EP0860533A2 - Method for embroidering oversized patterns - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of producing a large embroidered pattern, using at least two part-patterns in a combined design using a sewing or embroidery machine with a moving embroidery frame, the two part-patterns (T1) to be next to each other each have a common attachment point (A) outside the combined pattern (K). The attachment point is the final stitch in the embroidery of the first part-pattern. Thereafter, each section of the fabric workpiece to be embroidered with a part-pattern is positioned with the attachment point under the needle, and the first stitch of the next part-pattern is the attachment point. When the combination pattern is finished, the linking threads (V) to the attachment point are removed. Also claimed is an apparatus for producing the large pattern and a method of operating this apparatus.

Description

The invention relates to a method for precise embroidery of combination patterns composed of at least two partial patterns according to the preamble of claim 1.

DE 31 34 028 C2 is a feed device for one Sewing machines known in which a workpiece holder by means of a Sliding mechanism relative to the workpiece holder drive between two End positions can be moved and locked in these. Through this Measure the work area of the workpiece holder in the Double the direction of movement of the sliding mechanism and on this Way composed of two abutting seam sections Sew combination pattern that is larger than the travel of the workpiece holder.

The program-controlled sewing process starts from one to one Combination pattern bisecting center line and starting point ends at the first seam section on one on the same center line lying intermediate point. When this intermediate point is reached the sewing process is interrupted by a cam control, a thread cutting process performed and the workpiece holder by the Moving mechanism moved to its other end position, whereupon the needle of the sewing machine is above another intermediate point is located on an imaginary lying at the end of the travel Line that no longer cuts the workpiece. Of this The workpiece holder is stopped by a cam control moved back to a second seam start point, from where program-controlled another seam section is formed, which on End point of the first seam section ends. By the combined Cam and program control finally becomes a third Seam section formed.

This well-known sewing method for producing oversized seam patterns but requires a fully automated process, i. that is, it must not only the actual sewing process, but also the displacement the workpiece holder in the second end position to the outside of the Auxiliary points lying on the workpiece are program or cam controlled be performed.

The invention has for its object to develop a method that it also with normal, with a powered embroidery hoop equipped sewing or embroidery machines allows one out of at least to produce a combination pattern composed of two partial patterns, that is larger than the path of the embroidery frame. The task is by those specified in the characterizing part of claims 1 and 6 Process features solved.

By the measure, two adjacent partial patterns one Combination pattern one to be formed by a sewing stitch to assign a common attachment point, there is the possibility, after the Embroider the first part of the pattern and after moving the workpiece the attachment point formed as the last sewing stitch of the first partial pattern to be placed exactly under the sewing needle again. Because the attachment point is also the first sewing stitch of the second pattern in this way ensures that the second sub-pattern in intended distance to the first part of the pattern is embroidered and thus Combination pattern receives the desired look.

According to claim 2, this can be for the production of the second Partial pattern to move the workpiece happen that when using a relative to the connector of the Embroidery frame drive movable embroidery frame, this by hand in its other end position is moved. Moving the However, the workpiece can also be reclamped according to claim 3 Workpiece in the embroidery frame. Especially if any length pattern z. B. in the form of so-called endless borders repeated series of individual partial patterns are formed should. In this case it is advantageous according to claim 4 if everyone Partial patterns at the beginning and end of the pattern, one attachment point each is assigned.

If the attachment point is under again after the workpiece has been moved the needle is placed, the comparison between the desired position and the current position of the attachment point in Respect to the needle both by observing the operator and also by an optoelectronic device according to claim 5 take place when the desired position of the attachment point is reached generates an optical or acoustic confirmation signal.

An alternative method is specified in claim 6. With this The procedure is for moving the workpiece from the first to the second embroidery area necessary relative displacement of the coupling point the connecting member of the hoop drive with respect to Reverse embroidery frame, d. that is, after loosening the Connector of the hoop not the hoop relative to here fixed connector, but the connector to fixed embroidery frame moved. For this purpose beforehand the sewing machine with the insertion point in the workpiece Needle stopped. This ensures that during the Displacement of the connecting link assigning the needle and attachment point preserved. The needle also contributes to the embroidery hoop during the displacement of the connecting member on the support arm To hold the sewing machine. However, it will be necessary for the Operator additionally the embroidery hoop with their hands holds to prevent unwanted moving of the embroidery frame prevent.

Fig.1

eine mit einem angetriebenen Stickrahmen ausgestattete Nähmaschine nach Bildung eines Anhängepunktes vor dem Verschieben des Stickrahmens;

Fig.2

die Nähmaschine nach dem Verschieben des Stickrahmens vor Beginn des Stickens des zweiten Teilmusters;

Fig.3

ein Blockschaltbild der Nähmaschinensteuerung in Verbindung mit einer opoelektronischen Abtastvorrichtung für die Anhängepunkte und

Fig.4

eine Nähmaschine gemäß Fig. 1 bei eingestochener Nadel vor Durchführung des alternativen Verfahrens.

