U.S. patent application number 10/204474 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for device for conveying articles to be sewed.
Invention is credited to Hosagasi, Sevki.
Application Number | 20030136320 10/204474 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7643474 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030136320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hosagasi, Sevki |
July 24, 2003 |
Device for conveying articles to be sewed
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for conveying articles to be
sewed, which is provided for a sewing device or sewing machine.
Said device comprises at least one material advancing device for
advancing the article to be sewed in the advancing direction of the
material with an advancing speed defined by the speed of the
machine and by the stitch length. The device also comprises at
least one material conveying supplementary device which, in the
form of a pressing means, subjects the upper material layer of the
article to be sewed to a pressing force. The material conveying
supplementary device rotates with a rotational speed, is arranged
behind the material advancing device in the advancing direction of
the material and can be proportionally driven with regard to the
speed of the machine and to the stitch length. At least one device
can increase the pressing force, which is exerted by the device
onto the upper material layer of the article to be conveyed, with
an increasing speed of the machine and/or in addition to the
proportional increase with increasing speed of the machine, can
further increase the rotational speed of the material conveying
supplementary device.
Inventors: |
Hosagasi, Sevki;
(Kaiserslautern, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI TERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
SUITE 1800
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22209
|
Family ID: |
7643474 |
Appl. No.: |
10/204474 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
May 22, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP01/05884 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
112/470.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05B 27/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
112/470.11 |
International
Class: |
D05B 021/00; D05B
019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 2000 |
DE |
100 25 822.0 |
Claims
1. Device intended for a sewing means (10) or sewing machine (10)
for transport of sewn material, having at least one feeder means
(1) for advancing the sewn material in the material feed direction
(D) with an advance rate which is determined by the machine rpm (n)
and by the stitch length (L) and at least one auxiliary material
transport means (2) which acts on the upper layer (8) of the sewn
material in the form of a pressure means with a pressure force
(F.sub.p), which rotates with a peripheral speed (U.sub.p), and
which is located in the material feed direction (d) behind the
feeder means (1) and can be driven in proportion to the machine rpm
(n) and to the stitch length (L), characterized in that by at least
one means (3) the pressure force (F.sub.p) which is exerted by the
auxiliary material transport means (2) on the upper layer (8) of
the sewn material to be transported can be increased with
increasing machine rpm (n) and/or the peripheral speed (U.sub.p) of
the auxiliary material transport means (2) can be further increased
in addition to the proportional increase with increasing machine
rpm (n).
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure force
(F.sub.p) and/or the peripheral speed (U.sub.p) can be adapted
preferably by the means 3 in addition to the composition of the
sewn material which is to be transported.
3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure force
(F.sub.p) is given by the equationF.sub.p=F.sub.0+R.times.nin which
F.sub.0 is a constant force; R is the coefficient of friction with
a magnitude which is determined by the friction ratios between the
auxiliary material transport means (2) and the upper material layer
(8); and n is the machine rpm.
4. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the
rpm (n.sub.p) of the means (3) is a measure of the peripheral speed
(U.sub.p) of the auxiliary material transport means (2) or is equal
to the peripheral speed (U.sub.p) of the auxiliary material
transport means (2), the rpm (n.sub.p) of the means (3) being given
by the equationn.sub.p=k.times.n.times.L,in which k is a matching
factor; n is the machine rpm; L is the stitch length
5. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the
auxiliary material transport means (2) in low rpm ranges
(n.sub.p<500 min.sup.-1) of the means (3) operates in the
intermittent mode, the on and off times of the means (3) being
preferably determined by the angular position (.phi.) of the main
shaft of the sewing means (10) or sewing machine (10).
6. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the
auxiliary material transport means (2) in high rpm ranges
(n.sub.p>500 min.sup.-1) of the means (3) operates in a
continuous mode.
7. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the
transport path of the auxiliary material transport means (2) per
stitching process is greater, especially slightly greater, than the
advance path of the feeder means (1).
8. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
there is at least one electronic control means (4a and 4b) for
controlling the pressure force (F.sub.p) of the auxiliary material
transport means (2) and/or the rpm (np) of the means (3), in which
especially the machine rpm (n) can be determined and/or, which
receives especially information about the stitch length (L) by
input by means of at least one control panel (5) or which receives
especially information about the composition of the sewn material
to be transported by input by means of at least one control panel
(5).
9. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the
means (3) has at least one linear motor (30) which is operated
preferably with direct current, and which preferably has at least
one stator element (31) which is made as a housing and in which
preferably at least one rotor element (32) made as a drive rod is
supported.
10. Device as claimed in claim 4 and as claimed in claim 9, wherein
the matching factor (k) is given by the
formulak=k.sub.1.times.k.sub.2.times.- k.sub.3,k.sub.1 being the
parameter for the diameter of the auxiliary material transport
means (2), for the constant of the linear motor (30) and for the
stepping-down of the gear (34); k.sub.2 being a measure for the
functional dependency of the offset between the upper material
layer (8) and the lower material layer (9) on the machine rpm (n);
and k.sub.3 being the parameter for the composition of the sewn
material to be transported.
11. Device as claimed in claim 9 and as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the means (3) has at least one carrier element (36) which
is connected to the rotor element (32), to which the drive motor
(33), the gear (34) and the transfer element (35) are attached;
and/or which is preferably supported locked by means of at least
one guide rod (37).
12. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the carrier element (36)
is pretensioned by at least one elastic, low-mass coupling element
(38), especially by means of at least one helical spring.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a device intended for a sewing
means or sewing machine for transport of sewn material, having
[0002] at least one feeder means for advancing the sewn material in
the feed direction with an advance rate which is determined by the
machine rpm and by the stitch length and
[0003] at least one auxiliary material transport means which acts
on the upper layer of the sewn material in the form of a pressure
means with a pressure force, which rotates with a peripheral speed,
and which is located in the material feed direction behind the
feeder means and can be driven in proportion to the machine rpm and
to the stitch length.
