JPH0126318B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention includes an internal memory provided within a sewing machine frame and an external memory that is removable from the sewing machine frame, and a large number of data stored in both memories. The present invention relates to a sewing machine that selects and forms a desired pattern from among patterns.

[Prior Art] Currently, sewing machines have been commercialized in which a small, large-capacity electronic memory is installed in the sewing machine frame, and more than 100 patterns stored in the electronic memory are selectively formed. In order to dramatically increase the number of patterns that can be formed compared to a sewing machine, frequently used patterns are stored in an internal memory inside the sewing machine frame, and less frequently used patterns are stored in an external memory that is removable from the sewing machine frame. A sewing machine has been proposed in which both memories can be stored and both memories can be selected using a changeover switch.

However, if a pattern in the external memory is selected and the external memory is accidentally removed from the sewing machine frame, the setting position of the feed adjuster that adjusts the swing position and feed movement of the sewing needle becomes uncertain. There is a risk that the position of the seam formation may be disturbed, causing damage to the sewn product or causing a collision between the sewing needle and a sewing tool such as a presser foot.

[Purpose] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose is to prevent the external memory from being accidentally removed from the sewing machine frame while the pattern in the external memory is selected. To provide a sewing machine that can automatically select a specific pattern in an internal memory and reliably set the positions of a sewing needle and a feed adjuster at positions that do not cause problems such as collision with the sewing tool.

[Solution Means] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first pattern group in which the pattern selected by a pattern selection means is stored in an internal memory and a second pattern group stored in an external memory. a discriminating means for discriminating which of the groups the selected pattern belongs to; and a discriminating means for maintaining the selection state of the pattern selecting means when the selected pattern belongs to a first pattern group; and control means for causing the pattern selection means to select a specific pattern in the first pattern group when the external memory is removed from the sewing machine frame.

[Operation] The control means maintains and changes the selection state of the pattern selection means according to the determination result of the determination means. When the currently selected pattern belongs to the first pattern group, the selected state of the pattern is maintained. Thereby, even if the external memory is removed, it is not necessary to select a pattern again, and the ease of use of the sewing machine can be improved. On the other hand, when the external memory is removed while the currently selected pattern belongs to the second pattern group, a specific pattern in the first pattern group is automatically selected. As a result, the positions of the sewing needle and feed adjuster are reliably set at constant positions related to the specific pattern, minimizing damage to the sewn product,
Collision with the sewing tool can be prevented.

[Example] An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the basic configuration of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

An internal memory 12 provided within the sewing machine frame 10 indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1 stores the first pattern group, and an external memory 14 provided removably with respect to the sewing machine frame 10. stores the second pattern group. The pattern selection means 16 includes both memories 1
It is provided for specifying either one of 2 or 14 and selecting a desired pattern from the group of patterns in the specified memory. The pattern selection means 1
6, the data selection means 18 supplies the stitch data regarding the desired pattern in the specified memory to the stitch forming device 20, and the desired pattern is formed by the operation of the stitch forming device 20. . The determining means 22 determines whether the pattern selected by the pattern selecting means 16 belongs to the first pattern group or the second pattern group. The control means 24 controls the pattern selection means in accordance with the detection result of the memory attachment/detachment detection means 26 which detects the attachment/detachment state of the external memory 14 and the determination result of the determination means 22, so that the selected pattern is the first one. When the selected pattern belongs to the second pattern group, the selection state of the pattern selection means is maintained, and when the selected pattern belongs to the second pattern group and detachment of the external memory 14 is detected, the straight stitch in the first pattern group is is selected by the pattern selection means 16.

Furthermore, details of this embodiment are shown in Figures 2 to 6.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

FIG. 2 shows the external appearance of the sewing machine of this embodiment. A needle bar 32 that can move vertically and swing horizontally is disposed at the head of an upper arm 30 constituting the sewing machine frame 10. A sewing needle 34 is attached to the lower end. In order to transfer the work cloth, a feed dog 38 is disposed within the bed 36 to which a four-movement feed is applied by a known feed mechanism, and the feed movement is controlled by a feed adjuster (not shown).

