Sewing machine

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a sewing machine in which a positioning scale is disposed near a needle drop position. The sewing machine comprises: an upper feeding mechanism (40) for feeding an object to be sewn from a position above a needle plate (101) by using a conveying belt (41) and a conveying belt (42); and a positioning scale (50) for positioning a side end portion of the object (C) to be sewn in a direction intersecting with a feeding direction of the object (C) to be sewn, the upper feeding mechanism (40) having a conveyance belt (41), a conveyance belt (42), a belt guide (43), and a belt guide (44) on both sides of the needle drop position (13), respectively, and the present invention is provided with a withdrawal mechanism (60) for withdrawing the needle drop position (13) from the conveyance belt (41), the conveyance belt (42), the belt guide (43), and the positioning scale (50) for positioning the side end portion of the object (C) to be sewn in the direction intersecting the needle drop position (13). The withdrawing mechanism (60) at least holds the conveying belt (42) and the belt guide (44) on the positioning scale (50) side relative to the needle dropping position (13) at a withdrawing position far away from the needle dropping position (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sewing machine with belt feeding. Background Art

[0002] There is a sewing machine including an upper feeding mechanism that feeds a tape by bringing the tape into contact with a workpiece from above a needle plate, and that feeds the lower workpiece and the upper workpiece separately (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] [Prior art literature]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-221644 Summary of the invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In order to sew while maintaining a certain distance from the side ends of the sewing objects, a sewing machine including an upper feed mechanism using a belt sometimes uses a positioning scale for positioning the side ends of the sewing objects in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction.

[0008] In the conventional sewing machine, since a pressing member with a belt roller is arranged around the needle drop position, it is impossible to arrange the positioning scale near the needle drop position.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to arrange the positioning scale near the needle drop position.

[0010] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0011] The present invention is a sewing machine, comprising:

[0012] An upper feeding mechanism that feeds the sewn material from above the needle plate using a conveyor belt; and

[0013] A positioning ruler is used to position the side end of the sewn object in a direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the sewn object.

[0014] The upper feeding mechanism has the conveying belt and the belt guide respectively on both sides of the needle drop position.

[0015] The sewing machine includes a retracting mechanism that holds the conveyor belt and the belt guide at least on one side of the positioning scale with respect to the needle drop position at a retracted position away from the needle drop position.

[0016] [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The sewing machine of the present invention can arrange the positioning scale near the needle drop position by means of the above-mentioned structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a rear view of the sewing machine which is an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a left side view of a sewing machine.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a sewing machine.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the upper surface of the left end portion of the sewing machine base portion in which the presser foot is omitted.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional view of the guide frame of the lower feed mechanism.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the feeding mechanism in which the four conveyor belts are in a front-rear differential feeding state.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the feeding mechanism in which the four conveyor belts are in a left-right differential feeding state.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the periphery of a cloth pressing mechanism that presses the sewn material from above on the needle plate.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a rear view of the periphery of the cloth pressing mechanism.

[0027] Fig.10 It is a right side view of the periphery of the cloth pressing mechanism.

[0028] Fig.11 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the positioning scale and its surrounding structure in the non-use position.

[0029] Fig.12 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the positioning scale and its surrounding structure in the use position.

[0030] Fig.13 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the surroundings of the retracting mechanism.

[0031] Fig.14 This is a right side view of the surrounding area of ​​the retracting mechanism.

[0032] Fig.15 It is a perspective view of the periphery of the holding member in the release position in the second embodiment.

[0033] Fig.16 It is a right side view of the periphery of the retaining member in the released position.

[0034] Fig.17 It is a perspective view of the periphery of the holding member in the holding position.

[0035] Fig.18 It is a right side view of the periphery of the holding member in the holding position.

[0036] Fig.19 It is a perspective view of the holding member.

[0037] Fig. 20 It is a plan view of the retaining member.

[0038] Fig.21 It is a front view of the retaining member.

[0039] Fig. 22 It is a right side view showing the structure of the vicinity of the retracting mechanism in the third embodiment.

[0040] Fig.23 It is a right side view showing the structure of the periphery of the retracting mechanism in the fourth embodiment.

[0041] Fig.24 It is a right side view of the tape guide of the fifth embodiment.

[0042] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 11: Stitches

[0044] 12: Needle bar

[0045] 13: Needle hole (needle drop position)

[0046] 20: Lower feeding mechanism

[0047] 21: Rear left lower belt

[0048] 22: Front left lower belt

[0049] 23: Front right lower belt

[0050] 24: Rear right lower belt

[0051] 40: Upper feed mechanism

[0052] 41: Upper left belt (conveyor belt)

[0053] 42: Upper right belt (conveyor belt)

[0054] 43, 44, 44B, 44D: with guide

[0055] 45: Upper left motor

[0056] 46: Upper right motor

[0057] 50: Positioning ruler

[0058] 51: Touchpad

[0059] 52: Connection

[0060] 53: Support mechanism

[0061] 60, 60B, 60C: Retreat mechanism

[0062] 61, 61A, 64B, 64C: Retaining member

[0063] 63: Coil spring

[0064] 65B, 65C: Actuator

[0065] 66C, 67C: Connecting rod components

[0066] 70: Cloth pressing mechanism

[0067] 71: Presser foot

[0068] 74: Mounting table

[0069] 100: Sewing machine

[0070] 101: Needle plate

[0071] 611, 611A: concave part

[0072] 612: Operation sheet

[0073] 614A: Hook

[0074] 615A: Through hole

[0075] C: Sewn material DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] [First embodiment]

[0077] Hereinafter, a sewing machine 100 as a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0078] Figure 1 1 shows a rear view of the sewing machine 100, Figure 2 A left side view showing the sewing machine 100, Figure 3 A perspective view showing the sewing machine 100 is shown.

[0079] Next, the sewn object C (refer to Fig.12 ) is set as "front", and the upstream side of the feeding direction is set as "rear". In the forward state, the left hand side is set as "left", the right hand side is set as "right", the vertically above is set as "up", and the vertically below is set as "down". The front-to-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0080] In the following description, it is assumed that the sewing machine 100 is installed on a horizontal plane, and the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are horizontal.

[0081] As the sewing machine 100 as the embodiment of the present invention, a so-called lockstitch sewing machine is exemplified.

[0082] The sewing machine 100 includes a sewing machine frame 110, a needle up-and-down moving mechanism, a lower feeding mechanism 20, an upper feeding mechanism 40, a cloth pressing mechanism 70 as a pressing mechanism, a shuttle mechanism, and a positioning scale 50 (see Fig.11 ) and the retreat mechanism 60 (refer to Fig.11 ).

[0083] The needle vertical movement mechanism imparts a vertical movement action to the sewing needle 11 .

[0084] The lower feeding mechanism 20 applies a feeding operation to the workpiece C on the needle plate 101 from below.

[0085] The upper feeding mechanism 40 applies a feeding operation to the workpiece C on the needle plate 101 from above.

[0086] The cloth pressing mechanism 70 applies a pressing pressure to the workpiece C on the needle plate 101 .

[0087] The shuttle mechanism captures the thread loop of the upper thread from the sewing needle 11 and winds the lower thread to form a stitch.

[0088] In addition, the sewing machine 100 includes various structures such as a balance mechanism and a thread adjuster included in a general lockstitch sewing machine, but since these are well-known structures, the description thereof is omitted.

[0089] [Sewing machine stand]

[0090] The sewing machine frame 110 supports or accommodates various structures of the sewing machine 100 .

[0091] The sewing machine frame 110 includes a sewing machine base portion 111 , a vertical cylinder portion 112 , and a sewing machine arm portion 113 .

[0092] The sewing machine base 111 is located at the lower portion of the sewing machine 100 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0093] The vertical cylinder portion 112 is provided upright from the right end portion of the sewing machine base portion 111 .

[0094] The sewing machine arm portion 113 extends toward the left from the upper end portion of the vertical cylinder portion 112 .

[0095] [Needle up and down movement mechanism]

[0096] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the upper surface of the left end portion of the sewing machine base portion 111 in which a presser foot described later is omitted from the illustration.

[0097] like Figure 1 to Figure 4 As shown, the needle up-and-down moving mechanism is disposed inside the sewing machine arm 113, is rotationally driven by the sewing machine motor, and has an upper shaft along the left-right direction.

