JP4833149B2 - Embroidery machine and upholstery method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to an embroidery machine for processing an embroidery pattern on a large work cloth such as a raw fabric and a method for attaching the work cloth to a sewing frame of the embroidery machine.

Conventionally, a technique in which a large work cloth is stretched by an actuator and attached to a sewing frame is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses two horizontally long members that press front and rear sides of a fabric for quilting against a sewing frame, four air cylinders that drive both ends of the horizontally long member in the vertical direction, and both left and right sides of the fabric. There is described a cloth tensioning device that includes two vertically long members that hold a sewing frame on the sewing frame and four air cylinders that drive both ends of the vertically long member in the left-right direction.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-5744

  However, according to the conventional apparatus, it is necessary to install a large number of dedicated actuators on the sewing frame in order to stretch the work cloth. For this reason, the production cost of the sewing frame is high, the weight and bulk of the entire sewing frame increase, and there are problems in that the support members and piping of the actuator are complicatedly mixed above the sewing frame.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an embroidery machine that can solve the above-mentioned problems and can attach a large work cloth to a sewing frame with a uniform tension with a simple configuration using an existing frame drive mechanism, It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for easily attaching a large work cloth to a sewing frame.

In order to solve the above problems, the embroidery machine of the present invention
In an embroidery machine that moves a sewing frame back and forth and right and left on a table by a drive mechanism and processes an embroidery pattern on a work cloth attached to the sewing frame.
A holding frame extending parallel to one side of the sewing frame;
A fastening member for fastening the holding frame to the sewing frame so that the fastening position can be changed steplessly;
A locking device for locking the holding frame to a predetermined position of the table;
A sensor for detecting that the holding frame has reached a predetermined position by the movement of the sewing frame;
In response to the detection signal of the sensor, the movement mechanism stops the movement of the sewing frame and includes a control device that biases the locking device,
A cloth holding part that holds one side of the work cloth is provided on one side of the sewing frame,
The holding frame is provided with a cloth holding portion that holds the opposite side of the work cloth.

In the embroidery machine, preferably, the following configuration can be adopted.
(A) The holding frame is supported on the inner side of the sewing frame, and the opposite side facing the one side of the sewing frame and the holding frame are connected to each other at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the holding frame so as to be relatively movable.
(B) A fastening member is provided with a manual operation portion that prohibits relative movement between the opposite side and the holding frame by fastening the connecting member to the opposite side of the sewing frame.
(C) Providing a plurality of locking devices in a row on the table in the longitudinal direction of the holding frame.
(D) An electric or fluid pressure driven actuator is used for the locking device, and a locking portion for locking the movable portion of the actuator is formed on the holding frame. An example of the locking portion is a locking hole larger than the movable portion of the actuator. Further, it is preferable that the locking portion is a locking hole penetrating the holding frame in the vertical direction, since the locking of the movable portion to the locking hole can be confirmed from above.
(E) The sensor is a non-contact type sensor mounted on a table, and a dog for operating the sensor is provided on the holding frame.
(F) The sensor is arranged on the table in the same row as the plurality of locking devices.

The upholstery method of the present invention comprises:
In the embroidering method for embroidery machines that attach a work cloth to a sewing frame on a table,
A sewing mechanism and a holding frame extending parallel to one side of the sewing frame are moved by a drive mechanism;
The sensor detects that the holding frame has reached a predetermined position on the table,
In response to the detection signal of the sensor, the movement of the sewing frame by the drive mechanism is stopped, and the holding frame is locked at a predetermined position by the locking device,
The holding frame is locked at a predetermined position of the table by a locking device,
Hold one side of the work cloth on one side of the sewing frame, hold the other side of the work cloth on the holding frame,
In a state where the holding frame is separated from the sewing frame, the sewing frame is moved in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the holding frame by the driving mechanism, and the work cloth is stretched inside the sewing frame.
Fasten the holding frame to the sewing frame,
The holding frame is unlocked from the table.

Here, examples of the direction in which the work cloth is stretched include the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and both the front-rear and left-right directions of the embroidery machine.
(I) When the work cloth is stretched in the front-rear direction, the front side or the rear side of the work cloth is held on either one of the front and rear sides of the sewing frame, and the opposite side of the work cloth is held on the left and right holding frame.
(Ii) When extending the work cloth in the left-right direction, hold the left or right side of the work cloth on either the left or right side of the sewing frame, and hold the opposite side of the work cloth on the long holding frame in the front-rear direction.
(Iii) When the work cloth is stretched in both the front, rear, left and right directions, hold the front or rear side of the work cloth on either side of the sewing frame, hold the opposite side of the work cloth on the long left and right holding frame, Hold the left or right side of the work cloth on the left or right side of the sewing frame, and hold the opposite side of the work cloth on the long and long holding frame.

