JPH11333173A - Tension control device of sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check the thread tension of a tension control means easily and accurately as well as to adjust the thread tension easily in the tension regulating device of a sewing machine in which tension can be continuously changed by electrical control. SOLUTION: This tension control device is composed of a tension regulating means 19 which applies tension to a needle thread of the sewing machine, a drive means 60 which continuously changes the tension applied to the needle thread from the tension control means 19 by electrically driving the tension control means 19, a setting input means with which a user can input setting data of tension to be applied to the needle thread from the tension control means 19, and a control means which drives the drive means 60 by a quantity according to a setting data at a specified timing during sewing so that the tension control means 19 applies the tension responding to the setting data to the needle thread as well as which can perform a test drive in which the drive means 60 is quantity-driven according to a setting data when the sewing machine stops.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a thread tensioner for applying tension to the upper thread of a sewing machine, and driving means for acting on the thread tensioner by electric drive. The present invention relates to a thread tension device of a sewing machine capable of continuously changing the tension applied to a sewing machine.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior to the present application, the applicant has developed and filed a sewing machine thread tension device capable of continuously changing the tension applied to a needle thread from a thread tensioner (for example, a tension plate, a rotary tensioner, etc.). doing. Such a thread tension device uses a driving means (for example, a voice coil motor, a proportional solenoid, a combination of an air piston and a proportional electromagnetic solenoid valve) that can be electrically driven in a continuous amount, and drives the driving means. By electrically controlling the tension, the tension applied to the upper thread during sewing is continuously changed by, for example, increasing or decreasing the pressing force of the tension plate or increasing or decreasing the load of the rotary plate with the rotary tension.

[0003]

When performing a sewing process, it is sometimes necessary to check whether an appropriate thread tension is obtained from a thread tensioner. If an appropriate tension is not obtained from the thread tensioner, the tension of the upper thread and the lower thread deviates from a desired balance, so that the desired sewing cannot be performed. In the conventional general thread tension in which the tension applied to the thread is not continuously variable and only a predetermined tension can be applied during sewing, the thread is passed through a thread tension device when the sewing machine stops before sewing, and a tension meter is used. By measuring the yarn tension, the yarn tension from the yarn tensioner could be confirmed. When the desired thread tension is not obtained, the tension is adjusted to a desired thread tension by turning a tension adjustment knob, for example, by increasing or decreasing a coil spring pressing a tension plate or a rotary plate of a rotary tension. It is possible to do.

However, in the thread tension device of a sewing machine in which the tension can be continuously changed by the above-described conventional electric control, the driving means is driven to obtain the set thread tension from the thread tension device. In order to check whether the desired thread tension is obtained from the thread tensioner, it is only during the sewing of the sewing machine that the sewing is actually performed, and the seam is visually checked to determine whether the desired thread tension is obtained. I had to make sure. This checking operation has disadvantages such as waste of labor due to trial sewing, and inability to accurately measure thread tension, or variations among operators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a thread tension device of a sewing machine in which the tension can be continuously changed by electric control, it is easy to check the thread tension obtained from the thread tension device. And accurately,
Furthermore, it is also possible to easily adjust the yarn tension.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a thread tensioner for applying tension to an upper thread of a sewing machine, and an actuation of the thread tensioner by electric drive. Drive means for continuously changing the tension applied to the upper thread from the thread tensioner, setting input means capable of inputting setting data of the tension applied to the upper thread from the thread tensioner, and a predetermined input during sewing. At the timing, the driving means is driven by an amount corresponding to the setting data to apply a tension corresponding to the setting data to the upper thread from the thread tensioner, and the driving means is driven when the sewing machine is stopped other than during sewing. And control means capable of performing test driving for driving the amount according to the setting data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by the test drive executed by the control means, the drive means is experimentally driven when the sewing machine is stopped other than during sewing.
Since the state of the thread tensioner can be set to a state corresponding to the set data, for example, in this state, the thread tension is measured during the sewing by hanging the thread on the thread tensioner and measuring the thread tension with a tension meter. The yarn tension of the vessel can be easily and accurately checked.

