Thread Feeding Apparatus for an Automatic Embroidering Machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thread feeding apparatus for an automatic embroidering machine supplying an upper thread from a thread supplying unit to a needle, comprising a thread tension adjuster having a thread contact portion allowing an upper thread to be at least partially wound thereon and be in contact therewith, and resisting the upper thread passing through the thread contact portion to adjust the tension of the upper thread; a take-out unit provided to rotate about a predetermined rotation axis, and rotated while holding the upper thread spaced from the rotation axis to put the upper thread on the thread tension adjuster; and a take out driver driving the thread take-out unit to rotate for at least partially winding the upper thread on the thread contact portion. Thus, the present invention provides a thread feeding apparatus for an automatic embroidering machine, which conveniently adjusts the tension of an upper thread and reduces work time.

1 . A thread feeding apparatus for an automatic embroidering machine supplying an upper thread from a thread supplying unit to a needle, comprising: 
 a thread tension adjuster having a thread contact portion allowing an upper thread to be at least partially wound thereon and be in contact therewith, and resisting the upper thread passing through the thread contact portion to adjust the tension of the upper thread;    a take-out unit provided to rotate about a predetermined rotation axis, and rotated while holding the upper thread spaced from the rotation axis to put the upper thread on the thread tension adjuster; and    a take-out driver driving the thread take-out unit to rotate for at least partially winding the upper thread on the thread contact portion.    
   
   
       2 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the take-out driver comprises: 
 a rotation shaft coupled to the take-out unit and rotating;    a driving shaft spaced from the rotation shaft at a predetermined axis distance;    a shaft driver driving the driving shaft to rotate; and    a power transmission unit provided between the rotation shaft and the driving shaft and transmitting a rotational force from the driving shaft to the rotation shaft.    
   
   
       3 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an oscillating bracket including a thread retainer to retain the upper thread transferred from the thread tension adjuster to the needle, and oscillating to strengthen and release the tension of the upper thread;    a bracket driver driving the oscillating bracket to move the thread retainer of the oscillating bracket on a thread transferring path and put the upper thread on the thread retainer; and    an oscillating bracket elastic member elastically urging the oscillating bracket to oscillate.    
   
   
       4 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bracket driver comprises: 
 a bracket driving cam formed with a cam profile on a lateral surface thereof;    a moving pin moving along the camp profile of the bracket driving cam; and    a cam driver to rotate the bracket driving cam by moving the moving pin along the cam profile of the bracket driving cam,    wherein the oscillating bracket elastic member has a first end supported by the bracket driving cam and a second end supported by the oscillating bracket, and oscillates the oscillating bracket.    
   
   
       5 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the bracket driver further comprises a cam elastic member elastically rotating the bracket driving cam to return an original position.  
   
   
       6 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a thread take-up unit oscillating within a predetermined section to strengthen and release the tension of the upper thread; and    a thread-take-out unit taking out the upper thread transferred from the thread tension adjuster to the needle working portion, and putting the upper thread on the thread take-up unit and the thread retainer,    wherein the oscillating bracket oscillates in a vertical direction corresponding to the thread take-up unit.    
   
   
       7 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the thread retainer is placed at a top dead point of the oscillating bracket when the thread take-up unit is placed at a top dead point thereof, and placed at a bottom dead point of the oscillating bracket when the thread take-up unit is placed at a bottom dead point thereof.