U.S. patent application number 10/284712 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-08 for sewing or embroidery machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellchaft BERNINA-Nahmaschinenfabrik. Invention is credited to Durville, Gerard.
Application Number | 20030084831 10/284712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4567131 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030084831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Durville, Gerard |
May 8, 2003 |
SEWING OR EMBROIDERY MACHINE
Abstract
Identification elements for identifying the size, shape, and
kind of embroidery frame (37) are installed on the embroidery frame
(37) for a sewing or embroidery machine with an embroidery module
(33). Furthermore, at least one reference cam (44) is provided on
the embroidery frame (37), and by means thereof the precise
position of the embroidery frame (37) relative to the embroidery
module (33), and thus also relative to the needle (27), can be
derived. By a comparison of the actual position of the embroidery
frame (37) with the desired position, a fault can be detected and a
new positioning of the embroidery frame (37) can be performed in
the case, for example, that switching steps of the drive element in
the embroidery module (33) have been lost.
Inventors: |
Durville, Gerard;
(Gipf-Oberfrick, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
SUITE 400, ONE PENN CENTER
1617 JOHN F. KENNEDY BOULEVARD
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellchaft
BERNINA-Nahmaschinenfabrik
|
Family ID: |
4567131 |
Appl. No.: |
10/284712 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
112/102.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05B 39/00 20130101;
D05B 19/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
112/102.5 |
International
Class: |
D05B 021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2001 |
CH |
2001 2013/01 |
Claims
1. Sewing or embroidery machine comprising an embroidery module
(33) with an embroidery frame drive unit (36) for driving
differently sized interchangeable embroidery frames (37) in X and Y
directions, an embroidery frame support (39) on the embroidery
frame drive unit (36) for releasable connection of the embroidery
frame (37) to the drive unit (36), and an embroidery frame (37)
with an embroidery frame holding and locking device (39) for the
production of a play-free connection between the drive unit (36)
and the embroidery frame (37), impulse-triggering means (43) are
located on the embroidery frame (37) and impulse-generating control
means (45) are located on the drive unit (36) for identifying the
docked embroidery frame (37), wherein on the embroidery frame (37)
a reference element (44) is allocated to each impulse triggering
means (43) and can be identified and read by a stationary sensor
(45) connected to the drive unit (35) as a control means, and which
compares an actual reference location sensed by the sensor (45) on
the reference element (44) with a desired position of the
embroidery frame (37) relative to the holding device (39).
2. Sewing and embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein the
reference element for determining the reference position comprises
at least one reference cam (44) whose geometric position on the
embroidery frame (37) is precisely defined.
3. Sewing and embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein the
actual position of the embroidery frame (37) relative to the drive
unit (36) can be checked on each pass of the reference elements
(43, 44) past the pulse generating control means (45) and can be
corrected by a machine control.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention is directed to a sewing or embroidery machine
with an embroidery module having an embroidery from drive unit for
driving differently sized interchangeable embroidery frames.
[0002] The embroidering of sewing material which is fixed in an
embroidery frame and can be driven in X- and Y- directions by a
drive unit is known. In embroidery machines, the drive unit is
frequently a portion of the lower arm; in household sewing
machines, the drive units, also termed embroidery modules, are
held, docked in a play-free manner, on the sewing machine, i.e., on
the lower arm and/or the baseplate. The connection between the
embroidery frame and the drive unit takes place through an
embroidery frame support which is connected to the drive elements
in the drive unit, and holding and locking devices on the
embroidery frame.
[0003] It is further known to arrange on the embroidery frame,
impulse generating means, e.g., indentations, curves or bar codes,
etc., with which the docked embroidery frame can be identified by
the machine control (DE 29612102 U1) and/or with which the docking
place can be identified on an embroidery frame (U.S. Pat. No.
6,237,516 B1), when plural docking places are present (DE 31 30 371
A1). Besides the unambiguous identification of the docked
embroidery frame, the impulse generating control means also serve
in DE 29612102 to indicate to the operator, on a display on the
sewing machine, which embroidery frame (e.g., round, oval, square,
etc.) is docked and in addition, at which docking place on the
embroidery frame this has occurred. The information regarding the
docking place also lets the operator know which sewing region
within the embroidery frame can be embroidered. The pattern to be
embroidered on the relevant sewing region can also be shown on the
display.
