A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine

Abstract

This invention discloses a circular color-changing mechanism for a small-pitch multi-head computerized embroidery machine, comprising a rotating shuttle module and a translation module. The rotating shuttle module includes a rotating color-changing component and a lifting component. By incorporating a reversing mechanism, shuttle frame, shuttle, and thread clamp, this invention fully utilizes space, resulting in a compact overall structure. Color-changing operations require no additional operating space and do not affect the layout and operation of other components on the embroidery machine. It can automatically change the color of embroidery threads for various colors in small-pitch embroidery machines with limited space, allowing for the replacement of specific colors. By using a rigid traction rope as the power transmission component for the thread clamp, translational movement can be transmitted without a separate drive device. Furthermore, it ensures that the translational movement of the thread clamp and the rotation of the shuttle frame remain synchronized, guaranteeing that the embroidery thread at the production station after color changing is always under appropriate tension, ensuring continuous automatic color-changing operations and normal embroidery production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of computerized embroidery machine technology, and in particular to a circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine. Background Technology

[0002] The color-changing mechanism is a crucial component of computerized embroidery machines, primarily used for automatically and quickly changing embroidery threads during the embroidery process. Currently, the color-changing mechanism on hook-and-loop embroidery machines generally employs a translational shuttle mechanism. While the transmission mechanism is simple, the shuttle needs to move synchronously during the color-changing process, requiring a significant amount of operating space. Furthermore, the compact structure and layout of some small-pitch embroidery machines limit the movement space of the color-changing mechanism, necessitating a reduction in its size and the variety of thread colors and types, impacting the quality of the embroidery and the machine's application range. On the other hand, the translational shuttle frame in the color-changing mechanism often uses ball bearing guides for auxiliary operation. Ball bearings have limited shear strength, making them easily damaged by foreign objects, which in turn affects the stable operation of the color-changing mechanism. Therefore, regular maintenance and replacement of the ball bearing guides are necessary, resulting in higher operating costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a circular color-changing mechanism for a small-pitch multi-head computerized embroidery machine. The mechanism has a compact overall structure, and the color-changing operation does not require additional operating rotation space. It will not affect the layout and operation of other components on the embroidery machine, and can meet the automatic color-changing operation of multiple colors of embroidery thread for small-pitch embroidery machines with limited layout space, ensuring continuous automatic color-changing operation and normal embroidery production.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-pitch multi-head computerized embroidery machine is installed between the thread clamping seat and the shuttle box on the machine. The thread clamping seat has several thread clamping heads, each capable of fixing or tensioning one embroidery thread. The shuttle box has a horizontally arranged rotary gear that is drively connected to the shuttle shaft. The circular color-changing mechanism includes a rotating color-changing component and a lifting component, wherein:

[0006] The rotating color-changing assembly includes a shuttle frame, several shuttles, and a thread clamp. The shuttle frame is connected to a first drive device via a first transmission device and can rotate under its drive. The several shuttles are evenly mounted on the shuttle frame in a circumferential direction and can slide in a vertical direction under the drive of an external force. The thread clamp is mounted on the shuttle frame and located above the several shuttles. Each embroidery thread can pass through one of the shuttles and extend to the thread clamp and be clamped therein. Each shuttle has a shuttle gear located above the shuttle frame, and each shuttle gear can mesh with the rotary gear.

[0007] The lifting assembly includes a cam and a top plate. The cam is connected to a second drive device and the top plate. The top plate extends below one of the ring shuttles. The second drive device can drive the top plate to move vertically via the cam and simultaneously push the ring shuttle to drive the ring shuttle gear on it to move vertically, so as to disconnect the meshing connection between the ring shuttle gear and the rotary gear before the ring shuttle frame rotates.

[0008] As a further explanation of the above technical solution:

[0009] In the above technical solution, the first transmission device includes a first gear shaft and a second gear shaft that are meshed together. The first gear shaft is connected to the first drive device, and the second gear shaft is connected to the ring shuttle frame.

[0010] In the above technical solution, the first gear shaft and the second gear shaft are arranged perpendicularly and each includes a transmission shaft. A first sliding sleeve is sleeved on both transmission shafts. Each first sliding sleeve has a locking element at one end and a bevel gear coaxial with it at the other end.