[0004] Here the auxiliary material transport means (compare to the
prior art in this respect for example publication U.S. Pat. No.
4,182,251) is used to compensate for the offset between the upper
layer and the lower layer of the sewn material which is to be
worked with the sewing means (the concept of "sewing means" below
also includes sewing machines, this invention relating both to
sewing means and also sewing machines).
[0005] This offset occurs according to experience when the lower
material layer is entrained by interference by the teeth of the
feeder means while the upper material layer is entrained simply by
the friction between the upper material layer and the lower
material layer.
[0006] In order to allow this friction to take effect, the sewn
material during stitch formation and sewn material transport is
held down with a so-called pressure means so that the upper
material layer and the lower material layer are compressed between
the pressure means and the feeder means and are transported by the
feeder means in the material feed direction.
[0007] During this transport phase, at this point between the upper
layer of the sewn material to be transported and the pressure
means, frictional forces arise which can cause an offset in the
transport length between the upper material layer and the lower
material layer. This is exceptionally undesirable since the offset
effect which adversely affects the results of sewing occurs at low
rpm of the main shaft of the sewing means and moreover at low
advance rates; the offset effect becomes greater, the higher the
rpm and the feed rates.
[0008] The reason for this is the manner of operation of the feeder
means which at the start of the transport phase moves up, i.e. in
the direction of the pressure means so that the teeth of the feeder
means can fit into the lower layer of the sewn material. During
this time the sewn material pushes the pressure means--to a certain
extent forces it--up so that the pressure on the material layers
increases due to the inertial mass of the pressure means.
[0009] The feeder means executes a somewhat elliptical motion:
While the pressure means is moved somewhat farther to the top, the
feeder means begins to push the material layers in the material
advance direction. During this transport phase the pressure of the
pressure means decreases dramatically until the spring force brakes
the motion of the pressure means which is pointed upward, i.e. away
from the feeder means and the pressure means presses again on the
sewn material.
[0010] In the extreme case it can even happen that the pressure
means loses contact with the sewn material for a short time due to
its vertical, upward motion and in this way the frictional
connection between the upper material layer and the lower material
layer is cancelled. This known and extremely undesirable phenomenon
emerges the more dramatically, the higher the rpm of the main shaft
of the sewing means and thus the advance rates, so that the offset
between the upper material layer and the lower material layer
becomes greater and greater with the sewing speed which is a
measure of the advance rate.
[0011] At the end of the transport phase the feeder means moves
down, i.e. in the direction away from the pressure means so that
the pressure of the pressure means again briefly decreases. The
latter phase however has no significant effect on the offset
between the upper material layer and the lower material layer.
[0012] In order to compensate for the offset effect, the auxiliary
material transport means engages the upper material layer. Here
material transport solely with the auxiliary material transport
means would cause so-called "negative offset", i.e. leading of the
upper material layer relative to the lower material layer.
[0013] With correct adjustment of the peripheral speed of the
auxiliary material transport means to the machine rpm and to the
set stitch length it should be possible to produce a sewn section
without offset.
[0014] Thus, a material transport device for a sewing machine is
known (compare DE 29 36 697 C2) in which a pressure mechanism is
assigned to the driven material transport roll and is used on the
one hand to adjust the gap between the material support surface and
the material transport roll (roller) so that the material transport
roll cannot make direct contact with the material support layer,
and which on the other hand enables adjustment of a pretensioning
force with which the material transport roll presses the workpiece
against the material support surface; in any case this adjusted
pretensioning force remains unchanged during the end of sewing.
[0015] Furthermore, a device for transport of sewn material is
known (compare DE 29 27 869 C2) in which the auxiliary material
transport means in forward transport should execute a somewhat
greater amount of transport (amount of advance) than the feeder
means so that the sewn material during advance in the feed
direction is kept permanently under tension. When sewing the upper
material layer and the lower material layer this is intended to
prevent "slip folding", i.e. in other words, formation of an
offset; in any case the set ratio between the amount of transport
of the feeder means and the material transport roll of the
auxiliary material transport means during the sewing process
remains constant regardless of the respective sewing machine
rpm.
[0016] But it has been found that the offset between the upper
material layer and the lower material layer is dependent on the rpm
of the main shaft of the sewing means, i.e. on the so-called
machine rpm, so that with this conventional device under changing
conditions, such as for example at variable rpm of the main shaft
of the sewing means and moreover at a variable advance rate,
satisfactory and completely uniform sewing results cannot be
achieved.
[0017] Proceeding from the above described disadvantages and
deficiencies, the object of this invention is to make a generic
device for transport of sewn material such that even with an offset
between the upper material layer and the lower material layer which
varies as a result of changing condition (such as for example at
variable rpm of the main shaft of the sewing means and moreover at
variable advance rate) convincing, especially completely uniform
sewing results can always be achieved.
[0018] This object is achieved by a device for transport of sewn
material as claimed in the preamble of the main claim, in which
according to the teaching of this invention by at least one
means
[0019] the pressure force which is exerted by the auxiliary
material transport means on the upper layer of the sewn material to
be transported can be increased with increasing machine rpm
and/or
[0020] the peripheral speed of the auxiliary material transport
means can be further increased in addition to the proportional
increase with increasing machine rpm.
[0021] Thus, surprisingly the fact that the machine rpm and/or the
stitch length and moreover the advance rate have an effect on the
manner of operation and function of the auxiliary material
transport means is taken into account. The pressure force which is
exerted by the auxiliary material transport means on the upper
layer of the sewn material to be transported can be increased by at
least one means with increasing machine rpm. In this way it is
possible to take into account the fact that the offset between the
upper material layer and the lower material layer increases with
increasing machine rpm so that the auxiliary material transport
means must develop an increasingly greater tensile stress in the
upper material layer.