Here, the thread tensioner is, for example, of a type which applies tension to a thread by sandwiching the thread between two tension discs,
There is a rotary tension or the like in which a yarn is arranged around a rotating plate and tension is applied to the yarn by the rotational resistance of the rotating plate. The driving means is, for example, a voice coil motor, a proportional solenoid,
As long as the drive amount can be continuously changed by electric control, such as a combination of an air piston and a proportional electromagnetic solenoid valve, any type can be used, and this continuous drive amount is applied to the thread tensioner. (For example, by continuously changing the pressing force of the rotating plate or continuously changing the rotating resistance of the rotating plate), the tension applied to the yarn from the yarn tensioner continuously changes. Can be done. Also,
The test drive processing may be performed by, for example, providing a test drive start switch and turning on the switch, or may be performed while setting data is being input by the setting input unit. The program may be executed at a preset timing while the sewing machine is stopped. The condition for starting the execution may be any condition that can be started when the sewing machine stops other than sewing. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the thread tension device for a sewing machine according to the first aspect, a plurality of setting items of the tension force which can be inputted by the setting input means correspond to a plurality of timings during sewing. The control means is configured to be able to perform the test drive of a plurality of items corresponding to the plurality of timings when the sewing machine is stopped other than during sewing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when different thread tensions are applied at a plurality of timings during sewing,
It is possible to experimentally confirm the yarn tension at all these timings.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the thread tension device for a sewing machine according to the first or second aspect, the control means includes:
The test drive is performed during the setting input of the tension force by the setting input unit.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the test drive of the thread tensioner is performed during the setting input of the tension force of the thread tensioner, so that the yarn tension obtained from the thread tensioner can be reduced. By changing the setting data while measuring, the desired thread tension can be easily set.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the thread tension device of the sewing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, there is provided setting input means capable of inputting correction value data of the amount of action by the driving means, The control means corrects the tension force setting data based on the correction value data, and then drives the driving means by an amount corresponding to the corrected setting data.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by appropriately setting the correction value data, the thread tension actually obtained from the thread tensioner and the tension setting data inputted by the setting input means can be obtained. Can be adapted. Also,
When a plurality of sewing machines are used, even if there is variation in the thread tension device of each sewing machine and even if the same setting data is input and the thread tension obtained from the thread tension device of each sewing machine varies, the above correction is performed. By setting the value data in accordance with the variation of each thread tension device, the variation of the thread tension device between the sewing machines can be eliminated.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a buttonhole sewing machine 1 provided with a thread tension device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The buttonhole sewing machine 1 holds the sewing machine needle 9 and the cloth therebetween, and moves back and forth in the cloth feeding direction to feed the cloth.
And a thread holding scissor 80 for cutting the upper thread above the cloth holding plate 14 and the cloth presser 15, a cloth cutting knife 16 for cutting a cloth to form a button hole, and the like. The sewing is performed while reciprocating (needle swinging motion) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cloth feeding direction. For example, as shown in FIG. This sewing machine forms a button hole in a workpiece by performing sewing with the right and left parallel parts C and the second bar-tacking part D. A thread tensioner (active tension) 19 constituting the thread tension device according to the embodiment of the present invention, a needle thread tension VCM (voice coil motor) 60 as a driving means, a setting input means, An operation panel 110 (FIG. 3) as well as a control device (FIG. 4) that controls the buttonhole sewing machine 1 and constitutes a control unit of the thread tension device are provided.

FIG. 2 shows the thread tensioner 19 and the needle thread tension VC.
It is sectional drawing which shows M60. The thread tensioner 19 applies a resistance to the upper thread by sandwiching the upper thread between a pair of tension discs (the fixed dish 67 and the movable dish 66). Is a dynamic thread tension (active tension) that can be continuously changed. The thread tensioner 19 includes a base member 64 fitted to the arm 4 of the sewing machine, a hollow shaft 65, a fixed plate 67 fixed to the hollow shaft 65, and a movable plate movably provided along the hollow shaft 65. 66, a coil spring 68 for pressing the movable plate 66 against the fixed plate 67, etc., and a contact piece 66a integrated with the movable plate 66 in the hollow shaft 65; And an operation shaft 63 that can be brought into contact with the shaft.

