Automatic line changing apparatus and method

Abstract

The application relates to the field of toy production and provides an automatic thread changing device, which comprises a machine box and thread guiding mechanisms, thread cutting mechanisms and thread connecting mechanisms arranged on the machine box, at least two thread supply units are arranged on the machine box, the thread guiding mechanisms can move back and forth among the thread supply units, the thread cutting mechanisms are used for cutting the yarns pulled by the thread guiding mechanisms and forming first thread sections on the thread guiding mechanisms and second thread sections on the corresponding thread supply units, and the thread connecting mechanisms splice the first thread sections and the second thread sections into integrated yarns. The device can realize thread pulling, thread cutting and thread connecting, can be quickly adjusted and replaced according to different production requirements and product requirements, realizes flexible layout of a production line and quick adjustment of a production plan, and is especially suitable for sewing processes which need to frequently change threads. In addition, an automatic thread changing method is provided, and the method has the advantages of quick and stable thread changing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of toy manufacturing, specifically to an automatic line changing device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Textiles and sewing are crucial technologies and crafts in the development of human civilization, with origins dating back to prehistoric times. The earliest textile activities can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, around 10,000 BC. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the textile industry underwent tremendous changes. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, steam power began to be used in textile factories, greatly improving production efficiency. At the same time, various new types of textile machinery were invented, such as looms and weaving machines, ushering in a period of rapid development for the textile industry. Today, textile and sewing technologies are highly refined, with continuously increasing automation. The application of digital design and intelligent manufacturing technologies has greatly improved production efficiency and product quality.

[0003] In traditional textile and sewing processes, yarn can only be changed manually. To adapt to changing market demands and improve the adaptability and responsiveness of production lines, automated yarn changing has become paramount. Automated yarn changing enhances production flexibility and adaptability, allowing for rapid adjustments and changes based on different production needs and product requirements, thus enabling flexible production line layouts and quick adjustments to production plans.

[0004] In recent years, the toy market has flourished, especially the popularity of character toys such as Barbie dolls. These toys typically require head hair processing, and the initial method of pasting hair had limitations in achieving realistic results. Currently, most toy doll wig production has shifted to hair transplantation technology, as illustrated in patent document CN110201407A, which discloses an automatic hair transplantation machine for Barbie dolls. However, for complex head hair processing, such as those requiring multiple colors or different hair materials, the question arises of how to automate hair replacement.

[0005] CN111101248B discloses an automatic splicing method in yarn spinning, comprising the following steps: S1, installing yarn rolls and checking parameters on the yarn rolls; firstly, installing two sets of yarn rolls onto the yarn spools of the spinning equipment, and then checking the length of the yarn rolls and the tensile strength of the yarn; S2, parameter input; firstly, connecting one end of one set of yarns to the spinning terminal of the spinning equipment by passing it through a splicer, a heater, and a yarn storage device; S3, installing the yarns of the two sets of yarn rolls; S4, splicing; S5, baking the spliced ​​joint; S6, returning the yarn storage device to its original position. This automatic splicing method uses a common splicer to splice yarns, mainly using a meter counter to record the length of the yarn rolls and identify the nodes connecting to another set of yarns. It is not suitable for scenarios requiring frequent yarn changes.

[0006] CN109487428B discloses a knotting device for an automatic yarn changer. It includes a knotting knife assembly consisting of a clamping spring, a secondary yarn-cutting blade, a main yarn-cutting blade, and a yarn-clamping plate sequentially attached. It also includes a connecting shaft and a yarn-cutting blade holder. The yarn changer housing is further equipped with a slide rail and a yarn-cutting baffle. The yarn-cutting blade holder is equipped with a yarn-guide plate for guiding the yarn, a rotating mechanism for driving the knotting knife assembly, a slider that cooperates with the slide rail, a transmission rack that meshes with the drive gear on a first drive motor, and a secondary circuit board connecting the rotating mechanism. The yarn-guide plate is provided with a yarn-guide groove. Furthermore, section

[0089] of the specification describes the detailed working process. The above-mentioned knotting device allows the yarn changer to move away from the knitting area of ​​the knitting machine and automatically complete the connection of two or more colors of yarn. However, the yarn to be replaced needs to be manually placed onto the knotting knife assembly.

