Sewing system and auxiliary unit

Abstract

To enable various sewing steps to be carried out by a common sewing machine.SOLUTION: A sewing system comprises: a sewing machine unit including a sewing machine body and a sewing machine table on which the sewing machine body is installed; an auxiliary unit including an auxiliary mechanism to carry out a previous step of a fabric sewing work by the sewing machine body and an auxiliary table on which the auxiliary mechanism is installed; and a connection mechanism to connect the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit so as to be releasable. The connection mechanism has a positioning structure to adjust position between the sewing machine table and the auxiliary table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sewing system and an auxiliary unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In the manufacturing of sewn products in a sewing factory, various types of processes are carried out, and in some cases, dedicated machines are used for sewing only specific processes. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sewing machine called a pocket setter, which is a dedicated machine for sewing pockets onto the body fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-146325 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A dedicated machine for a specific process is not used in the production of sewn products that do not include that process (e.g. pocket sewing). Therefore, the more dedicated machines there are, the lower the equipment operation rate in a sewing factory tends to be. In order to improve operation rate, it is desirable to be able to use a common sewing machine for various sewing processes.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention is to enable a variety of sewing processes to be performed on a common sewing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing system comprising a sewing machine unit including a sewing machine body and a sewing machine table on which the sewing machine body is installed, an auxiliary mechanism which performs a pre-process of sewing a fabric by the sewing machine body, an auxiliary unit including an auxiliary table on which the auxiliary mechanism is installed, and a connecting mechanism which releasably connects the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit, the connecting mechanism having a position adjustment structure which aligns the positions of the sewing machine table and the auxiliary table.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary unit comprising a connecting mechanism detachably attached to a sewing machine table of a sewing machine unit having a sewing machine body on a sewing machine table, an auxiliary mechanism that performs a pre-process of sewing a fabric by the sewing machine body, and an auxiliary table to which the connecting mechanism is detachable and on which the auxiliary mechanism is installed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to aspects of the present invention, a common sewing machine can perform various sewing processes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a sewing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit in a connected state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a sewing machine unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an auxiliary unit according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the extension mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a connecting mechanism in the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the first fixing member. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the second fixing member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for adjusting the position of the connecting mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the auxiliary unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The components of the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, some components may not be used.

[0011] In this embodiment, a local coordinate system is defined for the sewing machine body 10. In the following description, the local coordinate system defined for the sewing machine body 10 is appropriately referred to as the sewing machine coordinate system. The sewing machine coordinate system is defined by an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. In this embodiment, the positional relationship of each part will be described based on the sewing machine coordinate system. The direction parallel to the X axis in a predetermined plane is defined as the X axis direction. The direction parallel to the Y axis in a predetermined plane perpendicular to the X axis is defined as the Y axis direction. The direction parallel to the Z axis perpendicular to the predetermined plane is defined as the Z axis direction. In addition, the rotation direction or tilt direction around the X axis is defined as the θX direction. The rotation direction or tilt direction around the Y axis is defined as the θY direction. The rotation direction or tilt direction around the Z axis is defined as the θZ direction. In this embodiment, the plane including the X axis and the Y axis is appropriately referred to as the XY plane. The plane including the X axis and the Z axis is appropriately referred to as the XZ plane. The plane including the Y axis and the Z axis is appropriately referred to as the YZ plane. The XY plane is parallel to a predetermined plane. The XY plane, the XZ plane, and the YZ plane are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the XY plane and the horizontal plane are parallel to each other. The Z axis direction is the up-down direction. The +Z direction is the upward direction, and the -Z direction is the downward direction. The XY plane may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0012] [Outline of the sewing system] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a sewing system 300 according to the present embodiment. The sewing system 300 includes a sewing machine unit 100, an auxiliary unit 200, and a connecting mechanism 250. The sewing system 300 includes one or more auxiliary units 200 for one sewing machine unit 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1, three auxiliary units 200A, 200B, and 200C are provided. The connecting mechanism 250 releasably connects the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200. The connecting mechanism 250 allows a different auxiliary unit 200 to be attached to the sewing machine unit 100.

[0013] The sewing machine unit 100 includes a sewing machine body 10 and a sewing machine table 40 on which the sewing machine body 10 is installed. The sewing machine body 10 sews a sewing object S. The sewing object S is made of one or more pieces of fabric (cloth parts) that will become parts of a sewn product. The sewing machine table 40 supports the sewing machine body 10 and provides a working surface for sewing work by the sewing machine unit 100. The working surface is the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The sewing machine unit 100 is an industrial sewing machine that can operate independently, and may be an existing sewing machine that is already installed in a sewing factory or the like. The type of sewing machine is not particularly limited. There are various types of sewing work performed by the sewing machine unit 100, such as pocket sewing, placket sewing, J-stitch sewing, welt sewing, label sewing, and decorative stitching. The sewing machine unit 100 can independently perform sewing work that does not require the auxiliary unit 200.