A display board 40 is fixed to the front surface of the upper arm 30 on which figures and two-digit corresponding numbers are posted for each of the frequently used patterns in the first group of patterns. Further, on the front surface of the pillar section 42, there are ten input keys 44 corresponding to the numbers "0" to "9" respectively for specifying a desired pattern using the corresponding number, and a plurality of input keys 44 for specifying a desired pattern using the corresponding number. A combination key 46 that can be operated for combination is provided. and,
A numeric display 48 is provided to visually display the corresponding number entered by the input key 44. Internal memory 12 provided within the sewing machine frame 10 to store frequently used first pattern groups
A memory selection switch 50 is provided which is movable between two selection positions in order to select one of the external memory 14 for storing a second pattern group that is less frequently used. external memory 14
A light emitting diode (see below) that displays the selection status of
LED) 52 are arranged.

The external memory 14 is housed in a memory cassette 54, and the cassette is placed in a storage chamber 56 horizontally bored in the pillar section 42, as shown in FIG.
It is configured to be detachable from the A connector 58 for connecting the external memory 14 to a central processing unit 70, which will be described later, is arranged on the left side of the storage chamber 56. Further, a limit switch 60 is arranged close to the storage chamber 56 to detect whether the memory cassette 54 is attached or removed, and the limit switch 60 corresponds to the memory attachment/detaching detection means 26 in FIG.

Further, a start/stop switch 64 is disposed at the head of the upper arm 30 for starting and stopping the sewing machine motor 62.

The electrical configuration of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

Memory selection switch 50 provides a low level output signal PS1 to central processing unit 70 when in the left position as shown in FIG. Device 70 outputs a low level signal DM that turns off LED 52. Conversely, when switched to the right position to select the external memory 14, it provides a high level output signal PS1 to the central processing unit 70;
As a result, the central processing unit 70 outputs a high-level signal DM that lights up the LED 52. The input key 4 is used to select a desired pattern from the pattern group in the memory selected by the memory selection switch 50.
4 is operated, the encoder 72 generates a code signal PN representing the input corresponding number and a high-level pulse PS synchronized with the completion of inputting the two-digit corresponding number.
2 to the central processing unit 70. At this time, the central processing unit 70 sends a signal DN for displaying the corresponding number to the numeric display 4 in accordance with the code signal PN.
Output to 8. Further, the combination key 46 supplies a high level output signal PS3 when operated, and a low level output signal PS3 when released, to the central processing unit 70. Internal counter C2 counts the number of combination patterns. The limit switch 60 outputs a high level output signal PS4 when the memory cassette 54 is installed.
At the time of disconnection, a low level output signal PS4 is supplied to the central processing unit 70.

The first address memory 74 is connected to both memories 12 and 1.
The head address signal HAD of the stitch data group regarding each pattern stored in 4 is stored, and the central processing unit 70 stores the signal PS1 and the code signal PN.
1 after receiving the pattern code signal PAC converted from
Outputs two head address signals HAD. Note that the number of addresses prepared for each pattern in the external memory 14 is set to be constant regardless of the pattern type, and even when using a different external memory, the start address signal related to the external memory in the start address memory 74 is No need to change HAD. An intermediate memory 76 is provided to sequentially temporarily store the head address signal HAD from the head address memory 74 in response to the operation of the combination key 46, and when the sewing machine motor 62 is operating, an internal counter C1 of the central processing unit 70 is stored. The head address signal HAD is stored at the address specified by the counter C1, and while the motor is stopped, the head address signal HAD is output from the address specified by the counter C1. Input key 44, combination key 46, memory selection switch 50, encoder 7 shown in FIG.
2. The start address 74 and the intermediate memory 76 constitute the pattern selection means 16 shown in FIG.

The central processing unit 70 loads the head address signal HAD outputted from the intermediate memory 76 while the sewing machine motor 62 is operating into an internal counter C3, and generates the signal HAD from the timing signal generator 78 when the sewing needle 34 reaches a predetermined position. In response to the high level pulse TP, counter C3 is activated by its starting address signal.
Advance from HAD. The contents of counter C3 are supplied to and used to address the memory designated by memory selection switch 50, from which stitch data SD is output to central processing unit 70. . and,
The central processing unit 70 supplies the stitch data SD to the actuator drive circuit 80, which drives the needle swing actuator 82 and the feed actuator 84 to adjust the swing position of the needle bar 32 and the adjustment position of the above-mentioned feed adjuster. Set. The actuator drive circuit 80 and both actuators 82 and 84 constitute the seam forming device 20 in FIG.

