JP2014039598A - Embroidery machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an embroidery machine which can store color identification information in an internal memory unit by using a sensor capable of reading the color of a needle thread and can easily perform color change of an embroidery pattern on a screen of a display part.SOLUTION: At an input/output control part 29 of a control device 20 (an operation control device 21), a color identification device 34 for reading colors of a plurality of needle threads S as respective color identification information is connected and provided. A embroidery control part 27 of the control device 20 has a configuration having: a color designation updating means for updating color designation by a color change function of embroidery data based on the color identification information of each needle thread S read at the color identification device 34; and a display control means for outputting pattern information by the embroidery data in which the color designation by the color change function has been updated to a color display unit 25 and for performing screen-display of a multi-color embroidery pattern at the color display unit 25.

Description

  The present invention relates to an embroidery machine suitably used for creating an embroidery pattern on a cloth to be embroidered according to embroidery data, for example.

  In general, an embroidery machine known as an embroidery machine includes a spindle motor for reciprocating an upper thread side sewing needle, a color changing mechanism for changing the color of an upper thread (embroidery thread), and an embroidery object. Various actuators such as a frame moving motor for moving the embroidery frame (moving frame) holding (embroidery cloth) forward, backward, left and right on the base of the embroidery machine are mounted. In order to operate the embroidery machine by driving and controlling such various actuators, for example, an embroidery control device is provided on the base of the embroidery machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This type of prior art embroidery control device is composed of a unit case that constitutes the outer shell of the device, an embroidery control unit that includes a plurality of electronic components and the like housed in the unit case, an internal memory unit, and the like. On the front side of the unit case, an operation unit including a plurality of key switches and a display unit (color display) for displaying information, data, and the like necessary for embroidery in color are provided.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-328455

  By the way, in the above-described prior art, when it is desired to change the color of the embroidery pattern, the color of the upper thread (embroidery thread) inserted into each sewing needle of the embroidery machine is stored in the internal memory unit of the embroidery machine, Which pattern area of a plurality of pattern areas is to be embroidered with which upper thread is displayed on the screen of the color display for color selection (that is, color selection for each pattern area). ing.

  However, the color of the upper thread inserted through each sewing needle of the embroidery machine is stored in the internal memory unit of the embroidery machine using the color adjustment dialog displayed on the screen of the color display, etc. , Green, and blue) are appropriately manually adjusted, so that the operator needs to reproduce the upper thread color visually confirmed on the screen of the color display. For this reason, there is a problem in that work for changing the color of the embroidery pattern on the screen of the color display device requires a great amount of labor and time, and the workability is poor, and manual input mistakes and the like are likely to occur.

  In particular, for the upper thread for embroidery, for example, there are a plurality of types of upper threads that are slightly different in color tone and color even with the same blue system thread, and other red systems, black system threads, etc. Things exist. For this reason, it is very time-consuming to reproduce the color of the upper thread on the screen of the color display, and there is a problem that an input error or a selection error is likely to occur during color adjustment due to individual differences. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to store color identification information in an internal memory unit using a sensor capable of reading the color of an upper thread, and to display a display unit. An embroidery machine that can easily change the color of an embroidery pattern on the screen is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a base for embroidery, a head portion that is mounted on the base and selectively drives a plurality of sewing needles and a plurality of balances according to the rotation of the main shaft, and the head Any one of an upper thread storage section for storing upper threads of a plurality of colors for supplying upper threads to the respective sewing needles and balances of the section, and an upper thread storage section of the plurality of colors supplied from the upper thread storage section. A color change mechanism provided in the head unit for selectively driving the sewing needle, through which the upper thread is inserted, together with a balance, and provided on the base below the head unit. A frame moving mechanism for moving the embroidery frame, and a control device for controlling the rotation of the spindle according to embroidery data including a color changing function and driving the color changing mechanism and the frame moving mechanism. Operated by the operator A unit case provided with a front portion on the front side, an embroidery controller provided in the unit case for driving and controlling the spindle, the color changing mechanism, and the frame moving mechanism in accordance with the operation of the operation unit; and the color changing function Required for embroidery provided on the front side of the unit case, an internal memory unit that can store embroidery data including data, an input / output control unit for inputting / outputting external data to / from the internal memory unit The present invention is applied to an embroidery machine having a display unit for displaying various information and data on a screen.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the input / output control unit of the control device is connected to a color identification device that individually reads the colors of the plurality of upper threads as color identification information. The embroidery control unit of the control device includes a color designation updating unit that updates the color designation by the color change function of the embroidery data based on the color identification information read by the color identification device, and the color designation updating unit. There is provided a configuration including display control means for outputting pattern information of the embroidery data in which the color designation of the color changing function is updated to the display unit, and displaying the multicolor embroidery pattern on the display unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the color identification device is provided with a sensor case provided with a reading surface for reading the color of the upper thread, and extended in the length direction in the sensor case. A substrate, a light-emitting element that is mounted obliquely with respect to the substrate and emits white light toward the reading surface at a predetermined angle, and the light-emitting element provided to overlap with the substrate in the sensor case And a light receiving element that receives light reflected by the element in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and the reading surface of the sensor case is formed with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the substrate.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the color identification device includes a plurality of color sensor units that are positioned between the upper thread storage unit and the balances and are provided side by side on the head unit. The color sensor sections individually read the colors of the upper threads supplied from the upper thread storage sections toward the balances.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, the colors of a plurality of upper threads arranged in the upper thread storage section are individually identified and read by the color identification device provided connected to the input / output control section of the control device. Can do. Then, the embroidery control unit of the control device can update the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data based on the color identification information of the upper thread of each color read by the color identification device as described above. Further, it is possible to eliminate the need for color adjustment work performed by displaying a color adjustment dialog or the like on the screen of the display unit. For this reason, a multi-colored embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data whose color designation by the color change function is updated can be displayed on the screen of the display unit, and the upper thread color is reproduced on the screen of the display unit. Work can be easily performed in a short time. Therefore, the operator of the embroidery machine (control device) can easily change the color designation by the color change function of the embroidery data simply by operating the color identification device, and the workability at the time of change can be improved. Moreover, the present invention can be applied with high versatility to current embroidery machines.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the color identification device inclines the reading surface of the sensor case obliquely with respect to the substrate, and the light emitting element that emits white light at a predetermined angle toward the reading surface on the substrate. The light receiving element that is attached obliquely with respect to the surface of the substrate is configured to receive light reflected by the light emitting element in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. For this reason, the reflectance of the light on the reading surface can be brought close to 100%, the distance (light path) between the light emitting element and the light receiving element and the reading surface can be shortened, and the reading performance as a color sensor can be improved. The workability at the time of processing, manufacturing and assembly can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 3, since the color identification device is constituted by a plurality of color sensor portions that are located between the upper thread storage portion and each balance and are provided side by side on the head portion of the embroidery machine, The color of each upper thread supplied from the upper thread storage unit to each balance can be individually read by each color sensor unit, and the color identification information reading operation using the color identification device is automatically performed collectively. It can be carried out.