The embroidery machine and the upholstery method of the present invention have the following effects.
(1) Since the work cloth is stretched by an existing frame driving mechanism in the embroidery machine, an actuator on the sewing frame is unnecessary, and the sewing frame can be configured easily and lightly.
(2) Since the sewing frame is moved with the holding frame extending parallel to one side of the sewing frame being locked to the table, the work cloth can be stretched with an equal force in the longitudinal direction of the holding frame, The work cloth can be attached with high accuracy without any distortion.
(3) Since the holding frame is locked at a predetermined position of the table by the linkage operation of the sensor and the locking device, one operator can automatically position the sewing frame at the tension start position, shortening the work time and improving the productivity. Can be increased.

  The embroidery machine (1) includes a sewing frame (6), a drive mechanism (7, 8) for moving the sewing frame (6) back and forth and right and left on the table (5), and a work cloth attached to the sewing frame (6). A sewing head (3) for processing an embroidery pattern on an original fabric (F), a holding frame (15) extending in parallel with one side of the sewing frame (6), and a sewing frame (6 ) And a fastening member (30) for fastening the fastening position in a stepless manner, a locking device (34) for locking the holding frame (15) at a predetermined position of the table (5), and sewing A sensor (41) that detects that the holding frame (15) has reached a predetermined position on the table (5) by the movement of the frame (6), and the sewing frame (6) is stopped in response to a detection signal of the sensor (41). And a control device (39) for urging the locking device (34). A cloth holding portion (14) for holding one side of the original fabric (F) is provided on one side of the sewing frame (6), and a cloth holding portion (17) for holding the opposite side of the original fabric (F) on the holding frame (15). Is provided.

  In the cloth tensioning method, the sewing frame (6) is moved back and forth and right and left on the table (5) by the drive mechanism (7, 8), and the embroidery pattern is processed into the original fabric (F) attached to the sewing frame (6). Using the embroidery machine (1), the stage of moving the sewing frame (6) and the holding frame (15) extending in parallel with one side of the sewing frame (6) by the drive mechanism (7, 8), and the holding frame (15 ) Has reached the predetermined position of the table (5) by the sensor (41), and in response to the detection signal of the sensor (41), the sewing mechanism (7, 8) moves the sewing frame (6). And stopping the holding device (34) to lock the holding frame (15) at a predetermined position of the table (5), and one side of the original fabric (F) to the sewing frame (6). Holding on one side and holding the opposite side of the fabric (F) on the holding frame (15), and holding the holding frame (15) on the sewing frame (6) In the separated state, only the sewing frame (6) is moved in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the holding frame (15) by the drive mechanism, and the original fabric (F) is stretched inside the sewing frame (6) and held. Fastening the frame (15) to the sewing frame (6), and deactivating the locking device (34) to release the holding frame (15) from the table (5).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of the embroidery machine 1. In the machine frame 2 of the embroidery machine 1, a plurality of sewing heads 3 and sewing beds 4 are arranged in the left-right direction, and a table 5 is horizontally provided at the same height as the sewing bed 4. On the upper side of the table 5, a sewing frame 6 for attaching the original fabric F is placed, and on the lower side of the table 5, a plurality of X drive mechanisms 7 for driving the sewing frame 6 in the left-right direction, and the sewing frame 6 in the front-rear direction. And a plurality of Y drive mechanisms 8 for driving the motor. Then, the sewing frame 6 is driven back and forth and right and left on the table 5 by the X and Y drive mechanisms 7 and 8, and by the cooperation of the needle (not shown) of the sewing machine head 3 and the shuttle (not shown) of the sewing machine bed 4, An embroidery pattern is processed on the fabric F attached to the sewing frame 6.

  3, 4, and 5 show the upholstery device 13 of the embroidery machine 1. The sewing frame 6 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular ring shape, and cloth holding portions 14 having uneven surfaces are provided on the inner edges of the left and right side frames 6a and the rear frame 6b. A holding frame 15 is arranged inside the sewing frame 6 in parallel with the rear frame 6b, and left and right ends are supported by the side frame 6a by the bracket 16 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a cloth holding portion 17 having an uneven surface on the inner edge. Is provided. Then, the operator attaches a clip 18 made of an elastic material to the cloth holding portions 14 and 17, and holds the entire processing region of the original fabric F on the four sides of the sewing frame 6.

