EP0887452B1 - Buttonhole darning sewing machine - Google Patents

Buttonhole darning sewing machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0887452B1
EP0887452B1 EP19980111679 EP98111679A EP0887452B1 EP 0887452 B1 EP0887452 B1 EP 0887452B1 EP 19980111679 EP19980111679 EP 19980111679 EP 98111679 A EP98111679 A EP 98111679A EP 0887452 B1 EP0887452 B1 EP 0887452B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
needle
knife
sewing
cloth
feed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19980111679
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0887452A2 (en
EP0887452A3 (en
Inventor
Mitsuhiro Tachikawa
Kazauki Ishii
Yasuaki Hirano
Toshiaki Kasuga
Akira Maeda
Kazuya Tami
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Juki Corp
Original Assignee
Juki Corp
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0887452A2 publication Critical patent/EP0887452A2/en
Publication of EP0887452A3 publication Critical patent/EP0887452A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0887452B1 publication Critical patent/EP0887452B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05B—SEWING
    • D05B69/00—Driving-gear; Control devices
    • D05B69/22—Devices for stopping drive when sewing tools have reached a predetermined position
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05B—SEWING
    • D05B19/00—Programme-controlled sewing machines
    • D05B19/02—Sewing machines having electronic memory or microprocessor control unit
    • D05B19/12—Sewing machines having electronic memory or microprocessor control unit characterised by control of operation of machine
    • D05B19/14—Control of needle movement, e.g. varying amplitude or period of needle movement
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05B—SEWING
    • D05B3/00—Sewing apparatus or machines with mechanism for lateral movement of the needle or the work or both for making ornamental pattern seams, for sewing buttonholes, for reinforcing openings, or for fastening articles, e.g. buttons, by sewing
    • D05B3/06—Sewing apparatus or machines with mechanism for lateral movement of the needle or the work or both for making ornamental pattern seams, for sewing buttonholes, for reinforcing openings, or for fastening articles, e.g. buttons, by sewing for sewing buttonholes
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05B—SEWING
    • D05B69/00—Driving-gear; Control devices
    • D05B69/22—Devices for stopping drive when sewing tools have reached a predetermined position
    • D05B69/24—Applications of devices for indicating or ascertaining sewing-tool position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a buttonhole darning sewing machine for forming a buttonhole in a cloth using a cloth cutting knife, or, to a needle swing sewing machine including such buttonhole darning sewing machine.
  • a buttonhole darning sewing machine according to the preamble portion of claim 1 is known from Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-14438.
  • the cloth cutting knife is structured such that it can be moved up and down once through the rotation of a main cam.
  • the needle and cloth cutting knife are disposed on the same line with respect to the cloth feed direction, the needle is situated several millimeters closer on this side than the cloth cutting knife with respect to an operator, and a support arm for supporting a cloth presser extends from the more left side than the needle and cloth cutting knife.
  • a needle is mounted in such a manner that the eye of the needle opens along the cloth feed direction, that is, in the back-and-forth direction with respect to the operator.
  • the operator when inserting a thread through the needle eye, the operator must execute a thread insertion operation at a position close to the support arm situated several millimeters closer on his or her side than the cloth cutting knife; and, when the needle eye is arranged in the back-and-forth direction of the operator, the cloth cutting knife, support arm and the like are in the way of the operator when the operator inserts a thread through the needle eye, which makes the thread insertion operation troublesome.
  • U.S. patent 5,086,719 discloses a sewing machine including a threading device for threading an eye in a needle attached to the lower end of a needle bar vertically movable for sewing operation, and a needle-bar raising means for raising the needle bar to a given position prior to a threading operation regardless of vertical movement of the needle bar for sewing operation.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a buttonhole darning sewing machine in which the insertion of a thread into a needle is easy.
  • a buttonhole darning sewing machine comprising: a needle swingable in the right and left directions and movable upward and downward at its swing positions for forming buttonhole darning stitches; a cloth hold plate disposed along the surface of a bed of the sewing machine; a cloth hold arm disposed on the more left side than the respective right and left swing positions, with the leading end portion thereof situated on an operator's side; a frame-shaped clamp body formed in a frame shape capable of holding the cloth of the outer peripheral edges of the buttonhole darning stitches between the cloth hold plate and itself, the clamp body being supported on the right side of the leading end portion of the cloth hold arm; a cloth cutting knife droppable substantially in the central position in the right and left direction within the frame shape of the frame-shaped clamp body; and needle drop control means which, when a signal for stopping the sewing machine is generated, sets the swing position so that a position where the needle is stopped is situated on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife with respect to the operator.
  • the cloth cutting knife is a knife which can be moved upward and downward to thereby form a buttonhole in a cloth and also which includes a cutting edge in the lower portion thereof.
  • the needle drop control means is included, for example, in a CPU.
  • the needle stop position or swing position is set on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife with respect to the operator by the needle drop control means. Thanks to this, when the sewing machine stop signal is generated, the thread can be easily inserted through the eye of the needle stopped on the right side of the cloth cutting knife with no interference by the cloth cutting knife.
  • the needle drop control means when the formation of the buttonhole darning stitches is completed, sets the needle stop position on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife with respect to the operator.
  • the needle drop control means is structured such that, when the formation of the buttonhole darning stitches is completed, it sets the needle stop position or swing position on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife with respect to the operator, the needle can be stopped on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife also when the formation of the buttonhole darning stitches is completed.
  • the needle drop control means includes electrical drive means for swinging the needle to a given position in the right and left direction, and a control circuit for giving a drive instruction to the electrical drive means to swing the needle to the needle stop position.
  • the electrical drive means there can be used not only a pulse motor but also other types of motors, solenoid and the like.
  • the needle drop control means is structured such that the needle stop position or swing position can be set on the right side of the cloth cutting knife using the electrical drive means to be driven by an instruction given from the control means, the needle can be positively stopped on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife when the formation of the buttonhole darning stitches is completed.
  • a buttonhole darning sewing machine comprising: a needle swingable in the right and left direction and movable upward and downward at its swing position for forming buttonhole darning stitches; a cloth hold plate disposed along the surface of a bed of the sewing machine; a cloth hold arm disposed on the more left side than the respective right and left swing positions, with the leading end portion thereof situated on an operator's side; a frame-shaped clamp body formed in a frame shape capable of holding the cloth of the outer peripheral edges of the buttonhole darning stitches between the cloth hold plate and itself, the clamp body being supported on the right side of the leading end portion of the cloth hold arm; a cloth cutting knife droppable substantially in the central position in the right and left direction within the frame shape of the frame-shaped clamp body; and an operation switch, when operated, for generating a signal; electrical drive means for swinging the needle to a given position in the right and left direction; and, needle drop control means, in linking with the generation of the signal by the operation switch
  • the operation switch there can be used not only a thread insertion switch but also other types of switches.
  • the electrical drive means there can be used not only a pulse motor but also other types of motor, solenoid and the like.
  • the needle drop control means can be included in a CPU or the like.
  • the needle stop position or swing position of the sewing machine can be set on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife with respect to the operator through driving of the electrical drive means in accordance with an instruction given from the needle drop control means, the thread can be easily inserted through the eye of the needle stopped on the right side of the cloth cutting knife with no interference by the cloth cutting knife.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a buttonhole darning sewing machine which is a first embodiment according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the outline of the internal mechanism of the first embodiment
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the above internal mechanism when it is viewed from the opposite side of Fig. 2.
  • reference character 1 designates a sewing machine frame, 5 a sewing machine motor, 6 an upper shaft, 7 crank mechanism, 8 a needle bar, 9 a needle, 10 a vertical shaft, 11 a lower shaft, 12 a hook, 13 a bobbin case, 14 a cloth hold plate, 15 a cloth presser (a frame-shaped clamp body), 16 a cloth cutting knife (a vertically moving knife), 17 a balance, 18 a needle bar swing base, 19 a tension block, 20 a feed motor (electrically driving means: pulse motor), 21 a feed mechanism (connecting means), 30 an air cylinder unit for a cloth cutting knife, 31 a knife mounting plate, 40 a base line motor, 41 a swing width motor, 42 a needle swing mechanism, and 60 a voice coil motor, respectively.
  • the sewing machine frame 1 comprises a bed 2 including a flat bed surface on the upper surface thereof, a vertical body portion 3 erected on the one end portion side of the bed 2, and an arm 4 disposed on the vertical body portion 3 and extending substantially in parallel to the bed 2; and, the sewing machine frame 1 has a substantially U-like shape when it is viewed from the flank thereof.
  • a sewing machine motor 5 is provided in the end portion thereof on the vertical body portion 3 side, the upper shaft 6 which can be rotated when it is driven by the sewing machine motor 5 is disposed within the arm 4, the needle bar 8 is connected through the crank mechanism 7 to the leading end portion of the upper shaft 6, and the needle 9 is mounted on the lower portion of the needle bar 8.
  • the vertical shaft 10 is disposed within the vertical body portion 3, the lower shaft 11 is disposed within the bed 2, and the bobbin case 13 is mounted on the tension hook 12 which is disposed in the leading end portion of the lower shaft 11.
  • the upper end portion of the vertical shaft 10 is connected to the upper shaft 6 through bevel gears 6a and 10a, whereas the lower end portion of the vertical shaft 10 is connected to the lower shaft 11 through bevel gears 10b and 11a.
  • the cloth hold plate 14 which can be moved, and, above the cloth hold plate 14, there are disposed the cloth presser 15 formed of a frame-shaped clamp body and the cloth cutting knife 16 which is a vertically moving knife.
  • the crank mechanism 7 there is incorporated the balance 17 which projects externally from the side surface of the leading end portion of the arm 4.
  • the needle bar 8 is incorporated in the needle bar swing base 18 in such a manner that it can be freely slided in the vertical direction.
  • the needle bar swing base 18 is structured in such a manner that the upper end portion thereof is free to swing with a swing fulcrum shaft 18a parallel to the upper shaft 6 as the fulcrum thereof.
  • the tension block 19 is arranged in the lower portion of the side surface of the leading end portion of the arm 4, while the tension block 19 is structured such that the tension thereof can be variably controlled by the voice coil motor 60.
  • the feed motor 20 which is used as electrically driving means for driving the cloth hold plate 14 and cloth presser 15 electrically;
  • the feed motor 20 is a pulse motor which has an axis extending in the vertical direction; and, there is structured the feed mechanism 21 which extends from the output shaft of the feed motor 20 to the cloth hold plate 14 and cloth presser 15.
  • the cloth cutting knife air cylinder unit 30 which serves as electrically driving means for the cutting operation of the cutting knife, while the knife mounting plate 31, which can be moved upward and downward when it is driven by the cloth cutting knife air cylinder unit 30, is so disposed as to extend in the vertical direction within the arm 4.
  • the cloth cutting knife 16 is mounted on the lower end portion of the knife mounting plate 31 by a set screw 32, while the lower end portion of the knife mounting plate 31 is projected downward from the arm 4.
  • a return spring 33 for lifting and returning the knife mounting plate 31 to its original position; and, on the flank side of the knife mounting plate 31, there are arranged cloth cutting upper and lower position detect sensors 34a and 34b of a close approach type which are respectively used to detect the portion to be detected 31a of the knife mounting plate 31.
  • the base line motor 40 for deciding the base line position of the needle bar swing base 18 and the swing width motor 41 for deciding the swing width thereof.
  • Both of the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41 are pulse motors each of which has an axis extending horizontally in parallel to the upper shaft 6, while there is structured the needle swing mechanism 42 which extends from the respective output shafts of the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41 to the needle bar swing base 18.
  • the feed mechanism 21 as shown in Fig. 2, comprises a feed shaft 22 with the axis thereof extending in the horizontal direction, a bracket 23 for the cloth hold plate 14, a cloth hold arm 24 for holding the cloth presser 15, and the like.
  • connecting means which extends from the feed motor 22 to the cloth hold arm 24.
  • the feed shaft 22 including a rack 22a in meshing engagement with a pinion 20a provided on the output shaft of the feed motor 20 and, to the middle portion of the feed shaft 22 that is projected from the vertical body portion 3 and is situated below the arm 4, there is fixed the upper end portion of the bracket 23 which supports the cloth hold plate 14 in the lower end portion thereof.
  • the base end portion of the cloth hold arm 24 including a mounting piece 25, which supports the cloth presser 15 in the leading end portion thereof, is connected to the side surface of the lower portion of the bracket 23 in such a manner that it is free to swing in the vertical direction with a pin 24a as the fulcrum thereof.
  • an actuator an air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like
  • a return spring for lowering the hold arm 24 down to the initial position.
  • the vertical movement of the cloth hold arm 24 can also be carried out by means of operation of a pedal.
  • an origin position detect sensor 26 of a close approach type which is used to detect an origin position corresponding to the position of the leading end of the knife in accordance with the position of the feed shaft 22.
  • the above-mentioned means is means which is employed in the present embodiment for moving the cloth electrically.
  • the feed motor 20 consisting of a pulse motor for driving the cloth hold arm 24 through the feed mechanism 21 is stored within the vertical body portion 3 of the sewing machine frame 1 in the above-mentioned manner, the space in the vertical body portion 3 can be used effectively and, at the same time, the number of parts to be mounted on the outside of the sewing machine frame 1 can be reduced so that the appearance of the sewing machine frame 1 can be made neat and simple.
