JP5377724B1 - Embroidery machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily change a color change function by a simple operation and to improve workability at the time of change.
A color identification device is connected to an input / output control unit 29 of a control device 20 (operation control device 21). The color identification device 34 reads the colors of the plurality of upper threads S as color identification information, and also reads the color identification information from the thread color instruction sheet 35. The embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 compares the color identification information of the upper thread S of each color read by the color identification device 34 with the color identification information of the thread color instruction sheet 35, and embroidery data so that both colors match. The color change function updating means for updating the color change function and the pattern information based on the embroidery data with the updated color change function are output to the color display 25 of the operation control device 21, and the color display 25 displays the multicolor embroidery pattern. Display control means for displaying on the screen.
[Selection] Figure 2

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, there are provided an operation unit including a plurality of operation switches and a color display for displaying information / data necessary for embroidery in color on the screen.

  On the other hand, an embroidery data creation device using a tablet or the like assigns a color change function (that is, a color designation function) to each needle drop point data among embroidery data in order to create embroidery patterns of multiple colors, For example, a red pattern for the 10th to 100th stitches, a blue pattern for the 101st to 200th stitches, and a yellow pattern for the 201st to 300th stitches. It is set as the structure to perform (for example, refer patent document 2).

  The embroidery data created in this way is read into the embroidery control device on the embroidery machine side, for example, via a portable storage medium or a communication line. When executing the embroidery by the embroidery machine, the color changing function (that is, the color specifying function) of the embroidery data is sequentially read for each stitch, and the color changing mechanism is not operated until the color specifying by the color changing function is changed. When the embroidery of the same color as the previous time is performed and the color specification by the color change function changes, the color change mechanism is operated based on the color specification at this time, and the desired color The sewing needle in which the embroidery thread is inserted is moved with respect to the embroidery cloth.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-328455 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-115539

  By the way, the color of the upper thread (embroidery thread) inserted through each sewing needle of the embroidery machine may be different for each embroidery machine. On the other hand, the embroidery data created using a tablet or the like is color-designated by the color change function for each stitch, but of each sewing needle of the embroidery machine, which sewing needle has any color upper thread It doesn't specify until it is inserted. For this reason, the thread color inserted into each sewing machine needle of the embroidery machine and the color specified by the color changing function of the embroidery data often do not match, and embroidery based on the embroidery data in such a mismatch state Is executed, the embroidery portion to be embroidered with the embroidery thread of one color is embroidered with the upper thread of another color, resulting in a color difference in the embroidery pattern.

  For this reason, in the prior art, a thread color instruction sheet serving as a color sample of embroidery data is prepared in advance, and the thread color inserted into each sewing machine needle of the embroidery machine and the color designated by the color changing function of the embroidery data (that is, The process of changing the color designation by the color change function in the embroidery data to another color designation so that the color matches the color according to the thread color instruction sheet) is displayed on the color display screen. This is done manually so that it matches the color sample of the thread color instruction sheet while checking the color condition. For this reason, there is a problem that a great deal of time is spent on such color designation changing processing, workability is poor, and manual input errors 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 takes a lot of time and effort to match the colors of the upper thread and the color swatch according to the thread color instruction so as to match them, and the workability of the entire embroidery work Is the cause of the decline.

  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 easily change the color change function with a simple operation and to improve workability at the time of change. An object is to provide an embroidery machine.

  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.

