Method for operating a service unit

{
  "publication_number": "US11060210B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Method for operating a service unit",
  "abstract": "Method for operating a service unit for processing work orders regarding a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing process employed at spinning machines producing take-up packages that process at least two different lots, whereby the service unit is fed an empty tube via the spinning machine's tube feed track, and the fed empty tube is taken up by the service unit. If the current work order for the cross-wound package/empty tube doffing of the workstations expires before it is processed and the empty tube is exchanged and another work order has come in which is for a workstation requiring a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing for another lot, the already taken up empty tube is released by the service unit, and the service unit takes up an empty tube of another lot in order to be able to carry out a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing process at the other workstation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for operating a service unit for processing work orders regarding a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing that is used at spinning machines producing take-up packages, wherein said spinning machines process at least two different lots, whereby in a first method step, a first empty tube of a first lot is fed to the service unit via a tube feed track of the spinning machine and in a second method step, the first empty tube is taken up by the service unit, characterized in that, after a first work order for the cross-wound package/empty tube doffing for a first workstation expires before it the first work order is processed and after a second work order has been received, that is for a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing for a second workstation processing a second lot, in a third method step, the first empty tube is released by the service unit, and in a fourth method step the service unit takes up a second empty tube of the second lot, in order to be able to carry out a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing at the second workstation.",
    "2. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first empty tube released by the service unit is set back onto the tube feed track.",
    "3. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first empty tube released by the service unit is inserted into a storage device.",
    "4. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the first empty tube inserted into the storage device by the service unit is removed again as part of a new work order and used for a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing.",
    "5. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, the first empty tube inserted into the storage device by the service unit is manually removed.",
    "6. A spinning machine producing take-up packages with a large number of workstations and at least one service unit that can travel between the workstations to process work orders regarding cross-wound package/empty tube doffing at the individual workstations, whereby a first empty tube of a first lot can be delivered to the service unit via a tube feed track of the spinning machine and the service unit has a gripping device with which the delivered first empty tube can be removed from the tube feed track, and whereby the service unit has a control unit that is connected with a central control unit, which is in turn connected to one or more workstation control units, characterised in that, the control unit of the service unit or the central control unit is designed so that, in the event that the work order for a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing expires before it is executed by the service unit and the first empty tube is doffed, the service unit is controlled so that the first empty tube removed from the tube feed track by the service unit can be put into a tube holder, and that then a second empty tube of a second lot can be removed from the tube feed track, in order to carry out a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing at a second workstation processing the second lots.",
    "7. The spinning machine producing take-up packages according to claim 6, characterised in that the tube holder is comprised of the tube feed track or a storage device for storing the first empty tube."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention comprises a method for operating a service unit for processing work orders regarding a cross-wound package/empty tube exchange as well as a spinning machine producing take-up packages with at least one traversable service unit running along the workstations.\n\nIn connection with open-end spinning machines, service units are known in various embodiments and are described in numerous texts in the patent literature.\n\nFor example service units are used in the application that are designed as piecer carriages. Such piecer carriages are used in open-end spinning machines both for when their workstations require help with a “normal” yarn break as well as with cross-wound package/empty tube doffing.\n\nMoreover, service units that work as doffing and cleaning carriages are also known. Such doffing and cleaning carriages serve open-end spinning machines that have workstations that are autonomous to a large extent. The workstations of such open-end spinning machines each have, in addition to a spinning device for preparing a yarn and a winding device for producing a cross-wound package, further functional elements which enable the workstations to piece themselves up immediately following a yarn break. Such workstations therefore only require the help of a traversable service unit if the workstation is to be cleaned or if a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing is required at one of the workstations.\n\nSuch a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing is usually carried out if the cross-wound package at one of the workstations has reached its prescribed diameter or yarn length and must be exchanged for a new empty tube.",
  "cpc": [
    "D01H 9/10",
    "D01H 4/50"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "D01H 9/10",
    "D01H 4/50"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Saurer Spinning Solutions GmbH and Co KG"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Wolfgang Doerner",
    "Philipp Schiffers",
    "Jonathan Sprecher",
    "Harald Wassen"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-12-12",
  "publication_date": "2021-07-13",
  "grant_date": "2021-07-13",
  "priority_date": "2017-12-13",
  "application_number": "US-201816217779-A",
  "family_id": "64650156",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "EP0262726A2",
    "US4865260A",
    "US5237807A",
    "US5937629A",
    "DE4443818A1",
    "US5634602A",
    "US6056228A",
    "DE19905856A1",
    "US6272833B1",
    "US7412818B2",
    "DE102007056561A1",
    "US9631299B2"
  ]
}