1 is a perspective view showing an embroidery machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an operation control device and one head unit in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. It is a front view which expands and shows the operation control apparatus in FIG. 2 with a color identification device. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the color identification device in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part in FIG. 4 showing an enlarged view of a reading surface of the color identification device and elements for a color sensor. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the color identification device shown in FIG. 4. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which reads the color of the upper thread wound by the upper thread bobbin with a color identification device. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which reads the color of the upper thread wound by the upper thread bobbin with the color identification apparatus from the direction different from FIG. It is a control block diagram which shows the whole structure of an embroidery machine. It is a flowchart which shows the color specification update process of the color change function by automatic teaching. It is a screen state diagram showing an embroidery pattern when reading embroidery data displayed on the color screen of the operation control device. It is a screen state figure which shows the initial screen of the automatic teaching displayed on the color screen of the operation control apparatus. It is a front view which shows the thread | yarn color instruction document used as the color sample of embroidery data. It is a screen state diagram showing an automatic teaching screen in a state where the color of the upper thread and the color of the thread color instruction are read by the color identification device. It is the screen state figure which displayed the embroidery pattern by the embroidery data after changing the color change function by automatic teaching on the color display. It is a partially broken front view which shows the head part of the embroidery machine by 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the color identification apparatus in FIG. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the color identification device shown in a state where the cover in FIG. 17 is opened leftward from the case body. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the color identification device cut away from an arrow XIX-XIX direction in FIG. 17. It is sectional drawing which expanded the color sensor part of the color identification apparatus from the arrow XIX-XIX direction in FIG. It is a front view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between the case main body of a color identification apparatus, and each color sensor part. It is a front view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between the board | substrate of a color identification device, a light emitting element, and a light receiving element.

  Hereinafter, the case where the embroidery machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a multi-head type automatic embroidery machine will be described as an example and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Here, FIG. 1 to FIG. 15 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an embroidery base constituting the main body of the multi-head type automatic embroidery machine, and the base 1 is supported by side frames 2 and 3 spaced left and right as shown in FIG. It extends horizontally in the front, rear, left, and right directions. Between the side frames 2 and 3, a head support 4 positioned above the base 1 and extending in the left and right directions is fixedly provided.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a head portion of an embroidery machine provided in plural on the front side of the head support 4, and a total of six of these head portions 5 are provided on the base 1 to constitute, for example, a six-head sewing head. doing. In addition, this shows one example, and on the base 1, there is a model in which, for example, the head portion 5 and the like extending from 2 to 56 heads are provided.

  These head portions 5 are provided on the front side of the head main body 6 and the head main body 6 as shown in FIG. 2, and left and right (directions A and B in FIG. 2) with respect to the head main body 6. ) And a needle bar case 7 as a movable support that is movable, and is provided on the needle bar case 7 and is moved left and right together with the needle bar case 7 by a color changing mechanism 10 described later. It includes a thread tension base 12 described later.

  Further, the head main body 6 of each head unit 5 includes a scale driving unit and a needle bar driving unit (both not shown) driven by the main shaft motor 8 shown in FIG. 9 via the main shaft 9 (see FIG. 2). The balance 14 and the needle bar 15, which will be described later, are driven up and down by these driving units. The spindle motor 8 is provided, for example, on the back side of the head support 4 shown in FIG. Further, the head main body 6 is provided with a color changing mechanism 10 shown in FIG. The color changing mechanism 10 performs a color changing operation described later by moving the needle bar case 7 and the thread tension base 12 integrally to the left and right (in the directions indicated by arrows A and B in FIG. 2). It is.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a thread stand as an upper thread storage unit located above the base 1 and disposed above the head support 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the thread stand 11 is provided with a plurality of upper thread bobbins 11A (for example, a total of 54). The upper thread bobbins 11A include, for example, red, blue, yellow, brown, and black. A plurality of upper threads (hereinafter referred to as upper threads S) are wound. At the time of embroidery work, each upper thread S selected by the color changing mechanism 10 from these upper thread bobbins 11A is drawn out using a balance 14 or the like described later, and a large number of embroidery objects such as an embroidery cloth (not shown). Color embroidery is performed in accordance with the hand movement operation of the sewing needle 16 described later.

  Each upper thread bobbin 11A detachably provided on the thread stand 11 is arranged so as to form one set with the same number (for example, nine) of sewing needles 16 to be described later, and a six-head sewing head ( A total of 54 upper thread bobbins 11A are installed on the thread stand 11 for the six head portions 5). Each upper thread bobbin 11A, which is a set of nine, is wound with each upper thread S having a respective color in a wound state, and the order of each color is the same color order for each head unit 5. Is set in advance. That is, the operation preparation work of the embroidery machine is performed so that the color of each upper thread S does not have a different color arrangement for each head unit 5.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a thread tension base as a yarn path forming base that is provided between the thread stand 11 and the balance 14 and is provided in the head unit 5. The thread tension base 12 includes a plurality of (for example, nine) thread tension bases. A thread tension 13 is provided. These thread tensions 13 individually adjust the tension of each upper thread S guided from each upper thread bobbin 11A of the thread stand 11 toward each balance 14 described later.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a plurality of balances provided so as to protrude from the needle bar case 7 of the head portion 5 to the front side, and these balances 14 are arranged side by side in the needle bar case 7 at intervals in the left and right directions as shown in FIG. They are arranged in parallel (for example, a total of nine). Each balance 14 is rotatably supported by a balance support shaft (not shown), and swings up and down according to the rotation of the main shaft 9 by a balance drive unit (not shown) provided in the head body 6. Driven to move.

  When the color changing mechanism 10 moves the needle bar case 7 to the left or right and performs the color changing operation, for example, one of the nine balances 14 is selected by the color changing mechanism 10. Only the selected balance 14 is swung up and down. Further, the remaining balance 14 which is not selected is held at a predetermined standby position by a balance holding mechanism (not shown), and then stops at this standby position until it is selected by the color changing mechanism 10. It will continue.

  A plurality of (for example, nine) needle bars 15 are provided in the needle bar case 7 and are located on the lower side of the balance 14. A sewing needle 16 can be attached to and detached from the lower end side of each needle bar 15. It is attached to. The needle bar 15 and the sewing needle 16 are driven up and down in accordance with the rotation of the main shaft 9 by a needle bar driving unit (not shown) provided in the head body 6.

  The needle bar 15 and the sewing needle 16 are selected by the color changing mechanism 10 similarly to the balance 14, and only the selected needle bar 15 is reciprocated up and down together with the sewing needle 16. The remaining needle bar 15 not selected by the color change mechanism 10 remains at the top dead center position together with the sewing needle 16 as shown in FIG. To be held.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a moving frame as an embroidery frame disposed on the base 1 of the embroidery machine and positioned below each head portion 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the moving frame 17 is formed as a rectangular square frame, and holds the embroidery cloth or the like in a stretched state under a total of six head portions 5, for example. The moving frame 17 is moved left and right (for example, the X-axis direction) and forward and backward (for example, the Y-axis) on the base 1 together with the embroidery cloth by a frame moving mechanism 18 including a frame moving motor. Frame) in the horizontal direction.