[0022] Alternatively or in addition thereto, according to the
teaching of this invention the peripheral speed of the auxiliary
material transport means in addition to the proportional increase
can be increased even more with increasing machine rpm. In this way
it is possible to take into account the fact that the offset
between the upper material layer and the lower material layer grows
with increasing machine rpm so that the auxiliary material
transport means must also develop increasingly greater tensile
stress in the upper material layer.
[0023] In order to be able to choose the pressure force of the
auxiliary material transport means and/or the peripheral speed of
the auxiliary material transport means depending on the machine
rpm, there is at least one means which can be made for example as
at least one actuator.
[0024] According to preferred embodiments which can be executed
independently of one another or in conjunction with one another, it
is provided that
[0025] the pressure force and/or the peripheral speed can be
additionally adapted to the composition of the sewn material which
is to be transported, preferably by the means; and/or
[0026] the pressure force F.sub.p is given by the equation
F.sub.p=F.sub.0+R.times.n
[0027] in which
[0028] F.sub.0 is a constant force;
[0029] R is the coefficient of friction with a magnitude which is
determined by the friction ratios between the auxiliary material
transport means and the upper material layer; and
[0030] n is the machine rpm; and/or
[0031] the rpm of the means is a measure of the peripheral speed of
the auxiliary material transport means or is equal to the
peripheral speed of the auxiliary material transport means;
and/or
[0032] the rpm n.sub.p of the means is given by the equation
n.sub.p=k.times.n.times.L,
[0033] in which
[0034] k is a matching factor;
[0035] n is the machine rpm;
[0036] L is the stitch length
[0037] and/or
[0038] the auxiliary material transport means operates in low rpm
ranges (N.sub.p<500/min) of the means in an intermittent mode;
and/or
[0039] the on and off times of the means are determined by the
angular positions of the main shaft of the sewing means or sewing
machine; and/or
[0040] the auxiliary material transport means in high rpm ranges
(n.sub.p>500/min) of the means operates in a continuous mode;
and/or
[0041] the transport path of the auxiliary material transport means
per stitching process is greater, especially slightly greater, than
the advance path of the feeder means; and/or
[0042] the pressure force of the auxiliary material transport means
and/or the rpm of the means can be electronically controlled;
and/or
[0043] there is at least one electronic control means for
controlling the pressure force of the auxiliary material transport
means and/or the rpm of the means; and/or
[0044] the machine rpm can be determined in the electronic control
means; and/or
[0045] the electronic control means receives information about the
stitch length by input by means of one control panel; and/or
[0046] the electronic control means receives information about the
composition of the sewn material to be transported by input by
means of at least one control panel; and/or
[0047] the means has at least one linear motor which is preferably
operated with direct current; and/or
[0048] the linear motor has at least one stator element which is
made as a housing; and/or
[0049] in the stator element a least one rotor element made as a
drive rod is supported; and/or
[0050] the stator element is located on the back of the housing
head of the sewing means or sewing machine; and/or
[0051] the means has
[0052] at least one drive motor which is operated preferably with
direct current,
[0053] at least one gear located between the drive motor and the
auxiliary material transport means and
[0054] at least one transfer element located between the gear and
the auxiliary material transport means for transfer of motion to
the auxiliary material transport means;
[0055] and/or
[0056] the matching factor k is given by the formula
k=k.sub.1.times.k.sub.2.times.k.sub.3,
[0057] k.sub.1 being the parameter for the diameter of the
auxiliary material transport means, for the constant of the linear
motor and for the stepping-down of the gear;
[0058] k.sub.2 being a measure for the functional dependency of the
offset between the upper material layer and the lower material
layer on the machine rpm; and
[0059] k.sub.3 being the parameter for the composition of the sewn
material to be transported;
[0060] and/or
[0061] the means has a carrier element which is connected to the
rotor element and to which the drive motor, the gear and the
transfer element are attached; and/or
[0062] the carrier element is supported locked; and/or
[0063] the carrier element is supported locked by means of a guide
rod; and/or
[0064] the carrier element is pretensioned by at least one elastic,
low-mass coupling element; and/or
[0065] the coupling element has at least one helical spring;
and/or
[0066] the auxiliary material transport means is made as at least
one rotating roller, especially as at least one rotating delivery
roller; and/or
[0067] the means is made as at least one actuator.
[0068] In particular the following can be explained on the
preferred embodiments which can be provided independently of one
another or linked to one another;
[0069] According to one inventive development of this device, the
pressure force and/or the peripheral speed, preferably by the
means, can be additionally matched to the composition of the sewn
material to be transported. In this way it is possible to take into
account the fact that the offset between the upper material layer
and the lower material layer is determined not only by the machine
rpm, but also by the composition of the sewn material to be
transported and accordingly especially by the friction ratios
between the lower material layer and the upper material layer and
especially by the friction ratios between the upper material layer
and the pressure means.
[0070] The essential aspect of this invention is moreover that when
the upper material layer and the lower material layer are sewn
together an offset caused by nonuniform presser forces and by the
resulting nonuniform advance conditions, i.e. the lag of the upper
material layer, can be compensated by providing an individually
adaptable auxiliary material transport means which acts on the
upper material layer, in addition to the conventional feeder
means.
[0071] In this way the upper material layer is placed slightly
under tensile stress, and the amount of tensile stress in a manner
important to the invention can be influenced by the amount of the
pressure force of the auxiliary material transport means by the
possibility of a low pressure force causing preferably premature
slippage of the auxiliary material transport means and thus low
tensile stress in the upper material layer; correspondingly a
higher pressure force can cause later slippage of the auxiliary
material transport means and thus a higher tensile stress in the
upper material layer.
[0072] Here the tensile stress during brief phases of low presser
force results in that the upper material layer is slightly pulled
ahead relative to the lower material layer and thus the otherwise
occurring offset is balanced.