The motor drive control device 86 controls the operation of the sewing machine motor 62, and when the start/stop switch 64 is operated while the motor is stopped, it outputs a high-level signal CM indicating motor operation to the central processing unit 70, and also controls the motor. 62 is activated. Conversely,
Low level signal CM indicating motor stop when start/stop switch 64 is operated while motor is running
is output to the central processing unit 70 and the motor 62
to stop. Further, the motor drive control device 86 stops the motor 62 in accordance with a motor stop command from the central processing unit 70.

The operation of this embodiment having the configuration described above will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the flowchart, a high level state of the signal is represented by "1", and a low level state of the signal is represented by "0".

First, when the sewing machine is powered on, initial settings are performed, and the counters C1, C2, C3 mentioned above and the internal counter C4, which counts the number of patterns already formed in the combination pattern, are reset. Many internally prepared flags CF,
BF, MF, and CMF are set to "0".

Here, when the memory cassette 54 is attached to the sewing machine frame 10 in order to combine the pattern in the internal memory 12 and the pattern in the external memory 14, the limit switch 60 outputs a high level signal PS4 to the central processing unit 70. . After that, when the corresponding number of the desired pattern in the internal memory 12 is input using the input key 44, the signal PS2 from the encoder 72 becomes "1".
is determined and the code signal PN is stored in the internal memory TM. Then, the state of the flag CF is determined and the number "1" is loaded into the counter C2,
The state of the signal PS1 from the memory selection switch 50 is determined, and the signal PS1 and the code signal PN are converted into a pattern code signal PAC representing the desired pattern according to the internal memory conversion. Flag BF, MF
is set to "0" sequentially, the code signal
The head address signal HAD is read from the head address memory 74 by the PAC, and the head address signal HAD is written to the address of the intermediate memory 76 designated by the counter C1. After this series of operations is executed, the signal DN is outputted to the numeric display 48 according to the contents of the memory TM, and the corresponding number of the desired pattern is displayed on the display 48.

Next, in order to combine the patterns in the external memory 14, the memory selection switch 50 is switched from the left position shown in FIG. 2 to the right position and the combination key 46 is pressed.
, the memory selection switch 50 and the combination key 46 output a high level signal PS1 and a high level signal PS3 to the central processing unit 70. In the central processing unit 70, it is determined that the signal PS3 is "1", and both counters C1,
C2 is advanced and flag CF is set to "1". After that, when the corresponding number of the desired pattern in the external memory 14 is input, "1" of the signal PS2 from the encoder 72 is determined in the same way as described above, the code signal PN is temporarily stored in the memory TM, and the flag CF and the signal The states of PS1 and signal PS4 are sequentially determined and conversion for external memory is executed. According to this external memory conversion, the signal PS1 and the code signal PN are pattern code signals representing the desired pattern.
Converted to PAC, and flags BF and MF are "1"
is set, the start address signal HAD is read by the signal PAC, and the start address signal
HAD is written to intermediate memory 76 by counter C1.

By repeating the operations and actions described above,
A plurality of patterns in both memories 12 and 14 can be combined, and the head address signals HAD regarding the combined patterns are temporarily stored in the intermediate memory 76 in the order of combination. Further, as understood from the above, the central processing unit 70 controls the input key 44
The pattern specified by is the first pattern in the internal memory 12.
The step shown in FIG.
It is executed in ST1, and when the specified pattern belongs to the first pattern group, the flag MF is set to "0" as the first signal in step ST2, and the specified pattern belongs to the second pattern group. When the pattern belongs to the pattern group, the flag MF is set to "1" as the second signal in step ST3. Therefore, the central processing unit 70 performs steps ST1 to ST3.
By executing the above, the operation of the discriminating means 22 shown in FIG. 1 can be performed.

In a state where the head address signal HAD related to the pattern in the external memory 14 is stored in the intermediate memory 76, that is, in a state where the flag MF is set to "1", an operator accidentally inserts the memory cassette 5.
4 is removed, the limit switch 60 detects the removal and supplies a low level signal PS4 to the central processing unit 70. In the central processing unit 70, the flag MF is determined to be "1" and the signal is
"0" on the PS4 is determined, and a signal that causes the LED 52 to blink is output for the set time of the timer in order to notify the operator of this abnormal state. If the memory cassette 54 is not inserted during the set time, the counter C1 is reset, and the straight stitch head address signal HAD is written in the intermediate memory 76 addressed by the counter C1. The memory TM stores a code signal PN representing the corresponding number of straight stitches, and the counter C2
The number “1” is loaded and the flag
MF, BF, and CF are each set to "0".