[0014] The auxiliary unit 200 mainly includes an auxiliary mechanism 110 and an auxiliary table 140 on which the auxiliary mechanism 110 is installed. The auxiliary unit 200 is an additional device that does not perform a main sewing operation. The auxiliary mechanism 110 performs a pre-process of sewing a fabric by the sewing machine body 10. The pre-process performed by the auxiliary mechanism 110 is a preparation process performed before the sewing operation. The pre-process includes, for example, a process of aligning a plurality of fabrics or cloth parts, forming a seam allowance, and the like. The auxiliary unit 200 is provided with different auxiliary mechanisms 110 according to the operation process. The auxiliary units 200A, 200B, and 200C have different auxiliary mechanisms 110A, 110B, and 110C, respectively. As a result, the auxiliary unit 200 performs a pre-process operation required for performing a specific sewing operation by being connected to the sewing machine unit 100.

[0015] The auxiliary table 140 supports the auxiliary mechanism 110 and provides a work surface for the front-end process by the auxiliary unit 200. The work surface is the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The structure of the auxiliary table 140 may be common to each of the auxiliary units 200A, 200B, and 200C.

[0016] In this way, the sewing system 300 can realize the automation (semi-automation) of a specific sewing process that was previously realized in a dedicated machine, in a general-purpose machine, by additionally connecting the auxiliary unit 200 according to the contents of the sewing work to the common sewing machine unit 100. Semi-automation means that, for example, the setting of the fabric that constitutes the sewing object S is performed by an operator, and the work after the sewing object S is set is performed automatically.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 in a connected state. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the sewing machine unit 100 is an automatic machine called a pattern seamer. The pattern seamer can perform sewing work of any sewing pattern by moving the sewing object S in the XY directions on the sewing machine table 40 while sewing with the sewing machine body 10. The auxiliary unit 200A shown in FIG. 2 includes an auxiliary mechanism 110A for sewing pockets. As a result, by combining the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200A, a pocket sewing work can be performed in which a pocket is sewn on the fabric of the body. An example of the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 (auxiliary unit 200A) will be specifically described below.

[0018] [Sewing machine unit] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the sewing machine unit 100. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the sewing machine unit 100 includes, in addition to the sewing machine body 10 and the sewing machine table 40, a presser foot moving mechanism 15, an operating device 20 operated by an operator, and a control device 30.

[0019] The control device 30 outputs control signals for controlling the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200. The control device 30 includes a computer system. The control device 30 has an input / output interface, a storage device including a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM) or storage and a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), and an arithmetic processing device including a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). The control device 30 controls the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 according to a computer program stored in the storage device.

[0020] Sewing machine body 10 has a sewing machine frame 11, a needle bar 12 supported by sewing machine frame 11, a needle plate 13 supported by sewing machine frame 11, and an actuator 16 that generates power to move needle bar 12.

[0021] The sewing machine frame 11 has a horizontal arm 11A extending in the Y-axis direction, a bed 11B arranged below the horizontal arm 11A, a vertical arm 11C connecting the +Y side end of the horizontal arm 11A to the bed 11B, and a head 11D arranged on the -Y side of the horizontal arm 11A. The bed 11B is provided on the underside of the sewing machine table 40.

[0022] Needle bar 12 holds sewing needle 1. Needle bar 12 holds sewing needle 1 so that sewing needle 1 is parallel to the Z-axis. Needle bar 12 is supported by head 11D so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction.

[0023] The needle plate 13 is disposed below the needle bar 12. The needle plate 13 forms a part of the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. A needle hole is formed in the needle plate 13, through which the tip of the sewing machine needle 1 that has penetrated the sewing workpiece S passes.

[0024] The actuator 16 generates power to move the needle bar 12 in the Z-axis direction. The actuator 16 includes a pulse motor. The actuator 16 is disposed on the horizontal arm 11A. A horizontal arm shaft extending in the Y-axis direction is disposed inside the horizontal arm 11A. The actuator 16 is connected to the +Y end of the horizontal arm shaft. The -Y end of the horizontal arm shaft is connected to the needle bar 12 via a power transmission mechanism disposed inside the head 11D. The horizontal arm shaft rotates due to the operation of the actuator 16. The power generated by the actuator 16 is transmitted to the needle bar 12 via the horizontal arm shaft and the power transmission mechanism. As a result, the sewing machine needle 1 held by the needle bar 12 moves back and forth in the Z-axis direction.

[0025] Inside head 11D, there is disposed an intermediate presser motor that generates power to move the intermediate presser, which is disposed around sewing needle 1, in the Z-axis direction. When the intermediate presser motor is operated, the intermediate presser moves in the Z-axis direction in synchronization with needle bar 12, thereby preventing the sewing object S from lifting up.

[0026] A timing belt extending in the Z-axis direction is disposed inside the vertical arm 11C. A bed shaft extending in the Y-axis direction is disposed inside the bed 11B. Pulleys are disposed on each of the horizontal arm shaft and the bed shaft. The timing belt is hung on each of the pulleys disposed on the horizontal arm shaft and the pulleys disposed on the bed shaft. The horizontal arm shaft and the bed shaft are connected via a power transmission mechanism including the timing belt.

[0027] A shuttle is disposed below the needle plate 13 (bed 11B). A bobbin placed in a bobbin case is housed in the shuttle. The horizontal arm shaft and the bed shaft are each rotated by the operation of the actuator 16. Power generated by the actuator 16 is transmitted to the shuttle via the horizontal arm shaft, a timing belt, and the bed shaft. As a result, the shuttle rotates in synchronization with the reciprocating movement of the needle bar 12 in the Z-axis direction.

[0028] The presser foot moving mechanism 15 is capable of moving within the XY plane while holding the presser foot 14 (see FIG. 2).

