METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AND/OR REGULATING A SEWING MACHINE, SEWING MACHINE, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE PRODUCT

Abstract

A method for controlling and/or regulating a sewing machine, in particular an overlock sewing machine, for a sewing operation for mechanically producing a seam (1) within a base material (2), the method including the following steps: identifying a sewing operation or an upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine (100); setting an upper sewing speed limit (vmax) of the sewing machine (100); setting a lower sewing speed limit (vmax) of the sewing machine (100); and carrying out the sewing operation at a sewing speed between the lower sewing speed limit (vmin) and the upper sewing speed limit (vmax). A device (10) for carrying out the method is provided, and for a sewing machine (100) having the device (10), and to a computer software product (70) for use in the device (10) or in the sewing machine (100), respectively, the computer software product (70) being configured for carrying out the method.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The following documents are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth: Swiss Patent Application No. 01148/16, filed Sep. 6, 2016.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a method and to a device for controlling and/or regulating a sewing machine, in particular an overlock sewing machine, for mechanically producing a seam within a base material. The invention furthermore relates to a sewing machine and to a computer software product which is configured for use in the sewing machine.

A so-called overlock sewing machine by way of which in particular the periphery of one or a plurality of fabrics can be sewn is known in the prior art. It is a particularity of the overlock sewing machine that the periphery of the fabric or the fabrics, respectively, can be simultaneously joined, neatened and trimmed. Therefore, overlock sewing machines are also often used for attaching decorative seams to items of clothing or accessory items. It is particular important in overlocking that the sewing operator or a user of the sewing machine, respectively, applies the seam to the fabric in as uniform a manner as possible such that the required aesthetic appeal is met.

In the case of inexperienced operators it can arise by way of operating an overlock sewing machine in a non-uniform manner that a seam such as illustrated in FIG. 3A is attached to the fabric or to a base material, respectively, in a relatively non-uniform manner. It also arises more frequently in the case of complicated stitch patterns that the seam is not attached to the fabric in a uniform manner as desired. Herein, it is not only the issue of deficient aesthetics that arises, but there is also an issue relating to the stitch quality. If an excessively high sewing speed is chosen while the fabric is being guided in an inexpert manner, in terms of the individual stitch this can lead to a poor stitching quality right up to damage to the sewing machine and/or to the fabric.

In order for these sets of issues to be addressed at least in part, it is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,011 that the current sewing speed is adapted so as to depend on a current stitch pattern. It can be derived from U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,192 A that two different maximum sewing speeds can be set for improved control of the sewing operation. Thus, a higher maximum sewing speed can be set for an experienced user of the sewing machine than for an inexperienced user. However, a stitch pattern of satisfactory uniformity, as is desired in particular in the case of overlocking, can also not be reliably achieved by these sewing machines or the corresponding method, respectively.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate the afore-described disadvantages at least in part. It is in particular an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and an improved device for controlling and/or regulating a sewing machine, in particular an overlock sewing machine, wherein the stitch quality and the uniformity of a stitch pattern can be improved.

The aforementioned object is achieved by one or more features of the invention. In particular, the aforementioned object is achieved by the method according to one or more features of the invention, by the device having one or more features of the invention, by the sewing machine having one or more features of the invention, and by the computer software product having one or more features of the invention. Further advantages of the invention are discussed below and can be taken from the description and from the drawings. The features and details herein which are described in the context of the method of course also apply in the context of the device, the sewing machine, and the computer software product according to the invention, and vice versa, respectively, such that reference at all times is made or can be made, respectively, in a reciprocating manner in terms of the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling and/or regulating a sewing machine, in particular an overlock sewing machine, for a sewing operation for mechanically producing a seam within a base material is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

• • identifying a sewing operation or an upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine;
  • setting an upper sewing speed limit of the sewing machine;
  • setting a lower sewing speed limit of the sewing machine; and
  • carrying out the sewing operation at a sewing speed between the lower sewing speed limit and the upper sewing speed limit.

