JP2014136037A - Embroidery machine for applique - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an applique piece to be efficiently pasted on an object to be embroidered by using a projector, thereby enabling the workability of applique embroidery to be improved.SOLUTION: A projector 25 projecting an image 31 corresponding to the shape of an applique piece 30 onto a fabric 16 to be embroidered is provided above a base 1 at a position which is separated from a head part 5 in the lateral direction and faces the fabric 16 to be embroidered in the vertical direction. The applique piece 30 is pasted at the position of the image 31 projected onto the fabric 16 by the projector 25 so as to be superposed thereon. In this state, an operation control device 20 performs the drive control of the head part 5 and a frame movement mechanism 17 according to the position data of the image 31, thereby performing the embroidery sewing of the applique piece 30 on the fabric 16 to be embroidered.

Description

  The present invention relates to an applique embroidery machine suitably used for sewing an applique piece on a cloth to be embroidered according to embroidery data, for example.

  In general, an embroidery machine known as an embroidery sewing machine is also used for applique embroidery in which an applique forming a part of an embroidery pattern is sewn on an embroidery object (embroidery cloth). For appliqué embroidery, applique pieces cut into a predetermined shape from a material such as cloth or leather are used, and an adhesive such as glue is applied to the back side of the applique pieces. Then, the applique piece is manually affixed onto the embroidery cloth, and is sewn at a predetermined position of the embroidery cloth by performing the applique embroidery in this state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in order to form an embroidery pattern (sewing pattern by embroidery) on a cloth such as a cloth instead of an applique, an image corresponding to the embroidery pattern is projected on the cloth using a projector, and the embroidery formed on the cloth. An embroidery sewing machine is known in which a sewing start position of a pattern and further a sewing finish position can be confirmed on a cloth (embroidery cloth) on which the image is projected (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, the embroidery sewing machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 is not configured to perform applique embroidery.

JP-A-8-141239 JP-A-3-234283

  By the way, in the prior art according to Patent Document 1 described above, after an applique piece having an adhesive such as glue on the back side is manually attached to a predetermined position of the embroidery cloth, the contour shape of the applique piece is set. The applique piece is sewn to the embroidery cloth by moving the sewing needle toward the embroidery cloth at the head while moving the embroidery frame (embroidery cloth) by the frame moving mechanism so as to follow. .

  However, since the appliqué piece application (gluing) operation is performed manually, the appliqué piece application position on the embroidery cloth may deviate from the original application position. The position of the seam at which the piece is sewn is displaced from the outer edge portion (contour shape) of the applique piece, which causes the embroidery quality to deteriorate.

  For this reason, in the prior art, in order to allow the operator to easily check the application position of the applique piece, a rough seam under which the outline of the applique piece is shaped is preliminarily applied to the embroidery cloth, and the seam of the under stitch is provided. Along the line, the worker attaches an applique piece. However, the work of underlaying rough seams along the outline of the applique piece has the problem that the workability in performing appliqué embroidery decreases because it takes extra time and increases the work time and man-hours. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently sew an applique piece to an embroidery object by using a projection device such as a projector. An object of the present invention is to provide an applique embroidery machine that can improve workability.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a base for embroidery, a head portion that is mounted on the base and selectively drives a plurality of sewing needles and a plurality of balances according to the rotation of the main shaft, and the head A frame moving mechanism for moving an embroidery frame provided on the base, which is positioned below the base, and an appliqué at a predetermined position of an embroidery object held in the expanded state on the embroidery frame. In order to perform embroidery sewing with a piece attached, the present invention is applied to an applique embroidery machine including a control device that drives and controls the head portion and the frame moving mechanism based on embroidery data.

  A feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 is that the position on the base is left and right away from the head portion and opposed to the embroidery object in the upper and lower directions. A projection device that projects an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece onto the embroidery object is provided, and the control device pastes the applique piece at a position of the image projected onto the embroidery object by the projection device. In this state, the head portion and the frame moving mechanism are driven and controlled based on the position data of the image, and the applique piece is embroidery stitched on the embroidery object.

  Further, the feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 2 is that the position on the base that is separated from the head portion in the left and right directions and opposed to the embroidery object in the up and down directions, A projection device for projecting an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece onto the embroidery object is provided, and the control device is arranged on the embroidery object by the projection device while the applique piece is pasted on the embroidery object. Image position correcting means for correcting the position by moving the image by the projection device in accordance with the application position of the applique piece when a displacement occurs between the image projected on the applique piece and the applique piece. An applique stab for embroidery stitching the applique piece on the embroidery object by drivingly controlling the head portion and the frame moving mechanism based on the position data of the image corrected by the image position correcting means. It has a configuration and a control unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the projection device is provided so as to be movable in a direction parallel to and perpendicular to the surface of the embroidery object above the base.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the projection device is used to project an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece onto an embroidery object (for example, a cloth such as a cloth), and the applique piece of the cloth on which the image is projected. Since it is made to stick on a position, an applique piece and the position of an image can be made to correspond easily. For this reason, when sewing the applique piece on the fabric to be embroidered, embroidery stitching is performed so as to follow the contour shape of the applique piece by drivingly controlling the head portion and the frame moving mechanism based on the position data of the image. Can improve the quality of applique embroidery. Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to perform under-sewing or the like on the fabric to be embroidered prior to applique embroidery, and workability can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 2, the applique piece is first pasted on the fabric to be embroidered. In this state, an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece is projected onto the cloth by the projection device, and when a positional deviation occurs between the image and the applique piece, image position correcting means provided in the control device Thus, the image by the projection device is moved in accordance with the application position of the applique piece. When the applique piece is sewed on the fabric to be embroidered in a state in which the two positions match, the head unit and the frame moving mechanism are driven and controlled based on the image position data corrected by the image position correcting means. The embroidery sewing can be executed so as to follow the contour shape of the applique piece, and the quality of the applique embroidery can be improved.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the projection device can be moved above the base in a direction parallel to and perpendicular to the surface of the fabric to be embroidered. Thereby, even when the size of the embroidery frame is changed, the position of the projected image by the projection device can be easily adjusted on the fabric to be embroidered. When the projection device is not used, the projection device can be retracted from the position above the embroidery frame (that is, the fabric), and a large space can be secured above the fabric when performing the embroidery work. it can.