[0098] Furthermore, the needle up-and-down movement mechanism includes: a needle bar 12 that holds the sewing needle 11 at the lower end, and a crank mechanism that converts the rotational force of the upper shaft into a reciprocating driving force for up-and-down movement and transmits it to the needle bar.

[0099] In addition, since the upper shaft and the crank mechanism are well-known components, their illustration is omitted.

[0100] The needle bar 12 extends in the up-down direction and is supported by the lower left end of the sewing machine arm 113 so as to be able to move up and down.

[0101] The sewing needle 11 is held at the lower end of the needle bar 12 and moves up and down together with the needle bar 12. A needle plate 101 including a horizontal flat plate is provided below the needle bar 12 on the upper surface of the sewing machine base 111.

[0102] Furthermore, a composite opening 102 is formed at the needle drop position of the sewing needle 11 relative to the needle plate 101. In the composite opening 102 of the needle plate 101, the needle hole member 30 having the needle hole 13 and the rear left lower belt 21, the front left lower belt 22, the front right lower belt 23, and the rear right lower belt 24 of the lower feed mechanism 20 described later are exposed and arranged above. That is, the composite opening 102 is a shape in which a plurality of rectangular openings where the needle hole member 30 and the lower belts 21 to 24 are exposed are integrally composited.

[0103] [Shuttle mechanism]

[0104] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the shuttle mechanism includes an outer shuttle 14 and a middle shuttle 15 provided below the needle hole member 30 of the needle plate 101, and a shuttle shaft (not shown) for rotating the middle shuttle 15.

[0105] The shuttle shaft is rotatably supported in the horizontal direction in the sewing machine base 111. The shuttle shaft is rotated about the horizontal axis at twice the speed of the upper shaft via a gear mechanism or a belt mechanism from the upper shaft.

[0106] The inner shuttle 15 is accommodated inside the outer shuttle 14. Furthermore, the inner shuttle 15 accommodates a bobbin (not shown) for supplying a lower thread therein.

[0107] The outer shuttle 14 is connected to the left end of the shuttle shaft and rotates around the inner shuttle 15. The inner shuttle 15 is restricted from rotating in such a manner that it does not rotate together with the outer shuttle 14. The outer shuttle 14 has a tip on the outer periphery for catching the thread loop of the upper thread from the sewing needle 11. The outer shuttle 14 can catch the thread loop of the upper thread with the tip by rotating, and pass the lower thread drawn from the inner side of the inner shuttle 15.

[0108] The outer shuttle 14 and the inner shuttle 15 are arranged in a stored state inside a substantially cylindrical guide frame 29 of a lower feed mechanism 20 to be described later.

[0109] [Lower feed mechanism]

[0110] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the guide frame 29 of the lower feed mechanism 20, Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the lower feeding mechanism 20 . Figure 6 and Figure 7 The following diagram shows a case where the installation states of the lower belts 21 to 24 described later are different.

[0111] The following is based on Figure 1 to Figure 7 The lower feeding mechanism 20 will be described in detail.

[0112] As shown in the drawings, the lower feeding mechanism 20 includes lower belts 21 to 24 as conveying belts, a first motor 25 , a second motor 26 , a rotating shaft 27 , a rotating shaft 28 , a first pulley 31 , and a second pulley 32 .

[0113] Furthermore, the lower feeding mechanism 20 includes a guide frame 29 for guiding the lower belts 21 to 24 so as to come into contact with the lower surface of the workpiece C, a first pressing mechanism 33 , and a second pressing mechanism 34 .

[0114] The first motor 25 and the second motor 26 are motors whose motion amounts can be arbitrarily controlled, such as stepping motors or servo motors. The first motor 25 and the second motor 26 are arranged in a front-to-rear manner inside the right end of the sewing machine base 111 with their output shafts facing leftward.

[0115] A first pulley 31 is connected to the output shaft of the first motor 25 on the front side via a rotating shaft 27 .

[0116] A second pulley 32 is connected to the output shaft of the second motor 26 on the rear side via the rotating shaft 28 .

[0117] The rotating shafts 27 and 28 are both parallel to the left-right direction and are rotatably supported in the sewing machine base 111 .

[0118] The first pulley 31 and the second pulley 32 are supported rotatably around axes along the left-right direction in the left end of the sewing machine base 111. The first pulley 31 and the second pulley 32 are rotated by the first motor 25 and the second motor 26 via the rotating shaft 27 and the rotating shaft 28, respectively.

[0119] The first pulley 31 and the second pulley 32 are arranged in an overlapping manner when viewed from the front-rear direction, that is, they are at the same height and at the same position in the left-right direction. In addition, the first pulley 31 is arranged on the front side of the second pulley 32.

[0120] The first pulley 31 and the second pulley 32 can be laid over all of the lower belts 21 , 22 , 23 , and 24 that are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction.

[0121] That is, the first pulley 31 has a left groove 311 for laying the rear left lower belt 21 and the front left lower belt 22 , and a right groove 312 for laying the front right lower belt 23 and the rear right lower belt 24 , on its outer peripheral surface.

[0122] The second pulley 32 has a left groove 321 for laying the rear left lower belt 21 and the front left lower belt 22 , and a right groove 322 for laying the front right lower belt 23 and the rear right lower belt 24 , on its outer peripheral surface.

[0123] The widths of the lower belts 21 to 24 are equal, and the left grooves 311 and 321 and the right grooves 312 and 322 all have at least a width corresponding to two belts.

[0124] Thus, each of the lower belts 21 to 24 can be installed by appropriately selecting the first pulley 31 and the second pulley 32 .

[0125] Each of the lower belts 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 is in an endless ring shape and is mounted between the guide frame 29 and the first pulley 31 or between the guide frame 29 and the second pulley 32 .

[0126] In addition, the lower belts 21, 22, 23, and 24 are arranged in order from left to right.

[0127] like Figure 2 As shown, the guide frame 29 (guide member) is arranged so as to be substantially aligned with the pulleys 31 and 32 in the left-right direction and between the pulleys 31 and 32 in the front-back direction. Furthermore, the guide frame 29 is arranged above the pulleys 31 and 32 and directly below the needle plate 101.

[0128] like Figure 5 As shown, the guide frame 29 includes a bracket portion 295 for being fixed in the sewing machine base portion 111 and a cylindrical main body portion 296 for guiding the lower belts 21 to 24 .

[0129] The guide frame 29 is disposed directly below the needle plate 101 with the central axis of the main body 296 facing the left-right direction.

[0130] A fitting groove 297 is formed along the front-rear direction at the left-right center of the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 296. A pinhole member 30 having a long plate shape in the front-rear direction is disposed inside the fitting groove 297. The pinhole member 30 has a pinhole 13 penetrating vertically formed at the needle drop position.

[0131] The needle hole member 30 is connected to a needle up-and-down moving mechanism (not shown), which uses the sewing machine motor as a driving source and moves up and down in the same cycle as the sewing needle 11. The needle hole member 30 moves up and down in a phase opposite to the sewing needle 11 through the needle up-and-down moving mechanism. That is, the formation surface of the needle hole 13 of the needle hole member 30 is at the highest position at the same height as or slightly higher than the upper surface of the needle plate 101 when the phase becomes the lower dead point of the sewing needle 11, and is at the lowest position that is most descended from the upper surface of the needle plate 101 when the phase becomes the upper dead point of the sewing needle 11.

[0132] In addition, the main body 296 slides the lower belts 21 to 24 in the circumferential direction on the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface to feed the sewn material C. Therefore, the first guide part 291, the second guide part 292, the third guide part 293, and the fourth guide part 294 for guiding the lower belts 21 to 24 are provided on the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 296.

[0133] The first guide portion 291 is disposed at the left rear of the needle hole 13 , the second guide portion 292 is disposed at the left front of the needle hole 13 , the third guide portion 293 is disposed at the right front of the needle hole 13 , and the fourth guide portion 294 is disposed at the right rear of the needle hole 13 .

[0134] Each guide portion 291 to 294 is a convex strip extending in the front-to-back direction, and its width in the left-to-right direction is equal to or slightly wider than that of each lower belt 21 to 24. The rear end portion of each guide portion 291 to 294 forms a slope whose protrusion amount toward the outside in the radial direction relative to the outer peripheral surface of the main body 296 gradually increases forward. In addition, the front end portion of each guide portion 291 to 294 forms a slope whose protrusion amount toward the outside in the radial direction relative to the outer peripheral surface of the main body 296 gradually decreases toward the front.