  • the feed motor 20 for driving the cloth hold arm 24 is stored within the vertical body portion 3, not only there can be provided a sound insulation effect, but also the handling of the cloth can be improved, which in turn can solve a problem that the cloth can be soiled as in the case where a motor is mounted on the outside of a sewing machine frame.
  • the feed shaft 22 can be driven or moved linearly in the horizontal direction by the vertically extending pulse motor (feed motor) 20 through the rack 20a and pinion 22a, thereby being able to move the cloth hold arm 24 in a direction in which the cloth hold arm 24 approaches and parts apart from the vertical body portion 3.
  • the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41 respectively consisting of pulse motors are both stored within the vertical body portion 3 in such a manner that their axes are so arranged as to extend in parallel to the upper surface of the bed 2, similarly to the feed motor 20, the space of the interior portion of the vertical body portion 3 can be used effectively and, at the same time, the number of parts to be mounted on the outside of the sewing machine frame 1 can be reduced so that the appearance of the sewing machine frame 1 can be made neat and simple.
  • the needle swing mechanism 42 as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, comprises a base line arm 43, a base line lever 44, a connecting link 45, a needle swing cam lever 46, a needle swing lever 47, a connecting shaft 48, a needle swing arm 49, a needle swing cam 54, a swing width arm 55, a swing width lever 56, and the like.
  • a sector gear 43b which is provided in the lower end portion of the base line arm 43 with a support shaft 43a supported horizontally in the sewing machine frame as the fulcrum of the middle portion thereof, is engaged in mesh with a pinion 40a provided on the output shaft of the base line motor 40, and the end portion of the forked base line lever 44 is swingably connected to the forked portion of the upper portion of the base line arm 43 by a horizontal pin 44a.
  • one end portion of the connecting link 45 is swingably connected into the forked portion of the base line lever 44 by a horizontal pin 44b, while the needle swing cam lever 46 is swingably connected to the other end portion of the connecting link 45 by a horizontal pin 45a.
  • leading end portion of the needle swing lever 47 is swingably connected to the lower end portion of the needle swing cam lever 46 by a horizontal pin 46a, while the base end portion of needle swing lever 47 is fixed to the base end portion of the connecting shaft 48 which is disposed in parallel to the upper shaft 6 within the arm 4.
  • the base end portion of the needle swing arm 49 is fixed to the leading end portion of the connecting shaft 48, while the needle bar swing base 18 is swingably connected to the leading end portion of the needle swing arm 49 through a square piece (not shown) or the like.
  • the needle swing cam lever 46 is so formed as to have an upwardly opened U-shaped engaging recessed portion 46b, while the needle swing cam 54 consisting of an eccentric cam is in engagement with the engaging recessed portion 46b.
  • the needle swing cam 54 is mounted on a counter shaft 53 to which the rotation of the upper shaft 6 can be transmitted at a reduction ratio of 1/2 through reduction gears 51 and 52.
  • a sector gear 55b which is provided in the lower end portion of the swing arm 55 with a support shaft 55a supported horizontally in the sewing machine frame as the fulcrum of the middle portion thereof, is engaged in mesh with a pinion 41a provided on the output shaft of the swing width motor 41, and the end portion of the swing width lever 56 is swingably connected to the forked portion of the upper portion of the swing width arm 55 by a horizontal pin 56a.
  • the other end portion of the swing width lever 56 is swingably connected to the connecting link 45 through the horizontal pin 44b.
  • a base line origin detect sensor 57 which is formed of a magnetic sensor serving as base line position detect means and, on the one end portion side of the sector gear 43b, there is disposed a magnet 43c for detection of the base line.
  • a swing width origin detect sensor 58 which is formed of a magnetic sensor serving as needle swing width detect means and, on one end portion side of the sector gear 55b, there is arranged a magnet 55c which is used to detect the needle swing width.
  • a needle swing right and left position detect sensor 59 base line side/needle swing side detect means which is formed of a magnetic sensor, while the reduction gear 52 includes a magnet 52a which is used to detect the right and left position.
  • the reduction gear 52 makes one rotation while the reduction gear 51 on the upper shaft 6 makes two rotations, that is, the reduction gear 52 rotates once while the needle 9 makes its up-and-down motion twice.
  • the needle swing right and left position detect sensor 59 in a rotation phase where the needle 9 is situated at the upper stop position and is swung toward the base line side, is disposed opposed to the magnet 52a.
  • swing movements are transmitted to the needle bar swing base 18 by means of the driving operations of the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41, which are both formed of pulse motors serving as drive means, through the base line arm 43 to the base line lever 44, or through the swing width arm 55 to the swing width lever 56, and, after then, through the connecting link 45, needle swing cam lever 46, needle swing lever 47, needle swing arm 49 and needle swing cam 54, so that the base line and swing width can be changed with the swing fulcrum shaft 18a provided in the upper portion of the needle bar swing base 18 as the fulcrum thereof.
  • the swing movement is transmitted to the needle bar swing base 18 through the base line arm 43, base line lever 44, connecting link 45, needle swing cam lever 46, needle swing lever 47, needle swing arm 49 and needle swing cam 54, thereby causing the needle bar swing base 18 to swing with the swing fulcrum shaft 18a provided in the upper portion of the needle bar swing base 18 as the fulcrum thereof, so that the base line can be changed.
  • This is the base line change mechanism.
  • the swing movement is transmitted to the needle bar swing base 18 through the swing width arm 55, swing width lever 56, connecting link 45, needle swing cam lever 46, needle swing lever 47, needle swing arm 49 and needle swing cam 54, thereby causing the needle bar swing base 18 to swing with the swing fulcrum shaft 18a provided in the upper portion of the needle bar swing base 18 as the fulcrum thereof, so that the swing width can be changed.
  • This is the needle swing width change mechanism.
  • the needle swing mechanism 42 is a mechanism which swings (increases) the swing width to the left with the base line position as a reference and, in the needle swing mechanism 42, as shown in Fig. 6 (a), when the cam top portion of the needle swing cam 54 is situated on the base line side (in Fig. 6 (a), on the right side), the dropping of the needle is decided in accordance with the position of the base line arm 43.
  • the change of the swing width can be executed by the rotation of the swing width arm 55 through the base line lever 44.
  • the needle bar swing base 18 is reciprocatingly swung with the swing fulcrum shaft 18a on the upper end portion of the needle bar swing base 18 as the fulcrum thereof, thereby forming the stitches of the parallel portion (side sewing portion) and lock stitch portion (lock stitch sewing portion) in the buttonhole darning operation.
  • the base line arm 43 swings about a single shaft, with the result that the base line movement amount provides such amount as shown by a solid line in Fig. 10 in correspondence to the angles of the base line arm 43 depending on the generation of the number of the output pulses of the base line motor (pulse motor) 40.
  • the output pulse numbers, k 1 , k 2 , k n-1 , k n with respect to the base line motor 40 which are shown in Fig. 9, are the pulse numbers that are so corrected as to approach an ideal line (a broken line shown in Fig. 10) and, similarly, the output pulse numbers, h 1 , h 2 , h n-1 , h n with respect to the swing width motor 41 are the pulse numbers that are so corrected as to approach an ideal line (a broken line shown in Fig. 11).
  • Fig. 12 (a) shows the names of the respective portions of the buttonhole darning and, as shown in Fig. 12 (a), the left and right sides of the buttonhole are respectively a left parallel portion (a left side sewing portion) and a right parallel portion (a right side sewing portion), while the rear and front sides of the buttonhole are respectively a first lock stitch portion (a rear lock stitch sewing portion) and a second lock stitch portion (a front lock stitch sewing portion).
  • the buttonhole darning can be executed selectively in two ways by the above-structured buttonhole darning sewing machine, that is, one is a right-handed stitching, and the other is a left-handed stitching.
  • the right-handed stitching starts at the left side of the second lock stitch portion (the front lock stitch sewing portion), after then, the left parallel portion (the left side sewing portion), first lock stitch portion (the rear lock stitch sewing portion), and right parallel portion (the left side sewing portion) are respectively executed in this order, and finally the right-handed stitching returns to the second lock stitch portion (the front lock stitch sewing portion).
  • the left-handed stitching as shown in Fig.
  • the cloth cutting knife 16 is moved up and down a plurality of times during the buttonhole daming operation by driving the cloth cutting knife air cylinder unit 30 shown in Fig. 13, thereby forming a buttonhole.
  • the cloth is cut once by the first downward motion of the cloth cutting knife 16, next, as shown in Fig. 4 (b), the cloth is fed in a direction of an arrow shown in Fig. 4 and, after then, the cloth cutting knife 16 is moved downward again, thereby forming a buttonhole of a predetermined length.
  • a buttonhole having an arbitrary length can be formed by a single kind of cloth cutting knife 16.
  • Fig. 15 is a partial section view of the structure of the tension block 19 the tension of which is variably controlled by the voice coil motor 60, showing its assembled state.
  • a plunger 61 which is provided in a voice coil motor 60 having an excellent linear characteristic, is butted against one end portion of a lever 62 including a pin 62a provided in the middle portion thereof and serving as the fulcrum thereof, a bearing case 64 and a hollow shaft 65 are assembled onto an operation shaft 63 in contact with the other end portion of the lever 62, and a pair of tension dishes 66 and 67 are slidably assembled onto the hollow shaft 65, thereby forming the tension block 19.
  • tension block 19 Since the tension block 19 is structured in this manner, a tension to be given to an upper thread can be changed by changing pressures to be applied to the pair of tension dishes 66 and 67 on the hollow shaft 65 through the operation shaft 63 according to the pressure (driving force) of the plunger 61 of the voice coil motor 60.
  • the tension block 19 provided in the arm 4 is composed of a pair of inner and outer dishes 66 and 67; and, according to the present embodiment, a fixed dish 67 consisting of an outer dish is assembled on the flange side of the leading end portion of the hollow shaft 65, and a movable dish 66, which consists of an inner dish and is disposed opposed to the fixed dish 67, is slidably assembled on the hollow shaft 65.
  • a contact piece 66a which can be pressed by the leading end portion of the operation shaft 63 when it is slidably inserted into the interior portion of the hollow shaft 65, while the contact piece 66a is formed integrally with the movable dish 66.
  • the inner dish 66 may be used as a fixed dish and the outer dish 67 may be used as a movable dish.
  • the contact piece may be formed integrally with the outer dish 67 serving as a movable dish, and the leading end portion of the operation shaft 63 may be connected to the contact piece through engagement or the like so that the contact piece can be pulled by the operation shaft 63.
  • the hollow shaft 65 is rotatably carried by the bearing case 64, while the bearing case 64 is inserted into and fixed to an assembling hole formed in the arm 4.
  • the operation shaft 63 which is to be inserted into the interior portion of the hollow shaft 65 of the tension block 19, can be driven by a voice coil motor 60 serving as a linear d.c. motor consisting of a low inertia motor.
  • the present voice coil motor 60 comprises a cylindrical-shaped yoke 601 making a magnetic circuit, an outer pole 602 consisting of a permanent magnet provided in the inner periphery of the end portion of the yoke 601, a center pole 603 consisting of an iron core formed integrally in the central portion of the cylindrical yoke 601, and a cylindrical-shaped movable coil 604 interposed between the center pole 603 and outer pole 602.
  • the movable coil 604 is composed of a compensation steel pipe 605 and a coil 606 provided on the outer periphery of the compensation steel pipe 605, and the movable coil 604 further includes the plunger 61 which is integrally provided in the central portion of a coil head thereof located in the leading end portion thereof.
  • a magnetic field is applied to the movable coil 604 from the outer pole (permanent magnet) 602 disposed on the outer periphery of the center pole (iron core) 603 of the magnetic circuit, a control current is supplied from a control current supply circuit (CC) to the movable coil (coil 606) 604 under such magnetic field to thereby generate a thrust (or a sucking force), which causes the plunger 61 provided in the coil head to advance (or retreat), so that the operation shaft 63 is moved forward (or backward) within the hollow shaft 65 through the lever 62.
  • CC control current supply circuit
  • the above-structured voice coil motor 60 provides several characteristics as follows: that is, it is small in inductance and quick in response; it is small in inertia and quick in response because it includes only the movable coil 604 as a moving part; the sucking force (or thrust) of the movable coil 604 is constant regardless of distance; and, a sucking force (or thrust) which is linear and in proportion to a current can be taken out.
  • the voice coil motor 60 Since the voice coil motor 60 has the above-mentioned characteristics, if the operation shaft 63 is driven to move forward (or backward) within the hollow shaft 65 through the lever 62 by the plunger 61 formed integrally with the movable coil 604, then the movable dish 66 can be pushed in the axial direction thereof through the contact piece 66a to thereby change the pressure applied between the movable dish 66 and fixed dish 67, so that a gripping force to be applied to a thread passing through the tension block 19 can be changed. That is, the voice coil motor 60 has an active tension function with respect to the upper thread (needle thread).
  • the tension block 19 has the active tension function provided by the voice coil motor 60, for example, as shown in Fig. 16 (a), in an initial sewing portion, from the first stitch to several following stitches, the tension block 19 is controlled by the voice coil motor 60 to apply a tension of almost 0 to the upper thread, thereby being able to connect the upper and lower thread to each other positively, so that the initial sewing portion can be sewn in the form of whip stitches in which the upper and lower threads balance well, which makes it possible to prevent a blooming phenomenon in which the upper thread slips off after the upper and lower threads are connected.