1 is a front view showing an applique embroidery machine provided with a projector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which expands and shows the operation control apparatus in FIG. It is the partial top view which looked at the base in FIG. 1, a head part, a movement frame, the operation control apparatus, and the projector from upper direction. FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing a state in which the projector in FIG. 3 is retracted from above the moving frame. FIG. 5 is a partially broken side view of the projector moving mechanism as enlarged from the direction of arrows V-V in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process process of the applique embroidery by 1st Embodiment. It is process explanatory drawing of the applique embroidery which shows the state which projected the image on the fabric set to the movement frame. It is process explanatory drawing following FIG. 7 which shows the state which affixed the applique piece on the projection image. It is process explanatory drawing following FIG. 8 which shows the state which performed the embroidery sewing along the outline shape of an applique piece. It is a flowchart which shows the process process of the applique embroidery by 2nd Embodiment. It is process explanatory drawing which shows each process process of the applique embroidery by 2nd Embodiment as (a)-(d). It is process explanatory drawing which shows the inclination correction process by 3rd Embodiment. It is process explanatory drawing which shows the inclination correction process following FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which calculates | requires the inclination of the applique piece affixed on cloth. It is explanatory drawing which shows the coordinate display for calculating | requiring the inclination angle of an applique piece.

  Hereinafter, an appliqué embroidery machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking as an example the case of application to a single-head embroidery machine.

  Here, FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an embroidery base that constitutes a main body of a single-head embroidery machine, and the base 1 is supported by side frames 2 and 3 spaced left and right as shown in FIG. It extends horizontally in the front, rear, left, and right directions. Between the side frames 2 and 3, a head support 4 positioned above the base 1 and extending in the left and right directions is fixedly provided.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a head portion of an embroidery machine provided on the front side of the head support 4. One head portion 5 is provided on the base 1 and constitutes a single-head sewing head. The head unit 5 is provided on the head main body 6 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and on the front side of the head main body 6, and left and right (in the directions of arrows A and B in FIG. 1) with respect to the head main body 6. A needle bar case 7 as a movable support that can be moved, and is provided on the needle bar case 7 and is moved left and right together with the needle bar case 7 by a color changing mechanism (not shown). It includes a thread tension table 10 described later.

  Further, the head main body 6 of the head unit 5 is provided with a balance driving unit and a needle bar driving unit (both not shown) driven by the main shaft motor 8 shown in FIG. A scale 12 and a needle bar 13, which will be described later, are driven up and down by the unit. The spindle motor 8 is provided, for example, on the back side of the head support 4 shown in FIG. Further, the head main body 6 is provided with the color changing mechanism. The color changing mechanism integrally moves the needle bar case 7 and the thread tension base 10 to the left and right (in the directions of arrows A and B in FIG. 1). To move the color as described later.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a thread stand as an upper thread storage unit that is located above the base 1 and is disposed above the head support 4. The thread stand 9 is provided with a plurality of upper thread bobbins (both not shown), and these upper thread bobbins are wound with a plurality of upper thread bobbins such as red, blue, yellow, brown, and black. It has been turned. At the time of embroidery work, the upper thread selected by the color changing mechanism from these upper thread bobbins is pulled out using a scale 12 or the like which will be described later, and a plurality of colors for an embroidery cloth (fabric 16 which will be described later) as an embroidery object. Embroidery is performed in accordance with the hand movement operation of the sewing machine needle 14 to be described later.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a thread tension base as a yarn path forming base provided between the thread stand 9 and the balance 12 and provided in the head unit 5. The thread tension base 10 includes a plurality of (for example, nine) thread tension bases. A thread tension 11 is provided. These thread tensions 11 individually adjust the tension of each upper thread guided from each upper thread bobbin of the thread stand 9 toward each balance 12 described later.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a plurality of balances provided so as to protrude from the needle bar case 7 of the head portion 5 to the front side. These balances 12 are arranged side by side in the needle bar case 7 at intervals in the left and right directions as shown in FIG. They are arranged in parallel (for example, a total of nine). Each balance 12 is rotatably supported by a balance support shaft (not shown), and is moved up and down according to the rotation of the spindle motor 8 by a balance drive unit (not shown) provided in the head body 6. Driven to swing.

  When the color changing operation is performed by moving the needle bar case 7 to the left or right by the color changing mechanism described above, for example, any one of the nine balances 12 in total is selected by the color changing mechanism, Only the selected balance 12 is swung up and down. Further, the remaining balance 12 that is not selected is held at a predetermined standby position by a balance holding mechanism (not shown), and then stops at this standby position until it is selected by the color changing mechanism. It will continue.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a plurality (for example, nine) of needle bars provided in the needle bar case 7 at the lower side of the balance 12, and a sewing needle 14 can be attached to and detached from the lower end side of each needle bar 13. It is attached to. The needle bar 13 and the sewing needle 14 are driven up and down in accordance with the rotation of the spindle motor 8 by a needle bar drive unit (not shown) provided in the head body 6.