[0007] The aforementioned patents suffer from drawbacks such as low automation, the need for human intervention or flexibility, and insufficient adaptability to automated hair transplantation on toys.

[0008] Therefore, the technical problem addressed in this case is: how to solve the problem of insufficient flexibility and adaptability of existing automated yarn changing equipment, especially in usage scenarios that require frequent yarn changes. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an automatic thread-changing device. This device can perform thread pulling, cutting, and splicing, and can flexibly and quickly adjust and change threads according to different production needs and product requirements, enabling flexible production line layout and rapid adjustment of production plans, especially for sewing processes that require frequent thread changes. Furthermore, an automatic thread-changing method is also provided, which has the advantages of rapid and stable thread changing.

[0010] The technical solution of this invention is:

[0011] An automatic yarn changing device includes a chassis and a wire guide mechanism, a wire cutting mechanism, and a wire splicing mechanism mounted on the chassis. The chassis has at least two wire supply units. The wire guide mechanism can move back and forth between the wire supply units and is used to pull the yarn on any of the wire supply units into an external device. The wire cutting mechanism is used to cut the yarn pulled by the wire guide mechanism to form a first segment on the wire guide mechanism and a second segment on the corresponding wire supply unit. The wire splicing mechanism is used to join the first segment on the wire guide mechanism and the second segment on any of the wire supply units into a single yarn.

[0012] In the aforementioned automatic wire changing equipment, the chassis is equipped with a transverse drive unit for driving the wire mechanism to move back and forth between each wire supply unit.

[0013] In the aforementioned automatic wire changing equipment, the chassis is provided with a longitudinal drive unit for driving the wire mechanism closer to or away from the wire supply unit.

[0014] In the aforementioned automatic yarn changing device, the conductor mechanism includes a guide frame and a limiting unit; the guide frame is provided with at least two positioning ports for yarn entry and exit; the limiting unit is disposed on the guide frame and is used to clamp the first yarn segment.

[0015] In the aforementioned automatic wire changing device, the wire cutting mechanism moves laterally synchronously with the conductor mechanism; the wire cutting mechanism includes a first lifting unit and pneumatic shears; the pneumatic shears are located at the power output end of the first lifting unit.

[0016] When the first lifting unit rises, the pneumatic shears approach and cut the yarn pulled by the wire guide mechanism, forming a first segment on the wire guide mechanism and a second segment on the corresponding wire supply unit.

[0017] In the above-mentioned automatic wire changing device, the wiring mechanism and the conductor mechanism move laterally synchronously; the wiring mechanism includes a rotary drive unit and a clamping unit; the clamping unit is disposed on the rotary drive unit and is used to simultaneously grasp a first wire segment located on the conductor mechanism and a second wire segment located on the corresponding wire supply unit; the rotary drive unit is used to drive the clamping unit to rotate.

[0018] In the aforementioned automatic line-changing equipment, the wiring mechanism further includes a second lifting unit;

[0019] When the second lifting unit rises, the clamping unit approaches the wire guide mechanism and simultaneously grabs the first wire segment located on the wire guide mechanism and the second wire segment located on the corresponding wire supply unit;

[0020] When the second lifting unit descends, the clamping unit moves away from the wire mechanism.

[0021] The aforementioned automatic yarn changing equipment also includes a hot pressing mechanism installed in the chassis; the hot pressing mechanism is used to press the yarn spliced ​​together by the wiring mechanism; the hot pressing mechanism moves synchronously with the wire mechanism; the hot pressing mechanism includes an electric heating unit and a pressing unit; the electric heating unit is installed at the power output end of the pressing unit;

[0022] After the wiring mechanism splices the first line segment on the conductor mechanism and the second line segment on any of the wire supply units into a single yarn, the pressing unit drives the heating unit to press the single yarn together.