[0029] 2, the presser foot 14 is a flat member in which openings of a sewing pattern are formed. The presser foot 14 is movable in the Z-axis direction. The presser foot 14 presses the sewing object S from above toward the sewing machine table 40, thereby holding the sewing object S on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 while exposing the sewing area. In this embodiment, the presser foot 14 is attached to an extension mechanism 150 (described later) so that it can be moved to the auxiliary table 140 by a presser foot moving mechanism 15.

[0030] The presser foot moving mechanism 15 is capable of moving within the XY plane while holding the presser foot 14. Under the control of the control device 30, the presser foot moving mechanism 15 moves the presser foot 14 along the XY plane while the presser foot 14 holds the sewing object S. As a result, the sewing object S that has passed the sewing position PS directly below the sewing machine needle 1 is sewn in a pattern according to the sewing data.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 includes an X-axis moving mechanism 15X and a Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y. The X-axis moving mechanism 15X is a linear motion mechanism that is installed on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 and extends along the X-axis direction. The X-axis moving mechanism 15X holds the cloth presser foot 14 and moves it in the X-axis direction. The X-axis moving mechanism 15X has an X-axis motor that generates power to move the cloth presser foot 14 in the X-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y is a linear motion mechanism that is installed below the sewing machine table 40 and extends along the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y is connected to the X-axis moving mechanism 15X through a slit 41 that is formed in the sewing machine table 40 and extends in the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y moves the X-axis moving mechanism 15X in the Y-axis direction along the slit 41. A pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 15Y are provided on one side and the other side of the X-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y has a Y-axis motor that generates power to move the X-axis moving mechanism 15X. This allows the presser foot moving mechanism 15 to move while holding the sewing object S within the XY plane including the sewing position PS directly below the sewing needle 1, by means of the X-axis moving mechanism 15X and the Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y.

[0032] The operation device 20 accepts operation input by an operator. The operation device 20 is operated to operate the sewing machine unit 100. The operation device 20 includes an operation panel 21 and an operation switch 22. The operation panel 21 is mounted on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The sewing machine unit 100 may be provided with an operation pedal that the operator operates with his / her foot. The sewing machine unit 100 is operated by the operator operating at least one of the operation panel 21, the operation switch 22, and the operation pedal.

[0033] [Auxiliary unit] 4, the pocket sewing auxiliary mechanism 110A folds the outer periphery of the fabric part to be the pocket along a template 122 as a pre-sewing process, forming seams on each side except for the opening and closing of the pocket. Then, the folded fabric part is placed on the sewing object (fabric) at the position where the pocket is to be formed, and then the template 122 is removed. The auxiliary unit 200A includes a folding mechanism 111 and a template moving part 121 as the auxiliary mechanism 110A.

[0034] The template moving unit 121 is a mechanism for inserting and removing the template 122 into and from the fabric part. The template moving unit 121 is installed at the end of the auxiliary table 140 in the +Y direction. The template moving unit 121 holds the template 122 created according to the shape of the pocket. The template moving unit 121 holds the template 122 substantially parallel to the XY plane. The template moving unit 121 can move the template 122 along the Y-axis direction. The template moving unit 121 includes a template driving motor that generates a driving force for moving the template 122 in the Y-axis direction. Thereby, the template moving unit 121 moves the template 122 to a working position PW on the auxiliary table 140 and a retracted position away from the working position PW in the +Y direction. The template moving unit 121 also holds the template 122 between a position on the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 and an upper position away from the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction.

[0035] The folding mechanism 111 is a mechanism that performs folding of the fabric parts. The folding mechanism 111 is installed at the +Y direction end of the auxiliary table 140, above the template moving part 121. The folding mechanism 111 has a folding part 112 and a lifting mechanism 113 that raises and lowers the folding part 112. The folding part 112 has a plurality of folding blades arranged to surround the outer periphery of each side of the template 122, and an actuator that moves each folding blade toward and away from the template 122. The lifting mechanism 113 holds the folding part 112 above the template 122 at the work position PW (in the +Z direction). The lifting mechanism 113 includes a lifting motor that generates a driving force that raises and lowers the folding part 112.

[0036] The lifting mechanism 113 moves the folding unit 112 in the -Z direction to position each folding blade around the template 122. The lifting mechanism 113 moves the folding unit 112 after folding the fabric part in the +Z direction to retract it from the template 122.

[0037] 5 is a perspective view showing the extension mechanism 150. The auxiliary unit 200A includes the extension mechanism 150 for extending the movement range of the presser foot 14 by the presser foot moving mechanism 15 to the working position PW of the auxiliary table 140.

[0038] The extension mechanism 150 is attached to the presser foot moving mechanism 15 (see FIG. 2) of the sewing machine unit 100. Specifically, the extension mechanism 150 is attached between the X-axis moving mechanism 15X and the presser foot 14. The presser foot 14 is supported by the X-axis moving mechanism 15X via the extension mechanism 150. The extension mechanism 150 extends in the connection direction (X-axis direction) between the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200A. The length of the extension mechanism 150 in the X-axis direction corresponds to the distance in the X-axis direction from the movement limit position of the X-axis moving mechanism 15X in the -X direction to the work position PW of the auxiliary table 140. The presser foot 14 is held by the presser foot moving mechanism 15 at a position offset toward the auxiliary unit 200A side (-X direction) by the length of the extension mechanism 150. This enables the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 to move the cloth presser foot 14 across the boundary between the sewing position PS (position directly below the needle bar 12) on the sewing machine table 40 and the work position PW on the auxiliary table 140.