[0135] The first guide portion 291 is located on the left side of the pinhole 13 and its approximate total length is located on the rear side of the center of the pinhole 13 .

[0136] Furthermore, the first guide portion 291 has a flat and horizontal guide surface 291a ( Figure 5The guide surface 291a is arranged to face the composite opening 102 of the needle plate 101 when viewed from above.

[0137] Furthermore, the guide surface 291 a is set so that the outer side surface of the rear left lower belt 21 slidingly passing thereon is slightly higher than the upper surface of the needle plate 101 .

[0138] The guide surface 291 a is formed such that its front end portion is located slightly rearward of the center of the needle hole 13 , and the rear left lower belt 21 abuts against the workpiece C further rearward than the center of the needle hole 13 .

[0139] The second guide portion 292 is located on the left side of the needle hole 13 and on the right side of the first guide portion 291 , and its approximate total length is located on the front side of the center of the needle hole 13 .

[0140] Furthermore, the second guide portion 292 has a flat and horizontal guide surface 292a ( Figure 5 The guide surface 292a is configured to face the composite opening portion 102 of the needle plate 101 when viewed from above.

[0141] Moreover, the guide surface 292 a is set so that the outer side surface of the front left lower belt 22 that slides and passes thereon is slightly higher than the upper surface of the needle plate 101 .

[0142] The guide surface 292 a is formed such that its rear end portion is located slightly forward of the center of the needle hole 13 , and the front left lower belt 22 abuts against the workpiece C further forward of the center of the needle hole 13 .

[0143] The third guide portion 293 is located on the right side of the pinhole 13 and its approximate total length is located on the front side of the center of the pinhole 13 .

[0144] Furthermore, the third guide portion 293 has a flat and horizontal guide surface 293a ( Figure 5 The guide surface 293a is configured to face the composite opening portion 102 of the needle plate 101 when viewed from above.

[0145] Moreover, the guide surface 293 a is set so that the outer side surface of the front right lower belt 23 slidingly passing thereon is slightly higher than the upper surface of the needle plate 101 .

[0146] The guide surface 293 a is formed such that its rear end portion is located slightly forward of the center of the needle hole 13 , and the front right lower belt 23 abuts against the workpiece C further forward of the center of the needle hole 13 .

[0147] The fourth guide portion 294 is located to the right of the pinhole 13 and the third guide portion 293 , and its approximate total length is located to the rear of the center of the pinhole 13 .

[0148] Furthermore, the fourth guide portion 294 has a flat and horizontal guide surface 294a ( Figure 5 The guide surface 294a is configured to face the composite opening portion 102 of the needle plate 101 when viewed from above.

[0149] Moreover, the guide surface 294 a is set so that the outer side surface of the rear right lower belt 24 that slides and passes thereon is slightly higher than the upper surface of the needle plate 101 .

[0150] The guide surface 294 a is formed such that its front end portion is located slightly rearward of the center of the needle hole 13 , and the rear right lower belt 24 abuts against the workpiece C further rearward than the center of the needle hole 13 .

[0151] The guide surfaces 291a and 294a are arranged at the rear side of the center of the needle hole 13, and the guide surfaces 292a and 293a are arranged at the front side of the center of the needle hole 13. Therefore, when a speed difference (transport amount difference) is set between the rear left lower belt 21 and the rear right lower belt 24 on the rear side and the front left lower belt 22 and the front right lower belt 23 on the front side, the lower belts 21 to 24 do not interfere with each other, and the transport force based on the front and rear feed speed difference (transport amount difference) can be applied to the sewn object C. Therefore, it is possible to form a stitch as targeted in the differential feed in the front and rear directions, and to achieve improved sewing quality.

[0152] The first pressing mechanism 33 applies tension to all of the lower belts 21 to 24 that are stretched between the guide frame 29 and the first pulley 31 to suppress the occurrence of slack.

[0153] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the first pressing mechanism 33 includes a left pressing roller 331 , a right pressing roller 332 , a support plate 333 , and a base block 334 .

[0154] The support plate 333 is in the shape of a flat plate that is long along the front-rear and top-bottom directions, and is supported on the base block 334 in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof faces obliquely upward and forward.

[0155] Furthermore, the left and right surfaces of the upper end of the support plate 333 support the left and right pressure rollers 331 and 332 concentrically and rotatably. The support plate 333 is configured so that the left and right pressure rollers 331 and 332 abut against the outer side surface of the belt spanning between the guide frame 29 and the first pulley 31 from the rear and lower part.

[0156] The base block 334 is shared by the second pressurizing mechanism 34 described later, and supports the structures of the first pressurizing mechanism 33 and the second pressurizing mechanism 34. The base block 334 is fixedly mounted below the guide frame 29 in the sewing machine bed 111.

[0157] The support plate 333 has a long hole along its length direction, and is fastened to the base block 334 by two bolts inserted into the long hole. The length direction of the support plate 333 is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the belt mounted on the first pulley 31. Therefore, by loosening the bolts to move the support plate 333 along the long hole, the pressing force of the left pressure roller 331 and the right pressure roller 332 on the belt can be adjusted. In other words, the tension of the belt spanning between the guide frame 29 and the first pulley 31 can be adjusted.

[0158] The left pressure roller 331 and the right pressure roller 332 have the same outer diameter and are supported by the support plate 333 so as to be rotatable around the same axis along the left and right directions. In addition, the left and right widths of the left and right pressure rollers 331 and 332 are both twice or more than the width of each lower belt 21 to 24.

[0159] Thus, the left pressure roller 331 can come into contact with either the rear left lower belt 21 or the front left lower belt 22 that is stretched between the guide frame 29 and the first pulley 31 .

[0160] Similarly, the right pressure roller 332 may come into contact with any one of the front right lower belt 23 and the rear right lower belt 24 that are stretched between the guide frame 29 and the first pulley 31 .

[0161] The second pressing mechanism 34 applies tension to all of the lower belts 21 to 24 that are stretched between the guide frame 29 and the second pulley 32 to suppress the occurrence of slack.

[0162] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the second pressing mechanism 34 includes a left pressing roller 341 , a right pressing roller 342 , a support plate 343 , and the base block 334 .

[0163] The support plate 343 has the same structure as the support plate 333 , and is supported on the base block 334 with its length direction facing rearward and obliquely upward.

[0164] The support plate 343 supports the left pressure roller 341 and the right pressure roller 342 on the left and right surfaces of the upper end thereof so as to be concentric and rotatable. The support plate 343 is arranged so that the left pressure roller 341 and the right pressure roller 342 abut against the outer side surface of the belt spanning between the guide frame 29 and the second pulley 32 from the rear and upper part.

[0165] The support plate 343 also has a long hole, and the support plate 343 can be moved along the long hole. Thus, the pressing force of the left pressure roller 341 and the right pressure roller 342 on the belt mounted on the second pulley 32 can be adjusted. Therefore, the tension of the belt between the guide frame 29 and the second pulley 32 can be adjusted.

[0166] The left pressure roller 341 and the right pressure roller 342 have the same outer diameter and are supported by the support plate 343 so as to be rotatable around the same axis along the left and right directions. In addition, the left and right pressure rollers 341 and 342 have a width twice or more than that of each lower belt 21 to 24.

[0167] Thus, the left pressure roller 341 can come into contact with either the rear left lower belt 21 or the front left lower belt 22 that is stretched between the guide frame 29 and the second pulley 32 .

[0168] Likewise, the right pressure roller 342 may come into contact with any one of the front right lower belt 23 and the rear right lower belt 24 that are stretched between the guide frame 29 and the second pulley 32 .

[0169] The left pressure roller 331 of the first pressure mechanism 33 and the left pressure roller 341 of the second pressure mechanism 34 can both abut against the rear left lower belt 21 and the front left lower belt 22. Similarly, the right pressure roller 332 of the first pressure mechanism 33 and the right pressure roller 342 of the second pressure mechanism 34 can both abut against the front right lower belt 23 and the rear right lower belt 24.

[0170] Therefore, even when each of the lower belts 21 to 24 is stretched over either the first pulley 31 or the second pulley 32 , tension can be applied by either the first pressurizing mechanism 33 or the second pressurizing mechanism 34 .