  • the left parallel portion (left side sewing portion) is sewn in the form of pearl stitches (raised stitches)
  • the first lock sewing portion is sewn in the form of whip stitches
  • the right parallel portion is sewn in the form of pearl stitches
  • the second lock stitch portion front lock stitch portion
  • FIG. 32 shows upper thread scissors and a drive mechanism for driving the same, in which reference character 81 designates an arm, 82 a rotary shaft, 83 a rolling joint, 84 a lever, 85 a scissors mounting plate, 86 a fixed blade, 87 a movable blade, 88 a stepped screw, 89 a thread cutting spring (tension spring), and 90 a thread hold spring, respectively.
  • the scissors mounting plate 85 is formed integrally with the lever 84; and, the fixed blade 86, movable blade 87 and thread hold spring 90 cooperating in forming the upper thread scissors for cutting and holding the upper thread are respectively disposed in the leading end portion of the scissors mounting plate 85.
  • the fixed blade 86 is screwed and fixed to the leading end portion of the scissors mounting plate 85
  • the movable blade 87 is rotatably assembled on the upper surface of the fixed blade 86 by the stepped screw 88
  • a small projection 86a provided on the fixed blade 86 faces an arc-shaped hole 87a formed in the movable blade 87.
  • the thread hold spring 90 is supported by the stepped screw 88 and small projection 86a in such a manner that it is prevented against rotation.
  • the fixed blade 86 includes a blade portion 86b in the leading end portion thereof and the movable blade 87 also includes in the leading end portion thereof a blade portion 87b which can be superimposed on the blade portion 86b of the fixed blade 86. Also, the movable blade 87 further includes a cam engaging portion 87c on one extension side of the arc-shaped hole 87a.
  • the thread cutting spring 89 is connected to the scissors mounting plate 85.
  • the cloth feed direction moving means for the thread cutting means instead of a conventional cut-off frame, there is employed a pulse motor 80, the rotary shaft 82 with the axis thereof extending in the vertical direction is rotatably assembled into the frame portion 81a of the arm 81 fixed to the output shaft 80a of the pulse motor 80, and the lever 84 is assembled to the rotary shaft 82 through the rolling joint 83 which can be freely rotated about a horizontal axis thereof.
  • the drive mechanism can be operated as follows.
  • a return position, a separation position and a retreat position in Fig. 108 are the positions that are viewed with respect to the Y direction (cloth feed direction).
  • the arm 81 is rotated by a given angle in the X cw direction by the pulse motor 80 in such a manner that the upper thread scissors can be moved by a distance Y2 in synchronization with the operation of the cloth feed motor (see the above-mentioned feed mechanism 21), in other words, substantially at the same speed as the cloth feed speed.
  • the lever 84 is swung through the rotary shaft 82 and rolling joint 83 to thereby move forward the upper thread scissors to the separation position.
  • the pulse motor 80 stops the cloth hold body is continuously moved by the cloth feed motor and, therefore, similarly to the conventional structure, the upper thread releases the upper thread end.
  • the upper thread scissors are moved by the pulse motor to the return position which is located laterally of the needle vertical path, while the upper thread scissors remain latched in the opened state. Also, on completion of the sewing cycle, similarly to the conventional structure, the upper thread scissors are moved due to the presser lifting and thread cutting operation in such a manner that the scissors cross the needle thread path, with the result that the upper thread scissors are able to cut and hold the thread.
  • the timing for opening the upper thread scissors (fixed blade 86 and movable blade 87) can be changed. Further, even if the cloth is moved by the cloth feed motor, the upper thread scissors move following the cloth, which makes it possible to weaken the tension of the thread in the range of the sewing start position to the scissors, thereby being able to loosen the thread.
  • the timing, at which the pulse motor moves to the retreat position may be set as the time to start the operation of the sewing machine, and the movement of the pulse motor to the separation position may be controlled by a timer,
  • Fig. 17 shows a second embodiment of a feed mechanism and, in particular, Fig. 17, similarly to Fig. 2, is a general perspective view of the inner mechanism of the second embodiment.
  • the output shaft of a feed motor 20 with the axis thereof extending in the horizontal direction is connected directly with a feed shaft 22 which is formed coaxial with the feed motor 20 output shaft, there is formed a feed screw 27, and a bracket 23 is meshingly engaged with the feed screw 27 by means of a ball screw mechanism.
  • the output shaft of the pulse motor (feed motor) 20 with the axis thereof extending in the horizontal direction is connected directly with the coaxial feed shaft 22 and the cloth hold arm 24 is meshingly engaged with the feed shaft 22 through the feed ball screw mechanism using the feed screw and ball, similarly to the previously described first embodiment, not only there can be obtained an effect which can be provided due to incorporation of the feed motor 20 within the vertical body portion 3, but also, while moving the feed shaft 22 in direct connection with the horizontally disposed pulse motor (feed motor) 20 linearly in the horizontal direction as the feed motor 20 is driven by the pulse motor 20, the cloth hold arm 24 can be moved in approaching and parting directions with respect to the vertical body portion 3 through the feed ball screw mechanism using the feed screw 27 and ball.
  • Fig. 18 shows a third embodiment of a feed mechanism and, in particular, Fig. 18, similarly to Fig. 2, is a general perspective view of the internal mechanism of the third embodiment.
  • a cylindrical-shaped groove cam 28 is fixed to the output shaft of a feed motor 20 with the axis thereof extending in the horizontal direction, and an engaging pin 22b provided on and projected from the outer periphery of the feed shaft 22 is engaged with a cam groove 28a which is formed along the outer periphery of the cylindrical-shaped groove cam 28.
  • the cam groove 28a formed in the cylindrical-shaped groove cam 28 on the output shaft of the feed motor 20 with the axis thereof extending in the horizontal direction is engaged with the engaging pin 22b provided on the feed shaft 22 having a horizontally extending axis, and the cloth hold arm 24 is fixed to the feed shaft 22, similarly to the previously described first embodiment, not only there can be obtained an effect which can be provided due to incorporation of the feed motor 20 within the vertical body portion 3, but also, the feed shaft 22 can be moved linearly in the horizontal direction through the feed cam mechanism consisting of the circumferential groove cam 28 and engaging pin 22b while the feed shaft 22 is driven by the pulse motor (feed motor) 20 which is so disposed as to extend in the horizontal direction, so that the cloth hold arm 24 can be moved in approaching and parting directions with respect to the vertical body portion 3.
  • Fig. 19 shows a fourth embodiment of the feed mechanism and, in particular, Fig. 19, similarly to Fig. 2, is a general perspective view of the internal mechanism of the fourth embodiment.
  • a feed motor 29 consisting of a linear stepping motor which includes an output shaft with the axis extending in the horizontal direction and drives the output shaft to advance and retreat, and the feed shaft 22 is connected with the output shaft of the feed motor 29 consisting of such linear stepping motor.
  • the advancing and retreating output shaft of the linear stepping motor (feed motor) 20 with the axis thereof extending in the horizontal direction is connected directly with the feed shaft 22 which is formed coaxial with the motor 20 output shaft, and the cloth hold arm 24 is fixed to the feed shaft 22, similarly to the previously described first embodiment, not only there can be obtained an effect which can be provided due to incorporation of the feed motor 20 within the vertical body portion 3, but also, if driven by the horizontally-disposed linear stepping motor (feed motor) 20, the feed shaft 22 in direct connection with the stepping motor 20 can be moved linearly in the horizontal direction so that the cloth hold arm 24 can be moved in approaching and parting directions with respect to the vertical body portion 3.
  • Fig. 20 shows another embodiment of the needle swing mechanism, that is, a fifth embodiment according to the invention. and, similarly to Fig. 3, Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view of an internal mechanism of the present needle swing mechanism.
  • a base line motor 40 and a swing width motor 41 respectively having axes which intersect the upper shaft 6 at right angles and extend in the horizontal direction
  • worms 40b and 41b respectively on the respective output shafts of the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41
  • a sector gear 43d formed in the lower end portion of a base line arm 43 is in meshing engagement with the worm 40b of the base line motor 40
  • a sector gear 55d formed in the lower end portion of a swing width arm 55 is in meshing engagement with the worm 41b of the swing width motor 41.
  • the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41 which respectively consist of pulse motors, are both stored within the vertical body portion 3 with their axes arranged in parallel to the upper surface of the bed 2, similarly to the previously described first embodiment, not only the space within the vertical body portion 3 can be used effectively but also the number of parts to be mounted on the outside portion of the sewing machine frame 1 can be reduced to thereby make neat the appearance of the sewing machine frame 1.
  • Fig. 21 shows another embodiment of the needle swing mechanism, that is, a sixth embodiment according to the invention.
  • Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view of an internal mechanism of the present needle swing mechanism.
  • a base line motor 40 and a swing width motor 41 respectively having axes which intersect the upper shaft 6 at right angles and extend in the horizontal direction, while cylindrical-shaped groove cams 70 and 71 are respectively connected to the output shafts of the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41.
  • an engaging pin 43e provided in the lower end portion of the base line arm 43 is engaged with a cam groove 70a formed in the outer periphery of the groove cam 70 of the base line motor 40
  • an engaging pin 55e provided in the lower end portion of the swing width arm 55 is engaged with a cam groove 71a formed in the outer periphery of the groove cam 71 of the swing width motor 41.
  • the base line motor 40 and swing width motor 41 which respectively consist of pulse motors, are both stored within the vertical body portion 3 with their axes arranged in parallel to the upper surface of the bed 2, similarly to the previously described first embodiment, not only the space within the vertical body portion 3 can be used effectively but also the number of parts to be mounted on the outside portion of the sewing machine frame 1 can be reduced to thereby make neat the appearance of the sewing machine frame 1.
  • Fig. 22 shows another embodiment of the cloth cutting knife drive mechanism, which is a seventh embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the present cloth cutting knife drive mechanism in which a cloth cutting knife is moved upward and downward by a mechanical drive mechanism and which, in particular, uses a mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-14438 of Heisei.
  • a knife mounting plate 31 having a cloth cutting knife 16 is connected through a link 35b to one end portion of a drive lever 35 joumaled on a shaft 35a, whereas a drive hook 37 to be engaged with a knife drive arm 36 is rotatably supported on the other end portion of the drive lever 35.
  • the knife drive arm 36 can be moved upward and downward, that is, in directions shown by an arrow A in Fig. 22 in linking with the upper shaft 6.
  • the knife drive hook 37 includes in the upper end portion thereof an engaging recessed portion 37a to be engaged with the knife drive arm 36 and, normally, it is energized and rotated clockwise by a spring 37b.
  • a start rod 38 and a push rod 39 there are disposed a start rod 38 and a push rod 39.
  • the start rod 38 can be moved in a direction shown by an arrow B in Fig. 22 in linking with a start frame (not shown) provided in the sewing machine.
  • the push rod 39 within the above-mentioned bed 2, can be moved upward and downward due to its engagement with a notch 72a formed on a main cam 72 which can be rotated in linking with the upper shaft 6.
  • a start arm 73 which starts arm 73, when started, can be moved in the arrow B direction by the start rod 38 and, when the sewing machine is stopped, can be moved in the reversed direction into engagement with a pin 37c provided in the knife drive hook 37, thereby preventing the knife drive hook 37 against rotation.
  • an operation cam mechanism 74 in linking with the vertical movement of the push rod 39, rotates the drive hook 37 about a shaft 37e which is a connecting point between the drive lever 35 and drive hook 37.
  • the start rod 38 in linking with the start frame (not shown) is moved in the arrow B direction and thus the start arm 73 is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft 37a, so that the start arm 73 is removed from the engagement with the pin 37c of the knife drive hook 37.
  • a projecting portion 37d of the knife drive hook 37 is engaged with the operation cam mechanism 74 and, due to the operation of the operation cam mechanism 74, the knife drive hook 37 is set into its rotation allowable state.
  • the buttonhole darning operation progresses and, in the process thereof, the push rod 39 moves in the vertical direction due to its engagement with the notch 72a on the main cam 72 which rotates in linking with the upper shaft 6.
  • the knife drive hook 37 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 37e by the rotational energizing force of the spring 37b, so that the engaging recessed portion 37a of the knife drive hook 37 is engaged with the vertically moving leading end of the knife drive arm 36.
  • the cloth cutting knife 16 is moved upward and downward at a given timing to thereby cut a given portion of the cloth and form a buttonhole, which ends the buttonhole darning operation.
  • Fig. 23 shows still another embodiment of the cloth cutting knife drive mechanism, which is an eighth embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a drive system for driving a cloth cutting knife.
  • a knife mounting plate 31 having a cloth cutting knife 16 is disposed in one end portion of a drive lever 35 joumaled on a shaft 35a, whereas a drive hook 37 to be engaged with a knife drive arm 36 is disposed on the other end portion of the drive lever 35.
  • the knife drive arm 36 can be moved upward and downward in linking with the upper shaft 6.
  • the knife drive hook 37 includes in the middle portion thereof an engaging recessed portion 37a to be engaged with the knife drive arm 36 and, normally, it is energized and rotated clockwise by a spring 37b.
  • the solenoid 75 is structured such that it can bring its plunger 75a into contact with the upper end portion of the knife drive hook 37 to thereby separate the engaging recessed portion 37a from the knife drive arm 36 against the rotational energizing force of the spring 37b.
  • an air cylinder unit can also be used.
  • Fig. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a general example of a cloth cutting knife mounting structure.
