Device and method for handling fragments of a broken needle
11464267 · 2022-10-11
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D85/24
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
D05B81/00
TEXTILES; PAPER
International classification
Abstract
A device (40) and a method is described for handling fragments (10) of a broken needle (11), for example in the context of a needle exchange of a broken needle (11) for a new needle (17). The fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) are arranged in a container (16) in a predetermined position. An image (32) of the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) is then recorded with the aid of a camera (23). The recorded image (32) is stored for documentation (32) at at least one storage location and/or analysed as to whether all the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) are present. After recording the image (32), the container (16) is closed in order to avoid the fragments (10) of the needle (11) being lost away from the sewing workstation.
Claims
1. A method for handling of fragments (10) of a broken needle (11), the method comprising: arranging the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) in a container (16) in a predefined position, utilizing a camera (23) to capture an image (32) of the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) while the fragments (10) are arranged in the container (16) in the predefined position, storing of the captured image (32) for one or both of documentation and evaluating the image (32) for checking whether all of the fragments (10) of the broken needle (11) are present, associating information related to the broken needle with a respective manufacturing order.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising assigning the container (16) to a sewing workplace (15).
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising in response to a needle fracture at the sewing workplace, identifying one or both of the sewing workplace and an operator of the sewing workplace.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising in response to a needle fracture, identifying a textile part manufactured with the broken needle.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container with the fragments (10) is exchanged with another container (16) with a new needle.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting the captured image (32) to a central computing unit (26).
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising transmitting further data related to one or any combination of the broken needle, a sewing workplace, and an operator of the sewing workplace together with the captured image.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising executing an automatic evaluation, based on the captured image, of whether all of the fragments of the needle are present.
9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising associating information related to the broken needle with a respective manufacturing order of and within the manufacturing order with a sub-ordered bundle number or part number.
10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising evaluating information related to the broken needle by a predefined evaluation strategy along a value chain and respective manufacturing order.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storing of the captured image (32) comprises storing the captured image (32) at spatially separate locations.
12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising linking the captured image (32) with additional information other than the captured image itself.
13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising storing the captured image (32) and the additional information in a single file.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the storing the captured image (32) and the additional information in a single file comprises storing the captured image (32) and the additional information in a single, not editable file.
15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the additional information consists of used needle type, identification data of a sewing person, identification of a textile part manufactured at a point of needle fracture, and combinations thereof.
16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using a mobile device (19) to capture the image (32), the mobile device (19) comprising the camera (23), a processing unit (24), and storage (25).
17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging the fragments comprises arranging the fragments using a retaining magnet (72) arranged outside a reception space (64) at a main body (60) of the container (16).
18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging the fragments comprises arranging the fragments adjoining a stop surface (67) present at a topside (63) of a main body (60) of the container (16).
19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging the fragments comprises arranging the fragments in a depression (65) extending in a length direction (L) and provided directly above a retaining magnet (72) at a topside (63) of a main body (60) of the container (16).
20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging the fragments comprises arranging the fragments relative to a marking (68) arranged at a topside (63) of a main body (60) of the container (16).
21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the capturing of the image (32) further comprises capturing one or both of information and production data of the broken needle during the capturing of the image (32).
22. The method according to claim 1, further comprising testing a sharpness of the image with a processer unit (24) or central computing unit (26) and to create a respective test result.
23. The method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying the captured image and information describing a target geometry of the needle prior to breaking on a display (21).
24. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using a processer unit (24) or central computing unit (26) to create an evaluation result that indicates whether all of the fragments (10) are present in the captured image or not.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising during the creating the evaluation result, comparing the fragments (10) abutting each other with a length of the needle prior to breaking.
26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising using the processor unit (24) or the central computing unit (26) to one or both of compare contours of the fragments (10) and compare a contour of the fragments (10) abutting each other with a target geometry of the needle prior to breaking.
27. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the container (16) containing an identifier (18) by which it is assigned to a sewing station (15).
28. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage (30) supporting the camera (23).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Preferred configurations of the device and the method can be inferred from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Hereinafter preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings. They show in
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(11) During sewing of textile parts, e.g. clothes, great care must be taken in the event that a needle breaks during sewing. The fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 must not remain in the textile part. It is thus important to document whether all of the fragments 10 of a broken needle have been found. In
(12) According to the example, an unambiguously identifiable container 16 is assigned to each sewing workplace 15. In doing so, at the container 16 a respective identifier 18 can be present. In the embodiment the identifier 18 is embodied as optically detectable identifier, e.g. by a bar code or a QR-code and arranged at the container 16. Alternatively, the identifier can be an RFID-chip or another form of identifier that is detectable by detecting means of a mobile device 19. According to the example, a hand-held computer, particularly a so-called tablet computer or alternatively a smartphone or the like is used as mobile device 19. The mobile device 19 has, according to the example, a touchscreen 20 that serves as display 21 for outputting information and also as input unit 22. The mobile device 19 further comprises a camera 23, a processor unit 24 and a storage unit 25 (
(13) The mobile device 19 and the container 16 can be arranged at a preferable moveable carriage 30 that is used by a supervisor in the event of a needle fracture at a sewing workplace 15. The data and images collected by the mobile device 19 by the supervisor can preferably be assigned to the supervisor, e.g. by login of the supervisor at the mobile device 19.
(14) At the sewing workplace 15 itself no replacement needles are present. The replacing of a damaged or broken needle 11 is performed following a fixed predefined method. It is assumed that at one of the sewing workplaces 15 the sewing needle breaks and the sewing person indicates the needle fracture. This can happen for example by initiating an alarm 31 that can be received and displayed from a receiver at the carriage 30 or in the mobile device 19 respectively (
(15) If the sewing workplace 15 is reached, the fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 are collected and are inserted in a predefined position in the container 16 assigned to the sewing workplace 15. Preferably all of the fragments 10 are arranged directly adjoining each other along a common axis in a longitudinal direction and the initial needle shape is reconstructed so to say (
(16) The container 16 assigned to the sewing workplace 15 is placed with the inserted broken needle 11 and its identifier 18 in the imaging range of the camera 23 of the mobile device 19 and an image 32 of the fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 is captured (
(17) It is also possible to link the image 32 with additional information, as for example information relating to the used needle type and/or a sewing person that works at the sewing workplace 15 with the needle fracture. For example, personal identification data of a plant ID-card can be captured and linked with the image 32. Additionally or optionally, it is also possible to identify the textile part manufactured at the point of time of the needle fracture at the sewing workplace 15 and to store respective identification data linked with the image 32.
(18) All of the information assigned with the image 32 can be stored or archived respectively in a single file together with the image 32. The file is preferably not editable. Further the possibility exists that the file is stored at several storing locations independent from each other in order to be able to detect subsequent modifications at one of the files. The access to the archived files can be limited to a group of persons. Thus, the danger of manipulation of a file is reduced or precluded. The data or images captured by the mobile device are preferably stored in the mobile device 19 at least until transmission of the data or images respectively to a remote storage unit and/or computing unit 26 has been carried out.
(19) Preferably an evaluation performed in the mobile device 19 whether the captured image has a sufficient sharpness. This can happen by corresponding image processing routines. Such a check can also be performed in the central computing unit 26, to which the image 32 is transmitted. If it results that the image is not sharp, the supervisor is requested to capture another image with the camera 23 or the mobile device 19 automatically controls the camera 23 in order to capture a further image 32. As soon as the image 32 has sufficient sharpness it can be indicated to the supervisor, who performs the replacement of the needles, that the replacement procedure can be continued.
(20) Subsequently the container 16 with the broken needle 11 is closed and arranged in the carriage 30. For the sewing workplace 15 a new needle 17 is provided in another container 16 and handed out for continuation of the work. If the containers 16 contain an identifier 18 that is fixedly assigned to the workplace 15, the container with the new needle 17 has the same identifier 18. In the case of a dynamic assignment, the identifier 18 of container 16 with the new needle 17 is captured by the mobile device 19 and is assigned to the sewing workplace 15 (
(21) In a preferred embodiment one RFID-chip can be present in each container 16. The container 16 can then be checked in the sewing workplace 15 or checked out of the sewing workplace 15. Doing so, the identifier is connected or linked with the RFID-chip by the assignment to the workplace.