The needle thread tension VCM 60 has a low operating inertia,
This is a voice coil motor having a linear characteristic in the relation of current-driving force. And a movable coil 604 having a cylindrical shape. That is, by controlling the amount of energization, it is possible to control the driving force of the plunger 61 at high speed almost in proportion to the current value. And, the plunger 61 of the upper thread tension VCM60
Is connected to an operating shaft 63 of the thread tensioner 19 via a lever 62 having a pin 62a at an intermediate portion as a fulcrum. The thread tension is controlled by continuously changing the driving force of the upper thread tension VCM 60. It is possible to continuously change the pressing force of the movable plate 66 of the device 19 to continuously change the resistance applied to the upper thread from the thread tensioner 19.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the operation panel 110 provided on the buttonhole sewing machine 1. The operation panel 110
It is used for setting and inputting various sewing parameters, displaying set values and displaying errors in sewing control, and is provided, for example, on a sewing machine table on which the buttonhole sewing machine 1 is placed.

On the operation panel 110, a sewing key 131 for starting sewing, and an LED (Li) for lighting the display of the sewing mode by pressing the sewing key 131 are displayed.
gh Emitting Diode display unit 13
2, a selection key 133 for selecting an input mode, a pattern number display section 134 for displaying the input mode selected by operating the selection key 133 by lighting, a parameter number display section 135, and a 2-digit 7-segment display section. A mode display section 141, a parameter display section 142 including a 4-digit 7-segment display section, a minus key 143 for input parameter value "-1", a plus key 144 for input parameter value "+1", and a predetermined unit for input parameter value. Are provided, a down key 145 for subtracting the input parameter value in a predetermined unit, an up key 146 for adding the input parameter value in a predetermined unit, a set key 147 for notifying the threading to the sewing machine needle 9 and the positioning of the shuttle.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the buttonhole sewing machine 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the control device of the buttonhole holing machine 1 includes a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 100, RAM
(Random Access Memory) 101,
ROM (Read Only Memory) 102,
Y feed counter 103 for counting the rotation amount of each pulse motor, base line feed counter 104, needle swing feed counter 105, cloth cutting knife counter 106 for counting the number of driving of the cloth cutting knife, Y for driving each pulse motor
A feed pulse motor driver 111, a baseline feed pulse motor driver 112, a needle feed pulse motor driver 113, drivers for various sensors and drivers, an I / O interface 109 connecting the operation panel 110, etc. to the CPU 100, and a sewing machine are driven. Motor driver 115 for controlling the driving of the sewing machine motor 5, a sewing machine motor encoder 119 for coding the rotation amount of the sewing machine motor 5 as the rotation angle of the upper shaft 6, and an upper thread tension VCM (voice coil motor) of the thread tensioner 19. An active tension driver 120 for driving the presser 60, a presser raising solenoid drive circuit 121 for driving a presser raising solenoid 122 for raising the cloth presser 15, and a cloth cutting knife lowering cylinder for driving a cloth cutting knife lowering cylinder 30 for lowering the cloth cutting knife 16. Dynamic circuit 123, and a predetermined interrupt condition (counter value indicating the amount of rotation of each pulse motor,
CPU 1 according to the cloth feeding position, the rotation angle of the upper shaft 6, etc.
Interrupt controller 1 that outputs an interrupt signal at 00
08 etc.

The Y-feed pulse motor 20 includes a cloth holder 15
And the cloth holding plate 14 in the Y direction. The base line feed pulse motor 40 changes the base line position of the sewing needle 9, and the needle feed pulse motor 41 adjusts the needle swing amount of the sewing needle 9. The motor to change.

The sewing machine motor driver 115 is provided with a needle position sensor 116 for detecting that the sewing needle 9 is at an upper position, a feed position for detecting the reference positions of the cloth holder 15 and the cloth holding plate 14 in addition to the sewing motor 5. Reference position sensor 11
7. TG (Tacho G) for detecting the rotation angle of the upper shaft 6
An generator 118 and the like are connected.
The I / O interface 109 includes an operation panel 110
In addition to the driver and drive circuit for each drive unit,
6, a knife lowering detection switch 34 for detecting the lowering of the presser foot 6, a presser lowering detection switch 28 for detecting the lowering of the cloth presser 15, and a Y feed origin for detecting a state where the cloth feed (the cloth presser 15 and the cloth holding plate 14) is at the original position. Sensor 26, baseline feed origin sensor 5 indicating that the baseline position of the needle swing mechanism is at the origin
7, a needle swing feed origin sensor 58 indicating that the swing width of the needle swing mechanism is at the origin, a holding switch 124 for instructing the cloth holder 15 to descend, and a start switch 125 for instructing the start of driving of the sewing machine motor 5. It is connected.