The invention is explained with reference to two exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a sewing machine equipped with a powered embroidery frame after forming a hitch before moving the embroidery frame;

Fig. 2

the sewing machine after moving the embroidery frame before embroidery of the second partial pattern begins;

Fig. 3

a block diagram of the sewing machine control in connection with an opoelectronic scanning device for the attachment points and

Fig. 4

a sewing machine according to FIG. 1 with the needle inserted before carrying out the alternative method.

Only a part of the sewing machine 1 shown in the drawing the base plate 2, the stand 3 and the arm 4 shown. The arm 4 ends in a head 5, which can be moved up and down in a known manner Needle bar 6 with a sewing needle 7 carries. On stand 3 is a horizontally extending support arm 8 arranged which is a distance to the base plate 2. In the support arm 8 is as usual in this Case not shown gripper arranged with the thread-guiding Sewing needle 7 in a known manner to form a thread seam cooperates.

On the rear long side of the support arm 8 is an embroidery unit g releasably attached. The embroidery unit 9 has a lengthwise direction L extending on the support arm 8 housing 10 and an in Transverse direction Q with a small distance over the support arm 8 extending cantilever arm 11 which is movable in the longitudinal direction L. is.

The detailed structure and functionality of the embroidery unit are disclosed in DE 295 14 286 U1, so that no further details are given here must be received.

A protrudes from a passage slot 12 of the extension arm 11 Transverse direction Q back and forth movable holding plate 13 with a Extension 14, which together is a connector of the embroidery unit 9 form for an embroidery hoop 15. The embroidery frame 15 consists of a Inner ring 16 and a hidden by the clamped workpiece W. Outer ring. There is an elongated bracket on the outer ring 17 attached. The bracket 17 is in an unspecified Bore of the extension piece 14 slidably received and through a Locking screw 18 can be locked in any position.

The embroidery hoop 15 is a special size hoop with an enlarged embroidery field area in the transverse direction Q, which in a front half of the field F1 and rear half of the field F2 is divided. The length of the embroidery frame 15 corresponds to twice Travel path of the embroidery unit 9 in the transverse direction Q.

At the head 5 is an L-shaped carrier 19 for an optoelectronic Scanner 20 attached. The scanning device 20 consists of known and therefore only shown schematically in Fig. 3 from a light source 21, the light rays downwards on the Workpiece W are directed and from an image sensor 22 for the Workpiece reflected light. The lighting and scanning point of the Scanning device 20 is on the stitch formation point of sewing machine 1 directed, d. H. to the point where the needle 7 in the Workpiece W punctures.

The control for the sewing machine 1 and the embroidery unit 9 contains a microcomputer 23 which is driven by a sewing machine Signal generator 24 signals with the sewing machine engine connected is. The microcomputer 23 are for the operation of the embroidery unit 9 in a known and therefore not explained in detail Program memory 25, a working memory 26 and a keyboard 27 assigned. The microcomputer 23 controls depending on the data one selected from the program memory 25 and in the working memory 26 stored embroidery patterns via stepper motor drivers 28, 29 one each Stepper motor 30 and 31 for the transverse and for the longitudinal movement of the Embroidery frame 15.

The image sensor 22 is via known image evaluation electronics 32 connected to the microcomputer 23. The result of a scan is in a display device connected to the microcomputer 23 33 shown optically.

With the sewing machine, special, e.g. B. from two partial patterns Create T1 and T2 composite combination patterns K. At two To be able to position partial patterns T1, T2 perfectly with respect to one another them a common preferably outside the contour of the Combination pattern K associated attachment point A assigned, d. i.e. the The attachment point A assigned to the data record of the partial pattern T1 has the same coordinate values as the attachment point A of the partial pattern T2.

Figures 1 and 4 now show the situation in which on the rear embroidery field half F2 located section of the workpiece W the partial pattern T1 one composed of two partial patterns T1 and T2 Combination pattern K has been embroidered. Except for the full one Partial pattern T1 was based on the last sewing stitch yet another additional sewing stitch outside the contour of the Partial pattern T1 lying attachment point A is formed. Be to the last Sewing stitch of the actual sub-pattern T1 running connecting thread V is not part of the sub-pattern T1.

In the method according to the first embodiment, according to the Sewing the attachment point A stopped the sewing machine, whereupon the Operator the sewing threads leading to the respective thread supply severed. The operator then loosens the clamping screw 18 and moves the embroidery frame 15 relative to the stationary attachment 14 in the position shown in broken lines in Figure 1, so that the front half of the embroidery field F1 is now in the embroidery area of the Sewing machine 1 is located.

After the clamping screw 18 has been tightened again, the Embroidery frame 15 z. B. by pressing travel keys, not shown, which directly into the control flow of the stepper motor 30 for engage the transverse movement of the embroidery frame 15, retracted so far, until the attachment point A is again under the needle 7.

