a generally circular or rounded eye
formation 86f which receives the yarn and defines the yarn
path 83 between the two guides 81, 82. The eye formation
86f should be deep enough to prevent yarn escape while
running at high speeds, and the inclined surface 86d of
the finger portion 86c is so positioned and shaped that
- the yarn ~ill self thread from this surface into the eye
formation 86f. The transverse base portion 86 is provided
with a slot 86g at its centre elongated widthwise of the
base portion 8~ and receiving the sensor arm 84, which is
in the form of a bent rod, for example a ceramic flame
coated stainless steel rod having an outer diameter of
about 1/8th inch (3 mm), extending from a block 87 having
bearings 88 pivoting the block on a pivot shaft 88a
extending between stationary support arms 89. The block
3S 87 includes a protruding finger formation 87a bearing
against a load cell so supported by mounting standoffs or
a block from the support plate which also supports the
arms or yoke 89 mounting the pivot shaft 88a thereto as
14 2~27~
well as supporting the U-shaped brac~et 85 forming the
guides 81, 82. In praotice, this support plate, indicated
at 91, which must also be provided with a slot for
appropriate movement of the yarn contacting feeler ~4, may
be bent in a U-shaped as shown in the drawings to support
a printed circuit board amplifier and carrier plate 92 for
amplifying signals from the load cell 90.
A preferred example of a winder control system for
the high speed precision winder of the present invention
is indicated in block diagram form in Figure 11, wherein
the control system is shown as including a motor section
MS, a digital to analog section indicated at D/A, and an
analog to digital section, indicated at A/D, which are
connected to a microprocessor indicated at MP. To
describe the overall operation, the microprocessor MP
writes command data to the digital Proportional, Integral,
Derivative (PID~ control subsystem. This command data
determines the speed, acceleration, and servo response
characteristics of each of the three motors, namely the
spindle drive motor 29, the propeller or blade drive motor
66, and the carriage positioning or down pressure control
motor 72. The resolution of each controller is one in
4,294,967,296 or 32 bits. Consequently, highly precise
speed ratios between the spindle motor and the propeller
may be achieved. This control technique also allows for
the DC motors 29, 66, and 72 to be operated in a position
mode. This is advantageous for the carriage system 40
controlled by the carriage motor 72, as the microprocessor
is positioning the carriage 40 and platform 43 in response
to pressure on the yarn package 18 as measured by the load
cell or load cells 48 associated with the bail roll 46.
The circuit associated with the load cell 48, to be later
described, sends a signal to the microprocessor MP
proportional to the pressure on the package. If this
value is greater than the programmed set point, the
microprocessor MP lowers the carriage position of carriage
40 and platform 43 until the setpoint value is received
28~77~ll
from the load cell 48. The carriage motor 72 is then
commanded to halt.
The Digital to Analog subsystem D/A includes two
converters, to which the microprocessor MP writes data to
establish setpoints for tensioner current to the tensioner
assembly 80 and doff motor current to the doff motor 39.
The D/A output controls the duty cycle of a pulse width
modulated (PWM) power stage. This duty cycle may be
varied from 0 to 100%. Consequently, the tensioner
current and doff motor current may be varied from 0 to
100%. The tension or current is directly proportional to
the amplified yarn tension developed by an electromagnetic
tensioning device. The doff motor current for the motor
39 is directly proportional to the force exerted on the
dye tube 17 by the live centre system (the live centre
tube holder head 20).
Referring to the Analog to Digital system A/D, the
microprocessor MP monitors a variety of analog values in
the winder system to maintain system parameters,
efficiency, and diagnostics capability. The three system
parameters monitored are (1) the down pressure load cell
48 to establish current pressures, (2) the tensioner
current which establishes that tha tensioner is functional
and that the value is sufficient for the tensiometer to
maintain control and (3) the tensiometer load cell 90
which transmits the current yarn tension to the
microprocessor. The other five A/D inputs to the Analog
to Digital subsystem AID are used to monitor system power
supplies and motor currents for fail-safe operation and
diagnostic functions.
