Automatic feeding and discharging method of embroidery machine

Abstract

An automatic feeding and discharging method of an embroidery machine belongs to the technical field of embroidery. The embroidery machine comprises a feeding device, a tabouret and a discharging device, the feeding device is provided with a feeding cloth clamping piece, a feeding tensioning piece and a discharging piece, the discharging device is provided with a discharging cloth clamping piece, a discharging tensioning piece and a receiving piece, and the feeding cloth clamping piece, the tabouret and the discharging cloth clamping piece are located at the same height. The feeding cloth clamping piece and the discharging cloth clamping piece can move in the direction close to or away from the tabouret. The method comprises the steps that cloth is in a first tensioning state under the action of a feeding tensioning piece and a discharging tensioning piece; the feeding cloth clamping piece clamps the cloth; loosening the cloth by the tabouret; the feeding cloth clamping piece moves towards the tabouret to set a feeding stroke, meanwhile, the cloth is released by the discharging piece, and the cloth is rolled by the receiving piece; and the tabouret clamps the cloth. The control precision of the cloth conveying amount can be effectively improved, so that the embroidery precision of the whole pattern on the cloth is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of embroidery technology, and in particular to an automatic loading and unloading method for embroidery machines. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in order to improve the automation level of embroidery machines, some existing embroidery machines have realized automatic loading and unloading of fabric. For example, Chinese patent document CN110629423A discloses an automatic fabric visual positioning embroidery device, which, through the coordinated cooperation of two sets of fabric rolling mechanisms, pulls the completed embroidery section out of the embroidery frame and pulls the next fabric section to be embroidered into the embroidery frame to achieve continuous embroidery.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned feeding and unloading methods have low control precision over the amount of fabric fed, resulting in low precision in the overall embroidery of the pattern on the fabric. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems existing in the prior art and provide an automatic feeding and unloading method for embroidery machines, which can effectively improve the control accuracy of fabric feeding, thereby improving the embroidery accuracy of the overall pattern on the fabric.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] An automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine, the embroidery machine including a loading device, an embroidery frame and a unloading device, the loading device is provided with a loading clamping device, a loading tensioning device and a feeding device, the unloading device is provided with a unloading clamping device, an unloading tensioning device and a receiving device, the loading clamping device, the embroidery frame and the unloading clamping device are at the same height, and the loading clamping device and the unloading clamping device can move in the direction of approaching or moving away from the embroidery frame;

[0007] The method includes:

[0008] The fabric is in its first tension state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner;

[0009] The fabric clamping device secures the fabric.

[0010] Loosen the fabric around the embroidery frame;

[0011] The feeding clamp moves the fabric piece toward the embroidery frame to set the feeding stroke, while the releasing piece releases the fabric and the retracting piece rolls up the fabric.

[0012] The embroidery frame clamps the fabric tightly.

[0013] Preferably, the feeding clamp moves the fabric towards the embroidery frame with a set feeding stroke, and the embroidery frame clamps the fabric between the following:

[0014] The fabric clamp clamps the fabric and moves away from the embroidery frame to put the fabric between the fabric clamp and the fabric clamp in a second tension state.

[0015] Preferably, the embroidery frame clamps the fabric and then includes:

[0016] The upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric and move it toward the embroidery frame so that the fabric between the embroidery frame and the upper fabric clamp, as well as the fabric between the embroidery frame and the lower fabric clamp, are in a relaxed state.

[0017] Preferably, the upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric and move it toward the embroidery frame. Specifically, the upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric when they are at their furthest distance from the embroidery frame, and then move it to one end closer to the embroidery frame.

[0018] Preferably, the upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric when they are at their furthest distance from the embroidery frame, and then move to one end closer to the embroidery frame, including:

[0019] The embroidery frame returns to the starting position of the embroidery.

[0020] Preferably, the fabric includes the following components before being in the first tensioned state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner:

[0021] Both the upper and lower fabric clamps move away from the embroidery frame to initially tension the fabric between the embroidery frame and the upper and lower fabric clamps.

