Attachment of an embroidery unit to a sewing machine
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VSM GROUP
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing embroidery units attached to sewing machines are cumbersome for users to attach and detach, and the electrical contacts on the sewing machine are unprotected from lint, dust, and fluff.
A sewing machine with an embroidery unit attachment interface configured for vertical attachment, featuring a movable embroidery unit connection piece that protects electrical contacts and allows for easy attachment and detachment of the embroidery unit.
Enables simple and convenient vertical attachment and detachment of the embroidery unit, protecting the sewing machine's electrical contacts from debris when not in use for embroidering.
Smart Images

Figure EP2024073235_27022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] ATTACHMENT OF AN EMBROIDERY UNIT TO A SEWING MACHINE
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to sewing machines, and to arrangements and methods for attaching an embroidery unit to a sewing machine.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] An embroidery unit can be attached to a sewing machine in order to use the sewing machine for embroidering. Such an embroidery unit is typically attached to a sewing bed arm of the sewing machine, in order for embroidering to be made on the sewing bed of the sewing machine. US2023 / 0062799 describes the attachment of an embroidery unit to the sewing bed arm using an embroidery unit attaching and detaching device comprising a lock mechanism configured to restrict the motion of the embroidery unit in a detaching direction with respect to the sewing bed arm.
[0006] PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIOR ART
[0007] The embroidery unit described in US2023 / 0062799 is cumbersome for a user to attach to and detach from the sewing machine. There is thus a need for improved arrangements and methods for attaching an embroidery unit to a sewing machine.
[0008] SUMMARY
[0009] The above described problem is addressed by the claimed sewing machine. The sewing machine preferably comprises an embroidery unit attachment interface, arranged on an embroidery unit connection piece comprised in a base plate of the sewing machine. The embroidery unit attachment interface is configured for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit.
[0010] The above described problem is further addressed by the claimed arrangement for attaching an embroidery unit to a sewing machine. The arrangement preferably comprises a sewing machine, comprising an embroidery unit connection piece comprised in a base plate of the sewing machine, and an embroidery unit, comprising a sewing machine attachment interface. The embroidery unit connection piece preferably comprises an embroidery unit attachment interface, which is configured for vertical mating with the sewing machine attachment interface of the embroidery unit. The above described problem is also addressed by the claimed method for attaching an embroidery unit, comprising a sewing machine attachment interface, to a sewing machine, comprising an embroidery unit attachment interface, which is arranged on an embroidery unit connection piece comprised in a base plate of the sewing machine. The method preferably comprises attaching the embroidery unit to the sewing machine by vertically attaching the sewing machine attachment interface to the embroidery unit attachment interface.
[0011] This enables a simple vertical attachment and detachment of an embroidery unit to and from a sewing machine.
[0012] In embodiments, the attaching of the embroidery unit to the sewing machine comprises lifting the end of the embroidery unit that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface upwards, and then lowering the sewing machine attachment interface vertically onto the embroidery unit attachment interface. This is a convenient way of attaching the embroidery unit to the sewing machine.
[0013] In embodiments, the method further comprises detaching the embroidery unit from the sewing machine by vertically detaching the sewing machine attachment interface of the embroidery unit from the embroidery unit attachment interface. The detaching of the embroidery unit from the sewing machine comprises lifting the end of the embroidery unit that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface upwards, thereby releasing it from the embroidery unit attachment interface. This is a convenient way of detaching the embroidery unit from the sewing machine.
[0014] In embodiments, the embroidery unit attachment interface and the sewing machine attachment interface are arranged so that the embroidery unit can be attached to the sewing machine by lifting the end of the embroidery unit that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface upwards, and then lowering the sewing machine attachment interface vertically onto the embroidery unit attachment interface. This is a convenient way of attaching the embroidery unit to the sewing machine.
[0015] In embodiments, the embroidery unit connection piece is arranged to be movable between a closed position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface is located inside the base plate, and an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit. This protects the electrical contacts or sockets on the sewing machine from lint, dust and fluff when the sewing machine is used for other means of sewing than embroidering.