[0073] With reference to manner of operation and the function of
this invention for transport of sewn material it can be considered
that the offset between the upper material layer and the lower
material layer forms essentially at the start of each transport
phase, since in this interval the pressure of the pressure means
decreases greatly as a result of the manner of operation and the
function of the feeder means. For this reason the auxiliary
material transport means acquires special importance since with the
force which is adjustable according to the teaching of the
invention and with which the auxiliary material transport means
presses against the material layers, stretching in the material
layers is influenced:
[0074] Thus, at the start of the transport phase in which as a
result of the decreasing pressure of the pressure means a material
offset forms between the upper material layer and the lower
material layer, this stretching pulls the upper material layer
relative to the lower material layer in the material feed direction
and thus equalizes the offset of the upper material layer which is
due otherwise to the reduced pressure of the pressure means. Thus,
assuming correct adjustment of the parameters, a longer seam can be
achieved between the upper material layer and the lower material
layer.
[0075] Feasibly, the quantitative amount F.sub.p of the pressure
force can be reproduced by the formula F.sub.p=F.sub.0+R.times.n,
F.sub.0 being a constant force, R the coefficient of friction with
a magnitude which is determined by friction ratios between the
auxiliary material transport means and the upper material layer,
and n the machine rpm.
[0076] The formula F.sub.p=F.sub.0+R.times.n moreover shows that
the pressure force--in addition to a constant portion which is
independent of the coefficient of friction and of the machine
rpm--can be increased feasibly essentially linearly with the
coefficient of friction between the auxiliary material transport
means and the upper material layer and/or essentially linearly with
the machine rpm.
[0077] Depending on the respective technical circumstances, the rpm
of the means can be a measure for the peripheral speed of the
auxiliary material transport means or for example with direct
stepping-up or with direct stepping-down--equal to the peripheral
speed of the auxiliary material transport means.
[0078] Here the rpm n.sub.p of the means can be advantageously
given by the formula n.sub.p=k.times.n.times.L, k being an
adaptation factor, n the machine rpm and L the stitch length.
[0079] It is moreover apparent from the formula
n.sub.p=k.times.n.times.L that the rpm of the means and accordingly
the peripheral speed of the auxiliary material transport means--in
addition to an adaptation factor which is specified below--can
feasibly be increased essentially linearly with the machine rpm
and/or essentially linearly with the stitch length.
[0080] The adaptation factor k is feasibly given by the formula
k=k.sub.1.times.k.sub.2.times.k.sub.3, k.sub.1 being the parameter
for the diameter of the auxiliary material transport means, for the
constant of the linear motor (compare below) and for the
stepping-down of the gear (see below), k.sub.2 being the measure of
the functional dependency of the offset between the upper material
layer and the lower material layer on the machine rpm, and k.sub.3
being the parameter for the composition of the sewn material to be
transported.
[0081] The formula k=k.sub.1.times.k.sub.2.times.k.sub.3 moreover
shows that the rpm of the means and accordingly the peripheral
speed of the auxiliary material transport means are dependent on
the technical circumstances and prerequisites of the means and of
the auxiliary material transport means (--->factor k.sub.1), on
the function of the offset between the upper material layer and the
lower material layer over the machine rpm (--->factor k.sub.2)
and on the composition of the sewn material to be transported
(--->factor k.sub.3).
[0082] According to one feasible embodiment of this invention, the
auxiliary material transport means in low rpm ranges
n.sub.p<500/min of the means operates in the intermittent mode.
In other words, this means that the drive motor of the means is
turned on in the transport phase and is turned off in the
non-transport phase. Here the on and off times of the means are
advantageously determined by the angular position of the main shaft
of the sewing means or sewing machine.
[0083] According to one preferred embodiment of this invention,
above rpm n.sub.p on the order of roughly 500/min switching to
continuous drive takes place, i.e. the auxiliary material transport
means can be operated in the continuous mode in high rpm ranges
n.sub.p>500/min. But in this connection it must be considered
that in the rpm ranges n.sub.p above roughly 500/min intermittent
motion by mass inertia and by the elastic behavior of the drive
members gradually slows down anyway to quasicontinuous motion.
[0084] In this connection it is important that the stretching of
the material layers is dependent on the friction ratios between the
auxiliary material transport means and the (composition) of the
upper material layer. In this respect stretching in the sewn
material can also be influenced with the adjustable force with
which the auxiliary material transport means is pressed against the
sewn material.
[0085] In one feasible development of this invention the transport
path of the auxiliary material transport means per stitching
process is greater, especially slightly greater, than the advance
path of the feeder means. This technical measure also ensures that
the sewn material when advancing in the material feed direction is
always kept under tension; when sewing the upper material layer and
the lower material layer this always results in formation of offset
being prevented.
[0086] The above explained embodiments, features and advantages of
the auxiliary material transport means become very effective when
the auxiliary material transport means according to one feasible
development of this invention is made as at least one rotating
roller, especially as at least one rotating delivery roller.
[0087] According to one especially inventive development of this
invention for transport of sewn material, the pressure force of the
auxiliary material transport means and/or the rpm of the means
(-->peripheral speed of the auxiliary material transport means)
can be electronically controlled. To do this there can be at least
one electronic control means for controlling the pressure force of
the auxiliary material transport means and/or the rpm of the means
(-->peripheral speed of the auxiliary material transport
means).
[0088] Since at this point the pressure force of the auxiliary
material transport means and/or the rpm of the means
(-->peripheral speed of the auxiliary material transport means)
can depend among others on the machine rpm, the machine rpm
according to one feasible embodiment of this invention can be
determined in the electronic control means so that at any time it
is possible to match the pressure force of the auxiliary material
transport means and/or the rpm of the means (-->peripheral speed
of the auxiliary material transport means) to the machine rpm.
[0089] Furthermore, the peripheral speed of the auxiliary material
transport means can be determined not only by the machine rpm, but
among others also by the stitch length. Since this stitch length in
a sewing means is generally set mechanically, the stitch length is
generally not known to the electronic control means. Last but not
least, for this reason the electronic control means can acquire
information about the stitch length feasibly by input by means of
at least one control panel. The setpoint for the rpm of the drive
motor of the means and thus its rpm can be inventively determined
then by at least one computational algorithm.
