Sewing system and auxiliary unit

Abstract

The invention provides a sewing system and an auxiliary unit. The technical problem is that various sewing processes can be implemented by a common sewing machine. As a solution, the sewing system comprises a sewing machine unit, an auxiliary unit and a connecting mechanism. The sewing machine unit comprises a sewing machine body and a sewing machine table provided with the sewing machine body. The auxiliary unit includes an auxiliary mechanism and an auxiliary table on which the auxiliary mechanism is provided, and the auxiliary mechanism executes a pre-process of the cloth sewing work performed by the sewing machine main body. The connecting mechanism detachably connects the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit. The connecting mechanism is provided with a position adjusting structure, and the position adjusting structure enables the sewing machine table and the auxiliary table to be aligned.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] When sewing products are manufactured in a sewing factory, various processes are implemented, and sometimes a special machine for sewing only a specific process is used. For example, patent document 1 discloses a sewing machine called a pocket installer, which is a special machine for sewing pockets on cloth.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-146325 Summary of the invention

[0006] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0007] A dedicated machine for a specific process is not used in the production of sewn products that do not implement the process (e.g., sewing pockets). Therefore, there is a tendency that the more dedicated machines there are, the lower the device operation rate in the sewing factory. In order to improve the operation rate, it is expected that a common sewing machine can be used to perform various sewing processes.

[0008] An object of an aspect of the present invention is to enable various sewing steps to be performed using a common sewing machine.

[0009] (II) Technical solution

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing system comprising: a sewing machine unit, which includes: a sewing machine body, and a sewing machine table on which the sewing machine body is installed; an auxiliary unit, which includes: an auxiliary mechanism, and an auxiliary table on which the auxiliary mechanism is installed, wherein the auxiliary mechanism performs a pre-process of a fabric sewing operation performed by the sewing machine body; and a connecting mechanism, which connects the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit in a releasable manner, the connecting mechanism having a position adjustment structure, and the position adjustment structure aligns the positions of the sewing machine table and the auxiliary table.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary unit comprising: a connecting mechanism capable of being loaded and unloaded relative to a sewing machine table of a sewing machine unit having a sewing machine main body on the sewing machine table; an auxiliary mechanism that performs a pre-process of a fabric sewing operation performed by the sewing machine main body; and an auxiliary table capable of loading and unloading the connecting mechanism and provided with the auxiliary mechanism.

[0012] (III) Beneficial effects

[0013] According to the aspect of the present invention, various sewing steps can be performed using a common sewing machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the sewing system of this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing an example of a sewing machine unit and an auxiliary unit in a connected state.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing an example of the sewing machine unit according to the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing an example of the auxiliary unit according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the extension mechanism.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a partial three-dimensional view showing the connection mechanism between the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit.

[0020] Figure 7 It is an enlarged perspective view of the first fixing component.

[0021] Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the second fixing component.

[0022] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of adjusting the position of a connecting mechanism.

[0023] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the auxiliary unit.

[0024] Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1-sewing machine needle; 10-sewing machine body; 11-sewing machine frame; 11A-horizontal arm; 11B-needle bed; 11C-vertical arm; 11D-machine head; 12-needle bar; 13-needle plate; 15-presser foot moving mechanism; 15X-X axis moving mechanism; 15Y-Y axis moving mechanism; 16-actuator; 20-operating device; 21-operating panel; 22-operating switch; 30-control device; 40-sewing machine table; 41-notch; 42-leg; 43-wheel; 4 4-adjuster; 100-sewing machine unit; 110, 110A, 110B-auxiliary mechanism; 111-folding mechanism; 112-folding part; 113-lifting mechanism; 121-template moving part; 122-template; 125-positioning component; 126-positioning component moving part; 140-auxiliary table; 142-leg; 143-wheel; 144-adjuster; 150-extension mechanism; 151-support part; 152-holding component; 153-Z-axis guide ; 154-Z-axis actuator; 200, 200A, 200B, 200C-auxiliary unit; 250-connecting mechanism; 251, 251A, 251B-first fixing member; 252, 252A, 252B-second fixing member; 261-connecting member; 261A-threaded hole; 262-fixing part; 263-first part; 264-second part; 265-third part; 271-connecting member; 271A-bolt insertion hole; 272-fixing Part; 272A-bolt insertion hole; 280A, 280B-adjustment fixture; 281A, 281B-parallel reference part; 282A, 282B-distance reference part; 300-sewing system; AP-positioning part; AP1-engaging hole; AP2-engaging pin; Ax1, Ax2-center axis; B1, B2, B3-bolt; H1, H2-distance; PS-sewing position; PW-working position; RP1-reference pin; RP2-reference hole; S-sewing object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The constituent elements of the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, there is also a case where some constituent elements are not used.

[0027] In the present embodiment, a local coordinate system is defined for the sewing machine body 10. In the following description, the local coordinate system defined for the sewing machine body 10 is appropriately referred to as the sewing machine coordinate system. The sewing machine coordinate system is defined using the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. In the present embodiment, the positional relationship of each part is described based on the sewing machine coordinate system. The direction parallel to the X-axis in the specified plane is set as the X-axis direction. The direction parallel to the Y-axis in the specified plane orthogonal to the X-axis is set as the Y-axis direction. The direction parallel to the Z-axis orthogonal to the specified plane is set as the Z-axis direction. In addition, the rotation direction or tilt direction centered on the X-axis is set as the θX direction. The rotation direction or tilt direction centered on the Y-axis is set as the θY direction. The rotation direction or tilt direction centered on the Z-axis is set as the θZ direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, the plane containing the X-axis and the Y-axis is appropriately referred to as the XY plane. The plane containing the X-axis and the Z-axis is appropriately referred to as the XZ plane. The plane containing the Y-axis and the Z-axis is appropriately referred to as the YZ plane. The XY plane is parallel to the specified plane. The XY plane, the XZ plane, and the YZ plane are orthogonal. In addition, in this embodiment, the XY plane is set to be parallel to the horizontal plane. The Z-axis direction is the up-down direction. The +Z direction is upward, and the -Z direction is downward. In addition, the XY plane can also be inclined relative to the horizontal plane.

