Sewing device

Abstract

This invention provides a sewing apparatus that, when a conveying device transports a workpiece from upstream to downstream relative to a sewing machine, allows the workpiece to be pressed and sewn even near the needle, as needed. The sewing apparatus includes: a conveying device that presses the workpiece against the edge of a worktable while conveying it; and a guide that guides the workpiece to bring it close to the upper surface of the worktable. In plan view, a spatial region is formed between the conveying area and the needle drop area of ​​the clamping portion of the conveying device on the worktable, in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the workpiece. In plan view, the arrangement area of ​​the guide satisfies the following conditions: the arrangement area is located outside the spatial region, and it includes at least a region upstream of the conveying direction of the workpiece relative to the needle drop area. Because such a spatial region is formed, the conveying area of ​​the clamping portion can be brought close to the needle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sewing apparatus comprising a conveying device for automatically conveying the work to be sewn relative to a sewing machine from an upstream side to a downstream side. Background Technology

[0002] Sewing machines typically include a presser foot. As an example of a presser foot, a type known to surround the needle eye when viewed from above (Patent Document 1) is described. More specifically, the presser foot disclosed in Patent Document 1 is bifurcated when viewed from above. For ease of explanation, the various parts of the presser foot are named. Each of the two bifurcated parts is called a single-leg section, and the part where the two single-leg sections meet is called a joint section. Furthermore, in the presser foot, the needle enters and exits through the space between the two single-leg sections, and is used in such a state that the downstream side of the space in the direction of workpiece transport is closed by the joint section, while the upstream side of the space in the direction of workpiece transport is open. Additionally, the sewing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 employs a manual transport method where the operator manually transports the workpiece. Furthermore, the sewing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a feed dog located below the presser foot; while the workpiece is clamped between the feed dog and the presser foot, the feed dog feeds the workpiece downstream relative to the sewing machine.

[0003] Furthermore, as an example of a sewing device, there is a known sewing device (Patent Document 2) that, in addition to employing a sewing machine, also uses a conveying device (automatic conveying method) that automatically transports the workpiece to be sewn from the upstream side to the downstream side relative to the sewing machine. Figure 12 of Patent Document 2 discloses a conveying device called a second sewing machine guide. Moreover, this sewing device is configured such that the pressure plate of the second sewing machine guide presses the workpiece on one side in the width direction of the workpiece, and when the pressure plate is conveyed, the edge of the workpiece passes near the area directly below the sewing machine needle.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-44292

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 6423568 Summary of the Invention

[0008] However, Patent Document 2 does not disclose the structure of the sewing machine in detail, nor does it specify whether it has a presser foot. However, sewing machines typically have a presser foot. The presser foot serves to press down on the workpiece during sewing to prevent it from lifting up along with the needle.

[0009] Here, as a hypothetical sewing device, it is assumed that the sewing machine of Patent Document 2 adopts the manual feed presser foot disclosed in Patent Document 1, that is, a two-pronged presser foot.

[0010] The hypothetical sewing device is described from a top-down view, as follows: Figure 10 As shown, the assumed sewing device has a forked single-leg portion 91 of a presser foot 9 positioned between the presser plate of the conveying device and the needle 8. As a result, the presser plate of the conveying device presses the workpiece at a position away from this single-leg portion in the width direction of the presser foot. Figure 10 In the image, the conveying area of ​​the conveying device on the workbench is shown with shading, and a slender, oval-shaped pinhole is shown between the two bifurcated single-leg portions 91.

[0011] However, when sewing with a sewing machine equipped with a presser foot, the sewing quality of the workpiece may be insufficient. In such cases, even if one attempts to press and feed the workpiece as close to the needle as possible using the feed device, the single foot of the presser foot will become an obstacle. Furthermore, it is known from technical common sense that the sewing quality is better when the workpiece is pressed and fed near the needle compared to when it is pressed and fed sufficiently far away from the needle.

[0012] The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a sewing device that, when the conveying device conveys the work to be sewn from the upstream side to the downstream side relative to the sewing machine, can press and sew the work as needed near the needle.

[0013] The sewing apparatus of the present invention includes: a worktable; a sewing machine body; a conveying device that presses the edge of the workpiece against the edge of the worktable and conveys it from an upstream side to a downstream side relative to the sewing machine body; and a guide that guides the workpiece to be sewn so that it approaches the upper surface of the worktable. Furthermore, the conveying device includes: a clamping portion that presses the workpiece against the worktable; and a conveying portion that conveys the clamping portion. Moreover, when viewed from above, a spatial region is formed between the conveying area and the needle drop area of ​​the clamping portion on the worktable, in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the workpiece. When viewed from above, the arrangement area of ​​the guide satisfies the following conditions: the arrangement area is located outside the spatial region, and the arrangement area at least includes a region upstream of the conveying direction of the workpiece relative to the needle drop area.

