JP3424862B2 - Automatic embroidery machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embroidery object (hereinafter referred to as an embroidery cloth) such as socks or left and right body of a baby's clothes. The present invention relates to an automatic embroidery machine suitably used to realize an inverted embroidery pattern by so-called "alternate sewing". 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an embroidery machine main body provided with a drive source for driving a main shaft to rotate, a head portion provided on the embroidery machine main body and reciprocating a driving unit by rotation of the main shaft, An embroidery needle which is provided to be able to move up and down (reciprocate) and which is driven toward an embroidery cloth via a needle shaft by a drive unit of the head unit; A pair of left and right embroidery frames that are movably provided on a base of the machine body and hold the embroidery cloth in an extended state, and a frame that moves both the left and right embroidery frames relative to the head unit. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an automatic embroidery machine including a moving mechanism and a control device that controls the operation of the driving source of the frame moving mechanism based on embroidery data and realizes an embroidery pattern on the embroidery cloth. [0003] In this type of automatic embroidery machine according to the prior art,
For example, when one set of embroidery is implemented on the left and right sides of an embroidery cloth as an embroidery object such as a sock by so-called "alternating sewing", these embroidery cloths are respectively placed in a pair of left and right embroidery frames. Hold in the extended state. In this state, the drive unit of the head unit is reciprocated while the main shaft is rotated by the drive source, and the drive unit drives the embroidery needles in the vertical direction.
The left and right embroidery frames are moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions together by a frame moving mechanism, so that the embroidery needles are moved relative to the embroidery cloth. To achieve an embroidery pattern. In this case, in order to efficiently perform the "alternate sewing" on the embroidery cloth held in a pair of left and right embroidery frames in an expanded state, for example, when embroidery is completed in the left embroidery frame. To manually move the entire embroidery frame
Move the frame in the axial direction to perform embroidery in the next right embroidery frame.At this time, remove the left embroidery frame that has already been embroidered from the frame moving mechanism side, replace it with a new embroidery cloth, and This embroidery frame is mounted on the frame moving mechanism side. When the embroidery is completed in the right embroidery frame, the entire embroidery frame is moved again in the X-axis direction by manually operating the jog key or the like again, and embroidery is performed in the next left embroidery frame. At this time, while removing the right embroidery frame from the frame moving mechanism side, replacing it with a new embroidery cloth, attaching this embroidery frame to the frame moving mechanism side again, and repeating these operations in order, a large number of "Alternate sewing" is performed efficiently on the embroidery cloth. In the above-mentioned prior art, an embroidery pattern is realized by so-called "alternating sewing" for each embroidery cloth held in a pair of left and right embroidery frames in an extended state. For example, when the embroidery is completed in the left embroidery frame, the jog key or the like is manually operated to move the entire embroidery frame in the X-axis direction, and when the embroidery is completed in the next right embroidery frame, The embroidery is moved in the opposite direction in the X-axis direction by manually operating the jog key again and the embroidery is performed in the next left embroidery frame. Therefore, embroidery is performed in the left and right embroidery frames. It is necessary to manually operate the jog key and the like every time the operation is performed, and there is a problem that the "alternate sewing" operation becomes a very troublesome operation. As another conventional technique, for example, pattern data for performing embroidery in the left embroidery frame and pattern data for performing embroidery in the right embroidery frame are stored in advance as units in embroidery data. There is also known an arrangement in which embroidery is performed continuously in the left embroidery frame and the right embroidery frame. However, in this case, since the left pattern data and the right pattern data are stored as separate pattern data, the storage amount of the entire embroidery data substantially doubles,
There is a problem that the memory capacity of the control device needs to be increased extra, and the data configuration becomes complicated. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In the present invention, the embroidery data can be constituted by a single pattern data, and the structure of the embroidery data can be reliably simplified. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic embroidery machine which can easily realize an embroidery pattern by "alternate sewing" in the embroidery frame on the right side and can greatly improve workability at the time of "alternate sewing". In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a head unit of an embroidery machine main body which can be moved up and down and which is driven by a drive source toward an embroidery cloth. An embroidery needle, a pair of left and right embroidery frames which are located below the head portion and are movably provided on a base of the embroidery machine main body and hold the embroidery cloth in an extended state; , A frame moving mechanism for moving the right embroidery frame relative to the head portion, and the frame moving mechanism and the driving source are operated and controlled based on the embroidery data, and an embroidery pattern is formed on the embroidery cloth by alternate stitching. The present invention is applied to an automatic embroidery machine including a control device to be realized. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the control device controls the embroidery cloth held in one of the left and right embroidery frames with respect to the embroidery cloth. 1
Embroidery control means for realizing the embroidery pattern of
An inversion operation means for performing an inversion operation of embroidery data to create a second embroidery pattern which is an inverted embroidery pattern of the embroidery pattern, and held in the other one of the left and right embroidery frames. The second embroidery cloth is inverted by the inversion operation means.