[0028] (Overview of sewing system)

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing the outline of the sewing system 300 of the present embodiment. The sewing system 300 includes: a sewing machine unit 100, an auxiliary unit 200, and a connecting mechanism 250. The sewing system 300 includes one or more auxiliary units 200 for each sewing machine unit 100. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , three auxiliary units 200A, 200B, and 200C are provided. The connection mechanism 250 connects the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 in a releasable manner. The connection mechanism 250 allows the sewing machine unit 100 to be replaced with a different auxiliary unit 200.

[0030] The sewing machine unit 100 includes: a sewing machine body 10, and a sewing machine table 40 on which the sewing machine body 10 is installed. The sewing machine body 10 sews a sewing object S. The sewing object S is composed of one or more fabrics (fabric parts) as parts of the sewing product. The sewing machine table 40 supports the sewing machine body 10 and provides a working surface for sewing operations performed by the sewing machine unit 100. The working surface is the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The sewing machine unit 100 is an industrial sewing machine that can work independently, and can be an existing sewing machine installed in a sewing factory, etc. The type of sewing machine is not particularly limited. The sewing operations performed by the sewing machine unit 100 include various types such as pocket sewing, front placket sewing, J-stitch sewing, piping sewing, label sewing, decorative sewing, etc. The sewing machine unit 100 can independently perform sewing work without the auxiliary unit 200 .

[0031] The auxiliary unit 200 mainly includes: an auxiliary mechanism 110, and an auxiliary table 140 on which the auxiliary mechanism 110 is installed. The auxiliary unit 200 is an additional device that does not perform the main sewing operation. The auxiliary mechanism 110 performs the pre-process of the cloth sewing operation performed by the sewing machine body 10. The pre-process performed by the auxiliary mechanism 110 is a preparatory process performed before the sewing operation. The pre-process includes, for example, the process of aligning the positions of multiple cloths or cloth parts, forming the seam allowance, etc. In the auxiliary unit 200, different auxiliary mechanisms 110 are set according to the operation process. The auxiliary units 200A, 200B, and 200C have different auxiliary mechanisms 110A, 110B, and 110C, respectively. Therefore, the auxiliary unit 200 performs the pre-process operation required when performing a specific sewing operation by connecting to the sewing machine unit 100.

[0032] The auxiliary table 140 supports the auxiliary mechanism 110 and provides a work surface for the previous process performed by the auxiliary unit 200. The work surface is the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The structure of the auxiliary table 140 may be common to the auxiliary units 200A, 200B, and 200C.

[0033] In this way, the sewing system 300 can realize the automation (semi-automation) of a specific sewing process that was previously realized by a dedicated machine by adding an auxiliary unit 200 corresponding to the content of the sewing operation to the common sewing machine unit 100. Semi-automation means that the operator sets the fabric constituting the sewing object S, and automatically performs the operation after the sewing object S is set.

[0034] Figure 2 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 in a connected state. Figure 2In the example shown, the sewing machine unit 100 is an automatic machine called a pattern sewing machine. The pattern sewing machine can sew any sewing pattern by moving the sewing object S in the XY direction on the sewing machine table 40 while sewing with the sewing machine body 10. Figure 2 The auxiliary unit 200A shown in the figure has an auxiliary mechanism 110A for sewing pockets. Thus, the combination of the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200A can be used to sew pockets on the body fabric. Hereinafter, an example (auxiliary unit 200A) of the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 will be specifically described.

[0035] (Sewing machine unit)

[0036] Figure 3 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the sewing machine unit 100. Figure 3 In the illustrated example, the sewing machine unit 100 includes, in addition to the sewing machine body 10 and the sewing machine table 40 , a presser foot moving mechanism 15 , an operating device 20 operated by an operator, and a control device 30 .

[0037] The control device 30 outputs a control signal, and the control signal controls the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200. The control device 30 includes a computer system. The control device 30 has: an input and output interface, a storage device including a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a memory and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a calculation processing device including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 30 controls the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 according to the computer program stored in the storage device.

[0038] The sewing machine body 10 includes a sewing machine frame 11 , a needle bar 12 supported by the sewing machine frame 11 , a needle plate 13 supported by the sewing machine frame 11 , and an actuator 16 that generates power to move the needle bar 12 .

[0039] The sewing machine frame 11 includes a horizontal arm 11A extending in the Y-axis direction, a needle bed 11B arranged below the horizontal arm 11A, a vertical arm 11C connecting the end of the horizontal arm 11A on the +Y side and the needle bed 11B, and a head 11D arranged on the -Y side of the horizontal arm 11A. The needle bed 11B is provided on the lower surface side of the sewing machine table 40.

[0040] The needle bar 12 holds the sewing machine needle 1. The needle bar 12 holds the sewing machine needle 1 so that the sewing machine needle 1 is parallel to the Z axis. The needle bar 12 is supported by the machine head 11D so as to be movable in the Z axis direction.