Also shown in the block diagram of Fig. 11 as part of
the overall winder control system is a stop motion system
indicated at SM, providing a means to determine if the
yarn from the supply package is broken. This stop motion
system may be an optical stop motion system of the type
presently commercially available which generates a signal
applied to the microprocessor as an interrupt signal.
This interrupt signal forces the microprocessor to stop
16 ~ 7 ~
current program execution and to immediately implement
routines established by the software which appropriately
stop the winding process and signal for operator help.
Also, as an additional communication facility to
communicate ~ith operators and plant personnel, the
microprocessor in the illustrated embodiment is connected
to a keyboard and display, indicated at KB/D in Fig. 11,
and through am communication link CL through a RS 485
serial transmission line to a host computer. The onboard
communications provided to the display and keyboard
section KB/D allow the microprocessor MP to relate the
machine status to the operator and to receive operator
request for activity. The communications link line allows
the microprocessor to acquire all operations data, such as
yarn speed, max yardage, max diameter, pitch, down
pressure, etc. that plant personnel may have programmed
into a host computer.
Referring now to Fig. 12, there is shown in block
diagram form an example of the motor control section MS of
the illustrated embodiment, comprising a digita~ subsystem
which receives data from the microprocessor MP and from
the motor shaft encoder and is designed to be a real time
proportional integral, derivative (PID) controller. The
microprocessor write data to the PID controller to
establish acceleration rates, velocity, position, error
limits, system gain, etc., of the associated motor, either
the spindle motor 29, the propeller motor 66, or the
carriage motor 72. It will be understood that such a
typical motor control section as here described is
provided for ~ach of these three motors. The shaft
encoder information (sine/cosine/index signals) generate
feedback data to the PID controller as the motor velocity
and position. The output of the PID controller is a pulse
width modulated (PWM) signal which varies from 0 to 100%
"ON" to the motor driver, full ON or 100% PWM
corresponding to the max speed and/or torque of the DC
motor system. PID controllers calculate what encoder
signals should be, based on command data from the
17 2~7~
microprocessor MP and the specialized filter parameters
inherent to this type control. Deviations between actual
(encoder) and calculated ~command) data are monitored to
see if they exceed programmed limits. If these limits are
exceeded, an error signal is generated to the
microprocessor MP for further action. For example, if the
motor shaft is locked and the microprocessor MP requests a
speed of 100 rpm, the PID controller will see a speed
error as the shaft is not turning. The microprocessor MP
will respond to this error by cancelling the speed command
and alerting the operator to a problem with this motor. A
level translator and FET driver section, indicated at LT,
is provided to convert the PID pulse width modulated
signal to a power signal of the same duty cycle which will
lS drive the FET's. The current sense assures that neither
motor nor FET's will be over-currented and thus damaged.
This also provides for torque control of the motor.
Fig. 13 shows in block diagram form a typical Digital
to Analog converter (DAC) section such as the sections
indicated at D/A in Fig. 11. The Digital to Analog
converter DAC accepts digital information form the
microprocessor MP and converts to an analog signal. This
particular DAC is an 8 bit;)-5vdc device. This means that
the resolution of the output is 1 in 2S5 or .0196V per
bit. Mid scale would be 128 or 128 x .0196 equal 2.5 vdc.
This analog signal controls a Pulse Width Modulator
(PWM):L 0 vdc-0% duty cycle, 5 vdc equal 100% duty cycle.
Consequently, the microprocessor MP may control the Pulse
Width Modulator duty cycle to the doff motor 39. In this
case the current is controlled by the PWM. If 50% of the
motor torque is required to seat the package tube holder
17, the microprocessor will command 128 to the DAC in the
direction 50 that the plunger moves out toward the package
tube. To retract the tube holder, the microprocessor will
command 60% torque in the opposite direction. Di.ection
is controlled by the microprocessor via the relay.