[0090] Furthermore, the pressure force of the auxiliary material
transport means can be determined not only by the machine rpm, but
among others also by the friction force acting between the
auxiliary material transport means and the upper layer of the sewn
material. Since this friction force in a sewing means is generally
dependent on the composition of the sewn material to be
transported, the friction force is generally not known to the
electronic control means. Last but not least, for this reason the
electronic control means can acquire information about the
composition of the sewn material to be transported feasibly by
input by means of at least one control panel. The setpoint for the
pressure force of the auxiliary material transport means can be
inventively determined then by at least one computational
algorithm.
[0091] When the means advantageously has at least one linear motor
which is operated preferably with direct current, and which
essentially has at least one stator element which is made as a
housing in which feasibly at least one rotor element made as a
drive rod is supported, and/or if the means advantageously has at
least one drive motor which is operated preferably with direct
current, the pressure force of the auxiliary material transport
means and/or the rpm of the means (-->peripheral speed of the
auxiliary material transport means) can be controlled by at least
one (current) regulator.
[0092] Here the invention exploits the fact that in a linear motor
the pressure force imparted by it and/or in a drive motor the rpm
or peripheral speed imparted by it is directly proportional to the
current supplied to the linear motor or drive motor, in any case
essentially so. For this reason, the linear motor current or the
drive motor current is electronically controlled and accordingly
the desired pressure of the auxiliary material transport means
and/or the desired rpm of the means (-->peripheral speed of the
auxiliary material transport means) is accomplished.
[0093] Here it can be of inventive importance that the force of the
linear motor need not be measured. Feasibly the auxiliary material
transport means should be made such that it can be lifted off the
upper layer of the sewn material, for example in order to be able
to take the sewn material away from the sewing means. This can also
be effected by means of the linear motor, and it should be noted
that the linear motor in this connection need not perform any
positioning function. With respect to the embodiments, the features
and the advantages of the linear motor reference is made in the
full scope to the type of motor, as is described in German patent
application DE 199 45 443.4 or in the international patent
application WO 00/18997.
[0094] In this connection, according to one especially inventive
development of this device for transport of sewn material, both the
initial value and also the part of the pressure force which is
dependent on the advance speed can be suitably parameterized and
for example can be matched to the respective sewing conditions via
at least one control panel.
[0095] According to one especially inventive development of this
invention the means has
[0096] at least one stator element (compare above) which is made as
a housing and which can be connected to at least one holding plate
(solidly) and/or which can be located on the back of the housing
head of the sewing means,
[0097] at least one rotor element made as a drive rod (compare
above),
[0098] at least one drive motor operated preferably with direct
current (compare above),
[0099] at least one gear located between the drive motor and the
auxiliary material transport means and
[0100] at least one transfer element located between the gear and
the auxiliary material transport means for transfer of motion to
the auxiliary material transport means.
[0101] The means can have at least one carrier element which is
supported preferably locked, which is connected to the rotor
element, and on which the drive motor, the gear and the transfer
element are mounted (the locked support of the carrier element can
be accomplished for example by means of at least one guide
rod).
[0102] Furthermore, one embodiment is recommended in which the
carrier element is pretensioned by means of at least one elastic,
low-mass coupling element, preferably by means of at least one
helical spring. With respect to the embodiments, features and
advantages of the coupling element reference is made in the full
scope to the German patent application DE 199 45 443.4 or to the
international patent application WO 00/18997, especially with
respect to the power-saving manner of operation which is associated
with the coupling element.
[0103] Other embodiments, features and advantages of this invention
are described below in the drawings using FIGS. 1 to 5 by which the
embodiment of the device for transport of sewn material as claimed
in the invention is illustrated in exemplary form.
[0104] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a device for transport of
sewn material as claimed in the invention in a side cross
section;
[0105] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the force F of the pressure means
as a function of the angle of rotation .phi. of the main shaft of
the sewing means;
[0106] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the means from the device
for transport of sewn material from FIG. 1 in a cross section;
[0107] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of the interaction between the
control mechanism and electronic control means of the sewing means;
and
[0108] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the pressure force F.sub.p of the
auxiliary material transport means as a function of the machine rpm
n.
[0109] Identical reference numbers relate to elements or features
which are made identical or similar in FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0110] In the drawings a device for transport of sewn material
intended for a sewing means 10 or sewing machine 10 (compare FIG.
4) is shown which has a feeder means 1 which is countersunk in the
stitch plate 7 (compare FIG. 1) for advancing the sewn material in
the material feed direction D (compare FIG. 1: arrow). Furthermore,
the sewing means 10 (hereinafter the concept of "sewing means" also
comprises sewing machines, this invention relating both to sewing
means and also to sewing machines) has an auxiliary material
transport means 2 which rotates with a peripheral speed U.sub.p and
which acts on the upper layer 8 of the sewn material with a
pressure force F.sub.p and which is located in the material feed
direction D behind the feeder means 1.
[0111] Here the auxiliary material transport means 2 is used to
compensate for the offset between the upper layer 8 and the lower
layer 9 of the sewn material to be worked with the sewing means 10.
This offset occurs when the lower material layer 9 is entrained by
the teeth of the feeder means 1 by force, while the upper material
layer 8 is entrained only by the friction between the upper
material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9.
[0112] In order to allow this friction to take effect, during
stitch formation and transport of the sewn material with the
pressure means 9 the sewn material is held down so that the upper
material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9 are compressed
between the pressure means 6 and the feeder means 1 and transported
by the feeder means 1 in the material feed direction D.