The comparison to be made between the desired location and the current position of the attachment point A with respect to the needle 7 takes place with the aid of the scanning device 20. That from its light source 21 light emitted onto the scanning point and reflected by it is received by the image sensor 22 and by the image evaluation electronics 32 analyzed whether the attachment point A is under the needle 7 is located. If so, the microcomputer 23 generates one Confirmation signal made visible on the display device 33 becomes. This confirmation signal can also be used to send the for the transverse displacement of the embroidery frame 15 switched on stepper motor 30 shut down.

If the confirmation signal also for switching off the stepper motor 30 can be used without any additional technical effort Alignment accuracy can be improved in that the scanning point the scanning device 20 by such an amount in front of the stitch formation point is brought forward, the braking distance or the response time of the Stepper motor 30 after receiving the shutdown command. For It can also make the attachment point A easier to see be useful if the attachment point A as a visually striking Marking pattern is formed - for example in the form of a Crosshair.

At the beginning of the second sub-pattern T2, the already existing attachment point A which also as attachment point A serving first sewing stitch of the pattern T2 and then the actual partial pattern 12 embroidered, dashed in Figure 2 is shown. Provided that the attachment points A of the two partial patterns Cover T1 and T2, it is guaranteed that the cross direction too measuring distance of the two sub-patterns T1 and T2 exactly that provided dimension corresponds and that thus the combination pattern K has exactly the look you want. It does not matter whether the partial patterns T1 and T2 overlap, touch or whether they should be at a mutual distance. Through the attachment points A can always be an exact positioning of the sub-patterns T1 and T2 achieve.

After completion of the partial pattern T2, they become the two common attachment points A no longer required Cutting threads V cut out.

The one for the formation of endless patterns - the so-called endless borders - Provided partial patterns have both at the beginning of the pattern and on Each end of the pattern has an attachment point A. Since such patterns are often very much longer than even the double-length embroidery hoop 15 depending on the length of the overall pattern are spanned several times in the embroidery frame 15. Especially in such cases the attachment points help the desired positioning of the partial pattern to achieve.

In the method according to the second embodiment, according to the Sewing attachment point A on the sewing machine at the attachment point inserted needle 7 stopped. Then the operator loosens the clamping screw 18 holds the embroidery frame 15 with one hand firmly and starts with the other hand by pressing one corresponding button, not shown, the stepper motor 30 for the Lateral movement. Here, the extension piece 14 is held relative to the Embroidery frame 15 along the holding bracket 17 from that in FIG. 4 shown rear position in the dash-dotted line front position shifted to that of the pattern start position of the second Partial pattern T2 corresponds. Then the operator pulls the Clamp screw 18 again and thus connects the embroidery hoop 15 again with the drive of the embroidery unit 9. As soon as this happens As in the first exemplary embodiment, the second partial pattern T2 be embroidered.

Claims (6)

Method for accurately embroidering combination patterns composed of at least two partial patterns on sewing or embroidery machines with a driven embroidery frame, the combination patterns being larger than the travel path of the embroidery frame, characterized in that a) two adjacent sub-patterns (T1, T2) are each assigned a common attachment point (A), which is preferably outside the combination pattern (K), b) when embroidering the first partial pattern (T1) the attachment point (A) is formed as the last sewing stitch, c) the section of the workpiece to be embroidered is then brought into the embroidery area of the sewing or embroidery machine on which the subsequent partial pattern is to be formed, the workpiece being brought into such a position that the attachment point (A) lies below the needle, d) the second partial pattern (T2) is then embroidered, the attachment point (A) forming the first sewing stitch, e) and after completion of the combination pattern (K) the connecting threads (V) leading to the attachment points (A) are removed. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at Use of a relative to the connector of the hoop drive sliding embroidery frame for the second Partial pattern determined section of the workpiece by manual Moving the embroidery frame relative to the connector in the Embroidery area of the sewing or embroidery machine is brought. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the section intended for the second or further partial pattern the workpiece by reclamping the workpiece in the embroidery area is brought to the sewing or embroidery machine. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that for the Embroidery of any length, from more than two partial patterns formed endless pattern each pattern at the beginning of the pattern and on An attachment point is assigned to each end of the pattern. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized by the arrangement of an optical sensor (22) with one aimed at the stitch formation point of the sewing machine Sampling point and with an evaluation electronics (32) with a display device (33) is connected. Method according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that a) two adjacent sub-patterns (T1, T2) are each assigned a common attachment point (A), which is preferably outside the combination pattern (K), b) when embroidering the first partial pattern (T1) the attachment point (A) is formed as the last sewing stitch, c) the sewing machine is then stopped with the needle (7) inserted in the attachment point (A), d) the embroidery frame (15) is then detached from the connecting member (14) of the embroidery frame drive, e) the connecting member (14) is then moved by the embroidery hoop drive relative to the embroidery hoop (25) held up to the pattern start position of the second partial pattern (T2), f) after connecting the embroidery frame (15) to the connecting member (14), the second partial pattern (T2) is embroidered, the attachment point (A) forming the first sewing stitch and g) after completion of the combination pattern (K) the connecting threads (V) leading to the attachment points (A) are removed.

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