A second embroidering control means for the embroidery pattern realization, the numerical input
Pre-entered number for alternate stitching using force keys
A frame for automatically moving each of the embroidery frames from an end point of one of the first and second embroidery patterns toward a start point of the other embroidery pattern based on the value data; Movement control means , wherein the frame movement control means is the first embroidery control means.
When the first embroidery pattern is realized, the end of the first embroidery pattern
From the end point to the start point of the second embroidery pattern.
The embroidery frames are automatically moved based on the data
When the second embroidery pattern is realized by the second embroidery control means
Opening of the first embroidery pattern from the end point of the second embroidery pattern
Each of the embroidery frames is automatically moved to the starting point based on the numerical data.
That is , the frame is dynamically moved . According to the above construction, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
When the first embroidery pattern is realized by the first embroidery control means for the embroidery cloth held in one of the left and right embroidery frames , the frame movement control means inputs a numerical value. Key to
Based on numerical data input in advance for alternate stitching.
Then, each embroidery frame can be automatically moved from the end point of the first embroidery pattern to the start point of the second embroidery pattern . Soshi
Te, then continuously implemented by the second embroidering control means, the second embroidery pattern and the first embroidery pattern is a pattern obtained by inverting, with respect to the embroidery cloth held by the other of the embroidery frame Can ,
Embroidery by so-called "alternate sewing" can be performed substantially non-stop. [0014] In this case, the first in the previous Symbol the second of embroidery control means 2
When realizing the embroidery pattern, due the Turkey moves automatically the respective embroidery frame toward the end point of the second embroidery pattern at the beginning of the first embroidery pattern, for example, other embroidery When performing embroidery in the frame, the operator removes one embroidery frame that has already been embroidered from the frame moving mechanism side, replaces it with a new embroidery cloth, and mounts this embroidery frame on the frame moving mechanism side again. In this case, the first embroidery pattern can be continuously realized by the first embroidery control means on the embroidery cloth exchanged and held in one of the embroidery frames. It can be performed repeatedly. Then, using keys for inputting numerical values,
Te, for example the left, by previously inputted as numerical data the interval between the right of the embroidery frame, frame movement control means can automatically frame moving each embroidery frame, the respective embroidery frame of one of the embroidery pattern The embroidery pattern can be continuously (automatically) moved from the end point to the start point of the other embroidery pattern with a movement amount based on the numerical data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an automatic embroidery machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, taking a multi-head automatic embroidery machine as an example. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an embroidery machine main body constituting a main body of a multi-head embroidery machine. The embroidery machine main body 1 has a support base 2 as a base and extends on the support base 2 in the left-right direction. And a head holder 3 to which each of the head units 7 described later is attached, and a lighting device 4 is provided above the head holder 3. Further, a plurality of lower thread bobbins around which a lower thread is wound are provided below an embroidery frame 15 on the upper side of the support table 2 and below a needle plate (neither is shown). Are located in Reference numeral 5 denotes a spindle motor as a drive source provided on the support base 2. The spindle motor 5 rotationally