[0023] An automatic line changing method, the method relating to any of the automatic line changing devices described above, includes the following steps:

[0024] Step 1: The sewing machine sends a thread change request;

[0025] Step 2: The guide wire mechanism moves from the sewing station of the current thread supply unit to the thread changing station; the thread cutting mechanism cuts the yarn pulled by the guide wire mechanism, forming a first line segment on the guide wire mechanism and a second line segment on the current thread supply unit;

[0026] Step 3: The wire guide mechanism moves to the sewing station of the designated thread supply unit. The thread connection mechanism picks up the first thread segment on the wire guide mechanism and the second thread segment on the designated thread supply unit and splices them together into a single thread. Then, it sends a feedback that the sewing machine has completed the thread change and the sewing machine resumes operation.

[0027] Step 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 until the sewing machine finishes its work;

[0028] The sewing station and thread changing station of the thread supply unit are arranged back and forth along the direction of yarn feeding; the first and second line segments formed in step 2 both hang down naturally.

[0029] In the above-described automatic yarn changing method, the multiple yarn supply units respectively provide yarn of different colors.

[0030] One of the above-described technical solutions of the present invention has at least one of the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0031] The automatic yarn changing equipment of this invention is equipped with multiple yarn supply units. Then, a guide wire mechanism pulls the yarn, a yarn cutting mechanism cuts the yarn, and a yarn splicing mechanism splices the yarn. Through the cooperation of various mechanisms, the equipment can perform yarn changing operations in a fully automated manner. The guide wire mechanism can move to each yarn supply unit to replace the yarn on different yarn supply units. On this basis, an automatic yarn changing method is also provided. This method can quickly adjust and change the yarn according to different production needs and product requirements. It has the advantages of rapid and stable yarn changing, as well as the characteristics of flexibility and high adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the automatic line changing device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a top view of the wire changing mechanism of the automatic wire changing device of the present invention located at the wire changing station;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a top view of the wire changing mechanism of the automatic thread changing device of the present invention located at the sewing station;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a side view of the automatic line-changing device of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the state when the first line segment and the second line segment of the present invention are separated;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the state when the first line segment and the second line segment of the present invention come together.

[0039] The markings in the attached diagram correspond to:

[0040] Chassis 1; Wire supply unit 11; Lateral drive unit 12; First drive module 121; Lateral slide rail and its slider 122; Longitudinal drive unit 13; Second drive module 131; Mounting bracket 132; L-shaped bracket 14; Guide assembly 101; Cover 102; Wire conductor mechanism 2; Guide frame 21; Positioning port 211; Restriction unit 22; Third drive module 221; Adjusting block 222; Clamping plate 223; Wire cutting mechanism 3; First lifting unit 31; Pneumatic scissors 32; Wiring mechanism 4; Rotary drive unit 41; Clamping unit 42; Second lifting unit 43; Extension frame 44; Hot pressing mechanism 5; Pressing unit 51; Electric heating unit 52; First wire segment a; Second wire segment b. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] Please see Figures 1-7 An automatic yarn changing device includes a housing 1 and a wire guide mechanism 2, a wire cutting mechanism 3, and a wiring mechanism 4 mounted on the housing 1. The housing 1 has six wire supply units 11. The wire guide mechanism 2 can move back and forth between each wire supply unit 11 and is used to pull the yarn on any of the wire supply units 11 into an external device. The wire cutting mechanism 3 is used to cut the yarn pulled by the wire guide mechanism 2 and form a first line segment a on the wire guide mechanism 2 and a second line segment b on the corresponding wire supply unit 11. The wiring mechanism 4 is used to splice the first line segment a on the wire guide mechanism 2 and the second line segment b on any of the wire supply units 11 into a single yarn.

[0044] It should be noted that each of the aforementioned thread supply units 11 provides yarn. In this embodiment, the thread supply unit 11 is a wire harness, which is attached to the housing 1 by a hook. The housing 1 is also provided with a guide component 101, which has holes through which the yarn can enter. After passing through the guide component 101, the yarn is connected to the wire guide mechanism 2. The housing 1 is also provided with a cover 102 for protecting the yarn.