[0014] In addition, to further clarify the configuration area of ​​the guide, the sewing device is described below.

[0015] That is, when viewed from above, the configuration area of ​​the guide part satisfies the following conditions: the configuration area is located around the needle drop area, and the configuration area is far away from the transport area of ​​the clamping part.

[0016] In addition, in order to make it as narrow as possible, the preferred configuration area of ​​the guide is as described below.

[0017] That is, when viewed from above, the area passing through the needle drop area in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the clamping part is set as the first reference area, and the configuration area of ​​the guide part when viewed from above satisfies the following condition: it is only the area upstream of the conveying direction of the sewn object relative to the first reference area.

[0018] As a specific example, the guide is set up in the following manner.

[0019] That is, the guide is fixed by a bracket on the upstream side of the sewing machine body in the direction of conveying towards the workpiece.

[0020] Furthermore, the sewing device of the present invention presses the edge of the workpiece against the edge of the worktable and conveys the workpiece from the upstream side to the downstream side relative to the sewing machine body. In order to clarify that it does not include any other device, such as a device that presses the workpiece against the guide side from the lower side of the worktable and conveys the workpiece, it is preferably as described below.

[0021] That is, the conveying device is the only device used to transport the sewn material.

[0022] The sewing apparatus of the present invention ensures that the arrangement area of ​​the guide member meets various conditions, and in particular, the space between the needle drop area and the conveying area of ​​the clamping member is set as a space area, so that the conveying area of ​​the clamping member can be kept away from the arrangement area of ​​the guide member while approaching the needle. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the outline of the sewing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view showing the sewing device of the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a right view showing the sewing device of the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of line IV-IV.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a front view showing the conveying device used in the sewing apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a top view showing the relationship between the needle drop position and the guide member in the sewing device of the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a top view showing the relationship between the needle drop position and the guide member in the sewing device of the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a top view showing the relationship between the needle drop position and the guide member in the sewing device of the third embodiment.

[0031] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the sewing device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0032] Figure 10 It is a top view showing the relationship between the presser foot and the needle in a hypothetical sewing device.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0034] 1 Workbench

[0035] 1a Needle Drop Area

[0036] 1 hour pinhole, pinhole area

[0037] 11, 12 Conveyor worktables

[0038] 11c recess

[0039] 2 Sewing machine

[0040] 2a Sewing machine body

[0041] 2t needle plate

[0042] 21. Base section

[0043] 21a Base housing

[0044] 22. Column section

[0045] 22a Column housing

[0046] 23 Sewing machine head

[0047] 23a Sewing machine head housing

[0048] 23b needle bar

[0049] 3. The sewn item

[0050] 4 Conveying device

[0051] 41 Clamping section

[0052] 41a Clamping part main body

[0053] 41b Impact Absorbing Section

[0054] 41c Fixed Arm

[0055] 41d rod

[0056] 41e Compression coil spring

[0057] 41f limit component

[0058] 41L Clamping Section Conveying Area

[0059] 42 Conveying Department

[0060] 42a robotic arm

[0061] 5. Guide components

[0062] Configuration areas 5a, 5b, and 5c

[0063] 51. Guide Block Section

[0064] 51a First guide surface

[0065] 51b Second guide surface

[0066] 52 Fixed Block Section

[0067] 6 supports

[0068] 61 First stent

[0069] 61a, 61b Fixed plate section

[0070] 61c First support body

[0071] 61d 1st Plate Department

[0072] 61e 2nd Board

[0073] 62 Second stent

[0074] 62a Second support body

[0075] 62b Fixed plate section

[0076] 7. Positioning plate

[0077] 71. Positioning of the main body

[0078] 72 Lower plate section

[0079] 73 Fixed plate section

[0080] 74 First fixed plate section

[0081] 75 Second fixed plate section

[0082] 8 needles

[0083] 9. Presser foot

[0084] A. Configuration Area 1

[0085] B. Configuration Area 2

[0086] C. Third Configuration Area

[0087] L1 First Reference Region

[0088] L2 Second Reference Region

[0089] L3 spatial region

[0090] X Conveying direction

[0091] Y-direction Detailed Implementation

[0092] like Figure 1 , Figure 6 As shown, the sewing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention includes: a workbench 1, a sewing machine 2, and a conveying device 4 that presses the workpiece 3 to be sewn against the workbench 1 while conveying it from the upstream side to the downstream side relative to the sewing machine 2.