[0041] The needle plate 13 is disposed below the needle bar 12. The needle plate 13 constitutes a part of the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The needle plate 13 has a needle hole formed therein, through which the tip of the sewing machine needle 1 that penetrates the sewing object S passes.

[0042] The actuator 16 generates power to move the needle bar 12 in the Z-axis direction. The actuator 16 includes a pulse motor. The actuator 16 is arranged on the horizontal arm 11A. Inside the horizontal arm 11A, a horizontal arm shaft extending in the Y-axis direction is arranged. The actuator 16 is connected to the end of the +Y side of the horizontal arm shaft. The end of the -Y side of the horizontal arm shaft is connected to the needle bar 12 via a transmission mechanism, and the transmission mechanism is arranged inside the head 11D. Due to the action of the actuator 16, the horizontal arm shaft rotates. The power generated by the actuator 16 is transmitted to the needle bar 12 via the horizontal arm shaft and the transmission mechanism. As a result, the sewing machine needle 1 held on the needle bar 12 reciprocates in the Z-axis direction.

[0043] In addition, a presser foot motor is arranged inside the machine head 11D, which generates power to move the presser foot arranged around the sewing machine needle 1 along the Z-axis direction. Due to the action of the presser foot motor, the presser foot moves synchronously with the needle bar 12 along the Z-axis direction, and the suspension of the sewing object S is suppressed.

[0044] A timing belt extending in the Z-axis direction is arranged inside the vertical arm 11C. In addition, a needle bed shaft extending in the Y-axis direction is arranged inside the needle bed 11B. Pulleys are arranged on the horizontal arm shaft and the needle bed shaft. The timing belt is respectively mounted on: the pulley arranged on the horizontal arm shaft and the pulley arranged on the needle bed shaft. The horizontal arm shaft and the needle bed shaft are connected via a transmission mechanism including a timing belt.

[0045] A kettle is arranged below the needle plate 13 (needle bed 11B). The kettle contains bobbins loaded into bobbin boxes. Due to the operation of the actuator 16, the horizontal arm shaft and the needle bed shaft rotate respectively. The power generated by the actuator 16 is transmitted to the kettle via the horizontal arm shaft, the timing belt and the needle bed shaft. As a result, the kettle rotates synchronously with the reciprocating movement of the needle bar 12 in the Z-axis direction.

[0046] The cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 can hold the cloth presser foot 14 in the XY plane (see Figure 2 ) and move it.

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, the cloth presser foot 14 is a flat plate-shaped member with an opening formed with a sewing pattern. The cloth presser foot 14 can move along the Z-axis direction. The cloth presser foot 14 presses the sewing object S from above toward the sewing machine table 40 to expose the sewing part and holds the sewing object S on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. In this embodiment, the cloth presser foot 14 is installed on the extension mechanism 150 described later, so that it can be moved to the auxiliary table 140 by the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15.

[0048] The presser foot moving mechanism 15 can hold the presser foot 14 in the XY plane and move it. In a state where the presser foot 14 holds the sewing object S, the presser foot moving mechanism 15 moves the presser foot 14 along the XY plane under the control of the control device 30. As a result, the sewing object S passing through the sewing position PS directly under the sewing machine needle 1 is sewn in a pattern based on the sewing data.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 includes: an X-axis moving mechanism 15X and a Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y. The X-axis moving mechanism 15X is a linear moving mechanism provided on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 and extending in the X-axis direction. The X-axis moving mechanism 15X holds the cloth presser foot 14 and moves the cloth presser foot 14 in the X-axis direction. The X-axis moving mechanism 15X has an X-axis motor, which generates power to move the cloth presser foot 14 in the X-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y is a linear moving mechanism provided below the sewing machine table 40 and extending in the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y is connected to the X-axis moving mechanism 15X via a notch 41, which is formed in the sewing machine table 40 and extends in the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y moves the X-axis moving mechanism 15X in the Y-axis direction along the notch 41. A pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 15Y are provided on one side and the other side of the X-axis direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y has a Y-axis motor that generates power to move the X-axis moving mechanism 15X. Thus, the presser foot moving mechanism 15 can move the sewing object S while holding it in the XY plane including the sewing position PS directly below the sewing machine needle 1 by using the X-axis moving mechanism 15X and the Y-axis moving mechanism 15Y.

[0050] The operating device 20 receives the operation input of the operator. By operating the operating device 20, the sewing machine unit 100 is operated. The operating device 20 includes: an operation panel 21 and an operation switch 22. The operation panel 21 is installed on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. An operation pedal for the operator to operate with his foot can be provided in the sewing machine unit 100. The operator operates at least one of the operation panel 21, the operation switch 22 and the operation pedal, so that the sewing machine unit 100 is operated.

[0051] (Auxiliary unit)

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, regarding the auxiliary mechanism 110A for pocket sewing, as a pre-sewing process, the outer periphery of the cloth member to be the pocket is folded along the template 122, and a seam allowance is formed on each side except the entrance and exit of the pocket. Then, the folded cloth member is overlapped with the pocket forming position of the sewing object (cloth), and then the template 122 is removed. The auxiliary unit 200A includes a folding mechanism part 111 and a template moving part 121 as the auxiliary mechanism 110A.

[0053] The template moving part 121 is a mechanism for inserting and removing the template 122 relative to the cloth component. The template moving part 121 is set at the +Y direction end of the auxiliary table 140. The template moving part 121 holds the template 122 made in the shape of a pocket. The template moving part 121 holds the template 122 approximately parallel to the XY plane. The template moving part 121 can move the template 122 in the Y-axis direction. The template moving part 121 includes a template drive motor, which generates a driving force to move the template 122 in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the template moving part 121 moves the template 122 to the following positions, namely: the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140, and the retreat position away from the working position PW in the +Y direction. In addition, the template moving part 121 holds the template 122 between a position on the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 and an upper position away from the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 in a manner movable in the Z-axis direction.