  A feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 is that the input / output control unit of the control device reads the color of the plurality of upper threads as color identification information and serves as a color sample of the embroidery data. A color identification device that reads the color described in the instruction document as color identification information is connected, and the embroidery control unit of the control device reads the color identification information of the upper thread of each color read by the color identification device. Compared with the color identification information of the instruction sheet, color change function update means for updating the color change function of the embroidery data so that both colors match, and pattern information by the embroidery data with the color change function updated There is a configuration including display control means for outputting to the display unit and displaying the multicolor embroidery pattern on the screen by the display unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the thread color instruction sheet is expressed by a different instruction color for each of a plurality of predetermined pattern areas in the embroidery pattern, and the color identification device is configured to display the thread identification instruction. Each instruction color of the color instruction sheet is read as color identification information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a mounting portion for mounting the thread color instruction sheet is provided on the base at a position near the unit case of the control device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the color identification device connected to the input / output control unit of the control device individually identifies, for example, the colors of a plurality of upper threads arranged in the upper thread storage unit as color identification information. Can be read. Similarly, it is possible to read the color identification information of the thread color instruction sheet, which is a color sample of the embroidery data, using the color identification device. The embroidery control unit of the control device compares the color identification information of the upper thread of each color read with the color identification device in this way with the color identification information of the thread color instruction sheet so that both colors match, that is, the embroidery data The color change function of the embroidery data can be updated so that the color specification by the color change function in the middle becomes the color specification corresponding to the color of the upper thread inserted through each sewing needle of the embroidery machine. Then, the embroidery control unit outputs the pattern information based on the embroidery data with the color change function updated in this manner to the display unit, and causes the display unit to display a multicolor embroidery pattern based on the changed embroidery data on the screen. Can do. Therefore, the operator of the embroidery machine (control device) can easily change 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 a second aspect of the present invention, the thread color instruction is designated by a different instruction color for each of a plurality of predetermined pattern areas of the embroidery pattern, and the operator manually operates the color identification device. By operating, each instruction color of the thread color instruction sheet can be read as color identification information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an operator can provide a color identification device by providing a placement portion for placing a thread color instruction at a predetermined position on a base on the front side or the rear side of a unit case of a control device. The color information of the thread color instruction sheet can be easily read in a state where is placed close to the above-described placement unit. In addition, the color of each upper thread can be individually read while the color identification device is close to the upper thread storage section, and a series of reading operations using the color identification device can be efficiently performed near the unit case of the control device. Can be done.

It is a perspective view which shows the embroidery machine by embodiment of this 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 control block diagram which shows the whole structure of an embroidery machine. It is a flowchart which shows the change 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.

  Hereinafter, a multi-head automatic embroidery machine will be described as an example of an embroidery machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  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 a main shaft motor 8 shown in FIG. 4 via a 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), and these upper thread bobbins 11A include, for example, red, blue, yellow, white, 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 become a different color for each head portion 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 in parallel in the needle bar case 7 at intervals in the left and right directions as shown in FIG. (For example, a total of 9). 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 buttons 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). In addition, 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 36 of the thread color instruction sheet 35 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 35 on the placement unit 36, 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 key 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. 6 and 10) of embroidery patterns 37 and 39 described later on the screen 25A and FIGS. 9 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. 4, 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 change function change processing program by automatic teaching shown in FIG.

  Here, Steps 3 to 5 shown in FIG. 5 are specific examples of color change function updating means for updating the color change function of the embroidery data, and Step 6 is pattern information based on the embroidery data whose color change function is updated. Is a specific example of a display control means for outputting a multi-colored embroidery pattern on the screen after outputting data to the color display 25.

  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 such that the color identification information read using the color identification device 34 described later is stored 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. 4, an operation unit 24 of the operation control device 21, a thread break sensor 31, an external storage device 33 and a color identification device 34 described later 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. 4 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 via a lead wire 34A. The color identification device 34 is configured as a handy type color sensor that can be manually operated by an operator, and a reading surface 34B that is inclined obliquely is provided on the tip side thereof. On the back side of the color identification device 34, a back switch 34C that is pressed (ON / OFF operation) by an operator with a fingertip or the like is provided. When the back switch 34C is turned on, the color identification device 34 is energized from the outside. The

  Inside the color identification device 34, a white LED as a light emitting element and a photodiode (both not shown) as a light receiving element are provided. Then, when the back switch 34C is turned ON, the color identification device 34 irradiates the detection target with white light from the white LED via the reading surface 34B, and receives the reflected light with a photodiode, thereby receiving light. The color of the object to be detected is detected from the wavelength of the emitted light.

  That is, the operator of the embroidery machine approaches each upper thread bobbin 11A of the thread stand 11 with the color identification device 34 held by a fingertip or the like, and the upper thread S wound around the upper thread bobbin 11A with its reading surface 34B. Abut. In this state, the back switch 34C is pressed (ON operation) with a fingertip to energize (activate) the color identification device 34, whereby the color of the upper thread S wound around one upper thread bobbin 11A is used as color identification information. Read. Thereafter, the color of the upper thread S wound around the other upper thread bobbin 11A is read in the same manner, and the operation is repeated for each upper thread bobbin 11A to individually determine the color of each upper thread S. So that they can be identified. Similarly, the color identification device 34 is used to read color identification information as a color sample of the embroidery data as will be described later.