  The needle bar 13 and the sewing needle 14 are selected by the color changing mechanism similarly to the balance 12, and only the selected needle bar 13 is reciprocated up and down together with the sewing needle 14. The remaining needle bar 13 not selected by the color changing mechanism remains at the top dead center position together with the sewing needle 14 as shown in FIG. 1, and the top dead center position is selected until selected by the color changing mechanism. To be held.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a moving frame as an embroidery frame disposed on the base 1 of the embroidery machine and positioned below the head portion 5. The moving frame 15 is formed as a rectangular frame as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and holds the fabric 16 to be embroidered in a stretched state below the head portion 5. The moving frame 15 is moved on the base 1 together with the cloth 16 in the horizontal direction, that is, the left and right directions (for example, the X-axis direction) and the front and rear directions (for example, the frame moving mechanism 17 including a frame moving motor) , Y axis direction).

  In this case, the motor of the frame moving mechanism 17 is provided on the lower surface side or the rear surface side of the base 1, and constitutes the drive source of the embroidery machine together with the spindle motor 8 and the like described above. When the moving frame 15 is moved by the frame moving mechanism 17, the sewing needle 14 on the head portion 5 side is moved up and down almost in conjunction with this movement, so that the fabric 16 to be embroidered is embroidered. An embroidery pattern corresponding to the data is formed (realized).

  Reference numeral 18 denotes a control device for the embroidery machine. The control device 18 includes an operation control device 20 provided on the base 1 via a bracket 19 and the like, and a drive control device (not shown) including a power transistor and the like. It is configured to include. The control device 18 drives and controls the color changing mechanism and the frame moving mechanism 17 while controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 8 (that is, the spindle) according to the embroidery data.

  The control device 18 is configured using a plurality of control circuits, and a control circuit having a small control current value among these control circuits is provided in the operation control device 20. On the other hand, the drive control device is configured to include a control circuit such as a motor driver or solenoid driver having a high current value (or controlling a high voltage) in the control device 18, for example, below the base 1. It is provided with a large mounting space.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the operation control device 20 is attached to the head support 4 via the bracket 19 on one side frame 3 side, for example, and attaches the outer shell of the operation control device 20. A unit case 21 formed on the front side of the unit case 21, an operation unit 22 including a plurality of operation switches or key switches that are manually operated by an operator, and a unit case 21 positioned above the operation unit 22. A color display 23 composed of a square liquid crystal display disposed on the front side and a power switch 24 are included.

  Further, in the unit case 21 of the operation control device 20, it is necessary for driving control of the embroidery machine (that is, various actuators such as the spindle motor 8, the color changing mechanism, the frame moving mechanism 17 and the projector moving mechanism 26 described later). An arithmetic processing unit (not shown) that performs various arithmetic control processes and the like is provided. The arithmetic processing unit has a function of inputting an instruction signal when operating a key switch (that is, each key 22A to 22D) of the operation unit 22 to a CPU (not shown) as operation information, and a function of the color display 23. A function for controlling an image to be displayed on the screen, display contents and the like according to a signal from the CPU, a motor driver such as the spindle motor 8 and the frame moving mechanism 17 from the CPU, a solenoid driver such as the color changing mechanism, and a projector moving mechanism. And a function of controlling signals output to each of the 26 actuators (not shown).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 22 of the operation control device 20 includes a numeric keypad 22A capable of numerical input, a jog key 22B composed of four keys arranged on the left side of the numeric keypad 22A, and the jog key 22B. There are provided an origin key 22C arranged on the center side, a total of seven soft keys 22D, etc., which are arranged on the upper side of the jog key 22B and the numeric keypad 22A and are labeled "A" to "G".

  The jog key 22B of the operation unit 22 has functions for selecting embroidery data (program), setting (selecting) parameters, and the like. When the moving frame 15 of the embroidery machine is moved by a control signal from the operation control device 20, the operator manually moves the left or right key of the jog keys 22B (one-shot) to move the moving frame 15. The frame 15 can be moved on the base 1 by a predetermined amount of movement (for example, 0.1 mm) in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, when one of the upper and lower keys of the jog key 22B is manually pressed, the moving frame 15 can be moved on the base 1 by a predetermined amount of movement in the Y-axis direction. Further, when it is desired to increase the amount of movement of the moving frame 15, the moving frame 15 continues to move by an amount corresponding to the operation time by pressing the jog key 22B for a long time.

  The origin key 22C of the operation unit 22 is a key for moving the moving frame 15 to the origin. When the origin key 22C is pressed while the moving frame 15 is at the origin, the moving frame 15 is moved to the position before moving to the origin in the preparation state, and the last in the driving state. Move to embroidery position.

  The soft key 22D of the operation unit 22 reads and writes embroidery data corresponding to the menu displayed on the screen of the color display 23, inputs / outputs data, enlarges / reduces, etc. A so-called dialogue key is provided for performing setting, pattern change, pattern selection, pattern addition, pattern combination, color change change, and the like.

  The color display 23 is configured using a color liquid crystal monitor of 5 to 10 inches or more, for example, and displays an embroidery pattern color image based on the embroidery data on the screen. Further, the color display 23 has a function of displaying an image on the screen of information necessary for controlling the embroidery machine, the operating state of the embroidery machine, the operation content on the operation unit 22 side, and the like.