[0039] The extension mechanism 150 has a support portion 151 and a holding member 152. The support portion 151 is attached to the X-axis moving mechanism 15X and supports the holding member 152 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction. The support portion 151 has a plate-like shape along the XZ plane and includes a Z-axis guide 153 and a Z-axis actuator 154. The Z-axis guide 153 is a linear guide extending in the Z-axis direction. The holding member 152 is slidably attached to the Z-axis guide 153. The Z-axis actuator 154 is, for example, an air cylinder, and generates a driving force that moves the holding member 152 in the Z-axis direction. The holding member 152 is a plate-like member extending in the X-axis direction and is supported by the support portion 151 at an end portion in the +X direction. The holding member 152 detachably holds the cloth presser foot 14 at an end portion in the -X direction.

[0040] When the Z-axis actuator 154 moves the presser foot 14 in the +Z direction, the presser foot 14 moves away from the top surface of the table (sewing machine table 40 or auxiliary table 140). This allows the sewing object S to be placed between the presser foot 14 and the table. When the presser foot 14 moves in the -Z direction with the sewing object S placed between the presser foot 14 and the table, the sewing object S is sandwiched between the presser foot 14 and the table. This holds the sewing object S so that it moves integrally with the presser foot 14. Furthermore, by moving the presser foot 14 in the +Z direction, the holding of the sewing object S by the presser foot 14 is released. This allows the sewn product (the sewing object S for which sewing has been completed) to be removed from between the presser foot 14 and the table.

[0041] [Connection mechanism] 6 is a partial perspective view of a connecting mechanism 250 in the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200A. The connecting mechanism 250 connects the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140 to each other, thereby releasably connecting the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200. The connecting mechanism 250 has a position adjustment structure that aligns the positions of the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140.

[0042] The connecting mechanism 250 includes a first fixing member 251, the position of which is adjustable, and a second fixing member 252 ...

[0043] The first fixing member 251 is attached to the leg 42 on the auxiliary unit 200A side (-X direction side) of the legs 42 of the sewing machine table 40. The second fixing member 252 is attached to the leg 142 on the sewing machine unit 100 side (+X direction side) of the legs 142 of the auxiliary table 140. In the example of FIG. 6, the connecting mechanism 250 includes two pairs of the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the pairs, the pair attached to the legs on the -Y direction side will be referred to as the first fixing member 251A and the second fixing member 252A, and the pair attached to the legs on the +Y direction side will be referred to as the first fixing member 251B and the second fixing member 252B.

[0044] The first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 have a positioning portion AP that can be engaged with each other. In the example of FIG. 6, an engagement hole AP1 is formed in the first fixing member 251, and an engagement pin AP2 is formed in the second fixing member 252. When connecting, positioning can be completed with a single action of inserting the engagement pin AP2 into the engagement hole AP1. Note that while the engagement hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251A is a circular hole (see FIG. 7), the engagement hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251B is an elongated hole extending in the Y-axis direction. The engagement pin AP2 has the same cylindrical shape in both the second fixing member 252A and the second fixing member 252B. Therefore, when positioning, the pair of the first fixing member 251A and the second fixing member 252A serves as a reference.

[0045] 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the first fixing member 251 (251A). The first fixing member 251 has a connecting member 261 and a fixing portion 262. The connecting member 261 is a block for connecting with the second fixing member 252, and is formed with the above-mentioned engagement hole AP1 and a screw hole 261A having a screw groove. The fixing portion 262 is a bracket for attaching the connecting member 261 to the leg portion 42. The fixing portion 262 has a first portion 263 and a second portion 264 that are fixed to the connecting member 261 and extend along both side surfaces of the leg portion 42 extending in the Z-axis direction, and a third portion 265 that is disposed on the opposite side of the connecting member 261 across the leg portion 42 and is connected to the first portion 263 and the second portion 264. In this way, the connecting mechanism 250 (first fixing member 251) has a structure that surrounds the outer periphery of the leg 42 of the table with the connecting member 261 and the fixing portion 262 (first portion 263, second portion 264, third portion 265). The third portion 265 is attached to the tip portions of the first portion 263 and the second portion 264 with the bolt B1. By tightening the bolt B1, the first fixing member 251 is fixed to the leg 42 by sandwiching the leg 42 between the connecting member 261 and the third portion 265. The position of the first fixing member 251 can be adjusted in the Z-axis direction along the leg 42 by loosening the bolt B1.

[0046] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the second fixing member 252. The second fixing member 252 has an L-shaped connecting member 271 and a fixing portion 272. The connecting member 271 is a member for connecting to the first fixing member 251, and has the above-mentioned engagement pin AP2 and a screw insertion hole 271A formed therein. The screw insertion hole 271A is an elongated hole extending in the Y-axis direction. The connecting member 271 is fixed to a fixing portion 272 disposed on the lower surface of the connecting member 271. The fixing portion 272 is a bracket for attaching the connecting member 271 to the leg portion 142. The fixing portion 272 has a screw insertion hole 272A formed therein. The screw insertion hole 272A is an elongated hole extending in the Z-axis direction. The fixing portion 272 is fixed to the leg portion 142 extending in the Y-axis direction by a bolt B2 via the screw insertion hole 272A. The position of the second fixing member 252 can be adjusted in the Z-axis direction within the range of the screw insertion hole 272A by loosening the bolt B2.