[0171] Figure 6 The figure shows a state where the front left lower belt 22 and the front right lower belt 23 feeding the front side of the needle drop position are stretched on the first pulley 31, and the rear left lower belt 21 and the rear right lower belt 24 feeding the rear side are stretched on the second pulley 32.

[0172] Figure 7 The figure shows a state where the rear left lower belt 21 and the front left lower belt 22 fed to the left side of the needle drop position are stretched over the first pulley 31 , and the front right lower belt 23 and the rear right lower belt 24 are stretched over the second pulley 32 .

[0173] When the bolts are loosened to retract the pressure rollers 331 , 332 , 341 , 342 , the lower belts 21 to 24 can be easily removed from the pulleys 31 , 32 and re-installed.

[0174] Therefore, it is easy to select and Figure 6 Sewing and Figure 7 Sewing in the erected state.

[0175] For example, in Figure 6 In the erected state (set to the front and rear differential feeding state), the so-called shrinkage sewing can be performed in which the part closer to the front side of the needle drop position is fed faster than the part closer to the rear side of the needle drop position.

[0176] In addition, in the front-rear differential feeding state, sewing can also be performed by feeding the part on the front side of the needle drop position more slowly than the part on the rear side of the needle drop position to apply tension to the sewn material C.

[0177] exist Figure 7 In the setting state (set to the left and right differential feed state), if the left side is fed quickly, right-bent curve sewing can be performed, and if the right side is fed quickly, left-bent curve sewing can be performed.

[0178] In addition, since the curvature can be changed according to the magnitude of the speed difference (transport amount difference) between the left and right sides, various curved sewing can be performed.

[0179] [Cloth pressing mechanism]

[0180] Figure 8 1 is a perspective view of a cloth pressing mechanism 70 as a pressing mechanism for pressing a workpiece C from above on a needle plate 101. Fig. 9 is the rear view, Fig.10 is the right side view. In addition, Figure 8 and Fig.10 The illustration of the positioning scale 50 and its supporting mechanism 53 described later is omitted.

[0181] The cloth pressing mechanism 70 includes a presser foot 71, a press rod 72, a mounting base 74, a press motor (not shown), and a press height detection unit (not shown).

[0182] The pressure bar 72 is disposed in front of the needle bar 12, and is supported in the interior of the sewing machine arm portion 113 in a state along the up-down direction so as to be able to move up and down.

[0183] The upper end of the press rod 72 is pushed downward by a press spring (not shown) inside the sewing machine arm 113. The expansion and contraction amount of the press spring can be adjusted by a press motor that can arbitrarily control the amount of movement. Therefore, by controlling the press motor, the pressing pressure of the presser foot 71 can be arbitrarily set.

[0184] The pressing motor also provides a lifting motion for switching between a pressing height at which the presser foot 71 presses the workpiece C on the needle plate 101 and a release height at which the presser foot 71 moves away upward.

[0185] In addition, a pressing height detection unit (not shown) for detecting the height of the pressing rod 72 is provided. Therefore, after the pressing pressure of the presser foot 71 is set to a predetermined value, when the height of the presser foot 71 changes due to the change in the thickness of the sewn material C, the pressing pressure can be maintained at a certain set value by controlling the pressing motor in such a way that the expansion and contraction amount of the pressing spring does not change.

[0186] The presser foot 71 is mounted on the lower end of the press rod 72 via a mounting platform 74. The mounting platform 74 is a block whose upper surface and lower surface are horizontal and flat. The mounting platform 74 is formed with an insertion hole that can be inserted into the press rod 72. The mounting platform 74 is fixed to the lower end of the press rod 72 by tightening a screw, for example.

[0187] In addition, a lower end portion of a link member 474 of the upper feed mechanism 40 described later is connected to a front end portion of the mounting table 74 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction.

[0188] The presser foot 71 is arranged above the composite opening 102 of the needle plate 101. The presser foot 71 presses the sewing object C from above so that the conveying force by each lower belt 21 to 24 is appropriately transmitted to the sewing object C. In addition, the presser foot 71 supports the left upper belt 41 and the right upper belt 42 of the upper feed mechanism 40 so that they can be conveyed. Moreover, the presser foot 71 also has the function of pressing each upper belt 41, 42 to the sewing object C so that the conveying force thereof is appropriately transmitted to the sewing object C.

[0189] like Figure 8 to Figure 10 As shown, the presser foot 71 includes a bottom plate 711 for pressing the workpiece C from above, and a connecting portion 712 attached to the lower end of the presser bar 72 .

[0190] The bottom plate 711 has a so-called boat shape in which the bottom surface is smooth and the upstream side (rear end portion) in the cloth feeding direction is tilted upward.

[0191] The connecting portion 712 is vertically provided on the upper surface of the front end of the bottom plate 711, and is connected to the bottom plate 711 so as to be slightly swingable around an axis along the left-right direction. The upper portion of the connecting portion 712 is fixed to the lower side of the mounting platform 74, for example, by screwing. In addition, the connecting portion 712 may be joined to the mounting platform 74 by welding or the like, or may be formed by integrating the connecting portion 712 and the mounting platform 74 into one member.

[0192] [Upper feed mechanism]

[0193] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 8 to Figure 10As shown, the upper feeding mechanism 40 includes: an upper left belt 41 and an upper right belt 42 serving as conveyor belts, the left and right belt guides 43, a belt guide 44, an upper left motor 45 serving as a driving source for feeding the upper left belt 41, an upper right motor 46 serving as a driving source for feeding the upper right belt 42, and a guiding mechanism 47 for guiding each upper belt 41, 42 from each upper motor 45, 46 to the presser foot 71.

[0194] The left and right tape guides 43 and 44 are mounted on the left and right sides of the presser foot 71 .

[0195] The belt guides 43 and 44 are rotatably mounted on left and right side surfaces of the lower portion of the connecting portion 712 of the presser foot 71 via a support shaft (not shown) extending along the left-right direction.

[0196] Each of the belt guides 43 and 44 has a shape in which the front end extends obliquely upward and the rear end is closest to the needle plate 101 when viewed from the side. In addition, each of the belt guides 43 and 44 includes a feed roller 432 and a feed roller 442 at the rear end that can rotate along an axis in the left-right direction.

[0197] The left and right endless ring-shaped upper belts 41 and 42 are guided so as to pass between the left and right belt guides 43 and 44 and the side surface of the presser foot 71. That is, the left and right upper belts 41 and 42 are guided so as to be folded downward along the outer circumference from the upper part of the feed rollers 432 and 442 and to move forward at the part of each belt guide 43 and 44 closest to the needle plate 101, and then pass forward in the obliquely upward direction. When each upper belt 41 and 42 moves forward along the part of each belt guide 43 and 44 closest to the needle plate 101, it contacts the sewing material C on the needle plate 101 and is fed forward.

[0198] In addition, the contact position of the workpiece C of the left upper belt 41 overlaps with the contact position of the workpiece C of the front left lower belt 22 in a plan view, and the workpiece C is fed so as to be sandwiched by these belts.

[0199] Similarly, the contact position of the workpiece C of the right upper belt 42 overlaps with the contact position of the workpiece C of the front right lower belt 23 in a plan view, and the workpiece C is fed while being sandwiched by these belts.

[0200] As described above, each of the tape guides 43 and 44 is axially supported by the presser foot 71 via a support shaft. One ends of the tension springs 433 and 443 as springs are connected to the shafts 434 and 444 provided at the front ends of each of the tape guides 43 and 44. The other ends of each of the tension springs 433 and 443 are connected to the shafts 745 and 746 provided at the left and right side surfaces of the mounting base 74, respectively, so that tension is applied upward to the front ends of each of the tape guides 43 and 44.

[0201] Therefore, the rear end side of each tape guide 43, 44 is rotated downward, and a pressing force is applied to each upper tape 41, 42 that moves forward along the portion closest to the needle plate 101 toward the needle plate 101. Therefore, a pressing force is applied to each upper tape 41, 42 toward the sewing material C on the needle plate 101.

[0202] The left and right upper motors 45 and 46 use motors whose rotation speed can be controlled, such as a DC motor, an AC motor, a stepping motor, or the like.

[0203] The upper left motor 45 is supported on the front side of the left end portion of the sewing machine arm 113 via a motor bracket 451 in a state where the output shaft is directed to the left.

[0204] The upper right motor 46 is supported above the upper left motor 45 via a motor bracket 451 on the front side of the left end portion of the sewing machine arm 113 in a state where the output shaft is directed to the left.