The CPU 100 inputs data from the operation panel 110, detection signals from various connected sensors, and receives signals via each driver according to a control program stored in the ROM 101 using a predetermined area of the RAM 102 as a work area. Controls various drive units. ROM101
In addition to the sewing processing for executing buttonhole buttonhole sewing based on the sewing data input via the operation panel 110, parameters such as a sewing pattern and a thread tension value applied to the thread tensioner 19 at each sewing timing are provided. Control data and a control program for setting input processing for inputting setting data from the operation panel 110 and test driving processing for driving the thread tension device on a trial basis during the setting input processing are stored.
These setting input processing and test drive processing will be described later in detail.

The buttonhole buttonhole sewing machine 1 provided with the thread tension device of this embodiment is configured as described above, and inputs each setting data from the operation panel 110 and the thread tension device as described below. Buttonhole sewing machine 1 including
Is performed, and a buttonhole buttoning process for sewing the buttonhole buttonhole is performed.

First, the items of the setting data input from the operation panel 110 will be described. FIG. 5 is a chart diagram of a data table showing data that can be input from the operation panel. The data contents that can be input from the operation panel 110 are as shown in the parameter table of FIG.

That is, the cloth cutting length data, the knife width data, which are the length data of each part of the sewing pattern of the buttonhole buttonhole,
Bar-tack length data, bar-tack width data, parallel section pitch data, bar-tack section pitch data, cloth cutting knife-1st bar-tack clearance data, cloth cutting knife-2nd bar-tack clearance data, Also, knife drop left / right position data indicating the amount of shift of the knife drop position in the left / right direction, active tension correction data indicating a correction value of the upper thread tension VCM 60 for applying tension to the thread tensioner 19, and thread tensioner 19 at each sewing timing. Parallel part tension data, bar-tacking part tension data, sewing start tension data, sewing end tension data, thread trimming tension data, cloth cutting knife size data, holding size data, and cloth cutting knife 16 The data such as sewing machine speed data at the time of driving the knife, which indicates the sewing speed at the time of driving of the It is stored in 102.

When the user drives the buttonhole sewing machine 1, first, the above setting data is transmitted to the operation panel 110.
Perform the setting input process to input from. Default data and previously input data are stored in advance in each data item to be input, and the user inputs and changes only data items that need to be changed. For each item of the setting data, setting range data indicating a range of data values that can be input corresponding to the item is stored in advance, and if data out of the setting range data is input, an error determination is made. Is being done. A plurality of sets of the above setting data can be registered in association with a sewing pattern number. When a user selects and calls an arbitrary sewing pattern number, a set of setting data corresponding to the number is read. Used for actual sewing control.

During the above-mentioned setting input processing, a test drive processing for driving the thread tension device on a trial basis during the input processing of a predetermined data item is executed. That is, “parallel portion tension” which is tension data as a setting data item to be input.
"Tension at bar-tacking section""Tension at sewing start""Tension at sewing end"
When the "thread tension at the time of thread trimming" is selected, power is supplied to the upper thread tension VCM 60 according to the set data at the same time as the selection, and a driving force corresponding to the set data is generated in the plunger 61 of the upper thread tension VCM 60. This driving force is applied to lever 6
2. The force is transmitted to the movable plate 66 of the thread tensioner 19 via the operation shaft 63, and a pressing force according to the set data is applied. Each time the operation panel 110 is operated to change the setting data, the thread tension device 19 is changed according to the change of the setting data.
The pressing force applied to is also changed. The user can measure the thread tension actually obtained during sewing by hanging the thread on the thread tensioner 19 in this state and measuring the thread tension using a tension meter. Further, by changing the setting data while performing the measurement, it is possible to easily search for setting data for obtaining a desired thread tension.