drives a main shaft 6 extending on the support base 2 in the left-right direction. The embroidery needles 10 to be described later are reciprocated up and down by operating the driving unit of each head unit 7. Reference numerals 7, 7,... Denote a plurality of head portions arranged on the support base 2 and arranged at predetermined intervals on the head holder 3, and each of the head portions 7 is a head attached to the head holder 3. The main body 8 includes a drive unit (not shown) for driving the embroidery needles 10 up and down by the rotation of the main shaft 6 and a selection of an embroidery thread (upper thread). An actuator 9 (see FIG. 3) for performing color change is provided. .. Indicate a plurality of embroidery needles projecting downward from the head main body 8 of the head portion 7, and each of the embroidery needles 10 has an embroidery thread (upper end) of a different color for each head main body 8. thread) is mounted. And each of the embroidery needles 1
Numeral 0 is selectively driven by the driving unit via the color changing actuator 9, and the needle is moved toward the embroidery cloth to execute embroidery using an embroidery thread of a desired color. Numerals 11, 11,... Indicate upper thread guides for embroidery threads provided on the upper side of each head section 7. On the back side of each upper thread guide 11, embroidery threads of a plurality of colors are respectively provided. A bobbin table (not shown) for mounting a plurality of wound upper thread bobbins is provided. Reference numeral 12 denotes a movable frame which is located below the heads 7 and is movably provided on the support table 2. The movable frame 12 has a pair of left and right as shown in FIG. Holder 13,
A plurality of sets 13 are provided corresponding to the respective head portions 7, and embroidery frames 15 described later are detachably attached to the respective holders 13. The moving frame 12 constitutes a frame moving mechanism together with the frame moving actuator 14 shown in FIG.
Is moved in the X and Y directions. The frame moving actuator 14 is composed of an X-axis motor and a Y-axis motor, each of which is an electric motor such as a stepping motor. Reference numerals 15 and 15 denote a pair of left and right embroidery frames attached to each holder 13 with a frame interval L. The embroidery frames 15 form a pair with the moving frame 12 for each head 7. It is provided and is detachably attached to each holder 13 by an attraction part 16 made of a permanent magnet or the like. Also,
Each of the embroidery frames 15 is detachably provided with a holding frame 17 having a substantially elliptical shape. Each of the holding frames 17 is provided with an embroidery cloth (not shown) as an embroidery object such as a sock or the like on each of the embroidery frames 15. Hold in the extended state. Then, these embroidery cloths are moved in the X and Y directions together with the embroidery frames 15 and the moving frame 12 by the frame moving actuator 14, and at this time, the embroidery cloths are attached to the embroidery cloths in accordance with the movement of the embroidery needles 10. A predetermined embroidery pattern is formed (realized) based on the data. Reference numeral 18 denotes an operation unit provided on the support base 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 18 includes a display 19 as a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a lower side of the display 19. For example, there are provided six soft keys 20 arranged in a row to form a so-called interactive key, and ten keys 21 and a jog key 22 arranged below the soft keys 20 for inputting numerical values. When manually operated by an operator, the frame moving actuator 14 is operated to move the frame 12 (each embroidery frame 1).
5) is moved in the X and Y directions by an amount corresponding to the operation time. Reference numeral 23 denotes a control device including a microcomputer and the like provided in the embroidery machine main body 1;
3, the input side is connected to a start / stop switch 24, a numeric keypad 21, a soft key 20, a jog key 22, a floppy disk device 25, etc., as shown in FIG.