18
2~27~J
To s~mmarize the, sensed signals and the control
signals for the winder control system include the
following:
SENSED "SIGNA1S"
Load Cells
0.5V from Bail Roller represents 0-53 lbs. force (to
A/D)
0.5V from Tensiometer represents 0-125 grams (to A/D)
Other
0.5VDC represents 0-25 ma in Tensioner - This assures
that Tensioner is electrically functional (to A/D).
0-5VDC represents 0-full current in the doff motor -
this allows the microprocessor to assure that the doff
motor is functional and to establish the value of the
motor Torque (current) (to A/D)
All system power is monitored to be sure that voltages
are within specification: ~160vdc, +5vdc, ~15vdc, 34vdc.
Stop Motion
~ A digital level tells the microprocessor if yarn is
moving or not. This allows the MP to sense a broken yarn
strand during the winding process.
CONTROL "SIGNALS"
To Spindle Pro~eller & Overfeed
1) Acceleration
2) Velocity
3) Max. position error
4) Proportional gain
5) Derivative gain
6) Integral gain & limit
19 2 ~ 2 ~
_ ~riaqe Motor
l) all of above
2) position
Tension
1) digital value to establish tension level (DIA)
Doff Motor
1) digital values to establish Doff motor torque and
direction (D/A)
A summary of the control scheme ~rovided by the
winder control system is as follows:
WINDER CONTROL SYSTEM SUMMARY
A) Spindle motor 29, propeller motor 66, and overfeed or
carriage motor ~2 parameters are derived from
operator input and factory settings.
B) Carriage position of carriage 40 is determined by the
bail roller load cell 48. The pressure setpoint is
derived from operator input. Whenever the bail
roller load cell 48 exceeds this setpoint, the
carriage 40 is commanded to a new, lower position.
The magnitude of the correction is dependent on the
magnitude of the load cell signal over the setpoint.
C) Two levels of tension control are available.
1~ The tension set point is established by operator
input. The MP uses the current feedback as a fail-
2S safe.
2) The tension setpoint is established by the
operator. The MP sets a value to the tensioner which
corresponds to this tension during a static
condition. However, when the winder be~ins to run,
the MP reads the Tensiometer load cell 90 and
compares this value to the command value. This
allows the system to be run as fast as the inlet
tension will allow - as the tensioner value could be
reduced to OVDC and the delivered tension to the
winder would be a summation of supply (inlet)
tension, friction and windage.
D) The Doff motor 39 is a torque ~current) controlled
device. To assure that the package tube 17 is firmly
20 ~ 7~
eld, the MP will command a level of torque which
corresponds to a certain axial force on the tube.
The MP then monitors the current to see when this
level is attained. This assures that the package is
firmly seated between the two tube holders and that
the current can be lowered to a holding value for
running. This also allows the MP to select torque
values such that the unseating force is always
greater than the seating. Thus, a yarn package
should never become stuck.
E) Package, yardage, pitch, yarn speed are derived
mathe~atically
yds = ~ circ2 + (lenqth)2 / 36 X Turns
pitch
pitch = 2 spindle rpm
propeller rpm
yarn speeds = c rc x rpm = yds per minute
F) Outside diameter of the package is determined by
knowing the position of the Bail roller 46. This is
accomplished by using the shaft encoder on the
carriage motor 72 in conjunction with the PID
controller. Resolution is approximately .0000167
inches per pulse of position. This allows the MP to
calculate circumference.
~ typical load cell circuit, for use either with the
load cell 48 associated with the bail roller 46, or the
load cell 90 associated with the tensiometer 80 is shown
in Fig. 10. The upper half of the circuit shown in
Fig. 10 is simply power supply. Both supplies are
designed to trackso as to minimize system error due to
non-symmetrical power supplies.
Typical load cells sensitivities are 2MV/V.