A sewing speed band within which a user is exclusively or substantially exclusively permitted to carry out a sewing operation with the sewing machine can be generated by setting the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit. The sewing operation cannot be carried out either at an excessively low sewing speed or an excessively high sewing speed within this defined sewing speed band. Due to this, stitching faults can be prevented and the stitching quality during the sewing operation can be accordingly improved. Moreover, a particularly uniform stitch pattern can be generated in the scope of the sewing speed band, that is to say that loops are not spaced apart from one another in a conspicuously wider or tighter manner in the sewing operation. Due to this it is possible for even inexperienced users of a sewing machine, in particular of an overlock sewing machine, to achieve a particularly uniform stitch pattern of high stitching quality.

The identification of the upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine can be understood to mean, for example, that a switching-on of the sewing machine is identified and, due to this, the upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine. The identification of the upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine can also be understood to mean, for example, that a wake-up of the sewing machine from a standby operation, or the activation of a specific activation means of the sewing machine, is identified and an upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine is derived based on this. Sewing need not be continuous during a sewing operation. A short interruption in sewing during the sewing operation can thus be utilized for setting the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit and for carrying out the sewing operation at the sewing speed between the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit. That is to say that a sewing operation can be identified as such even when no sewing procedure is currently being carried out.

The method for controlling and/or regulating the sewing machine can also be understood to be a method for carrying out a sewing operation with a sewing machine, in particular an overlock sewing machine.

The sewing operation being carried out at a sewing speed between the lower sewing speed limit and the upper sewing speed limit is to be understood as the sewing operation being carried out while considering, or adhering to, respectively, the lower sewing speed limit and the upper sewing speed limit. That is to say that the sewing operation is carried out in such a manner that the upper sewing speed limit is not exceeded and the lower sewing speed limit is not undershot. Carrying out the sewing operation can also be understood to be controlling and/or regulating the sewing machine in order for the sewing operation to be carried out.

In setting the upper sewing speed limit, a respective limit value is preferably selected from a storage device, in particular from a non-volatile storage such as a memory chip of the sewing machine or from outside the sewing machine, and is set for the upper sewing speed limit. In setting the lower sewing speed limit, a respective limit value is preferably selected from a storage device, in particular from a non-volatile storage of the sewing machine or from outside the sewing machine, and is set for the lower sewing speed limit.

According to one refinement of the present invention, it is possible for at least one parameter of the seam to be produced, of the base material to be used, and/or of the sewing machine used in the sewing operation, to be identified and the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit to be set automatically so as to depend on the at least one parameter identified. For example, a specific type of fabric such as cotton, silk, or leather, or a fabric thickness, can thus be identified as a parameter of the base material, and the sewing speed limits can be automatically set in a corresponding manner. This saves time and thus also money in terms of the sewing operation. The at least one parameter of the seam to be produced, of the base material, and/or of the sewing machine used can be measured by way of a sensor device, in particular a sensor device of the sewing machine. Due to this, the at least one parameter can be identified particularly fast and without any further operating steps by a user of the sewing machine. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the at least one parameter of the seam to be produced, of the base material, and/or of the sewing machine used is input manually by way of an input device, in particular an input device of the sewing machine such as a touch screen or keyboard. Due to this, the at least one parameter can be input in a particularly precise manner and can be identified or used, respectively, in a correspondingly accurate manner.

In the case of a method according to the invention it is furthermore possible that a manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit, or a manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit, is identified, and the lower sewing speed limit is modified automatically so as to depend on the manual modification identified of the upper sewing speed limit, or the upper sewing speed limit is modified automatically so as to be depend on the manual modification identified of the lower sewing speed limit. Accordingly, a user of the sewing machine has only to modify the upper sewing speed limit or the lower sewing speed limit, and the other sewing speed limit is automatically modified. In the case of a user wanting to modify only a sewing speed band, or of the user is supposed to be able to modify only the sewing speed band, respectively, the sewing machine can thus be operated in a particularly simple, rapid and safe manner.