  Note that the reading surface 34B of the color identification device 34 is not necessarily an inclined surface, and can be brought into flat and stable contact with an object to be detected (for example, the upper thread S or the thread color instruction sheet 35). Any reading surface can be used. Further, the light receiving element of the color identification device 34 is not limited to the photodiode described above, and a color sensor may be configured by an imaging element such as a CCD camera, for example.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a thread color instruction sheet serving as a color sample of the embroidery data. The thread color instruction sheet 35 is printed with an embroidery pattern sample 35A “123456789” as shown in FIG. 8, for example. Is the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, in which the color swatches 35B for each of the pattern areas “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”. Similarly, “C04”, “C05”,...

  Therefore, the operator approaches the color sample 35B of the thread color instruction sheet 35 with the color identification device 34 held, and the reading surface 34B is the pattern number “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “ C04 ”,“ C05 ”,... Are sequentially brought into contact, and in this state, the color identification device 34 is sequentially energized (ON operation) to operate. Accordingly, the colors of the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,... Are read by the color identification device 34 as 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 36 denotes a placement portion for the thread color instruction sheet 35 provided on the base 1 of the embroidery machine. The placement portion 36 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 35 at a predetermined position on the base 1 on the front side of the unit case 23 in the vicinity position. The placement portion 36 of the thread color instruction sheet 35 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 35 in a state where the color identification device 34 is brought close to the placement unit 36 of the base 1 by manual operation.

  The multi-head 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.

  Incidentally, the color of the upper thread S inserted through each sewing needle 16 of the head unit 5 may be different for each embroidery machine. On the other hand, the embroidery data created using a tablet or the like is color-designated by a color change function for each stitch, but any one of the nine sewing needles 16 of the head unit 5 is not specified. It is not specified until the upper thread S of the color is inserted. For this reason, the thread color inserted into each sewing needle 16 of the head unit 5 and the color specified by the color changing function of the embroidery data are often not matched, and based on the embroidery data in such a mismatched state. When the embroidery is executed, the embroidery portion to be embroidered with the upper thread S of one color is embroidered with the upper thread S of another color, and a color difference occurs in the embroidery pattern.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in the operation preparation stage before actually creating the embroidery pattern, the color changing function is changed by the automatic teaching shown in FIG. So that it can be easily prevented.

  That is, when the power switch 26 of the operation control device 21 is turned on and the program shown in FIG. 5 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 37 of “123456789” is displayed on the screen 25A of the color display device 25 according to the embroidery data as shown in FIG. 6 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 the automatic teaching screen 38 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the screen 25 A of the color display 25. Here, in the automatic teaching screen 38, the upper column 38A for displaying the color of the embroidery pattern 37 is an initial screen before color reading using the color identification device 34, and therefore, for example, the needle bar 15 (sewing needle 16). The needle numbers “N01” to “N12” corresponding to the order are displayed in a state where all the color displays are blank. The lower column 38B for displaying the color identification information of the thread color instruction 35 is also an initial screen before color reading using the color identification device 34. Therefore, the pattern numbers “C01” to “C12” All the color designations are displayed in a blank state.

  In the next step 3, the color of each upper thread S is read as color identification information from each upper thread bobbin 11 </ b> A of the thread stand 11 using the color identification device 34. That is, the operator holds the color identification device 34 and approaches each upper thread bobbin 11A of the thread stand 11 so that the reading surface 34B contacts the upper thread S wound on the upper thread bobbin 11A. The color of the upper thread S is read for each upper thread bobbin 11A.

  In the next step 4, with the operator holding the color identification device 34, the color identification device 34 is brought close to the color sample 35 </ b> B of the thread color instruction sheet 35 previously placed on the placement unit 36 on the base 1. The reading surface 34B is brought into contact with the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,. Accordingly, the colors of the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,... Are read as color identification information.

  As a result, the automatic teaching screen 38 after color reading shown in FIG. 9 follows the color of the upper thread S wound on each upper thread bobbin 11A in the upper column 38A (that is, the color read by the color identification device 34). The needle number “N01” is displayed in green, for example, and the needle number “N02” is displayed in yellow. The needle number “N03” is displayed in red, the needle number “N04” is displayed in purple, and the needle number “N05” is displayed in orange. Furthermore, the needle number “N06” is displayed in brown, the needle number “N07” is displayed in gray, the needle number “N08” is displayed in black, and the needle number “N09” is displayed in blue. Needle numbers “N10” to “N12” are displayed as blank because there is no corresponding upper thread.