  In the unit case 21 of the operation control device 20, a storage unit (not shown) configured using, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile flash memory, and the like is provided. Control data necessary for driving and controlling the spindle motor 8, various actuators such as the color changing mechanism and the frame moving mechanism 17 is stored in an updatable manner. The storage unit stores a control processing program for executing the applique embroidery processing step shown in FIG. Further, the operation control device 20 has a function of operating a projector moving mechanism 26 (described later) by operating an operation unit 22 with a key by an operator, and arbitrarily moving the projector 25 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. doing.

  In this case, in the storage unit of the operation control device 20, the shape corresponds to the shape of the applique piece (for example, the applique piece 30 shaped like the letter “H” shown in FIG. 8) to be pasted on the fabric 16 to be embroidered. Image data is stored in advance in an updatable manner. Then, the operation control device 20 outputs a video signal based on the image data to a projector 25 described later, and manages the position, size, etc. of the image projected from the projector 25 toward the fabric 16. That is, the operation control device 20 has a function of managing an image projected on the fabric 16 from the projector 25 based on the machine information including the position data of the moving frame 15.

  Further, the operation control device 20 turns on / off the power of the projector 25 based on information such as a fixed position sensor (not shown) attached to an arm 29 of the projector moving mechanism 26 described later and an operation mode of the embroidery machine. It has a function of managing OFF and improving the life of the projector 25 and saving power. The arithmetic processing unit of the operation control device 20 calculates the size and scale of the image projected from the projector 25 onto the fabric 16 in the moving frame 15, and always displays the original and actual size images on the fabric 16. It is managed so that it can be projected.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a projector as a projection device that projects an image onto the fabric 16 to be embroidered. The projector 25 is mounted on the head support 4 via a projector moving mechanism 26 and is disposed above the base 1. Yes. The projector movement mechanism 26 is provided on the upper surface side of the head support 4 so as to be movable in the left and right directions (X-axis direction) via a plurality of guide rails 27 and extends upward from the head support 4. The mounting base 28 and the side of the mounting base 28 extend upward and forward (Y-axis direction) to the upper side of the moving frame 15 (that is, the fabric 16) and are moved upward by an actuator (not shown) in the mounting base 28. , And a movable arm 29 moved downward.

  The projector 25 is attached so as to be movable in the length direction of the arm 29 (that is, the Y-axis direction that is the front and rear directions), and the irradiation unit 25A of the projector 25 is held in the stretched state on the moving frame 15. Is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (that is, the Z-axis direction which is the upward and downward directions). The projector moving mechanism 26 moves the mounting base 28 in the X-axis direction along the guide rails 27 according to the drive signal from the operation control device 20 and moves the arm 29 upward and downward (Z-axis). Direction).

  The arm 29 of the projector moving mechanism 26 is provided with a linear actuator (not shown) that moves the projector 25 in the Y-axis direction (the length direction of the arm 29). Not shown). This fixed position sensor detects this when the projector 25 is moved in the Y-axis direction to the distal end side of the arm 29 to the advanced position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5, and supplies power to the projector 25 at this advanced position ( That is, it is possible to project an image on the fabric 16.

  On the other hand, when the projector 25 has moved in the Y-axis direction along the arm 29 to the retracted position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the power supply to the projector 25 is released by the detection of the fixed position sensor, The projector 25 is deactivated. That is, when the projector 25 is not used, the fabric 16 is retracted from the upper position of the moving frame 15 (that is, the fabric 16) as shown in FIG. A large space can be secured above the position.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the projector 25 is moved to the advanced position of the arm 29 to the advanced position to be in a power feedable state, an applique piece (for example, FIG. An image 31 corresponding to the shape of the applique piece 30) taking the letter “H” shown can be projected onto the surface of the fabric 16. This projection image (for example, the image 31 of the letter “H” indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 7) is the same size (original size / It is projected onto the fabric 16 as a full size image.

  In addition, the arithmetic processing unit of the operation control device 20 is configured such that the projection image by the projector 25 is the upper left corner when viewed from the front side of the base 1 (for example, the corner S1 of the projection range S of the image indicated by the dotted line in FIG. ) As a reference point, the projection range S of the image by the projector 25 is calculated so as to be projected onto the inner part of the moving frame 15. Therefore, when changing the moving frame 15 to another moving frame (not shown) having a different size, the projector 25 is moved in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions using the projector moving mechanism 26. Thereby, the projection image by the projector 25 is adjusted on the fabric 16 to be embroidered so as to be a predetermined position with respect to the reference point.

  The applique embroidery machine according to the first embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation thereof will be described.

  First, a plurality of upper thread bobbins (upper thread bobbins each wound with an upper thread of a desired color) are installed on the thread stand 9 of the embroidery machine. Then, each upper thread individually pulled out from these upper thread bobbins is guided between the respective thread tensions 11 while guiding each upper thread to the front side of the thread tension forming base 10 which is a yarn path forming base, and the tension of each upper thread is thereby adjusted. Make it adjustable. Next, on the downstream side of each thread tension 11, each upper thread is guided to each sewing needle 14 while being inserted into a thread insertion hole (not shown) of each balance 12.

  Next, in this state, when the spindle (not shown) is rotationally driven by the spindle motor 8 and the balance driving unit and the needle bar driving unit of the head unit 5 are operated, the needle bar selected by the color changing mechanism. 13 can be driven up and down together with the sewing needle 14 by the needle bar driving unit, and the sewing needle 14 can be moved relative to the cloth 16 on the moving frame 15 side. Further, the balance 12 selected by the color changing mechanism is also driven up and down according to the rotation of the spindle motor 8 by the balance driving unit.