[0205] Furthermore, a motor pulley 452 is attached to the output shaft of the upper left motor 45 , and one end of the upper left belt 41 is wound around the motor pulley 452 .

[0206] Furthermore, a motor pulley 462 is attached to the output shaft of the upper right motor 46 , and one end of the upper right belt 42 is wound around the motor pulley 462 .

[0207] The upper left belt 41 is in an endless loop, and one end of the belt is stretched over the motor pulley 452 of the upper left motor 45 , while the other end is stretched over the feed roller 432 of the belt guide 43 .

[0208] The upper right belt 42 is also endless, and one end of the belt is stretched on the motor pulley 462 of the upper right motor 46 , and the other end is stretched on the feed roller 442 at the rear end of the belt guide 44 .

[0209] Furthermore, when viewed from the left and right directions, the path from the motor pulley 452 of the upper left belt 41 to the feed roller 432 and the path from the motor pulley 462 of the upper right belt 42 to the feed roller 442 are repeated except for the peripheries of the motor pulley 452 and the motor pulley 462. In addition, the upper right belt 42 is arranged on the right side relative to the upper left belt 41.

[0210] The guide mechanism 47 guides the upper left belt 41 and the upper right belt 42 along the respective paths.

[0211] The guiding mechanism 47 comprises: a pair of first tensioning rollers 471 arranged on the left and right, a pair of second tensioning rollers 472 arranged on the left and right, a guiding arm 475 including upper and lower link members 473 and 474, and a plurality of guiding rollers 476 rotatably arranged at respective parts on the paths of the upper belts 41 and 42.

[0212] The pair of first tension rollers 471 is disposed below the motor pulley 452. In addition, the pair of second tension rollers 472 is disposed between the motor pulley 452 and the pair of first tension rollers 471.

[0213] The pair of first tension rollers 471 is rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction and has a wide axial width. The pair of first tension rollers 471 is pressed against both the left upper belt 41 and the right upper belt 42 from the outside and applies tension to the inside.

[0214] The pair of second tension rollers 472 can rotate around an axis along the left-right direction and has a narrow axial width. The pair of second tension rollers 472 is pressed against only the right upper belt 42 from the inside and applies tension to the belt toward the outside.

[0215] In addition, the upper right belt 42 is expanded to the left and right sides by the pair of second tension rollers 472, so that interference with the motor pulley 452 located in the middle of the path can be avoided.

[0216] One end of the upper link member 473 constituting the guide arm 475 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the motor bracket 451 about an axis along the left-right direction. In addition, the other end of the upper link member 473 is rotatably connected to one end of the lower link member 474 about an axis along the left-right direction.

[0217] Furthermore, as described above, the other end of the lower link member 474 is connected to the front end of the mounting base 74 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction.

[0218] At the connection portion between the upper link member 473 and the lower link member 474, there are provided a guide roller 476 that abuts against the inner side of the ring from the front side relative to the upper left belt 41 and the upper right belt 42, and a guide roller (not shown) that abuts against the outer side of the ring from the front side.

[0219] Thus, the left and right upper belts 41 and 42 are conveyed through a path along the upper link member 473 and a path along the lower link member 474 .

[0220] Therefore, even if the presser foot 71 rises and falls due to the change in thickness or unevenness of the sewn material C, and the bending angles of the upper link member 473 and the lower link member 474 change, the left and right upper belts 41 and 42 maintain the path along the upper link member 473 and the path along the lower link member 474. Therefore, the path length of each upper belt 41 and 42 is maintained constant, and the change of tension can be suppressed.

[0221] [Positioning ruler]

[0222] The positioning scale 50 is used to position the side end of the sewn article C in a direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sewn article C. The positioning direction of the positioning scale 50 is preferably perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sewn article C, but is not limited thereto and may be inclined to a certain extent relative to the perpendicular direction.

[0223] Fig.11 is a three-dimensional diagram of the positioning scale 50 and its surrounding structures in a non-use position. Fig.12 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the positioning scale 50 and its surrounding structures in the use position.

[0224] like Fig. 9 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the positioning scale 50 is supported by a supporting mechanism 53 .

[0225] The positioning scale 50 is a touch plate for sewing at a certain interval along the side end (the right end in this embodiment) of the sewn object C on the needle plate 101 (so-called edge sewing). In the following description, the certain interval of edge sewing along the side end of the sewn object C is referred to as "edge sewing width".

[0226] The support mechanism 53 switches the position of the positioning scale 50 between a use position close to or in contact with the upper surface of the needle plate 101 and a non-use position upwardly away from the upper surface of the needle plate 101. Here, the position and orientation of each part of the positioning scale 50 are described assuming that it is in the use position.

[0227] The positioning scale 50 includes a contact plate 51 that contacts the side end of the workpiece C and a connecting portion 52 that extends from the contact plate 51 toward the supporting mechanism 53. The contact plate 51 and the connecting portion 52 are formed by bending a single metal plate.

[0228] The contact plate 51 is in the shape of a flat plate parallel to the front-rear up-down direction, and its left surface serves as a contact surface for the sewn object C. The contact plate 51 is in the shape of a generally elongated rectangle when viewed from the side, and is long in the front-rear direction.

[0229] The lower edge of the contact plate 51 is linear, and in the use position, the lower edge is horizontal along the front-rear direction, and can abut against or approach the upper surface of the needle plate 101 over the entire length of the lower edge.

[0230] In the use position, the front end portion of the touch panel 51 is preferably located at the same position as the pinhole 13 or further forward than the pinhole 13 in the front-rear direction.

[0231] The distance from the center of the needle hole 13 to the left surface of the touch plate 51 in the left-right direction is the edge stitch width during sewing. The distance from the center of the needle hole 13 to the left surface of the touch plate 51 in the left-right direction can be adjusted by the support mechanism 53.

[0232] In addition, the touch plate 51 is configured so that the left surface is located further to the right than the center of the needle hole 13. Moreover, the touch plate 51 can be adjusted in position by moving the left surface of the touch plate 51 to the position closest to the center of the needle hole 13 in the left-right direction within a range that does not interfere with the sewing needle 11 or the presser foot 71.

[0233] The connecting portion 52 extends to the right from the upper edge of the front end of the touch plate 51, and is in a crank shape when viewed from the front-back direction. Due to the crank shape, the right end of the connecting portion 52 is one step higher than the end on the touch plate 51 side. The right end of the connecting portion 52 is connected to the support mechanism 53, so that the entire positioning scale 50 is supported by the support mechanism 53.

[0234] In addition, the configuration or shape of the connecting portion 52 is not limited to the above. For example, the connecting portion 52 may be connected to any of the outer edges of the touch plate 51 as long as it does not prevent the side end of the sewn object C from touching the touch surface relative to the touch plate 51. In addition, the connecting portion 52 may not be in the shape of a flat plate, and further, it may not be integral with the touch plate 51.

[0235] The support mechanism 53 includes a holding shaft 54 ​​for holding the positioning scale 50 , a cylindrical body 55 inserted and holding the holding shaft 54 ​​, a rotating arm 56 for holding the cylindrical body 55 , and an actuator (not shown) as a driving source for imparting a rotating motion to the rotating arm 56 .

[0236] The support mechanism 53 rotates the positioning scale 50 to switch between the use position and the non-use position.

[0237] The holding shaft 54 ​​includes a round rod-shaped shaft portion 541 extending along the left-right direction, and a holding block 542 fixedly provided at the left end portion of the shaft portion 541 .

[0238] The retaining block 542 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped extending to the left from the left end of the shaft portion 541. The retaining block 542 has a step portion at the left end of the upper surface thereof, and the right end of the connecting portion 52 is connected by a fastening member such as a bolt in a state where the lower surface is in contact with the upper surface of the step portion.

[0239] The shaft portion 541 of the retaining shaft 54 ​​has a uniform outer diameter over the entire length in the left-right direction, and the right end portion thereof is inserted into the cylindrical body 55 .

[0240] The cylindrical body 55 is arranged along the left-right direction, and is fixed by a fastening member such as a bolt to hold the shaft 54. Therefore, by loosening the fastening member, the holding shaft 54 ​​and the positioning scale 50 can be rotated around the axis along the left-right direction to adjust the direction.