[0054] The folding mechanism 111 is a mechanism for performing the folding operation of the cloth component. The folding mechanism 111 is disposed above the template moving portion 121 at the +Y direction end of the auxiliary table 140. The folding mechanism 111 includes: a folding portion 112, and a lifting mechanism 113 for lifting and lowering the folding portion 112. The folding portion 112 includes: a plurality of folding blades arranged in a manner to surround the outer periphery of each side of the template 122, and an actuator for bringing each folding blade close to and away from the template 122. The lifting mechanism 113 holds the folding portion 112 above the template 122 at the working position PW (in the +Z direction). The lifting mechanism 113 includes a lifting motor that generates a driving force for lifting and moving the folding portion 112.

[0055] The lifting mechanism 113 moves the folding portion 112 in the −Z direction to arrange the folding blades around the template 122 . The lifting mechanism 113 moves the folded folding portion 112 of the fabric member in the +Z direction to withdraw from the template 122 .

[0056] Figure 5 200A is a perspective view showing the extension mechanism 150 . The auxiliary unit 200A includes the extension mechanism 150 for extending the movement range of the presser foot 14 by the presser foot moving mechanism 15 to the working position PW of the auxiliary table 140 .

[0057] The extension mechanism 150 is mounted on the presser foot moving mechanism 15 (see Figure 2 ). Specifically, the extension mechanism 150 is installed between the X-axis moving mechanism 15X and the cloth presser foot 14. The cloth presser foot 14 is supported by the X-axis moving mechanism 15X via the extension mechanism 150. The extension mechanism 150 extends in the connection direction (X-axis direction) between the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200A. The length of the extension mechanism 150 in the X-axis direction corresponds to the X-axis direction distance from the position that becomes the movement limit of the X-axis moving mechanism 15X in the -X direction to the working position PW of the auxiliary table 140. The cloth presser foot 14 is held in the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 at a position offset to the auxiliary unit 200A side (-X direction) by the length of the extension mechanism 150. Thus, the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 can move the cloth presser foot 14 across the boundary of the table to the sewing position PS (the position directly below the needle bar 12) on the sewing machine table 40 and the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140.

[0058] The extension mechanism 150 includes: a support portion 151 and a holding member 152. The support portion 151 is mounted on the X-axis moving mechanism 15X, and supports the holding member 152 in a manner that allows it to move in the Z-axis direction. The support portion 151 has a plate-like shape along the XZ plane, and includes: a Z-axis guide 153 and a Z-axis actuator 154. The Z-axis guide 153 is a linear guide extending in the Z-axis direction. The holding member 152 is slidably mounted on the Z-axis guide 153. The Z-axis actuator 154 is composed of, for example, a cylinder, and generates a driving force that moves the holding member 152 in the Z-axis direction. The holding member 152 is a plate-like member extending in the X-axis direction, and is supported by the support portion 151 at the end in the +X direction. The holding member 152 detachably holds the cloth presser foot 14 at the end in the -X direction.

[0059] When the cloth presser foot 14 is moved in the +Z direction by the Z-axis actuator 154, the cloth presser foot 14 moves away from the upper surface of the table (sewing machine table 40 or auxiliary table 140). As a result, the sewing object S can be arranged between the cloth presser foot 14 and the table. When the cloth presser foot 14 is moved in the -Z direction with the sewing object S arranged between the cloth presser foot 14 and the table, the sewing object S is clamped by the cloth presser foot 14 and the table. As a result, the sewing object S is maintained so as to be able to move integrally with the cloth presser foot 14. In addition, by moving the cloth presser foot 14 in the +Z direction, the holding of the sewing object S by the cloth presser foot 14 is released. As a result, the sewing product (the sewing object S that has been sewn) is removed from between the cloth presser foot 14 and the table.

[0060] (Connection mechanism)

[0061] Figure 61 is a partial perspective view of a connection mechanism 250 of a sewing machine unit 100 and an auxiliary unit 200A. The connection mechanism 250 connects the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140, thereby connecting the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 in a releasable manner. The connection mechanism 250 has a position adjustment structure that aligns the positions of the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140.

[0062] The connection mechanism 250 includes a first fixing member 251 that is fixed to the sewing machine table 40 in an adjustable manner, and a second fixing member 252 that is fixed to the auxiliary table 140 in an adjustable manner. The second fixing member 252 can be coupled to the first fixing member 251 .

[0063] The first fixing member 251 is attached to the leg 42 of the sewing machine table 40 on the auxiliary unit 200A side (-X direction side). The second fixing member 252 is attached to the leg 142 of the auxiliary table 140 on the sewing machine unit 100 side (+X direction side). Figure 6 In the example of , the connection mechanism 250 includes two pairs of first fixing members 251 and second fixing members 252. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the pairs, the pair of legs mounted on the -Y direction side is referred to as the first fixing member 251A and the second fixing member 252A, and the pair of legs mounted on the +Y direction side is referred to as the first fixing member 251B and the second fixing member 252B.