  Then, the upper thread of the desired color selected by the color changing mechanism is moved from one of the upper thread bobbins on the thread stand 9 through the thread tension 11 or the like by moving the balance 12 upward or downward. Supplied to the sewing needle 14 side. During this time, a rotary hook (not shown) on the lower thread side is rotated so that the upper thread and the lower thread are entangled, and the lower thread is fed as the rotary hook rotates. Thus, the upper thread is sewn on the cloth 16 on the moving frame 15 side as the sewing needle 14 moves, and each time the sewing needle 14 forms a seam on the cloth 16, the upper thread moves to the sewing needle 14 side. And an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data is formed.

  Next, processing steps for applique embroidery will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in step 1 shown in FIG. 6, the fabric 16 to be embroidered is set in the stretched state on the moving frame 15. After the fabric 16 is set on the moving frame 15, the moving frame 15 (the fabric 16) is moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions to a predetermined position below the projector 25 by the frame moving mechanism 17.

  In the next step 2, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in order to perform appliqué embroidery using the applique piece 30 shaped with the letter “H”, the projector 25 is moved to the X axis, using the projector moving mechanism 26. By moving in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions, an original image 31 corresponding to the shape of the applique piece 30 is projected onto the surface of the fabric 16 (see FIG. 7).

  In this case, the projection range S of the image by the projector 25 is, for example, a rectangular range indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 7, and the upper left corner S1 of these is the reference point of the projection range S. Therefore, the full-size image 31 corresponding to the applique piece 30 is projected onto a predetermined position on the fabric 16 in the moving frame 15 with the corner corner S1 as a reference point.

  In the next step 3, the applique piece 30 is superposed at the position of the image 31 projected on the fabric 16 as shown in FIG. Paste to make it. In this case, the applique piece 30 is affixed at a position that completely coincides with the image 31, but for convenience of explanation, the image 31 is drawn slightly smaller than the applique piece 30 in FIG. 8. After the applique piece 30 is attached to the fabric 16, the frame moving mechanism 17 moves the moving frame 15 (fabric 16) to the position below the head unit 5 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

  In the next step 4, based on the position data of the image 31 stored in the storage unit of the operation control device 20 in an updatable manner, the zigzag stitches 32 along the contour shape of the applique piece 30 are used as shown in FIG. Do embroidery. That is, by moving the moving frame 15 (cloth 16) by the frame moving mechanism 17 so as to follow the contour shape of the applique piece 30, the head unit 5 moves the sewing needle 14 toward the cloth 16 to be embroidered. A zigzag stitch 32 is formed along the outline of the applique piece 30 and the applique piece 30 is sewn to the fabric 16.

  In the next step 5, the applique piece 30 sewn on the fabric 16 is ironed, and the applique piece 30 is thermocompression bonded to the fabric 16. Thereby, the applique embroidery using the applique piece 30 is completed. Thereafter, embroidery work other than applique embroidery is performed on the fabric 16 as necessary.

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, the position on the base 1 that is spaced left and right with respect to the head portion 5 and is opposed to the fabric 16 to be embroidered in the up and down directions (for example, the head support) A projector 25 that projects an image 31 corresponding to the shape of the applique piece 30 onto the fabric 16 is provided on the upper surface side of the body 4. The operation control device 20 moves the head unit 5 and the frame based on the position data of the image 31 in a state where the applique piece 30 is attached to the position of the image 31 projected on the cloth 16 by the projector 25. The mechanism 17 is driven and controlled, and the applique piece 30 is embroidery stitched on the fabric 16 to be embroidered.

  By comprising in this way, the sticking position of the applique piece 30 with respect to the cloth | dough 16 can be known correctly from the projection position of the image 31, and the sticking operation | work of the applique piece 30 can be performed easily. In addition, when the applique piece 30 is sewed on the fabric 16 to be embroidered, the head portion 5 and the frame moving mechanism 17 are driven and controlled based on the position data of the image 31 so as to follow the contour shape of the applique piece 30. Pattern embroidery can be sewn and the quality of applique embroidery can be improved.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to perform under-sewing or the like on the fabric 16 to be embroidered prior to applique embroidery, and the workability of applique embroidery can be improved. In addition, the projector moving mechanism 26 moves the projector 25 above the base 1 in a direction perpendicular to the direction parallel to the surface of the fabric 16 to be embroidered (that is, in the three axis directions of the X, Y, and Z axes). be able to.

  Thereby, even when the size of the moving frame 15 is changed, the position of the image projected by the projector 25 can be easily adjusted above the fabric 16 to be embroidered. When the projector 25 is not used, the projector 25 can be retracted from the upper position of the moving frame 15 (that is, the fabric 16). When performing embroidery work other than applique embroidery, the projector 25 is wide at the upper position. Space can be secured.

  Next, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description will be given. Shall be omitted. However, the feature of the second embodiment is that when the misalignment occurs between the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 to be embroidered by the projector 25 and the applique piece 40, the application position of the applique piece 40 is applied. The position correction is performed by moving the image 41 by the projector 25 according to the above.

  Here, the applique piece 40 employed in the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the applique piece 30 described in the first embodiment. The image 41 corresponding to the shape of the applique piece 40 (for example, the shape of the letter “H” shown in FIG. 11) is calculated by the arithmetic processing unit of the operation control device 20 to calculate the scale and the like. An image having the same size (original size / full size) as the applique piece 40 is projected onto the surface of the fabric 16 from the irradiation unit 25A.