[0011] In the above technical solution, the outline of the thread clamp matches the outline of the shuttle frame and is mounted parallel to the shuttle frame above it. It includes two arc-shaped thread clamping plates and several thread clamping pieces installed therebetween, and each thread clamping piece can clamp one embroidery thread.

[0012] In the above technical solution, a translation compensation component is also provided, including a traction rope, two pull plates, and a horizontally arranged slide rail. The traction rope is wrapped around the periphery of the shuttle frame and can rotate synchronously with it. Its two ends are respectively disposed on one of the pull plates. Both pull plates are sleeved on the slide rail and detachably fixed to the thread clamping seat. The slide rail is disposed on the computerized embroidery machine. The rotation of the shuttle frame can drive the traction rope to pull the two pull plates to slide on the slide rail, and synchronously drive the thread clamping seat to move horizontally, so as to tighten the embroidery thread that has loosened due to the relative rotation of the shuttle and the thread clamping seat.

[0013] In the above technical solution, the traction rope is a rigid traction rope, and the two pull plates are parallel to each other and are located on one side of the ring shuttle frame.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the shuttle frame is a fan-shaped or semi-circular structure with a positioning hole at its center. Several shuttle holes are evenly surrounded around the positioning hole in the circumferential direction, and the angle between the line connecting two adjacent shuttle holes and the center of the shaft is 30°.

[0015] In the above technical solution, each of the ring shuttles is a hollow stepped shaft structure, with a hook groove, the ring shuttle gear, a second sliding sleeve and a limiting sleeve arranged sequentially along the axial direction. The ring shuttle gear is located above the ring shuttle frame. The second sliding sleeve is adapted to the ring shuttle hole and can slide along it. A spring is provided between the second sliding sleeve and the limiting sleeve. The spring is located below the ring shuttle frame. The limiting sleeve is connected to the top plate in a transmission connection.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the wire clamping seat is a planar or curved structure, and several wire clamping heads are detachably fixed on its planar or curved surface; a wire breakage detection element is provided on the wire clamping seat between each wire clamping head and a ring shuttle.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by setting up a first transmission device, a ring shuttle frame, and a ring shuttle and thread clamp mounted on it along the circumference, space can be fully utilized, the overall structure of the mechanism is compact, and the color changing operation does not require additional operating rotation space, and will not affect the layout and operation of other parts on the embroidery machine. It can meet the automatic color changing of multiple colors of embroidery thread for small-pitch embroidery machines with limited layout space. By using a rigid traction rope as the power transmission component of the thread clamp seat, the translational movement can be transmitted without setting up a separate drive device, and it can ensure that the translational movement of the thread clamp seat and the rotation of the ring shuttle frame are always synchronized. It can ensure that the embroidery thread in the production position after color changing is always in an appropriate tension state, and ensure continuous automatic color changing operation and normal embroidery production. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of this embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram from another perspective of this embodiment (the drive unit and the shuttle box are not shown).

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ring shuttle color-changing component in this embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the wire clamp in this embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the ring shuttle frame in this embodiment;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ring shuttle structure in this embodiment;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the wire clamp in another embodiment.

[0025] In the diagram: 20. Shuttle box; 21. Rotary gear; 30. Rotary color-changing assembly; 31. Shuttle frame; 32. Shuttle; 33. Wire clamp; 34. First transmission device; 35. First drive device; 36. Shuttle gear; 40. Lifting assembly; 41. Cam; 42. Top plate; 43. Second drive device; 50. Translation compensation assembly; 51. Traction rope; 52. Pull plate; 53. Slide rail; 60. Wire clamp seat; 61. Wire clamp head; 62. Wire breakage detection piece; 1. First gear shaft; 2. Second gear shaft; 3. First sliding sleeve; 4. Locking piece; 5. Bevel gear; 6. Arc-shaped wire clamp plate; 7. Wire clamping piece; 9. Positioning hole; 10. Shuttle hole; 11. Wire hook groove; 12. Second sliding sleeve; 13. Limiting sleeve; 14. Spring; a. Angle. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "several" or "more than" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" a second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or it can include contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Moreover, "above," "over," and "on top" of a second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" of a second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0028] like Figure 1-3 As shown, a circular color-changing mechanism for a small-pitch multi-head computerized embroidery machine is installed between a thread clamping seat 60 and a shuttle box 20 on the computerized embroidery machine. The thread clamping seat 60 has several thread clamping heads 61, each capable of fixing or tensioning one embroidery thread. The shuttle box 20 has a horizontally arranged rotary gear 21 that is drively connected to the shuttle shaft. The circular color-changing mechanism includes a rotating color-changing component 30 and a lifting component 40, wherein:

[0029] The rotating color-changing assembly 30 includes a shuttle frame 31, several shuttles 32, and a thread clamp 33. The shuttle frame 31 is connected to the first drive device 35 via a first transmission device 34 and can rotate under its drive. The several shuttles 32 are evenly mounted on the shuttle frame 31 in the circumferential direction and can slide in the vertical direction under the drive of external force. The thread clamp 33 is mounted on the shuttle frame 31 and above the several shuttles 32. Each embroidery thread can pass through a shuttle 32 and extend to the thread clamp 33 and be clamped by it. Each shuttle 32 is provided with a shuttle gear 36 above the shuttle frame 31. Each shuttle gear 36 can mesh with the rotary gear 21.

[0030] The lifting assembly 40 includes a cam 41 and a top plate 42. The cam 41 is connected to the second drive device 43 and the top plate 42. The top plate 42 extends below a ring shuttle 32. The second drive device 43 can drive the top plate 42 to move vertically through the cam 41 and simultaneously push the ring shuttle 32 to drive the ring shuttle gear 36 on it to move vertically, so as to disconnect the meshing connection between the ring shuttle gear 36 and the rotary gear 21 before the ring shuttle frame 31 rotates.

[0031] When changing colors, the second drive device 43 drives the cam 41 to rotate and drives the top plate 42 to move downwards in the vertical direction. The shuttle 32 (located at the production station) on it moves downwards simultaneously, causing the shuttle gear 36 on it to move downwards and disengage from the rotary gear 21 (simultaneously, the cutting device on the embroidery machine cuts the embroidery thread). Then, the first drive device 35 outputs rotational driving force, which drives the shuttle frame 31 to rotate after being converted by the reversing device 1. The shuttle 32, which is equipped with a specific embroidery thread, is rotated to the position below the processing station. The second drive device 43 drives the top plate 42 to move upwards and lift the shuttle 32, causing the shuttle gear 36 on it to move upwards and engage with the rotary gear 21. The hook knife on the embroidery machine extends and hooks the embroidery thread on the shuttle 32, passing it through the thread clamp 33 (or hooking the embroidery thread on the thread clamp 33) and pulling it to the appropriate position, thus completing the color change operation of the embroidery thread. The color-changing mechanism has a compact overall structure, which can make full use of space. The color-changing operation does not require additional operating rotation space and will not affect the layout and operation of other parts on the embroidery machine. The size of the shuttle frame 31 can be adjusted according to the actual situation so that an appropriate number of shuttles and embroidery threads of appropriate colors can be installed on it, which can meet the automatic color-changing operation of multiple colors of embroidery threads for small-pitch embroidery machines with limited layout space.

[0032] Furthermore, such as Figure 3As shown, the first transmission device 34 includes a first gear shaft 1 and a second gear shaft 2 that are meshed together. The first gear shaft 1 is connected to the first drive device 35, and the second gear shaft 2 is connected to the ring shuttle frame 31. The first gear shaft 1 and the second gear shaft 2 are arranged perpendicularly and each includes a transmission shaft. A first sliding sleeve 3 is sleeved on each of the two transmission shafts. A locking element 4 is provided at one end of each first sliding sleeve 3, and a bevel gear 5 coaxial with it is provided at the other end.

[0033] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the outline of the thread clamp 33 matches the outline of the shuttle frame 31 and is mounted parallel to the shuttle frame 31 above the shuttle frame 31. It includes two arc-shaped thread clamping plates 6 and several thread clamping pieces 7 installed between them. Each thread clamping piece 7 can clamp an embroidery thread.

[0034] In application, a reinforcing plate can be set on the wire clamp 31 according to the specific structure and layout of the ring shuttle frame 31, the wire clamp 33 and the ring shuttle 32 on it, so as to ensure that the stability of the wire clamping mechanism is not affected by the deformation of the wire clamp 31 during continuous color changing production.

