Feed yarn joining system

Abstract

A feed yarn joining system for joining a yarn tail end of a yarn package to a yarn head end of a reserve package at a package creel including package storage sites for receiving the yarn and reserve packages, with receiving units for receiving the yarn head end and the yarn tail end, positioning units for positioning a yarn portion joined to the yarn tail end and yarn head end in the yarn splicing device, the yarn splicing device for preparing and joining the yarn head end and yarn tail end, and a control unit for initiating the start of the splicing operation and executing the splicing operation. Furthermore, a package creel arrangement with a feed yarn joining system as well as a method of joining a yarn tail end of a yarn package to a yarn head end of a reserve package when using a feed yarn joining system.

1 . A feed yarn joining system for joining a yarn tail end of a yarn package to a yarn head end of a reserve package in a region of a package creel arrangement having at least two adjacent package storage sites for receiving the yarn package and the reserve package, the feed yarn joining system comprising:
 a first receiving unit for receiving the yarn head end of the reserve package;   a second receiving unit for receiving the yarn tail end of the yarn package;   a first positioning unit for positioning a yarn head portion joined to the yarn head end in a yarn splicing device;   a second positioning unit for positioning a yarn tail portion joined to the yarn tail end in the yarn splicing device;   the yarn splicing device, is provided to prepare the yarn head end and the yarn tail end and splice them together during a splicing operation; and   a control unit for executing the splicing operation by a corresponding activation of the first receiving unit, the second receiving unit, the first positioning unit, the second positioning unit and the yarn splicing device;   wherein the control unit is provided to initiate a start of the splicing operation.   
     
     
         2 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is linked for communication purposes to an input unit via which an operator manually triggers a signal to the control unit to initiate the start of the splicing operation. 
     
     
         3 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is linked for communication purposes to an investigation unit to determine a quantity of yarn present on the yarn package and is trained to determine an unwinding and/or changeover point of an unwound yarn package based on a determined quantity of yarn for initiating the start of the splicing operation. 
     
     
         4 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first receiving unit and the first positioning unit or the second receiving unit and the second positioning unit are provided by a moveable suction unit, which is associated with the yarn package or the reserve package, between a receiving position for receiving the yarn tail end or the yarn head end respectively, and a depositing position for placing the yarn tail end or the yarn head end, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 4 , wherein the moveable suction unit includes a sensor unit for detecting a presence and/or absence of the yarn tail end or the yarn head end in the moveable suction unit. 
     
     
         6 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 4 , further including a coupling unit for coupling and uncoupling of the moveable suction unit to or from a source of suction air. 
     
     
         7 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 4 , further including a clamping device for clamping the yarn tail end or the yarn head end inside the moveable suction unit. 
     
     
         8 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the yarn splicing device, the first receiving unit, the second receiving unit, the first positioning unit and the second positioning unit are arranged on a common carrying frame, wherein the common carrying frame is provided within a plane tensioned by a guide frame. 
     
     
         9 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 1 , further including a driverless transport vehicle on which at least the first receiving unit, the second receiving unit, the first positioning unit, the second positioning unit and the yarn splicing device are arranged, wherein the driverless transport vehicle is provided to run autonomously to a site of the splicing operation which is to be executed. 
     
     
         10 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 9 , wherein the driverless transport vehicle carries a handling unit with a gripper unit for loading and unloading the package creel arrangement, and wherein the gripper unit is movable in multiple dimensions. 
     
     
         11 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 10 , wherein the driverless transport vehicle carries a package buffer with at least two package storage sites, wherein a first one of the at least two package storage sites is equipped with a reserve package and a second one of the at least two package storage sites is free, wherein the handling unit for removing and positioning the yarn package is provided on the second one of the at least two package storage sites and for removing and positioning the reserve package is provided in a package creel position of the removed yarn package by the gripper unit. 
     
     
         12 . A package creel arrangement with a package creel comprising at least two package storage sites, wherein a first one of the at least two package storage sites is provided for receiving a yarn package and a second one of the at least two package storage sites is provided for receiving a reserve package, and the feed yarn joining system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The package creel arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least two package storage sites are arranged moveably between an operating position and a changeover position. 
     
     
         14 . A method of joining a yarn tail end of a yarn package to a yarn head end of a reserve package in a region of a package creel arrangement having at least two adjacent package storage sites for receiving the yarn package and the reserve package by the feed yarn joining system according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 initiating the splicing operation;   activating the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit for seeking and receiving the yarn tail end of the yarn package and the yarn head end of the reserve package;   activating the first positioning unit and the second positioning unit for positioning the received yarn tail end and the received yarn head end into the yarn splicing device;   activating the yarn splicing device for preparing the yarn tail end and the yarn head end by yarn tail end preparation means associated with the yarn splicing device; and   activating the yarn splicing device for joining the prepared yarn tail end and the prepared yarn head end.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein promptly before, or with the step of initiating the splicing operation, filling an emptied package storage site with a reserve package. 
     
     
         16 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 4 , wherein the moveable suction unit is pivotable or linearly displaceable. 
     
     
         17 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 4 , wherein the moveable suction unit comprises a suction tube with a suction mouth. 
     
     
         18 . The feed yarn joining system according to  claim 8 , wherein the common carrying frame is adjustable within the plane tensioned by the guide frame. 
     
     
         19 . The package creel arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least two package storage sites are pivotable between the operating position and the changeover position. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of filling takes place immediately before the step of initiating the splicing operation.