  A control processing program for executing the applique embroidery processing step shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the storage unit of the operation control device 20. The operation control device 20 uses the projector 25 according to the application position of the applique piece 40 when a position shift occurs between the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 to be embroidered by the projector 25 and the applique piece 40. An image position correcting unit (see step 16 in FIG. 10) for correcting the position by moving the image 41, and the head unit 5 and the frame moving mechanism 17 based on the position data of the image 41 corrected by the image position correcting unit. And applique embroidery control means (see step 17 in FIG. 10) for sewing the applique piece 40 on the fabric 16 to be embroidered.

  Next, each processing step of applique embroidery in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11A to 11D. First, in step 11 shown in FIG. 10, an applique piece 40, on which a paste made of an adhesive or the like is applied in advance on the back side, is attached to the fabric 16 to be embroidered. In the next step 12, the applique piece 40 sewn on the fabric 16 is ironed, and the applique piece 40 is thermocompression bonded to the fabric 16.

  In the next step 13, the fabric 16 to be embroidered is set on the moving frame 15 in a stretched state. That is, in the second embodiment, the applique piece 40 is first pasted on the fabric 16 to be embroidered and thermocompression bonded at a position apart from the base 1 of the embroidery machine. Is configured to set the fabric 16 to which the pressure is pressed on the moving frame 15, which is different from the first embodiment.

  In the next step 14, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, in order to perform applique embroidery using the applique piece 40 shaped as the letter “H”, the projector 25 is used by using the projector moving mechanism 26. Are moved in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, and the frame 15 is moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions by the frame moving mechanism 17 to a predetermined position below the projector 25. As a result, the projector 25 is operated to project an original image 41 corresponding to the shape of the applique piece 40 onto the surface of the fabric 16 as shown in FIG.

  In the next step 15, the operator visually determines whether or not there is a displacement between the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 by the projector 25 and the applique piece 40. Note that an image pickup apparatus (not shown) such as a CCD camera may be provided in the vicinity of the projector 25, and the determination process for the positional deviation may be automatically performed using an image processing technique.

  If "NO" is determined in the step 15, the process proceeds to a step 17 described later. However, in actuality, there are many cases where there is a positional deviation between the applique piece 40 and the image 41. In this case, since “YES” is determined in the step 15, the process proceeds to the next step 16. Misalignment correction processing is performed. This correction processing performs both position correction and tilt correction along the surface of the fabric 16.

  This position correction is performed by, for example, operating the frame moving mechanism 17 by the operator pressing the jog key 22B in the operation unit 22 of the operation control device 20, and moving the moving frame 15 (cloth 16) below the projector 25 on the X axis. In the direction and / or the Y-axis direction. In the tilt correction, the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 by the projector 25 is rotated on the fabric 16 as shown in FIGS. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11C, the position of the image 41 is corrected so that the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 exactly overlaps the position of the applique piece 40.

  The operation for performing the tilt correction is assigned in advance to the soft key 22D in the operation unit 22 of the operation control device 20. The soft key 22D constitutes a so-called dialogue key, and is operated according to a menu displayed on the screen of the color display 23. The operator can rotate the image 41 on the cloth 16 by one shot, for example, once by pressing the soft key 22D assigned in advance.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), when the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 is exactly overlapped with the position of the applique piece 40, the positional deviation correction processing in step 16 is completed, and the next step Move to 17. In this step 17, a zigzag stitch along the contour shape of the applique piece 40 as shown in FIG. 11 (d) based on the position data of the image 41 stored in the storage unit of the operation control device 20 in an updatable manner. The embroidery sewing by 42 is performed.

  That is, in the storage unit of the operation control device 20, the position data of the image 41 that has been subjected to the correction calculation by the position correction and the inclination correction in accordance with the position shift correction process in step 16 is stored in a state of being sequentially updated. Yes. For this reason, in the process of step 17, the frame moving mechanism 17 moves the frame 15 (fabric 16) so as to follow the contour shape of the applique piece 40 based on the position data of the corrected image 41. The head unit 5 moves the sewing needle 14 toward the fabric 16 to be embroidered to form a zigzag stitch 42 along the outline of the applique piece 40 and sew the applique piece 30 to the fabric 16.

  Thus, also in the second embodiment configured as described above, the embroidery of the applique piece 40 is performed in a state where the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 to be embroidered by the projector 25 is superimposed on the position of the applique piece 40. Sewing can be performed, and substantially the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in the second embodiment, before the fabric 16 is set on the moving frame 15, the applique piece 40 can be pasted on the fabric 16 to be embroidered and the thermocompression work can be performed prior to setting the applique piece. The 40 sticking and thermocompression bonding operations can be efficiently performed with a wide work space in another place away from the base 1 of the embroidery machine.

  After setting the fabric 16 on the moving frame 15, the applique piece 40 is embroidered in a state where the positions of both the images 41 projected onto the fabric 16 from the projector 25 exactly coincide with the position of the applique piece 40. When sewing on the target fabric 16, the head portion 5 and the frame moving mechanism 17 are driven and controlled based on the position data of the image 41 that has been corrected and calculated as described above, thereby embroidering the contour shape of the applique piece 40. Sewing can be performed and the quality of applique embroidery can be improved.