[0047] With the engagement pin AP2 inserted through the engagement hole AP1, the bolt B3 is inserted through the screw insertion hole 271A of the second fixing member 252 and coupled to the screw hole 261A of the first fixing member 251, thereby fixing the second fixing member 252 to the first fixing member 251. The pair of the first fixing member 251B and the second fixing member 252B can absorb variation in position in the Y-axis direction within the range of the elongated engagement hole AP1 and the screw insertion hole 271A extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for adjusting the position of the connecting mechanism 250. As shown in Fig. 9, the connecting mechanism 250 can make the height position of the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 and the height position of the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 in the connected state coincident with each other.

[0049] First, the operator adjusts the fixing position of the first fixing member 251 relative to the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The first fixing member 251 is attached to the leg 42 so that the central axis Ax1 of the engagement hole AP1 is parallel to the upper surface (X-axis direction) of the sewing machine table 40 and the distance in the Z-axis direction from the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 to the central axis Ax1 is a predetermined distance H1. It is convenient to use an adjustment jig 280A for adjusting the position. The adjustment jig 280A has a parallel reference portion 281A arranged on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 and a distance reference portion 282A extending perpendicularly to the parallel reference portion 281A.

[0050] The parallel reference portion 281A contacts the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 at, for example, three points, and is disposed parallel to the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The distance reference portion 282A has a reference pin RP1 at a position that is a distance H1 in the Z-axis direction from the contact position between the parallel reference portion 281A and the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. By adjusting the position of the first fixing member 251 so that the reference pin RP1 of the distance reference portion 282A engages coaxially with the engagement hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251, the first fixing member 251 (engagement hole AP1) is attached at a position that is the distance H1 from the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40.

[0051] Next, the worker adjusts the fixed position of the second fixing member 252 relative to the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The second fixing member 252 is attached to the leg 142 so that the central axis Ax2 of the engagement pin AP2 is parallel to the upper surface (X-axis direction) of the auxiliary table 140 and the Z-axis direction distance from the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 to the central axis Ax2 is a predetermined distance H1. It is convenient to use an adjustment jig 280B for the position adjustment. The adjustment jig 280B has a parallel reference part 281B arranged on the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 and a distance reference part 282B extending perpendicularly to the parallel reference part 281B.

[0052] The parallel reference portion 281B is the same as the adjustment jig 280A. The distance reference portion 282B has a reference hole RP2 at a position that is a distance H1 from the contact position between the parallel reference portion 281B and the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The second fixing member 252 (engagement pin AP2) is attached at a position that is a distance H1 from the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 by adjusting the position of the second fixing member 252 so that the reference hole RP2 of the distance reference portion 282B is coaxially engaged with the engagement pin AP2 of the second fixing member 252. The distance H1 is set in consideration of the rotation moment generated in each table so that resonance does not occur due to vibration during operation of each unit. In addition, from the viewpoint of matching the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 and the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140, the smaller H1 (closer to the upper surface) the smaller the error.

[0053] The sewing machine table 40 has wheels 43 for movement and adjusters 44 for preventing movement, and the wheels 43 and adjusters 44 are each height adjustable. After being placed at a predetermined installation position, the sewing machine unit 100 is supported by the adjusters 44 to prevent movement. The distance in the Z-axis direction from the floor surface to the first fixing member 251 (engagement hole AP1) when the sewing machine unit 100 is in an installed state is defined as a distance H2.

[0054] The auxiliary table 140 has wheels 143 for movement and an adjuster 144, and the wheels 143 and the adjuster 144 are each adjustable in height. The worker adjusts the height of the wheels 143 so that the height from the floor surface to the second fixing member 252 (engagement pin AP2) becomes a distance H2.

[0055] As a result of the above position adjustment work, the auxiliary unit 200A and the sewing machine unit 100 can be aligned simply by moving the auxiliary unit 200A closer to the sewing machine unit 100 and inserting the engagement pin AP2 of the second fixing member 252 into the engagement hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251. After the engagement pin AP2 is inserted into the engagement hole AP1, the auxiliary table 140 is supported by the adjuster 144 so that the auxiliary unit 200A does not move. Then, the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 are fixed to each other by the bolt B3, whereby the auxiliary unit 200A is connected to the sewing machine unit 100.

[0056] In this way, the connecting mechanism 250 allows an operator to adjust the position when initially connecting the auxiliary unit 200A to the sewing machine unit 100. After the position adjustment has been performed once, the units can be quickly positioned and connected by simply inserting the engagement pin AP2 into the engagement hole AP1, preventing misalignment with the adjuster 144, and fixing the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 with the bolt B3.

[0057] It should be noted that the first fixing members 251 (251A, 251B) of the connecting mechanism 250 remain fixed to the sewing machine unit 100. When the sewing system 300 includes a plurality of auxiliary units 200A, two (two pairs) of the second fixing members 252 are attached to the auxiliary table 140 of each auxiliary unit 200A and remain fixed thereto.