In the context of the present invention it is moreover possible that in the case of a method the lower sewing speed limit or the upper sewing speed limit, respectively, are automatically modified as follows:

• • when the lower sewing speed limit is manually decreased by a defined value the upper sewing speed limit is automatically decreased by the same defined value;
  • when the lower sewing speed limit is manually increased by a defined value the upper sewing speed limit is automatically increased by the same defined value;
  • when the upper sewing speed limit is manually decreased by a defined value the lower sewing speed limit is automatically decreased by the same defined value;
  • and/or
  • when the upper sewing speed limit is manually increased by a defined value the lower sewing speed limit is automatically increased by the same defined value.

Due to this it is possible that a sewing speed band which is formed between the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit in the case of a manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit or of the lower sewing speed limit is automatically maintained so as to at all times be the same or to be at the same value, respectively. Due to this, any unintentional readjustment of a pre-set sewing speed band can be prevented.

Moreover, it can be advantageous in the case of a method according to the invention when in the case of a manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit the lower sewing speed limit remains unchanged when the manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit is carried out within a defined temporal period, in particular within a temporal period of less than 5 s, following a manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit, or in the case of a manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit the upper sewing speed limit remains unchanged when the manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit is carried out within a defined temporal period, in particular within a temporal period of less than 5 s, following a manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit. That is to say that the sewing speed band between the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit can be modified in a case in which the lower sewing speed limit is manually modified shortly after the manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit, or in which the upper sewing speed limit is manually modified shortly after the manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit. An operator can thus override the fundamental default setting of the sewing speed band without any interfering with the works settings of the sewing machine, and can modify said sewing speed band. Due to this, a comparatively high flexibility can be generated when setting the sewing speed band or the upper and the lower sewing speed limit, respectively. Manual modifications of the upper sewing speed limit and of the lower sewing speed limit that are carried out sequentially are possible herein in the same direction or in different directions.

Moreover, it can be advantageous when in the case of a method according to the invention a temporal period of a sewing operation that is carried out following an automatic modification of the upper sewing speed limit is identified, wherein in the case of a subsequent manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit the lower sewing speed limit remains unchanged when the identified temporal period of the sewing operation is shorter than a defined temporal period, in particular is shorter than 5 s, or a temporal period of a sewing operation that is carried out following an automatic modification of the lower sewing speed limit is identified, wherein in the case of a subsequent manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit the upper sewing speed limit remains unchanged when the identified temporal period of the sewing operation is shorter than a defined temporal period, in particular is shorter than 5 s. This means in practice, for example, that a manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit and consequently an automatic modification of the lower sewing speed limit and subsequently a short sewing operation over, for example, less than 5, preferably less than 3 seconds, take place. The user of the sewing machine now notices that he/she would rather sew in a wider sewing speed band, thus at a larger spacing between the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit. Should said operator now decide to readjust the lower sewing speed limit even further downward, or to decrease said lower sewing speed limit, respectively, this does not have any have any influence on the supper sewing speed limit. Due to this, a particularly high flexibility in the setting of the sewing speed band, or of the upper and the lower sewing speed limit, can be generated even during a sewing operation or between two sewing procedures of one sewing operation, respectively.

In one further design embodiment of the present invention it is conceivable that a defined sewing speed range only in which the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit can be or are permitted to be modified, respectively, is set. This is to say that when the sewing machine has a maximum sewing speed of 1500 stitches per minute (st/min), for example, the defined sewing speed range is set to a range between 500 and 1000 st/min. A sewing speed band of 500 st/min, for example, can be freely displaced in this range, but not beyond the limits of the defined sewing speed range. Due to this, a certain degree of safety can be achieved as opposed to a sewing speed band that is variable in an excessively arbitrary manner. Due to this, it can moreover be prevented that a machine is constantly operated at the maximum possible sewing speed, for example. This can promote the longevity of the sewing machine.

It is furthermore possible that in the case of a method according to the invention an acoustic and/or visual warning signal is triggered when the upper sewing speed limit and/or the lower sewing speed limit exceed or undershoot, respectively, a defined limit threshold value. A defined sewing speed range in which a sewing speed band can be modified in an alarm-free manner can thus be set, for example. However, an alarm is triggered as soon as an upper or a lower sewing speed limit of the defined sewing speed band is exceeded or undershot, respectively. This can alert the user to now being in a range of a sewing speed in he/she should not or must not sew. Due to this, potential damage or destruction of the sewing machine and/or of the base material can be prevented.