  Next, FIG. 12 to FIG. 15 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the second embodiment, and the description will be given. Shall be omitted. However, the feature of the third embodiment is that the projector 25 projects the cursor 51 onto the fabric 16 to be embroidered to correct the inclination of the applique piece 40.

  Here, the inclination correction employed in the third embodiment is performed in place of the inclination correction of the misalignment correction processing shown in FIG. 10 in the second embodiment described above, and follows the surface of the fabric 16. Further, the position correction in the X-axis direction and / or the Y-axis direction is performed as described in the second embodiment.

  However, in the case of performing tilt correction in the third embodiment, a cross called so-called dragonfly mark from the projector 25 instead of the image 41 (see FIG. 11) on the fabric 16 set in the moving frame 15. A cursor 51 is projected. The cursor 51 is projected at a predetermined position in an image projection range S (for example, see FIG. 3) by the projector 25, and the position of the cursor 51 is recognized as a predetermined coordinate position by the operation control device 20. Yes.

  Therefore, when the inclination correction of the applique piece 40 affixed on the fabric 16 is performed, as shown in FIG. 12, the first portion α serving as the first corner of the applique piece 40 shaped as the letter “H” is formed. The moving frame 15 is moved by the frame moving mechanism 17 so that the cursor 51 is projected onto the screen. That is, the operator operates the frame moving mechanism 17 by pressing the jog key 22B in the operation unit 22 of the operation control device 20, and the first portion α of the applique piece 40 together with the moving frame 15 (cloth 16). Are moved in the X-axis direction and / or the Y-axis direction to the projection position of the cursor 51 by the projector 25.

  Then, in a state where the first part α of the applique piece 40 coincides with the projection position of the cursor 51, the coordinate position at this time (that is, the coordinate position of the first part α) is operated as, for example, α (X1, Y1). The data is stored in the storage unit of the control device 20. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the jog key 22B is pressed in the same manner so that the cursor 51 is projected onto the second portion β, which is the second corner of the applique piece 40, and the moving frame 15 is moved to the frame moving mechanism. 17 to move in the X-axis direction and / or the Y-axis direction. Then, in a state where the second part β of the applique piece 40 coincides with the projection position of the cursor 51, the coordinate position at this time (that is, the coordinate position of the second part β) is operated as, for example, β (X2, Y2). The data is stored in the storage unit of the control device 20.

  Next, the relative position P between the first part α and the second part β is calculated by the following formulas 1 and 2, and obtained as P (X3, Y3) on the XY coordinates as shown in FIG. . Then, the angle θ of the relative position P with respect to the X axis is calculated by a trigonometric function. Next, by rotating the image 41 projected on the cloth 16 by the projector 25 by the angle θ obtained in this way, the same as in FIG. 11C described in the second embodiment. The position of the image 41 can be corrected so that the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 exactly overlaps the position of the applique piece 40.

  Thus, also in the third embodiment configured as described above, the embroidery of the applique piece 40 is performed in a state where the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 to be embroidered by the projector 25 is superimposed on the position of the applique piece 40. Sewing can be performed, and substantially the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In particular, in the third embodiment, the positional deviation correction processing between the image and the applique piece by the projector 25 (that is, both positional correction and inclination correction along the surface of the fabric 16) is performed by the operation of the operation control device 20. This can be done simply by pressing the jog key 22B of the unit 22. For this reason, as described in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to assign an operation for performing tilt correction to the soft key 22D in the operation unit 20 of the operation control device 20.

  In the second embodiment, in the program shown in FIG. 10, step 16 shows a specific example of the image position correcting means which is a constituent element of the present invention, and step 17 shows a specific example of the applique embroidery control means. An example is shown.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the applique piece 30 formed with the letter “H” is used has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, applique pieces shaped like various characters such as letters “A”, “B”, or applique pieces shaped like star patterns or flower patterns. In addition, the present invention can be applied to applique embroidery using applique pieces having any shape. This also applies to the second and third embodiments.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the case where the mount 28 of the projector moving mechanism 26 is moved in the left and right directions (X-axis direction) along the guide rail 27 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movable arm 29 may be moved in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction without moving the mount of the projector moving mechanism. Any projector can be used as long as the projector can be moved in the three axial directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. This also applies to the second and third embodiments.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a single-head embroidery machine having one head portion 5 is described as an example of an applique embroidery machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a multi-head embroidery machine having a plurality of head portions.

  Further, the present invention can be configured as follows by appropriately combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  That is, the control device attaches the applique piece when the applique piece is attached to the position of the image projected onto the embroidery object by the projection device and a positional deviation occurs between them. An image position correcting unit that corrects the position by moving the image by the projection device according to the position, and the head unit and the frame moving mechanism are driven and controlled based on the position data of the image corrected by the position correcting unit. The appliqué embroidery control means for embroidering the applique on the embroidery object may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2, 3 Side frame 4 Head support 5 Head part 7 Needle bar case 8 Spindle motor 9 Thread stand (upper thread storage part)
10 Thread tension stand 12 Scale 13 Needle bar 14 Sewing needle 15 Moving frame (frame for embroidery)
16 Fabric (embroidery object)
17 Frame Movement Mechanism 18 Control Device 19 Bracket 20 Operation Control Device 21 Unit Case 22 Operation Unit 23 Color Display 24 Power Switch 25 Projector (Projection Device)
26 Projector moving mechanism 30, 40 Applique piece 31, 41 Image 32, 42 Zigzag stitch 51 Cursor

A feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 is that the position on the base is left and right away from the head portion and opposed to the embroidery object in the upper and lower directions. A projection device that projects an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece onto the embroidery object is provided, and the control device pastes the applique piece at a position of the image projected onto the embroidery object by the projection device. In this state, the position data of the image is used as embroidery data, and the head portion and the frame moving mechanism are driven and controlled based on the embroidery data to embroidery the applique piece on the embroidery object.