The output side is the spindle motor 5, the frame moving actuator 14,
Color changing actuator 9, jump solenoid 26,
It is connected to the display 19, the floppy disk device 25 and the like. Here, the floppy disk device 25 reads and writes embroidery data and the like stored on a storage medium such as a floppy disk. The jump solenoid 26 is composed of a rotary solenoid or the like, and is used when the color changing actuator 9 changes the color of the embroidery thread or when the embroidery needle 10 jumps over a certain moving amount (for example, 12.7 mm). The engagement between the drive unit of the head unit 7 and each of the embroidery needles 10 is temporarily released, and at this time, the embroidery needles 10 are held above the support table 2 in a hand stop state. The control device 23 stores the programs and the like shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in its storage circuit. In addition to the external data reading process from the floppy disk device 25, for example, the embroidery pattern by "alternate sewing" is stored. Spindle motor 5, frame moving actuator 14, color changing actuator 9 and jump solenoid 26
For example, a sewing machine drive control process for controlling the operation and the like is performed. In the storage circuit of the control device 23, various menu contents and the standard value L0 of the frame interval appropriately selected by the soft key 20 are stored in the storage area 22A.
Are stored in an updatable manner. The multi-head automatic embroidery machine according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, the control device 23 for performing "alternate sewing" on an embroidery object (embroidery cloth) such as a sock. The sewing machine drive control process will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the processing operation is started, "alternate sewing" is selected from the menu by operating the soft key 20 in step 1, and the process proceeds to step 2 where the number of repetitions C for actually performing "alternate sewing" is set on the numeric keypad 21. ## EQU1 ## Assuming that C = CA, a predetermined number of times CA (CA = 1, 2, 3,... N) is input as a numerical value. Next, in step 3, of the pair of left and right embroidery frames 15, 15, the left embroidery frame 15 and the right embroidery frame 1 are arranged.
It is determined whether or not the embroidery pattern is to be inverted with 5 and if not, the process proceeds to step 4 and the soft key 20 corresponding to the “NO key” is depressed. If the embroidery pattern is to be inverted, the process proceeds to step 5 and “ Press the soft key 20 corresponding to the "YES key". Then, in step 6, it is determined whether or not the interval between the left and right embroidery frames 15 matches the standard value L0 previously stored in the storage area 23A. In step 7, the soft key 20 corresponding to the "YES key" is depressed. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step 8, and the numerical value corresponding to the actual frame interval L (see FIG. Change the frame interval. Next, in step 9 shown in FIG. 5, for example, when the embroidery pattern is created in the left embroidery frame 15, the jog key 22 is operated to move the moving frame 12 (each embroidery frame 1).
5) The frame is moved in the X and Y directions. And step 1
When the soft key 20 corresponding to the start key is pressed at 0, the process proceeds to step 11 where embroidery is executed in the left embroidery frame 15, and the main shaft motor 5, the frame moving actuator 14 and the like are operated and controlled based on the embroidery data. While moving the embroidery cloth along with each embroidery frame 15, the embroidery needle 1
By moving the hands of 0, an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data is realized on the embroidery cloth held in the embroidery frame 15 on the left side in an extended state. Then, in step 12, the left embroidery frame 1
5 to determine whether the creation of the embroidery pattern is completed.
When the determination is "O", the process of step 11 is continued, and when the determination is "YES", the process proceeds to step 13, for example, the jump solenoid 26 is operated to temporarily stop the movement of each embroidery needle 10. Then, the automatic frame movement for the frame interval L is performed. By this automatic frame movement, the moving frame 12 (each embroidery frame 1) moves from the end point of the embroidery pattern in the left embroidery frame 15 to the start point of the right embroidery pattern.
5) The frame is moved in the X and Y directions. Next, in step 14, the right embroidery frame 15
It is determined whether or not the embroidery pattern created in the embroidery pattern is an inverted pattern of the embroidery pattern in the embroidery frame 15 on the left side. I do. Further, when it is determined “YES” in step 14, the patterns are the same pattern, so the process proceeds to step 16 without performing the inversion operation, and the embroidery is executed in the right embroidery frame 15.