If there is a difference between the set data and the actually measured value due to the above measurement, the data of the "active tension correction" in the set data item is changed. The data value of this item is the upper thread tension VCM based on the tension data.
The correction is performed by subtracting the power supply amount corresponding to the active tension correction data from the power supply amount based on the tension data, for example. By performing this correction correctly, it is possible to generate a desired tension only with the set data value without actually measuring the yarn tension. In addition, there are a plurality of the same buttonhole overlocking machines 1, and there is a deviation between the tension data and the measured tension between the sewing machines. To correct this deviation, first input the same data value to appropriate tension data. And then,
"Active tension compensation" while measuring tension
Change the data value of. Then, when the predetermined thread tension is output, the data setting of “active tension correction” is completed. By performing the same adjustment on all the sewing machines, the difference between the tension data between the sewing machines and the measured tension is eliminated.

After the above-described setting input processing is completed, the sewing is performed in the set sewing pattern by setting the cloth and turning on the star and the switch 125. During the sewing process, a tension corresponding to a tension data value corresponding to each timing is applied to the thread tensioner 19 at each timing of the sewing process in synchronization with the sewing process. Thus, the desired seam is formed, and the desired buttonhole is formed.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 6 which are diagrams of buttonhole buttonhole sewing patterns sewn by the buttonhole keyhole sewing machine 1, firstly, the thread tensioner 19 is set with the setting data of "sewing start tension". with corresponding tension is applied, the fabric is sent to the needle drop position is the coordinate P ₁ (FIG. 6). Next, a tension corresponding to the set data of the "parallel portion tension" is applied to the thread tensioner 19, and the left parallel portion A is sewn by the cooperation of the sewing needle 9 and the cloth feed (FIG. 6). sewing bar tacking portion beginning is sewn to the coordinates P ₃ (Fig. 6). Next, a tension corresponding to the setting data of the "tacking portion tension" is applied to the thread tensioner 19, and the first bar tacking portion B is sewn in cooperation with the sewing machine needle 9 and the cloth feed (FIG. 6). , it is sewn to the coordinates P ₄ beginning sewing of the next right parallel portion (FIG. 6).

Next, a tension corresponding to the setting data of "parallel portion tension" is applied to the thread tensioner 19, and the right parallel portion C is sewn in cooperation with the sewing machine needle 9 and the cloth feed (FIG. 6). , it is sewn to the sewing start coordinates P ₇ of the second bar tacking of the next (Figure 6). Next, a tension corresponding to the setting data of the "bar tacking portion tension" is applied to the thread tensioner 19, and the first bar tacking portion D is cooperated with the sewing machine needle 9 and the cloth feed.
Is performed (FIG. 6). Then, the tension corresponding to the setting data of "sewing end tension" in the thread tension regulator 19 is applied, the sewing up to the last stitch coordinates P ₉ is performed by the cooperation of the sewing needle 9 and the cloth feed (Figure 6) . Then, finally, a tension corresponding to the setting data of the "thread trimming tension" is applied to the thread tensioner 19, and thread trimming is performed by the upper thread trimming scissors 80, thereby completing one buttonhole holing. .

Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the button holing process including the setting input process performed by the control unit of the button holing machine 1 will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a general procedure of a button holing process performed by the control unit of the button holing machine. The buttonhole buttoning process is started when the buttonhole buttonhole sewing machine 1 is started, for example. When the buttonhole sewing machine 1 is started, first, in step S1, a subroutine process of an operation panel setting process is performed, and the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the sewing key 131 on the operation panel 110 is on. If the sewing key 131 is on, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is off, the process returns to step S1 to perform the operation setting process. repeat. Sewing key 1
When 31 is depressed and the process proceeds to step S3, a subroutine process of sewing data creation for calculating a sewing pattern and the like is performed in step S3, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, for example, an error flag in the RAM 102 is read, and it is determined whether or not an error has been recorded in the previous step. If no error has been recorded, the process directly proceeds to step S6. In step S5, an error display corresponding to the display unit 140 of the operation panel 110 is performed, and the button buttonhole processing is interrupted.

In step S6, a signal for lowering the cloth presser 15 is output to the presser lifting solenoid drive circuit 121, and the flow advances to step S7. In step S7, Y
Based on fine movements of the feed pulse motor 20, the base line feed pulse motor 40 and the needle feed pulse motor 41, and the detection outputs of the Y feed origin sensor 26, the baseline feed origin sensor 57 and the needle feed origin sensor 58, a cloth feed mechanism is provided. Then, each origin search of the needle swing mechanism is performed, and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the Y feed pulse motor 20, the baseline feed pulse motor 40, and the needle swing pulse motor 41 are driven so that the sewing needle 9 is positioned above the first needle drop position at the start of sewing. Transition.