In the context of the present invention it is moreover possible that an acoustic and/or visual alarm signal is triggered when a difference value between the upper sewing speed limit and/or the lower sewing speed limit exceeds a defined difference threshold value. Due to this, a user of the sewing machine can be alerted when an excessively large sewing speed band is or would be generated by modifying the upper sewing speed limit and the lower sewing speed limit. The uniform stitch pattern and/or the stitching quality could no longer be reliably guaranteed on account of an excessively large sewing speed band. It is also conceivable herein that a defined sewing speed range is set in such a manner that the defined difference threshold value cannot be exceeded.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a device for controlling and/or regulating a sewing machine, in particular an overlock sewing machine, for a sewing operation for mechanically producing a seam within a base material is provided, wherein the device is designed for carrying out a method as has been described in detail above. A device according to the invention thus offers the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to the method according to the invention. The device preferably has an identification device for identifying a sewing operation or an upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine. Moreover, the device has a setting device for setting the upper sewing speed limit of the sewing machine and for setting the lower sewing speed limit of the sewing machine. The identification device and the setting device can be designed and configured as a component part of a control unit of the sewing machine or for the sewing machine, respectively. The control unit can likewise be designed for carrying out the sewing operation at the sewing speed between the lower sewing speed limit and the upper sewing speed limit, and the other method steps as have been explained in detail above.

According to one refinement of the device according to the invention, it is possible that a user of the sewing machine by way of the input device is capable of manually setting whether or not the manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit results in the automatic modification of the lower sewing speed limit, or the manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit results in the automatic modification of the upper sewing speed limit. The input device is preferably disposed and designed so as to be directly on the sewing machine. The input device can be designed as a touch-sensitive display and/or as mechanical activation elements. For the setting above, for example, the input device can display or have a check box, respectively, which can be selected depending on whether the manual modification of the upper sewing speed limit is to result in the automatic modification of the lower sewing speed limit, or the manual modification of the lower sewing speed limit is to result in the automatic modification of the upper sewing speed limit. The setting by way of the check box can be performed in a mechanical or capacitive manner, so as to depend on the design embodiment of the input device. Settings of this type can be carried out on the sewing machine in a particular simple and user-friendly manner by way of such an input device. As an alternative to a check box, a slider by way of which the setting being discussed can be performed, for example by displacing the slider to the left or the right, can also be illustrated on the input device.

In the case of a device according to the invention it is furthermore possible that the device is configured and designed in such a manner that the upper sewing speed limit remains unchanged when the lower sewing speed limit is manually increased, or the lower sewing speed limit remains unchanged when the upper sewing speed limit is manually decreased. That is to say that when a sewing speed band is being decreased, a manual modification of one sewing speed limit should not result in the automatic modification of the other sewing speed limit. In the case of the decrease in the sewing speed band, the stitching quality and a uniformity of the stitching pattern tend to increase. Due to the present configuration of the device, the sewing speed band can thus be modified in a simple manner in specific advantageous cases. However, the upper sewing speed limit should preferably be automatically increased, as has been described above, when the lower sewing speed limit is manually increased, or the lower sewing speed limit should be automatically decreased when the upper sewing speed limit is decreased, as has been described above, respectively.

A further advantage of the present invention can be derived from the sewing machine having a storage device and from various seam-specific, base-material specific, and/or sewing-machine specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits being stored in the storage device. These limit values can be accessed immediately upon starting-up the sewing machine, and the sewing machine can be set in an automatic and accordingly fast manner using suitable base limit values. When the base material or the fabric or fabrics, respectively, to be sewn are known, which can be assumed in the typical case, the sewing machine can be provided information pertaining to the base material, and the sewing machine can set directly the base-material specific upper sewing speed limits and the lower sewing speed limits. The storage device can have at least one volatile and/or non-volatile storage, for example a RAM or EPROM. The storage device preferably has both one volatile as well as one non-volatile storage, wherein various seam-specific, base-material specific, and/or sewing-machine specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits are stored as base limit values in the non-volatile storage.