[0035] Furthermore, a translation compensation component 50 is provided, including a traction rope 51, two pull plates 52, and a horizontally arranged slide rail 53. The traction rope 51 surrounds the outer periphery of the shuttle frame 31 and can rotate synchronously with it. Its two ends are respectively disposed on a pull plate 52. Both pull plates 52 are sleeved on the slide rail 53 and detachably fixed to the thread clamping seat 60. The slide rail 53 is disposed on the computerized embroidery machine. The rotation of the shuttle frame 31 can drive the traction rope 51 to pull the two pull plates 52 to slide on the slide rail 53, and synchronously drive the thread clamping seat 60 to move horizontally, so as to tighten the embroidery thread that has loosened due to the relative rotation of the shuttle 32 and the thread clamping seat 60. In this embodiment, the traction rope 51 is a rigid traction rope, and the two pull plates 52 are parallel to each other and disposed on one side of the shuttle frame 31.

[0036] It is understandable that the rotation of the shuttle frame 31 will cause the relative position of the shuttle 32 corresponding to the embroidery thread before color change and the specific thread clamping head 61 on the thread clamping seat 60 to change. Under the influence of the thread clamping device 33, the embroidery thread between the thread clamping piece 7 and the thread clamping head 61 may become loose or overly tight. The abnormal tension of the embroidery thread will trigger the thread breakage alarm system, and the embroidery machine will stop working. It is necessary to remove the thread so that the embroidery machine can continue to work normally. Therefore, the present invention provides a translation module 50, which can adjust the distance between the thread clamping seat 60 and the upper shuttle frame 31 and shuttle 32 without changing the structure of other mechanisms, so as to ensure that all embroidery threads in the production station are in an appropriate tension state during the continuous color change process. During operation, the rotation of the shuttle frame 31 causes the rigid material traction rope 51 on it to move synchronously, pushing the pull plates at both ends of the rope to slide on the slide rail 53, which in turn drives the thread clamp 60 to move. This allows the tension of the embroidery thread to be adjusted by changing the relative distance between the thread clamp head 61 and the shuttle 32. In this embodiment, the traction rope 51 is a steel wire rope.

[0037] This invention uses a rigid traction rope 51 as the power transmission component of the thread clamp 60, which can transmit the translational movement without the need for a separate drive device. It can also ensure that the translational movement of the thread clamp 60 and the rotation of the shuttle frame 31 are always synchronized, and ensure that the embroidery thread in the production station after color change is always in an appropriate tension state, thus ensuring continuous automatic color change operation and normal embroidery production.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first driving device 35 is an absolute stepper motor, which provides more precise and stable driving; the second driving device 43 is a stepper motor.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the shuttle frame 31 is further fan-shaped or semi-circular in structure, with a positioning hole 9 at its center. Several shuttle holes 10 are evenly surrounded around the periphery of the positioning hole 9 in the circumferential direction, and the angle α between the line connecting two adjacent shuttle holes 10 and the center of the shaft is 30°.

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, each ring shuttle 32 is a hollow stepped shaft structure, with a hook groove 11, a ring shuttle gear 36, a second sliding sleeve 12 and a limiting sleeve 13 arranged sequentially along the axial direction. The ring shuttle gear 36 is located above the ring shuttle frame 31. The second sliding sleeve 12 is adapted to the ring shuttle hole 10 and can slide along it. A spring 14 is provided between the second sliding sleeve 12 and the limiting sleeve 13. The spring 14 is located below the ring shuttle frame 31. The limiting sleeve 13 is connected to the top plate 42 in a transmission connection.

[0041] Understandably, the spring 12 can slow down the rising and falling speed of the shuttle 32 during movement, prevent the shuttle gear 36 on it from hitting the shuttle frame 31 and other structural components and causing damage, extend the service life of the shuttle gear 36, and ensure that each shuttle gear 36 and the rotary gear 21 can always maintain a precise meshing connection.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 , 7 As shown, the wire clamping seat 60 has a planar or curved structure, and several wire clamping heads 61 are detachably fixed on its planar or curved surface; a wire breakage detection element 62 is provided on the wire clamping seat 60 between each wire clamping head 61 and a ring shuttle 32.