[0064] The first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 have positioning portions AP that can engage with each other. Figure 6 In the example, the first fixing member 251 is formed with an engagement hole AP1, and the second fixing member 252 is formed with an engagement pin AP2. When connecting, positioning can be completed by a single action of inserting the engagement pin AP2 into the engagement hole AP1. In addition, the engagement hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251A is a round hole (see Figure 7 ), on the other hand, the engaging hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251B is a long hole extending in the Y-axis direction. The engaging pin AP2 is the same cylindrical shape as the second fixing member 252A and the second fixing member 252B. Therefore, when positioning, the pair of the first fixing member 251A and the second fixing member 252A is used as a reference.

[0065] Figure 7It is an enlarged stereoscopic view of the first fixing member 251 (251A). The first fixing member 251 includes: a connecting member 261 and a fixing portion 262. The connecting member 261 is a block for connecting with the second fixing member 252, and is formed with the above-mentioned engaging hole AP1 and a threaded hole 261A having a threaded groove. The fixing portion 262 is a bracket for mounting the connecting member 261 on the leg 42. The fixing portion 262 includes: a first portion 263 and a second portion 264, both of which are fixed to the connecting member 261 and extend along the two side surfaces of the leg 42 extending in the Z-axis direction; and a third portion 265, which is arranged on the opposite side of the connecting member 261 across the leg 42 and is connected to the first portion 263 and the second portion 264. In this way, the connection mechanism 250 (first fixing member 251) has a structure in which the outer periphery of the leg 42 of the table is surrounded by the connection member 261 and the fixing portion 262 (first portion 263, second portion 264, third portion 265). The third portion 265 is attached to the front end of the first portion 263 and the second portion 264 by the bolt B1. By tightening the bolt B1, the first fixing member 251 sandwiches the leg 42 with the connection member 261 and the third portion 265 and is fixed to the leg 42. By loosening the bolt B1, the position of the first fixing member 251 in the Z-axis direction can be adjusted along the leg 42.

[0066] Figure 8 : is an enlarged stereoscopic view showing the second fixing member 252. The second fixing member 252 has: an L-shaped connecting member 271 and a fixing portion 272. The connecting member 271 is a member for connecting with the first fixing member 251, and is formed with the above-mentioned engaging pin AP2 and bolt insertion hole 271A. The bolt insertion hole 271A is a long hole extending in the Y-axis direction. The connecting member 271 is fixed to the fixing portion 272 arranged on the lower surface of the connecting member 271. The fixing portion 272 is a bracket for mounting the connecting member 271 on the leg 142. The fixing portion 272 is formed with a bolt insertion hole 272A. The bolt insertion hole 272A is a long hole extending in the Z-axis direction. The fixing portion 272 is fixed to the leg 142 extending in the Y-axis direction by means of a bolt B2 via the bolt insertion hole 272A. By loosening the bolt B2 , the position of the second fixing member 252 can be adjusted in the Z-axis direction within the range of the bolt insertion hole 272A.

[0067] With the engagement pin AP2 inserted through the engagement hole AP1, the bolt B3 is inserted through the bolt insertion hole 271A of the second fixing member 252 and engaged with the threaded hole 261A of the first fixing member 251, thereby fixing the second fixing member 252 to the first fixing member 251. The pair of the first fixing member 251B and the second fixing member 252B can absorb the positional deviation in the Y-axis direction within the range of the long hole-shaped engagement hole AP1 extending in the Y-axis direction and the bolt insertion hole 271A.

[0068] Fig. 9 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for adjusting the position of the connecting mechanism 250. Fig. 9 As shown, the height position of the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 in the connected state can be made consistent with the height position of the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 by the connection mechanism 250.

[0069] First, the operator adjusts the fixed position of the first fixing member 251 relative to the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The first fixing member 251 is mounted on the leg 42 in the following manner: the central axis Ax1 of the engaging hole AP1 is parallel to the upper surface (X-axis direction) of the sewing machine table 40, and the Z-axis direction distance from the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 to the central axis Ax1 is a predetermined distance H1. It is convenient to use the adjustment fixture 280A for position adjustment. The adjustment fixture 280A has: a parallel reference portion 281A, which is arranged on the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40; and a distance reference portion 282A, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the parallel reference portion 281A.

[0070] The parallel reference portion 281A contacts the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 at, for example, three points and is arranged parallel to the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. The distance reference portion 282A has a reference pin RP1 at a position at a distance H1 in the Z-axis direction from the contact position of the parallel reference portion 281A with the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40. By adjusting the position of the first fixing member 251, the reference pin RP1 of the distance reference portion 282A is coaxially engaged with the engagement hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251, thereby installing the first fixing member 251 (engagement hole AP1) at a position at a distance H1 from the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40.

[0071] Next, the operator adjusts the fixed position of the second fixing member 252 relative to the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The second fixing member 252 is mounted on the leg 142 in such a manner that the central axis Ax2 of the engaging pin AP2 is parallel to the upper surface (X-axis direction) of the auxiliary table 140, and the Z-axis direction distance from the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 to the central axis Ax2 is a predetermined distance H1. It is convenient to use the adjustment jig 280B for position adjustment. The adjustment jig 280B has: a parallel reference portion 281B, which is arranged on the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140; and a distance reference portion 282B, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the parallel reference portion 281B.

[0072] The parallel reference portion 281B is the same as the adjustment jig 280A. The distance reference portion 282B has a reference hole RP2 at a position at a distance H1 from the contact position between the parallel reference portion 281B and the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. By adjusting the position of the second fixing member 252, the reference hole RP2 of the distance reference portion 282B is coaxially engaged with the engagement pin AP2 of the second fixing member 252, so that the second fixing member 252 (engagement pin AP2) is installed at a position at a distance H1 from the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The distance H1 is set in consideration of the torque generated on each table, etc., to prevent resonance caused by the vibration during the operation of each unit. In addition, based on the viewpoint of making the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 consistent with the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140, making H1 smaller (closer to the upper surface) can reduce the error.