Consequently, for a 10V supply ~+ 5; - 5) the full scale
Load cell signal will be 20MV. This same signal could be
provided by a 40 MV drift of one of the power supplies.
The load cell bridge, indicated at LCB, is excited by a
+5V; -5V power supply for a total of 10 Volts. This also
21 2~2i'~3~
makes the signal lines reference to OVDC - or 1/2 brid~e
voltage. This makes for an easy amplifier design which
does not require level shifting. The bridge is zeroed the
resistor network across the bridge of 5.lK, lK values.
,5 The first operational amplifier A1 has a gain of
about 24 and a very low frequency response due to the
1 mfd feedback capacitor. This is to attenuate high
frequency signals which are primarily due to vibration.
The second operational amplifier A2 is the full
scale stage. System gain is set by the 50K feedback pot.
For the bail roller load cell 48, OVDC output represents
the weight of the bail roller 46 and bearings - as these
effects are purposely zeroed out. A full scale of 5 VDC
represents about 53 pounds of force on the bail roller 46.
The two LM339 comparators C1 and C2 are used as error
detectors. These devices are designed so that if the load
cell goes negative by more than .6V or goes beyond ~5 the
microprocessor MP is sent an error signal. The MP can
then stop the process and alert the operator.
Another version of the high speed precision yarn
winding apparatus is sho~n in Figs. 14-19, wherein the
vertical translating subframe 40 carrying the yarn guide
blades or propellers 50a, 50b and the bail roll 46 and
platform 43, and associated parts, is dispensed with and
the propeller drive mechanism and platform therefore are
mounted on a stationary portion of the main frame and the
tube engaging and supporting subassembly and mounting
components are supported on a pair of tiltable or
arcuately movable support arms. This arrangement permits
achievement of certain economies in manufacture of the
22 2a~7~
high speed precision yarn winding apparatus as a
considerable number of the movable parts of the
previously described embodiment are now supported from
stat:ionary portions of the frame. Referring particularly
to f:igures 14 through 18, the modified version of the
precision yarn winding apparatus is generally indicated
by the reference character 110 and comprises a stationary
supporting frame, the u~per portion of which are
indicated at 111 and include vertical angle iron frame
members 112 and a horizontal top plate 113 fixed to the
uppermost ends of the vertical frame members 112.
Supported immediately above the top plate 113 is a
platfrom 143, supported at the rear by hinge straps 143h
mounted to the top plate. Mounted on this stationary
platform 143 is the pair of yarn guide blades or
propellers 50a, 50b like the blades shown and described
in connection with the first embodiment, which rotate in
Gpposite directions but are positioned immediately above
and below the curved yarn guide bar 51 with its convexly
curved working edge 52 extending along the curved path
between the pair of end control guide rails 53 and 54. As
described in connection with the first embodiment , the
yarn guide propeller blades 50a, 50b and the stationary
yarn guide bar 51 and end control guide rails 53, 54,
form a yarn winding station at which the yarn 55 is
traversed first from right to left (as viewed in Fig. 15)
along the length of the package 118 and then transfers to
the guide propeller or blade 50b adjacent the end control
guide rail 54 and is traversed back to the right hand end
as viewed in Fig. 15. The yarn guide bar 51 in this
embodiment is located at a vertical level between the
planes in which the yarn guide blades 50a, 50b rotate
rather than being below both blades 50a, 50b, thereby
avoiding any differences in the length of the yarn
traversal path at the change-over
~3 ~t~27~
points defined the end control guide rails 53, 5~ and
guide bal~ 51~ Also, the end control guide rails 53, 54
are preferably made of transparent material to facilitate
visual inspection of the region immediately below them.