In step S9, a signal for raising the cloth presser 15 is output to the presser raising solenoid drive circuit 121, and the flow advances to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether the sewing key 131 has been turned on. If the sewing key 131 is on, the process directly proceeds to step S11. If the sewing key 131 is off, the process returns to step S1. Step S
At 11, it is determined whether or not the press switch 124 is on. If the switch is on, the process directly proceeds to step S12. If it is off, the process returns to step S10 to repeat the processes of steps S10 and S11. When the presser switch 124 is pressed and the process proceeds to step S12, the detection output of the presser foot lowering detection switch 28 is read in this step, and if the cloth presser 15 is raised, the process proceeds to step S13.
Then, an output for lowering the cloth presser 15 is performed, and the process proceeds to step S15. However, if the presser foot 15 is lowered, the process proceeds to step S14, an output for raising the presser foot 15 is performed, and the process returns to step S10 again.

In step S15, the press switch 12
It is determined whether or not the on operation of No. 4 has been released, and if it is still in the on state, the process directly proceeds to step S16. If it has been released to the off state, the process proceeds to step S14 and the cloth holder 15 is raised. To return to the processing from step S10. In step S16, it is determined whether or not the start switch 125 for instructing the sewing start has been turned on. If the start switch 125 has not been turned on and remains in the off state, the processing from step S15 is repeated. Then, control goes to a step S17. In step S17,
In accordance with the sewing data created in the sewing data creation process in step S3, the sewing machine motor 5 is driven to sew one buttonhole from the beginning to the end, the cloth cutting knife 16 is driven, and the thread is threaded at each sewing timing. A sewing process for applying the tension set to the tensioner 19 is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, for example, the RAM 102
The error flag is read, and it is determined whether or not an error has been recorded in the previous step. If no error has been recorded, the process directly proceeds to step S19, and if an error has been recorded, the process proceeds to step S20. Operation panel 110
Is displayed on the display unit 140, and the button buttoning process is interrupted. In step S19, a signal is output to the active tension driver 120, and the tension at the time of thread trimming set in the thread tensioner 19 is applied.
Move to 1.

In step S21, the sewing machine thread is cut by operating the upper thread trimming scissors 80, and thereafter, thread trimming / lifting processing for raising the cloth presser 15 is performed, and step S2 is performed.
Move to 2. In step S22, the detection output of the presser foot lowering detection switch 28 is read, and after confirming the rise of the cloth presser 15, the process proceeds to step S23, where a signal is output to the active tension driver 120, and the tension of the thread tensioner 19 is adjusted. And returns to step S10, and repeats the processing from step S10 again.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a subroutine of an operation panel setting process which is a setting input process performed in step S1 of the general flow. When this serve routine is called, first, in step S3
If the selection key 133 is turned on / off at 1, the selection number (the value indicating the setting mode) stored in the RAM 102 is incremented by "1" at step S32, and the routine goes to step S33. However, if the selection key 133 is off, the process jumps to step S35. In step S33, it is determined whether or not the value of the selection number stored in the RAM 102 has exceeded the maximum value.
Then, "0" is substituted for the selection number, and the process proceeds to step S35, and if not, the process directly proceeds to step S35.

Next, in steps S35 and S37, a branch process according to the selection number is performed.
If the selection number is 1, the subroutine of the parameter change process (step S38) is performed, and then the subroutine of the operation panel setting process is terminated. Return to General Flow.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a subroutine of a parameter changing process performed in step S38 of the operation panel setting process of FIG. When the parameter change processing subroutine is called, first, it is determined in step S41 whether or not the plus key 144 of the operation panel 110 has been pressed.
The parameter number (the value indicating the setting item of the input data (FIG. 5)) stored in the RAM 102 is changed to “+”.
1 "and then proceeds to the step S43. Is jumped, the process jumps to step S45. Step S43
Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the parameter number in the RAM 102 has exceeded the maximum value. If the value has exceeded the maximum value, "1" is substituted for the selection number in step S44, and the process proceeds to step S45.
If not exceeded, the process directly proceeds to step S45.
That is, in the processing of steps S41 to S44, the setting item to be input can be moved and selected in the “+1” direction.