[0113] During this transport phase (compare FIG. 2), between the
upper layer 8 of the sewn material to be transported and the
pressure means 6 friction forces occur which can cause an offset in
the transport length between the upper material layer 8 and the
lower material layer 9. This offset effect occurs at low machine
rpm n of the main shaft of the sewing means 10 (compare FIG. 4) and
moreover at low advance speeds; the offset effect becomes stronger,
the higher the machine rpm n and the advance speeds become.
[0114] The reason for this is the manner of operation of the feeder
means 1 which moves up at the start of the transport phase (compare
FIG. 2, angular position .phi..sub.a), i.e. in the direction of the
pressure means 6, so that the teeth of the feeder means 1 can fit
into the lower layer 9 of the sewn material. During this time the
sewn material pushes the pressure means 6--to a certain extent
forces it--up (compare FIG. 1: arrow A) so that the pressure on the
material layers 8, 9 increases due to the inertial mass of the
pressure means 6.
[0115] The feeder means 1 executes a somewhat elliptical motion:
While the pressure means 6 is being moved somewhat farther to the
top, the feeder means 1 begins to push the material layers 8, 9 in
the material advance direction D. During this transport phase the
force F of the pressure means 6 decreases dramatically (compare
FIG. 2: dramatic drop of the force F exerted by the pressure means
6 as a function of the angle .phi. of rotation of the main shaft of
the sewing means 10) until the spring force brakes the motion of
the pressure means 6 which is pointed upward, i.e. away from the
feeder means 1, and the pressure means 6 presses again on the sewn
material.
[0116] In the extreme case it can even happen that the pressure
means 6 loses contact with the sewn material for a short time due
to its vertical, upward motion and in this way the frictional
connection between the upper material layer 8 and the lower
material layer 9 is cancelled. This phenomenon emerges the more
dramatically, the higher the rpm n of the main shaft of the sewing
means 10 and thus the advance rates, so that the offset between the
upper material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9 becomes
greater and greater with the sewing speed which is a measure of the
advance rate.
[0117] At the end of the transport phase (compare FIG. 2: angular
position .phi..sub.e) the feeder means 1 moves down, i.e. in the
direction away from the pressure means 6 so that the pressure of
the pressure means 6 again briefly decreases. The latter phase
however has no significant effect on the offset between the upper
material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9.
[0118] In order to compensate for the offset effect, the auxiliary
material transport means 2 engages the upper material layer 8
(compare FIG. 1). Here material transport solely with the auxiliary
material transport means 2 would cause so-called "negative offset",
i.e. leading of the upper material layer 8 relative to the lower
material layer 9.
[0119] With correct adjustment of the peripheral speed U.sub.p
(compare FIG. 1) of the auxiliary material transport means 2 to the
machine rpm n (compare FIGS. 4 and 5) and to the set stitch length
L, it should be possible to produce a sewn section without offset.
Here the device for transport of sewn material according to the
embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 is made such that even with an offset
between the upper material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9
which varies as a result of changing conditions (such as for
example at variable machine rpm n of the main shaft of the sewing
means 10 and moreover at variable advance rate) convincing,
especially completely uniform sewing results can always be
achieved.
[0120] To do this, the pressure force F.sub.p which is exerted by
the auxiliary material transport means 2 which is made in the form
of a rotating delivery roller on the upper layer 8 of the sewn
material to be transported and/or the peripheral speed U.sub.p can
be matched to the advance rate by the means 3 (compare FIG. 3).
Thus, in this embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 the pressure force F.sub.p
which is exerted by the auxiliary material transport means 2 on the
upper layer 8 of the sewn material to be transported can be
increased by the means 3 with increasing machine rpm n and/or the
peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means
2 can be increased even further in addition to the proportional
increase with increasing machine rpm n.
[0121] Thus, the fact that the machine rpm n and/or the stitch
length L and moreover the advance rate have an effect on the manner
of operation and function of the auxiliary material transport means
2 is taken into account. The pressure force F.sub.p which is
exerted by the auxiliary material transport means 2 on the upper
layer 8 of the sewn material to be transported can be increased by
the means 3 with increasing machine rpm n (compare FIG. 5). In this
way it is possible to take into account the fact that the offset
between the upper material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9
increases with increasing machine rpm n so that the auxiliary
material transport means 2 must develop an increasingly greater
tensile stress in the upper material layer 8.
[0122] Alternatively or in addition thereto, the peripheral speed
U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means 2 in addition to
the proportional increase can be increased even more with
increasing machine rpm n. In this way it is possible to take into
account the fact that the offset between the upper material layer 8
and the lower material layer 9 grows with increasing machine rpm n
so that the auxiliary material transport means 2 must also develop
increasingly greater tensile stress in the upper material layer
8.
[0123] In order to be able to choose the pressure force F.sub.p of
the auxiliary material transport means 2 and/or the peripheral
speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means 2 depending
on the machine rpm n, there is at least one means 3 which can be
made as an actuator in the example shown in FIG. 3.
[0124] In the explained embodiment the pressure force F.sub.p
and/or the peripheral speed U.sub.p can be adapted by the means 3
in addition to the composition of the sewn material which is to be
transported. In this way it is possible to take into account the
fact that the offset between the upper material layer 8 and the
lower material layer 9 is determined not only by the machine rpm n,
but also by the composition of the sewn material to be transported
and accordingly especially by the friction ratios between the lower
material layer 9 and the upper material layer 8 and especially by
the friction ratios between the upper material layer 8 and the
pressure means 6.
[0125] The essential aspect of this invention is moreover that when
the upper material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9 are sewn
together an offset caused by nonuniform presser forces F--as shown
in FIG. 2--and by the resulting nonuniform advance conditions, i.e.
the lag of the upper material layer 8, can be compensated by
providing an individually adaptable auxiliary material transport
means 2 which acts on the upper material layer 8, in addition to
the conventional feeder means 1.