[0073] The sewing machine table 40 has wheels 43 for movement and an adjuster 44 for preventing movement, and the wheels 43 and the adjuster 44 are height-adjustable. After the sewing machine unit 100 is arranged at a predetermined installation position, it is supported by the adjuster 44 to prevent movement. The Z-axis direction distance from the ground to the first fixing member 251 (engaging hole AP1) in the installation state of the sewing machine unit 100 is set as a distance H2.

[0074] The auxiliary table 140 has wheels 143 for movement and an adjuster 144. The wheels 143 and the adjuster 144 are height-adjustable. The operator adjusts the height of the wheels 143 so that the height from the ground to the second fixing member 252 (engagement pin AP2) is the distance H2.

[0075] As a result of the above position adjustment operation, the auxiliary unit 200A and the sewing machine unit 100 can be aligned by only bringing the auxiliary unit 200A close to the sewing machine unit 100 and inserting the engaging pin AP2 of the second fixing member 252 into the engaging hole AP1 of the first fixing member 251. After the engaging pin AP2 is inserted into the engaging hole AP1, the auxiliary table 140 is supported by the adjuster 144 to prevent the auxiliary unit 200A from moving. And, the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 are fixed to each other by the bolt B3, so that the auxiliary unit 200A is connected to the sewing machine unit 100.

[0076] In this way, the connection mechanism 250 can be adjusted by the operator when the auxiliary unit 200A is initially connected to the sewing machine unit 100. After the position adjustment is performed once, the engaging pin AP2 is inserted into the engaging hole AP1, and the position shift is prevented by the adjuster 144. The first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 are fixed by the bolt B3, so that the unit can be quickly positioned and connected.

[0077] Furthermore, the first fixing member 251 (251A, 251B) of the connecting mechanism 250 remains fixed to the sewing machine unit 100. When the sewing system 300 includes a plurality of auxiliary units 200A, two (two pairs) of the second fixing members 252 are attached to the auxiliary tables 140 of the respective auxiliary units 200A and remain fixed.

[0078] By utilizing the position adjustment structure of the connection mechanism 250, the upper surface of the sewing machine table 40 and the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 can be arranged on the same plane. Figure 5 As shown, it is possible to prevent the sewing object S from being caught on the boundary of the table when the sewing object S after the previous process is performed at the working position PW of the auxiliary unit 200A is moved to the sewing position PS by the cloth presser foot 14. Therefore, the cloth will not be misaligned and accurate sewing can be performed.

[0079] (Sewing action)

[0080] Next, the sewing operation of the sewing system 300 of this embodiment will be described. The sewing operation is controlled by the control device 30 of the sewing machine unit 100. Figures 2 to 5 In the device configuration shown, sewing data including a sewing pattern for a pocket is input in advance to the control device 30 .

[0081] First, as a pre-sewing process, the pocket setting process (pre-sewing process) is performed using the auxiliary unit 200A. Figure 4 In the process, the operator places the garment body fabric on which the pocket is to be sewn on the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140 at the work position PW, and places the fabric member to be the pocket on the template 122 of the auxiliary mechanism 110A. The control device 30 receives an instruction to start the work via the operating device 20.

[0082] When the control device 30 receives the instruction to start the operation, the folding unit 112 is moved (lowered) in the -Z direction by the lifting mechanism 113 of the folding mechanism 111, and the folding unit 112 is arranged at the outer peripheral position of the cloth component on the template 122. The control device 30 drives the actuator of the folding unit 112 to fold the outer peripheral portion of the cloth component along the template 122. By folding, a seam allowance is formed along the outer periphery of the pocket. After folding, the control device 30 drives the actuator of the folding unit 112 in the reverse direction to detach the folding unit 112 from the template 122, and moves the folding unit 112 in the +Z direction by the lifting mechanism 113 to retreat from the template 122.

[0083] Regarding the control device 30, Figure 2As shown, the cloth presser foot 14 is moved to the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140 by the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 while the Z-axis actuator 154 of the extension mechanism 150 moves the cloth presser foot 14 away from the upper surface of the table in the +Z direction. The cloth presser foot 14 is arranged in the +Z direction of the pattern 122. The control device 30 moves the cloth presser foot 14 downward in the -Z direction by the Z-axis actuator 154. As a result, the cloth presser foot 14 presses the cloth component of the pocket, the pattern 122, and the cloth from above to the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140. The control device 30 operates the pattern driving motor of the pattern moving unit 121 to move the pattern 122 from the working position PW to the retreat position in the +Y direction. As a result, the pattern 122 is pulled out from under the cloth presser foot 14. Through the above pre-process (pocket setting process), the cloth component to be the pocket is set at the pocket installation position of the body fabric as the sewing object S.

[0084] Next, the sewing process is performed using the sewing machine unit 100. The control device 30 uses the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 to move the cloth presser foot 14 from the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140 to the sewing position PS on the sewing machine table 40. As the cloth presser foot 14 moves, the sewing object S is transported from the working position PW to the sewing position PS. Next, the control device 30 activates the actuator 16 of the sewing machine body 10, and uses the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 to move the sewing object S (the cloth parts and fabric of the pocket) in the XY direction according to the sewing pattern. As a result, the seam allowance on the outer periphery of the pocket is sewn to the fabric (body). The sewing operation of the pocket is completed as described above. After completion, the control device 30 uses the extension mechanism 150 to move the cloth presser foot 14 in the +Z direction to release the cloth presser foot 14 from holding the sewn product. As a result, the operator removes the sewn product.

