Pneumatic embossment frame lifting device for embroidery machine

Abstract

A pneumatic embossment frame lifting device for an embroidery machine comprises two cloth clamping frames for clamping fabric, each cloth clamping frame comprises a movable frame, the movable frames are controlled by a lifting device to move up and down to drive the fabric to move up and down, and the fabric is matched with an embroidery needle of the embroidery machine for embossment embroidery. The two movable frames are driven by the lifting device to move up and down, so that the fabric moving up and down is matched with different-height embossment embroidery of an embroidery needle of the embroidery machine, the use of traditional filling materials is avoided through multi-layer embroidery, and the pattern shows an obvious three-dimensional effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of embroidery machine equipment, and specifically relates to a pneumatic relief lifting frame device for embroidery machines. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development and innovation of embroidery techniques, relief embroidery, as a unique embroidery method, is highly favored for its strong three-dimensional effect and exquisite patterns. However, traditional relief embroidery requires padding the fabric with materials such as cotton or foam to form a three-dimensional base before covering and fixing it with embroidery thread, which presents a problem in achieving a distinct three-dimensional effect.

[0003] An existing utility model patent, with application number 201320872151.7 and titled "Novel Multi-Layer Pneumatic Embroidery Frame Structure," includes an outer frame and an inner frame disposed within a cavity inside the outer frame. Two or more pneumatic lifting mechanisms are provided on both ends of the outer and inner frames to connect them. The front end of each pneumatic lifting mechanism has a base screwed to the outer frame, and the rear end of the mechanism is screwed to an L-shaped seat screwed to the inner frame, thus connecting the outer and inner frames into a single unit. This patent can only control the inner frame to lift to a certain height, increasing the space between the inner frame and the work surface, facilitating the loading of a second layer of fabric, but it is not suitable for the needs of relief embroidery techniques.

[0004] How to enable the movable frame to move up and down according to the height of the preset pattern, and to present a three-dimensional effect in conjunction with the relief embroidery of different heights of the embroidery needle, is the subject of research for those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0005] This utility model provides a pneumatic relief lifting frame device for embroidery machines, which solves the problem of needing to lay padding and filling materials in traditional relief embroidery. It has the advantages of controlling the height of the fabric by raising and lowering the movable frame, and achieving precise relief embroidery in conjunction with the embroidery needle, thereby enhancing the three-dimensional effect.

[0006] This application provides a pneumatic relief lifting frame device for an embroidery machine. The technical solution is as follows: it includes two fabric clamping frames that hold the fabric. Both fabric clamping frames include movable frames. The movable frames are controlled by a lifting device to move up and down, which drives the fabric to move up and down. The fabric is used in conjunction with the embroidery needle of the embroidery machine to perform relief embroidery.

[0007] The lifting device includes a cylinder with a piston rod inside. The piston rod abuts against a cylinder base, which is fixedly connected to a U-shaped connecting plate. The U-shaped connecting plate has an integrally formed flange, which is fixedly connected to a fixed plate. The fixed plate is connected to a movable frame via a first connecting plate. A cylinder hole is located in the center of the fixed plate, fitting into the outer circumference of the cylinder. The U-shaped connecting plate covers the cylinder. This lifting device drives the U-shaped connecting plate up and down via the cylinder, which in turn drives the movable frame connected to the first connecting plate up and down. At least two lifting devices drive the fabric held by the two movable frames, ultimately achieving the up-and-down lifting of the fabric. The number and position of the lifting devices can be adjusted as needed.

[0008] The cylinder base has a groove on one side, which connects the piston rod and the guide rod. There are two guide rods located on both sides of the piston rod to improve the driving stability of the piston rod.

[0009] The cylinder bottom is connected to the cylinder base, and the cylinder base and the locking block clamp the upper and lower sides of the long strip-shaped fixed frame to increase the stability of the cylinder installation.

[0010] The two fabric clamping frames each include two movable frames and two fixed frames. The two movable frames are provided with a first arc protrusion, which works with the fabric clamp to hold the first fabric. The two fixed frames are provided with a second arc protrusion, which works with the fabric clamp to hold the second fabric. The three-dimensional effect of the relief embroidery is further enhanced by the change in the relative position of the first and second fabrics.

[0011] The two movable frames are independently raised and lowered via independently controlled lifting devices, causing the fabric to form a wave-like or stepped three-dimensional shape. This, combined with the movement of the embroidery needle along the Z-axis, enables collaborative operation in three-dimensional space. The Z-axis is a direction axis perpendicular to the plane formed by the horizontal X and Y axes.