(22) Thus, the needle replacement of the broken needle 11 by a new needle 11 is completed and the supervisor with the carriage 30 leaves the sewing workplace 15 again. The supervisor can execute this procedure without reading and/or without speaking and/or without writing by operating the functions (of an App) of the mobile device.
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(25) At the working surface 42 a positioning means 44 can be present in order to position the container 16 in the viewing area of the camera 23 at the working surface 42 during the capture of the image 32. For example, the positioning means 44 can be formed by a depression (
(26) The carriage 30 comprises an energy storage also, e.g. a rechargeable battery 45. Preferably the battery 45 is arranged in the carriage 30 as low as possible in order to lower its center of gravity. The battery 45 is connected with a connector 47 at the outside of the carriage 30 by means of a line 46. Via the connector 47 and a respective cable, the mobile device 19 can be connected with the battery 45 for the supply of current. The battery 45 and/or the carriage 30 can be corrected with a socket (grid connection) by a cable in order to load the battery 45 and/or to supply additional electrical devices or consumers for example. An additional electrical device can be a light source for the capture of the image or also a receiver for an alarm system for example. The receiver of the alarm system can contain, e.g. mono-board computer, like a computer of the type “Rasperry Pi”.
(27) The carriage 30 has a deposit opening 48 at the working surface 42 that is connected with a collection container 49, e.g. via a shut. The collection container 49 can be arranged in one of the drawers of the carriage 30 for example. After the image 32 has been captured and stored for documentation purposes, the fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 that are present in the container 16 can be removed from the container 16 outside the sewing workplace 15 and deposited in the collection container 49 via the deposit opening 48.
(28) The carriage 30 can also comprise several deposit openings 48 in one embodiment, e.g. one deposit opening 48 for the broken and another deposit opening 48 for non-broken damaged needles. At the deposit opening 48 a depression for the container 16 can be present, in which the opened container 16 can be inserted in a way that the fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 are arranged above the deposit opening 48 by a retaining magnet 72 of the container 16 and can be shifted or deposited respectively very easily downward into the deposit opening 48.
(29) The collection container 49 can be detachably arranged at the carriage 30. A signal can indicate whether a collection container 49 is present in the carriage or not and/or whether the collection container 49 is open.
(30) At the carriage 30 a tool 50 with a magnetic end 51 can be carried also. The holder at the carriage 30 for the tool 50 is preferably from a non-magnetizable material and can consist, e.g. from aluminum. By means of the tool 50 the fragments 10 of the broken needle can be captured and collected at the sewing workplace 15, particularly if some of the fragments 10 have fallen on the floor. The magnetizable end 51 can be arranged such that it is moved close to or with contact to the ground during movement of the carriage 30 in order to collect metallic parts, e.g. fragments 10. For this the magnetizable end 51 is preferably arranged at the carriage 30 in a height-adjustable manner.
(31) Additionally or alternatively to the mobile carriage 30, the device 40 can also contain a stationary unit, e.g. a table unit 110 (
(32) The device 40 comprises at least one container 16 and a camera 23 that form part of the mobile device 19 in the embodiment. As explained above, according to the example also a carriage 30 is used that can be completed or replaced also by a suitcase or another mobile unit. Based on the
(33) According to the example, the container 16 has a main body 60 and a cover 61. The cover 61 is supported pivotably between an opened position I and a close position II at the main body 60 by a hinged joint 62. In the close position II the topside 63 of the main body 60 and the cover 61 limit a reception space 64 that is completely closed in the close position II. The reception space 64 is configured to receive the fragments 10 of the broken needle 11.
(34) At the topside 63 of the main body 60 a depression 65 is present that extends in a length direction L. The depression 65 has the shape of a flume according to the embodiment. At one length end the depression 65 adjoins a stop 66 with a stop surface 67. The stop surface 67 extends within a groove and outside the groove above the topside 63 according to the embodiment. The stop surface 67 is orientated at a right angle to the length direction L according to the example. The stop surface 67 can have a circular shape in the embodiment. Cross-section of the depression 65 can be semi-circular shaped (
(35) One of the two length ends and here the length end of the depression 65 opposite the stop 66 transitions steplessly in the topside 63 in order to facilitate a shifting out of the needle fragments without an obstacle.