  In this case, the motor of the frame moving mechanism 18 is provided on the lower surface side or the rear surface side of the base 1 and constitutes the drive source of the embroidery machine together with the spindle motor 8 and the like described above. When the moving frame 17 is moved by the frame moving mechanism 18, the sewing needles 16 on the head unit 5 side are moved up and down almost in conjunction with the movement of the moving frame 17. The embroidery pattern corresponding to is realized for each head unit 5.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a plurality of needle plates provided on the base 1 located below each head portion 5, and these needle plates 19 are opposed to each head portion 5 above and below as shown in FIG. A total of six are arranged. In a state where the embroidery cloth is set on the moving frame 17, each needle plate 19 is completely covered by the embroidery cloth from above. Each needle plate 19 is provided with a needle hole 19A (see FIG. 2) at a position facing the sewing needle 16 selected by the color changing mechanism 10 above and below. In the needle hole 19A, the sewing needle 16 is inserted toward a lower hook side rotary hook (not shown) when the sewing needle 16 is moved on the head portion 5 side.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a control device for the embroidery machine, and the control device 20 includes an operation control device 21 provided on the base 1 and a drive control device 30 described later. The control device 20 controls the rotation of the spindle motor 8 (ie, the spindle 9) according to the embroidery data including the color change function, and drives and controls the color change mechanism 10, the frame moving mechanism 18, a jump mechanism 32 described later, and the like. Is.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation control device 21 includes, for example, a unit case 23 that is attached to one side frame 3 via a bracket 22 or the like and forms an outer shell of the operation control device 21, and the unit An operation unit 24 that is provided on the front side of the case 23 and includes a plurality of operation switches or key switches that are manually operated by an operator, and a rectangular unit that is located on the upper side of the operation unit 24 and disposed on the front side of the unit case 23 A color display 25 as a display unit including a liquid crystal display, a power switch 26, an embroidery control unit 27, an internal memory unit 28, and an input / output control unit 29, which will be described later, are configured.

  The unit case 23 of the operation control device 21 corresponds to the nine upper thread bobbins 11A (that is, one head portion 5) that are closest to each of the upper thread bobbins 11A installed on the thread stand 11. A set of nine upper thread bobbins 11A) is installed at a position within a predetermined short distance (for example, 0.2 to 1.5 meters). Further, the unit case 23 of the operation control device 21 is within a predetermined short distance (for example, 0.2 to 1.5 meters) even with respect to the placement portion 45 of the thread color instruction sheet 44 described later. It is installed at the position. As a result, the color identification device 34, which will be described later, is easily brought close to the upper thread bobbin 11A on the thread stand 11 and the thread color instruction sheet 44 on the placement unit 45, and the reading operation of each color is performed at the short distance. Can be performed within the range of

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 24 of the operation control device 21 includes a numeric keypad 24A capable of numerical input, a jog key 24B composed of four keys arranged on the left side of the numeric key 24A, and the jog key 24B. An origin key 24C arranged on the center side of the keypad and a total of seven soft keys 24D labeled "A" to "G" arranged on the upper side of the jog key 24B and the numeric keypad 24A.

  The jog key 24B of the operation unit 24 has functions for selecting embroidery data (program), setting (selecting) parameters, and the like. Further, when moving the moving frame 17 of the embroidery machine with a control signal from the operation control device 21, the operator manually presses one of the left and right keys of the jog key 24B (one-shot) to move it. The frame 17 can be moved on the base 1 by a predetermined amount of movement (for example, 0.1 mm) in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, when one of the upper and lower keys of the jog key 24B is manually pressed, the moving frame 17 can be moved on the base 1 by a predetermined amount of movement in the Y-axis direction. Further, when it is desired to increase the amount of movement of the moving frame 17, the moving frame 17 continues to move by the amount of movement corresponding to the operation time by pressing the jog key 24B for a long time.

  The origin key 24C of the operation unit 24 is a key for moving the moving frame 17 to the origin. When the origin key 24C is pressed while the moving frame 17 is at the origin, the moving frame 17 is moved to the position before moving to the origin in the preparation state, and the last in the driving state. Move to embroidery position.

  The soft key 24D of the operation unit 24 reads / writes embroidery data, inputs / outputs data, enlarges / reduces, etc. in accordance with the menu displayed on the screen of the color display 25, and further adjusts machine conditions. A so-called dialogue key is provided for performing setting, pattern change, pattern selection, pattern addition, pattern combination, color change change, and the like.

  The color display 25 is configured using, for example, a color liquid crystal monitor of 5 to 10 inches or more, and color images (see FIGS. 11 and 15) of embroidery patterns 46 and 48 described later on the screen 25A and FIGS. 14 and the like are displayed. Further, the color display 25 has a function of displaying an image on the screen 25A of information necessary for controlling the embroidery machine, the operating state of the embroidery machine, the operation content on the operation unit 24 side, and the like.

  Reference numeral 27 denotes an embroidery control unit that constitutes a part of the operation control device 21. As shown in FIG. 9, the embroidery control unit 27 communicates signals (information) between an internal memory unit 28 and an input / output control unit 29 described later. ), And various arithmetic control processes necessary for drive control of the embroidery machine (that is, various actuators such as the spindle motor 8, the color changing mechanism 10, and the frame moving mechanism 18) are performed.

  The embroidery control unit 27 has a function of inputting an instruction signal when operating a key switch (that is, each key 24A to 24D) of the operation unit 24 to a CPU (not shown) as operation information, and a color display 25, an image displayed on the screen, display functions, etc. according to a signal from the CPU, a motor driver such as the spindle motor 8 and the frame moving mechanism 18 from the CPU, a color change mechanism 10, a jump mechanism 32, etc. And a function of controlling a signal output to a solenoid driver (both not shown).

  Here, the embroidery control unit 27 is configured using a plurality of control circuits, and among these control circuits, a control circuit having a small control current value is housed and provided in the unit case 23 of the operation control device 21. Yes. On the other hand, control circuits such as a motor driver and a solenoid driver having a high current value (or controlling a high voltage) in the embroidery control unit 27 are provided in a drive control device 30 described later.

  Reference numeral 28 denotes an internal memory unit that constitutes a part of the operation control device 21. The internal memory unit 28 is housed and provided in a unit case 23 of the operation control device 21, for example, ROM, RAM, nonvolatile flash memory Etc. are used. In the internal memory unit 28, control data necessary for driving and controlling the embroidery machine (that is, various actuators such as the spindle motor 8, the color changing mechanism 10, and the frame moving mechanism 18) is stored in an updatable manner. . The internal memory unit 28 stores a color designation update processing program for a color change function by automatic teaching shown in FIG.

  Here, step 5 shown in FIG. 10 is a specific example of the color designation updating means for updating the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data, and step 6 is the embroidery data in which the color designation by the color changing function is updated. This is a specific example of the display control means for outputting the pattern information of the image to the color display 25 and displaying the multi-colored embroidery pattern after the data update on the color display 25 on the screen.

  Reference numeral 29 denotes an input / output control unit that constitutes an interface of the operation control device 21. The input / output control unit 29 controls input / output of data from the outside to the internal memory unit 28. Here, an external storage device 33, a color identification device 34 and the like which will be described later are detachably connected to the connection terminal of the input / output control unit 29. The input / output control unit 29 performs control to store the color identification information read from the color identification device 34 described later in the internal memory unit 28 in an updatable manner according to the operation of the operation unit 24. The input / output control unit 29 is connected to, for example, an external editing machine, a pattern creation machine (both not shown), etc., as necessary via a communication line.

  A drive control device 30 is disposed on the lower side of the base 1 at a position close to the operation control device 21, and the drive control device 30 together with the operation control device 21 provided on the base 1. Is configured. Here, on the input side of the control device 20, as shown in FIG. 9, an operation unit 24 of the operation control device 21, a thread break sensor 31, an external storage device 33 described later, a color identification device 34, and the like are connected. Further, the spindle motor 8, the color changing mechanism 10, the frame moving mechanism 18, the color display 25, the jump mechanism 32, and the like are connected to the output side of the control device 20.