Therefore, the central processing unit 70 performs the operation of the control means 24 shown in FIG. 1 by executing steps ST4 to ST10 shown in FIG. That is, when the flag MF is set to "0" as the first signal, the input key 44 and the combination key 46
The selected state of the combined pattern is maintained,
When the flag MF is set to "1" as the second signal and a low-level signal PS4 indicating removal of the external memory 14 is generated, a straight stitch that is a specific pattern in the internal memory 12 is automatically selected. .

Next, the operation of forming a combination pattern in which the patterns in both memories 12 and 14 are combined will be explained.

When the start/stop switch 64 is operated to start the sewing machine motor 62, the motor drive control device 86 supplies a high level signal CM representing motor operation to the central processing unit 70. central processing unit 70
, when the signal CM is determined to be “1”, the sixth
The operation according to the flowchart shown in the figure is started, and first the counter C1 is reset. The head address signal HAD of the first designated pattern is read out from the intermediate memory 76 by the counter C1 and loaded into the counter C3. Its first address signal
The value of the address indicated by HAD is
Minimum value N of the start address assigned to the pattern inside
It is determined in step ST11 whether or not the
Flag CMF is set to "1" when it is greater than or equal to the minimum value N, and flag CMF is set to "1" when it is smaller than the minimum value N.
is set to "0". Therefore, when the flag CMF is "1", the start address signal of the counter C3
This means that HAD is related to the pattern in external memory 14, and AragCMF is "0".
When , the head address signal HAD of counter C3
This means that it relates to the pattern in the internal memory 12.

After that, the state of flag CMF changes to step ST1.
When the flag CMF is "1", the contents of the counter C3 are supplied to the external memory 14, and when the flag CMF is "0", the contents of the counter C3 are supplied to the internal memory 12. Stitch data SD is read from the memory addressed by the counter C3. Therefore, the central processing unit 70 operates the data selection means 18 shown in FIG. 1 by executing steps ST12 to ST14 shown in FIG. The stitch data group for each pattern in both memories 12 and 14 includes end data indicating the end of that pattern, and it is determined whether the read stitch data SD is the end data or not. It is determined in step ST15. When it is not the end data, the stitch data SD is output to the actuator drive circuit 80 and used for forming each stitch. Then, the state of the signal TP from the timing signal generator 78 is determined, and the signal TP is "0".
While flag CMF, signal PS4 and signal CM
The state of is repeatedly determined. When it is determined that the signal TP has changed to "1", the counter C3 is advanced and the next stitch data is read out.

When the formation of the initially designated pattern is completed, it is determined in step ST15 whether the end data has been read, the counter C4 is advanced, and its contents are compared with the contents of the counter C2. At the current stage, the contents of the counter C2, which stores the number of combined patterns, are larger than those of the counter C4, which counts the number of patterns actually formed.
1 is advanced. The head address signal HAD of the second designated pattern is read out from the intermediate memory 76 by the counter C1 and loaded into the counter C3. This second designated pattern is also formed by performing the same operation as the first designated pattern, and when the pattern formation is completed, the counter C4 is further advanced and the next pattern is formed. Ru. When the contents of the counters C2 and C4 match, the counters C4 and C1 are reset and the initially designated pattern is again formed.

Start/stop switch 1 to stop pattern formation
4, the motor drive controller 86 starts an operation to stop the motor 62 and supplies a low level signal CM to the central processing unit 70 indicating that the motor is stopped. ``0'' of the signal CM is determined in step ST16, both counters C1 and C4 are reset, and the flag is set.
CF is set to "0" and the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is ready to be executed.