[0241] The rotating arm 56 includes a telescopic shaft 561 that holds the cylindrical body 55 and a cylindrical arm portion 562 into which the telescopic shaft 561 can be inserted.

[0242] The base end of the cylindrical arm portion 562 is supported by the sewing machine frame or other supporting structure so as to be rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction. In addition, the cylindrical arm portion 562 extends in a radial direction centered on the rotation axis of the base end portion. Specifically, the cylindrical arm portion 562 extends from the base end portion toward the rear.

[0243] The cylindrical arm 562 is cylindrical in shape and can be inserted into the telescopic shaft 561. The telescopic shaft 561 is held by a fastening member such as a bolt. The telescopic shaft 561 can be adjusted in position along the insertion direction by loosening the fastening member of the cylindrical arm 562. That is, the rotating arm 56 causes the telescopic shaft 561 to extend and retract along the rotation radius direction of the cylindrical arm 562, thereby adjusting the rotation radius of the rotation action of the positioning scale 50. Thus, the configuration of the use position of the positioning scale 50 in the front-back direction can be adjusted.

[0244] The rotating end of the telescopic shaft 561 at the rear end side holds the cylindrical body 55 in a state where the cylindrical body 55 is oriented in the left-right direction. In addition, an adjustment screw 563 is provided at the rotating end of the telescopic shaft 561. The adjustment screw 563 can adjust the position of the cylindrical body 55 in the left-right direction by rotating it.

[0245] Therefore, by adjusting the screw 563, the position of the positioning scale 50 can be adjusted in the left-right direction via the cylindrical body 55 and the retaining shaft 54, thereby adjusting the edge sewing width.

[0246] The actuator includes a motor, a rotary cylinder, etc. that rotates the rotating arm 56. In addition, the rotating arm 56 may be rotated by connecting a plunger of a direct-acting cylinder to the rotating arm 56.

[0247] The actuator provides the positioning scale 50 with a contact / separation movement operation with respect to the needle plate 101 through the rotation of the rotation arm 56. Thus, the actuator provides the positioning scale 50 with a position switching operation between a use position and a non-use position.

[0248] In the non-use position, the rotating arm 56 is substantially horizontal along the front-rear direction, the rotating end portion on the positioning scale 50 side is facing rearward, and the positioning scale 50 is separated upward from the needle plate 101 .

[0249] Furthermore, the actuator drives the rotating end of the rotating arm 56 to rotate obliquely forward and downward, and the positioning scale 50 descends and is in a use position abutting against or approaching the upper surface of the needle plate 101 .

[0250] In addition, by driving the actuator in the opposite direction to the above, the rotating arm 56 rotates in the opposite direction to the above, and the positioning scale 50 moves from the use position to the non-use position.

[0251] There is no limitation on the height of the positioning scale 50 in the non-use position, but it is preferably set to a height that does not interfere with other structures of the sewing machine 100 and does not hinder sewing work.

[0252] [Retreat Agency]

[0253] When the workpiece is fed, the bottoms of the rear end portions of the left and right tape guides 43 and 44 are located at a feeding position at the height of the upper surface of the needle plate 101 .

[0254] When sewing using the positioning scale 50, the retraction mechanism 60 moves the tape guide 44 and the feed roller 442 on the right side of the positioning scale 50 relative to the needle hole 13 and the upper right tape 42 guided by them to the retraction position in order to be arranged in the use position.

[0255] As described above, the positioning scale 50 is configured so that the front end of the positioning scale 50 in the front-rear direction is at the same position as the needle hole 13 or further forward than the needle hole 13 in the use position. Furthermore, the positioning scale 50 is sometimes configured so that the left surface of the touch plate 51 is moved to a position closest to the center of the needle hole 13 in the left-right direction within a range that does not interfere with the sewing needle 11.

[0256] The right belt guide 44 is arranged so that the position closest to the needle drop position, i.e., the needle hole 13, i.e., the rear end side, overlaps with the needle hole 13 in the front-back direction. In addition, the right belt guide 44 and the feed roller 442 are close to the right upper belt 42 guided by them in the left-right direction and are arranged adjacent to the needle hole 13.

[0257] Therefore, the right tape guide 44 and the feed roller 442 may interfere with the upper right tape 42 and the positioning scale 50 guided by these when the positioning scale 50 is arranged so as to be close to the pinhole 13 in the use position.

[0258] Therefore, the retraction mechanism 60 moves the rear end of the tape guide 44 to a retracted position away from the needle plate 101 upward, thereby avoiding interference between the right tape guide 44 and the feed roller 442 and the upper right tape 42 and the positioning scale 50 guided by them.

[0259] Fig.13 is a perspective view of the periphery of the retracting mechanism 60. Fig.14 is the right side view. Fig.13 and Fig.14 The illustration of the positioning scale 50 and its supporting mechanism 53 is omitted.

[0260] like Figure 8 , Fig.10 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 As shown, the retraction mechanism 60 includes: a retaining member 61 for retaining the right belt guide 44 in the retracted position, a support shaft 62 for rotatably supporting the upper end axis of the retaining member 61, and a torsion coil spring (torsion spring) 63 as an elastic member for urging the retaining member 61 toward a specified position.

[0261] The upper end portion of the holding member 61 is supported on the right side surface of the mounting table 74 via a support shaft 62 including a stepped screw so as to be rotatable about the left-right direction.

[0262] The holding member 61 includes a long and narrow rectangular flat plate, and the lower end portion thereof is used as a rotation end portion, and extends in a radial direction centered on the support shaft 62. A substantially semicircular recess 611 is formed at the lower end portion of the holding member 61.

[0263] In addition, an operation piece 612 is formed on the front side of the lower end portion of the holding member 61 so as to stand upright to the right by being bent.

[0264] Regarding the holding member 61, Figure 8 and Fig.10 As shown, the lower end of the holding member 61 is urged forward by the torsion coil spring 63. Furthermore, the lower end of the holding member 61 is pressed against the head of the bolt connecting the lower end of the link member 474 to the mounting platform 74, and is maintained in a release position further forward than the front end of the belt guide 44.

[0265] When the holding member 61 is located at the release position, there is no interference with the tape guide 44, and the tape guide 44 maintains the feeding position.

[0266] Moreover, if Fig.13 and Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the operating piece 612 at the lower end of the holding member 61 is pressed and rotated rearward in a state where the front end of the belt guide 44 is pressed down in the retracted position, the shaft 444 can be fitted into the recess 611 from below. The position where the shaft 444 is fitted into the recess 611 is set as the holding position of the holding member 61.

[0267] When the holding member 61 is placed in the holding position, the holding member 61 is directed substantially vertically downward.

[0268] In this case, the front end of the tape guide 44 is maintained in a state where the shaft 444 is fitted in the recess 611 by the upward tension of the tension spring 443. Thus, the holding member 61 can maintain the holding position against the torsion coil spring 63. Therefore, the tape guide 44 is held in the retracted position.

[0269] When returning the tape guide 44 to the feeding position, it is sufficient to press down the front end portion of the tape guide 44 or lift up the rear end portion. As a result, the shaft portion 444 engaged with the recess 611 is disengaged, and the holding member 61 is restored to the release position by the torsion coil spring 63. Therefore, the tape guide 44 can also be returned to the feeding position.

[0270] [Use of sewing machine]

[0271] The sewing machine 100 having the above-described structure can perform sewing with upper tape feeding and lower tape feeding.

[0272] In the case described, the lower feeding mechanism 20 is Figure 6 The lower belts 21 to 24 are arranged in a certain form, and can be fed and sewn at different speeds on the front and rear sides of the needle hole 13.

[0273] In addition, the lower feeding mechanism 20 is Figure 7 The lower belts 21 to 24 are arranged in a certain form, and can be fed and sewn at different speeds on the left and right sides of the needle hole 13.

[0274] On the other hand, when edge sewing is performed along the right end portion of the sewn article C, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 and Fig.14 As shown, the front end portion of the right tape guide 44 is pressed down to move it from the feeding position to the retracted position.

[0275] Furthermore, the lower end portion of the holding member 61 is rotated rearward to switch from the release position to the holding position, and the shaft portion 444 of the belt guide 44 is fitted into the recessed portion 611 .