  • the cloth cutting knife 16 is mounted into a mounting recessed portion 76a, which is formed in a knife mounting piece 76 to be screwed to the lower end portion of the above-mentioned knife mounting plate 31, by a set screw 32 through a washer 32a.
  • a judge portion which functions as select means.
  • a small projection 76b for judgment and, in the exclusive cloth cutting knife 16, in particular, at the position thereof corresponding to the small projection 76b, there is formed a small hole 16a for judgment.
  • Fig. 27 shows an example of the shape of the cloth cutting knife.
  • an exclusive cloth cutting knife 16 having a switch escape hole 16c, or, as shown in Fig. 27 (c), there is used an exclusive cloth cutting knife 16 including a cut-away portion 16d in the comer portion thereof.
  • a judgment switch 77 is mounted on the back surface of the knife mounting piece 76, while a push switch portion 77a of the judgment switch 77 is exposed to a position which corresponds to the switch escape hole 16c of the mounting recessed portion 76a.
  • the above-mentioned judgment portion and judgment switch 77 also function as the select means.
  • Fig. 30 shows an example of the relation between the cloth presser and cloth cutting knife. As shown in Fig. 30, for example, when there is set a cloth presser 15 having a size smaller than that of the cloth cutting knife 16, the cloth cutting knife 16 touches the cloth presser 15.
  • a forked mounting piece 25 supporting the cloth presser 15 is supported on the leading end portion of the cloth hold arm 24 of the above-mentioned feed mechanism 21 by a stepped screw 78a and a support spring (coil spring) 78b in such a manner that the mounting piece 25 can be swung in directions shown by an arrow C in Fig. 31.
  • the two judgment sensors 79b and 79c are both covered with a mounting piece for the medium-sized cloth presser, which can tell that the medium-sized cloth presser is mounted.
  • the three judgment sensors 79a, 79b and 79c are all covered with a mounting piece for the large-sized cloth presser, which can tell that the large-sized cloth presser is mounted.
  • the judgment portion for judging the size of the cloth presser 15 not only the judgment sensors 79a, 79b and 79c of an optical type but also a judgment switch of a push button type can be used. Also, the number of sensors or switches used depends on the need.
  • the above-structured buttonhole darning sewing machine is controlled according to a control block structure shown in Fig. 35.
  • ROM 101 a ROM 101
  • RAM 102 a RAM 102
  • Y feed counter 103 a base line feed counter 104
  • needle swing feed counter 105 a cloth cutting knife counter 106
  • thread cutting feed counter 107 a thread cutting feed counter 107
  • interrupt controller 108 an I/O interface 109.
  • CPU 100 comprises various kinds of control portions and operation means: that is, sewing machine control means; sewing machine drive speed decide means; means for correcting the change amounts of the base line and needle swing width; means for specifying the stitch forming sequence; sewing data read-out means; means for specifying the start of sewing; knife control means; knife vertical movement timing decide means including knife downward movement timing decide means; means for judging the interval of the timings of the upward and downward movements of the knife; side stitch length change means; needle drop control means; means for deciding a reference point for pattern enlargement and reduction; various drive control means; and the like.
  • ROM 101 there are stored programs and defaults for control; for example, there are stored memory portions which are respectively used to store therein a sewing mode, a tension hook matching mode, a thread passing mode, and the like.
  • RAM 102 there are stored various variables for control; for example, there are stored sewing data, base line/needle swing data, and the like.
  • Each of the Y feed counter 103, base line feed counter 104, needle swing feed counter 105, cloth cutting knife counter 106, and thread cutting feed counter 107 is structured such that, if a count value is written thereinto and a counter start command is written thereinto, then it outputs a count signal of one pulse after passage of the time proportional to the count value, and repeats its counter output at a given cycle until a counter stop command is written thereinto.
  • the interrupt controller 108 is a controller which, if an interrupt signal is input, then allows the CPU 100 to execute an interrupt processing corresponding to the interrupt signal input.
  • the I/O interface 109 is an interface through which the CPU 100 interfaces an external input/output device.
  • the respective count outputs of the Y feed counter 103, base line feed counter 104, needle swing feed counter 105, cloth cutting knife counter 106, and thread cutting feed counter 107 are connected to the interrupt controller 108 and, in accordance with the count outputs of the respective counters, interrupt processings corresponding to the respective counters are executed.
  • an operation panel 110 is composed of a display portion and various keys; that is, it is a panel through which an operator carries out various settings and operations necessary for sewing.
  • a Y feed pulse driver 111 is structured such that, when a Y feed counter output signal from the Y feed counter 103 and a Y feed direction +/- signal from the I/O interface 109 are input thereinto, then it rotates the Y feed pulse motor (that is, the above-mentioned feed motor) 20 by an amount equivalent to 1 pulse each counter output in accordance with +/- of the Y feed direction.
  • a base line feed pulse motor driver 112 is structured such that, when a base line feed counter output signal from the base line feed counter 104 and a base line feed direction +/- signal from the I/O interface 109 are input thereinto, then it rotates the base line feed pulse motor (that is, the above-mentioned base line motor) 40 by an amount equivalent to 1 pulse each counter output in accordance with +/- of the base line feed direction.
  • a needle swing feed pulse motor driver 113 is structured such that, when a needle swing counter output signal from the needle swing feed counter 105 and a needle swing feed direction +/signal from the I/O interface 109 are input thereinto, then it rotates the needle swing feed pulse motor (that is, the above-mentioned swing width motor) 41 by an amount equivalent to 1 pulse each counter output in accordance with +/- of the needle swing feed direction.
  • a thread cutting feed pulse motor driver 114 is structured such that, when a thread cutting feed counter signal from the thread cutting feed counter 107 and a thread cutting feed direction +/signal from the I/O interface 109 are input thereinto, then it rotates the thread cutting feed pulse motor (that is, the above-mentioned pulse motor) 80 by an amount equivalent to 1 pulse each counter output in accordance with +/- of the thread cutting feed direction.
  • the thread cutting feed pulse motor driver 114 outputs a signal from the thread cutting feed counter 107 to the interrupt controller 108 as a thread cutting feed counter interrupt.
  • a sewing machine motor driver 115 is structured such that, responsive to a sewing machine start/stop signal and a sewing machine speed signal from the I/O interface input thereinto, if the sewing machine is to be started, then it rotates the sewing machine motor 5 at a given number of rotations; whereas, if the sewing machine is to be stopped, based on the detection of a needle upper position sensor 116, it allows known constant position stop means to stop the sewing machine motor 5.
  • the needle upper position sensor 116 is used to detect the upper position of the above-mentioned needle bar 8. Also, the upper position detection output of the needle upper position sensor 116 is used as a needle number count input.
  • the sewing machine motor driver 115 outputs the stopping or rotating state of the sewing machine to the I/O interface 109 as a sewing machine status stopping or rotating signal, and also it outputs a signal from the needle upper position sensor 116 to the interrupt controller 108 as a needle upper position interrupt signal.
  • the sewing machine motor driver 115 outputs signals from a feed reference position sensor 117 and a TG (Tacho-generator) generator 118 to the interrupt controller 108 respectively as a feed reference interrupt and a TG interrupt.
  • the feed reference position sensor 117 is used to control the feed of the Y feed motor, base line feed motor, needle swing feed motor and the like.
  • the TG generator 118 is a generator which generates a one-twenty-fourth square wave each rotation of the sewing machine motor.
  • an active tension driver 120 normally, in accordance with the data that is input thereinto from the RAM 102 through the I/O interface 109, controls the upper thread tension VCM (Voice Coil Motor, that is, the above-mentioned voice coil motor) 60 to thereby apply a tension; and, when the sewing machine status stopping/rotating signal, feed reference signal and TG signal are input thereinto from the sewing machine motor driver 115, that is, at given timings during the rotation of the sewing machine, it controls the upper thread tension VCM 60 to vary the tension thereof.
  • VCM Voice Coil Motor
  • a presser lift solenoid drive circuit 121 drives a presser lift solenoid 122 in accordance with a presser down /up signal from the I/O interface 109.
  • a cloth cutting knife down cylinder drive circuit 123 drives a cloth cutting knife down cylinder (that is, the above-mentioned cloth cutting knife air cylinder unit) 30 in accordance with a cloth cutting down/up signal from the I/O interface 109.
  • a Y feed origin sensor shown in Fig. 35 is used to detect the origin position of the Y feed pulse motor 20, that is, this sensor is the above-mentioned feed origin detect sensor 26.
  • a base line feed origin sensor shown in Fig. 35 is used to detect the origin position of the base line feed pulse motor 40, that is, this sensor is the above-mentioned base line origin detect sensor 57.
  • a needle swing feed origin sensor shown in Fig. 35 is used to detect the origin position of the needle swing feed pulse motor 41, that is, this sensor is the above-mentioned swing width origin detect sensor 58.
  • a presser switch 124 is an operation switch through which an operator, in setting a workpiece, lifts and lowers the above-mentioned cloth presser 15 and thus the presser switch 124 is used in connection with an operation to depress the pedal of the sewing machine.
  • a start switch 125 is an operation switch through which an operator, in setting a workpiece, starts a sewing operation and thus this is also used in connection with the above-mentioned sewing machine pedal depressing operation.
  • a thread cutting feed origin sensor 126 is used to detect the moving origin position of the above-mentioned upper thread scissors. That is, in the upper thread scissors and the drive mechanism for driving the same which have been respectively discussed in connection with Fig. 32, for example, there is provided a thread cutting feed origin sensor 126 of a close approach type used to detect the origin position of the arm 81 which swings with the output shaft 80a of the pulse motor 80 as the fulcrum thereof; and, in the arm 81, there is provided a thread cutting feed origin detect magnet 126a which consists of the present thread cutting feed origin sensor 126.
  • a needle swing right and left detect switch in Fig. 35 is the above-mentioned needle swing right and left position detect sensor 59.
  • a cloth cutting knife drive request switch 127 is used to lower and drive the above-mentioned cloth cutting knife 16.
  • a knife size recognize means in Fig. 35 is used to confirm whether the cloth cutting knife 16 of a proper size is mounted or not and, in particular, the present knife size recognize means is the above-mentioned judgment switch 77.
  • a presser size recognize means in Fig. 35 is used to confirm whether the above-mentioned cloth presser 15 of a proper size is mounted or not and, in particular, the present presser size recognize means is the above-mentioned judgment sensor 79 (79a, 79b, 79c).
  • a knife up/down detect switch in Fig. 35 consists of the above-mentioned cloth cutting knife up/down position sensors 34a and 34b.
  • the operation panel 110 as shown in Fig. 36, includes various keys and display portions.
  • the operation panel 110 includes: a sewing key 131, and an LED display portion 132 which, when the sewing key 131 is depressed, is turned on to display that the sewing machine is set in a sewing mode; and, a select key 132, and LED display portions 134, 135, 136, 137, and 138 which, each time the select key 132 is depressed, are turned on sequentially to display the pattern No., parameter No., speed setting mode, thread insertion mode, tension hook matching mode.
  • the operation panel 110 further includes: a numeric value display portion 140 which is composed of a pattern display portion 141 consisting of a two-digit LED segment, and a parameter display portion 142 consisting of a four-digit LED segment; a minus key 143 and a plus key 144 respectively for decreasing or increasing the numeric value of the numeric value display portion 140 by ⁇ ; a down key 145 and an up key 146 respectively for decreasing or increasing the numeric value of the numeric value display portion 140 each given unit; and, a set key 147 which is used as a thread insertion key or a tension hook matching key.
  • a switch which is used to select the above-mentioned right-handed or left-handed sewing of the buttonhole darning operation.
  • the operation panel 110 which includes the above-mentioned various keys, further has functions respectively serving as buttonhole/knife blade length setting means, buttonhole formation width direction position setting means, means for setting the interval between the lock stitch sewing portion and buttonhole end portion, pattern enlargement/reduction setting means, constant stitch number/pitch setting means, and the like.
  • the CPU 100 includes various control portions (sewing machine control means, sewing machine speed decide means, base line and needle swing width change amount correct means, stitch formation sequence specify means, sewing data read-out means, start specify means for setting a sewing start position, knife control means, vertical movement timing decide means including knife lowering timing decide means, judging means for judging the interval between the upward and downward movement timings of the knife, side sewing length change means, needle drop control means, pattern enlargement/reduction reference point decide means, various drive control means, and the like) and operation means;
  • the ROM 101 stores therein programs and defaults for control including, for example, memory portions respectively for storing sewing mode and tension hook matching mode, and a thread insertion mode, and the like;
  • the RAM 102 stores therein various variables for control including, for example, sewing data, base line/needle swing data and the like.
  • the CPU 100 executes given controlling operations in accordance with signals input from the operation panel 110 which has the functions respectively serving as the buttonhole/knife blade length setting means, buttonhole formation width direction position setting means, means for setting the interval between the lock stitch sewing portion and buttonhole end portion, pattern enlargement/reduction setting means, constant stitch number/pitch setting means, and the like.
  • Step S1 an operation panel setting processing is called and various setting processings are carried out by the operation panel 110.
  • the various setting operation by the operation panel 110 is executed on until the sewing key 131 is switched on in the next step S2 and, after the sewing key 131 is turned on, in the next step S3, a sewing data create processing is called and sewing data are created.
  • step S2 if the sewing key 131 is not on, then the processing goes back to the above-mentioned step S1.
  • Step S4 After the sewing data are created, in the next step S4, there is executed an output for lowering the cloth presser 15 and, next, in Step S5, a machine origin retrieval processing is called, thereby retrieving the machine origins of the Y feed pulse motor 20, base line feed pulse motor 40, and needle swing feed pulse motor 41.