[0043] In another embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 7 As shown, due to the spatial layout limitations of the embroidery machine, the thread clamping seat 60 is designed as a ring structure. Its outer wall is connected to the slide rail 53 or the pull plate 52 for transmission. The thread clamping head 61 is located on its inner wall. A thread breakage detection device 62 is also provided to monitor whether each embroidery thread has broken. In this embodiment, the thread breakage detection includes a guide plate and a sensing device. The guide plate has guide holes through which the embroidery thread passes. The sensing device can detect the embroidery thread in the guide holes and can issue an alarm via an alarm device installed on the embroidery machine when a thread breakage occurs.

[0044] The above does not limit the technical scope of the present invention in any way. Any modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-pitch multi-head computerized embroidery machine, installed between a thread clamping seat and a shuttle box on the computerized embroidery machine, wherein the thread clamping seat is provided with a plurality of thread clamping heads, each of which can fix or tension one embroidery thread, and the shuttle box is provided with a horizontally arranged rotary gear that is drively connected to the shuttle shaft; characterized in that... The circular color-changing mechanism includes a rotating color-changing component and a lifting component, wherein: The rotating color-changing assembly includes a shuttle frame, several shuttles, and a thread clamp. The shuttle frame is connected to a first drive device via a first transmission device and can rotate under its drive. The several shuttles are evenly mounted on the shuttle frame in a circumferential direction and can slide in a vertical direction under the drive of an external force. The thread clamp is mounted on the shuttle frame and located above the several shuttles. Each embroidery thread can pass through one of the shuttles and extend to the thread clamp and be clamped therein. Each shuttle has a shuttle gear located above the shuttle frame, and each shuttle gear can mesh with the rotary gear. The lifting assembly includes a cam and a top plate. The cam is connected to a second drive device and the top plate. The top plate extends below one of the ring shuttles. The second drive device can drive the top plate to move vertically via the cam and simultaneously push the ring shuttle to drive the ring shuttle gear on it to move vertically, so as to disconnect the meshing connection between the ring shuttle gear and the rotary gear before the ring shuttle frame rotates.

2. The circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first transmission device includes a first gear shaft and a second gear shaft that are meshed together. The first gear shaft is connected to the first drive device, and the second gear shaft is connected to the ring shuttle frame.

3. The circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first gear shaft and the second gear shaft are arranged perpendicularly to each other and each includes a transmission shaft. A first sliding sleeve is fitted on each of the two transmission shafts. A locking element is provided at one end of each first sliding sleeve and a bevel gear coaxial with it is provided at the other end.

4. The circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outline of the thread clamp matches the outline of the shuttle frame and is mounted parallel to the shuttle frame above it. It includes two arc-shaped thread clamping plates and several thread clamping pieces installed therebetween. Each thread clamping piece can clamp one embroidery thread.

5. A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a translation compensation component, comprising a traction rope, two pull plates, and a horizontally arranged slide rail. The traction rope surrounds the periphery of the shuttle frame and can rotate synchronously with it. Its two ends are respectively disposed on one of the pull plates. Both pull plates are sleeved on the slide rail and detachably fixed to the thread clamping seat. The slide rail is disposed on the computerized embroidery machine. The rotation of the shuttle frame can drive the traction rope to pull the two pull plates to slide on the slide rail, and synchronously drive the thread clamping seat to move horizontally, so as to tighten the embroidery thread that has loosened due to the relative rotation of the shuttle and the thread clamping seat.

6. A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The traction rope is a rigid traction rope, and the two pull plates are parallel to each other and located on one side of the shuttle frame.

7. A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The shuttle frame is a fan-shaped or semi-circular structure with a positioning hole at its center. Several shuttle holes are evenly arranged around the periphery of the positioning hole, and the angle between the line connecting two adjacent shuttle holes and the center of the shaft is 30°.

8. A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each of the ring shuttles is a hollow stepped shaft structure, with a hook groove, the ring shuttle gear, a second sliding sleeve, and a limiting sleeve arranged sequentially along the axial direction. The ring shuttle gear is located above the ring shuttle frame. The second sliding sleeve is adapted to the ring shuttle hole and can slide along it. A spring is provided between the second sliding sleeve and the limiting sleeve. The spring is located below the ring shuttle frame. The limiting sleeve is connected to the top plate in a transmission manner.

9. A circular color-changing mechanism for a small-head-distance multi-head computerized embroidery machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The wire clamping seat has a planar or curved structure, and several wire clamping heads are detachably fixed on its planar or curved surface; a wire breakage detection element is provided on the wire clamping seat between each wire clamping head and a ring shuttle.

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