  On the other hand, the lower column 38B of the automatic teaching screen 38 shown in FIG. 9 includes pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,. In accordance with the color (that is, the color read by the color identification device 34), the color to be specified by the color change function is displayed in color. That is, the pattern number “C01” designates the color brown (brown), the pattern number “C02” designates the color red, the pattern number “C03” designates the orange color, and the pattern number “C04” designates the yellow color. The color is specified, and the pattern number “C05” is green. Further, the pattern number “C06” is blue, the pattern number “C07” is purple, the pattern number “C08” is black, and the pattern number “C09” is gray, and the colors are designated by different colors. The pattern numbers “C010” to “C012” are displayed as blank because there is no corresponding color change function.

  Next, in step 5, the color of each upper thread S read in step 3 and the color according to the thread color instruction 35 read in step 4 are compared, and the two colors are matched as shown in the following equation (1). Execute automatic teaching. Thus, the embroidery is performed so that the color designation by the pattern numbers “C01” to “C09” in the embroidery data becomes the color designation corresponding to the color of the upper thread S inserted through each sewing needle 16 for each head unit 5. Data color change function can be updated.

  In the next step 6, the pattern information based on the embroidery data in which the color change functions of the pattern numbers “C01” to “C09” are updated is output to the color display 25 and is displayed on the screen 25A of the color display 25. Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, a multicolor embroidery pattern based on the changed embroidery data is displayed. That is, in the embroidery pattern 39 based on the changed embroidery data shown in FIG. 10, the pattern color of the pattern region “1” in the embroidery pattern 39 “123456789” corresponds to the pattern number “C01” of the color sample 35B. (Brown). In addition, the pattern color of the pattern area “2” in the embroidery pattern 39 is red corresponding to the pattern number “C02” of the color sample 35B, and the pattern color of the pattern area “3” is changed to the pattern number “C03” of the color sample 35B. Corresponding but orange. Further, the pattern color of the pattern area “4” becomes yellow corresponding to the pattern number “C04” of the color sample 35B, and the pattern color of the pattern area “5” is displayed as green corresponding to the pattern number “C05” of the color sample 35B. Has been.

  In other words, by changing the color change function by automatic teaching, the pattern area “1” of the embroidery pattern 39 has an upper thread of the needle number “N06” (brown) associated with the pattern number “C01” as shown in Equation 1 above. The pattern area “2” is embroidered using the upper thread S of the needle number “N03” (red) associated with the pattern number “C02”. The pattern area “3” is embroidered using the needle thread “N05” (orange) upper thread S associated with the pattern number “C03”, and the pattern area “4” is changed to the pattern number “C04”. Embroidery is performed using the needle thread “N02” (yellow) associated with the needle number “N02” (yellow), and the pattern area “5” includes the needle thread “N01” (green) associated with the pattern number “C05”. Used to be embroidered. Furthermore, embroidery is performed on the needle regions “N09”, “N04”, “N08”, and “N07” for the stitch areas “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9”, respectively. It will be.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the input / output control unit 29 of the control device 20 (operation control device 21) reads the colors of the plurality of upper threads S as color identification information, while the thread color instruction 35 The embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 is provided with a color identification device 34 that reads the indicated color as color identification information. The embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 indicates the color identification information of the upper thread S read by the color identification device 34 as a thread color instruction Compared with the color identification information from the book 35, the color change function update means (see step 5 in FIG. 5) for updating the color change function of the embroidery data so that both colors match, and the color change function has been updated. It is configured to include display control means (see step 6 in FIG. 5) for outputting pattern information based on the embroidery data to the color display 25 and displaying the multicolor embroidery pattern on the screen by the color display 25.

  As described above, the color identification device 34 connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the control device 20 identifies the color of the upper thread S for each of the plurality of upper thread bobbins 11A installed on the thread stand 11, for example. It can be read as information. Similarly, using the color identification device 34, the color of the thread color instruction 35 serving as a color sample of the embroidery data can also be read as color identification information. Then, the embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 compares the color identification information of the upper thread S of each color read by the color identification device 34 with the color identification information from the thread color instruction sheet 35 so that the two colors match (that is, The color change function of the embroidery data can be updated so that the color specification by the color change function in the embroidery data becomes the color specification corresponding to the color of the upper thread S inserted through each sewing needle 16 of the embroidery machine. it can.