[0093] like Figure 5 As shown, the conveying device 4 includes: a clamping part 41, which presses the workpiece 3 to be sewn onto the worktable 1; and a conveying part 42, which conveys the clamping part 41. In this embodiment, the conveying device 4 is the only device for conveying the workpiece 3.

[0094] The transport unit 42 is, for example, a multi-axis, multi-joint robot. Moreover, the robotic arm 42a at the top of the multi-joint robot extends downward, and the gripping part 41 is fixed to the top part, i.e., the lower end, of the robotic arm 42a. Furthermore, the transport unit 42 moves the gripping part 41 according to a preset step, pressing the gripping part 41 against the worktable 1 for transport.

[0095] The clamping part 41 includes: a clamping part body 41a that presses down on the sewn object 3; and an impact absorbing part 41b that connects the clamping part body 41a and the top of the robotic arm 42a and absorbs impact. Furthermore, the clamping part body 41a includes multiple components in the figures, but in this embodiment it is a single plate.

[0096] The impact-absorbing part 41b includes: a fixed arm 41c, which extends horizontally and is fixed to the top of the robotic arm 42a at its midpoint along its length; a rod 41d, which is guided to move up and down relative to both ends of the fixed arm 41c along its length; a compression coil spring 41e, which is passed through the rod 41d in a manner surrounding the rod 41d; and a limiting member 41f, which supports the rod 41d in a manner that suspends it relative to the fixed arm 41c. Furthermore, the limiting member 41f is fixed to the upper end of the rod 41d. Moreover, the diameter of the limiting member 41f is larger than that of the rod 41d, and it cannot pass through the through hole (not shown) formed in the fixed arm 41c in the vertical direction.

[0097] A compression coil spring 41e is disposed between the clamping body 41a and the fixed arm 41c. When the workpiece 3 is conveyed on the worktable 1, the conveying unit 42 is driven to press the clamping body 41a against the worktable 1 via the robotic arm 42a. Then, the rod 41d, integrated with the clamping body 41a, rises relative to the fixed arm 41c, and the compression coil spring 41e contracts between the clamping body 41a and the fixed arm 41c, pressing the clamping body 41a against the upper surface of the worktable 1. Thus, the clamping body 41a is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the sewing machine 2 with the workpiece 3 clamped between it and the worktable 1, thereby conveying the workpiece 3.

[0098] like Figure 1 As shown, the sewing machine 2 includes: a sewing machine body 2a for sewing the workpiece 3; a guide 5 for guiding the workpiece 3 to be close to the upper surface of the worktable 1; a bracket 6 for mounting the guide 5 to the sewing machine body 2a; and a positioning plate 7 for marking the direction of the straight line when the workpiece 3 is being sewn along a straight line.

[0099] The conveying direction of the workpiece 3 relative to the sewing machine 2 depends on the movement of the conveying section 42 of the conveying device 4 (the setting of the control device that controls the drive of the conveying section 42). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conveying section 42 of the conveying device 4, as described above, employs a multi-joint manipulator, enabling the conveying section 42 to move not only along a straight line but also in various directions; therefore, at first glance, the conveying direction X can be considered uncertain. However, the basic method of using the sewing machine 2 (the basic conveying direction of the workpiece 3) is, as described above, to sew the workpiece 3 while conveying it along a straight line; therefore, in this invention, this straight line direction is defined as the conveying direction X of the workpiece 3. Moreover, in this embodiment, "the conveying direction X of the workpiece 3" refers to the direction in which the positioning plate 7 can guide the end of the workpiece 3 along a straight line. Alternatively, the conveying direction X of the workpiece 3 may be marked using a designation other than the positioning plate 7; if no such marking is provided, refer to the operating instructions for the sewing machine 2.

[0100] "The transport direction X of the sewn item 3" is Figure 4 The direction from right to left in the diagram. Therefore, the "left and right direction" in this embodiment is different from... Figure 4 The left and right directions are consistent. Additionally, "the upstream side of the transport direction X" relative to the object refers to... Figure 4 The right side relative to the object. Additionally, "downstream side in the transport direction X" relative to the object refers to... Figure 4 The left side relative to the object.

[0101] Furthermore, the conveying direction of the clamping part 41 is consistent with the conveying direction X of the sewn material 3.

