Method and device for locating and holding a thread end

Abstract

A method for locating and holding an end of a thread wound on a spool at a winding station, with a thread connector having a thread suction nozzle with a thread sensor connected thereto, for partially unwinding the thread, includes starting the thread connector with the winding station, simultaneously bringing the spool at the winding station to a standstill after rotation in a forward direction and bringing the thread suction nozzle of the thread connector from a starting position to a position close to the surface of the spool, subsequently supplying the thread suction nozzle with suction for a limited time as soon as the rotation of the spool has ceased for sucking-in the thread end, rotating the spool in a reverse direction during the suction step after the rotation of the spool has ceased, subsequently holding the sucked-in thread end with the suction nozzle, and subsequently moving the thread suction nozzle back to the starting position thereby inserting the thread into the thread connector if the sensor has sensed the presence of the thread in the thread suction nozzle, while bringing the spool to a standstill again, and supplying the thread suction nozzle with suction again before moving the thread suction nozzle to the starting position if the thread is not sensed by the sensor, and a device for carrying out the method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.