Further, the feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 2 is that the position on the base that is separated from the head portion in the left and right directions and opposed to the embroidery object in the up and down directions, A projection device for projecting an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece onto the embroidery object is provided, and the control device is arranged on the embroidery object by the projection device while the applique piece is pasted on the embroidery object. Image position correcting means for correcting the position by moving the image by the projection device in accordance with the application position of the applique piece when a displacement occurs between the image projected on the applique piece and the applique piece. , the position data of the corrected the image by the image position correction means and the embroidery data, the head portion and controls the driving of the frame moving mechanism on the basis of the embroidery data, the embroidery said applique piece It is configured to have a applique embroidery control means for embroidering elephants thereof.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the projection device is used to project an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece onto an embroidery object (for example, a cloth such as a cloth), and the applique piece of the cloth on which the image is projected. Since it is made to stick on a position, an applique piece and the position of an image can be made to correspond easily. For this reason, when the applique piece is sewn on the fabric to be embroidered, the position data of the image is used as embroidery data, and the head portion and the frame moving mechanism are driven and controlled based on the embroidery data , so that the contour shape of the applique piece is obtained. Embroidery stitching can be performed to follow, and the quality of applique embroidery can be improved. Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to perform under-sewing or the like on the fabric to be embroidered prior to appliqué embroidery, and workability can be improved.

In the invention of claim 2, the applique piece is first pasted on the fabric to be embroidered. In this state, an image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece is projected onto the cloth by the projection device, and when a positional deviation occurs between the image and the applique piece, image position correcting means provided in the control device Thus, the image by the projection device is moved in accordance with the application position of the applique piece. When the applique piece is sewed on the fabric to be embroidered in the state where both positions coincide with each other, the position data of the image corrected by the image position correcting means is used as embroidery data. Based on the embroidery data , the head portion and the frame By controlling the movement of the moving mechanism, embroidery sewing can be executed so as to follow the contour shape of the applique piece, and the quality of the applique embroidery can be improved.

In the next step 4, the position data of the image 31 stored in the storage unit of the operation control device 20 in an updatable manner is used as embroidery data, and the contour shape of the applique piece 30 is formed based on the embroidery data as shown in FIG. The embroidery stitches are performed by the zigzag stitches 32 along. That is, by moving the moving frame 15 (cloth 16) by the frame moving mechanism 17 so as to follow the contour shape of the applique piece 30, the head unit 5 moves the sewing needle 14 toward the cloth 16 to be embroidered. A zigzag stitch 32 is formed along the outline of the applique piece 30 and the applique piece 30 is sewn to the fabric 16.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), when the image 41 projected on the fabric 16 is exactly overlapped with the position of the applique piece 40, the positional deviation correction processing in step 16 is completed, and the next step Move to 17. In step 17, the position data of the image 41 stored in the storage unit of the operation control device 20 in an updatable manner is used as embroidery data . Based on the embroidery data , the contour of the applique piece 40 as shown in FIG. Embroidery stitching is performed by zigzag stitches 42 along the shape.

Claims (3)

A base for embroidery; a head portion mounted on the base for selectively driving a plurality of sewing needles and a plurality of balances according to rotation of the main shaft; and a base portion located below the head portion on the base A frame moving mechanism for moving the embroidery frame provided on the embroidery frame, and for performing embroidery sewing with an applique piece pasted on a predetermined position of the embroidery object held in a stretched state on the embroidery frame, An applique embroidery machine comprising a control device for driving and controlling the head portion and the frame moving mechanism based on embroidery data;
An image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece is placed on the embroidery object at a position on the base that is spaced left and right with respect to the head portion and opposed to the embroidery object in the upward and downward directions. A projection device for projecting,
The control device drives and controls the head unit and the frame moving mechanism based on the position data of the image in a state where the applique piece is attached to the position of the image projected on the embroidery object by the projection device. An applique embroidery machine characterized in that the applique piece is embroidery sewn on the embroidery object. A base for embroidery; a head portion mounted on the base for selectively driving a plurality of sewing needles and a plurality of balances according to rotation of the main shaft; and a base portion located below the head portion on the base A frame moving mechanism for moving the embroidery frame provided on the embroidery frame, and for performing embroidery sewing with an applique piece pasted on a predetermined position of the embroidery object held in a stretched state on the embroidery frame, An applique embroidery machine comprising a control device for driving and controlling the head portion and the frame moving mechanism based on embroidery data;
An image corresponding to the shape of the applique piece is placed on the embroidery object at a position on the base that is spaced left and right with respect to the head portion and opposed to the embroidery object in the upward and downward directions. A projection device for projecting,
The control device includes:
When the applique piece is pasted on the embroidery object and the applique piece is misaligned between the image projected onto the embroidery object by the projection device and the applique piece is pasted Image position correcting means for correcting the position by moving the image by the projection device according to the position;
An appliqué embroidery control means for driving and controlling the head portion and the frame moving mechanism based on the image position data corrected by the image position correction means and embroidery the applique piece on the embroidery object; An applique embroidery machine characterized by   The applique embroidery machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection device is configured to be movable in a direction parallel to and perpendicular to a surface of the embroidery object above the base.

Images