[0102] Additionally, the "direction Y, which is orthogonal to the conveying direction X of the sewn material 3," is also called the front-back direction. Figure 4 The up and down directions in the middle. Figure 4 The upward direction in the middle is the backward direction. Figure 4 The downward direction in the middle is the forward direction.

[0103] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the worktable 1 includes the needle plate 2t of the sewing machine 2 and a transport worktable 11, which is a component other than the needle plate 2t. In this embodiment, in addition to the needle plate 2t and the transport worktable 11, the worktable 1 also includes a portion of the positioning plate 7 of the sewing machine 2 as part of the worktable 1. The upper surfaces of the needle plate 2t, the transport worktable 11, and a portion of the positioning plate 7 are all horizontal planes and are aligned approximately on the same plane.

[0104] The positioning plate 7 includes: a positioning main body 71 having a vertical surface and capable of positioning the end of the workpiece 3; a lower plate 72 extending in a form that bends at a right angle relative to the positioning main body 71 and is capable of guiding the lower surface of the workpiece 3; and a fixing plate 73 connected to the positioning main body 71 and fixed to the sewing machine body 2a. Furthermore, the lower plate 72 is a part constituting part of the worktable 1.

[0105] The positioning body 71 is a vertical plate that extends in the left-right direction. The lower plate 72 is connected to the lower end of the positioning body 71, and the fixing plate 73, which is used to fix the sewing machine body 2a, is connected to the upper end of the positioning body 71.

[0106] like Figure 4 As shown, the fixing plate portion 73 includes: a first fixing plate portion 74, which is a plate bent at a right angle when viewed from above, and is fixed to the sewing machine body 2a; and a second fixing plate portion 75, which extends in a form bent at a right angle relative to the first fixing plate portion 74 and is connected to the positioning body portion 71. Furthermore, the second fixing plate portion 75 extends relative to the positioning body portion 71 in the direction opposite to the lower plate portion 72. Additionally, the first fixing plate portion 74 is parallel to the positioning body portion 71.

[0107] The lower plate 72 is positioned downstream of the needle plate 2t in the conveying direction X.

[0108] When viewed from above, the conveyor table 11 extends along a straight line in the conveying direction X, and extends in the left-right direction within the range of the upstream and downstream sides relative to the sewing machine 2. In addition, a recess 11c is formed in the conveyor table 11, which is recessed in the direction away from the sewing machine 2, and the lower plate portion 72 of the positioning plate 7 and the needle plate 2t are disposed in the recess 11c.

[0109] The sewing machine body 2a has a known structure, in which the upper thread passing through the needle 8 and the lower thread supplied to the lower side of the needle plate 2t on the worktable 1 are wound together to form a stitch on the workpiece 3 placed on the needle plate 2t. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sewing machine body 2a is a chain stitch sewing machine, which, in coordination with the conveyor device 4, performs overlock sewing on one side of a rectangular workpiece.

[0110] In addition, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the sewing machine body 2a includes: a base portion 21, which is disposed on the lower side relative to the worktable 1; a column portion 22, which stands from the base portion 21; and a sewing machine head 23, which extends from the upper part of the column portion 22 in a state facing the base portion 21 from above.

[0111] The sewing machine body 2a extends along the front-to-back direction with the base part 21 and the sewing machine head 23 separated vertically, and the column part 22 extends vertically in a form that is sandwiched between the base part 21 and the rear part of the sewing machine head 23.

[0112] The base portion 21 includes a base housing 21a forming its outer contour, and an internal mechanism housed within the base housing 21a. The internal mechanism is a mechanism for winding the lower and upper threads. A needle plate 2t with pinholes 1h formed thereon is provided on the upper surface of the base housing 21a as part of the base housing 21a.

[0113] The sewing machine head 23 includes a sewing machine head housing 23a forming its outer contour, and an internal mechanism housed within the sewing machine head housing 23a. The internal mechanism may be a pointer lever up-and-down movement mechanism or a take-up lever drive mechanism, etc. Furthermore, the sewing machine head 23 is configured such that the needle bar 23b of the needle bar drive mechanism protrudes downward from the lower surface of the top of the sewing machine head housing 23a. The needle 8 is mounted to the lower end of the needle bar 23b in a downward-extending state.

[0114] The column portion 22 includes a column housing 22a forming its outer contour, and an internal mechanism housed within the column housing 22a. The internal mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that links the internal mechanism of the sewing machine head 23 with the internal mechanism of the base portion 21. Furthermore, the guide member 5 is fixed via a bracket 6 to the upstream side of the column housing 22a (sewing machine body 2a), which is located above the worktable 1 and faces the conveying direction X of the workpiece 3.