Moreover, it can be advantageous according to the invention when various user-specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits are stored in the storage device. These values can also be accessed directly upon the starting-up of the sewing machine, and the sewing machine can be set in an automatic and accordingly fast manner using suitable user-specific base parameters. The degree of experience of the user can thus be input into the sewing machine, for example by way of the input device, prior to the start of the sewing operation, for example, and said sewing machine can set directly the respective user-specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits.

Moreover, various combinations of sewing speed limits can of course also be stored in the storage device, said combinations being, for example, a combination of user-specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits, and base-material specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits. The degree of experience of the user and the base material used can thus be input into the sewing machine, for example, by way of the input device, and said sewing machine can set directly the respective combination of sewing speed limits in relation to the degree of experience of the user and to the base material used.

According to one further design embodiment of the present invention it is possible that an upper sewing speed limit and/or a lower sewing speed limit, modified according to the method described above, are/is capable of being stored, in particular manually stored, in the storage device by activating an input means of the device. Favorites which can be accessed again during a later sewing operation can thus be created during the sewing operation or thereafter, in particular when said favorites, as is preferably possible, are stored or capable of being stored, respectively, in a non-volatile storage of the storage device. It is furthermore possible that a defined number of the used or modified sewing speed limits, respectively, are automatically stored as a profile or a history in the storage device. The sewing operation can be documented if the various values are stored in a non-volatile storage, for example. Storing the values being discussed in a volatile storage has the advantage that settings that date back to a temporally brief period, or corresponding upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits, respectively, can be accessed in a simple and fast manner.

In the case of a device according to the invention it is moreover possible that the modified upper sewing speed limits and/or the modified lower sewing speed limits pertaining to a specific seam, a specific base material and/or a specific sewing machine are capable of being stored, in particular manually stored, in the storage device by activating an input means of the device. Favorites in relation to a specific seam, to a specific base material, and/or to a specific sewing machine can thus be created during the sewing operation or after the sewing operation. The favorites can be accessed again during a later sewing operation, in particular when these favorites, as is preferably possible, are stored or are capable of being stored, respectively, in a non-volatile storage of the storage device.

It can be furthermore advantageous for the device to have a reset function by way of which the stored modified upper sewing speed limit and/or lower sewing speed limit in the storage device can be deleted. For example, if the device is used for a new sewing machine, or if the stitch pattern changes, stored values which no longer have any significance for the upcoming sewing operations can be deleted, and storage space can be created for new values in a fast and simple manner.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a sewing machine, in particular an overlock sewing machine, for mechanically producing a seam within a base material is provided, said sewing machine having a device as described in detail above. The sewing machine according to the invention thus offers the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to the device according to the invention.

Moreover, a computer software product according to the invention for use in a sewing machine and/or in a device such as has been described in detail above is provided, wherein the computer software product is configured in such a manner that a method as has been described in detail above is carried out by the sewing machine in the production of a seam within a base material. A computer software product according to the invention thus also offers the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to the device according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further measures that improve the invention are derived from the description hereunder of various exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All the features and/or advantages which can be gathered from the claims, from the description or from the drawings, including design details and spatial arrangements, may be essential to the invention both in their own right or in a wide variety of different combinations.

In the figures, in each case in a schematic manner:

FIG. 1 shows an overlock sewing machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a device according to the invention for controlling and/or regulating the overlock sewing machine;

FIG. 3A shows a non-uniform stitch pattern;

FIG. 3B shows a uniform stitch pattern;

FIG. 4 shows an input device according to the invention in a first operating state, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an input device according to the invention in a second operating state, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an input device according to the invention in a third operating state, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows an input device according to the invention in a fourth operating state, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows an input device according to the invention in a fifth operating state, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an input device according to the invention, according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows an input device according to the invention, according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart for explaining a method according to the invention, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a flow chart for explaining a method according to the invention, according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows a flow chart for explaining a method according to the invention, according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a flow chart for explaining a method according to the invention, according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 15 shows a flow chart for explaining a method according to the invention, according to a fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Elements with identical functions and operating modes are provided with the same reference signs in each of FIGS. 1 to 15.