[0085] (Examples of other auxiliary units)

[0086] Fig.10 2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the auxiliary unit 200. As described above, the auxiliary unit 200 may be a unit other than the unit for sewing pockets. Fig.10 The auxiliary unit 200B shown is a unit that performs a pre-step for sewing the front placket when the front placket is sewn using the sewing machine unit 100 .

[0087] In the sewing of the front placket, the sewing is performed in the following state: the position of the strip-shaped cloth component that will become the front placket is aligned with the front placket setting position on the body fabric and overlapped, and the sewing object S composed of the overlapped body and front placket cloth components is pressed by the cloth presser foot 14. Therefore, as a pre-sewing process, the front placket positioning process is performed. The front placket positioning process is a process of aligning the position of the cloth component with the front placket setting position of the body fabric and holding the sewing object S with the cloth presser foot 14.

[0088] The auxiliary unit 200B for sewing the front placket includes a positioning member 125 and a positioning member moving unit 126 as the auxiliary mechanism 110. The positioning member 125 is formed in a long plate shape along the extension direction (Y-axis direction) of the front placket. The positioning member 125 is held by the positioning member moving unit 126 in a movable manner on the upper surface of the auxiliary table 140.

[0089] The positioning component moving unit 126 keeps the positioning component 125 movable to the working position PW and the retreat position away from the working position PW. The positioning component moving unit 126 has an actuator that generates a driving force to move the positioning component 125. The positioning component moving unit 126 can, for example, move the positioning component 125 in the +Y direction to retreat from the working position PW, or can rotate the positioning component 125 around the Y axis or around the X axis from the vicinity of the outer periphery of the auxiliary table 140, move it in parallel in the +Z direction, and retreat upward from the working position PW. If the positioning component 125 is moved to the retreat position, the body fabric can be arranged at the working position PW of the auxiliary table 140. If the positioning component 125 is moved to the working position PW, the operator sets the cloth component of the front placket on the body in a manner overlapping along the edge of the positioning component 125. Thus, the cloth component is set at the set position of the body, and the front placket positioning process is completed.

[0090] After the front placket is positioned, the sewing machine unit 100 uses the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15 to move the cloth presser foot 14 to the working position PW on the auxiliary table 140, and presses the sewing object S composed of the overlapping cloth parts of the body and the front placket. The cloth presser foot 14 is formed with an opening corresponding to the sewing pattern of the front placket. Fig.10 In the example of FIG. 1 , since the cloth presser foot 14 is formed to be wide in the X-axis direction, the cloth presser foot 14 can be moved to the working position PW without providing the extension mechanism 150. Of course, the extension mechanism 150 can also be installed on the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15. Afterwards, the cloth presser foot 14 is moved to the sewing position PS to perform the sewing process of the front placket.

[0091] According to such a configuration, the front placket sewing operation of sewing the front placket on the body fabric can be performed by the combination of the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200B.

[0092] (Role of auxiliary unit)

[0093] As described above, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary unit 200 includes: a connecting mechanism 250 that can be loaded and unloaded relative to the sewing machine table 40 of the sewing machine unit 100 having the sewing machine body 10 on the sewing machine table 40; an auxiliary mechanism 110 that performs a pre-process of the fabric sewing operation performed by the sewing machine body 10; and an auxiliary table 140 that can load and unload the connecting mechanism 250 and is provided with the auxiliary mechanism 110.

[0094] Regarding each auxiliary unit 200, the structure of the auxiliary mechanism 110 is different from each other depending on the content of the previous process to be performed. Figure 1 In the illustrated example, the auxiliary unit 200 includes a first auxiliary unit that performs a pre-process of a first sewing operation and a second auxiliary unit that performs a pre-process of a second sewing operation that is different from the first sewing operation.

[0095] In the above example, the first sewing operation is pocket sewing, and the first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) includes a folding mechanism 111 and a pattern moving unit 121 as the auxiliary mechanism 110. The second sewing operation is front placket sewing, and the second auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200B) includes a positioning member 125 and a positioning member moving unit 126 as the auxiliary mechanism 110.

[0096] For example, in the sewing system 300, when producing a sewn product of a shirt with a pocket, the first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) is connected to the sewing machine unit 100, and sewing is performed according to the production batch. Next, when producing a sewn product of trousers with a J-stitch (zipper), the first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) is disconnected from the sewing machine unit 100, and the second auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200B) is connected to the sewing machine unit 100. The trousers are sewn according to the production batch using the sewing machine unit 100 to which the auxiliary unit 200B is connected. Although the description is omitted, the third auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200C) can also be used to perform a third sewing operation.

[0097] According to such a structure, in the sewing system 300, by providing a plurality of different auxiliary units 200 (auxiliary units 200A, 200B, 200C, etc.) according to the type of sewing operation, the common sewing machine unit 100 composed of a general-purpose sewing machine can perform the same sewing operation as various special-purpose machines.

[0098] On the other hand, for example, when a pocket installation dedicated machine and a front placket dedicated machine are provided, in a production batch of shirts with pockets (without front plackets), the pocket installation dedicated machine is operated, while the front placket dedicated machine is not operated, and in a production batch of shirts with front plackets (without pockets), the front placket dedicated machine is operated, while the pocket installation dedicated machine is not operated. In this embodiment, since the sewing machine unit 100 operates in two production batches, the device operation rate is improved.