[0004] It is therefore known from DE 29612102 to provide on the
drive unit an identification of the kind and size of the docked
embroidery frame, and to graphically display on a display device
the sensed data relating to the kind and size of the embroidery
frame. Furthermore, it is possible to determine, by means of the
central machine control device, the desired relative position of
the embroidery frame in relation to the needle and the stitch hole,
and later to start the embroidery process from this reference
position.
[0005] Thus the kind and size of the embroidery frame, and also the
location of docking on embroidery frames with plural docking
places, can be determined and therewith the relative position of
the embroidery frame in relation to the needle. However, it is not
possible to sense faults in the drive system, when for example
steps of the stepping motor have been lost for any reason and
consequently the embroidery frame support is not located at the
desired position.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention therefore has as its object to provide
a sewing or embroidery machine with a drive unit for an embroidery
frame, with which drive unit there can be determined, not only the
kind and size of the embroidery frame and the docking position on
the embroidery frame, but in addition the exact present position of
the embroidery frame with respect to the drive unit, and thereby to
the needle position.
[0007] This object is attained by a sewing or embroidery machine
having a reference element located on the embroidery frame for each
impulse generating or triggering means connected to the drive unit
as a control means. This compares the actual reference location
sensed by the sensor of the reference element to the desired
position of the embroidery frame in the holding device.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the
dependent claims.
[0008] The arrangement of one or more reference points on the
embroidery frame and situated respectively at a precisely defined
distance from a reference zero point on the drive unit makes it
possible on the one hand to determine the exact position of the
embroidery frame in relation to the reference zero point, and on
the other hand also to determine whether the embroidery frame is
correctly connected to the embroidery frame support, or to
determine whether an embroidery frame is in fact docked to the
embroidery frame support. With the knowledge of the exact present
position with respect to the reference zero point, even when a
deviation occurs, e.g., due to lost steps of the stepping motor in
the drive unit, a correction can be automatically performed with
the machine control, or the beginning of embroidery can be
prevented. This makes it possible to guide and produce embroidery
subjects over a surface extending over the embroidery region,
without the positioning and subsequent points on the previously
embroidered areas being visible after displacement of the
embroidery frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention is explained in detail based on a preferred
embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine with a
docked embroidery unit,
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the sewing machine and embroidery
unit according to FIG. 1,
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial view of an embroidery frame with plural
docking places,
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of an impulse generating means and the
sensor on the drive unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The sewing machine according to FIG. 1, only partially
illustrated, includes the usual sewing elements, operating
elements, and other equipment parts. It generally comprises the
sewing machine housing 1, the free arm 3 and the baseplate 5.
Arranged on the machine housing 1 are a display 7, a rolling ball 9
with associated actuating key 11 and cancel key 13, and a row of
keys 15 for the direct choice of special functions which are not
shown in detail. An opening 17 serves to receive external memory
media, e.g., program cards for embroidery patterns. Below these are
the main switch 19, the socket 21 for the power connection, and the
socket 23 for the connection of a foot starter (not shown). The
needle which cooperates through the stitch hole 25 with a gripper
device (not shown) is denoted by 27, while the sewing foot which
holds down the embroidery material (not shown) is denoted by
29.
[0015] The base unit 31 of an embroidery module 33, which can be
connected to the sewing machine by mechanical and electrical
connections (not shown), contains the program-controlled drive
system (e.g., linear motors) for an embroidery frame support 35 of
an embroidery frame drive unit 36 for driving the latter in the
X-direction with the embroidery frame 37 attached thereto. The
drive system for driving the embroidery frame 37 in the Y-direction
are installed in the embroidery frame support 35. The embroidery
frame 37 is connected by at least one releasable holding device 39
to the drive system arranged in the embroidery frame support 35.
The construction of the holding device 39 is not described in
detail.