[0022] Preferably, the fabric is in a first tension state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner, specifically including: both the feeding clamp and the unloading clamp loosen the fabric, and the fabric is in a first tension state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner.

[0023] Preferably, before the upper and lower fabric clamps move away from the embroidery frame, the following are included:

[0024] The embroidery frame returned to its original position.

[0025] Preferably, both the feeding device and the unloading device are equipped with a front-to-back adjustment mechanism. The feeding clamp moves the fabric piece toward the embroidery frame with a set feeding stroke. The device also includes: judging in real time whether the fabric is deviated and adjusting it in real time through the front-to-back adjustment mechanism.

[0026] Preferably, the embroidery frame returning to its origin also includes a feeding device and a discharging device returning to their origin.

[0027] The advantages of this invention are: by clamping the fabric with the feeding clamp and moving it towards the embroidery frame to set the feeding stroke, precise quantitative feeding is achieved; the feeding amount is determined by the moving distance of the clamped point on the fabric, and is not affected by the tension of the fabric during the conveying process or the outer diameter of the fabric roll. Therefore, the feeding amount is more accurate, which is beneficial to improving the overall embroidery accuracy of the pattern. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the embroidery machine structure related to loading and unloading, provided in the embodiments of this specification.

[0029] Figure 2 A flowchart of an automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine provided as an embodiment of this specification;

[0030] In the diagram: 1-material rack; 2-feeding and taking-up rollers; 3-gravity tensioning tube; 31-guide groove; 32-counterweight roller; 33-hanging rope; 34-counterweight; 4-guide roller; 5-tensioning feeding roller; 6-pressing cloth mechanism; 7-front and rear adjustment mechanism; 8-embroidery frame. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] As mentioned in the background section, the feeding method automatically feeds the fabric through the cooperation of two fabric winding mechanisms. After the fabric in the embroidery frame is finished embroidered, one winding mechanism rolls up while the other unrolls, feeding the next section of fabric to be embroidered into the frame. Meanwhile, the finished fabric is gradually rolled up. However, this method has several drawbacks. First, the amount of fabric fed each time is often controlled by adjusting the rotation angle of the motor shaft, i.e., the rotation angle of the fabric roll. During the winding process, the overall outer diameter of the fabric roll continuously increases. Therefore, even if the rotation angle of the fabric roll is consistent each time, the length of fabric wound up each time increases. This leads to a sequential increase in the distance between the embroidered patterns on the fabric, affecting the overall embroidery accuracy. Second, during the winding and unwinding process, the fabric tension may fluctuate due to factors such as friction and vibration. Increased tension leads to a decrease in the amount of fabric fed, and decreased tension leads to an increase in the amount of fabric fed, thus affecting the accuracy of the feeding amount and ultimately the overall embroidery accuracy.

[0033] Therefore, this embodiment provides an automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine, which is based on the following... Figure 1 The embroidery machine structure related to material loading and unloading is shown below: it includes a feeding device, an embroidery frame 8, and a discharging device. The feeding and discharging devices are located on the left and right sides of the embroidery frame 8, respectively. Conventionally, the embroidery frame usually has a fabric clamping function to hold the fabric inside the frame for embroidery work. Since the feeding and discharging devices have the same structure, their functions can be interchanged. Figure 1 The loading device is located on the right, and the unloading device is on the left; the loading and unloading directions can also be switched, so that the left side is the loading device and the right side is the unloading device. Both the loading and unloading devices include:

[0034] Includes material rack 1, and the following on the material rack:

[0035] The feed roller 2, also known as the feeder of the feeding device and the feed receiver of the unloading device, is located at the bottom of the material rack 1 and is driven by a motor. It is used to release the fabric to be embroidered or to roll up the embroidered fabric.