Next, steps S45 to S48
Then, the same processing as in steps S41 to S44 is performed by "-
The process is performed in the "1" direction, and the process proceeds to step S49. In step S49, a process of changing the parameter value of the setting item designated by the parameter number in the RAM 102 using the up key 146 and the down key 145 is performed in the same manner as in steps S41 to S49. Then, the process proceeds to step S50, in which the RAM
It is determined whether or not the parameter number in 102 is a number for setting the tension of the thread tensioner 19, and if so, step S
The routine proceeds to 51, where the tension of the setting data is output to the thread tensioner 19, and this subroutine processing is terminated. If this is not the setting item number of the tension data, this subroutine processing is terminated as it is, and the processing returns to the operation panel setting processing of FIG.

That is, by the processes of steps S50 and S51, a test drive process for driving the thread tension device on a trial basis is performed.

The subroutine of the operation panel setting process and the parameter changing process described above is a general flow (FIG. 7).
In steps S1 and S2, the sewing is repeatedly performed at high speed until the sewing key 131 is pressed.
All the setting data can be input, and the test drive is performed while the tension data is being set.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a subroutine of the sewing data creation processing performed in step S3 of the general flow of FIG. In this subroutine, first, the setting data input in the operation panel setting process (step S1 in FIG. 7) is compared with the setting range (see FIG. 5) stored in the ROM 101, and the setting data is A check is made to see if it is within the setting range. If not included, an error flag in the RAM 102 is set, and the routine goes to Step S102. In step S102, it is determined whether or not an error flag has been set in step S101. If the error flag has been set, this subroutine ends and the flow returns to the general flow. (Step S103), a knife drive timing calculation process for calculating the drive timing of the cloth cutting knife (Step S10)
4) is executed, and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a subroutine of the pattern calculation process (step S103) of the sewing data creation process. When the pattern calculation processing subroutine is called, first, the operation panel setting processing of the general flow (FIG. 11) (step S
The data value of "active tension correction" input in 1) is read, and a tension correction calculation based on this data value is performed.

The contents of the correction operation are operations for subtracting the correction data value from the set data value as shown in FIG. 12, which is a graph showing the outline of the correction operation. That is, when the relationship between the value of the setting data and the effective tension actually generated in the thread tensioner 19 is shifted from the ideal line and is that of the first line L1, "-C1" is input as the correction data value. By doing so, the relationship between the set data value and the effective tension is corrected to the ideal line. Similarly, when the relationship between the set data value and the effective tension is shifted from the ideal line and is that of the second line L2, inputting “C2” as the correction data value allows the relationship between the set data value and the effective tension to be changed. Is corrected to an ideal line.

After that, in the operation panel setting process, R
The data of each sewing pattern stored in the AM 102 is read, and a sewing start position calculation (step S112), a left parallel portion calculation (step S113), which is a calculation of a sewing pattern from the sewing start to the sewing end, is sequentially performed. First
Bar-tacking section calculation (step S114), right parallel section calculation (step S115), second bar-tacking section calculation (step S11)
6) Perform the sewing end position calculation (step S117),
This subroutine is completed and the sewing data creation processing (FIG. 1)
Return to 0).

As described above, according to the thread tension device of the buttonhole buttonhole sewing machine 1 of this embodiment, the test drive processing (steps S50 and S5 of the parameter change processing (FIG. 9))
According to 1), when the sewing machine is stopped other than during sewing, the upper thread tension VCM 60 is experimentally driven, and the state of the thread tensioner 19 can be set to a state corresponding to the value of the tension data. By hanging the thread on the thread tensioner and measuring the thread tension with a tension meter, the thread tension of the thread tensioner 19 applied during sewing can be easily and accurately confirmed. In addition, since the above-described test drive processing is performed while setting and inputting the tension data of the thread tensioner,
By changing the setting data while measuring the thread tension of the thread tensioner, a desired thread tension can be easily set.

By appropriately setting the data of “active tension correction”, the thread tension (resistance applied to the thread) actually obtained from the thread tensioner 19 and the operation panel 11
It is possible to match with the tension by the setting data input by “0”. Also, when a plurality of sewing machines are used, the thread tension devices of each sewing machine may vary, and the thread tension obtained from the thread tensioner 19 of each sewing machine may vary even when the same setting data is input. However, by setting the "active tension correction" data corresponding to each thread tension device, it is possible to eliminate the variation of the thread tension device between the sewing machines.