  Grooves 20 and 21 are formed on the lower surfaces of the rear frame 6b and the front frame 6c of the sewing frame 6 so as to extend in the left-right direction, and rollers 22 and 23 are fitted in the grooves 20 and 21. The rollers 22 and 23 are supported on a support plate 24 that is long in the front-rear direction, the rear end of the support plate 24 is coupled to the belt 25 of the Y drive mechanism 8, and the belt 25 is rotated by a motor (not shown). As the belt 25 rotates, the rollers 22 and 23 drive the sewing frame 6 in the front-rear direction and guide it in the left-right direction. The Y drive mechanism 8 includes a guide plate 26 on the surface of the table 5, and the guide plate 26 is provided with a slit 27 that guides the rollers 22 and 23.

  A plate-like connecting member 29 is interposed between the front frame 6 c and the holding frame 15 at a plurality of positions in the left-right direction of the sewing frame 6. The rear end of the connecting member 29 is fixed to the holding frame 15, and the front end is fastened to the front frame 6c by a fastening member 30 which is a manual operation member. The connecting member 29 has a longitudinal hole 31 in the front-rear direction, and a fastening member 30 is provided with a bolt 30a passing through the elongated hole 31 and a handle 30b for fastening the bolt 30a to the screw hole 32 of the front frame 6c. Then, with the handle 30b loosened, the holding frame 15 is separated from the sewing frame 6, and the fastening position of the holding frame 15 can be changed steplessly (continuously) within the length of the long hole 31, The holding frame 15 is fastened to the sewing frame 6 with the handle 30b fastened at the fastening position determined by the change.

  On the lower surface of the table 5, a plurality of air cylinders 34 as locking devices are arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the holding frame 15. Each air cylinder 34 includes a rod 36 that penetrates the small hole 35 of the table 5 as a movable portion, and a retaining hole 37 in which the rod 36 is fitted is formed in the holding frame 15. When the air cylinder 34 is energized, the rod 36 is fitted into the locking hole 37 and the holding frame 15 is locked at a predetermined position of the table 5. When the air cylinder 34 is de-energized, the rod 36 comes out of the locking hole 37 and the locking of the holding frame 15 to the table 5 is released. Since the locking hole 37 penetrates the holding frame 37 up and down, it is possible to confirm the insertion and withdrawal of the rod 36 from above. Further, since the inner diameter of the locking hole 37 is 1.5 times or more than the diameter of the rod 36, the rod 36 can be inserted even if it is slightly deviated due to an error.

  At the same position in the front-rear direction as the air cylinder 34, an optical or magnetic non-contact sensor 41 is mounted in the through hole 40 of the table 5. A dog 42 made of a reflecting plate or a magnetic plate for operating the sensor 41 is attached to the lower surface of the holding frame 15. When the holding frame 15 reaches a predetermined position on the table 5, the sensor 41 detects the dog 42 and transmits a detection signal to the control device 39 (see FIG. 2) of the embroidery machine 1. In response to the detection signal from the sensor 41, the control device 39 is configured to output a stop command to the drive mechanisms 7 and 8 to stop the sewing frame 6 and urge the air cylinder 34.

Next, in the embroidery machine 1 having the above-described configuration, a method of attaching the original fabric F to the sewing frame 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6A shows the state of the embroidery machine 1 before the original fabric F is pasted, and the sewing frame 6 is stopped at the previous processing end position or the origin position of the embroidery machine 1. In this state, when the operator presses the frame movement switch of the control device 39, the sewing frame 6 moves together with the holding frame 15 toward the tension start position. In this frame moving process, first, the sewing frame 6 is fed in the left-right direction (arrow Dx direction) by the X drive mechanism 7 so that the dog 42 on the holding frame 15 is aligned with the sensor 41 in the left-right direction. At this time, the control device 39 calculates the movement amount of the sewing frame 6 based on the current position of the sewing frame 6, the position of the dog 42 on the sewing frame 6, and the position of the sensor 41 from the machine origin.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when the dog 42 reaches the same left-right position as the sensor 41, the sewing frame 6 is then moved by the Y drive mechanism 8 so that the dog 42 is aligned with the sensor 41 in the front-rear direction. Sent in the front-rear direction (arrow Dy direction).