[0036] The gravity tension tube 3, which is the feeding tensioning component of the feeding device and the unloading tensioning component of the unloading device, is located on the side above the take-up and unload rollers 2 away from the main body of the embroidery machine. It is slidably connected to the guide groove 31 on the material rack 1. The gravity tension tube 3 has bearings at both ends for limiting its movement, and it rolls by cooperating with the guide strip below the guide groove through the bearings. The guide groove 31 is set in a horizontal direction. A counterweight roller 32 is provided on the inner side of the material rack 1 at the end of the guide groove 31 that is far from the main body of the embroidery machine. The gravity tension tube 31 is connected to a hanging rope 33. The other end of the hanging rope 33 passes around the counterweight roller 32 and is connected downward to a counterweight 34. Thus, the tension force on the fabric is provided by the pull of the counterweight and the hanging rope on the gravity tension tube 3. The gravity tension tube 3 has the above-mentioned counterweight structure at both ends.

[0037] The guide roller 4 is positioned above the gravity tension tube 3 and close to the main body of the embroidery machine. Thus, no matter where the tension feed roller 5 moves, the fabric can always stably pass over the gravity tension tube 3 under the guidance of the guide roller 4, ensuring the stability of its gravity tensioning effect.

[0038] The tensioning feed roller 5 is located at the upper end of the material frame 1 and is slidably connected to the material frame 1 in the direction of approaching or moving away from the embroidery machine body. A fabric pressing mechanism 6 is mounted on it. The cooperative structure of the tensioning feed roller 5 and the fabric pressing mechanism 6 is that the feeding device has a feeding clamping component, and the unloading device has a unloading clamping component. The fabric passes over the tensioning feed roller 5 from above, and the fabric pressing mechanism 6 can move downwards to clamp the fabric onto the tensioning feed roller 5. The tensioning feed roller 5 can drive the clamped fabric to move in the direction of approaching or moving away from the embroidery frame. The tensioning feed roller 5 can move along the guide rail set on the material frame via a synchronous belt drive, while the fabric pressing mechanism 6 can use a cylinder to achieve the fabric pressing action.

[0039] In addition, the upper fabric clamp, the embroidery frame, and the lower fabric clamp need to be at the same height. This same height means that when the fabric is tensioned between the upper and lower fabric clamps, it can just pass through the clamping structure of the embroidery frame. That is, when the embroidery frame releases the fabric, the fabric can complete the loading and unloading without being affected by the embroidery frame. After the loading and unloading are completed, the embroidery frame can quickly clamp the fabric.

[0040] In the feeding device, the fabric is released from the take-up and unload roller 2, passes through the gravity tension tube 3, guide roller 4 and tension feed roller 5 in sequence, and is then conveyed to one side of the embroidery machine body; while in the unloading device, the fabric fed from one side of the embroidery machine body passes through the tension feed roller 5, guide roller 4 and gravity tension tube 3 in sequence, and is then wound up by the take-up and unload roller 2.

[0041] To prevent the fabric on the feeding and unloading devices from shifting in the front-to-back direction during the fabric conveying process, which would cause the fabric to twist, a front-to-back adjustment mechanism 7 is provided between the material rack and the frame of the embroidery machine body. The front-to-back adjustment mechanism 7 can be adjusted by a motor driving a gear and rack structure to generate displacement.

[0042] Based on the above embroidery machine structure, such as Figure 2 As shown, the automatic loading and unloading method for embroidery machines provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0043] Step 100: The embroidery frame returns to its origin, as do the feeding and unloading devices. Since the embroidery machine head generally remains stationary during the embroidery process, while the embroidery frame needs to move to adjust the area on the fabric aligned with the machine head, it's necessary to return the embroidery frame to its origin after each embroidery cycle. Simultaneously, because the feeding and unloading devices may have been adjusted in position during the previous feeding cycle to eliminate fabric distortion, they also need to be returned to their origin. Returning the embroidery frame and feeding / unloading devices to their origin ensures that their positions are relatively consistent, allowing the fabric to remain straight when taut, facilitating subsequent actions and improving feeding accuracy.