  Here, the thread break sensor 31 is provided on the thread tension base 12 of each head unit 5 and individually detects whether or not a thread break has occurred in each upper thread S. The jump mechanism 32 is composed of a rotary solenoid or the like provided in each head unit 5 and controls jumping of the sewing needle 16 together with the needle bar 15. In other words, the jump mechanism 32 holds the sewing needle 16 in the hand movement stop state while the jump control is performed by the control device 20 (drive control device 30), and permits the needle movement operation of the sewing needle 16 when the jump control is released. Is.

  An external storage device 33 is detachably connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the control device 20 (operation control device 21). The external storage device 33 includes a non-volatile flash memory such as a USB memory. The portable storage medium or a small hard disk device is used. The external storage device 33 is used when, for example, embroidery data including a color change function created by an embroidery data creation device (not shown) is stored in the internal memory unit 28 shown in FIG. 9 in an updatable manner. .

  A color identification device 34 is detachably connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the operation control device 21. The color identification device 34 forms an outer shell of the device 34, as shown in FIGS. A sensor case 35 formed as an elongated rectangular tube-like case so that an operator can hold it with a palm, and a substrate 38, a white LED 39, a photodiode 40, and the like, which will be described later, housed in the sensor case 35 are included. It consists of And the color identification device 34 is comprised as a handy type color sensor so that an operator can operate manually.

  Here, the sensor case 35 is formed using, for example, an electrically insulating resin material or the like, and has a sensor base 36 on one side (lower side) and a sensor cover 37 on the other side (upper side) with a substrate 38 described later interposed therebetween. It can be divided into two. The sensor base 36 has a reading surface 36A obliquely inclined by an angle α (see FIG. 5) for reading the color of the upper thread S or the like on the front side in the length direction, and the upper side surface of the sensor base 36 is a substrate on which a substrate 38 to be described later is attached. It is a support surface 36B.

  The sensor base 36 is formed with a substrate support surface 36B cut obliquely and obliquely, and an element mounting portion 36C to which a later-described white LED 39 is attached, and a predetermined angle from the element mounting portion 36C toward the reading surface 36A. A light emitting path 36D extending in a slanting manner, a cylindrical light receiving path 36E that intersects the light emitting path 36D at the position of the reading surface 36A and extends in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 38, and the light receiving path 36E and the substrate A sensor housing portion 36F is provided which is located between the support surface 36B and formed by recessing the substrate support surface 36B.

  Further, in the sensor base 36, a terminal accommodating portion 36G formed by recessing a substrate support surface 36B from the longitudinal direction intermediate portion to the rear end portion in order to accommodate a connection terminal 41 and the like which will be described later. Is provided. A lower surface 36H of the sensor base 36 becomes an outer surface extending in parallel with a substrate 38 to be described later, and the reading surface 36A is inclined obliquely upward by an angle α with respect to the lower surface 36H.

  On the other hand, the sensor cover 37 is formed as a cover that covers the substrate support surface 36B of the sensor base 36 together with the substrate 38 from above, and two openings 37A and 37B are provided on the upper surface side with a gap in the front and rear directions. It has been. Among these, the opening 37A on the front side serves as a viewing window for the display lamp 43 described later, and is actually closed with a transparent thin film or the like. A rear switch 42 described later is disposed in the other opening 37B located on the rear side, and the switch operation is possible from the outside of the sensor cover 37.

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a substrate provided in the sensor case 35 so as to extend in the length direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 38 is formed as a printed board composed of a rectangular thin plate extending in the length direction. . A white LED 39 and a photodiode 40 which will be described later are provided on one side surface (lower surface side) of the substrate 38, and a connection terminal 41 and the like which will be described later are attached to the rear side of the substrate 38. Further, a back switch 42 and a display lamp 43, which will be described later, are attached to the other side surface (upper surface side) of the substrate 38 with a gap therebetween.

  Reference numeral 39 denotes a white LED as a light-emitting element, and the white LED 39 is attached to the substrate 38 while being inclined at an angle β as shown in FIG. 5. In this state, the element mounting portion 36C of the sensor base 36 is mounted. It is mounted and positioned inside. Here, the white LED 39 emits white light toward the reading surface 36A via the light emission path 36D of the sensor base 36, and this light is wound around the detection target (for example, the upper thread bobbin 11A) at the position of the reading surface 36A. The reflected upper thread S) is reflected and returned to the light receiving path 36E.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes a photodiode as a light receiving element. The photodiode 40 is mounted so as to be superposed on the front surface (lower surface) of the substrate 38. In this state, the photodiode 40 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating portion 36F of the sensor base 36. It is positioned. Here, the photodiode 40 reflects light reflected by the white LED 39 (that is, light reflected by the detection target at the position of the reading surface 36A and guided into the light receiving path 36E) in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 38. Receive light.

  The light reflected by the detection object (for example, the upper thread S wound around the upper thread bobbin 11A) is received by the photodiode 40 as light having a different wavelength according to the color of the object. Therefore, the color identification device 34 as a color sensor detects the color (color) of the detection target from the wavelength of the light received by the photodiode 40 so as to read it as color identification information.

  The reading surface 36A of the sensor case 35 (sensor base 36) is formed so as to be inclined obliquely by a predetermined angle α with respect to the surface of the substrate 38 (that is, a surface parallel to the lower surface of the sensor base 36). . The white LED 39 is attached to the substrate 38 in an inclined state with respect to the surface of the substrate 38 by a predetermined angle β, and the light emission path 36D is also inclined at the same angle β. The light emission path 36D intersects the reading surface 36A at an angle γ, and this intersection angle (angle γ) is set to an angle that satisfies the following equation (1).

  The light emitting path 36D intersects the light receiving path 36E at an angle δ, and this intersection angle (angle δ) is set to an angle that satisfies the following formula 2. The light receiving path 36E intersects the reading surface 36A at an angle η, and this intersecting angle (angle η) is set to an angle satisfying the following equation (3) from the relationship between equations (1) and (2).

  Here, the angle γ corresponds to an incident angle when white light from the white LED 39 (light emission path 36D) is irradiated to the detection target at the position of the reading surface 36A, and the angle η is the light at this time. This corresponds to the reflection angle when the object to be detected is reflected toward the light receiving path 36E (photodiode 40) at the position 36A. Therefore, in order to set the incident light (angle γ) and the reflected light (angle η) to the same angle (for example, 55 degrees) and the light reflectance to 100%, the angles α, β, γ, δ , Η may be set to satisfy the following equation (4).