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the tension start position where the holding frame 15 reaches a predetermined position of the table 5 and the locking hole 37 of the holding frame 15 is aligned with the rod 36 of the air cylinder 34 (see FIG. 5). The sensor 41 detects the dog 42, the control device 39 stops (positions) the sewing frame 6 at this tension start position, and immediately after that the air cylinder 34 is energized. Then, the rod 36 of the air cylinder 34 is fitted into the locking hole 37 of the holding frame 15 to lock the holding frame 15 to the table 5 (see FIG. 4).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, the operator loosens the fastening member 30 and separates the holding frame 15 from the sewing frame 6 so that the sewing frame 6 can move independently. In this state, an original fabric F (see FIG. 1) that is slightly larger than the sewing frame 6 is put on the sewing frame 6, and the rear edge of the original fabric F is held by the clip 18 on the cloth holding portion 14 of the rear frame 6b. The front edge of the original fabric F is held by the clip 18 on the cloth holding portion 17 of the holding frame 15. Then, the distortion of the original fabric F with respect to the sewing frame 6 is eliminated, and the original fabric F is held in the sewing frame 6 in a slack state without being pulled strongly.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7B, the operator presses a key on the control device 39 to intermittently rotate the belt 25 of the Y drive mechanism 8 to move only the sewing frame 6 backward. At this time, since the holding frame 15 locked to the table 5 holds the front edge of the original fabric F in a fixed position, the rear edge of the original fabric F is pulled backward as the sewing frame 6 is retracted. The original fabric F is stretched by a uniform tension in the left-right direction inside the sewing frame 6. At the same time, the fastening position of the holding frame 15 with respect to the sewing frame 6 is changed steplessly (continuously) within the length range of the long hole 31.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the tension of the original fabric F is confirmed, and the Y drive mechanism 8 is stopped in a properly tensioned state. The fastening member 30 is fastened at the fastening position determined by this stop, and the holding frame 15 is fastened to the sewing frame 6. Subsequently, the left and right side edges of the original fabric F are held by the clip 18 on the cloth holding portion 14 of the side frame 6 a, and the entire circumference of the original fabric F is attached to the four sides of the sewing frame 6. Thereafter, the air cylinder 34 is de-energized, the latching of the holding frame 15 to the table 5 is released, and the work of pasting the original fabric F is completed.

Therefore, according to the embroidery machine 1 and the cloth tensioning method of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) Since the original fabric F is stretched in the front-rear direction by the existing Y drive mechanism 8 in the embroidery machine 1, it is not necessary to equip the sewing frame 6 with an actuator, and the sewing frame 6 can be configured easily and lightly.
(B) Unlike the conventional apparatus that stretches the fabric with the actuator on the sewing frame, an excessive force does not act on the motor of the Y drive mechanism 8 and the belt 25.

(C) Since the holding frame 15 that is long in the left-right direction stretches each part of the original fabric F with an equal force, the stitches of the original fabric F are aligned in all processing areas, the distortion to the sewing frame 6 is eliminated, and the embroidery pattern is textured. Can be processed well.
(D) Since a plurality of left and right portions of the holding frame 15 are connected to the sewing frame 6 by the connecting member 29, there is no possibility that the long holding frame 15 is bent during the processing of the embroidery pattern, and the holding frame 15 is connected to the sewing frame 6. The deformation of the entire sewing frame 6 can be prevented with the member 29.
(E) Since the fastening member 30 is disposed on the front frame 6 c of the sewing frame 6, the operator can fasten the holding frame 15 to the sewing frame 6 in an easy posture.

(F) Since the air cylinder 34 locks the holding frame 15 to the table 5 at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction, the bending of the holding frame 15 can be reliably prevented when the original fabric F is stretched.
(G) Since the air cylinder 34 is provided on the lower surface of the table 5, the holding frame 15 can be locked without hindering the movement of the sewing frame 6.
(H) Locking / releasing of the holding frame 15 can be automatically controlled by the air cylinder 34, and the wide original fabric F can be attached in a short time.

(I) Since the holding frame 15 is locked at a predetermined position of the table 5 by the linkage operation of the sensor 41 and the air cylinder 34, the operator does not need to confirm the relative position of the rod 36 and the locking hole 37 in advance. only a simple operation of pressing the frame movement switch of the control unit 39, the embroidery frame 6 can be automatically positioned Chozuke start position.
(J) Since the sensors 41 are arranged in the same row as the air cylinder 34, a plurality of rods 36 can be fitted into the locking holes 37 all at once without mistakes, and a plurality of positions of the holding frame 15 can be accurately locked to the table 5. .
(K) For this reason, the operator can attach the original fabric F to the sewing frame 6 alone in a short time, and the productivity of the embroidery processed product is increased.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately changing the configuration of each part without departing from the spirit of the invention, as exemplified below.
(1) The cloth tensioning device 13 in FIG. 3 is reversed front and rear, the front edge of the original fabric is held by the cloth holding portion of the front frame 6c, and the rear edge of the processing area is held by the holding frame 15 that is long to the left and right. In a state where the holding frame 15 is locked to the rear portion of the table 5, the sewing frame 6 is moved forward to stretch the original fabric in the front-rear direction.
(2) In a state where the left edge of the original fabric is held by the cloth holding portion 14 of the left frame 6a, the right edge of the original fabric is held by a long holding frame forward and backward, and the holding frame is locked to the right end portion of the table 5. The sewing frame 6 is moved to the left and the original fabric is stretched in the left-right direction.