[0115] The support frame 6 consists of multiple components. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the bracket 6 includes: a first bracket 61, which is fixed to the column portion 22 of the sewing machine body 2a in a state extending upstream in the conveying direction X when viewed from above; and a second bracket 62, which is fixed to the top of the first bracket 61 (the end in the upstream direction X) and extends in a direction Y orthogonal to the conveying direction X directly above the worktable 1 when viewed from above.

[0116] The first support 61 is a metal plate bent into a downward-opening shape. More specifically, as... Figure 2 As shown, the first support 61 includes: two fixed plate portions 61a and 61b, which are arranged parallel to each other in a separated state in the conveying direction X; and a first support body portion 61c, which extends along the conveying direction X in a state connecting the upper ends of the two fixed plate portions 61a and 61b. Figure 4 As shown, the first support body 61c extends at right angles when viewed from above. Specifically, the first support body 61c includes: a first plate portion 61d extending along the conveying direction X; and a second plate portion 61e extending from the upstream end of the first plate portion 61d toward the worktable 1. Furthermore, the downstream fixing plate portion 61a of the two fixing plate portions 61a and 61b is fixed to the column housing 22a of the sewing machine body 2a. On the other hand, the dimension of the upstream fixing plate portion 61b in the direction Y, orthogonal to the conveying direction X, is longer than that of the downstream fixing plate portion 61a, thus fixing the second support 62.

[0117] like Figure 4 As shown, the second bracket 62 is a metal plate that is bent in an L-shape when viewed from above. More specifically, the second bracket 62 includes: a second bracket body portion 62a, which is fixed to a fixing plate portion 61b on the upstream side of the first bracket 61, and extends towards the upstream side of the needle plate 2t along a direction Y orthogonal to the conveying direction X; and a fixing plate portion 62b, the end of which extends along the conveying direction X and is connected to the top end portion (front end portion) of the second bracket body portion 62a. The guide member 5 is fixed to the fixing plate portion 62b of the second bracket 62.

[0118] Guide member 5 is a rigid body, and in this embodiment, it is a metal object. For example... Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the guide member 5 includes: a guide block portion 51 that guides the workpiece 3 to be sewn close to the upper surface of the worktable 1 and extends along the conveying direction X; and a fixing block portion 52 that extends upward from the guide block portion 51 and is fixed to the bracket 6 (the fixing plate portion 62b of the second bracket 62). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixing of the guide member 5 and the bracket 6, the fixing of the bracket 6 and the sewing machine body 2a, or the fixing of the positioning plate 7 and the sewing machine body 2a, are all achieved using threaded fixation.

[0119] like Figure 3 As shown, the left-right dimension of the fixing block portion 52 is shorter than that of the guide block portion 51, and it extends upward from the side of the column portion 22 on the upper surface of the guide block portion 51. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 As shown, the dimension of the fixed block portion 52 in the front-back direction (conveying direction X) is shorter than that of the guide block portion 51, and it has a shape that extends upward from the upstream side of the upper surface of the guide block portion 51 in the conveying direction X.

[0120] like Figure 2 As shown, in the upper surface of the guide block portion 51, the portion downstream of the conveying direction X compared to the fixed block portion 52 is recessed (lower) in a stepped manner relative to the portion upstream of the conveying direction X.

[0121] The lower surface of the guide block portion 51 (lower surface of the guide member 5) includes: a first guide surface 51a, which gradually descends (closer to the worktable 1) in the conveying direction X toward the sewn work 3; and a second guide surface 51b, which is adjacent to the first guide surface 51a on the downstream side of the conveying direction X of the sewn work 3 and parallel to the upper surface of the worktable 1.

[0122] The following is based on Figure 6 The configuration area 5a of the guide member 5 when viewed from above will be explained. First, the premises for determining the configuration area 5a of the guide member 5 are as follows.

[0123] In this invention, the needle-dropping area 1a on the worktable 1 is the area where the machine needle 8 just passes through the worktable 1. Furthermore, in Figure 6 In the example, the needle drop area 1a is circular. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pinhole 1h is an elongated hole that includes the needle drop area 1a as part of it, and is longer in the left-right direction. Additionally, the pinhole 1h is larger than the outer periphery of the needle 8 so that it does not contact the needle 8; more specifically, it is slightly longer in the front-back direction compared to the needle drop area 1a, and sufficiently longer in the left-right direction compared to the needle drop area 1a. Furthermore, when viewed from above, the shape of the pinhole 1h is the boundary separating the inner and outer areas of the pinhole 1h region; therefore, when viewed from above, the pinhole 1h is the pinhole area 1h. Moreover, the pinhole area 1h on the worktable 1, i.e., the pinhole area 1h when viewed from above, is larger than the needle drop area 1a.