  On the other hand, the distance L1 from the tip of the white LED 39 to the reading surface 36A is set in the range of 3 to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 4.0 to 4.8 mm. The distance L2 from the light receiving surface of the photodiode 40 to the reading surface 36A is set in a range of 2.5 to 5 mm, preferably in a range of 3.0 to 3.8 mm. As a result, the lengths of the light emitting path 36D and the light receiving path 36E can be set to the minimum necessary length. For example, by setting the distances L1 and L2 to 5 mm or less, the color identification device 34 (that is, a color sensor). As a result, it was confirmed that the reading performance can be improved.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a connection terminal attached to the rear side of the substrate 38. The connection terminal 41 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 36G of the sensor base 36, and is sandwiched between the sensor base 36 and the substrate 38 in the sensor case 35. Is provided. The connection terminal 41 is provided with a flexible lead wire 41A extending to the outside of the sensor case 35. The lead wire 41A is connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the operation control device 21 as shown in FIG. It is detachably connected. When a back switch 42 described later is turned on, power is supplied from the operation control device 21 to the white LED 39, the photodiode 40, and the like mounted on the substrate 38 via the lead wire 41A and the connection terminal 41.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a back switch as an operation switch provided on the back surface (upper surface) side of the substrate 38. The back switch 42 is disposed at a position facing the opening 37B of the sensor cover 37 and is located outside the sensor cover 37 (ie, The sensor case 35 is turned on and off by the operator's fingertip or the like. When the back switch 42 is pressed (ON), power is supplied (energized) from the outside to the white LED 39, the photodiode 40, and the like in the sensor case 35 via the lead wire 41A.

  Reference numeral 43 is a display lamp provided on the back surface (upper surface) side of the substrate 38. The display lamp 43 is disposed at a position facing the opening 37A of the sensor cover 37 at the top and bottom, and indicates the lighting state of the display lamp 43. The sensor case 35 can be confirmed from the outside through an opening 37A (actually closed with a transparent film or the like). When the white LED 39 is energized by the operation of the back switch 42, the display lamp 43 displays the operating state of the color identification device 34 by lighting and the color detected by the photodiode 40 (that is, the read color identification information). Color) is displayed in a system color such as red, blue, or yellow.

  Here, the operator of the embroidery machine approaches the upper thread bobbin 11A of the thread stand 11 while holding the sensor case 35 of the color identification device 34 with a fingertip or the like, for example, as shown in FIG. The reading surface 36A of the base 36 is brought into contact with the upper thread S wound around the upper thread bobbin 11A so as to be pressed. Thereby, the periphery of the reading surface 36A of the sensor base 36 is shielded from external light, and in this state, the back switch 42 is pressed (ON operation) with a fingertip to energize (activate) the color identification device 34. The color of the upper thread S wound around one upper thread bobbin 11A is read. After that, the color of the upper thread S wound around the other upper thread bobbin 11A is read, and the operation is repeated for each upper thread bobbin 11A so that the color of each upper thread S can be individually identified. To do. Similarly, the color identification information used as the color sample of the embroidery data can be read from the thread color instruction sheet 44 described later using the color identification device 34 as described later.

  The reading surface 36A of the color identification device 34 is not necessarily inclined with respect to the lower surface 36H of the sensor base 36, and is to be detected with respect to the detection target (for example, the upper thread S or the thread color instruction sheet 44). Any reading surface can be used as long as it can be brought into flat and stable contact. The light receiving element of the color identification device 34 is not limited to the photodiode 40 described above, and a color sensor may be configured by using an imaging element such as a CCD camera, for example.

  44 is a thread color instruction sheet which is a color sample of embroidery data. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, the thread color instruction sheet 44 is printed with a sample 44A of an embroidery pattern “123456789” printed on the lower side. Is a pattern number “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, in which the color swatch 44B for each of the pattern areas “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”. Similarly, “C04”, “C05”,...

  Therefore, the operator approaches the color sample 44B of the thread color instruction sheet 44 while holding the sensor case 35 of the color identification device 34, and the reading surface 36A of the sensor base 36 is designated with the pattern numbers “C01” and “C02” of the color sample 44B. , “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,... In this state, and in this state, the color identification device 34 is sequentially energized (ON operation) to operate. Thereby, the colors of the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,... Are read by the color identification device 34 as individual color identification information. As an example, the pattern number “C01” is brown (brown), the pattern number “C02” is red, the pattern number “C03” is orange, the pattern number “C04” is yellow, and the pattern number “C05”. Are displayed in different colors as green.

  Reference numeral 45 denotes a placement portion of the thread color instruction sheet 44 provided on the base 1 of the embroidery machine. The placement portion 45 is provided on the unit case 23 of the operation control device 21 as shown in FIGS. It is formed as a flat surface for placing the thread color instruction sheet 44 at a predetermined position on the base 1 on the front side of the unit case 23 in the vicinity position. The placement unit 45 of the thread color instruction sheet 44 is installed at a position within a predetermined short distance (for example, 0.2 to 1.5 meters) from the unit case 23 of the operation control device 21. . For this reason, the operator can easily read the color information of the thread color instruction sheet 44 in a state where the color identification device 34 is brought close to the mounting portion 45 of the base 1 by manual operation.

  The multi-head type automatic embroidery machine according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation thereof will be described.

  First, on the thread stand 11 of the embroidery machine, for example, nine upper thread bobbins 11A (a total of 54 upper thread bobbins 11A), each paired for every six heads 5, are installed. Then, each upper thread S individually pulled out from these upper thread bobbins 11A is guided to the front surface side of the thread tension base 12 serving as a thread path forming base, and is sandwiched between the respective thread tensions 13 to be held between each upper thread S. The tension of the can be adjusted. Next, on the downstream side of each thread tension 13, each upper thread S is guided to each sewing needle 16 while being inserted through a thread insertion hole (not shown) of each balance 14.

  Next, in this state, when the spindle 9 is driven to rotate by the spindle motor 8 and the balance driving unit and the needle bar driving unit of the head unit 5 are operated, the needle bar 15 selected by the color changing mechanism 10 is moved to the needle bar. The drive unit can be driven up and down together with the sewing needle 16, and the sewing needle 16 can be moved with respect to the embroidery cloth on the moving frame 17 side. Further, the balance 14 selected by the color changing mechanism 10 is also driven up and down according to the rotation of the main shaft 9 by the balance driving unit.

  Then, the upper thread S of the desired color selected by the color changing mechanism 10 is moved from one of the upper thread bobbins 11A on the thread stand 11 through the thread tension 13 or the like by moving the balance 14 upward or downward. Supplied to the sewing needle 16 side. During this time, a rotary hook (not shown) on the lower thread side is rotated so that each upper thread S and the lower thread are entangled, and the lower thread is fed as the rotary hook rotates. As a result, the upper thread S is sewn on the embroidery cloth on the moving frame 17 side as the sewing needle 16 moves, and each time the sewing needle 16 forms a seam on the embroidery cloth, the upper thread S becomes the sewing needle 16. The embroidery pattern is formed based on the embroidery data.

  By the way, when changing the color of the embroidery pattern or confirming the pattern color, the color of the upper thread S inserted through each sewing needle 16 of the embroidery machine is stored in the internal memory unit 28 of the embroidery machine. It is necessary to keep it. However, in the prior art, the color adjustment dialog displayed on the screen of the color display 25 is used to store the color of the upper thread S inserted through each sewing needle 16 of the embroidery machine in the internal memory unit 28 of the embroidery machine. Etc., the color tone (red, green, blue) is adjusted manually by hand, so that the color of the upper thread S visually confirmed by the operator is reproduced on the screen of the color display 25. Work is required, and a great deal of labor and time is consumed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in the operation preparation stage before actually creating the embroidery pattern, the color designation update process of the color changing function by automatic teaching shown in FIG. Reading and storing the color of the yarn S can be simplified.