Now, when the memory cassette 54 is removed while the pattern in the external memory 14 is being formed, the limit switch 60 supplies a low level signal PS4 to the central processing unit 70. At this time, flag CMF
is set to "1" because the pattern in the external memory 14 is formed, and its flag CMF
The state of the signal PS4 is determined in step ST17 shown in FIG. 6, and "0" of the signal PS4 is determined in step ST18. This results in
A motor stop command is output to the motor drive control device 86, the counter C4 is reset, and the process proceeds to step ST6 shown in FIG. By executing steps ST6 to ST10, straight stitches are automatically selected.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the memory cassette 54 is removed with a pattern in the external memory 14 selected, the operator is notified of the abnormal condition by blinking the LED 52 for a predetermined period of time. A straight stitch is automatically selected only when the abnormal condition is not resolved by attaching the memory cassette 54. Therefore, even if the memory cassette 54 is erroneously removed, destruction of the combination pattern can be prevented as much as possible, which is advantageous in improving the ease of use of the sewing machine. In this example,
Since the straight seam, which is the most frequently used practical pattern, is automatically selected in response to the removal of the memory cassette 54, the work of reselecting the pattern after removal is reduced, and the ease of use of the sewing machine is improved. Since the position where a straight seam is formed is set at a position where there is no risk of collision with sewing tools such as a presser foot or attachments such as a side cutter, automatically selecting a straight seam at the time of separation is important for the safety of the sewing machine. Superior in sex. Furthermore, since the straight stitch itself has a longer stitch length and an overall simpler shape than other stitch patterns, the stitch formed during the inertial rotation when the sewing machine motor 62 is stopped is It can also be easily removed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

For example, the pattern that is automatically selected when the memory cassette is accidentally removed may be a zigzag stitch instead of a straight stitch, or it may be a special pattern that cannot be used during normal sewing.

[Effect] As is clear from the detailed description above, the present invention determines whether the pattern selected by the pattern selection means belongs to the first pattern group in the internal memory or the second pattern group in the external memory. a discriminating means for discriminating the selected pattern; and retaining the selected state of the pattern selecting means when the selected pattern belongs to the first pattern group, and retaining the selected state of the pattern selecting means when the external memory is removed when the selected pattern belongs to the second pattern group By providing a control means for causing the pattern selection means to select a specific pattern in the pattern group, it is not necessary to perform pattern selection again even if the external memory is disconnected while a pattern in the first pattern group is selected. This is advantageous in terms of ease of use of the sewing machine. If the external memory is accidentally removed while a pattern in the second pattern group is selected, a specific pattern in the first pattern group will be automatically selected, and the sewing needle and feed adjuster will be automatically selected. is reliably set at a constant position related to the specific pattern, and as a result, damage to the sewn product can be kept to a minimum and collisions between the sewing tool and the sewing needle can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of the sewing machine of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which a memory cassette is installed.
Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of this embodiment, Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the central processing unit, and Figure 5 is the operation when the sewing machine motor is stopped. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the sewing machine motor during operation. 10: Sewing machine frame, 12: Internal memory, 14:
external memory, 16: pattern selection means, 22: discrimination means, 24: control means, 26: memory attachment/detachment detection means, 44: input key, 46: combination key, 50:
Memory selection switch, 70: Central processing unit, ST
1 to ST15: Step, MF: Flag.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An internal memory that is provided within the sewing machine frame and stores a first pattern group consisting of a plurality of predetermined patterns; an external memory for storing a second pattern group consisting of a plurality of patterns different from the patterns in the pattern group; and at least one pattern group from the pattern groups stored in both memories.
a pattern selection means for selecting one pattern, and forming the selected pattern, the sewing machine is configured to determine whether the pattern selected by the pattern selection means belongs to the first pattern group or the second pattern group. discriminating means for discriminating, and generating a first signal when the pattern belongs to a first pattern group, and a second signal when the pattern belongs to a second pattern group; The selected state of the pattern selection means is maintained regardless of the timing, and when the second signal is generated and the external memory is removed from the sewing machine frame, a specific pattern in the first pattern group is automatically selected. A sewing machine comprising a removable external memory including a control means for changing the selection state of the pattern selection means so as to change the selection state of the pattern selection means. 2. The pattern selection means includes a pattern designation operation member for designating each pattern in the first pattern group and the second pattern group, and a combination operation member for combining a plurality of the designated patterns. and the discrimination means generates the first signal when all of the plurality of combined patterns belong to the first pattern group, and the discrimination means generates the first signal when all of the plurality of combined patterns belong to the first pattern group, A sewing machine equipped with a removable external memory according to claim 1, which generates said second signal when a group pattern is included.