[0058] The position adjustment structure of the connecting mechanism 250 allows the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 and the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 to be arranged on the same plane. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, when the sewing object S after the previous process is performed at the working position PW of the auxiliary unit 200A is moved to the sewing position PS by the cloth presser foot 14, the sewing object S is prevented from getting caught at the boundary of the tables. Therefore, the position of the fabric does not shift, and accurate sewing can be performed.

[0059] [Sewing operation] Next, a sewing operation of the sewing system 300 according to this embodiment will be described. The sewing operation is controlled by the control device 30 of the sewing machine unit 100. In the device configuration shown in Figures 2 to 5, sewing data including a pocket sewing pattern is input in advance to the control device 30.

[0060] First, as a pre-sewing process, the auxiliary unit 200A performs a pocket setting process (pre-process). In Fig. 4, an operator places a body fabric to which a pocket is to be sewn on the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 at the work position PW, and places a cloth part to become the pocket on the template 122 of the auxiliary mechanism 110A. The control device 30 receives an instruction to start the work via the operation device 20.

[0061] When the control device 30 receives an instruction to start the operation, it moves (lowers) the folding unit 112 in the -Z direction using the lifting mechanism 113 of the folding mechanism 111, and places the folding unit 112 at the outer periphery of the fabric part on the template 122. The control device 30 drives the actuator of the folding unit 112 to fold the outer periphery of the fabric part along the template 122. The folding forms a seam along the outer periphery of the pocket. After the folding, the control device 30 drives the actuator of the folding unit 112 in the opposite direction to remove the folding unit 112 from the template 122, and moves the folding unit 112 in the +Z direction using the lifting mechanism 113 to retract the folding unit 112 from the template 122.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 30 moves the presser foot 14 to the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140 by the presser foot moving mechanism 15 while the Z-axis actuator 154 of the extension mechanism 150 moves the presser foot 14 away from the table top surface in the +Z direction. The presser foot 14 is disposed in the +Z direction of the template 122. The controller 30 moves the presser foot 14 downward in the -Z direction by the Z-axis actuator 154. As a result, the presser foot 14 presses the pocket fabric parts, the template 122, and the fabric from above toward the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The controller 30 operates the template drive motor of the template moving unit 121 to move the template 122 from the working position PW to a retracted position in the +Y direction. As a result, the template 122 is removed from under the presser foot 14. Through the above-mentioned pre-process (pocket setting process), the fabric part that will become the pocket is set at the pocket attachment position of the body fabric, and the sewing object S is obtained.

[0063] Next, the sewing process is performed by the sewing machine unit 100. The control device 30 controls the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 to move the cloth presser foot 14 from the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140 to the sewing position PS on the sewing machine table 40. With the movement of the cloth presser foot 14, the sewing object S is transported from the working position PW to the sewing position PS. Next, the control device 30 operates the actuator 16 of the sewing machine body 10, while controlling the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 to move the sewing object S (pocket fabric parts and fabric) in the XY direction according to the sewing pattern. This allows the seam allowance of the outer periphery of the pocket to be sewn to the fabric (body). This completes the sewing operation of the pocket. After completion, the control device 30 controls the extension mechanism 150 to move the cloth presser foot 14 in the +Z direction, releasing the holding of the sewn product by the cloth presser foot 14. This allows the operator to remove the sewn product.

[0064] [Examples of other auxiliary units] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the auxiliary unit 200. As described above, the auxiliary unit 200 may be a unit other than a unit for sewing a pocket. The auxiliary unit 200B shown in Fig. 10 is a unit that performs a pre-step for sewing a placket when sewing a placket with the sewing machine unit 100.

[0065] In sewing the placket, a strip-shaped cloth part that will become the placket is aligned and overlapped with respect to the set position of the placket on the body fabric, and sewing is performed while the sewing object S consisting of the overlapped body and placket cloth part is held down by the cloth presser 14. Therefore, a placket positioning step is performed as a pre-step of sewing. The placket positioning step is a step of aligning the cloth part with the set position of the placket on the body fabric, and holding the sewing object S with the cloth presser 14.

[0066] The auxiliary unit 200B for sewing a placket includes a positioning member 125 and a positioning member moving part 126 as the auxiliary mechanism 110. The positioning member 125 is formed in a long plate shape along the direction in which the placket extends (Y-axis direction). The positioning member 125 is held by the positioning member moving part 126 so as to be movably above the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140.

[0067] The positioning member moving unit 126 holds the positioning member 125 movably between the working position PW and a retracted position away from the working position PW. The positioning member moving unit 126 includes an actuator that generates a driving force to move the positioning member 125. The positioning member moving unit 126 may, for example, move the positioning member 125 along the +Y direction to retract it from the working position PW, or may rotate the positioning member 125 around the Y axis or the X axis from near the outer periphery of the auxiliary table 140, or move it in translation in the +Z direction to retract it upward from the working position PW. When the positioning member 125 is moved to the retracted position, the fabric of the body can be placed at the working position PW of the auxiliary table 140. When the positioning member 125 is moved to the working position PW, the worker places the fabric part of the placket on the body so that it is aligned with the edge of the positioning member 125. This places the fabric part at the set position of the body, and the placket positioning process is completed.