The driving mechanism for the yarn guide blades, as
in the previously described embodiment, comprises a
propeller shaft 56 supported for rotation about a
vertical axis, which is fixed to the upper yarn guide
blade 50a and extends through a centre opening in the
lower guide blade 50b. qlhe lower yarn guide blade 50b is
fixed to an upper pulley member 57 having a centre collar
portion, like the portion 57a in Fig. 5, encircled by
roller bearing assemblies 58 whose outer portions are
supported in an extension like the extension 59a of the
bearing housing S9. The lower portion of the bearing
housing 59 supports the outer portion of the roller
bearing assembly 60 which encircles and is mounted on the
spindle portion 61a of the lower pulley 61 (see Fig. 5).
These bearing assemblies 58, 60 are captured in the
bearing housing 59 by retainer rings 62 and the upper
pulley 57 rotates about an eccentric axis as described in
connection with the Fig. 5 embodiment located
eccentrically relative to the vertical axis 81 which
extends through the centres of the propeller shaft 56 in
the lower pulley 61. The lower end of the propeller shaft
56 which drives the upper yarn guide blade 50a is fixed
against relative rotation in the centre post portion 61a
of the lower pulley 61 and the pulley 61 is coupled by a
locking ring 63 and lock nut 64 to the drive shaft 65 of
the guide blade drive motor 66, which in this embodiment
is mounted against the rear surface of the mounting block
70 which in turn is supported by mounting bracket 7Oa
fixed to the platform 143 and to the side of mounting
block 70. The outer surfaces of the cylindrical pulleys
57, 58 are provided with teeth interfitted with tooth
formations of the toothed endless belt 68 which is
trained about the lower pulley 61 and then about the
drive pulley 166a of the yarn guide blade drive motor 166
?4 2 ~ ~ 7 7 ~ 4
at one end thereof and about the idler pulley 166b at the
other end thereof, and then extends about and is
intexfitted with the teeth on the outer periphery of the
upper pulley 57. By this arrangement the upper pulley 57
S is driven in a reverse direction relative to the lower
pulley 61 so that the two yarn guide blades 58, 50b are
driven in opposite direction.
Also mounted on the platform 143 near its forward
end is the bail roll 46 supported in bearing brackets 47,
47a at its opposite ends. A load cell 148 carried on the
uppermost surface of the top plate 113 is disposed
between the upwardly facing surface of the top plate 113
and the bottom surface of the hinged platform 143, near
the left hand front corner of platform 143, while a dummy
block 148a shaped like the load cell and capable of being
appropriately flexed is positioned . below the opposite
front corner of platform 143 between the platform and the
top plate 113. The mounting of the bail roll 46 is such
that the pressure on the bail roll is transmitted through
the journaling posts for the bail roll and through the
platform 143 to change the stress on the load cell 148,
and the associated processing circuitry receives output
signals from the load cell and provides a down pressure
sensing and control system as described in connection
with the first embodiment, to maintain proper down
pressure properties responsive to pressure of the package
on the bail roll and, in this embodiment, causing the
support mechanism for the tube and package being formed
thereon to be raised in a very precise manner maintaining
proper package winding. The load cell 148 in this
embodiment is like the load cell 48 described in
connection with the first embodiment of Figs. 1-13.
The driven tube-engaging head subassembly generally
indicated at 115 and the doffing mechanism associated
therewith is carried by a pair of supporting arms 121,
122 supported for arcuate movement about a pivot axis,
indicated at 123 in Fig. 15, defined by a pair of pivot
shaft sections 124a, 124b journaled in upright bearing
posts 125 extending upwardly from the top plate 113~ The
pivot shaft sections 124a, 124b are fixed at their outer
ends to the respective arcuately movable support arms
121, 122, by expansion collar- or nut devices 124h, such
as Finnerman nuts, which are expandable radially
out~ardly and inwardly to tightly grip the associated
shaft section and the opening therefor in support arm,
121, 123. The shaft sections 124a, 124b are coupled at
their innermost ends to the output from a gearbox 126,
for example a 30-to-1 gear box, fixed on and extending
upright from the platform 113 and driven, at its input,
by a retractor motor 126m depending below the top plate
113 and aligned vertically with the gear box 126.