(3) The rear edge of the original fabric is held by the cloth holding portion 14 of the rear frame 6b, the front edge of the original fabric is held by the holding frame 15 that is long to the left and right, and the right edge of the original fabric is held by the right frame. The left edge of the original fabric is held by a holding frame that is long in the front-rear direction, and the sewing frame 6 is moved rearward and rightward in a state where the holding frame 15 is locked to the front end portion and the left end portion of the table 5. to stretch the anti-a back-and-forth left right direction.
(4) A strain gauge for detecting the distortion of the fabric against the sewing frame is provided, and the operator can attach the fabric to the sewing frame without distortion based on the display of the strain gauge.

(5) A load cell is provided on the rod 36 (see FIG. 4) of the air cylinder 34, the tension acting on the raw fabric F is monitored by the load cell, and the sewing frame is operated by the Y drive mechanism 8 until the output of the load cell reaches a preset value. It should be configured so that the appropriate tension can be automatically applied to the original fabric F by moving 6.
(6) As shown in FIG. 8, an original fabric supply device 51 that continuously supplies the original fabric F to either the left or right of the embroidery machine 1 is arranged, and the original fabric F is placed on either the left or right of the embroidery machine 1. An original fabric collecting device 52 that collects the processed portion is arranged, the sewing frame 6 and the cloth tensioning device 13 are installed on the table 5, and an embroidery pattern can be continuously processed on the original fabric F. .

It is a top view of the embroidery machine of the Example which concerns on this invention. It is a right view of the embroidery machine of FIG. It is a fragmentary top view which shows the cloth tension apparatus of the embroidery machine of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the method of positioning the holding frame of the embroidery machine of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the method of affixing an original fabric on a sewing frame after this positioning. It is a top view of the embroidery machine which shows the example of a change of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Embroidery machine 5 Table 6 Embroidery frame 6a Side frame 6b Rear frame 6c Front frame 7 X drive mechanism 8 Y drive mechanism 13 Fabric tensioning device 14 Cloth holding part 15 Holding frame 17 Cloth holding part 30 Fastening member 34 Air cylinder 39 Control device 41 Sensor F Material

Claims (4)

In an embroidery machine that moves a sewing frame back and forth and right and left on a table by a drive mechanism and processes an embroidery pattern on a work cloth attached to the sewing frame.
A holding frame extending parallel to one side of the sewing frame;
A fastening member for fastening the holding frame so as to be separable from the sewing frame and changing the fastening position steplessly;
A locking device for locking the holding frame at a predetermined position of the table;
A sensor for detecting that the holding frame has reached the predetermined position by movement of the sewing frame;
In response to the detection signal of the sensor, the movement mechanism stops the movement of the sewing frame and includes a control device that biases the locking device,
A cloth holding part for holding one side of the work cloth is provided on one side of the sewing frame,
An embroidery machine comprising a cloth holding portion for holding the opposite side of the work cloth on the holding frame.   The embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a non-contact type sensor mounted on the table, and a dog for operating the sensor is provided on the holding frame.   The embroidery machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is arranged on the table in the same row as the plurality of locking devices. In the embroidering method for embroidery machines that attach a work cloth to a sewing frame on a table,
A hold frame extending parallel to one side of the embroidery frame and suture made frame moved by the drive mechanism,
The sensor detects that the holding frame has reached a predetermined position on the table,
In response to the detection signal of the sensor, to stop the movement of the embroidery frame by the drive movement mechanism, locks the holding frame to the predetermined position by the locking device,
The holding frame is locked at a predetermined position of the table by a locking device,
Hold one side of the work cloth on one side of the sewing frame, hold the opposite side of the work cloth on the holding frame,
After moving the sewing frame in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the holding frame by a drive mechanism in a state where the holding frame is separated from the sewing frame, the work cloth is stretched inside the sewing frame,
Fasten the holding frame to the sewing frame,
An embroidering method for an embroidery machine, wherein the holding frame is unlocked from the table.

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