[0045] The device in this embodiment can realize multiple modes of wiring and thread changing. For example, each thread supply unit 11 provides different colored thread bundles, and the color needs to be changed frequently during sewing. The wire guide mechanism 2 obtains the specified color yarn from the thread supply unit 11. Specifically, the wire guide mechanism 2 carries the first thread segment a to the specified thread supply unit 11 set by the program and approaches the second thread segment b on it. Then the wiring mechanism 4 works, grabbing the first thread segment a and the first thread segment b and winding them into a single thread and sending a signal. After receiving the signal, the external sewing machine completes the preset sewing steps. Then, the thread cutting mechanism 3 cuts the single thread. The wire guide mechanism 2 moves to the specified thread supply unit 11 again to obtain the specified color yarn and completes the same wiring work as above and sends a signal. After receiving the signal, the external sewing machine completes the preset sewing steps at that location. The above process is repeated to complete all sewing.

[0046] In this embodiment, the chassis 1 is provided with a transverse drive unit 12 for driving the wire guide mechanism 2 to move back and forth between each wire supply unit 11. Specifically, in this embodiment, the transverse drive unit 12 is disposed inside the chassis 1 and consists of a first drive module 121 connected inside the chassis 1, a transverse slide rail and its slider 122. The first drive module 121 is a motor, which drives the slider of the transverse slide rail to translate via a lead screw.

[0047] Based on the above, the chassis 1 is provided with a longitudinal drive unit 13 for driving the wire guide mechanism 2 closer to or further away from the wire supply unit 11. In this embodiment, specifically, the longitudinal drive unit 13 consists of a second drive module 131 and a mounting bracket 132; the mounting bracket 132 is connected to the power output end of the second drive module 131; the wire guide mechanism 2 is mounted on the mounting bracket 132; the second drive module 131 is a cylinder.

[0048] Of course, there are various mechanical structures that can achieve lateral and longitudinal driving in this technical field, and this embodiment only provides one of them.

[0049] In this embodiment, in order to simplify the mechanical structure of the device, both the transverse drive unit 12 and the longitudinal drive unit 13 are connected to an L-shaped frame 14; the L-shaped frame 14 is slidably connected to the transverse drive unit 12, and the second drive module 131 is disposed on the L-shaped frame 14.

[0050] Under the above design, the wire guide mechanism 2 achieves movement in two degrees of freedom, horizontal and vertical, thereby responding to production needs and moving to each wire supply unit 11.

[0051] In this embodiment, the conductor mechanism 2 includes a guide frame 21 and a limiting unit 22; the guide frame 21 is provided with at least two positioning ports 211 for the yarn to enter and exit; the limiting unit 22 is disposed on the guide frame 21 and is used to clamp the first line segment a; the guide frame 21 and the limiting unit 22 are both disposed on the mounting frame 132.

[0052] In this embodiment, specifically, the limiting unit 22 is composed of a third driving module 221 and an adjusting block 222; the adjusting block 222 is adjustablely fixed on the mounting frame 132, the third driving module 221 is a cylinder, its cylinder body is fixed on the mounting frame 132, and its power output end is provided with a clamping plate 223 that cooperates with the adjusting block 222 to limit the movement of the yarn.

[0053] Under the above design, when the guide frame 21 moves, the limiting unit 22 can tighten the yarn and prevent the first line segment a formed after cutting from moving around randomly, thereby preventing the wiring mechanism 4 from being unable to simultaneously grab the first line segment a and the second line segment b during the subsequent wiring process.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the wire cutting mechanism 3 moves laterally synchronously with the wire guide mechanism 2. To achieve synchronous movement, the wire cutting mechanism 3 is connected to the L-shaped frame 14. The wire cutting mechanism 3 includes a first lifting unit 31 connected to the L-shaped frame 14 and a pneumatic scissors 32 disposed on the power output end of the first lifting unit 31. The first lifting unit 31 is a cylinder.