  • Step S6 a sewing start movement processing is called, in which the Y feed pulse motor 20, base line feed pulse motor 40, and needle swing feed pulse motor 41 are driven and moved to the sewing start positions.
  • Step S7 there is executed an output for lifting the cloth presser 15 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S8.
  • Step S8 the state of the sewing key 131 is checked: that is, if the sewing key 131 is on, then the processing goes back the above-mentioned step S1, in which the operation panel setting processing is performed again; or, if the sewing key 131 is not on, then the processing goes to the next step S9.
  • Step S9 the presser switch 124 is checked for the state thereof: that is, if the presser switch 124 is on, then the processing advances to the next step S10; or, if the presser switch 124 is not on, then the processing goes back to the above-mentioned step S8.
  • Step S10 it is checked whether the cloth presser 15 is lifting or not: that is, if it is found lifting, then there is executed an output for lowering the cloth presser 15 in the next step S11; or, if it is found not lifting, then there is executed an output for lifting the cloth presser 15 in the next step S12 and, after then, the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S8.
  • Step S13 the presser switch 124 is checked for the state thereof: that is, if the presser switch 124 is on, then in the above-mentioned step S12, there is executed an output for lifting the cloth presser 15 and, after then, the processing goes back to the above-mentioned step S8; or, if the presser switch 124 is not on, then the processing advances to the next step S14.
  • Step S14 the start switch 125 is checked: that is, if the start switch 125 is found "on”, then the processing advances to the next step S15; or if the start switch 125 is found "not on”, then the processing goes back to the above-mentioned step S13.
  • Step S15 a sewing processing is called and a sewing operation is thereby started.
  • Step S16 there is executed an output for lifting the cloth presser 15 and, after then, the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S8.
  • Step S1 operation panel setting processing
  • Step S3 sewing data creation processing
  • Step S5 mechanical origin retrieval processing
  • Step S15 sewing processing
  • Fig. 38 shows a subroutine for the operation panel setting processing (Step S1), in which, firstly, in Step S101, the select key 133 is checked: that is, if it is on, then the select number is incremented by 1 in the next step S102 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S103; or, if it is not on, then the processing advances to Step S105.
  • Step S103 the select number is checked: that is, if the select number exceeds the maximum number [4], then [0] is set in the select number to return the select number to 0 in the next step S104 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S105; or, if the select number is the maximum number [4] or less, then the processing advances to Step S105.
  • Step S105 it is checked whether the select number is 0 or not: that is, if it is 0, then the processing advances to Step S106, in which a pattern change processing is executed, and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 of the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if it is not 0, then the processing advances to step S107.
  • Step S107 it is checked whether the select number is 1 or not: that is, if it is 1, then the processing advances to Step S108, in which a parameter change processing is executed, and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 of the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if it is not 1, then the processing advances to step S109.
  • Step S109 it is checked whether the select number is 2 or not: that is, if it is 2, then the processing advances to Step S110, in which a speed change processing is executed, and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 of the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if it is not 2, then the processing advances to step S111.
  • Step Sill it is checked whether the select number is 3 or not: that is, if it is 3, then the processing advances to Step S112, in which a thread insertion mode is set, and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 of the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if it is not 3, then the processing advances to step S113.
  • Step S113 it is checked whether the select number is 4 or not: that is, if it is 4, then the processing advances to Step S114, in which a tension hook matching mode is set, and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 of the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if it is not 4, then the processing directly advances to the above-mentioned step S2.
  • Step S106 pattern change processing
  • Step S108 parameter change processing
  • Step S110 speed change processing
  • Step S110 thread insertion mode
  • Step S114 tension hook matching mode
  • the sewing operation is executed after setting the cloth length a, knife width b, lock stitch length c, lock stitch width d, parallel portion pitch e, lock stitch portion pitch f, gap length g between cloth cutting knife and first lock stitch portion, and gap length h between cloth cutting knife and second lock stitch portion.
  • RAM 102 there are set parameters in which pattern Nos. are registered and set; and, the parameters can be used in correspondence to the registered and set pattern Nos., or the parameters can be used after they are changed according to cases.
  • Fig. 41 shows a subroutine for the pattern change processing (Step S106). That is, at first, in Step S1061, the plus key 144 is checked. If the plus key 144 is on, then in the next step S1062, the pattern number is incremented by 1 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1063; or, if the plus key 144 is not on, then the processing advances directly to Step S1065.
  • Step S1063 the pattern number is checked. If the pattern number exceeds the maximum number [6], then in the next step S1064, [1] is set in the pattern number and, after then, the processing goes to the next step S1065; or, if the pattern number is the maximum number [6] or less, then the processing goes directly to Step S1065.
  • Step S1065 the minus key 143 is checked. If the minimum key 143 is on, then in the next step S1066, the pattern number is decremented by 1 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1067; or if the minimum key 143 is not on, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S1067 the pattern number is checked. If the pattern number is less than the minimum number [1], then in the next step S1068, the maximum number [6] is set in the pattem number and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S108 shows a subroutine for the parameter change processing (Step S108).
  • the plus key is checked. If the plus key 144 is on, then in the next step S1082, the pattern number is incremented by 1 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1083; or, if the plus key 144 is not on, then the processing advances directly to Step S1085.
  • Step S1083 the pattern number is checked. If the pattern number exceeds the maximum number [19], then in the next step S1084, [1] is set in the pattern number and, after then, the processing goes to the next step S1085; or, if the pattern number is the maximum number [19] or less, then the processing goes directly to Step S1085.
  • Step S1085 the minus key 143 is checked. If the minus key 143 is on, then in the next step S1086, the pattern number is decremented by 1 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1087; or, if the minus key 143 is not on, then the processing advances directly to Step S1089.
  • Step S1087 the pattern number is checked. If the pattern number is less than the minimum number [1], then in the next step S1088, the maximum number [19] is set in the pattern number and, after then, the processing advances to the next Step S1089; or, if the pattern number is not less than the minimum number [1], then the processing advances directly to Step S1089.
  • Step S1089 a desired data change processing corresponding to the parameter number is executed by operating the down key 145 or up key 146 and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2.
  • Fig. 43 shows a subroutine for the speed change processing (Step S110).
  • the sewing machine speed change processing is carried out.
  • the sewing machine speed as the number of stitches per minute [spm; that is, stitches/minute], there is employed a setting range from [400] to [4000] and the change unit thereof is [100].
  • Step S1101 the up key 146 is checked. If the up key 146 is on, then in the next step S1102, the speed data is incremented by 100 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1103; or, if the up key 146 is not on, then the processing advances directly to Step S1105.
  • Step S1103 the speed data is checked. If the speed data exceeds the maximum value [4000], then in the next step S1104, [400] is set in the speed data and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1105; or, if the speed data is less than the maximum value [4000], then the processing advances directly to Step S1105.
  • Step S1105 the down key 145 is checked. If the down key is on, then in the next step S1106, the speed data is decremented by 100 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1107; or, if the down key is not on, then the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S1107 the speed data is checked. If the speed data is less than the minimum value [400], the in the next step S1108, the maximum value [4000] is set in the speed data and, after then, the processing goes to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if the speed data is not less than the minimum value [400], then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S2.
  • Fig. 44 shows a subroutine for the thread insertion mode (Step S112).
  • the needle 9 when a thread is inserted, as shown in Fig. 45 (a), the needle 9 is close to the position of the cloth cutting knife 16 situated on the rear side thereof and, therefore, as shown in Fig. 45 (b), the needle 9 is swung right as much as possible with respect to the vertically extending cloth cutting knife 16, thereby being able to facilitate the insertion of the thread through the needle eye 9a.
  • Step S1121 the set key 147 is checked. If the set key 147 is on, then the processing advances to the next step S1122; or, if the set key 147 is not on, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S1122 it is checked whether the output of the base line feed pulse motor 40 is the right side maximum value or not. If it is not the right side maximum value, then in the next step S1123, the base line feed pulse motor 40 is driven by the pulse motor driver 112 so that it can provide the right side maximum value and, after then, the processing advances to Step S1127; or, if the output of the base line feed pulse motor 40 is the right side maximum value, then the processing advances directly to Step S1127.
  • Step S1127 it is checked whether the output of the swing width pulse motor (needle swing feed pulse motor) 41 is 0 or not, that is, whether the output of the swing width pulse motor 41 is situated on the above-mentioned base line or not. If it is 0, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if it is not 0, then in the next step S1128, the swing width pulse motor (needle swing feed pulse motor) 41 is driven to the 0 position by the needle swing feed pulse motor driver 114 and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • the needle 9 can be swung right to the full with respect to the vertically extending cloth cutting knife 16 to thereby shift the needle eye 9a to the right beyond the cloth cutting knife 16, which makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the thread through the needle eye 9a.
  • Fig. 46 even in the case of the last needle that drops on the left with respect to the cloth cutting knife 16, if the needle 9 is similarly swung to the right as much as possible with respect to the cloth cutting knife 16, then it is easy to insert the thread through the needle eye 9a.
  • the present subroutine may be so set as to store the right side stop as the specified stop position of the needle through the operation of the select switch 111 and set key 147; and, in the above-mentioned sewing machine stop operation, the needle is checked for the stop setting thereof and, if the right side stop is set, then the needle may be swung right to the full before it is stopped.
  • Fig. 47 shows a subroutine for the tension hook matching mode (Step S114) for matching the tip end 12a of the tension hook 12 to the axis of the needle 9.
  • the needle 9 situated in front of the cloth cutting knife 16 is moved to the center of the hole 50a (on the extension of the knife groove 50b) of the cloth needle plate 50 and, as shown in Fig. 48 (c), the needle 9 is controlled so that it is situated at such a needle swing position allowing the needle 9 to be identical in axis with the tension hook 12.
  • the needle bar 8 is lowered down from its stop position, is passed through the lowest point, and is stopped at a slightly lifted position (tension hook matching timing position). At this position, the matching is executed.
  • Step S1141 the set key 147 is checked. If the set key 147 is on, then the processing goes to the next step S1142; or, if the set key 147 is not on, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S1142 it is checked whether the output of the base line feed pulse motor 40 is 0 or not. If it is not 0, then in the next step S1143, the base line feed pulse motor 40 is driven to the 0 position by the base line feed pulse motor driver 112; or, if it is 0, then the processing goes directly to Step S1147.
  • Step S1147 it is checked whether the output of the swing width pulse motor (needle swing feed pulse motor) 41 is 0 or not. If it is 0, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if it is not 0, then in the next step S1148, the swing width pulse motor (needle swing feed pulse motor) 41 is driven by the needle swing feed pulse motor.driver 114 and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • the needle is swung by operating the set key 147 to the needle swing position (center of the needle swing range) corresponding to the axis of the tension hook 12 and, after then, the axis of the needle and the tip end of the tension hook are adjusted, thereby being able to match them to each other.
  • Fig. 49 shows a subroutine for the sewing data creation processing (Step S3).
  • Step S31 there is executed an enlargement/reduction processing
  • the cloth presser 15 and cloth cutting knife 16 are respectively checked for the sizes thereof and, in the next step S33, a size error is checked.
  • Step S34 in which an error display is carried out
  • Step S4 in the general flow (Fig. 37)
  • Step S38 there is checked the above-mentioned switch (not shown) which is provided in the operation panel 114 in order to select the above-mentioned right-handed or left-handed sewing and, after then, the processing advances to Step S35 or Step S38.
  • Step S35 or Step S38 a pattern operation is executed, next, in Step S36, a knife drive timing operation is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S4 in the general flow (Fig. 37). That is, in Step S37, if it is judged that the sewing operation is executed in the right-handed manner, then the right-handed pattern operation is carried out in Step S33; or, if it is judged that the sewing operation is not executed in the right-handed manner, then the left-handed pattern operation is executed in Step S38.
  • Step S31 presser/knife size check processing
  • Step S32 right-handed pattern operation
  • Step S35 knife drive timing operation
  • Step S38 left-handed pattern operation
  • Fig. 50 shows a subroutine for the enlargement/reduction processing (Step S31).
  • the front end portion of the cloth cutting knife 16 is used as a reference point P for the enlargement/reduction and, as shown in Fig. 51 (b), set values for ⁇ the parallel portion pitch e and lock stitch portion pitch f ⁇ and/or ⁇ the cloth cutting length a, knife width b, lock stitch length c and lock stitch width d ⁇ are controlled, that is, are enlarged or reduced.
  • Step S311 the enlargement/reduction ratio is set to ⁇ and, after then, in the next step S312, it is checked whether the stitch number is constant or not. If it is found constant, then the processing goes to Step S313; or, if it is found not constant, then the processing goes to Step S314.
  • Step S313 as the set value for the parallel portion pitch e and lock stitch portion pitch f, the parallel portion pitch x ⁇ and the lock stitch portion pitch x ⁇ respectively shown in the table in Fig. 39 are set and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S314.
  • Step S314 as the set values for the cloth cutting length, knife width, lock stitch length and lock stitch width, the cloth cutting length x ⁇ ,, knife width x ⁇ ,, lock stitch length x ⁇ , ,lock stitch width x ⁇ ,, knife-first lock stitch length g x ⁇ , , and knife-first lock stitch length h x ⁇ ,are respectively set and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S32 in the flow shown in Fig. 49.