[0044] Step 200: Both the upper and lower fabric clamps move away from the embroidery frame to initially tension the fabric between the embroidery frame and the upper and lower fabric clamps. Since the embroidery frame needs to move during the embroidery process, the fabric between the frame and these clamps needs to be relaxed to prevent tearing. Therefore, this step eliminates the slack in the fabric, reducing the tensioning pressure on the upper and lower fabric clamps, which have limited movement distance. This also prepares for subsequent feeding and fabric relaxation actions.

[0045] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, to provide sufficient slack in the fabric, the upper and lower fabric clamps are generally moved to the end closer to the embroidery frame, i.e. Figure 1 In this step, the upper fabric clamp can be returned to the R1 position to provide sufficient movement space for subsequent feeding actions. R1 is generally located at the farthest end from the embroidery frame. The lower fabric clamp can be returned to the L3 position, that is, a certain tensioning operation space is left between L3 and L1, the farthest end from the embroidery frame.

[0046] In step 300, both the feeding clamp and the unloading clamp release the fabric, and the fabric is in its first tension state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner. At this time, the fabric is in a relatively static state, and the feeding tensioner achieves tension through gravity, so the tension force is relatively stable. That is, in each feeding action, the tension of the fabric in its first tension state is relatively stable.

[0047] Step 400: The feeding clamp clamps the fabric. Once the feeding clamp clamps a certain point on the fabric, that point is fixed and serves as the starting point for the feeding action.

[0048] Step 500: Loosen the fabric from the embroidery frame. At this point, even if the fabric tension fluctuates slightly, the position of the clamped points on the fabric will not change. Simultaneously, after the fabric is loosened, it will return to its initial tension state under the action of the fabric tensioning mechanism.

[0049] In step 600, the fabric feeding clamp moves towards the embroidery frame with a set feeding stroke, while the fabric release clamp releases the fabric and the fabric retractor rolls it up. By moving the set feeding stroke through the clamped and fixed points on the fabric, quantitative feeding is achieved, resulting in higher feeding accuracy. Furthermore, after the feeding stroke ends, the fabric can still return to its initial tension state before feeding under the action of the unloading tensioner. That is, the fabric tension is consistent before and after the feeding action, effectively supporting the feeding accuracy of the aforementioned quantitative feeding action. Higher feeding accuracy results in more stable distances between patterns completed in multiple consecutive embroidery sessions, leading to higher overall embroidery precision.

[0050] During step 600, the fabric is checked for any deviation in real time and adjusted in real time by the front and rear adjustment mechanisms to avoid problems such as fabric twisting and to ensure that the fabric is transported flat.

[0051] Step 700: The fabric clamping device clamps the fabric and moves away from the embroidery frame, so that the fabric between the upper and lower fabric clamping devices is in a second tension state. After the quantitative feeding is completed, the embroidery frame needs to clamp the fabric. Before the embroidery frame clamps the fabric, the fabric needs to be tensioned. The degree to which the lower fabric tensioning device tensions the fabric by gravity is generally insufficient to meet the tension requirements of the fabric inside the embroidery frame. Therefore, this step uses the lower fabric clamping device to clamp the fabric and stretch it to achieve the tension of the fabric before it is clamped by the embroidery frame. Specifically, this is where the lower fabric clamping device is used. Figure 1 The reserved space between L3 and L1 allows the fabric feed clamp to move from L3 to L1, completing the fabric tensioning process. At this time, the embroidery frame has not yet clamped the fabric, so the fabric feed clamp remains stationary to maintain the accuracy of the feed amount. The fabric feed clamp is located one feed stroke away from R1.

[0052] Step 800: Clamp the fabric in the embroidery frame. After this step, the fabric inside the embroidery frame is fixed. Afterwards, any movement of the fabric outside the embroidery frame will not affect the fabric inside the embroidery frame. At this point, the loading and unloading of the fabric is complete. The subsequent actions are preparations for the embroidery work.

[0053] In step 900, the upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric and move it toward the embroidery frame. This ensures that the fabric between the embroidery frame and the upper and lower fabric clamps is relaxed, preventing the fabric from being torn during the frame's movement. To ensure sufficient relaxation of the fabric on opposite sides of the embroidery frame, the upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric at their furthest point from the frame, and then move them closer to one end of the frame.