[0012] As can be seen from the above, the pneumatic relief lifting frame device and its lifting device for embroidery machines provided in this application include two fabric clamping frames that hold the fabric. The height of the fabric is precisely adjusted by the lifting device through the movable frames, so that the embroidery needle can embroider at different heights. This solves the problem of complicated operation and difficulty in controlling the three-dimensional effect in traditional processes, and has the advantages of improving the three-dimensional accuracy of relief embroidery and simplifying operation. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a pneumatic relief lifting frame device for an embroidery machine according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram from another perspective of the pneumatic relief lifting frame device for an embroidery machine according to this utility model.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the lifting device in the raised state of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the lifting device of this utility model. Detailed Implementation Plan

[0018] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-4 The specific implementation method further illustrates the technical solution of this patent.

[0019] The technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. The components of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following drawings indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings. Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In existing technologies, the embroidery machine equipment field has long been committed to achieving three-dimensional embroidery effects. Traditional relief embroidery relies on manual padding and filling materials to form a three-dimensional base. Existing technologies include multi-layer pneumatic embroidery frame structures, which increase the space for fabric clamping by raising the inner frame. However, these structures can only achieve a fixed height for a single lift and cannot adapt to the dynamic height changes required by the embroidery needle. In complex relief embroidery scenarios, different areas of the pattern need to correspond to the embroidery fabric in a stepped or continuously undulating form. Traditional devices, due to insufficient freedom of movement, result in stiff three-dimensional effects and unnatural transitions.

[0021] To address the aforementioned issues, it is necessary to overcome the limitations of the fixed stroke of the frame and explore how to enable the fabric clamping device to have dynamic height adjustment capabilities. By analyzing the correspondence between the embroidery needle's trajectory and the undulations of the fabric, it was found that the frame needs a synchronous response mechanism that can follow the needle tip's height in real time. Considering the characteristics of pneumatic actuators—fast response and precise stroke control—an attempt was made to combine them with the fabric clamping frame to establish a multi-dimensional motion control model. Further research revealed that by dividing the fabric clamping frame into independently controlled lifting units, differentiated lifting operations can be achieved for different embroidery areas.

[0022] Therefore, this application proposes two fabric clamping frames, each of which includes a movable frame 3. The movable frame 3 is controlled by a lifting device to move up and down, causing the fabric to move up and down. The fabric is then used in conjunction with the embroidery needle of the embroidery machine for relief embroidery.

[0023] The fabric clamping frame refers to a rectangular frame structure with fabric clamping function. It can be implemented using aluminum alloy profiles and locking bolts, and a symmetrically distributed double-frame configuration meets the synchronous control requirements of two layers of fabric. The movable frame refers to a clamping unit that can move vertically. It can be implemented using guide rods and pneumatic actuators, and its dynamic stroke can be adjusted in real time according to the height parameters of the embroidery pattern. The lifting device refers to the power system that drives the movable frame. It can be implemented using a proportional control cylinder or a servo motor-driven lead screw structure, capable of outputting continuously adjustable displacement.

[0024] Specifically, each of the two fabric clamping frames is independently connected to a lifting device. During the embroidery process, the control system sends pulse signals to the two lifting devices based on preset pattern height data. The movable frame moves along the guide rod under the thrust of the cylinder, causing the clamped fabric to form a locally raised area. When the embroidery needle embroiders in the raised area, the height of the embroidery thread and the amount of fabric lifting overlap, creating a progressive three-dimensional effect. The sensors on the lifting devices provide real-time position information, forming a closed-loop control to ensure precise matching between the fabric height and the needle tip trajectory.

[0025] Compared to existing technologies, traditional multi-layer embroidery frames can only achieve a fixed height by raising the inner frame as a whole, and cannot achieve dynamic adjustment of local areas. For example, in the device of patent 201320872151.7, the inner frame and the outer frame are fixed by rigid connectors, forming a single planar space after being raised. This application, by independently controlling the lifting and lowering movements of the two movable frames, allows the fabric to form a wave-like or stepped three-dimensional shape, which, combined with the movement of the needle tip in the Z-axis direction, enables collaborative operation in three-dimensional space.