A sewing machine 100 in the form of an overlock sewing machine is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The sewing machine 100 has a device 10 such as a controller for controlling and/or regulating the sewing machine 100. The device 10 has an input device 20 in the form of a touch-sensitive display.

FIG. 2 shows a block circuit diagram for explaining the device 10. The device 10, apart from the input device 20, has a non-volatile storage 30, a volatile storage 40, a motor 50 for driving the sewing machine 100, and a motor controller 60. A computer software product 70 according to the invention which by way of the motor controller 60 can be run for controlling and/or regulating the sewing machine 100 is stored in the non-volatile storage 30. Moreover, various seam-specific, base-material specific, and/or sewing-machine specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits are stored in the non-volatile storage 30. Moreover, various user-specific upper sewing speed limits and lower sewing speed limits are stored in the non-volatile storage 30.

Various operating parameters such as, for example, an upper sewing speed limit v_max and a lower sewing speed limit v_min can be set by way of the input device 20. The motor controller 60 serves in particular for setting the desired sewing speed by mutually matching and adapting a nominal sewing speed and an actual sewing speed. The actual sewing speed can be obtained by the motor controller 60 by way of devices and methods that are known in the prior art. The nominal sewing speed is obtained by the motor controller 60 by way of an input by the user by way of the input device 20, or by reading the non-volatile storage 30 and/or the volatile storage 40.

The device 10 furthermore has a reset function by way of which a stored and potentially modified upper sewing speed limit and/or a lower and potentially modified sewing speed limit can be deleted in the non-volatile storage 30 and/or in the volatile storage 40.

A non-uniform stitch pattern or seam image N1 on a base material 2 is illustrated in FIG. 3A. The seam 1 shown in FIG. 3A is the result of a sewing operation at sewing speeds that differ widely from one another.

A uniform stitch pattern or seam image N2 on the base material 2 is illustrated in FIG. 3B. The seam 1 shown in FIG. 3B is the result of a sewing operation according to the invention which has been carried out at a sewing speed between an upper sewing speed limit v_max and a lower sewing speed limit v_min.

FIG. 4 shows an input device 20 having a display 21 for an upper sewing speed limit v_max, adjustment panels 22 for modifying the upper sewing speed limit v_max, a display 23 for a lower sewing speed limit v_min, adjustment panels 24 for modifying the lower sewing speed limit v_min, a slider 25 for modifying the upper sewing speed limit v_max, and a slider 26 for modifying the lower sewing speed limit v_min. FIG. 4 shows an input device 20 on which basic settings are illustrated once the sewing machine 100 has been switched on. The basic settings accordingly are an upper sewing speed limit v_max of 1000 st/min and a lower sewing speed limit v_max of 500 st/min.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be subsequently described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 11. To this end, an ongoing or an intended sewing operation is initially identified. An upcoming sewing operation is identified in that switching-on of the sewing machine 100 is identified, for example. The upper sewing speed limit v_max and the lower sewing speed limit v_min are subsequently set, as is illustrated in FIG. 4. Thereafter, a sewing operation is carried out while adhering to the upper sewing speed limit v_max and to the lower sewing speed limit v_min.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be subsequently described with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 12. For the sake of simplification, a repetition of method steps that have already been described will be dispensed with. Upon identification of the sewing operation, a stitch pattern is selected. Depending on the stitch pattern selected, the upper sewing speed limit v_max is now set to 1000 st/min, and the lower sewing speed limit v_min to 500 st/min. Should a manual increase of the lower sewing speed limit v_min from 500 st/min to v_min+=700 st/min now be identified, the upper sewing speed limit v_max is automatically also increased by 200 st/min, thus from 1000 st/min to v_max+=1200 st/min, as is illustrated in FIG. 5. A sewing speed band between the new lower sewing speed limit v_min+ and the new upper sewing speed limit v_max+ consequently remains identical at a value of 500 st/min. A sewing operation is subsequently carried out while adhering to the new sewing speed limits v_max+, v_min+.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 13. Initially, the first five steps are carried out as has been described with reference to the second embodiment. A step in which it is determined or identified, respectively, whether a sewing operation has or has not been carried out since the automatic increase of the upper sewing speed limit v_max now follows. If no sewing operation has been carried out, and if a manual increase of the upper sewing speed limit v_max from 1200 st/min to 1300 st/min in a direct manner, for example within 5 s, is detected, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the lower sewing speed limit v_min+ is maintained, and the sewing operation is subsequently carried out between these limit values.