[0055] When the first lifting unit 31 rises, the pneumatic scissors 32 approach and cut the yarn pulled by the wire guide mechanism 2, forming a first line segment a on the wire guide mechanism 2 and a second line segment b on the corresponding wire supply unit 11.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the wiring mechanism 4 moves laterally synchronously with the wire guide mechanism 2. To achieve synchronous movement, the wiring mechanism 4 is connected to the L-shaped frame 14 via an extension frame 44. The wiring mechanism 4 includes a rotary drive unit 41 connected to the extension frame 44 and a clamping unit 42 disposed on the power output end of the rotary drive unit 41. The clamping unit 42 is disposed on the rotary drive unit 41 and is used to simultaneously grip a first wire segment a located on the wire guide mechanism 2 and a second wire segment b located on the corresponding wire supply unit 11. The rotary drive unit 41 is used to drive the clamping unit 42 to rotate. The rotary drive unit 41 is a motor; the clamping unit 42 is a pneumatic gripper.

[0057] Under the above design, the wire-connecting mechanism 2, the wiring mechanism 4, and the wire-cutting mechanism 3 are all synchronously translated through the lateral drive module. This simplifies the mechanical structure and control program, and reduces production costs. It should be noted that, based on the solution of this embodiment, those skilled in the art can easily conceive of separately setting the wire-cutting mechanism 3, the wiring mechanism 4, or similar methods on each wire supply unit 11, which should also be within the scope of protection of this case.

[0058] To prevent the first segment a and the second segment b from falling too far or from deviating from their predetermined positions due to external wind, thus preventing the wiring mechanism 4 from simultaneously grabbing the first segment a and the second segment b, the wiring mechanism 4 also includes a second lifting unit 43; the second lifting unit 43 is a cylinder, the cylinder body of which is fixed on the extension frame 44, and its power output end is used to drive the rotary drive unit 41 to move vertically.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] The automatic yarn changing device as described in Embodiment 1 differs in that it further includes a hot pressing mechanism 5 fixed on the mounting frame 132; the hot pressing mechanism 5 is used to press the yarn spliced ​​together by the wiring mechanism 4; the hot pressing mechanism 5 moves synchronously with the conductor mechanism 2; the hot pressing mechanism 5 includes a pressing unit 51 fixed on the mounting frame 132 and an electric heating unit 52 fixed on the power output end of the pressing unit 51; the pressing unit 51 is a pneumatic gripper;

[0061] After the wiring mechanism 4 splices the first line segment a on the conductor mechanism 2 and the second line segment b on any of the wire supply units 11 into a single yarn, the pressing unit 51 drives the heating unit 52 to press the single yarn together.

[0062] In practical applications, the hot pressing mechanism 5 is mainly used for yarns that are difficult to bond stably by winding. Of course, these materials should be thermoplastic. For yarns that are not thermoplastic and are difficult to bond stably by winding, a gluing method can also be used to achieve a stable bond. Only the hot pressing mechanism 5 needs to be slightly replaced.

[0063] Example 3

[0064] An automatic thread changing method is disclosed, the method relating to the automatic thread changing device as described in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the sewing machine consistently uses yarn of the same material. For clarity, the six thread supply units 11 in this embodiment are, from left to right, the first thread supply unit, the second thread supply unit, the third thread supply unit, the fourth thread supply unit, and the sixth thread supply unit. Each of the thread supply units 11 provides the same type of yarn, and the method includes the following steps:

[0065] After the yarn on the first thread supply unit passes through the guide assembly 101, it is connected to the wire guide mechanism 2. The remaining thread supply units 11 are all pre-connected to the guide assembly 101 and the second thread segment b as described below is reserved. The sewing machine then begins its operation.

[0066] Step 1: The sewing machine sends a thread change request;

[0067] Step 2: The guide wire mechanism 2 moves from the sewing station of the first thread supply unit to the thread changing station and clamps the yarn through the limiting unit 22; then, the thread cutting mechanism 3 cuts the yarn pulled by the guide wire mechanism 2 to form a first line segment a on the guide wire mechanism 2 and a second line segment b on the first thread supply unit.