Each of the support arms 121, 122 are of
substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and
include a vertical side wall 121a 122a and a shroud wall
121b, 122b projecting outwardly from the vertical side
wall and defining an outwardly opening cavity or well
within which the associated mechanism is received. The
outermost free end portion of the left hand support arm
121 supports a driven tube-engaging head subassembly 115,
which in this embodiment includes a driven head 119
having a generally dome shaped convex surface portion
ll9a to engage and protrude into the hollow centre
portion of the package forming tube 17, and fixed to the
end of a drive spindle ll9b The other end of the drive
spindle 130 is journaled in a wall segment 121b of the
supporting arm 121 and has a pulley ll9c fixed thereon,
driven by a belt 127 trained about the pulley ll9c and
about a pulley section 127a having a companion pulley
section 128b of a dual pulley rotatable on an pulley
rotatable on an eccentric shaft member 128c and driven by
belt 127 from the output drive pulley 128 on the output
shaft of the spindle drive motor 129. The eccentric shaft
3S member 128c, as shown in Fig. 16, has two eccentrically
offset cylindrical sections 128c-1 and 128c-2 for the
pulley sections 127a and 128a respectively, and is
rotatable in the confronting end portion of an output
~6 ~ ~ 2
shaft 124a to move the pulley section 127a to a release
position loosening its belt 127 and permitting removal of
the belt when necessary.
The drive motor 129 in this embodiment is a
permanent magnet DC servo motor having encoder feedback
unit 129a associated herewith, such, for example, as a
Peerless- Winsmith - Model DPMP4MS2 servomotor.
The opposite or right hand arcuately movable support
arm 122 supports the doffing mechanism, and comprises the
head 120 adapted to engage, and partially interfit in the
hollow centre portion of, the package supporting tube 17.
The head 120 is journaled on the shaft 120a by a roller
bearing assembly 120b and is slidably supported for axial
movement in a collar mount formation 122c forming part of
the side wall 122a of the support arm 122. The end of the
head supporting shaft 120a lying within the arm is pinned
to a doff lever 131 having a flattened end portion
forming a clevis or loop formation 131a extending into a
slot or kerf formed in end portion of the shaft 120a and
pinned theretc by coupling pin 131b. The intermediate
portion of the doffing lever 131 is provided with a pivot
pin support indicated generally at 132 provided by
fulcrum post 132a projecting from and fixed to the side
wall 122a of the arm 122 and into a slot in the mid-
portion of the lever 131, through which a pin 132b
extends to define the pivot axis for the lever 131. The
other end of the lever is provided with a yoke formation
132c which is pinned to a nut member 132d threadly
coupled to a threaded output shaft 138 having, for
example, 15 threads per inch, of a doff motor 139, for
example, a DC permanent magnet gear motor having a 5-to-1
ratio head dxiving the output screw shaft 138. An
elongated bar 138a fixed at its ends to the upper and
lower portions of the, shroud-forming wall 122a in
alignment with the axis of the output screw shaft 138
forms a stop bar for the nut memb~r 132d at the tube
holding position of the head 120 of the movable head
assembly 116.
27 2~27~
The 30-to-1 gearbox 126 has a certain amount of
inherent backlash. In order to maintain the vèry high
precision positioning of the package supporting tube and
the spindle axis relative to bail roll 46 and the yarn
guide blades 50a, 50b, a preloading spring system is
provided on the output shafts from the gear box 126. As
shown best in Figs. 14 and 15, the output shafts 124a and
124b have torsion springs 140 wrapped around the output
shafts 124a, 124b over most of the length of each shaft
between the bearings 12~a, therefor, in the adjacent
sides of the gear box 126 and the respective bearing
posts 125. The ends of the torsion springs 140 nearest
the gear box 126 are anchored to associated output shaft
124a, 124b, for example by anchoring pins or similar
fasteners, and the oppQsite or outermost ends of the
torsion springs have tangentially projecting end
portions, shown at 140a in Fig. 14, which bear against a
stop pin 125a extending from the adjacent bearing post
125, to hold the associated end of the torsion spring
against tension releasing movement. In other words, what
is being accomplished is the torsion springs 140 hold the
backlash out by keeping the associated arms 121, 122 in
an upwardly urged position resiliently urging the output
gears of the transmission gear box 126 against the back
of the associated drive gear or gears with which they are
intermeshed.