  • Fig. 52 shows a subroutine for the presser and knife size check processing (Step S32).
  • the size of the cloth presser 15 is set to L0
  • the size of the cloth cutting knife 16 is set to L1
  • the whole length (Fig. 51 (b)) is set to L
  • the cloth cutting length is set to a, and, after then, the processing advances to the next Step S325.
  • Step S325 it is checked whether L>L0 or not. If not L>L0, then the processing goes to the next step S326; or, if L>10, then the processing goes to the next step S327.
  • Step S326 it is checked whether L1>a or not. If not L1>a, then the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S43 in the subroutine (Fig. 49); or, If L1>a, then the processing advances to Step S327.
  • Step S327 if L>L0 is found, that is, if the presser size is smaller than the whole length, or, if L1>a is found, that is, if the knife size is larger than the cloth cutting length, then a presser/knife error is output and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S33 in the flow shown in Fig. 49.
  • Fig. 53 shows a subroutine for the pattern operation (Step S35).
  • Step S351 a sewing start position is operated, in the next step S352, a left parallel portion is operated, and, in the further next step S353, a first lock stitch portion is operated.
  • Step S354 a right parallel portion is operated, next, in Step S355, a second lock stitch portion is operated, and in Step S356, a sewing end is operated and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S36 in the flow shown in Fig. 49.
  • Step S35 that is, the sewing start position operation (Step S351), left parallel portion operation (Step S352), first lock stitch portion operation (Step S353), right parallel portion operation (Step S354), second lock stitch portion operation (Step S355), and sewing end operation (Step S356).
  • Fig. 54 shows the sewing sequence: in particular, Fig. 54 (1) shows a step from the machine origin to the sewing start position, Fig. 54 (2) shows a step of sewing the left parallel portion after the step shown in Fig. 54 (1), Fig. 54 (3) shows a step of sewing the first lock stitch portion up to the middle portion thereof, Fig. 54 (4) shows a step of sewing the first lock stitch portion up to the completion thereof, Fig. 54 (5) shows the start of sewing of the right parallel portion, Fig. 54 (6) shows a step of sewing the right parallel portion, Fig. 54 (7) shows the start of sewing of the second lock stitch portion, Fig. 54 (8) shows a step of sewing the second lock stitch portion up to the middle portion thereof, and Fig. 54 (9) shows the end of sewing (that is, the end of sewing of the second lock stitch portion), respectively.
  • the movement to the machine origin is executed only when the sewing mode is switched on.
  • Fig. 55 is a table which shows the sewing data operation results, while such operation results can be obtained according to the operations that are shown in Figs. 56 and 63 which will be discussed later.
  • N represents the repetition number (number of stitches)
  • Y the Y feed
  • K the base line
  • H the swing width
  • T the thread tension value
  • the dimensions include the cloth length a, knife width b, lock stitch length c, lock stitch width d, parallel portion pitch e, lock stitch portion pitch f, gap length g between cloth cutting knife and first lock stitch, and gap length h between cloth cutting knife and second lock stitch.
  • Fig. 56 shows a subroutine for the sewing start portion operation (Step S351). In this
  • step S352 K 1 + [knife drop right and left position] is set and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S352.
  • a knife width position adjusting function employing the knife drop position as the center thereof, that is, as shown in Fig. 57, the right-and-left direction center position of the stitch shape can be set at the knife drop position.
  • Fig. 58 shows a subroutine for the left parallel portion operation (Step S352).
  • N 2 ⁇ a+h+g+(c/2) ⁇ e is operated.
  • Fig. 59 shows a subroutine for the first lock stitch portion operation (Step S353).
  • T 3 lock stitch portion tension is set
  • Fig. 60 shows the results obtained by analyzing in detail the step of sewing the first lock stitch portion up to the middle portion thereof, which is shown in (3) of Fig. 54.
  • description will be given below of the operation principle of the needle swing mechanism in this case.
  • the needle 9 is set in such a manner that it can be swung left beyond the base line by the above-mentioned needle swing mechanism 42 including the base line mechanism. Therefore, when the needle 9 is dropped at two right and left positions, the base line position set by the base line mechanism is the right side needle drop position, while a position, to which the needle 9 is swung left by a needle swing amount set by the needle swing mechanism 42 with the base line as the reference, is the left side needle drop position.
  • Fig. 60 which shows the details of the sewing of the lock stitch portion to the middle portion thereof in (3) of Fig. 54
  • the right side needle drop point n 1 is situated on the base line; and, the left side needle drop point n 2 , unless the base line is changed, is situated on the left, by a needle swing amount H 1 which can be decided by the needle swing mechanism 42, with respect to the right side needle drop point n 1 .
  • H 1 which can be decided by the needle swing mechanism 42, with respect to the right side needle drop point n 1 .
  • the needle swing amount necessary to secure the left side needle drop point n 2 is H 1 + H 3 (K 3 ).
  • the position can be decided by the setting of the base line. That is, since the base line is moved right by an amount of K 3 from the base line of needle drop point n 2 , the base line position moved by K 3 itself is the needle drop point n 3 .
  • the needle swing amount from the base line is H 1 + H 3 + H 3 + H 3 .
  • Fig. 61 shows a subroutine for the right parallel portion operation (Step S354).
  • Fig. 62 shows a subroutine for the second lock stitch portion operation (Step S355).
  • K 7 0 is set
  • Fig. 63 shows a subroutine for the sewing end operation (Step S356).
  • Fig. 64 shows a subroutine for the knife drive timing operation (Step S36).
  • the operation timings for the knife driving that correspond to the knife drive numbers 1 ⁇ n provide the stitch numbers M 1 ⁇ M n , and the conditions of this subroutine are as shown in Fig. 66.
  • the above-mentioned knife drive stitch numbers M 1 ⁇ M n corresponding to the knife drive numbers 1 ⁇ n are stored into the above-mentioned RAM 102.
  • Step S366 it is checked whether x > (L 1 - L ⁇ ) or not.
  • L ⁇ is the overlap amount of the knife.
  • next step S370 it is checked whether the knife drop timing correct stitch number is 0 or not. If 0, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S4 in the general flow (Fig. 37); or, if not 0, then in the next step S371, M n + knife drop timing correct stitch number is set in M n and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S4.
  • the first and second knife drops are overlapped with each other so as to be able to cope with the necessary cutting length, while the overlapping length thereof may be set large depending on the length of the buttonhole, for example, as shown in Fig. 69 (b).
  • a gap between the first lock stitch portion (rear lock stitch portion) and the first knife drop portion is set as a gap g and a gap between the second lock stitch portion (front lock stitch portion) and the n-th knife drop portion is set as a gap h; and, the gaps between them are respectively to be corrected by changing the respective knife drop timings.
  • the gap g between the first lock stitch portion (rear lock stitch portion) and the first knife drop portion can be corrected; and, by changing the n-th knife drop timing, the gap h between the second lock stitch portion (front lock stitch portion) and the n-th knife drop portion can be corrected.
  • a gap between the first lock stitch portion (rear lock stitch portion) and the first knife drop portion is set as a gap g and a gap between the second lock stitch portion (front lock stitch portion) and the n-th knife drop portion is set as a gap h; and, while the total sum of the front and rear gaps is set constant, the whole knife drop position can be changed.
  • Fig. 72 shows a subroutine for the machine origin retrieval processing (Step S5).
  • the Y feed pulse motor 20 is driven while checking the Y feed origin sensor 26, thereby retrieving the origin position of the Y feed pulse motor 20.
  • the next step S52 is set in the Y feed position.
  • Step S53 the base line feed pulse motor 40 is driven while checking the base line feed origin sensor 57, thereby retrieve the origin position of the base line feed pulse motor 40.
  • Step S54 0 is set in the base line feed position.
  • Step S55 the needle swing feed pulse motor 41 is driven while checking the needle swing origin sensor 58, thereby retrieving the origin position of the needle swing feed pulse motor 41.
  • Step S56 0 is set in the needle swing feed position.
  • Fig. 73 shows a subroutine for the sewing operation (Step S15).
  • the total stitch number is set as the remaining stitch number and, in the next step S152, while checking the needle swing right and left detect sensor 59, it is judged whether the current needle swing position is the right side (base line side) or not. If it is the right side, then in the next step S153, a sewing machine start output is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S155.
  • Step S154 in which a sewing machine start output is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S156.
  • Step S155 it is checked from a pulse from the sewing machine encoder 119 whether the sewing machine status is a rotating status or not. If it is a rotating status, then the processing advances to the next step S158; or, if not, the processing returns to Step S155.
  • Step S156 it is checked from a pulse from the sewing machine encoder 119 whether the sewing machine status is a rotating status or not. If it is a rotating status, then the processing advances to the next step S157; or, if not, the processing returns to Step S156.
  • Step S157 while checking the needle upper position sensor 116, it is judged whether a needle upper position interrupt request is present or not in the interrupt controller 108. If the needle upper position interrupt request is present, then the processing advances to the next step S158; or, if the needle upper position interrupt request is not present, then the processing returns to Step S157.
  • Step S158 it is checked from a pulse from the sewing machine encoder 119 whether the sewing machine status is a rotating status or not. If it is a rotating status, then the processing advances to the next step S159; or, if not, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S16 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S159 while checking the TG generator 118, it is judged whether a TG interrupt request is present or not in the interrupt controller 108. If the TG interrupt request is present, then in the next step S160, the TG interrupt processing is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S161; or, if the TG interrupt request is not present, then the processing advances directly to Step S161.
  • Step S161 it is judged whether a needle upper position interrupt request is present or not in the interrupt controller 108. If the needle upper position interrupt request is present, then in the next step S162, the upper needle position interrupt processing is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S163; or, if the needle upper position interrupt request is not present, then the processing advances directly to Step S163.
  • Step S163 while checking the feed reference position sensor 117, it is judged whether a feed reference interrupt request is present or not in the interrupt controller 108. If the feed reference interrupt request is present, then in the next step S164, the feed reference interrupt processing is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S165; or, if the feed reference interrupt request is not present, then the processing advances directly to Step S165.
  • Step S165 a cloth cutting knife counter interrupt processing is executed and, after then, the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S158.
  • Step S160 needle upper position interrupt processing
  • Step S164 feed reference interrupt processing
  • Step S165 cloth cutting knife counter interrupt processing
  • Step S160 shows a subroutine for the TG interrupt processing (Step S160).
  • Step S1601 the TG count is incremented by 1 and, in the next Step S1602, it is checked whether the TG count is Q or not. If the TG count is Q, then the processing advances to the next step S1603; or, if it is not Q, then the processing advances directly to Step S1612.
  • Step S1603 it is checked whether the Y feed pulse number is 0 or not. If it is 0, then the processing advances directly to Step S1606; or, if it is not 0, the processing advances to the next step S1604.
  • Step S1604 a count value corresponding to the Y feed speed in sewing is output to the Y feed counter 103, next, in Step S1605, the Y feed counter 103 is started and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1606.
  • Step S1606 it is checked whether the base line pulse number counted by the base line feed counter 104 is 0 or not. If it is 0, then the processing advances directly to Step S1609; or, if it is not 0, then the processing advances to the next step S1607.
  • Step S1607 a count value corresponding to the base line feed speed in sewing is output to the base line feed counter 104, in the next step S1608, the base line feed counter 104 is started and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1609.
  • Step S1609 it is checked whether the needle swing feed pulse number counted by the needle swing feed counter 105 is 0 or not. If it is 0, then the processing advances directly to Step S1612; or, if it is not 0, the processing advances to the next step S1610.
  • Step S1610 a count value corresponding to the needle swing feed speed in sewing is output to the needle swing feed counter 105, in the next step S1611, the needle swing feed counter 105 is started and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1612.
  • Step S1612 it is checked whether the TG count is S or not. If it is S, then in the next step S1613, a thread tension code is output to the thread tension and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S161 in the flow shown in Fig. 73; or, if the TG count is not S, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S161.
  • Fig. 75 shows a subroutine for the needle upper position interrupt processing (Step S1629).
  • the remaining stitch number is decremented by 1
  • the stitch number count is incremented by 1 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S1623.
  • Step 1623 it is checked whether the remaining stitch number is 0 or not. If it is 0, then in the next step S1624, a sewing machine stop output is executed; or, if it is not 0, then the processing advances directly to Step S1625.
  • Step S1625 a knife drive processing is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S163 in the flow shown in Fig. 73.
  • Fig. 76 shows a subroutine for the needle upper position interrupt processing (Step S162).
  • Step S16251 it is checked whether the stitch number count is M n -5 or not. If the stitch number count is M n -5, then the processing advances to the next step S16252; or, if the stitch number count is not M n -5, then the processing advances directly to Step S16261.
  • Step S16252 it is checked whether M n+1 - M n , that is, a difference between a former knife down stitch number M n and a latter knife down stitch number M n+1 is 1 or not. If it is 1, then the processing advances to Step S16253, in which 400 [spm] is set in the sewing machine speed and, after then, the processing advances to Step S16261; or, if M n+1 - M n is not 1, then the processing advances to the next step S16254.
  • Step S16254 it is checked whether M n+1 - M n is 2 or not. If it is 2, then the processing advances to Step S16255, in which 1000 [spm] is set in the sewing machine speed and, after then, the processing advances to Step S16261; or, if M n+1 - M n is not 2, then the processing advances to the next step S16256.