[0026] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves dynamic and precise control of fabric height. During the embroidery process, the lifting amount of local areas can be adjusted in real time according to the pattern characteristics, eliminating the uneven tension of embroidery thread caused by filling materials in traditional processes. The independent lifting mechanism of the movable frame enables a smooth transition between adjacent embroidery areas, avoiding thread breakage or skipped stitches caused by abrupt changes in height, and significantly improving the forming quality of complex relief patterns.

[0027] This application further proposes a lifting device including a cylinder 11, a piston rod 18 inside the cylinder 11, the piston rod 18 abutting against a cylinder base 16, a U-shaped connecting plate 12 fixedly connected to the cylinder base 16, the U-shaped connecting plate 12 having an integrally structured flange, the flange being fixedly connected to a fixing plate 13, the fixing plate 13 being connected to a movable frame 3 through a first connecting plate 2; the fixing plate 13 having a cylinder hole in the middle, the cylinder hole fitting the outer periphery of the cylinder 11, and the U-shaped connecting plate 12 covering the cylinder 11.

[0028] A cylinder is an actuator that uses compressed gas to generate linear motion. Specifically, a double-acting cylinder can be used, controlling the extension and retraction of the piston rod through pneumatic control. The piston rod abutting the cylinder base means that the end of the piston rod forms rigid contact with the cylinder base, which can be achieved through threaded connection or welding to ensure the cylinder base moves synchronously with the piston rod. The U-shaped connecting plate covering the cylinder refers to using a U-shaped sheet metal part to wrap around the cylinder's outer circumference, which can be manufactured using a stamping process to create radial constraint on the cylinder. The fixed plate having a cylinder hole in the center means that a through hole matching the cylinder's outer diameter is cut in the center of the sheet metal, which can be machined using a CNC machine tool, allowing the cylinder to pass through the hole and form an axial position with the U-shaped connecting plate.

[0029] Specifically, the cylinder pushes the cylinder base vertically via the piston rod, and the cylinder base drives the U-shaped connecting plate and the fixed plate to rise and fall synchronously. The fixed plate transmits power to the movable frame through the first connecting plate, causing the movable frame to move precisely up and down following the cylinder stroke. The integrated flange of the U-shaped connecting plate is bolted to the fixed plate, forming a stable force transmission path. The cylinder is surrounded by the U-shaped connecting plate, effectively limiting the radial displacement of the cylinder during operation.

[0030] Compared to existing technologies, traditional embroidery frames can only fix a single layer of fabric and lift the entire frame, failing to achieve independent and precise control of the movable frame. This solution, through a combination of a cylinder and a U-shaped connecting plate, ensures stable force transmission while achieving the required motion precision for the embroidery process.

[0031] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves precise lifting and lowering control of the movable frame, enabling the fabric to be adjusted in height down to the millimeter level according to the preset embroidery pattern. The rigid fit between the cylinder and the connecting structure effectively eliminates transmission gaps, ensuring that the fabric position remains stable when the embroidery needle is embroidering at different heights, thereby improving the three-dimensional accuracy of the relief embroidery.

[0032] This application further proposes that a groove 17 is provided on one side of the cylinder base 16, the groove 17 is used to connect the piston rod 18 and the guide rod 19, and there are two guide rods 19 located on both sides of the piston rod 18.

[0033] The groove refers to the inward recessed space formed by the side wall of the cylinder base, which can be achieved through milling or casting processes. It is used to limit the position of the piston rod and the guide rod. The guide rod is a cylindrical rod parallel to the piston rod, which can be made of metal, and is used to constrain the lifting trajectory of the movable frame.

[0034] Specifically, the groove and guide rods are designed to work together as follows: two guide rods are vertically connected to the inside of the groove. When the cylinder drives the piston rod to extend or retract, the guide rods guide the movable frame to move smoothly in the vertical direction. Since the two guide rods are located on both sides of the piston rod, they form a symmetrical support structure, which can counteract frame offsetting caused by uneven fabric tension during lifting and lowering.

[0035] Compared to existing technologies, which rely solely on a single piston rod to transmit driving force and lack constraints on the frame's movement trajectory, this solution addresses the issue of lateral displacement of the moving frame during embroidery. This solution incorporates a guide rod and groove mechanism, ensuring driving force while utilizing symmetrically arranged guide rods to form a stable sliding pair, thereby improving the vertical accuracy of the frame's movement.