(36) Adjacent to the depression 65 marking 68 and according to the example a scale 69 is present at the topside 63. Starting from a reference point that is here formed by the stop surface 67, the scale 69 marks the length of fragments 10 or the total length of all fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 that abut each other arranged in the depression 65. By means of the scale 69 it can be quickly recognized whether the total length of the found fragments 10 correspond to the total length of the initial needle such that it can be recognized whether all of the fragments 10 are present. The scale 69 can comprise marks in regular distances in length direction L, as illustrated in
(37) The fragments 10 of a broken needle 11 are preferably arranged in the depression 65 starting with the needle shank at the stop surface 67 abutting each other. The needle tip is farthest away from the stop surface 67 in the depression 65 and marks the total length of all of the arranged fragments 10.
(38) For retaining the fragments 10 inside the depression 65, the container 16 comprises a retaining magnet 72. The retaining magnet 72 creates a magnetic field in the range of the depression 65 or the topside 63 respectively in order to retain the fragments 10 for a capture of the image 32. The magnetic field is, however, sufficiently weak that a rising of the individual fragments 10 is avoided.
(39) According to the example, the retaining magnet 72 is manufactured by a magnetic film or a magnetic strip that extends in length direction L. The retaining magnet 72 comprises a topside 73 facing the reception space 62 or the depression 65 respectively and an opposite bottom side 74. The topside 73 of the retaining magnet 72 is stronger magnetic than the lower side 74. At the lower side 74 a non-magnetic carrier layer can be present, for example that carries a magnetic layer. The retaining magnet 72 or its magnetic layer consists of one or more magnetic strips, each comprising a north pole N and a south pole S. A connecting line between the north pole N and the south pole S of each magnetic strip is orientated parallel to the length direction according to the example.
(40) For receipt of the retaining magnet 72 the main body 60 has an inner region 75 with a reception cutout 76 below the topside 63. The reception cutout 76 extends in length direction L and its width transverse to the length direction L corresponds to the width of the retaining magnet 72.
(41) It is important to attach the retaining magnet 72 at the main body 60 in its correct orientation with the topside 73 facing the reception space 64. At both ends in the length direction the reception cutout 76 is formed unsymmetrically with reference to a mid-plane extending in length direction L. According to the example, a respective border wall 77 of the reception cutout 76 extends under an angle non-equal to 90° relative to the length direction L. The reception cutout 76 thus has the shape of a parallelogram with two parallel length sides in length direction L and two parallel limit walls 77 at the length ends that are non-rectangularly orientated with reference to the length direction L. The retaining magnet 72 has an outer contour adapted thereto corresponding to a non-rectangular parallelogram. In doing so, it is achieved that an unintentional confusion of the topside 73 and the bottom side 74 of the retaining magnet is prevented during insertion into the reception cutout 76.
(42) The reception cutout 76 is open at the bottom side opposite to the topside 63 of the main body 60 and the retaining magnet 72 can be inserted into the reception cutout 76 from the open side. In order to secure the retaining magnet 72, the container 16 comprises an insert 80 according to the example that is releasably insertable in the inner region 75 of the main body 60 and is retained there by force-fit and/or form-fit. According to the example, the insert has at least one latch protrusion 81 at opposite sides, wherein a respective latch cutout 82, at least open to the inner region 75 at the main body 60, is assigned to each latch protrusion 81. The insert 80 can be inserted in the inner region 75 and can be latched after insertion of the retaining magnet 72 in the reception cutout 76. In doing so, the retaining magnet 72 is retained in the reception cutout 76 directly adjacent to the depression 65.
(43) For supporting the retaining magnet 72 the insert 80 can comprise one or more support protrusions 83 that abut at the bottom side 74 of the retaining magnet 72 and support it in the desired position when a latch connection between the insert 80 and the main body 60 is established. In the embodiment the support protrusion 83 is formed by a plurality of support ribs that are connected with each other and arranged in a cross shape. The at least one support protrusion 83 protrudes upward from a bottom 84 of the insert. From the bottom 84 additional ribs 85 for stabilization can protrude as well.