Instead of using a load cell type yarn tensioner
mechanism of the type shown in Figs. 7-9 and described in
connection with the first preferred embodiment to control
infeed yarn tension, the second embodiment preferably
employs one or a pair of yarn tension disc mechanism in
association with each infeed yarn leading to the yarn
guide blades 50a, 50b. The yarn tension disc units, two
o~ which are shown in Fig. 14 at 180a and 180b may be of
the construction described and shown in Figs. 8-11 and
control 1 led by circuitry described in connection with
Figs. 7a, 7b of U.S. patent 4,313,578 granted February 2,
1987 to the assignee of the present application. Such
28 2 ~ 7 ~
disc type yarn tension control units includes first and
second confronting discs supported for rotation about a
shaft protr~ding from an electric motor through an
electromagnetic coil and coupled to one of the
confronting discs to continuously rotate it, while the
other disc is loosely journaled on the shaft and has a
spring finger mechanism correlating movement of the
confronting disc in a selected manner to tension yarn
passing therebetween.
Thus, in this embodiment of Figs. 14 through 18, as
with the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 13, the apparatus
is provided with three motors providing separate control
of three principal factors determining the precision
winding of the yarn package SQ as to provide the desired
level of uniformity in absence of ribboning. First, the
retractor motor 127 performs functions equivalent to the
function of the down pressure control motor 72 of the
first embodiment by controlling the vertical position of
the spindle axis and therefore of the package forming
tube 17, relative to the planes of the yarn guide
propellers or blades 50a, 50b and associated yarn guide
structure and the bail roll 46 and its associated load
cell 148, all of which are carried at stationary
positions on the top plate 113. Secondly, the propeller
drive motor 166 carried by the mounting block 70
determines the speed of drive of the yarn guide
propellers or blades 50a, 50b and thus the speed of
traverse of the yarn between the opposite ends of the
package being formed. Thirdly, the spindle drive motor
129 carried by the stationary main frame drives the
spindle ll9a and driving head 119 to rotate the yarn
package tube 17 and thus determine the speed of winding
of the yarn onto the package.
When the microprocessor senses that winding of the
yarn parkage of appropriate diameter is completed, the
spindle drive motor 129 and the propeller drive motor 166
are deactivated to terminate the rotary drive to the
spindle ll9a and driving spindle head 119 and to the yarn
29 2~2~7~
guide propellers or blades Soa, 50b, and the retractor
motor 126m is energized to raise the supporting arms 121,
122 about their pivot axis to a predetermined doff
position lifting the package to a position spaced above
and out of contact with the bail roll 46, and the doff
motor 139 is energized to rotate the threaded output
shaft 138 and move the follower nut 132d of the doff
lever 131 from the broken line position of Fig. 18, which
is the normal tube holding position, to the solid line
position shown in Fig. 18, which is the doff position,
retracting the shaft 120a and the head 120 to the solid
line position of Fig. 18 where the tube with the yarn
package formed thereon can be manually withdrawn and a
new tube inserted for commencement of another yarn
winding sequence to generate another precision wound
package. pair of tension control disc units 180a, 180b
through its associated control circuitry of patent
4,313,578 precisely maintain the infeed yarn tension at
the preset value determined by the operator so that there
are no infeed yarn tension variations which would act
adversely on the precise control achieved by the
microprocessor system.