[0068] Step 3: The wire guide mechanism 2 moves to the sewing station of the second thread supply unit under the drive of the transverse drive unit 12 and the longitudinal drive unit 13, so that the first thread segment a on the wire guide mechanism 2 is close to the second thread segment b on the second thread supply unit. Then, the clamping unit 42 of the splicing mechanism 4 simultaneously grabs the first thread segment a on the wire guide mechanism 2 and the second thread segment b on the second thread supply unit and winds them together into a yarn through the rotation drive unit 41. Then the clamping unit 42 releases and gives feedback that the sewing machine has completed the thread change and the sewing machine starts working again.

[0069] Step 4: Return to Step 1, only the specified thread supply unit 11 is different. Specifically, replace the second thread supply unit mentioned above with the third or fourth thread supply unit, etc., until the sewing machine finishes its work.

[0070] The sewing station and thread changing station of the thread supply unit 11 are arranged back and forth along the yarn feeding direction as follows: Figure 3 , 4 In step 2, both the first line segment a and the second line segment b formed hang naturally downwards, as... Figure 6 , 7 .

[0071] It should be noted that this embodiment only provides one working mode of Embodiment 1. In fact, the device of Embodiment 1 can adapt to various sewing needs.

[0072] Example 4

[0073] An automatic thread-changing method is disclosed, relating to the automatic thread-changing device as described in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the sewing machine needs to switch between three colors during the sewing process to create colored hairstyles for a toy figure. It should be further noted that the sewing machine in this embodiment is an automatic hair transplant machine. The three thread supply units 11 provide yarns of different colors. For clarity, the three thread supply units 11 in this embodiment are designated as a red thread supply unit, a yellow thread supply unit, and a blue thread supply unit. It should be noted that the colors mentioned above do not represent the actual color of the yarn. In practical applications, the type of yarn can be selected as needed. The method includes the following steps:

[0074] After the yarn on the red thread supply unit passes through the guide assembly 101, it is connected to the wire guide mechanism 2. The yellow and blue thread supply units are pre-connected to the guide assembly 101 and the second line segment b as described below is reserved. The sewing machine then begins its operation.

[0075] Step 1: The sewing machine sends a thread change request;

[0076] Step 2: The guide wire mechanism 2 moves from the sewing station of the red thread supply unit to the thread changing station and clamps the yarn through the limiting unit 22; then, the thread cutting mechanism 3 cuts the yarn pulled by the guide wire mechanism 2 to form a first line segment a on the guide wire mechanism 2 and a second line segment b on the red thread supply unit.

[0077] Step 3: The wire guide mechanism 2 moves to the sewing station of the yellow thread supply unit under the drive of the horizontal drive unit 12 and the vertical drive unit 13, so that the first thread segment a on the wire guide mechanism 2 is close to the second thread segment b on the yellow thread supply unit. Then, the clamping unit 42 of the splicing mechanism 4 simultaneously grabs the first thread segment a on the wire guide mechanism 2 and the second thread segment b on the yellow thread supply unit and winds them together into a yarn through the rotation drive unit 41. Then the clamping unit 42 releases and reports that the sewing machine has completed the thread change and the sewing machine starts working again.

[0078] Step 4: Repeat steps 1 to 3 above; only move from the yellow wire supply unit to the blue wire supply unit, and from the blue wire supply unit to the red wire supply unit. This completes one three-color switch. Then you can start the next three-color switch until the sewing machine completes the automatic hair implantation work on the toy.

[0079] In this unit, the sewing station and the thread changing station of the thread supply unit 11 are arranged back and forth along the yarn feeding direction, such as... Figure 3 , 4 In step 2, both the first line segment a and the second line segment b formed hang naturally downwards, as... Figure 6 , 7 .

[0080] It should be noted that this embodiment only provides one working mode of Embodiment 1. In fact, the device of Embodiment 1 can adapt to various sewing needs.