[0036] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problem that the movable frame is prone to deflection during vertical movement, ensuring that the embroidery needle can accurately pierce the fabric according to the preset height, and avoiding deviation of the three-dimensional layer of the relief embroidery due to frame shaking.

[0037] This application further proposes that the bottom of the cylinder 11 is connected to the cylinder base 15, and the cylinder base 15 and the locking block 5 clamp and connect the upper and lower sides of the long strip-shaped fixed frame 1.

[0038] The cylinder base refers to the support structure located at the bottom of the cylinder and cooperating with the locking block. Specifically, it can be made of aluminum alloy and machined into a block-shaped structure with upper and lower clamping surfaces. Its function is to provide stable support for the cylinder and achieve mechanical connection with the fixed frame. The locking block is a fastening component that cooperates with the cylinder base. Specifically, it can be a metal block with threaded holes, bolted to the cylinder base to form a clamping structure. Its function is to fix the fixed frame between the cylinder base and the locking block through clamping forces from both the upper and lower sides. The fixed frame is a long, rigid load-bearing component, specifically made of rectangular cross-section steel profiles. Its function is to provide basic support for the fabric-reinforced frame and bear the reciprocating load generated by the cylinder drive.

[0039] Specifically, the cylinder base is fixed to the bottom of the cylinder, and the locking block forms an upper and lower clamping structure with the cylinder base via bolts. A long, narrow fixing frame is placed between the cylinder base and the locking block; tightening the bolts creates a clamping force, thus securing the fixing frame in a predetermined position. When the cylinder drives the movable frame to move up and down, the clamping structure effectively disperses mechanical vibrations, preventing displacement or deformation of the fixing frame and ensuring the accuracy of the vertical movement trajectory of the fabric clamping frame.

[0040] Compared to existing technologies, traditional embroidery machines often use welding or single-point bolt fixing to connect the cylinder and frame, resulting in insufficient rigidity and easy loosening. This solution, however, utilizes an upper and lower clamping structure between the cylinder base and the locking block to create a surface-contact force transmission path, significantly improving the stability and impact resistance of the connection structure.

[0041] Through the above technical solution, this application can achieve a reliable connection between the fixed frame and the cylinder base, maintaining the positioning accuracy of the fabric clamping frame during high-speed reciprocating motion and avoiding embroidery position displacement caused by mechanical vibration. Simultaneously, the upper and lower clamping structures allow adjustment of the clamping distance of the locking blocks according to the fabric thickness, enhancing the device's adaptability to different embroidery materials.

[0042] This application further proposes that each of the two fabric clamping frames includes two movable frames 3 and two fixed frames 1. Each of the two movable frames 3 is provided with a first arc protrusion 31, which works with the fabric clamp to hold the first fabric. Each of the two fixed frames 1 is provided with a second arc protrusion 14, which works with the fabric clamp to hold the second fabric.

[0043] The movable frame refers to the component that achieves vertical movement driven by a lifting device. Specifically, it can be implemented using an aluminum alloy profile frame structure, with a first arc-shaped protrusion on its surface forming an arc-shaped contact surface with the fabric clamp. The fixed frame refers to the supporting component that maintains a stationary state, specifically using a metal profile frame structure with sliding grooves. A second arc-shaped protrusion on its surface forms a stable curved surface contact with the fabric clamp. The first and second arc-shaped protrusions are arc-shaped protrusions extending along the length of the frame, with a radius of curvature, for example, designed to be 5-10 mm. The fabric clamp is a clamping tool used to hold the edge of the fabric, specifically using a spring steel sheet combined with a rubber pressure strip, forming multi-point contact clamping through the curved surface cooperation with the arc-shaped protrusions.

[0044] Specifically, the movable frame, driven by the lifting device, moves the first fabric vertically, while the fixed frame keeps the second fabric stationary. The arc-shaped contact between the first arc-shaped protrusion and the fabric clamp ensures that the first fabric maintains uniform tension during vertical movement, while the curved contact between the second arc-shaped protrusion and the fabric clamp ensures that the second fabric does not shift when stationary. The alternating arrangement of the two movable frames and the two fixed frames allows the two sets of fabrics to form independent working layers. For example, when dynamic relief embroidery is performed on the upper layer, the lower layer can remain stable as a base support.

[0045] Compared to existing technologies, traditional multi-layer embroidery frames can only lift and fix a single layer of fabric, failing to meet the need for coordinated work between dynamic and static layers in relief embroidery. This solution, through a combination of movable and fixed frames, along with specially shaped arc-shaped protrusions, allows the two layers of fabric to move independently while maintaining stable contact, thus solving the technical challenge of synchronously fixing multiple layers of materials in relief embroidery.