  That is, when the power switch 26 of the operation control device 21 is turned on and the program shown in FIG. 10 is started, embroidery data is read in step 1. The embroidery data in this case may be embroidery data stored in the internal memory unit 28 or embroidery data newly read from the external storage device 33. In this case, the case where an embroidery pattern 46 “123456789” is displayed according to the embroidery data on the screen 25A of the color display 25 as shown in FIG. 11 will be described as an example.

  In the next step 2, automatic teaching is selected by operating the operation unit 24 of the operation control device 21, and an automatic teaching screen 47 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen 25 </ b> A of the color display 25. Here, since the automatic teaching screen 47 is an initial screen before color reading using the color identification device 34, for example, needle numbers “N01” to “N10” corresponding to the order of the needle bar 15 (sewing needle 16). Is a display in which all the color displays are blank.

  In the next step 3, it is determined whether or not to perform color reading of the thread color instruction sheet 44 using the color identification device 34. If “NO” is determined in the step 3, there is a necessary process before the color reading of the thread color instruction 44 is performed. For example, the color of the upper thread S inserted into each sewing needle 16 of the embroidery machine is the color of the embroidery machine. It can be determined that this is the state before being stored in the internal memory unit 28.

  Therefore, in the next step 4, the color identification device 34 is used to read the color of each upper thread S from each upper thread bobbin 11 </ b> A of the thread stand 11 so as to be individually identified. That is, the operator approaches the upper thread bobbins 11A of the thread stand 11 while holding the sensor case 35 of the color identification device 34, and the upper thread wound around the upper thread bobbin 11A with the reading surface 36A of the sensor base 36. The color of the upper thread S is read as color identification information for each upper thread bobbin 11A so as to be in contact with S.

  As a result, the automatic teaching screen 47 after color reading shown in FIG. 14 shows the needle number “N01” according to the color of the upper thread S wound around each upper thread bobbin 11A (that is, the color read by the color identification device 34). "Is displayed in blue, for example, and the needle number" N02 "is displayed in purple. The needle number “N03” is displayed in black, the needle number “N04” is displayed in gray, and the needle number “N05” is displayed in green. Furthermore, the needle number “N06” is displayed in brown, the needle number “N07” is displayed in red, the needle number “N08” is displayed in orange, and the needle number “N09” is displayed in yellow. The needle number “N10” is displayed as a blank because there is no corresponding upper thread.

  Next, in step 5, the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data is updated according to the color of each upper thread S read in step 4. In the next step 6, the pattern information based on the embroidery data in which the color designation of the color changing function is updated according to the colors of the needle numbers “N01” to “N09” is output to the color display 25. On the 25 screen 25A, a multicolor embroidery pattern based on the changed embroidery data is displayed as shown in FIG.

  That is, the embroidery pattern 48 based on the embroidery data after the color designation change shown in FIG. 15 is a blue color in which the pattern color of the pattern region “1” in the embroidery pattern 48 “123456789” corresponds to the color of the needle number “N01”. Thus, the pattern color of the pattern area “2” is purple corresponding to the color of the needle number “N02”. In the embroidery pattern 48, the pattern color of the pattern area “3” is black corresponding to the color of the needle number “N03”, and the pattern color of the pattern area “4” is gray corresponding to the color of the needle number “N04”. Thus, the pattern color of the pattern area “5” is displayed as green corresponding to the color of the needle number “N05”. Furthermore, the pattern color of the pattern area “6” is brown (brown) corresponding to the color of the needle number “N06”, the pattern color of the pattern area “7” is red corresponding to the color of the needle number “N07”, The pattern color of the area “8” is orange corresponding to the color of the needle number “N08”, and the pattern color of the pattern area “9” is displayed as yellow corresponding to the color of the needle number “N09”.

  In the next step 7, the process returns, and the processes after step 1 are repeated. If “YES” is determined in step 3, the process of step 8 is executed in order to perform color reading of the thread color instruction sheet 44 using the color identification device 34. That is, in step 8, the color identification device 44 </ b> B is displayed on the color sample 44 </ b> B of the thread color instruction sheet 44 previously placed on the placement portion 45 on the base 1 with the operator holding the sensor case 35 of the color identification device 34. 34 is brought closer, and the reading surface 36A of the sensor base 36 is brought into contact with the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,. As a result, the colors of the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,.

  In this case, the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data is updated according to the color read from the thread color instruction sheet 44 in the next step 5. In the next step 6, the pattern information based on the embroidery data in which the color designation of the color changing function is updated according to the colors of the pattern numbers “C01” to “C09” is output to the color display 25. On the 25 screen 25A, a multicolor embroidery pattern based on the changed embroidery data is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Here, as described above, the color identification information of the upper thread S read by the color identification device 34 is compared with the color identification information read from the thread color instruction sheet 44, and the embroidery data of the embroidery data is matched so that both colors match. It is also possible to perform a color change function update process for updating the color change function as necessary.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the input / output control unit 29 of the control device 20 (operation control device 21) is connected to the color identification device 34 that reads the colors of the plurality of upper threads S as the respective color identification information. The embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 is provided with a color designation updating unit (FIG. 5) for updating the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data based on the color identification information of the upper thread S of each color read by the color identification device 34. 10), and display control means for outputting pattern information based on the embroidery data in which the color designation by the color changing function is updated to the color display 25 and displaying the multicolor embroidery pattern on the screen by the color display 25 (FIG. 10 step 6).

  As described above, the color of the upper thread S is individually set for each of the plurality of upper thread bobbins 11 </ b> A installed on the thread stand 11 by the color identification device 34 connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the control apparatus 20. Can be identified and read. Then, the embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 can update the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data based on the color identification information of the upper thread S of each color read by the color identification device 34.

  Accordingly, the embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 outputs the pattern information based on the embroidery data in which the color designation by the color change function is updated in this way to the color display 25, and the multicolor embroidery pattern based on the updated embroidery data. Can be displayed on the screen by the color display 25. Therefore, the operator of the embroidery machine (operation control device 21) can easily change the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data simply by operating the color identification device 34 as described above. Can be improved.

  In addition, the color identification device 34 inclines the reading surface 36A of the sensor case 35 obliquely with respect to the substrate 38 (the lower surface 36H of the sensor base 36) by an angle α, and the white light is directed to the reading surface 36A at a predetermined angle. A white LED 39 that emits light with γ is attached obliquely with respect to the substrate 38 at an angle β, and the photodiode 40 provided so as to overlap the surface of the substrate 38 is perpendicular to the substrate 38 with the reflected light of the white LED 39. The light is received in various directions.

  For this reason, the incident angle (angle γ) when white light from the white LED 39 (light emission path 36D) is applied to the detection target (upper thread S wound around the upper thread bobbin 11A) at the position of the reading surface 36A, and If the reflection angle (angle η) when the light at this time is reflected by the detection object toward the light receiving path 36E (photodiode 40) at the position of the reading surface 36A is set to an equal angle (for example, 55 degrees). The reflectance of light can be set to 100%, and the angles α, β, γ, δ, and η can be set to satisfy the above formula 4.

  The distance L1 from the tip of the white LED 39 to the reading surface 36A is set to a range of 3 to 5 mm, preferably 4.0 to 4.8 mm, and the distance from the light receiving surface of the photodiode 40 to the reading surface 36A is set. The distance L2 can be set in a range of 2.5 to 5 mm, preferably in a range of 3.0 to 3.8 mm. As a result, the lengths of the light emitting path 36D and the light receiving path 36E can be set to the minimum necessary length. For example, by setting the distances L1 and L2 to 5 mm or less, the color identification device 34 (that is, a color sensor). As a result, the reading performance can be improved with certainty.