[0124] The conveying area 41L of the clamping part 41 is a region parallel to the conveying direction X, and it is separated from the needle drop area 1a on the side opposite to the column part 22 of the sewing machine body 2a in the direction Y, which is orthogonal to the conveying direction X.

[0125] In addition, two zones are set up.

[0126] The first reference region L1 is the region that passes through the needle drop region 1a in the direction Y, which is orthogonal to the conveying direction X.

[0127] The second reference region L2 is the region that passes through the needle drop region 1a in the transport direction X.

[0128] A spatial region L3 is formed between the conveying area 41L and the needle dropping area 1a of the clamping part 41, in a direction Y orthogonal to the conveying direction X of the clamping part 41. The spatial region L3 is, literally, a region where no object exists. The spatial region L3 is a part of the first reference region L1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spatial region L3 is formed not only between the conveying area 41L and the needle dropping area 1a of the clamping part 41, but also between the conveying area 41L and the pinhole area 1h of the clamping part 41.

[0129] Furthermore, the configuration area 5a of the guide member 5 in this embodiment, viewed from above, is as follows. (See attached image.) Figure 6 As shown, the configuration area 5a of the guide member 5 is rectangular. Figure 6 The area is shown as a dotted region. Furthermore, the pinhole region 1h is disposed separately from the arrangement region 5a of the guide member 5 on the downstream side of the conveying direction X. Additionally, the arrangement region 5a of the guide member 5 is disposed separately from the first reference region L1, which includes the pin drop region 1a as part of itself, on the upstream side of the conveying direction X. That is, the arrangement region 5a of the guide member 5 is disposed only on the upstream side of the conveying direction X relative to the first reference region L1. Moreover, since the first reference region L1 includes the spatial region L3, the arrangement region 5a of the guide member 5 is formed in a region outside the spatial region L3.

[0130] Furthermore, the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5 and the second reference area L2 partially overlap. More specifically, the second reference area L2 is shaped as the middle portion of the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5 in the front-back direction (direction Y orthogonal to the conveying direction X). Moreover, the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5 includes: a region that overlaps with the second reference area L2; a region that protrudes toward the conveying area 41L of the clamping part 41 relative to the second reference area L2; and a region that protrudes toward the side opposite to the conveying area 41L of the clamping part 41 relative to the second reference area L2.

[0131] Furthermore, when viewed from above, the configuration area 5a of the guide 5 satisfies the following conditions: it is located around the needle drop area 1a, and it is located away from the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41.

[0132] If the guide is not located around the needle drop area 1a, it cannot guide the workpiece to be sewn directly below the needle 8 during sewing, which can easily lead to poor sewing. Furthermore, since the clamping part 41 of the conveyor 4 presses the workpiece to be sewn against the worktable 1, the clamping part 41 prevents the workpiece 3 from being lifted up together with the needle 8. Additionally, the guide 5 also helps to prevent the workpiece 3 from being lifted up together with the needle 8.

[0133] Furthermore, if the configuration area 5a of the guide member 5 is not separated from the conveying area 41L of the clamping part 41, the clamping part 41 will collide with the guide member 5. Therefore, if at least one of the clamping part 41 and the guide member 5 is not an elastic body, it will affect the conveying. The collision will cause the clamping state to become unstable or the function of the guide member 5 to become unstable, so it is not preferred.

[0134] Furthermore, in order to bring the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41 as close as possible to the needle 8 (needle drop area 1a), the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5 is preferably shortened as much as possible in terms of the amount of protrusion towards the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41 compared to the second reference area L2, or the end of the transport area 41L side of the clamping part 41 in the arrangement area 5a is aligned with the second reference area L2.

[0135] The sewing apparatus of the first embodiment described above, by satisfying various conditions in the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5, particularly by setting a space region L3 between the needle hole region 1h including the needle drop region 1a and the transport region 41L of the clamping part 41, allows the transport region 41L of the clamping part 41 to approach the needle 8 while maintaining a state away from the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5. Furthermore, because the sewing apparatus of the first embodiment satisfies the condition that the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5 is located only upstream of the transport direction X compared to the first reference region L1 or the needle hole region 1h, it can be configured to have a narrower range compared to other embodiments described later.