  • Step S16256 it is checked whether M n+1 - M n is 3 or not. If it is 3, then the processing advances to Step S16257, in which 2000 [spm] is set in the sewing machine speed and, after then, the processing advances to Step S16261; or, if M n+1 - M n is not 3, then the processing advances to the next step S16258.
  • Step S16258 it is checked whether M n+1 - M n is 4 or not. If it is 4, then the processing advances to Step S16259, in which 3000 [spm] is set in the sewing machine speed and, after then, the processing advances to Step S16261; or, if M n+1 - M n is not 4, then in the next step S16260, 4000 [spm] is set in the sewing machine speed and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S16261.
  • the sewing machine speed can be controlled according to the operation intervals (stitch numbers) of the cloth cutting knife by means of the above-mentioned control in the steps S16251 to S16260, after the first downward movement of the cloth cutting knife, the cloth cutting knife can be surely returned to the lifted position before the cloth cutting knife moves downward next time.
  • Step S16261 it is checked whether the stitch number count is M n -R or more. If the stitch number count is M n -R or more, then in the next step S16262, a knife drive time speed is set in the sewing machine speed and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S16263; or, if the stitch number count is not M n -R or more, then the processing advances directly to Step S16263.
  • the knife drive time speed should be set to such a speed (including "stop') as can prevent a possibility that, when the cloth presser is moved in harmony with the sewing machine, the cloth can be torn or shifted by the downward moving cloth cutting knife.
  • Step S16263 it is checked whether the stitch number count is M n or not. If the stitch number count is M n , then the processing advances to the next step S16264; or, if the stitch number count is not M n , then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S163 in the flow shown in Fig. 73.
  • Step S16264 the cloth cutting knife is lowered down, in the next step S16265, n is incremented by 1 and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S163 in the flow shown in Fig. 73.
  • Fig. 77 shows a subroutine for the cloth cutting knife downward movement (Step S16264) in the knife drive processing (Step S1625).
  • Step S 162641 a cloth cutting knife downward movement output is issued to the cloth cutting knife down cylinder drive circuit 123 in accordance with a given stitch number count, with the result that the cloth cutting knife down cylinder 30 drives the cloth cutting knife 16 to move downward.
  • Step S162642 a count value corresponding to the time necessary for the downward movement of the cloth cutting knife 16 is output to the cloth cutting knife counter 107 and, in the next step S162643, the cloth cutting knife counter 106 is started.
  • step S162644 1 is set in a cloth cutting knife down flag and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S16265 in the flow shown in Fig. 76.
  • Step S164 shows a subroutine for the feed reference interrupt processing (Step S164).
  • Step S1641 the rotation direction of the Y feed pulse motor 20 is set and, after then, in the next step S1642, the pulse number of the Y feed pulse motor 20 is set.
  • Step S1643 the rotation direction of the base line feed pulse motor 40 is set and, after then, in the next step S1644, the pulse number of the base line feed pulse motor 40 is set.
  • next step S1645 the rotation direction of the needle swing feed pulse motor 41 is set and, after then, in the next step S1646, the pulse number of the needle swing feed pulse motor 41 is set.
  • the current set value of the voice coil motor (upper thread tension VCM) for variably controlling the tension of the tension block 19 and, after then, in the next step S1648, the repetition number is decremented by 1.
  • next step S1649 it is checked whether the repetition number is 0 or not. If the repetition number is 0, then in the next step S1700, the data pointer is incremented by 1, next, in Step S1701, the repetition number with respect to the data pointer is set and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S165 in the flow shown in Fig. 73.
  • step S1649 if the repetition number is not 0, then the processing advances directly to the above-mentioned step S165.
  • Fig. 79 shows a subroutine for the cloth cutting knife counter interrupt processing (Step S165).
  • Step S1651 it is checked whether the count of the cloth cutting knife counter 106 is 0 or not. If the count is 0, then the processing returns directly to the above-mentioned step S158 in the flow shown in Fig. 73; or, if the count is not 0, then in the next step S1625, the count is decremented by 1.
  • next step S1653 it is checked again whether the count is 0 or not. If the count is 0, then in the next step S1654, the knife drive check is executed; or, if the count is not 0, then the processing returns directly to the above-mentioned step S158.
  • Step S1655 it is checked whether the cloth cutting down flag is 2 or not. If the down flag is 2, then the processing advances to Step S1656; or, if the down flag is not 2, then the processing advances to Step S1658.
  • Step S1656 the cloth cutting knife counter 106 is stopped, next in Step S1657, 0 is set in the cloth cutting knife down flag and, after then, the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S158 in the flow shown in Fig. 73.
  • Step S1658 a cloth cutting knife up output is issued to the cloth cutting knife down cylinder drive circuit 123, with the result that the cloth cutting knife down cylinder 30 drives the cloth cutting knife 16 to move upward.
  • the cloth cutting knife counter 106 is stopped and, in the next step S1660, a count value corresponding to the time necessary for the upward movement of the cloth cutting knife 16 is output to the cloth cutting knife counter 106.
  • Step S1661 the cloth cutting knife counter 106 is started, next, in Step S1662, 2 is set in the cloth cutting knife down flag and, after then, the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S158 in the flow shown in Fig. 73.
  • Fig. 80 shows a subroutine for the knife drive check processing (Step S1654).
  • Step S16541 it is checked whether a cloth cutting knife down signal to the cloth cutting knife down cylinder drive circuit 123 is being output or not. If the signal is being output, then the processing advances to the next step S16542; or, if the signal is not being output, then the processing advances to Step S16543.
  • Step S16542 it is checked whether the knife down detect switch 34b is on or not. If the switch is on, then the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S1675 in the flow shown in Fig. 79; or, if the switch is not on, then the processing advances to Step S16544.
  • Step S16543 a knife down detect switch 34b is off or not. If the switch is off, then the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S1675 in the flow shown in Fig. 79; or, if the switch is not off, then the processing advances to Step S16544.
  • Step S16544 a knife drive error is output.
  • the sewing machine stop output is issued and, after then, the processing returns to the above-mentioned step S1675. Therefore, when the knife drive error occurs, the sewing machine is caused to stop at the needle upper position.
  • the left side sewing (left parallel portion) corresponding to the data point (2) is started, the respective pulse motors are operated in accordance with the setting of the respective pulses which is executed by the feed reference interrupt processing S164 at a timing set by the TG interrupt processing S160.
  • the repetition number of times of the feed reference interrupt processings is judged 0 (Step S1649), that is, when the stitch number (the number of stitches) reaches a given value, the data point is set to (3) (Step S1700); and, similarly, the stitches are formed according to the TG interrupt processing and feed interrupt processing.
  • the data point (4) and (5) are carried out to thereby form the first lock stitch portion.
  • Step S161 In the data point (6), that is, during the right side sewing (right parallel portion sewing), in the knife drive processing routine of the needle upper position interrupt processing (Step S161), when the count value reaches the operation set value M n according to the stitch number count, the cloth cutting knife 16 is moved downward in accordance with the processing of the cloth cutting knife down subroutine.
  • the set value (which is previously set) of R of Step S16261 several stitches before the cloth cutting knife 16 is lowered down or when the cloth cutting knife 16 is lowered down, the sewing machine speed is reduced down to the above-mentioned knife drive speed. And, this operation is repeated a number of times corresponding to the numerical value n operated in the above-mentioned manner (S16265). Also, the repetition interval of the cloth cutting knife downward movements is judged and, in accordance with the judgment result, the sewing machine speed is set (Steps S16251 to S16260).
  • Fig. 89 shows a subroutine for the left-handed pattern operation (Step S38).
  • Step S381 a sewing start position is operated, in the next step S382, the right parallel portion is operated and, in the next step S383, the first lock stitch portion is operated.
  • step S384 the left parallel portion is operated, in the next step S385, the second lock stitch portion is operated, in the next step S386, the sewing end is operated and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S36 in the flow shown in Fig. 90.
  • Step S38 left-handed pattern operation
  • sewing start position operation Step S381
  • right parallel portion operation Step S382
  • first lock stitch portion operation S383
  • left parallel portion operation S384
  • second lock stitch portion operation S385
  • sewing end operation in this order.
  • Fig. 90 shows the sewing sequence: in particular, Fig. 90 (1) shows the movement of the sewing machine from the machine origin to the sewing start position; Fig. 90 (2) shows the sewing of the right parallel portion following Fig. 90 (1); Fig. 90 (3) shows the sewing of the first lock stitch portion up to the middle portion thereof; Fig. 90 (4) shows the end of the sewing of the first lock stitch portion; Fig. 90 (5) shows the start of the sewing of the left parallel portion; Fig. 90 (6) shows the sewing of the left parallel portion; Fig. 90 (7) shows the start of the sewing of the second lock stitch portion; Fig. 90 (8) shows the sewing of the second lock stitch portion up to the middle portion thereof; and, Fig. 90 (9) shows the end of the sewing (the end of the sewing of the second lock stitch portion).
  • Fig. 92 there is shown another embodiment of the left-handed pattern operation, which explains the operation of the needle swing mechanism 42 in the left-handed and right-handed pattern operations.
  • the base line arm 43 moves to the base line right side when the base line of the swing of the needle 9 is swung to the left in Fig. 92 (a) (a dotted line portion 43R, in Fig.
  • N designates a repetition number of times (stitch number), Y the Y feed, K the base line, H the swing width, and T the thread tension value, respectively. Subscripts given to them respectively correspond to the sewing sequences (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) that are shown in Fig. 90.
  • Fig. 81 shows a modified general flow obtained by changing in part the before-described general flow shown in Fig. 37.
  • Steps S1 ⁇ S14 are the same as in the general flow shown in Fig. 37. Therefore, from now on, description will be given of new steps S21 to S24 employed instead of the above-mentioned steps S15 to S16.
  • Fig. 82 shows the conditions for the buttonhole darning operation which not only include the conditions shown in Fig. 40, that is, the cloth cutting length a, knife width b, lock stitch length c, lock stitch width d, parallel portion pitch e, lock stitch portion pitch f, knife-first lock stitch gap g, knife-second lock stitch gap h, but also a knife size L 1 , cloth movement amount from the sewing start position to the first knife end position (y feed motor pulse number) Z ⁇ , and cloth movement amount from the first knife end position to the second knife end position (y feed motor pulse number) Z ⁇ .
  • the timing of the downward movement of the cloth cutting knife 15 is decided in accordance with the addition value (absolute value) of the y feed motor pulse numbers corresponding to the cloth movement amount Z ⁇ .
  • the down timing thereof is decided in accordance with the addition value (absolute value) of the pulse numbers during the right side sewing; and, for a front knife cutting operation and a rear knife cutting operation, in Fig. 82, the down times thereof are decided in accordance with the addition value (absolute value) of the pulse numbers from the sewing start position.
  • the number of pulses corresponding to the knife size L 1 can be obtained according to an equation, L 1 ⁇ (the feed length of 1 pulse), that is, by dividing L 1 by the feed pulse of 1 pulse.
  • Step S21 the sewing start movement is called, and the Y feed pulse motor 20, base line feed pulse motor 40 and needle swing feed pulse motor 41 are respectively driven to the sewing start position.
  • Step S22 the sewing processing is called, so that the sewing operation is started.
  • next step S23 After end of the sewing operation, in the next step S23, after the needle position right side movement is executed, in the next step S24, the cloth presser 15 lift output is executed and, after then, the processing returns to the above mentioned step S8. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a given buttonhole darning or sewing operation is completed, then the needle is swung to the right beyond the cloth cutting knife and is thereby stopped at its upper position and, when a next buttonhole darning operation is started, the needle is moved to its sewing start position before it starts the side sewing operation.
  • Fig. 83 shows a subroutine for the sewing processing (Step S22).
  • Step S221 it is checked whether the knife cutting is a front knife cutting operation or not. If it is a front knife cutting operation, then in Step S222, a sewing processing (1) is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S23 in the general flow (Fig. 81); or, if it is not a front knife cutting operation, then the processing advances to the next step S223.
  • Step S223 it is checked whether the knife cutting operation is a middle knife cutting operation or not. If it is a middle knife cutting operation, then in Step S224, a sewing processing (2) is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S23; or, if it is not a middle knife cutting operation, then in the next step S225, a sewing processing (3) is executed and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S23.
  • the sewing processing (2) (Step S224) in which the cloth is cut during the buttonhole darning operation using the middle knife cutting operation is the same as the above-mentioned sewing processing (Step S15) in the general flow shown in Fig. 37, that is, the contents of the sewing processing (2) are the same as those described in connection with the flow shown in Fig. 73.
  • the downward movement timing is decided in accordance with the addition value (absolute value) of the pulse numbers during the right side sewing operation in Fig. 82.
  • Fig. 84 shows a subroutine for the sewing processing (1) (Step S222) using a front knife cutting operation.
  • the Y feed pulse motor 20 is driven up to the knife drive position and, in the next step S2222, the cloth cutting knife 15 is driven to move downward.
  • the sewing start movement processing is called to thereby drive the Y feed pulse motor 20, base line feed pulse motor 40 and needle swing feed pulse motor 41 to the sewing start position.
  • the sewing processing is called, so that the sewing operation is started.
  • the timing for the downward movement thereof is decided in accordance with the addition value (absolute value) of the pulse numbers from the sewing start position shown in Fig. 82.
  • Fig. 85 shows a subroutine for the sewing processing (3) (Step S225) using a rear knife cutting.
  • the sewing processing is called to thereby start the sewing operation.