[0016] In embodiments, the base plate has a first end and a second end, where a pillar extends upwards from the first end, and a sewing bed arm extends out horizontally above the base plate, from the pillar to the second end of the base plate. The embroidery unit connection piece is preferably arranged to be movable between a closed position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface is located inside the second end of the base plate, and an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit. This protects the electrical contacts or sockets on the sewing machine from lint, dust and fluff when the sewing machine is used for other means of sewing than embroidering.
[0017] In embodiments, the embroidery unit connection piece is arranged to be opened by horizontal dislocation, thereby releasing the embroidery unit attachment interface from its location inside the base plate. The horizontal dislocation may e.g. be an inwards push on the embroidery unit connection piece. This is a simple way of opening an embroidery unit connection piece.
[0018] In embodiments, the embroidery unit connection piece comprises a locking arrangement, arranged to lock the embroidery unit connection piece in the open position. The locking arrangement may be activated by the sewing machine attachment interface mating with the embroidery unit attachment interface, during vertical attachment of the embroidery unit to the sewing machine. There may e.g. be one or more protrusions on the sewing machine attachment interface that are arranged to push down one or more levers comprised in the locking arrangement, thereby locking the embroidery unit connection piece in the open position. The locking arrangement is preferably arranged to be released, so that the embroidery unit connection piece can be moved into the locked position, when the embroidery unit is lifted from the embroidery unit connection piece. This ensures that the embroidery unit connection piece is not accidentally pushed back into the closed position when the embroidery unit is attached to the sewing machine, but that the embroidery unit connection piece can easily be actively pushed back into the closed position as soon as the embroidery unit has been detached from the sewing machine.
[0019] In embodiments, the embroidery unit attachment interface and the sewing machine attachment interface comprise mutually mating features that align the embroidery unit attachment interface and the sewing machine attachment interface with each other when the embroidery unit is vertically attached to the sewing machine. This ensures that the embroidery unit attachment interface is aligned with the sewing machine attachment interface when the embroidery unit is vertically attached to the sewing machine.
[0020] In embodiments, the embroidery unit attachment interface comprises one or more steering holes or recesses, and the sewing machine attachment interface comprises corresponding steering pins. The one or more steering holes or recesses may then be arranged to receive the corresponding steering pins when the embroidery unit is vertically attached to the sewing machine. This is a robust way of ensuring that the embroidery unit attachment interface is aligned with the sewing machine attachment interface when the embroidery unit is vertically attached to the sewing machine.
[0021] In embodiments, the embroidery unit attachment interface comprises at least one electrical socket, and the sewing machine attachment interface comprises at least one corresponding electrical contact. The at least one electrical socket may then be arranged to connect to the corresponding electrical contact when vertically aligning said socket and contact. This is a simple way of ensuring that the electrical connection is made.
[0022] In this disclosure, the terms "vertical attachment” and "vertical mating” mean attachment and mating that take place substantially entirely in the vertical direction.
[0023] The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments of the invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.
[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a sewing machine, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.
[0026] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the attachment of an embroidery unit to a sewing machine, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.
[0027] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates how a horizontal dislocation in the form of an inwards push onto the outer edge of an embroidery unit connection piece may open it, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.
[0028] Figs. 4a-d schematically illustrate an embodiment of an embroidery unit connection piece that may be opened by a horizontal dislocation in the form of an inwards push on its outer edge, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.
[0029] Fig. 5 schematically illustrate an embroidery unit attachment interface and a sewing machine attachment interface, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.
[0030] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates how an embroidery unit can be detached from a sewing machine by the end of the embroidery unit that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface being lifted up, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.
[0031] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a method for attaching an embroidery unit to a sewing machine, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.
[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] An embroidery unit can be attached to a sewing machine in order to use the sewing machine for embroidering. Prior art embroidery units, such as e.g. the embroidery unit described in US2023 / 0062799, have typically been cumbersome for a user to attach to and detach from the sewing machine. The electrical contacts or sockets on the sewing machine have also typically been unprotected, so that lint, dust and fluff has been allowed to enter. There has thus been a need for an improved interface between the embroidery unit and the sewing machine.