By contrast, if it is detected that a sewing operation has been carried out, a differentiation pertaining to the length of the latter is initially performed. Herein a differentiation as to whether the sewing operation has continued for more or less than 5 s is performed. If the sewing operation has continued for more than 5 s, it is assumed that a sewing operation has been concluded and a new sewing operation is to commence. If a manual increase of the upper sewing speed limit v_max+ from 1200 to v_max++=1300 st/min is now identified, as is illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower sewing speed limit v_min+ is also automatically increased from 700 st/min to v_min++=800 st/min. Thereafter, a sewing operation is carried out between the upper sewing speed limit v_max++ and the lower sewing speed limit v_min++.

Should the sewing operation have continued for less than 5 s, it is assumed that the sewing operation has not yet been concluded and that the sewing speed band is to be readjusted. If a manual increase of the upper sewing speed limit v_max+ from 1200 to v_max++=1300 st/min is identified, as is illustrated in FIG. 7, the lower sewing speed limit v_min+ is maintained and a sewing operation is subsequently carried out between the upper sewing speed limit v_max++ and the lower sewing speed limit v_max+.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be subsequently described with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 8 and FIG. 14. The first four steps of the fourth embodiment again correspond in principle to the first four steps of the second and the third embodiment. However, it is subsequently determined or identified, respectively, whether the sewing speed band will become larger or smaller by modifying the lower sewing speed limit v_min. In order for the risk of a non-uniform stitch pattern to be reduced, the sewing speed band according to this embodiment must not become larger. That is to say, if it is now identified that by decreasing the lower sewing speed limit v_min the sewing speed band will or could become larger, respectively, the upper sewing speed limit v_max is automatically decreased by the value of the decrease of the lower sewing speed limit v_min. A sewing operation at a sewing speed band that has remained the same is subsequently carried out. However, if it is established that by increasing the lower sewing speed limit v_min the sewing speed band will or would become smaller, respectively, the upper sewing speed limit v_max is maintained, as is illustrated in FIG. 8. A sewing operation is subsequently carried out at a reduced sewing speed band.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which it can be selected by way of a check box 27 whether a modification of a sewing speed band is to be permissible or not, will be described hereunder with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 15. A modification of the sewing speed band is not permissible if the “YES” area is selected or activated, as is illustrated in FIG. 9. If a sewing speed limit is now modified, the other sewing speed limit is forcibly and conjointly modified. However, a modification of the sewing speed band in the context of the embodiments illustrated above is permissible or possible, respectively, if the “NO” area is selected or activated, respectively (not illustrated).

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the input device 20 in which a sewing speed band 28 is illustrated graphically on a touch-sensitive surface of the input device 20. In this case, a user by way of his/her finger 3 or another activation device can displace directly the sewing speed band 28 or the associated sewing speed limits in the context of the of the permissibility as illustrated above. As soon as the sewing speed band 28 or a sewing speed band of the other embodiments has been set, said sewing speed band can be stored manually or automatically in the non-volatile storage 30 or in the volatile storage 40.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 Seam
  • 2 Base material
  • 3 Finger
  • 10 Device
  • 20 Input device
  • 21 Display for upper sewing speed limit
  • 22 Adjustment panels for modifying the upper sewing speed limit
  • 23 Display for lower sewing speed limit
  • 24 Adjustment panels for modifying the lower sewing speed limit
  • 25 Slider for modifying the upper sewing speed limit
  • 26 Slider for modifying the lower sewing speed limit
  • 27 Check box
  • 28 Sewing speed band for modifying the upper and the lower sewing speed limit
  • 30 Non-volatile storage
  • 40 Volatile storage
  • 50 Motor
  • 60 Motor controller
  • 100 Sewing machine
  • vmax Upper sewing speed limit
  • vmin Lower sewing machine limit
  • MAX Maximum sewing speed of the sewing machine
  • MIN Minimum sewing speed of the sewing machine