[0068] After the placket is positioned, the sewing machine unit 100 moves the presser foot 14 to the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140 by the presser foot moving mechanism 15, and presses the sewing object S consisting of the overlapped body and placket fabric parts. The presser foot 14 has an opening formed therein according to the sewing pattern of the placket. In the example of FIG. 10, the presser foot 14 is formed wide in the X-axis direction, so that the presser foot 14 can move to the working position PW without providing the extension mechanism 150. Of course, the extension mechanism 150 may be attached to the presser foot moving mechanism 15. Thereafter, the presser foot 14 is moved to the sewing position PS, and the placket sewing process is performed.

[0069] With this configuration, the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200B can be combined to perform a placket sewing operation in which a placket is sewn onto the body fabric.

[0070] [Auxiliary unit function] As described above, in this embodiment, the auxiliary unit 200 includes a connecting mechanism 250 that is detachable from the sewing machine table 40 of the sewing machine unit 100 having the sewing machine body 10 on the sewing machine table 40, an auxiliary mechanism 110 that performs a pre-processing step of sewing the fabric by the sewing machine body 10, and an auxiliary table 140 to which the connecting mechanism 250 is detachable and on which the auxiliary mechanism 110 is installed.

[0071] The configuration of the auxiliary mechanism 110 of each auxiliary unit 200 differs from one another depending on the contents of the pre-process to be executed. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the auxiliary units 200 include a first auxiliary unit that performs a pre-process of a first sewing operation, and a second auxiliary unit that performs a pre-process of a second sewing operation different from the first sewing operation.

[0072] In the above-mentioned example, the first sewing operation is pocket sewing, and the first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) includes, as the auxiliary mechanism 110, a folding mechanism section 111 and a template moving section 121. The second sewing operation is placket sewing, and the second auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200B) includes, as the auxiliary mechanism 110, a positioning member 125 and a positioning member moving section 126.

[0073] For example, in the sewing system 300, when a sewn product of a shirt having a pocket is to be produced, the first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) is connected to the sewing machine unit 100, and sewing is performed for the production lot. Next, when a sewn product of pants with a J stitch (zipper) is to be produced, the connection between the first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) and the sewing machine unit 100 is released, and the second auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200B) is connected to the sewing machine unit 100. Sewing for the production lot of pants is performed by the sewing machine unit 100 to which the auxiliary unit 200B is connected. Although not explained further, a third sewing operation can be further performed by the third auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200C).

[0074] With this configuration, the sewing system 300 is provided with multiple auxiliary units 200 (auxiliary units 200A, 200B, 200C, etc.) that differ for each type of sewing work, so that the sewing machine unit 100, which is a common general-purpose sewing machine, can perform sewing work equivalent to that of various dedicated machines.

[0075] In contrast, for example, when a dedicated pocket attachment machine and a dedicated placket attachment machine are installed, in a production lot of shirts with pockets (without plackets), the dedicated pocket attachment machine is operated while the dedicated placket attachment machine is not operated, and in a production lot of shirts with plackets (without pockets), the dedicated placket attachment machine is operated while the dedicated pocket attachment machine is not operated. In this embodiment, the sewing machine unit 100 operates for both production lots, improving the device operating rate.

[0076] [effect] As described above, according to this embodiment, the sewing machine unit 100, the auxiliary unit 200 that performs the pre-process of the sewing work, and the connecting mechanism 250 are provided, and the connecting mechanism 250 has a position adjustment structure that aligns the positions of the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140. As a result, by connecting the auxiliary unit 200 according to the sewing work to the sewing machine unit 100, the sewing process including the pre-process, which was conventionally performed by a dedicated machine, can be performed by a general-purpose sewing machine (sewing machine unit 100). By changing the type of the auxiliary unit 200 connected to the sewing machine unit 100, various sewing processes can be performed. Even in this case, since the connecting mechanism 250 can align the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the sewing object S when the sewing object S having completed the pre-process is transported from the auxiliary unit 200 to the sewing machine unit 100. As a result, the sewing machine unit 100 can perform various sewing processes, and the device operating rate of a sewing factory or the like can be improved.

[0077] In this embodiment, the auxiliary unit 200 includes an extension mechanism 150 for extending the movement range of the cloth presser 14 by the cloth presser moving mechanism 15 to the working position PW of the auxiliary table 140. This allows the sewing workpiece S to be transported from the auxiliary unit 200 to the sewing machine unit 100 by using the cloth presser moving mechanism 15 of the sewing machine unit 100 as it is. Therefore, the configuration of the auxiliary unit 200 can be simplified compared to a case where the auxiliary unit 200 is provided with the cloth presser 14 and the cloth presser moving mechanism 15 similar to those of the sewing machine unit 100. In addition, the connecting mechanism 250 includes a first fixing member 251 and a second fixing member 252, and the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 have a positioning portion AP that can be engaged with each other. This allows the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 to be easily positioned by a single action of engaging the positioning portion AP by previously adjusting the positions of the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252. Furthermore, since the connecting mechanism 250 has a structure that surrounds the outer periphery of the leg 42 of the table, the connecting mechanism 250 can be firmly fixed to the leg 42 and is less likely to become displaced.