[0276] The holding member 61 holds the shaft portion 444 in such a manner that the interval between the shaft portion 444 and the shaft portion 746 of the tape guide 44 is sufficiently longer than the interval between the shaft portion 444 and the shaft portion 746 of the tape guide 44 when the tape guide 44 is in the feeding position, thereby holding the tape guide 44 in the retracted position. In addition, the rear end portion of the tape guide 44 moves away from the needle plate 101 upward, forming a space around the right side of the needle hole 13.

[0277] Then, the actuator of the support mechanism 53 of the positioning scale 50 is driven to move the positioning scale 50 from the non-use position to the use position. As a result, the lower edge of the positioning scale 50 abuts against or approaches the upper surface of the needle plate 101 and the right side of the needle hole 13 in a state where the touch plate 51 of the positioning scale 50 is along the front-back direction. In addition, the position of the touch plate 51 in the left-right direction is adjusted in advance so that the target edge sewing width is obtained from the center of the needle hole 13.

[0278] Thus, the sewing is performed while the sewing object C is fed so that the right end of the sewing object C always contacts the left surface of the touch plate 51 of the positioning scale 50, thereby sewing with the target edge sewing width.

[0279] In the case of the above sewing, since the right upper tape 42 does not contribute to the feeding of the sewn material C, it is preferable that the worker sews while manipulating the sewn material C by hand to prevent the sewn material from being bent too much to the right.

[0280] In addition, the control device that controls the upper right motor 46 as the driving source of the upper right belt 42 may also perform control to limit the upper right motor 46 from driving during edge sewing. In the above case, a sensor that detects any one of the movement of the belt guide 44 to the retracted position, the movement of the holding member 61 to the holding position, and the movement of the positioning scale 50 to the use position may be provided, and the control device may perform control to limit the driving of the upper right motor 46 in conjunction with the detection of the sensor.

[0281] In addition, the control device may be configured to perform control to limit the driving of the upper right motor 46 in conjunction with the driving of the actuator that switches the position of the positioning scale 50 to the use position.

[0282] [Technical Effects of the First Embodiment]

[0283] The sewing machine 100 includes a retracting mechanism 60 that holds the upper right tape 42 and the tape guide 44 on the side of the positioning scale 50 with respect to the needle hole 13 , which is the needle drop position, at a retracted position away from the needle hole 13 .

[0284] Thus, the positioning scale 50 can be arranged on the needle plate 101 close to the needle hole 13 without interference between the upper right tape 42 and the tape guide 44, so that sewing with a narrower edge stitching width can be performed.

[0285] In addition, the retreat mechanism 60 retreats the upper right belt 42 and the belt guide 44 upward, so that the positioning ruler 50 can be arranged without restriction not only in the left-right direction but also in the front-to-back direction. By arranging the positioning ruler 50 in the front-to-back direction so as to overlap with the needle hole 13, better edge sewing can be performed.

[0286] In addition, the retraction mechanism 60 has a retaining member 61 that retains the belt guide 44 that has been retracted by rotation at the retracted position. Therefore, the restoring force of the tension spring 443 of the belt guide 44 can be used to maintain the retaining state, thereby simplifying the structure of the retraction mechanism 60 and reducing the number of parts.

[0287] In addition, the positioning ruler 50 is supported by the support mechanism 53 so as to be able to contact / stay away from the needle plate 101 or the needle hole 13. Therefore, the positioning ruler 50 can be arranged on the needle plate 101 only when edge sewing is required, and the sewing machine 100 can perform various sewing operations other than edge sewing.

[0288] In addition, the support mechanism 53 has an actuator that moves the positioning scale 50 in contact with / away from the needle plate 101 or the needle hole 13, so the position of the positioning scale 50 can be quickly switched when edge sewing is required, thereby improving the efficiency of sewing operations.

[0289] [Second embodiment]

[0290] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0291] In the present embodiment, a sewing machine is shown in which the retracting mechanism includes a holding member 61A having a structure different from that of the holding member 61 described above.

[0292] Fig.15 is a perspective view of the periphery of the retaining member 61A in the release position, Fig.16 is a right side view of the periphery of the retaining member 61A in the release position, Fig.17 is a perspective view of the periphery of the holding member 61A in the holding position, Fig.18 61A is a right side view of the periphery of the holding member 61A in the holding position. Fig.19 is a perspective view of the holding member 61A, Fig. 20 is a plan view of the holding member 61A, Fig.21 It is a front view of the holding member 61A.

[0293] like Figure 19 to Figure 21As shown, the holding member 61A has a through hole 615A formed at one end thereof into which the shaft portion 444 can be inserted, and the shaft portion 444 is hooked on the tension spring 443 provided at the front end of the tape guide 44. Unlike the holding member 61, one end of the holding member 61A is supported at the front end of the tape guide 44 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction.

[0294] Furthermore, a spring washer may be inserted between the holding member 61A and the belt guide 44 to apply sliding resistance to the rotation operation.

[0295] A substantially semicircular recess 611A is formed at the other end of the holding member 61A. Unlike the holding member 61, the recess 611A is used to fit a shaft 746 that is hooked on the tension spring 443 provided on the cloth pressing mechanism 70 side.

[0296] In the second embodiment, the shaft portion 746 is provided on the right side surface of the upper portion of the connection portion 712 instead of the mounting base 74 , but the shaft portion 746 may be provided on the mounting base 74 .

[0297] Furthermore, the holding member 61A has a hook portion 614A formed at a side edge portion of a middle portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, the hook portion 614A extending in the thickness direction of the holding member 61A.

[0298] like Fig.15 and Fig.16 As shown in the figure, when the holding member 61A supported on the right side of the tape guide 44 is in the release position, if the rotating end side droops downward, it may be hooked on the sewn object C, interfere with other members, and damage the needle plate 101. Therefore, the hook portion 614A is locked to the upper surface of the tape guide 44 and functions as a stopper to prevent the holding member 61A from drooping.

[0299] [Use of sewing machine]

[0300] In the case of the structure described, when the edge is sewn, as Fig.15 and Fig.16 As shown, in a state where the holding member 61A is located at the release position, the front end portion of the right tape guide 44 is pressed down to rotate it from the feeding position to the retracted position.

[0301] Furthermore, if Fig.17 and Fig.18 As shown, the rotating end portion of the holding member 61A is rotated upward to switch from the release position to the holding position, and the shaft portion 746 of the tape guide 44 is fitted into the recess 611A.

[0302] The holding member 61A is sufficiently longer than the distance between the shaft portion 444 and the shaft portion 746 of the tape guide 44 when the tape guide 44 is located at the feeding position, and thus the tape guide 44 can be held at the retracted position.

[0303] Thus, on the right side of the needle hole 13 in the needle plate 101, the positioning scale 50 can be arranged so as to be closer to the needle hole 13, thereby performing edge sewing.

[0304] [Technical Effects of the Second Embodiment]

[0305] The sewing machine equipped with the holding mechanism including the holding member 61A has the same technical effects as the sewing machine 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0306] Furthermore, the holding member 61A does not require a torsion coil spring or a stepped screw, and the holding mechanism can be made into a simpler structure.

[0307] However, a spring may be provided to bias the rotating end portion of the holding member 61A downward.

[0308] [Third Embodiment]

[0309] In the third embodiment, a sewing machine including a retracting mechanism 60B that switches the feeding position and the retracting position of the tape guide 44B by an actuator 65B is shown. Fig. 22 It is a right side view showing the structure of the vicinity of the retracting mechanism 60B.

[0310] In the sewing machine, the tape guide 44B can be switched from the feeding position to the retreating position by a pressing force, and a pressure receiving portion 445B for the pressing force of the switching position is provided at the upper end of the tape guide 44B. The pressure receiving portion 445B is formed in a flat plate shape along the up-down and left-right directions. The structure of the tape guide 44B is the same as that of the tape guide 44 except that the pressure receiving portion 445B is included.

[0311] The retracting mechanism 60B includes a bell crank-shaped holding member 64B having an extension portion 641B and an extension portion 642B extending in two directions, and an actuator 65B for imparting a rotational motion to the holding member 64B.

[0312] The holding member 64B is supported rotatably around an axis along the left-right direction on the right side surface of the mounting base 74. One of the extensions 641B of the holding member 64B extends downward, and its top end faces the pressure receiving portion 445B of the belt guide 44B at the rear side thereof.

[0313] The other extension portion 642B of the holding member 64B extends forward. The actuator 65B inputs an upward rotational motion to the extension portion 642B.