Claims

1. A method for at least one of controlling or regulating a sewing machine (100) for a sewing operation for mechanically producing a seam (1) within a base material (2), said method comprising the following steps: identifying a sewing operation or an upcoming sewing operation of the sewing machine (100);setting an upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) of the sewing machine (100);setting a lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) of the sewing machine (100); andcarrying out the sewing operation at a sewing speed between the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) and the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising identifying at least one parameter of the seam (1) to be produced, of the base material (2) to be used, or of the sewing machine (100) used in the sewing operation, andautomatically setting the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) and the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) dependent on the at least one parameter identified.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising identifying a manual modification of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) or a manual modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin), andautomatically modifying the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) dependent on the manual modification identified of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax), or automatically modifying the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) dependent on the manual modification identified of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin).

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) and the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax), respectively, are automatically modified according to at least one of the following: when the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) is manually decreased by a defined value the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) is automatically decreased by the same defined value;when the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) is manually increased by a defined value the upper stitch specific sewing speed limit (vmax) is automatically increased by the same defined value;when the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) is manually decreased by a defined value the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) is automatically decreased by the same defined value; orwhen the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) is manually increased by a defined value the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) is automatically increased by the same defined value.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein in the case of the manual modification of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) remains unchanged when the manual modification of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) is carried out within a defined temporal period following a manual modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin), or in the case of the manual modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) remains unchanged when the manual modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) is carried out within a defined temporal period following a manual modification of an upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax).

6. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising identifying a temporal period of a sewing operation that is carried out following an automatic modification of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax), and in in the case of a subsequent manual modification of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) remains unchanged when the identified temporal period of the sewing operation is shorter than a defined temporal period or a temporal period of a sewing operation that is carried out following an automatic modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) is identified, and in the case of a subsequent manual modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) remains unchanged when the identified temporal period of the sewing operation is shorter than a defined temporal period.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising setting a defined sewing speed range only in which the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) and the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) can be modified.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising triggering at least one of an acoustic or visual warning signal when at least one of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) or the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) exceed(s) or undershoot(s), respectively, a defined limit threshold value.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising triggering at least one of an acoustic or visual warning signal when a difference value between at least one of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) or the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) exceeds a defined difference threshold value.

10. A device (10) for at least one of controlling or regulating a sewing machine (100) for a sewing operation for mechanically producing a seam (1) within a base material (2) configured to carry out the method of claim 1.

11. The device (10) as claimed in claim 10, comprising an input device (20) configured to allow a user of the sewing machine (100) to manually set whether or not a manual modification of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) results in an automatic modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin), or a manual modification of the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) results in an automatic modification of the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax).

12. The device (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the device (10) is configured such that the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) remains unchanged when the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) is manually increased, or the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) remains unchanged when the upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) is manually decreased.

13. The device (10) as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a storage device (30, 40) configured to store at least one of various seam-specific, base-material specific, or sewing-machine specific upper sewing speed limits (vmax) and lower sewing speed limits (vmin).

14. The device (10) as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a storage device (30, 40) configured to store various user-specific upper sewing speed limits (vmax) and lower sewing speed limits (vmin).

15. The device (10) as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a storage device (30, 40) and an input device, the storage device is configured to store at least one of an upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) or a lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) by activating the input device.

16. The device (10) as claimed in claim 11, further comprising an input device, and the storage device is configured to store at least one of the modified upper sewing speed limits (vmax) or the modified lower stitch-specific sewing speed limits (vmin), pertaining to at least one of a specific seam (1), a specific base material (2) or a specific sewing machine (100) by activating the input device.

17. The device (10) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the device (10) has a reset function by way of which at least one of the stored modified upper stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmax) or the lower stitch-specific sewing speed limit (vmin) in the storage device 30, 40) can be deleted.

18. A sewing machine (100) for mechanically producing a seam (1) within a base material (2), having the device as claimed in claim 10.

19. A computer software product (70) stored on a fixed memory and configured to carry out the method as claimed in claim 1 on a sewing machine (100) for production of a seam (1) within a base material (2).