[0136] like Figure 7 As shown, the arrangement area 5b of the guide member 5 of the sewing device in the second embodiment of the present invention is larger than the arrangement area 5a of the first embodiment.

[0137] Viewed from above, the arrangement area 5b of the guide member 5 is L-shaped, and is arranged separately from the needle hole area 1h containing the needle drop area 1a on the side opposite to the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41 and on the upstream side of the transport direction X. More specifically, the arrangement area 5b of the guide member 5 includes: a first arrangement area A, which extends along a direction Y orthogonal to the transport direction X of the workpiece 3 at a position on the upstream side of the transport direction X, where it is separated from the first reference area L1, which includes the needle drop area 1a as part of itself, and the needle hole area 1h; and a second arrangement area B, which extends along the transport direction X on the side opposite to the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41 with respect to the second reference area L2 and the needle hole area 1h, intersecting the first reference area L1 at a right angle.

[0138] The first configuration area A is the same as the configuration area 5a of the guide 5 in the first embodiment.

[0139] The second configuration area B extends in a manner that covers the upstream and downstream sides of the conveying direction X, which spans the first reference area L1 and the pinhole area 1h.

[0140] In the sewing apparatus of the second embodiment, since the arrangement area 5b of the guide member 5 includes the first arrangement area A, a portion of the arrangement area 5b of the guide member 5 (the first arrangement area A) is arranged separately from the first reference area L1, which includes the needle drop area 1a as part of itself, and the needle hole area 1h on the upstream side of the transport direction X. Furthermore, the arrangement area 5b of the guide member 5 is formed in a region other than the spatial area L3, similar to the arrangement area 5a in the first embodiment. Moreover, when viewed from above, the arrangement area 5b of the guide member 5 satisfies the following conditions: it is located around the needle drop area 1a, and it is located away from the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41.

[0141] Furthermore, the portion of the lower surface of the guide member 5 in the second embodiment that forms the first configuration region A is the same as the lower surface of the guide member 5 in the first embodiment. That is, the upstream portion of the first configuration region A in this lower surface along the conveying direction X is the first guide surface 51a (the surface that gradually descends towards the worktable 1 along the conveying direction X), and the downstream portion of the first configuration region A in this lower surface along the conveying direction X is the second guide surface 51b (the surface that is parallel to the upper surface of the worktable 1). In addition, the portion of the lower surface of the guide member 5 in the second embodiment that forms the second configuration region B has the upstream end of the conveying direction X designated as the first guide surface 51a, and the rest designated as the second guide surface 51b. The first guide surface 51a in the portion forming the second configuration region B and the first guide surface 51a in the portion forming the first configuration region A are connected in a direction Y orthogonal to the conveying direction X.

[0142] In addition, the portion of the lower surface of the guide member in the second embodiment that is upstream of the needle drop area 1a in the conveying direction X mainly serves to guide the work to be sewn to directly below the needle 8 during sewing. The remaining portion only serves to prevent the work to be sewn 3 from being lifted up together with the needle 8.

[0143] like Figure 8 As shown, the arrangement area 5c of the guide member 5 of the sewing device in the third embodiment of the present invention is larger than the arrangement area 5b of the second embodiment.

[0144] When viewed from above, the arrangement area 5c of the guide member 5 is U-shaped. In addition to the first arrangement area A and the second arrangement area B, there is a third arrangement area C located downstream of the first reference area L1 and the pinhole area 1h in the conveying direction X. The third arrangement area C extends from the downstream side of the second arrangement area B toward the conveying area 41L of the clamping part 41 in a direction Y orthogonal to the conveying direction X.

[0145] The third configuration area C is positioned opposite the first configuration area A, with the pinhole area 1h as its center. Furthermore, the third configuration area C is also located away from the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41 in the direction Y, which is orthogonal to the transport direction X.

[0146] In the sewing apparatus of the third embodiment, since the arrangement area 5c of the guide member 5 includes the first arrangement area A, a portion of the arrangement area 5c of the guide member 5 (the first arrangement area A) is arranged separately from the first reference area L1, which includes the needle drop area 1a as part of itself, and the needle hole area 1h on the upstream side of the transport direction X. Furthermore, the arrangement area 5c of the guide member 5 is formed in a region other than the spatial area L3. Moreover, when viewed from above, the arrangement area 5c of the guide member 5 satisfies the following conditions: it is located around the needle drop area 1a, and it is located away from the transport area 41L of the clamping part 41.