[0046] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves synchronous clamping and independent control of double-layer fabrics, allowing the upper fabric to dynamically adjust with the height of the embroidery needle to form a three-dimensional relief, while the lower fabric remains stable as the embroidery base. This structure eliminates the step of laying filling materials in traditional processes, directly forming the spatial layers required for three-dimensional embroidery through mechanical clamping, thus improving the efficiency and precision of relief embroidery.

[0047] Specifically, when the movable frame is driven by the lifting device, the first arc-shaped protrusion and the fabric clamp together form a dynamic clamping area, allowing the first fabric to move up and down with the movable frame. The second arc-shaped protrusion of the fixed frame and the fabric clamp form a static clamping area, ensuring that the second fabric remains fixed. Through the relative displacement difference between the first and second fabrics, a height difference is created during the embroidery process, replacing the three-dimensional base formed by traditional filling materials.

[0048] Compared to existing technologies, current multi-layer pneumatic embroidery frames only expand the fabric loading space by lifting a single layer of frame, failing to achieve dynamic height adjustment of multiple layers of fabric. This solution, however, utilizes the synergistic effect of movable and fixed frames to create dynamic and static clamping states for the two layers of fabric, directly generating a height difference through mechanical structure without the need for additional padding.

[0049] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves differentiated clamping control of two layers of fabric, allowing the upper fabric to dynamically adjust its position according to the height of the embroidery needle, while the lower fabric remains in a fixed supporting state, automatically forming a three-dimensional relief effect during the embroidery process. Simultaneously, it eliminates the operational interruption caused by changing filler materials in traditional processes, improving the efficiency of continuous embroidery. It solves the problem of the complexity of traditional relief embroidery due to its reliance on filler materials. Through the linkage design of the movable and fixed frames, combined with the arc-shaped protrusions to improve the fabric clamping stability, it achieves dynamic height adjustment of multiple layers of fabric, allowing the embroidery needle to directly embroider on the fabric surface at different heights, forming a three-dimensional relief effect.

[0050] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A pneumatic relief lifting frame device for an embroidery machine, comprising two fabric clamping frames for holding the fabric, characterized in that: Both of the fabric clamping frames include a movable frame (3). The movable frame (3) is controlled by the lifting device to move up and down, driving the fabric to move up and down. The fabric is used in conjunction with the embroidery needle of the embroidery machine for relief embroidery.

2. The pneumatic relief lifting device for an embroidery machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting device includes a cylinder (11), a piston rod (18) is provided inside the cylinder (11), the piston rod (18) is abutted against the cylinder base (16), the cylinder base (16) is fixedly connected to a U-shaped connecting plate (12), the U-shaped connecting plate (12) is provided with an integral flange, the flange is fixedly connected to a fixing plate (13), the fixing plate (13) is connected to the movable frame (3) through a first connecting plate (2); the fixing plate (13) is provided with a cylinder hole in the middle, the cylinder hole is matched with the outer periphery of the cylinder (11), and the U-shaped connecting plate (12) covers the cylinder (11).

3. The pneumatic relief lifting device for an embroidery machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cylinder base (16) has a groove (17) on one side, which connects the piston rod (18) and the guide rod (19). The guide rod (19) consists of two rods located on both sides of the piston rod (18).

4. The pneumatic relief lifting frame device for an embroidery machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the cylinder (11) is connected to the cylinder base (15), and the cylinder base (15) and the locking block (5) clamp and connect the upper and lower sides of the long strip-shaped fixed frame (1).

5. The pneumatic relief lifting frame device for an embroidery machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two fabric clamping frames each include two movable frames (3) and two fixed frames (1). The two movable frames (3) are provided with a first arc protrusion (31). The two first arc protrusions (31) work together with the fabric clamp to hold the first fabric. The two fixed frames (1) are provided with a second arc protrusion (14). The two second arc protrusions (14) work together with the fabric clamp to hold the second fabric.

6. The pneumatic relief lifting frame device for an embroidery machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two movable frames are independently raised and lowered by independently controlled lifting devices, so that the fabric forms a wave-shaped or stepped three-dimensional shape. This, combined with the movement of the embroidery needle in the Z-axis direction, enables collaborative operation in three-dimensional space.

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