  Therefore, the embroidery control unit 27 of the control device 20 outputs the pattern information based on the embroidery data with the color change function updated in this way to the color display 25, and the color display 25 uses the embroidery data after the change. The color embroidery pattern can be displayed on the screen. For this reason, the operator of the embroidery machine (operation control device 21) can easily change the color change function of the embroidery data simply by operating the color identification device 34 as described above, improving the workability when changing the function. can do. Moreover, it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of a color difference with respect to the color sample 35B of the thread color instruction sheet 35 during the actual embroidery work by the embroidery machine.

  Further, the thread color instruction 35 includes, for example, pattern areas “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” that are predetermined color samples 35B among the embroidery sample 35A “123456789” shown in FIG. ”,“ 5 ”..., And a different indication color is designated and written for each color, and the color identification device 34 converts each indication color of the thread color indication 35 to the pattern numbers“ C01 ”,“ It is configured to read as color identification information of “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,.

  Further, on the base 1 of the embroidery machine, a flat placement portion 36 for placing the thread color instruction sheet 35 is provided at a position near the front side of the unit case 23 of the operation control device 21, and the color identification device 34, the color of each upper thread S is read as color identification information while being brought close to each upper thread bobbin 11A on the thread stand 11 by the manual operation of the operator, and the thread color instruction sheet is brought close to the placement unit 36. The color identification information is also read from 35.

  Thereby, the operator can easily read the color identification information of the thread color instruction sheet 35 in a state where the color identification device 34 is brought close to the placement unit 36. Further, the color of each upper thread S can be individually read in a state where the color identification device 34 is brought close to each upper thread bobbin 11A on the thread stand 11, and a series of reading operations using the color identification device 34 is operated. This can be done efficiently in the vicinity of the unit case 23 of the control device 21.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the operator who operates the operation control device 21 of the embroidery machine can easily change the color changing function of the embroidery data simply by operating the color identification device 34. The workability can be greatly improved. In addition, since the embroidery data after the function change can be displayed in color on the screen 25A of the color display 25, the color designation can be changed by an additional operation while checking the color arrangement while performing the color display. It can also be done.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the embroidery data after changing the color changing function can be output to the outside via the external storage device 33 such as a USB memory. Therefore, the embroidery data after the function change can be used as appropriate even in a plurality of embroidery machines. Moreover, the present invention can be applied with high versatility to current embroidery machines.

  In the above-described embodiment, steps 3 to 5 of the program shown in FIG. 5 are specific examples of the color change function changing means, which is a component of the present invention, and step 6 is a specific example of the display control means. Is shown.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the mounting part 36 of the thread color instruction sheet 35 was formed at a predetermined position on the base 1 on the front side of the unit case 23 of the operation control device 21 was described as an example. . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a thread color instruction sheet placing portion may be provided at a predetermined position on the base 1 on the rear side of the unit case 23. In this case, the unit case 23 of the operation control device 21 is rotated backward on the bracket 22 (for example, rotated so as to swing in the range of about 90 to 200 degrees), and the screen display of the color display 25 is confirmed. However, the operation unit 24 and the color identification device 34 may be manually operated.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, 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 Color Identification Device 35 Thread Color Instruction 36 Placement 39 Embroidery Pattern S Upper Thread

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 reads the color of the plurality of upper threads as color identification information, and reads the color described in a thread color instruction sheet as a color sample of the embroidery data as color identification information Connect the device,
The embroidery control unit of the control device compares the color identification information of the upper thread of each color read by the color identification device with the color identification information of the thread color instruction sheet, and stores the embroidery data so that both colors match. A color change function updating means for updating the color change function;
An embroidery machine comprising: display control means for outputting pattern information based on the embroidery data in which the color change function is updated to the display unit and displaying the multicolor embroidery pattern on the display unit on the display unit.   The thread color instruction sheet is configured to indicate a different color instruction color for each of a plurality of predetermined pattern areas of the embroidery pattern, and the color identification device color-identifies each instruction color of the thread color instruction sheet. The embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein the embroidery machine is configured to read as information.   The embroidery machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mounting portion for mounting the thread color instruction sheet is provided on the base at a position near the unit case of the control device.

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