  In addition, since the substrate 38 can be disposed in the sensor case 35 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, each element (white LED 39, photodiode 40) is disposed at the angles α, β, γ, δ, and η described above. Workability at the time of processing, manufacture, and assembly can be improved, and the reading performance as a color sensor using the white LED 39 and the photodiode 40 can be reliably improved.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the color for each upper thread S wound around the plurality of upper thread bobbins 11A can be stably detected by the color identification device 34 and read as individual color identification information. The color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data can be easily changed. In addition, since the embroidery data with the color designation changed can be displayed in color on the screen 25A of the color display 25, the color designation can be changed by the color change function while checking the color arrangement while performing the color display. It can also be performed by additional operations.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the embroidery data after the color designation change by the color change function can be output to the outside via the external storage device 33 such as a USB memory. For this reason, for example, if the order (arrangement or arrangement) of the upper threads S wound around each upper thread bobbin 11A is the same, the embroidery data after the color designation change can be used as appropriate even in a plurality of embroidery machines. Can do. Moreover, the present invention can be applied with high versatility to current embroidery machines.

  Next, FIG. 16 to FIG. 22 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and the feature of this embodiment is that a plurality of upper thread colors are individually detected by a plurality of color sensor units. It is in. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes the color identification device employed in the second embodiment, and the color identification device 51 extends leftward and rightward on the upper end side of the thread tension base 12 in each head portion 5 of the embroidery machine. Is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the color identification device 51 is positioned between the plurality of balances 14 and the upper thread bobbins 11 </ b> A (see FIG. 2) of the thread stand 11 and arranged side by side above the thread tension base 12. A plurality of color sensor units 56 (described later) provided in the state are provided, and each color sensor unit 56 individually reads the color of each upper thread S supplied from each upper thread bobbin 11A toward each balance 14. It has become.

  Here, the color identification device 51 includes a white LED 39, a photodiode 40, and the like, similarly to the color identification device 34 described in the first embodiment. However, in this case, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the color identification device 51 includes a mounting plate 53 and a case in which a sensor case 52 forming an outer shell of the device 51 is elongated in the left and right directions. A main body 54 and a cover 55 are included.

  The mounting plate 53 is made of a plate material bent in two stages in an L-shaped cross section, and extends in the left and right directions (in the directions of arrows A and B in FIG. 16) with substantially the same length as the thread tension base 12. Yes. A pair of attachment pieces 53A are provided on the lower end side of the attachment plate 53 so as to be separated from each other in the left and right directions, and each attachment piece 53A is fixed to the upper end side of the thread tension base 12 using screws or the like. As a result, the sensor case 52 of the color identification device 51 is installed on the upper end side of the thread tension base 12 so as to extend leftward and rightward.

  The case body 54 is molded using, for example, an electrically insulating resin material, and extends in the left and right directions with the same length as the mounting plate 53 and is fixed so as to be integrated with the front side of the mounting plate 53. Yes. Here, the case main body 54 has a triangular section and a base portion 54A that protrudes to the front side (front side with respect to the mounting plate 53), and the upper and lower directions so as to border the four peripheries of the base portion 54A. As shown in FIG. 18, the frame plate portion 54B is formed spaced apart in the left and right directions and extends rearward to a position where it contacts the mounting plate 53, and the base portion 54A is spaced in the left and right directions. A plurality of (for example, nine) yarn passage grooves 54 </ b> C extending in a “<” shape.

  As shown in FIG. 20, each thread passage groove 54C of the case main body 54 has an upper inclined surface as a reading surface 54D for reading the color of the upper thread S or the like. The reading surface 54D is the same as that in the first embodiment. Similar to the reading surface 36A described above, it is inclined obliquely with respect to the substrate 57 described later by an angle α (see FIG. 5). A plurality of (for example, nine) element mounting portions 54E to which the white LEDs 39 are attached to the base portion 54A of the case main body 54, which are formed at positions obliquely intersecting the reading surfaces 54D of the respective thread passage grooves 54C. A cylindrical light-emitting path 54F extending at an angle determined from each element mounting portion 54E toward each reading surface 54D intersects at the position of each light-emitting path 54F and each reading surface 54D, which will be described later. A cylindrical light receiving path 54 </ b> G extending in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 57 and a substrate support portion 54 </ b> H (for example, two) for mounting a substrate 57 described later between the mounting plate 53 and the case main body 54 are provided. It has been.

  The cover 55 is a light shielding cover that blocks external light from entering the position of each reading surface 54D of the case body 54, and extends in the left and right directions so as to detachably cover the case body 54 from the outside. Is formed. On one side (for example, the left end portion) of the cover 55, a hinge portion 55A for attaching the cover 55 to the case main body 54 so as to be openable and closable (turnable) is provided. In addition, a plurality of (for example, nine) cutout portions 55B are formed at positions corresponding to the thread passage grooves 54C of the case main body 54 at the upper and lower positions of the cover 55, respectively. These notches 55B have a function of stably guiding the upper thread S extending upward and downward into each thread passage groove 54C as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes a plurality (for example, nine) of color sensor units that constitute the main part of the color identification device 51. Each of the color sensor units 56 includes each thread passage groove 54C formed in the case body 54 of the sensor case 52, FIG. 22 shows each reading surface 54D, each element mounting portion 54E, each light emitting path 54F and each light receiving path 54G, each notch 55B formed on the upper and lower positions of the cover 55, and a substrate 57 described later. In this way, each of the plurality of white LEDs 39 and the photodiodes 40 are provided in a side-by-side state. Each color sensor unit 56 individually reads the color of each upper thread S supplied from each upper thread bobbin 11 </ b> A toward each balance 14 by each white LED 39 and the photodiode 40.

  Reference numeral 57 denotes a substrate provided in the sensor case 52 so as to extend in the length direction, and the substrate 57 is formed as a printed board made of a rectangular thin plate like the substrate 38 described in the first embodiment. ing. However, the substrate 57 in this case is fixed to the substrate support portion 54 </ b> H of the case main body 54 using screws 58 or the like, and is accommodated between the mounting plate 53 and the case main body 54.

  Here, as described in the first embodiment, the white LED 39 of each color sensor unit 56 is attached to the surface side of the substrate 57 with the attachment angle of the angle β (see FIG. 5). The photodiodes 40 of each color sensor unit 56 are mounted so as to be superimposed on the surface of the substrate 57, and reflected by the white LED 39 (that is, reflected by the upper thread S at the position of the reading surface 54D). The light guided into the light receiving path 54G is received in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 57.

  Also, for each color sensor unit 56 of the color identification device 51 employed in the second embodiment, the reading surface 54D of the case main body 54 is inclined at an angle α with respect to the substrate 57 to read white light. A white LED 39 that emits light with a predetermined angle γ (see FIG. 5) toward 54D is attached to the substrate 57 at an angle β with respect to the substrate 57, and the photodiode 40 provided so as to overlap the surface of the substrate 57 is provided. The light reflected by the white LED 39 is received in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 57.

  For this reason, the incident angle (angle γ) when white light from the white LED 39 (light emission path 54F) is irradiated to the detection target (upper thread S in each thread passage groove 54C) at the position of the reading surface 54D, and this If the reflection angle (angle η) when the light is reflected toward the light receiving path 54G (photodiode 40) by the detection object at the position of the reading surface 54D is set to an equal angle (for example, 55 degrees), the light The angles α, β, γ, δ, and η can be set to satisfy the above equation (4).