[0034] It is therefore proposed to arrange the sewing machine with an attachment interface that is configured for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit. Since there are typically no vertical forces on the attachment interface between the embroidery unit and the sewing machine, there is no need for locking together the embroidery and the sewing machine. This makes it less cumbersome for the user to detach the embroidery unit. There are preferably mutually mating features in the attachment interfaces of the sewing machine and the embroidery unit, in order to make it easier for the user to attach the embroidery unit in the correct position.
[0035] The present disclosure relates generally to sewing machines, and to arrangements and methods for attaching an embroidery unit to a sewing machine. Embodiments of the disclosed solution are presented in more detail in connection with the figures.
[0036] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a sewing machine 200 comprising a base plate 210 having a first end 212 and a second end 215. From the first end 212 of the base plate 210, a pillar 220 extends upwards. A sewing head arm 230 and a sewing bed arm 240 extend out horizontally from the pillar 220, above the base plate 210, towards its second end 215. The sewing head arm 230 extends out horizontally from the pillar 220 above the sewing bed arm 240, and at its outer end, above the second end 215 of the base plate 210, there is a sewing head 235. The sewing head 235 typically comprises one or more needle bars 236 for moving one or more needles 237 up and down for sewing a workpiece on the sewing bed arm 240.
[0037] In order to use such a sewing machine 200 for embroidering, an embroidery unit 300 can be attached to the sewing machine 200, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In the prior art, embroidery units have typically been attached to the sewing bed arm 240 of the sewing machine 200, using open electrical contacts provided on the sewing machine 200. It is proposed herein to instead attach the embroidery unit 300 to the base plate 210 of the sewing machine 200, using an embroidery unit connection piece 250 that is comprised in the base plate 210 of the sewing machine 200, preferably at the second end 215 of the base plate 210, below the outer edge of the sewing bed arm 240. Such an embroidery unit connection piece 250 is illustrated in Fig. 2.
[0038] The embroidery unit connection piece 250 is preferably located inside the second end 215 of the base plate 210 when the sewing machine 200 is not used for embroidering, but accessible when it is desirable to attach the embroidery unit 300 to the base plate 210 of the sewing machine 200. The embroidery unit connection piece 250 is thus preferably arranged to be movable between a closed position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 is located inside the second 215 end of the base plate 210, and an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit 300. The embroidery unit connection piece 250 may e.g. be arranged to be opened by horizontal dislocation, such as e.g. by being pushed inwards, thereby releasing the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 from its location inside the base plate 210.
[0039] Fig. 3 illustrates how a horizontal dislocation in the form of an inwards push on the outer edge 255 of the embroidery unit connection piece 250 may open it, by releasing it from its location inside the base plate 210. The embroidery unit connection piece 250 is preferably spring-biased to be pushed out from the base plate 210 when it has been released, so that it stays pushed out until it is actively pushed in again.
[0040] An embodiment of an embroidery unit connection piece 250 that may be opened by a horizontal dislocation in the form of an inwards push on its outer edge 255 is illustrated in Figs. 4a-d, where Fig. 4d illustrates the embroidery unit connection piece 250 in the open position on a sewing machine 200. The illustrated embroidery unit connection piece 250 comprises a connector 260, comprising a protruding peg 265 that follows a one-way loop in a loop recess 270. The connector 260 is preferably spring-biased "downwards” in Fig. 4b, so that it will follow the "lower” part of the one-way loop when the outer edge 255 of the embroidery unit connection piece 250 is pushed inwards for the first time, and then thanks to the shape of the loop recess 270 stay in the "pushed-in-state” until the outer edge 255 of the embroidery unit connection piece 250 is pushed inwards again. The next time the outer edge 255 of the embroidery unit connection piece 250 is pushed inwards, the peg 265 will follow the "upper” part of the one-way loop and release the embroidery unit connection piece 250 so that it is pushed out. Other embodiments of embroidery unit connection pieces 250, that may be opened in other ways than by being pushed inwards, are of course also possible.