[0054] Specifically, in step 800, such as Figure 1 As shown, the lower fabric clamp is located at position L1, which is the furthest point from the embroidery frame, while the upper fabric clamp is located between R1 and R2. Since the embroidery frame is at the origin, which is at the leftmost point, i.e. the furthest point from the upper fabric clamp, the upper fabric clamp is first loosened, then moved to position R1, and then the fabric is clamped. At this time, the upper fabric clamp is at the rightmost point, and the embroidery frame is at the leftmost point. The distance between the two reaches its maximum value, i.e. the length of the fabric between them reaches its maximum value. When the two are close together, the slack of the fabric between them reaches its maximum value.

[0055] Then, the fabric clamp is loosened, and the embroidery frame is moved to the far left, which is the farthest point from the fabric clamp. During this process, some fabric will be pulled out from the fabric feeding device. Then the fabric is clamped. At this time, the fabric feeding device is at the far left and the embroidery frame is at the far right, and the distance between the two reaches the farthest value.

[0056] Finally, move the upper fabric clamp to position R2 and the lower fabric clamp to position L2 to relax the fabric.

[0057] Step 1000: Return the embroidery frame to the starting position and begin embroidery work.

[0058] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are implementations based on the overall concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine, characterized in that, The embroidery machine includes a feeding device, an embroidery frame, and a discharging device. The feeding device is equipped with a feeding clamp, a feeding tensioning device, and a discharging device. The discharging device is equipped with a discharging clamp, a discharging tensioning device, and a receiving device. The feeding clamp, the embroidery frame, and the discharging clamp are at the same height. Both the feeding clamp and the discharging clamp can move in a direction that is closer to or farther from the embroidery frame. The method includes: The fabric is in its first tension state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner; The fabric clamping device secures the fabric. Loosen the fabric around the embroidery frame; The feeding clamp moves the fabric piece toward the embroidery frame to set the feeding stroke, while the releasing piece releases the fabric and the retracting piece rolls up the fabric. The embroidery frame clamps the fabric tightly.

2. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process between the fabric feeding clamp moving towards the embroidery frame and the fabric clamping in the embroidery frame includes: The fabric clamp clamps the fabric and moves away from the embroidery frame to put the fabric between the fabric clamp and the fabric clamp in a second tension state.

3. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the embroidery frame clamps the fabric, it includes: The upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric and move it toward the embroidery frame so that the fabric between the embroidery frame and the upper fabric clamp, as well as the fabric between the embroidery frame and the lower fabric clamp, are in a relaxed state.

4. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric and move it toward the embroidery frame. Specifically, the upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric when they are at their furthest distance from the embroidery frame, and then move it to one end closer to the embroidery frame.

5. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper and lower fabric clamps clamp the fabric when they are at their furthest distance from the embroidery frame, and then move to one end closer to the embroidery frame, including: The embroidery frame returns to the starting position of the embroidery.

6. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, Before the fabric is in the first tensioned state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner, the following are included: Both the upper and lower fabric clamps move away from the embroidery frame to initially tension the fabric between the embroidery frame and the upper and lower fabric clamps.

7. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fabric is in a first tension state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner, specifically including: both the feeding clamp and the unloading clamp release the fabric, and the fabric is in a first tension state under the action of the feeding tensioner and the unloading tensioner.

8. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before the upper and lower fabric clamps move away from the embroidery frame, the following steps are included: The embroidery frame returned to its original position.

9. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, Both the feeding device and the unloading device are equipped with a front and rear adjustment mechanism. The feeding clamp moves the fabric piece toward the embroidery frame with a set feeding stroke. The device also includes: judging whether the fabric is deviated in real time and adjusting it in real time through the front and rear adjustment mechanism.

10. The automatic loading and unloading method for an embroidery machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The process of returning the embroidery frame to its original position also includes returning the feeding device and the unloading device to their original positions.

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