[0126] In this way the upper material layer 8 is placed slightly
under tensile stress (compare FIG. 1), and the amount of tensile
stress can be influenced by the amount of the pressure force
F.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means 2 by the low
pressure force F.sub.p causing low tensile stress in the upper
material layer 8 and for this reason premature slippage of the
auxiliary material transport means 2; correspondingly a higher
pressure force F.sub.p can cause a higher tensile stress in the
upper material layer 8 and for this reason later slippage of the
auxiliary material transport means 2.
[0127] Here the tensile stress during brief phases of low presser
force F (compare FIG. 2) results in that the upper material layer 8
is slightly pulled ahead relative to the lower material layer 9 and
thus the otherwise occurring offset is balanced.
[0128] With reference to manner of operation and the function of
the device for transport of sewn material exemplified using FIGS. 1
to 5, it can be considered that the offset between the upper
material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9 forms essentially
at the start of each transport phase (compare FIG. 2: angular
position .phi..sub.a), since in this interval the pressure of the
pressure means 6 decreases greatly as a result of the manner of
operation and the function of the feeder means 1. For this reason
the auxiliary material transport means 2 acquires special
importance since with the adjustable force F.sub.p (compare FIG. 5)
with which the auxiliary material transport 2 means presses against
the material layers 8, 9, stretching in the material layers 8, 9 is
influenced:
[0129] Thus, at the start of the transport phase (compare FIG. 2:
angular position .phi..sub.a) in which as a result of the
decreasing pressure of the pressure means 6 a material offset forms
between the upper material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9,
this stretching pulls the upper material layer 8 relative to the
lower material layer 9 in the material feed direction D (compare
FIG. 1) and thus equalizes the offset of the upper material layer 8
which is due otherwise to the reduced pressure of the pressure
means 6. Thus, assuming correct adjustment of the parameters, a
longer seam can be achieved between the upper material layer 8 and
the lower material layer 9.
[0130] The auxiliary material transport means 2 in low rpm ranges
n.sub.p<500 min.sup.-1 of the means 3 operates in the
intermittent mode. This means in other words that the drive motor
33 (compare FIG. 3) of the means 3 is turned on in the transport
phase (compare FIG. 2: angular positions
.phi..sub.a<.phi.<.phi..sub.e) and is turned off on the
non-transport phase (compare FIG. 2: angular positions
0<.phi.<.phi..sub.a and angular positions
.phi..sub.e<.phi.<2- .PI.). Here the on and off times of the
means 3 are advantageously determined by the angular position .phi.
of the main shaft of the sewing means 10 (compare FIG. 2).
[0131] Above rpm n.sub.p on the order of roughly 500 min.sup.-1
switching to continuous drive takes place, i.e. the auxiliary
material transport means 2 operates in the continuous mode in high
rpm ranges n.sub.p>500 min.sup.-1 of the means 3. But in this
connection it must be considered that in the rpm ranges n.sub.p
above roughly 500 min.sup.-1 intermittent motion by mass inertia
and by the elastic behavior of the drive members gradually slows
down anyway to quasicontinuous motion.
[0132] In this connection the stretching of the material layers 8,
9 is dependent on the fiction ratios between the auxiliary material
transport means 2 and the (composition) of the upper material layer
8. In this respect stretching in the sewn material can also be
influenced with the adjustable force F.sub.p with which the
auxiliary material transport means 2 is pressed against the sewn
material.
[0133] The transport path of the auxiliary material transport means
2 per stitching process is slightly greater than the advance path
of the feeder means 1. This technical measure also ensures that the
sewn material when advancing in the material feed direction D is
always kept under tension; when sewing the upper material layer 8
and the lower material layer 9 this always results in formation of
offset being prevented.
[0134] The pressure force F.sub.p of the auxiliary material
transport means 2 and/or the rpm n.sub.p of the means 3
(-->peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport
means 2) can be electronically controlled. To do this there can be
at least one electronic control means 4a, 4b (compare FIG. 4) for
controlling the pressure force F.sub.p of the auxiliary material
transport means 2 and/or the rpm n.sub.p of the means 3
(-->peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport
means 2).
[0135] Since at this point the pressure force F.sub.p of the
auxiliary material transport means 2 and/or the rpm n.sub.p of the
means 3 (-->peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material
transport means 2) can depend among others on the machine rpm n,
the machine rpm n can be determined in the electronic control means
4a, 4b (compare FIG. 4) so that at any time it is possible to match
the pressure force F.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport
means 2 and/or the rpm n.sub.p of the means 3 (-->peripheral
speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means 2) to the
machine rpm n.
[0136] Furthermore, the peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary
material transport means 2 can be determined not only by the
machine rpm n, but among others also by the stitch length L. Since
this stitch length L in a sewing means 10 is generally set
mechanically, the stitch length L is generally not known to the
electronic control means 4a, 4b. Last but not least, for this
reason the electronic control means 4a can acquire information
about the stitch length L by input by means of one control panel 5
(compare FIG. 4). The setpoint n.sub.set (compare FIG. 4) for the
rpm n.sub.Motor of the drive motor 33 of the means 3 and thus its
rpm n.sub.p is determined then by at least one computational
algorithm RA 1 (compare FIG. 4).
[0137] Since at this point the means 3 has a drive motor 33 which
is operated with direct current (compare FIGS. 3 and 4), the rpm
n.sub.p of the means 3 (-->peripheral speed U.sub.p of the
auxiliary material transport means 2) can be controlled by the
(current) regulator (4a) (compare FIG. 4). Here the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 exploits the fact that in the drive motor 33
the rpm n.sub.p imparted by it is directly proportional to the
current supplied to the drive motor 33, in any case essentially so.
For this reason the drive motor rpm D.sub.motor (compare FIG. 4) is
electronically monitored and accordingly the desired rpm n.sub.p of
the means 3 (-->desired peripheral speed U.sub.p of the
auxiliary material transport means 2) is accomplished.