[0314] When an upward rotational action is input to the other extension portion 642B, one of the extension portions 641B rotates forward, and the upper end portion of the belt guide 44B is pushed forward via the pressure-receiving portion 445B, causing the rear end portion of the belt guide 44B to rotate upward, thereby switching from the feed position to the retracted position.

[0315] The actuator 65B is a linear actuator, and for example, an air cylinder can be used. The actuator 65B including the air cylinder is arranged so that the plunger 651B faces downward, and the tip of the plunger 651B is in a hook shape bent backward.

[0316] The hook-shaped top end upper surface of the plunger 651B faces the top lower surface of the other extension 642B of the holding member 64B. Thus, by making the plunger 651B of the actuator 65B retreat upward, the other extension 642B of the holding member 64B can be rotated upward to switch the belt guide 44B to the retreat position.

[0317] In addition, by appropriately setting the stroke of the plunger of the actuator 65B as an air cylinder, the belt guide 44B can be held at the retracted position.

[0318] The presser foot 71 is lowered onto the needle plate 101 during sewing, but is lifted upward by a pressing motor to release the sewn object C during non-sewing.

[0319] In the retracting mechanism 60B, the top surface of the plunger 651B faces the bottom surface of the top of the other extension 642B of the holding member 64B, so that the lifting action of the presser foot 71 when released is not affected.

[0320] The actuator 65B is preferably configured to be operable and controllable by a control device via a solenoid valve, etc. Thus, the actuator 65B can be controlled according to the instruction input operation of the operator, and the tape guide 44B can be arbitrarily switched between the feeding position and the retracted position.

[0321] Thus, when the positioning scale 50 is arranged on the needle plate 101 for edge sewing, the position of the tape guide 44B can be quickly switched, and the efficiency of sewing can be improved.

[0322] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0323] The fourth embodiment also shows a sewing machine including a retracting mechanism 60C that switches the feeding position and the retracting position of the tape guide 44B by an actuator 65C. Fig.23 It is a right side view showing the structure of the vicinity of the retracting mechanism 60C.

[0324] The retracting mechanism 60C includes a bellcrank-shaped holding member 64C having an extension portion 641C and an extension portion 642C extending in two directions, an actuator 65C for imparting a rotational motion to the holding member 64C, and two link members 66C and 67C connecting the holding member 64C and the actuator 65C.

[0325] The holding member 64C has substantially the same structure as the holding member 64B, and has one extending portion 641C extending downward and the other extending portion 642C extending forward.

[0326] Furthermore, the front end portion of the other extension portion 642C is connected to the actuator 65C via two link members 66C and 67C.

[0327] The actuator 65C is a direct-acting actuator similar to the actuator 65B, and can utilize, for example, an air cylinder.

[0328] The lower end portion of a plunger 651C of an actuator 65C including an air cylinder is connected to the front end portion of the other extension portion 642C of the holding member 64C via two link members 66C and 67C.

[0329] The lower end of the lower link member 66C is rotatably connected to the front end of the other extension 642C of the holding member 64C around an axis along the left-right direction. In addition, the upper end of the link member 66C is rotatably connected to the lower end of the upper link member 67C around an axis along the left-right direction.

[0330] An upper end portion of the upper link member 67C is connected to a lower end portion of a plunger 651C of the actuator 65C so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0331] In addition, in a state where one of the extensions 641C of the holding member 64C is facing downward and the other extension 642C is facing forward (a state where the tape guide 44B is located at the feeding position), as shown in FIG. Fig.23 As shown, the lengths of the two link members 66C and 67C are set so that they are slightly bent at the connection portion. In addition, the lengths of the two link members 66C and 67C may be set so that they are straight in the above state.

[0332] On the other hand, the upward lifting stroke of the plunger 651C of the actuator 65C is set to a length that stretches the two link members 66C and 67C to a straight state, thereby rotating the retaining member 64C and rotating the belt guide 44B from the feed position to the retracted position.

[0333] Thus, by retracting the plunger 651C of the actuator 65C, the two link members 66C and 67C are extended, and the other extension portion 642C of the holding member 64C is rotated upward, thereby switching the belt guide 44B to the retracted position.

[0334] In the retraction mechanism 60C, the top end of the plunger 651C is connected to the retaining member 64C via two slightly bent (or linearly connected) connecting rod members 66C and 67C. Therefore, when the presser foot 71 is lifted when released, the two connecting rod members 66C and 67C are only greatly bent and will not affect the lifting action of the presser foot 71.

[0335] The actuator 65C is preferably configured so that its operation can be controlled by a control device.

[0336] Thus, when the positioning scale 50 is arranged on the needle plate 101 for edge sewing, the position of the tape guide 44B can be quickly switched, and the efficiency of sewing can be improved.

[0337] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0338] The fifth embodiment illustrates a sewing machine including a tape guide 44D that is movable from a feeding position to a retracted position by advancing movement. Fig.24 It is a right side view of the belt guide 44D.

[0339] The belt guides 44 and 44B are both configured to be switched to a retracted position so that the rear end portions abutting against or approaching the sewn material C are moved upward and away from each other.

[0340] The tape guide 44D of the fifth embodiment is configured such that the shaft hole 446D of the support shaft 431 that rotatably supports the tape guide 44D is formed as an elongated hole along the front-rear direction, so that the tape guide 44D can be rotated and moved forward from the feeding position.

[0341] In this case, the retracted position of the tape guide 44D becomes the feeding position, and the advanced position becomes the retracted position.

[0342] When the tape guide 44D is mounted, the retracting mechanism is preferably configured to pull the tape guide 44D forward and hold it.

[0343] [other]

[0344] The above describes various embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. For example, in the embodiments, a structural component formed integrally by a single member can be replaced by a structural component divided into a plurality of members and connected or fixed to each other. In addition, a structural component formed by connecting a plurality of members can also be replaced by a structural component formed integrally by a single member. In addition, the details shown in the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the main purpose of the invention.

[0345] For example, in the above-described embodiments, the structure in which the right end of the sewing object C is brought into contact with the positioning ruler 50 to perform edge sewing is illustrated, but the structure in which the left end of the sewing object C is brought into contact with the positioning ruler to perform edge sewing is also possible.

[0346] In this case, the positioning scale is arranged on the left side of the needle hole 13, and the left end of the workpiece C is brought into contact with the right surface of the touch plate.

[0347] In addition, it is preferable that the left tape guide 43 is switched from the feeding position to the retracted position instead of the right tape guide 44 , and a holding member is arranged on the left side of the presser foot 71 .

[0348] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, a structure is illustrated in which only the single-side belt guide 44 and the belt guide 44D are switched to the retreat position to perform edge sewing, but it can also be constructed as follows: when the presser foot is constructed to press the workpiece C to the lower belt 21 to the lower belt 24 and the feeding function based on the lower belt 21 to the lower belt 24 can be maintained even if the upper belt 41 and the upper belt 42 retreat, the structure includes a retreat mechanism that maintains the two belt guides 43 and 44 in the retreat position when the positioning scale 50 is arranged in the use position.

[0349] In addition, the positioning scale 50 may be configured to be manually switched between the non-use position and the use position.

[0350] In addition, the positioning scale 50 may be configured to be detached and removed from the needle plate 101 when not in use, and to be mounted on the needle plate 101 using screws or the like when in use.

Claims

1. A sewing machine, characterized in that: include: The upper feeding mechanism uses a conveyor belt to feed the sewn material from above the needle plate; as well as A positioning ruler is used to position the side end of the sewn object in a direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the sewn object. The upper feeding mechanism has the conveying belt and the belt guide respectively on both sides of the needle drop position. The sewing machine includes a retracting mechanism that holds the conveyor belt and the belt guide at least on one side of the positioning scale with respect to the needle drop position at a retracted position away from the needle drop position.

2. The sewing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retracting mechanism retracts the conveyor belt and the belt guide upward.

3. The sewing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The belt guide is rotatably supported by the pressing mechanism for the sewn object. The retraction mechanism includes a holding member that holds the tape guide retracted by rotation at a retracted position.

4. The sewing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retraction mechanism includes an actuator for retracting the conveyor belt and the belt guide.

5. The sewing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning scale is supported by a supporting mechanism so as to be able to contact with or be away from the needle plate or the needle drop position.

6. The sewing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The supporting mechanism includes an actuator that moves the positioning scale so as to contact with or move away from the needle plate or the needle drop position.

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