The thread tension device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the thread tension device is not limited to a tension plate type, but may be a rotary tension or another type. The driving means is not limited to the voice coil motor, but may be any means such as a proportional solenoid, a combination of an air piston and a proportional electromagnetic solenoid valve, as long as the drive amount can be continuously changed by electric control. . Further, the test drive process may not be performed during the operation panel setting process, but may be performed by, for example, providing a test drive start switch and turning on the switch, or at a preset timing during the stop of the sewing machine. It may be executed. Further, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the thread tension device of the present invention is applied to a buttonhole sewing machine, but may be applied to a cycle sewing machine such as a button sewing machine or an embroidery sewing machine, or other sewing machines. .

[0053]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the test drive executed by the control means drives the drive means on a trial basis when the sewing machine is stopped other than during sewing, and sets the state of the thread tensioner in the setting data. For example, in this state, the thread tension of the thread tensioner applied during sewing can be easily obtained by hanging the thread on the thread tensioner and measuring the thread tension with a tension meter in this state. And it can be confirmed accurately.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when different thread tensions are applied at a plurality of timings during sewing, the thread tensions at all of these timings can be experimentally confirmed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the test drive of the thread tensioner is performed while the tension tension of the thread tensioner is being input, so that the thread tension obtained from the thread tensioner is measured. By changing the setting data, the desired thread tension can be easily set.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, by appropriately setting the correction value data, the thread tension actually obtained from the thread tensioner and the tension based on the setting data input by the setting input means are matched. I can do it. When a plurality of sewing machines are used, even if the thread tension devices of each sewing machine vary and the thread tension obtained from the thread tension devices of each sewing machine varies even when the same setting data is input, the above correction value is used. By setting the data so as to correspond to each thread tension device, it is possible to eliminate the variation of the thread tension device between the sewing machines.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a buttonhole sewing machine provided with a thread tension device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a thread tension device and a driving means of the thread tension device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation panel provided on the buttonhole overlock sewing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the buttonhole sewing machine.

FIG. 5 is a chart diagram of a data table showing data that can be input from an operation panel.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a sewing pattern of buttonhole buttonhole sewing performed by the buttonhole buttonhole sewing machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a general procedure of a button holing process performed by a control unit of the button holing machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a subroutine of an operation panel setting process in the general flow of FIG. 7;

9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a subroutine of a parameter changing process in the operation panel setting process of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a subroutine of sewing data creation processing in the general flow of FIG. 7;

11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a subroutine of a pattern calculation process during the sewing data creation process of FIG. 10;

12 is a graph showing an outline of a correction calculation performed in a tension correction calculation of the pattern calculation processing of FIG.

[Description of Signs] 1 Buttonhole overlocking machine 9 Sewing machine needle 14 Cloth holding plate 15 Cloth retainer 19 Thread tensioner 60 Upper thread tension VCM (Drive means) 80 Upper thread cutting scissors 100 CPU (Control means) 110 Operation panel (Setting input) means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A thread tensioner for applying tension to an upper thread of a sewing machine, and an electric drive that acts on the thread tensioner to continuously change the tension applied to the upper thread from the thread tensioner. Drive means; setting input means capable of inputting setting data of tension applied to the upper thread from the thread tensioner; and driving the drive means at a predetermined timing during sewing by an amount corresponding to the setting data to thereby drive the thread. A control unit that applies a tension according to the setting data to the upper thread from a tensioner, and that can perform a test drive for driving the driving unit by an amount corresponding to the setting data when the sewing machine is stopped other than during sewing. A thread tension device for a sewing machine, comprising: 2. There are a plurality of types of tension setting items that can be input by the setting input means corresponding to a plurality of timings during sewing. The control means controls the plurality of timings when the sewing machine is stopped other than during sewing. 2. The thread tension device for a sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the test drive of a plurality of items corresponding to the above-mentioned items can be performed. 3. The thread tension device for a sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the test drive during a tension setting input by the setting input unit. 4. A setting input unit capable of inputting correction value data of an amount of action by the driving unit, wherein the control unit corrects the tension setting data based on the correction value data and then sets the driving unit The thread tension device for a sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is driven by an amount corresponding to the corrected setting data.