[0041] The embroidery unit connection piece 250 comprises an embroidery unit attachment interface 280, and it is preferably the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 that is arranged to be located inside the base plate 210. The embroidery unit connection piece 250 preferably comprises a locking arrangement 290, arranged to lock the embroidery unit connection piece 250 in the open position. The locking arrangement 290 is preferably arranged to be activated by a sewing machine attachment interface 310, comprised in an embroidery unit 300, mating with the embroidery unit attachment interface 280, during vertical attachment of the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200. There may e.g. be one or more protrusions on the sewing machine attachment interface 310 that are arranged to push down one or more levers comprised in the locking arrangement 290, thereby locking the embroidery unit connection piece 250 in the open position. Such a lever is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 4c. The locking arrangement 290 is preferably arranged to be released, so that the embroidery unit connection piece 250 can be moved into the locked position, when the sewing machine attachment interface 310 is lifted from the embroidery unit attachment interface 280. This ensures that the embroidery unit connection piece 250 is not accidentally pushed back into the closed position when the embroidery unit 300 is attached to the sewing machine 200, but that the embroidery unit connection piece 250 can easily be actively pushed back into the closed position as soon as the embroidery unit 300 has been detached from the sewing machine 200.
[0042] The embroidery unit attachment interface 280 typically comprises electrical sockets that are arranged to connect with corresponding electrical contacts on the embroidery unit 300. The electrical contacts convey both power and control instructions from the sewing machine 200 to the embroidery unit 300. By arranging the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 to be located inside the base plate 210, the electrical sockets are protected from lint, dust and fluff when the sewing machine is used for other means of sewing than embroidering. When it is desirable to use an embroidery unit 300, the embroidery unit connection piece 250 is opened, so that the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 becomes accessible for vertical attachment of the embroidery unit 300, using a sewing machine attachment interface 310 comprised in the embroidery unit 300.
[0043] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an embroidery unit attachment interface 280 comprised in an embroidery unit connection piece 250, and a corresponding sewing machine attachment interface 310 comprised in an embroidery unit 300. The illustrated sewing machine attachment interface 310 comprises two steering pins 320, configured to be arranged in corresponding steering holes or recesses 285 in the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 when connecting the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200. In the illustrated embodiment, there are thus two sets of mutually mating features 285, 320, but there may be any number of sets of mutually mating features, as long as they align the sewing machine attachment interface 310 and the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 with each other during vertical attachment of the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200. There may even be only one set of mutually mating features, if the mutually mating features are elongated, e.g. an elongated ridge mating with an elongated recess or hole.
[0044] The illustrated sewing machine attachment interface 310 also comprises electrical contacts 330, configured to be connected to corresponding sockets in the embroidery unit attachment interface 280. The steering pins 320 and the steering holes or recesses 285 are arranged so that the electrical contacts 330 become connected to the corresponding sockets when the steering pins 320 are arranged in the steering holes or recesses 285. However, since there is nothing locking together the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 and the sewing machine attachment interface 310, the embroidery unit 300 can be detached from the sewing machine 200 by simply lifting up the end of the embroidery unit 300 that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface 310, so that the steering pins 320 are released from the steering holes or recesses 285, as schematically illustrated in Fig. 6. Other embodiments of embroidery unit attachment interfaces and sewing machine attachment interfaces are of course also possible, e.g. comprising pins on the embroidery unit attachment interface that interact with holes or recesses in the sewing machine attachment interface, or comprising any other conceivable form of mutually mating features.
[0045] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a method 700 for attaching an embroidery unit 300, comprising a sewing machine attachment interface 310, to a sewing machine 200, comprising an embroidery unit attachment interface 280, which is arranged on an embroidery unit connection piece 250 comprised in a base plate 210 of the sewing machine 200. The method 700 preferably comprises:
[0046] Step 730: attaching the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200 by vertically attaching the sewing machine attachment interface 310 of the embroidery unit 300 to the embroidery unit attachment interface 280. This enables a simple vertical attachment and detachment of an embroidery unit 300 to and from a sewing machine 200.