  Further, the distance L1 (see FIG. 5) from the tip of the white LED 39 to the reading surface 54D is set in the range of 3 to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 4.0 to 4.8 mm, and from the light receiving surface of the photodiode 40. The distance L2 to the reading surface 54D can be set in the range of 2.5 to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 3.0 to 3.8 mm. Accordingly, the lengths of the light emission path 54F and the light reception path 54G can be set to the minimum necessary length. For example, by setting the distances L1 and L2 to 5 mm or less, the color identification device 51 (that is, a color sensor). As a result, the reading performance can be improved.

  Thus, also in the second embodiment configured as described above, the colors of the plurality of upper threads S can be individually read by using the color identification device 51, and substantially the same operation and effect as the first embodiment. Can be obtained. In particular, in the present embodiment, a color identification device 51 is provided between each upper thread bobbin 11A of the thread stand 11 and the thread tension table 12, and above the thread tension table 12, the color identification device 51 being The plurality of color sensor portions 56 provided side by side in the left and right directions of the thread tension base 12 are provided.

  Therefore, the color of each upper thread S supplied from each upper thread bobbin 11A (see FIG. 2) of the thread stand 11 to each thread tension 13 of the thread tension base 12 and each balance 14 of the needle bar case 7 is changed. Each color sensor unit 56 can individually read and color identification information using the color identification device 51 can be read automatically and collectively.

  In the first embodiment, in the program shown in FIG. 10, step 5 shows a specific example of the color designation updating means of the color changing function, which is a constituent requirement of the present invention, and step 6 is the display control. A specific example of the means is shown.

  In each of the above embodiments, the multi-head automatic embroidery machine having a total of six head portions 5 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a single-head automatic embroidery machine having a single head part, and may also be applied to an embroidery machine having two or more head parts. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2, 3 Side frame 4 Head support 5 Head part 7 Needle bar case 8 Spindle motor 9 Spindle 10 Color change mechanism 11 Thread stand (upper thread storage part)
11A Upper thread bobbin 12 Thread tension stand 14 Balance 15 Needle bar 16 Sewing needle 17 Moving frame (embroidery frame)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Frame moving mechanism 19 Needle plate 20 Control apparatus 21 Operation control apparatus 22 Bracket 23 Unit case 24 Operation part 25 Color indicator 26 Power switch 27 Embroidery control part 28 Internal memory part 29 Input / output control part 30 Drive control apparatus 33 External storage device 34, 51 Color identification device 35, 52 Sensor case 36A, 54D Reading surface 38, 57 Substrate 39 White LED (light emitting element)
40 Photodiode (light receiving element)
41 Connection terminal 42 Rear switch (operation switch)
43 Indicator lamp 44 Thread color instruction sheet 48 Embroidery pattern 56 Color sensor part S Upper thread

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the input / output control unit of the control device is connected to a color identification device that individually reads the colors of the plurality of upper threads as color identification information. The color identification device includes a sensor case provided with a reading surface that comes into contact with the upper thread to read the color of the upper thread, and a substrate provided in the sensor case so as to extend in the length direction. And a light emitting element that is attached obliquely to the substrate and emits white light at a predetermined angle toward the reading surface, and is provided so as to overlap with the substrate in the sensor case, A light receiving element for receiving light reflected by the upper thread in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and a reading surface of the sensor case is formed with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the substrate The light-emitting element, light-receiving element And the a configuration to shorten the distance between the reading surface, embroidery control unit of the control device, the color of updating the color specified by the color change function of the embroidery data based on the color identification information read by the color identification device Designation updating means, and display control for outputting pattern information of the embroidery data in which the color designation of the color changing function is updated by the color designation updating means to the display unit, and displaying the multicolor embroidery pattern on the display unit And a means having the means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the color identification device includes a plurality of color sensor units that are provided between the upper thread storage unit and the balances and are arranged side by side on the head unit. The color sensor sections individually read the colors of the upper threads supplied from the upper thread storage sections toward the balances.

Further , the color identification device is configured so that the reading surface of the sensor case that is in contact with the upper thread for reading the upper thread color is inclined with respect to the substrate provided in the sensor case by extending in the length direction. The light receiving element that is inclined and attached to the substrate is inclined obliquely with respect to the substrate and emits white light toward the reading surface at a predetermined angle. The light reflected by the upper thread is received in the direction perpendicular to the substrate. For this reason, the reflectance of the light on the reading surface can be brought close to 100%, the distance (light path) between the light emitting element and the light receiving element and the reading surface can be shortened, and the reading performance as a color sensor can be improved. The workability at the time of processing, manufacturing and assembly can be improved.

In the invention of claim 2, since the color identification device is constituted by a plurality of color sensor portions that are located between the upper thread storage portion and each balance and are provided side by side on the head portion of the embroidery machine, The color of each upper thread supplied from the upper thread storage unit to each balance can be individually read by each color sensor unit, and the color identification information reading operation using the color identification device is automatically performed collectively. It can be carried out.

Claims (3)

A base for embroidery, a head portion that is mounted on the base and selectively drives a plurality of sewing needles and a plurality of balances according to the rotation of the main shaft, and an upper thread is respectively applied to each sewing needle and the balance of the head portion. An upper thread storage unit that stores upper threads of a plurality of colors to be supplied, and a sewing machine needle through which any one of the upper threads of the plurality of colors supplied from the upper thread storage unit is inserted A color changing mechanism provided in the head unit for selectively driving together, a frame moving mechanism for moving an embroidery frame provided on the base below the head unit; A control device that controls the rotation of the spindle according to embroidery data including a color change function and drives and controls the color change mechanism and the frame moving mechanism;
The control device drives and controls the main case, the color changing mechanism, and the frame moving mechanism according to the operation of the operation unit provided in the unit case and the operation unit operated by the operator. An embroidery control unit for performing embroidery data including the color change function in an updatable manner, an input / output control unit for inputting / outputting external data to / from the internal memory unit, and the unit In an embroidery machine provided with a display unit that is provided on the front side of the case and displays information and data necessary for embroidery on the screen,
The input / output control unit of the control device is provided with a color identification device that individually reads the plurality of upper thread colors as respective color identification information,
An embroidery control unit of the control device, color designation updating means for updating color designation by a color change function of the embroidery data based on the color identification information read by the color identification device;
A display control unit configured to output pattern information of the embroidery data in which the color designation of the color changing function is updated by the color designation updating unit to the display unit, and to display a multicolor embroidery pattern on the screen by the display unit; An embroidery machine characterized by that.   The color identification device includes a sensor case provided with a reading surface for reading the color of the upper thread, a substrate provided in the sensor case so as to extend in the length direction, and an angle with respect to the substrate. A light emitting element that is mounted at an angle and emits white light at a predetermined angle toward the reading surface, and a light reflected by the light emitting element that is provided to overlap the substrate in the sensor case. The embroidery machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a light receiving element that receives light in a vertical direction, wherein the reading surface of the sensor case is formed with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the substrate.   The color identification device includes a plurality of color sensor units provided between the upper thread storage unit and the balances and arranged side by side on the head unit. The embroidery machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the embroidery machine is configured to individually read a color of each upper thread supplied from a thread storage unit toward each balance.

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