[0147] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the portion of the lower surface of the guide 5 that forms the third configuration area C is the second guide surface 51b (a surface parallel to the upper surface of the worktable 1).

[0148] In addition, the portion of the lower surface of the guide member 5 in the third embodiment that is upstream of the needle drop area 1a in the conveying direction X mainly serves to guide the work to be sewn to directly below the needle 8 during sewing. However, the other portion only serves to prevent the work to be sewn 3 from being lifted up together with the needle 8.

[0149] like Figure 9As shown, in the sewing apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the details of the worktable 1, the sewing machine 2, and the conveying device 4 are different from those of the sewing apparatus of the first embodiment. However, the portion of the arrangement area 5a of the guide member 5 in the sewing apparatus of the fourth embodiment is still the same as that in the sewing apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0150] The worktable 1 is composed of a conveyor worktable 12. In this case, the portion of the conveyor worktable 12 that corresponds to the needle plate has a needle hole 1h.

[0151] The sewing machine 2 does not have the positioning plate 7 of the first embodiment. Because the positioning plate 7 is not provided, compared with the sewing machine 2 of the first embodiment which has the positioning plate 7, the end of the workpiece 3 can be sewn closer to the column portion 22 of the sewing machine body 2a.

[0152] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the sewing machine body 2a is a flat sewing machine, which forms a straight stitch in the shape of holes on the workpiece 3 by cooperating with the conveying device 4.

[0153] In the conveying device 4, the clamping part 41 corresponds to the size of the sewn material 3, and compared with the first embodiment, the clamping part body 41a is formed to be longer in the conveying direction. Furthermore, the clamping part body 41a may be composed of only a plate, for example, when the sewn material 3 is a single piece of fabric, but it is preferable to adopt a structure including a sewing machine needle that can penetrate the upper and lower fabrics and a plate with the sewing machine needle protruding from the lower surface when the sewn material 3 is two overlapping pieces of fabric.

[0154] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from its spirit. For example, the needle hole 1h in this embodiment is an elongated shape, but this invention is not limited to this, and other shapes, such as a circular hole, are also possible. Furthermore, the conveying device 4 in this embodiment uses a multi-axis, multi-joint manipulator as the conveying unit 42, but this invention is not limited to this, and it can also be a device that simply conveys the clamping unit along a straight line. In this case, the conveying direction of the clamping unit is consistent with the conveying direction X of the sewn workpiece 3.

Claims

1. A sewing device, characterized in that, include: Workbench (1); Sewing machine body (2a); The conveying device (4) presses the sewn material (3) against the worktable (1) while conveying it from the upstream side to the downstream side relative to the sewing machine body (2a); as well as A guide (5) guides the workpiece (3) to the upper surface of the worktable (1) in such a way that the workpiece (3) is brought close to the upper surface of the worktable (1). The conveying device (4) includes a clamping part (41) that presses the sewn material (3) against the worktable (1); and a conveying unit (42) that conveys the clamping unit (41), When viewed from above, a spatial region (L3) is formed between the conveying area (41L) of the clamping part (41) on the worktable (1) and the needle dropping area (1a), in a direction (Y) orthogonal to the conveying direction (X) of the workpiece (3). When viewed from above, the configuration areas (5a, 5b, 5c) of the guide (5) satisfy the following conditions: the configuration areas (5a, 5b, 5c) are located outside the space area (L3), and the configuration areas (5a, 5b, 5c) at least include the area upstream of the conveying direction (X) of the sewn material (3) relative to the needle drop area (1a).

2. The sewing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When viewed from above, the configuration areas (5a, 5b, 5c) of the guide (5) satisfy the following conditions: the configuration areas (5a, 5b, 5c) are located around the needle drop area (1a), and the configuration areas (5a, 5b, 5c) are far away from the transport area (41L) of the clamping part (41).

3. The sewing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When viewed from above, the area passing through the needle drop area (1a) in the direction (Y) orthogonal to the conveying direction (X) of the clamping part (41) is set as the first reference area (L1). When viewed from above, the configuration area (5a) of the guide (5) satisfies the following condition: it is only the area upstream of the conveying direction (X) of the sewn material (3) relative to the first reference area (L1).

4. The sewing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The guide (5) is fixed via a bracket (6) on the upstream side of the conveying direction (X) relative to the sewing machine body (2a) toward the workpiece (3).

5. The sewing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The conveying device (4) is the only device for conveying the sewn material (3).

6. The sewing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The conveying device (4) is the only device for conveying the sewn material (3).

Images