Until it is determined as "YES" (end) in step 17, the same embroidery pattern or the reverse embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data is realized on the embroidery cloth held in the embroidery frame 15 on the right. If "YES" is determined in the step 17, the process proceeds to a step 18 in which the automatic frame movement for the frame interval L is performed in the reverse direction, and from the end point of the embroidery pattern in the embroidery frame 15 on the right side. The moving frame 12 (each embroidery frame 15) is moved in the X and Y directions toward the start point of the next left embroidery pattern. Next, in step 19, the number of repetitions C of the "alternate stitching" is decremented by one assuming that C ← C-1 as follows:
Then, it is determined whether or not the number of repetitions C has become zero (C = 0). By repeating the processing of step 11 and subsequent steps until “YES” is determined in step 20,
"Alternate sewing" is repeated for the predetermined number of times CA set in the step 2. At this time, the operator performs the work of attaching and detaching the embroidery frames 15 in order. For example, when embroidering is performed in the embroidery frame 15 on the right side, the embroidery frame 15 on which the embroidery has already been completed is moved. The embroidery frame 15 is detached from the holder 13 of the frame 12 via the suction unit 16, replaced with a new embroidery cloth, and the embroidery frame 15 is attached to the holder 13 of the moving frame 12 via the suction unit 16 again. When embroidering is performed in the left embroidery frame 15, the right embroidery frame 15, which has already been embroidered, is removed from the holder 13 of the moving frame 12 via the suction unit 16 and replaced with a new embroidery cloth. The embroidery frame 15 is attached to the holder 13 of the moving frame 12 via the suction portion 16 again, and these operations are repeated in order, so that "alternate sewing" is efficiently performed on a large number of embroidery cloths. I have. Thus, according to the present embodiment, by inputting the frame interval L between the left and right embroidery frames 15 and 15 as numerical data in advance, the embroidery is completed in the left embroidery frame 15, for example. Sometimes, each embroidery frame 15 (entire moving frame 12) can be automatically moved from the end point of the left embroidery pattern to the start point of the right embroidery pattern, and can be manually moved using the jog key 22 as in the prior art. It is not necessary to move the frame by operation, and embroidery patterns by "alternate sewing" can be easily realized in each of the left and right embroidery frames 15, thereby greatly improving the workability at the time of "alternate sewing". Further, by inputting the number of repetitions C of "alternate sewing" as a predetermined number CA in advance, the "alternate sewing" can be repeated and executed automatically for the predetermined number of times CA. Workability when performing "alternate sewing" can be effectively improved. Furthermore, of the left and right embroidery frames 15 of the pair of left and right embroidery frames 15, whether or not the embroidery pattern is to be inverted is set in advance, so that the left and right embroidery frames 15 are set.
In the right embroidery frames 15 and 15, the same pattern or inverted pattern can be continuously created (realized) on each embroidery cloth, and the left and right embroidery patterns can be created by a single pattern data as embroidery data. Thus, the configuration of the embroidery data can be reliably simplified, and various effects can be obtained, for example, there is no need to increase the capacity of the memory provided in the control device 23. In the above embodiment, steps 11 and 12 of the program shown in FIG. 5 are specific examples of the first embroidery control means which is a component of the present invention.
Step 15 shows a specific example of the inversion operation means, steps 13 and 18 are specific examples of the frame movement control means, and steps 14 to 17 show specific examples of the second embroidery control means. In the above embodiment, the left and right embroidery frames 1 are used.
The frame interval L between 5 and 15 is stored in advance as a standard value L0, and the numerical value of the frame interval L is input and changed by the ten keys 21 as necessary. However, instead of this, the jog key 22 is used, for example. The frame interval L may be set in advance, and based on this, the frame may be automatically moved from the end point of one embroidery pattern to the start point of the other embroidery pattern. As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control device comprises the first embroidery control means, the inversion operation means, the second embroidery control means, and the frame movement control. comprising means, left, right out of the embroidery frame, when implementing the first embroidery pattern in a first embroidering control means relative to the embroidery cloth held by one of the embroidery frame, the frame moving control means Enter a number
Numerical values previously entered for alternate stitching using the key
Based on the data, each embroidery frame is automatically moved from the end point of the first embroidery pattern to the start point of the second embroidery pattern, and the first embroidery pattern is inverted by the inversion operation means. Since the second embroidery pattern, which is an inverted pattern, is continuously realized by the second embroidery control means on the embroidery cloth held in the other embroidery frame, embroidery by so-called "alternate sewing" is performed. Continually and non-stop, eliminating the need to manually move the frame using a jog key or the like as in the prior art, and providing embroidery patterns by "alternating stitching" in each of the left and right embroidery frames. It can be easily realized, and the workability at the time of "alternate sewing" can be greatly improved. [0046] In addition, the left, to the right of the embroidery frame, and in each of the embroidery cloth second of the embroidery pattern is a reversal pattern and the first of the embroidery pattern
The left and right embroidery patterns composed of the first and second embroidery patterns can be created by a single pattern data as embroidery data.