[0138] Furthermore, the pressure force F.sub.p of the auxiliary
material transport means 2 can be determined not only by the
machine rpm n, but among others also by the friction force acting
between the auxiliary material transport means 2 and the upper
layer 8 of the sewn material. Since this friction force is
dependent on the composition of the sewn material to be
transported, the friction force is generally not known to the
electronic control means 4a, 4b. Last but not least, for this
reason the electronic control means 4b acquires information about
the composition of the sewn material to be transported by input by
means of at least one control panel 5 (compare FIG. 4). The
setpoint F.sub.set (compare FIG. 4) for the pressure force F.sub.p
of the auxiliary material transport means 2 can be determined then
by a computational algorithm RA II (compare FIG. 4).
[0139] Since at this point the means 3 has a linear motor 30 which
is operated with direct current (compare FIGS. 3 and 4), the
pressure force F.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means 2
is controlled by the (current) regulator 4b (compare FIG. 4). Here
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 exploits the fact that in a
linear motor 30 the pressure force F.sub.p imparted by it is
directly proportional to the current supplied to the linear motor
30 (compare FIG. 4: I.sub.Motor), in any case essentially so. For
this reason, the linear motor current I.sub.Motor is electronically
monitored and accordingly the desired pressure of the auxiliary
material transport means 2 is accomplished.
[0140] Here the force of the linear motor 30 need not be measured.
The auxiliary material transport means 2 is made such that it can
be lifted off the upper layer 8 of the sewn material, for example
in order to be able to take the sewn material away from the sewing
means 10. This can also be effected by means of the linear motor
30, and it should be noted that the linear motor 30 in this
connection need not perform any positioning function. With respect
to the embodiments, the features and the advantages of the linear
motor 30 reference is made in the full scope to the type of motor,
as is described in German patent application DE 199 45 443.4 or in
the international patent application WO 00/18997.
[0141] In this connection, both the initial value F.sub.0 and also
the part F.sub.p>F.sub.0 of the pressure force F.sub.p (compare
FIG. 5) which is dependent on the advance speed can be suitably
parameterized and for example can be matched to the respective
sewing conditions via the control panel (5) (compare FIG. 4).
[0142] Thus the quantitative amount of the pressure force F.sub.p
can be reproduced by the formula F.sub.p=F.sub.0+R.times.n (compare
FIG. 5), F.sub.0 being a constant initial value (compare FIG. 5), R
being the coefficient of friction which in FIG. 5 appears as the
slope of the plotted line, with a magnitude which is determined by
friction ratios between the auxiliary material transport means 2
and the upper material layer 8, and n being the machine rpm
(compare FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0143] The formula F.sub.p=F.sub.0+R.times.n plotted graphically by
FIG. 5 moreover shows that the pressure force F.sub.p--in addition
to a constant portion F.sub.0 which is independent of the
coefficient of friction R and of the machine rpm n--can be
increased essentially linearly with the coefficient of friction R
between the auxiliary material transport means 2 and the upper
material layer 8 and essentially linearly with the machine rpm
n.
[0144] As already explained, depending on the technical
circumstances, the rpm n.sub.p of the means 3 is equal to the
peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means
2. Here the rpm n.sub.p of the means 3 is given by the formula
n.sub.p=k.times.n.times.L, k being an adaptation factor, n the
machine rpm and L the stitch length.
[0145] It is moreover apparent from the formula
n.sub.p=k.times.n.times.L that the rpm n.sub.p of the means and
accordingly the peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material
transport means 2--in addition to an adaptation factor k which is
specified below--can be increased essentially linearly with the
machine rpm n and/or essentially linearly with the stitch length
L.
[0146] The adaptation factor k is in turn given by the formula
k=k.sub.1.times.k.sub.2.times.k.sub.3, k.sub.1 being the parameter
for the diameter of the auxiliary material transport means 2, for
the constant of the linear motor 30 and for the stepping-down of
the gear 34, k.sub.2 being the measure of the functional dependency
of the offset between the upper material layer 8 and the lower
material layer 9 on the machine rpm n, and k.sub.3 being the
parameter for the composition of the sewn material to be
transported.
[0147] The formula k=k.sub.1.times.k.sub.2.times.k.sub.3 moreover
shows that the rpm n.sub.p of the means 3 and accordingly the
peripheral speed U.sub.p of the auxiliary material transport means
2 are dependent on the technical circumstances and prerequisites of
the means 3 and of the auxiliary material transport means 2
(--->factor k.sub.1), on the function of the offset between the
upper material layer 8 and the lower material layer 9 over the
machine rpm n (--->factor k.sub.2), and on the composition of
the sewn material to be transported (--->factor k.sub.3).
[0148] It is apparent from the explanations above that the means 3
within the framework of the embodiment illustrated using FIGS. 1 to
5 plays an important role. Here its linear motor 30 has a stator
element 31 which is made as a housing, which is securely connected
to a holding plate (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 for the sake of
clarity), and which is located on the back of the housing head of
the sewing means 10. A rotor element 32 made as a drive rod is
supported in the stator element 31.
[0149] The means 3 furthermore has a drive motor 33 which is
operated with direct current, a gear 34 located between the drive
motor 33 and the auxiliary material transport means 2, and a
transfer element 35 located between the gear 34 and the auxiliary
material transport means 2 for transfer of motion to the auxiliary
material transport means 2.
[0150] The means 3 here has a carrier element 36 which is supported
locked, which is connected to the rotor element 32, and on which
the drive motor 33, the gear 34 and the transfer element 35 are
mounted. The locked support of the carrier element 36 is
accomplished by means of a guide rod 37.
[0151] Furthermore, the carrier element 36 is pretensioned by means
of an elastic, low-mass coupling element 38 in the form of a
helical spring. With respect to the embodiments, features and
advantages of the coupling element 38 reference is made in the full
scope to the German patent application DE 199 45 443.4 or to the
international patent application WO 00/18997, especially with
respect to the power-saving manner of operation which is associated
with the coupling element 38.
* * * * *