[0047] The method 700 may further comprise one or more of:
[0048] Step 725: locking the embroidery unit connection piece 250 in the open position, using a locking arrangement 290 comprised in the embroidery unit connection piece 250. The locking may e.g. comprise activating the locking arrangement 290 by the sewing machine attachment interface 310 mating with the embroidery unit attachment interface 280, during vertical attachment of the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200.
[0049] Step 780: detaching the embroidery unit 300 from the sewing machine 200 by vertically detaching the sewing machine attachment interface 310 of the embroidery unit 300 from the embroidery unit attachment interface 280.
[0050] Step 785: releasing the locking arrangement 290, so that the embroidery unit connection piece 250 can be moved into the locked position, when the sewing machine attachment interface 310 is lifted from the embroidery unit attachment interface 280. In embodiments where the sewing machine 200 comprises a sewing bed arm 240 that extends out horizontally above a base plate 210, from a pillar 220 in a first end 212 of the base plate 210 to a second end 215 of the base plate 210, the method further comprises:
[0051] Step 710: opening the embroidery unit connection piece 250 from a closed position, located inside the second 215 end of the base plate 210, to an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit 300. This protects the electrical contacts or sockets on the sewing machine 200 from lint, dust and fluff when the sewing machine 200 is used for other means of sewing than embroidering.
[0052] In embodiments, the opening 710 of the embroidery unit connection piece 250 comprises:
[0053] Step 720: horizontally dislocating the embroidery unit connection piece 250. In embodiments, the horizontal dislocation 720 of the embroidery unit connection piece 250 comprises pushing the embroidery unit connection piece 250 inwards. This is a simple way of opening the embroidery unit connection piece 250.
[0054] In embodiments, the attaching 730 the of the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200 comprises:
[0055] Step 740: lifting the end of the embroidery unit 300 that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface 310 upwards.
[0056] Step 750: lowering the sewing machine attachment interface 310 vertically onto the embroidery unit attachment interface 280. This is a convenient way of attaching the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200.
[0057] In embodiments where the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 and the sewing machine attachment interface 310 comprise mutually mating features, the attaching 730 of the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200 may comprise:
[0058] Step 760: aligning the mutually mating features of the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 and the sewing machine attachment interface 310 with each other. This ensures that the embroidery unit attachment interface is aligned with the sewing machine attachment interface when the embroidery unit is vertically attached to the sewing machine.
[0059] In embodiments where the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 comprises one or more steering holes or recesses 285, and the sewing machine attachment interface 310 comprises corresponding steering pins 320, the attaching 730 of the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200 may comprise: Step 765: receiving the one or more steering pins 320 of the sewing machine attachment interface 310 in the corresponding steering holes or recesses 285 of the embroidery unit attachment interface 280. This is a robust way of ensuring that the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 is aligned with the sewing machine attachment interface 310 when the embroidery unit 300 is vertically attached to the sewing machine 200.
[0060] In embodiments where the embroidery unit attachment interface 280 comprises at least one electrical socket, and the sewing machine attachment interface 310 comprises at least one corresponding electrical contact 330, the attaching 730 of the embroidery unit 300 to the sewing machine 200 may comprise:
[0061] Step 770: connecting at least one electrical socket to the corresponding electrical contact 330 when vertically aligning said socket and contact 330. This is a simple way of ensuring that the electrical connection is made.
[0062] In embodiments, the detaching 780 the of the embroidery unit 300 from the sewing machine 200 comprises:
[0063] Step 790: lifting the end of the embroidery unit 300 that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface 310 upwards, thereby releasing it from the embroidery unit attachment interface 280. This is a convenient way of detaching the embroidery unit 300 from the sewing machine 200.
[0064] The above steps may be effected in any order that makes technical sense, and some of the steps may be effected simultaneously with each other.