  • the Y feed pulse motor 20 is driven up to the knife drive position and, in the next step S2253, the cloth cutting knife 15 is driven to move downward.
  • step S2254 the sewing start movement processing is called to thereby drive the Y feed pulse motor 20, base line feed pulse motor 40 and needle swing feed pulse motor 41 to the sewing start position.
  • step S23 the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S23 in the flow shown in Fig. 81.
  • the timing for the downward movement thereof is decided in accordance with the addition value (absolute value) of the pulse numbers from the sewing start position shown in Fig. 82.
  • Fig. 86 shows a difference between the front knife cutting operation, rear knife cutting operation and middle knife cutting operation.
  • the front knife cutting operation is a cutting operation in which, as shown in Fig. 86 (a), a knife is dropped in order to previously open up a buttonhole before sewing buttonhole darning stitches.
  • the rear knife cutting operation is a cutting operation in which, as shown in Fig. 86 (b), after completion of sewing of the buttonhole darning stitches, a knife is dropped to thereby open up a buttonhole.
  • a middle knife cutting operation is a cutting operation in which, while buttonhole darning stitches are being sewn, a knife is dropped to thereby open up a button hole.
  • Fig. 87 shows the state of the buttonhole daming stitches in the case of the front knife cutting.
  • Fig. 87 (a) for example, when the upper and lower cloths are cut by the front knife cutting operation to thereby open up a buttonhole H, as shown in Fig. 87 (b), during the sewing operation, the needle 9 having an upper thread inserted therethrough is passed through the buttonhole H to connect together the lower and upper threads, thereby executing hemstitching.
  • Fig. 88 shows the stat of the buttonhole stitches in the case of the rear knife cutting and middle knife cutting operations.
  • Fig. 94 there is available another embodiment of the pattern operation subroutine, in which, in the following operations, there are used the dimensions based on the conditions shown in Fig. 94: that is, cloth cutting length a, left knife width b 1 , right knife width b 2 , lock stitch length c, lock stitch width d, parallel portion pitch e, lock stitch portion pitch f, knife-first lock stitch gap g, and knife-second lock stitch gap g.
  • the knife width in the table shown in Fig. 39 is divided into the left knife width b 1 and right knife width b 2 , while the knife drop right and left position is omitted.
  • Fig. 96 shows a subroutine for the sewing start position operation (Step S381).
  • b 1 and b 2 separately, gaps from the knife drop point to the right and left side sewing portions can be adjusted separately.
  • Fig. 97 shows a subroutine for the right parallel portion operation (Step S382).
  • Fig. 98 shows a subroutine for the first lock stitch portion operation (Step S383).
  • T 3 lock stitch portion tension is set
  • Fig. 99 shows a subroutine for the second lock stitch portion operation (Step S385).
  • K 7 0 is set.
  • Fig. 100 shows a subroutine for the sewing end operation (Step S386).
  • Fig. 101 shows another embodiment of the tension hook matching mode processing.
  • a sewing machine main shaft angle matching processing (Step S1152)
  • a relay off instruction processing (Step S1153)
  • a processing for judging whether a set key is on or not (Step S1154)
  • a power supply on instruction processing (Step S1155) are executed in this order.
  • Step S1148 the swing width pulse motor (needle swing feed pulse motor) 41 is driven by the needle swing feed pulse motor driver 114, in the next Step S1152, the sewing machine main shaft angle is matched and, in the next step S1153, the power supply relay is turned off, while an operator executes a tension hook matching operation.
  • next step S1154 it is checked whether the set key 147 is on or not. If the set key 147 is on, then the processing advances to the next step S1155; or, if the set key 147 is not on, then the processing returns again to the step S1154.
  • Step S1155 after the power supply relay is turned off, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S2 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S1148 the swing width pulse motor (needle swing feed pulse motor) 41 is driven by the needle swing feed pulse motor driver 114, in the next Step S1152, the sewing machine main shaft angle is matched and, in the next step S1153, the power supply relay is turned off, while an operator executes a tension hook matching operation.
  • Fig. 103 shows a subroutine for the sewing machine main shaft angle matching processing (Step S1152).
  • Step S11521 the sewing machine start is output and, in the next step S11522, it is checked whether the needle upper position detection shows the unjustified positioning of the sewing machine or not. If the needle upper position detection shows the unjustified positioning, then the processing advances to the next step S11523; or, if the needle upper position detection does not show the unjustified positioning, then the processing returns again to the step S11522.
  • Step S11523 0 is set in the TG count and, in the next step S11524, it is checked whether the TG interrupt request is present or not. If the TG interrupt request is present, then in the next step S11525, the TG count is incremented by 1 and, after then, the processing advances to the next step S11526; or, if the TG interrupt request is not present, then the processing returns again to the step S11524.
  • Step S11526 it is checked whether the TG count is P2 (tension hook matching main shaft angle) or not. If the TG count is not P2, then the processing returns again to the step S11524; or, if the TG count is P2, then the processing advances to the next step S11527, in which the sewing machine is stopped and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S1153 in the flow shown in Fig. 101 or Fig. 102.
  • P2 tension hook matching main shaft angle
  • Step S11521 a sensor or the like for detecting the tension hook matching position is provided in the sewing machine main shaft, whereby the sewing machine can be stopped at the tension hook matching position.
  • Step S11522 it is checked whether the tension hook position sensor is on or not. If the tension hook position sensor is on, then the processing advances to the next step S11529; or, if the tension hook position sensor is not on, then the processing returns again to the step S11528.
  • Step S11529 after the sewing machine stop is output, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S1153 in the flow shown in Fig. 101 or Fig. 102.
  • Step S11529 the output of the sewing machine stop in Step S11529 is executed by a constant position stop operation so that the sewing machine can be stopped by a signal from position detect means which is provided in the main shaft of the sewing machine.
  • Fig. 105 shows the arrangement of a relay which is used to cut off power.
  • a power cable 172 is connected not only to a power circuit board 171 to be connected to an I/O interface 109 but also to a sewing machine motor driver 115, a power switch (an electromagnetic opening/closing device) 173 is provided in the power cable 172, a relay 174 is connected to the power switch (electromagnetic opening/closing device) 173, and a cable 175 on the other terminal side of the relay 174 is connected to the I/O interface 109.
  • a power switch an electromagnetic opening/closing device
  • the power relay which has been described in connection with the above-mentioned figures 101 and 102, is the relay 174 that is connected to the power switch (electromagnetic opening/closing device) 173 in this manner.
  • relay 174 connected to the power switch (electromagnetic opening/closing device) 173 is used as the power relay described in connection with Fig. 102, if the relay 174 is turned off, then the power of the whole system is cut off, which makes it impossible to supply power again from the CPU 100.
  • Fig. 106 shows another arrangement of the relay used to cut off power.
  • a power cable 172 is connected not only to a power circuit board 171 to be connected to an I/O interface 109 but also to a drive power control circuit board 181 to be connected a sewing machine motor driver 115, and a power switch 176 is provided in the power cable 162; and, a zero cross relay 182 is mounted on the drive power control circuit board 181.
  • Such zero cross relay 182 may also be used as the power relay described in connection with Fig. 102.
  • Fig. 103 shows another embodiment of the thread insertion mode processing.
  • a relay off instruction processing Step S1132
  • a processing for checking whether the set key is on or not Step S1133
  • a power relay on instruction processing Step S1134.
  • Step S1132 the power relay is turned off and, after then, in the next step S1133, it is checked whether the set key 147 is on or not. If the set key 147 is on, then the processing advances to the next step S1134; or, if the set key 147 is not on, then the processing returns again to the step S1133.
  • Step S1134 the power relay (the zero cross relay 182 shown in Fig. 102) is turned on and, after then, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step 52 in the general flow (Fig. 37).
  • Step S1132 the power relay (the relay 174 shown in Fig. 101 may be turned off.
  • relay 174 shown in Fig. 101 is used as the power relay described in connection with Fig. 104, if the relay 174 is turned off, then the power of the whole system is cut off, which makes it impossible to supply power again from the CPU 100.
  • Fig. 105 shows a modification of the knife drive timing operation (Step S36).
  • Step S372 if the knife drive number of times is not once, then the processing advances directly to Step S362.
  • the number of times of the knife drives is once or one time.
  • Fig. 67 shows another embodiment structured such that a feed sensor and a knife drop switch are provided in order to time the operation of the cloth cutting knife from the Y feed.
  • a detect plate 161 with the plate faces facing laterally; and, a close approach type of a feed sensor 162 serving as sewing movement position detect means, which is used to detect in accordance with the Y direction movement position of the detect plate 161 whether the sewing movement is an advancing movement or a retreating movement, is disposed opposed to the detect plate 161 in the moving direction of the detect plate 161.
  • a pair of front and rear projecting portions 163 and 163 there are formed a pair of front and rear projecting portions 163 and 163, while a knife drop switch 164 a portion to be detected of which can be pressed by one of the pair of projecting portions 163 and 163 is disposed opposed to the projecting portions 163 in the moving path of the projecting portions 163. That is, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 67, each time the knife drop switch 164 is pressed by the two front and rear projecting portions 163 and 163, the cloth cutting knife air cylinder 30 is driven to thereby move up and down the cloth cutting knife 16 twice.
  • the knife drop switch 164 is used as knife down movement start timing setting means.
  • Fig. 106 shows another embodiment in which there is provided a needle position sensor.
  • a needle position sensor 191 consisting of a close approach type of magnetic sensor is disposed on the lower portion front surface side of the needle bar swing base 18, while a magnet 192 to be detected is embedded in the lower portion front surface of the needle bar swing base 18.
  • the needle position sensor 191 can also be provided.
  • buttonshole darning sewing machine description has been given of the buttonhole darning sewing machine.
  • present invention is not limited to this but the invention can also apply to other needle swing sewing machines.
  • needle upper position detection instead of the needle upper position detection, needle lower position detection or phase detection can also be employed.
  • buttonshole darning sewing machine in addition to the effect that is obtained by the invention as set forth in the first aspect, there can be obtained another advantage that, also when the formation of the buttonhole darning stitches is completed, the last needle can be stopped on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife.
  • buttonshole darning sewing machine as set forth in the third aspect, in addition to the effects that are obtained by the inventions as set forth in the first or second aspect, there can be obtained another advantage that, at the time when the formation of the buttonhole darning stitches is completed, the last needle can be positively stopped on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife.
  • the needle stop position or swing position when the sewing machine is caused to stop, can be set on the more right side than the cloth cutting knife with respect to the operator through driving of the electrical drive means in accordance with an instruction given from the needle drop control means, the thread can be easily inserted through the eye of the needle stopped on the right side of the cloth cutting knife with no interference by the cloth cutting knife.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Sewing Machines And Sewing (AREA)
EP19980111679 1997-06-27 1998-06-25 Buttonhole darning sewing machine Expired - Lifetime EP0887452B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP17264997A JP4026886B2 (ja) 1997-06-27 1997-06-27 ボタン穴かがりミシン
JP17264997 1997-06-27
JP172649/97 1997-06-27

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EP0887452A2 EP0887452A2 (en) 1998-12-30
EP0887452A3 EP0887452A3 (en) 1999-08-11
EP0887452B1 true EP0887452B1 (en) 2002-10-02

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JP (1) JP4026886B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN1140660C (ja)
DE (1) DE69808381T2 (ja)
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DE19951127C2 (de) * 1999-10-23 2002-06-20 Duerkopp Adler Ag Knopfloch-Nähmaschine
JP4750954B2 (ja) 2000-02-29 2011-08-17 Ｊｕｋｉ株式会社 サイクルミシン
JP2002233676A (ja) * 2001-02-08 2002-08-20 Juki Corp ボタン穴かがりミシン
JP5142426B2 (ja) * 2001-04-13 2013-02-13 Ｊｕｋｉ株式会社 ボタン穴かがりミシン
JP4744072B2 (ja) 2003-10-31 2011-08-10 Ｊｕｋｉ株式会社 ミシン
JP2007202679A (ja) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-16 Juki Corp ミシンの糸調子装置
JP2007202833A (ja) * 2006-02-02 2007-08-16 Juki Corp ミシンの糸調子装置
JP2007252740A (ja) * 2006-03-24 2007-10-04 Brother Ind Ltd 穴かがりミシン
CN104088086A (zh) * 2014-06-04 2014-10-08 池州学院 智能控制的多功能缝纫机

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1473240A (en) * 1922-06-08 1923-11-06 Frederick Osann Co Buttonhole-cutter mechanism
US2273242A (en) * 1940-01-24 1942-02-17 Singer Mfg Co Buttonhole cutting mechanism for sewing machines
US4185574A (en) * 1978-10-11 1980-01-29 The Singer Company Track guided needle threader system
JP2917324B2 (ja) * 1989-10-31 1999-07-12 ブラザー工業株式会社 ミシン
JP3061139B2 (ja) * 1989-10-31 2000-07-10 ブラザー工業株式会社 糸通し装置を備えたミシン
JPH05115635A (ja) * 1991-05-27 1993-05-14 Brother Ind Ltd 穴かがりミシン

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EP0887452A2 (en) 1998-12-30
JPH119861A (ja) 1999-01-19
DE69808381D1 (de) 2002-11-07
TW402649B (en) 2000-08-21
EP0887452A3 (en) 1999-08-11
CN1207425A (zh) 1999-02-10
CN1140660C (zh) 2004-03-03
DE69808381T2 (de) 2003-07-03
JP4026886B2 (ja) 2007-12-26

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