[0016] Corresponding to the embroidery work to be carried out,
different sizes or different shapes of embroidery frames 37 can be
connected to the embroidery module 33.
[0017] The rectangular embroidery frame 37 shown in FIG. 1 has only
one holding device 39 on a narrow side thereof. In the top view
according to FIG. 2, another, longer, embroidery frame 37 can be
seen, with two holding devices 39 spaced apart on the longer side.
FIG. 3 shows a portion of a still longer embroidery frame 37 with
three holding devices 39. Each embroidery frame 37 includes at
least one fixing device 41 with which the sewing material can be
tightened.
[0018] In the examples shown, each holding device 39 includes one
or more control cams or control indentations (impulse generating or
triggering means) 43, and in addition a respective reference cam or
reference indentation 44. The latter have a precisely predetermined
position in relation to the embroidery frame 37. With the reference
cam 44, together with the precisely known position of the drive
unit 36, the actual position of the embroidery frame 37 can be
compared with the desired position and, in the case that deviations
are detected, a correction can be effected. The position of the
embroidery frame 37 can be corrected when, for example, steps of a
stepping motor serving as the drive have been lost. A correction of
the position of the embroidery frame 37 is of course not performed
when the reference cam 44 cannot be detected because the embroidery
frame 37 is not docked, or is incompletely docked, on the holding
device 39. The reference cam 44 accordingly has plural functions,
which serve to ensure faultless operation: it determines whether
the actual position of the embroidery frame 37 coincides with the
desired position, and makes a correction possible. Furthermore, it
ensures faultless fastening to the holding device 39 and stops the
sewing machine when one of the parameters is incorrect.
[0019] For sensing the control cam 43 and the associated reference
cam 44, an impulse generating control means such as a feeler pin 45
or a light beam, a proximity sensor or another sensing element is
installed in a fixed location and can sense an identification of
the control cam 43 and the reference cam 44 during a relative
motion between the embroidery frame 37 and the embroidery module
33, or during docking. The number, the position, and/or the
geometric shape of the control cams 43 are the basis for the
detection of the embroidery frame position and of the size and
shape and also docking position of the embroidery frame 37. The
reference cam 44 serves for the precise and fault free positioning
of the embroidery frame 37 relative to the embroidery module
33.
[0020] The mode of operation is explained in detail hereinafter.
The operator searches for the embroidery frame 37 which matches the
embroidery pattern to be produced, fixes therein the sewing
material, in the form of a textile structure, with the tensioning
device 41, and then docks the embroidery frame 37 onto the
embroidery module 33. The embroidery module 33 then guides the
embroidery frame 37 in the Y-direction past the impulse generating
feeler pin 45. This senses from the control cam 43 the data of the
docked embroidery frame 37 and the docking position, in the case
that the embroidery frame 37 has plural docking positions.
Determination of the exact position of the embroidery frame 37
relative to the drive unit 36 is ensured by the reference cam 44.
Fault free fastening is checked at the same time. If the fastening
between the embroidery frame 37 and the holding device 39 is not
correct, the sewing machine is then prevented from beginning the
embroidery process. If a difference between the actual and desired
positions is detected, a correction then takes place, i.e., the
embroidery frame 37 is moved to the correct, desired position
before the embroidery process begins. A precisely defined reference
point, i.e., a precisely defined position on the embroidery module
33 relative to the needle 27, serves as the reference. The checking
of the desired/actual position can be repeated periodically or on
each pass of the reference cam 44 past the feeler pin 45.
[0021] The identification and adjusting means according to the
invention make possible embroidery of a sewing material true to
pattern, even in an embroidery frame 37 whose embroidery field is
greater than the working region of the sewing machine. The pattern
overlapping the working region of the sewing machine can
accordingly be completed sectionally, and the neighboring areas can
be seamlessly continued after the displacement of the embroidery
frame 37. A costly division of the embroidery pattern into
connected individual patterns, as is proposed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,237,516 B1, is not necessary. The first puncture location of the
needle 27 after an embroidery frame displacement is precisely
calculated by the machine control. The operator consequently does
not have to perform any adjustment, as is proposed, for example, in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,113.
* * * * *