[0065] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. It is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and / or modifications to the present invention, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Sewing machine (200) comprising an embroidery unit attachment interface (280), arranged on an embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprised in a base plate (210) of the sewing machine (200), wherein the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is configured for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit (300), wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be movable between a closed position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is located inside the base plate (210), and an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit (300).
2. Sewing machine (200) according to claim 1, wherein the base plate (210) has a first end (212) and a second end (215), where a pillar (220) extends upwards from the first end (212), and a sewing bed arm (240) extends out horizontally above the base plate (210), from the pillar (220) to the second end (215) of the base plate (210), wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be movable between a closed position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is located inside the second (215) end of the base plate (210), and an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit (300).
3. Sewing machine (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be opened by horizontal dislocation, thereby releasing the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) from its location inside the base plate (210).
4. Sewing machine (200) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be opened by being pushed inwards, thereby releasing the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) from its location inside the base plate (210).
5. Sewing machine (200) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprises a locking arrangement (290), arranged to lock the embroidery unit connection piece (250) in the open position.
6. Sewing machine (200) according to claims 5, wherein the locking arrangement (290) is arranged to be activated by a sewing machine attachment interface (310), comprised in an embroidery unit (300), mating with the embroidery unit attachment interface (280), during vertical attachment of said embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200).
7. Sewing machine (200) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) comprises one or more steering holes or recesses (285), arranged to receive corresponding steering pins (320) of an embroidery unit (300) when said embroidery unit (300) is vertically attached to the sewing machine (200).
8. Sewing machine (200) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) comprises at least one electrical socket, which is arranged to connect to a corresponding electrical contact (330) of said embroidery unit (300) when vertically aligning said socket and contact (330).
9. Arrangement (100) for attaching an embroidery unit (300) to a sewing machine (200), the arrangement (100) comprising a sewing machine (200), comprising an embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprised in a base plate (210) of the sewing machine (200), and an embroidery unit (300), comprising a sewing machine attachment interface (310), wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprises an embroidery unit attachment interface (280), which is configured for vertical mating with the sewing machine attachment interface (310) of the embroidery unit (300), wherein the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) are arranged so that the embroidery unit (300) can be attached to the sewing machine (200) by lifting the end of the embroidery unit (300) that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface (310) upwards, and then lowering the sewing machine attachment interface (310) vertically onto the embroidery unit attachment interface (280).
10. Arrangement (100) according to claim 9, wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be movable between a closed position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is located inside the base plate (210), and an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit (300).
11. Arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 9-10, wherein the base plate (210) has a first end (212) and a second end (215), where a pillar (220) extends upwards from the first end (212), and a sewing bed arm (240) extends out horizontally above the base plate (210), from the pillar (220) to the second end (215) of the base plate (210), wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be movable between a closed position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is located inside the second (215) end of the base plate (210), and an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is accessible for vertical mating with the sewing machine attachment interface (310) of the embroidery unit (300).
12. Arrangement (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be opened by horizontal dislocation, thereby releasing the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) from its location inside the base plate (210).
13. Arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) is arranged to be opened by being pushed inwards, thereby releasing the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) from its location inside the base plate (210).
14. Arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprises a locking arrangement (290), arranged to lock the embroidery unit connection piece (250) in the open position.
15. Arrangement (100) according to claim 14, wherein the locking arrangement (290) is arranged to be activated by the sewing machine attachment interface (310) mating with the embroidery unit attachment interface (280), during vertical attachment of the embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200).
16. Arrangement (100) according to claim 15, wherein the locking arrangement (290) is arranged to be released, so that the embroidery unit connection piece (250) can be moved into the locked position, when the sewing machine attachment interface (310) is lifted from the embroidery unit attachment interface (280).
17. Arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 9-16, wherein the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) comprise mutually mating features (285, 320) that align the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) with each other when the embroidery unit (300) is vertically attached to the sewing machine (200).
18. Arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 9-17, wherein the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) comprises one or more steering holes or recesses (285), and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) comprises corresponding steering pins (320), and wherein the one or more steering holes or recesses (285) are arranged to receive the corresponding steering pins (320) when the embroidery unit (300) is vertically attached to the sewing machine (200).
19. Arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 9-18, wherein the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) comprises at least one electrical socket, and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) comprises at least one corresponding electrical contact (330), and wherein the at least one electrical socketis arranged to connect to the corresponding electrical contact (330) when vertically aligning said socket and contact (330).
20. Method (700) for attaching an embroidery unit (300), comprising a sewing machine attachment interface (310), to a sewing machine (200), comprising an embroidery unit attachment interface (280), which is arranged on an embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprised in a base plate (210) of the sewing machine (200), the method (700) comprising attaching (730) the embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200) by vertically attaching the sewing machine attachment interface (310) to the embroidery unit attachment interface (280), wherein the attaching (730) of the embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200) comprises lifting (740) the end of the embroidery unit (300) that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface (310) upwards, and then lowering (750) the sewing machine attachment interface (310) vertically onto the embroidery unit attachment interface (280).21 . Method (700) according to claim 20, further comprising detaching (780) the embroidery unit (300) from the sewing machine (200) by vertically detaching the sewing machine attachment interface (310) of the embroidery unit (300) from the embroidery unit attachment interface (280).
22. Method (700) according to claim 21 , wherein the detaching (780) of the of the embroidery unit (300) from the sewing machine (200) comprises lifting (790) the end of the embroidery unit (300) that comprises the sewing machine attachment interface (310) upwards, thereby releasing it from the embroidery unit attachment interface (280).
23. Method (700) according to any one of claims 20-22, further comprising opening (710) the embroidery unit connection piece (250) from a closed position, located inside the base plate (210), to an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit (300).
24. Method (700) according to any one of claims 20-23, wherein the sewing machine (200) comprises a sewing bed arm (240) that extends out horizontally above a base plate (210), from a pillar (220) in a first end (212) of the base plate (210) to a second end (215) of the base plate (210), further comprising opening (710) the embroidery unit connection piece (250) from a closed position, located inside the second (215) end of the base plate (210), to an open position, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) is accessible for vertical attachment of an embroidery unit (300).
25. Method (700) according to any one of claims 23 - 24, wherein the opening (710) of the embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprises horizontally dislocating (720) the embroidery unit connection piece (250).
26. Method (700) according to any one of claims 23-25, wherein the horizontal dislocation (720) of the embroidery unit connection piece (250) comprises pushing the embroidery unit connection piece (250) inwards.
27. Method (700) according to any one of claims 20-27, further comprising locking (725) the embroidery unit connection piece (250) in the open position, using a locking arrangement (290) comprised in the embroidery unit connection piece (250).
28. Method (700) according to claim 27, wherein the locking (725) comprises activating the locking arrangement (290) by the sewing machine attachment interface (310) mating with the embroidery unit attachment interface (280), during vertical attachment of the embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200).
29. Method (700) according to claim 28, further comprising releasing (785) the locking arrangement (290), so that the embroidery unit connection piece (250) can be moved into the locked position, when the sewing machine attachment interface (310) is lifted from the embroidery unit attachment interface (280).
30. Method (700) according to any one of claims 20-29, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) comprise mutually mating features, wherein the attaching (730) of the embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200) comprises aligning (760) the mutually mating features of the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) with each other.31 . Method (700) according to any one of claims 20-30, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) comprises one or more steering holes or recesses (285), and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) comprises corresponding steering pins (320), wherein the attaching (730) of the embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200) comprises receiving (765) the one or more steering pins (320) of the sewing machine attachment interface (310) in the corresponding steering holes or recesses (285) of the embroidery unit attachment interface (280).
32. Method (700) according to any one of claims 20-31, where the embroidery unit attachment interface (280) comprises at least one electrical socket, and the sewing machine attachment interface (310) comprises at least one corresponding electrical contact (330), wherein the attaching (730) of the embroidery unit (300) to the sewing machine (200) comprises connecting (770) the at least one electrical socket to the corresponding electrical contact (330) when vertically aligning said socket and contact (330).