(44) At an edge outer side 89 opposite the hinged joint 62 rectangular to the length direction L the cover 61 has a locking means 91 that is configured as latching means 90 according to the example. The locking means 91 is configured to retain the cover 61 in its close position II and to prevent an unintentional opening or suspending of the close position II.
(45) According to the example, the latching means 90 have a latch nose 92 that interferes in a latch depression 93 in the close position II. The latch nose 92 is arranged at a free end of an elastically moveable biasing element 94 that extends from the edge outer side 89 substantially at a right angle with reference to the length direction L and elastically supports the latch nose 92 about a pivot axis that extends approximately parallel to the length direction L in the range of the outer side 89. In the open position I the latch nose 92 extends from the biasing element 94 in a way that it protrudes in the structure clearance of the cover 61 (
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(47) The processor unit of the mobile device 19 can be configured to initiate the capture of the image 32 automatically, e.g. if particular characteristic features are recognized or identified in the imaging range of the camera, such as the opened container 16 and/or the marking 68 and/or the identifier 18 and/or the fragments 10. The automatic triggering of an image can be performed, for example, if marking on the needle shank is sharply captured by the camera, such as if a shank stamp is imaged readably.
(48) Another possibility is to attach the identifier 18 in the form of an RFID-chip 101 at or in the container 16. The mobile device 19 can contain respective reading means in order to contactlessly read the data on the RFID-chip 101.
(49) In the present embodiment the retaining magnet 72 has a thickness of about 1.5 mm and a width, rectangular to the length direction L between 3.5 mm and 4 mm and a length in length direction L of about 70-80 mm. The maximum energy product is preferably in a range of about 6 kJ/m.sup.3 to 18 kJ/m.sup.3 and preferably at at least 9 kJ/m.sup.3. The residual magnetism is preferably in a range of about 150 mT to about 440 mT and preferably at at least 220 mT. The coercive field strength of the magnetic flux density HcB is in the range of about 100 kA/m to about 240 kA/m and preferably at at least 170 kA/m. The coercive field strength of the magnetic polarization HcJ is preferably in a range of about 190 kA/m to about 560 kA/m and preferably at at least 280 kA/m.
(50) The invention refers to a device 40 and a method for handling of fragments 10 of a broken needle 11, e.g. in the context of a needle replacement of a broken needle 11 with a new needle 17. The fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 are arranged in a container 16 and a predefined position. Subsequently an image 32 of the fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 is captured by means of a camera 23. The captured image 32 is stored at least at one storing location and/or evaluated that effect whether all of the fragments 10 of the broken needle 11 are present for documentation. After the capture of the image 32 the container 16 is closed in order to avoid loss of the fragments 10 of the needle 11 away from the sewing workplace.
(51) The capture of the image 32 can be used for control of the logistics during the needle replacement. Particularly additional information to the broken needle 11 and/or to a sewing work station can be captured and evaluated and/or used for production or logistics control by and/or with the capture of the image 32 also.
REFERENCE LIST
(52) 10 fragment 11 broken needle 15 sewing workplace 16 container 17 new needle 18 identifier 19 mobile device 20 touchscreen 21 display 22 input unit 23 camera 24 processor unit 25 storage unit 26 central computing unit 30 carriage 31 alarm 32 image 40 device 41 mount 42 working surface 43 stop surface 44 positioning means 45 battery 46 line 47 connector 48 deposit opening 49 collection container 50 tool 51 magnetic end 60 main body 61 cover 62 hinged joint 63 topside of the main body 64 reception space 65 depression 66 stop surface 67 stop surface 68 marking 69 scale 72 retaining magnet 73 topside of the retaining magnet 74 bottom side of the retaining magnet 75 inner region of the main body 76 reception cutout 77 border wall 80 insert 81 latch protrusion 82 latch cutout 83 support protrusion 84 bottom 85 rib 89 edge outer side 90 latching means 91 locking means 92 latch nose 93 latch depression 94 biasing element 98 text field 99 retaining leg 100 carrier 101 RFID-chip 110 table unit 111 tabletop I open position II close position L longitudinal direction N north pole S south pole