As a result, the structure of the embroidery data can be reliably simplified,
For example, the capacity of the memory provided in the control device can be reduced as much as possible. [0047] In this case, the first in the previous Symbol the second of embroidery control means 2
When the realized the embroidery pattern, due the Turkey moves automatically the respective embroidery frame toward the end point of the second embroidery pattern at the beginning of the first embroidery pattern, again one of the embroidery The first embroidery pattern can be continuously realized by the first embroidery control means on the embroidery cloth exchanged and held in the frame, and embroidery by "alternate sewing" can be repeatedly performed a plurality of times. Become. Then, using keys for inputting numerical values,
Te, for example the left, by previously inputted as numerical data the interval between the right of the embroidery frame, frame movement control means can automatically frame moving each embroidery frame, the respective embroidery frame of one of the embroidery pattern Various effects are exhibited, such as continuous (automatic) movement from the end point to the start point of the other embroidery pattern with the movement amount based on the numerical data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view showing a multi-head automatic embroidery machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing left and right embroidery frames provided on a moving frame in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a control device and the like of the multi-head automatic embroidery machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sewing machine drive control process by “alternate sewing”. FIG. 5 is a flowchart following FIG. 4; [Description of Signs] 1 Embroidery machine main body 2 Support base (base) 5 Spindle motor (drive source) 7 Head unit 10 Embroidery needle 12 Moving frame 14 Frame moving actuator (frame moving mechanism) 15 Embroidery frame 16 Suction unit 18 Operation Part 21 numeric keypad 22 jog key 23 controller L frame interval

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D05B 1/00-97/12

Claims (1)

(1) An embroidery needle provided on a head portion of an embroidery machine main body so as to be able to move up and down, and driven by a drive source toward an embroidery cloth; And a pair of left and right embroidery frames, which are movably provided on a base of the embroidery machine main body and hold the embroidery cloth in an extended state, and the left and right embroidery frames together with the head unit. A frame moving mechanism for moving relative to the
An automatic embroidery machine, comprising: a control device that controls the operation of the frame moving mechanism and the drive source based on the embroidery data to realize an embroidery pattern by alternately sewing on the embroidery cloth. A first embroidery control means for realizing a first embroidery pattern on an embroidery cloth held in one of the right embroidery frames; and a first embroidery pattern which is an inverted version of the first embroidery pattern. exchange two of the embroidery pattern
An inversion operation means for performing an inversion operation of embroidery data for creating by cross-stitching; and an embroidery cloth held in the other one of the left and right embroidery frames by the inversion operation means. Second embroidery control means for realizing the second embroidery pattern, and input in advance for alternate sewing using keys for inputting numerical values
Based on the numerical data obtained, the first and second embroidery patterns
From the end point of the inner one of the embroidery pattern toward the starting point of the other of the embroidery pattern is provided and a frame movement control means for automatically frame moving the respective embroidery frame, the frame movement control means, the first embroidery The first control means
When the embroidery pattern is realized, is the end point of the first embroidery pattern
From the numerical data toward the starting point of the second embroidery pattern.
The embroidery frames are automatically moved based on the second
When the embroidery control means realizes the second embroidery pattern,
From the end point of the second embroidery pattern to the start point of the first embroidery pattern.
The embroidery frames are automatically framed based on the numerical data.
An automatic embroidery machine characterized by being configured to be moved .