[0081] Example 5

[0082] An automatic yarn changing method is disclosed, relating to the automatic yarn changing device as described in Embodiment 2. The process is similar to that in Embodiments 3 and 4, except that in step 3, after the first yarn segment a and the second yarn segment b are wound and spliced ​​together, the yarn is pressed together by the pressing unit 51 of the hot pressing mechanism 5 driving the heating unit 52. This embodiment is mainly applied to yarns whose materials are difficult to stably bond by winding. Of course, these materials should be thermoplastic, such as TPU. In addition, for yarns that are not thermoplastic and are difficult to stably bond by winding, a stable bond can also be achieved by applying glue, requiring only a slight replacement of the hot pressing mechanism 5.

[0083] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic line changing apparatus characterized by comprising: The machine case is provided with at least two thread supply units, a thread guiding mechanism, a thread cutting mechanism, a thread connecting mechanism and a hot pressing mechanism. The thread guiding mechanism can move back and forth between the thread supply units and is used to pull the yarn on any thread supply unit into the external device; the thread guiding mechanism comprises a guide frame and a limiting unit; the guide frame is provided with at least two positioning ports for the yarn to enter and exit; the limiting unit is arranged on the guide frame and is used to clamp the first thread segment; The thread cutting mechanism is used to cut the yarn pulled by the thread guiding mechanism and form the first thread segment on the thread guiding mechanism and the second thread segment on the corresponding thread supply unit; the thread cutting mechanism moves transversely synchronously with the thread guiding mechanism; the thread cutting mechanism comprises a first lifting unit and a pneumatic scissors; the pneumatic scissors are arranged on the power output end of the first lifting unit; When the first lifting unit rises, the pneumatic scissors are close to and cut the yarn pulled by the thread guiding mechanism and form the first thread segment on the thread guiding mechanism and the second thread segment on the corresponding thread supply unit; The thread connecting mechanism is used to splice the first thread segment on the thread guiding mechanism and the second thread segment on any thread supply unit into an integrated yarn; the thread connecting mechanism moves transversely synchronously with the thread guiding mechanism; the thread connecting mechanism comprises a rotary driving unit and a clamping unit; the clamping unit is arranged on the rotary driving unit and is used to simultaneously grab the first thread segment on the thread guiding mechanism and the second thread segment on the corresponding thread supply unit; the rotary driving unit is used to drive the clamping unit to rotate; The hot pressing mechanism is used to press the yarn spliced by the thread connecting mechanism; the hot pressing mechanism moves synchronously with the thread guiding mechanism; the hot pressing mechanism comprises an electric heating unit and a pressing unit; the electric heating unit is arranged on the power output end of the pressing unit; When the thread connecting mechanism splices the first thread segment on the thread guiding mechanism and the second thread segment on any thread supply unit into an integrated yarn, the pressing unit drives the electric heating unit to press the integrated yarn; The machine case is provided with a transverse driving unit for driving the thread guiding mechanism to move back and forth between the thread supply units; The machine case is provided with a longitudinal driving unit for driving the thread guiding mechanism to approach or move away from the thread supply units; The thread connecting mechanism further comprises a second lifting unit; When the second lifting unit rises, the clamping unit approaches the thread guiding mechanism and simultaneously grabs the first thread segment on the thread guiding mechanism and the second thread segment on the corresponding thread supply unit; When the second lifting unit descends, the clamping unit moves away from the thread guiding mechanism.

2. An automatic line changing method, the method involving the automatic line changing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: the sewing machine sends a thread changing request; Step 2: the thread guiding mechanism moves from the current sewing position of the thread supply unit to the thread changing position; the thread cutting mechanism cuts the yarn pulled by the thread guiding mechanism to form the first thread segment on the thread guiding mechanism and the second thread segment on the current thread supply unit; Step 3, the wire guide moves to the sewing station of the designated thread supply unit, the thread guide grabs the first thread segment on the wire guide and the second thread segment on the designated thread supply unit and splices them into an integrated yarn, and then feeds back that the sewing machine has completed the thread change and the sewing machine resumes operation; Step 4, repeat steps 1-3 until the sewing machine completes the operation; Wherein, the sewing stations and the thread changing stations of the thread supply units are arranged in front and back along the feeding direction of the yarn; the first thread segment and the second thread segment formed in step 2 both naturally droop.

3. The automatic line changing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, A plurality of the thread supply units respectively provide yarns of different colors.

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