[0078] In this embodiment, the sewing machine unit 100 includes a first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) that performs a pre-process of the first sewing operation, and a second auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200B) that performs a pre-process of a second sewing operation different from the first sewing operation. As a result, the sewing machine unit 100 can perform various different sewing operations by switching the auxiliary unit 200 to be connected. The first sewing operation is pocket sewing, and the first auxiliary unit includes a folding mechanism 111 and a template moving part 121 as the auxiliary mechanism 110A. As a result, pocket sewing can be performed by simply placing fabric and cloth parts without using a dedicated machine. In addition, the second sewing operation is placket sewing, and the second auxiliary unit includes a positioning member 125 and a positioning member moving part 126 as the auxiliary mechanism 110B. As a result, placket sewing can be performed by simply placing fabric and cloth parts without using a dedicated machine.

[0079] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the extension mechanism 150 is provided to extend the movement range of the presser foot 14 by the presser foot moving mechanism 15, and the transport of the sewing workpiece S between the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 is realized by the presser foot 14, but this is not limiting. The auxiliary unit 200 may be provided with a transport mechanism for transporting the sewing workpiece S from the auxiliary unit 200 to the sewing machine unit 100.

[0080] In addition, although an example in which the connecting mechanism 250 includes the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connecting mechanism 250 may clamp the leg 42 of the sewing machine table 40, thereby enabling connection without the first fixing member. The connecting mechanism 250 may have a structure other than a structure surrounding the outer periphery of the leg 42 of the table. A structure in which the surfaces are simply brought into contact with each other and fastened with bolts may also be used.

[0081] The configuration of the auxiliary mechanism 110 of the auxiliary unit 200 and the contents of the pre-processing work performed by the auxiliary mechanism 110 are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. The pre-processing work may be any work, and the auxiliary mechanism 110 may have a structure suitable for performing that work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1... sewing machine needle, 10... sewing machine body, 11... sewing machine frame, 11A... horizontal arm, 11B... bed, 11C... vertical arm, 11D... head, 12... needle bar, 13... needle plate, 15... presser foot moving mechanism, 15X... X-axis moving mechanism, 15Y... Y-axis moving mechanism, 16... actuator, 20... operation device, 21... operation panel, 22... operation switch, 30... control device, 40... sewing machine table, 41... slit, 42... leg section, 43...wheels, 44...adjuster, 100...sewing machine unit, 110, 110A, 110B...auxiliary mechanism, 111...folding mechanism section, 112...folding section, 113...lifting mechanism, 121...template moving section, 122...template, 125...positioning member, 126...positioning member moving section, 140...auxiliary table, 142...legs, 143...wheels, 144...adjuster, 150...extension mechanism, 151...support section, 152...holding section member, 153... Z-axis guide, 154... Z-axis actuator, 200, 200A, 200B, 200C... auxiliary unit, 250... coupling mechanism, 251, 251A, 251B... first fixing member, 252, 252A, 252B... second fixing member, 261... coupling member, 261A... screw hole, 262... fixing portion, 263... first portion, 264... second portion, 265... third portion, 271... coupling member, 271A... screw insertion hole, 2 72...fixing part, 272A...screw insertion hole, 280A, 280B...adjusting jig, 281A, 281B...parallel reference part, 282A, 282B...distance reference part, 300...sewing system, AP...positioning part, AP1...engagement hole, AP2...engagement pin, Ax1, Ax2...central axis, B1, B2, B3...bolt, H1, H2...distance, PS...sewing position, PW...working position, RP1...reference pin, RP2...reference hole, S...sewing object.

Claims

1. A sewing machine unit including a sewing machine body and a sewing machine table on which the sewing machine body is installed; an auxiliary unit including an auxiliary mechanism for performing a pre-process of a sewing operation of a fabric by the sewing machine body, and an auxiliary table on which the auxiliary mechanism is installed; a connecting mechanism that releasably connects the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit, The connecting mechanism has a position adjustment structure for aligning the positions of the sewing machine table and the auxiliary table. Sewing system.

2. The sewing machine unit further includes a presser foot and a presser foot moving mechanism that moves the presser foot along an upper surface of the sewing machine table, The auxiliary unit further includes an extension mechanism for extending a movement range of the presser foot by the presser foot moving mechanism to a working position of the auxiliary table. The sewing system of claim 1 .

3. The connecting mechanism includes: A first fixing member that is fixed to the sewing machine table so as to be positionally adjustable; a second fixing member that is connectable to the first fixing member and is fixed to the auxiliary table so as to be positionally adjustable; The first fixing member and the second fixing member have positioning portions that are engageable with each other. The sewing system of claim 1 .

4. The connecting mechanism has a structure that surrounds the outer periphery of the leg of the table. The sewing system of claim 1 .

5. The auxiliary unit includes: a first auxiliary unit that performs a pre-process of a first sewing operation; a second auxiliary unit that performs a pre-process of a second sewing operation different from the first sewing operation, The sewing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the first sewing operation is pocket sewing, The first auxiliary unit includes a folding mechanism and a template moving mechanism as the auxiliary mechanism. The sewing system of claim 5 .

7. the second sewing operation is a placket sewing; The second auxiliary unit includes a positioning member and a positioning member moving unit as the auxiliary mechanism. The sewing system of claim 5 .

8. a connecting mechanism that is detachable from a sewing machine table of a sewing machine unit having a sewing machine body on a sewing machine table; an auxiliary mechanism for performing a pre-process of the sewing operation of the cloth by the sewing machine body; The connecting mechanism is detachable, and an auxiliary table on which the auxiliary mechanism is installed is provided. Auxiliary unit.

Images