[0099] (Effect)

[0100] As described above, according to the present embodiment, there are provided: the sewing machine unit 100, the auxiliary unit 200 for performing the pre-process of the sewing operation, and the connecting mechanism 250, wherein the connecting mechanism 250 has a position adjustment structure for aligning the positions of the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140. Thus, by connecting the auxiliary unit 200 corresponding to the sewing operation to the sewing machine unit 100, the sewing process accompanied by the pre-process that was previously performed in a dedicated machine can be performed in a general-purpose sewing machine (sewing machine unit 100). By changing the type of the auxiliary unit 200 connected to the sewing machine unit 100, various sewing processes can be performed. In this case, since the position of the sewing machine table 40 and the auxiliary table 140 can be aligned by using the connecting mechanism 250, when the sewing object S that has completed the pre-process is transported from the auxiliary unit 200 to the sewing machine unit 100, the position deviation of the sewing object S can be suppressed. As a result, since the sewing machine unit 100 can perform various sewing processes, the device operation rate of the sewing factory can be improved.

[0101] In addition, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary unit 200 includes an extension mechanism 150 for extending the range of movement of the presser foot 14 by the presser foot moving mechanism 15 to the working position PW of the auxiliary table 140. Thus, the presser foot moving mechanism 15 provided in the sewing machine unit 100 can be used directly to convey the sewing object S from the auxiliary unit 200 to the sewing machine unit 100. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the presser foot 14 and the presser foot moving mechanism 15 similar to those of the sewing machine unit 100 are provided to the auxiliary unit 200, the structure of the auxiliary unit 200 can be simplified. In addition, the connection mechanism 250 includes a first fixing member 251 and a second fixing member 252, and the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 have positioning portions AP that can be engaged with each other. Thus, by pre-adjusting the positions of the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252, the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200 can be easily positioned by only one action of engaging the positioning portions AP. Furthermore, since the connection mechanism 250 has a structure surrounding the outer periphery of the leg portion 42 of the table, the connection mechanism 250 can be firmly fixed to the leg portion 42 and positional displacement is unlikely to occur.

[0102] In addition, in the present embodiment, it includes: a first auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200A) that performs a pre-process of a first sewing operation; and a second auxiliary unit (auxiliary unit 200B) that performs a pre-process of a second sewing operation different from the first sewing operation. Thus, by switching the connected auxiliary units 200, the sewing machine unit 100 can perform various sewing operations. The first sewing operation is pocket sewing, and the first auxiliary unit includes a folding mechanism unit 111 and a template moving unit 121 as an auxiliary mechanism 110A. Thus, pocket sewing can be performed without using a dedicated machine, only by setting fabric and fabric parts. In addition, the second sewing operation is front placket sewing, and the second auxiliary unit includes a positioning component 125 and a positioning component moving unit 126 as an auxiliary mechanism 110B. Thus, front placket sewing can be performed without using a dedicated machine, only by setting fabric and fabric parts.

[0103] (Other Embodiments)

[0104] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the following example is shown: the extension mechanism 150 is provided to extend the moving range of the cloth presser foot 14 by the cloth presser foot moving mechanism 15, and the cloth presser foot 14 is used to realize the conveyance of the sewing object S between the sewing machine unit 100 and the auxiliary unit 200, but the present invention is not limited to this. The auxiliary unit 200 may also be provided with a conveying mechanism for conveying the sewing object S from the auxiliary unit 200 to the sewing machine unit 100.

[0105] In addition, although the example in which the connection mechanism 250 includes the first fixing member 251 and the second fixing member 252 is shown, it is not limited to this. For example, the connection mechanism 250 may clamp the leg 42 of the sewing machine table 40, etc., and connect in a manner without the first fixing member. The connection mechanism 250 may also have other structures other than the structure surrounding the outer periphery of the leg 42 of the table. It may also be a structure in which only the surfaces are brought into contact with each other and fastened with bolts.

[0106] The structure of the auxiliary mechanism 110 of the auxiliary unit 200 and the content of the previous process performed by the auxiliary mechanism 110 are not limited to the above examples. The previous process can be any work, and the auxiliary mechanism 110 only needs to have a structure suitable for performing the work.

Claims

1. A sewing system comprising: A sewing machine unit, comprising: a sewing machine body, and a sewing machine table on which the sewing machine body is arranged; An auxiliary unit comprises: an auxiliary mechanism and an auxiliary table on which the auxiliary mechanism is arranged, wherein: The auxiliary mechanism performs a pre-process of the cloth sewing operation performed by the sewing machine body; as well as a connecting mechanism for connecting the sewing machine unit and the auxiliary unit in a releasable manner, The connecting mechanism has a position adjustment structure, and the position adjustment structure aligns the positions of the sewing machine table and the auxiliary table.

2. The sewing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sewing machine unit further comprises: a cloth presser foot and a cloth presser foot moving mechanism, wherein the cloth presser foot moving mechanism moves the cloth presser foot along the upper surface of the sewing machine table. The auxiliary unit further includes an extension mechanism, and the extension mechanism is used to extend the moving range of the cloth presser foot using the cloth presser foot moving mechanism to the working position of the auxiliary table.

3. The sewing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting mechanism comprises: A first fixing member fixed to the sewing machine table in an adjustable position; and a second fixing member, which can be combined with the first fixing member and fixed to the auxiliary table in an adjustable position; The first fixing member and the second fixing member have positioning portions that can engage with each other.

4. The sewing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection mechanism has a structure that surrounds the outer periphery of the leg portion of the table.

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

6. The sewing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first sewing operation is pocket sewing. The first auxiliary unit includes a folding mechanism and a template moving unit as the auxiliary mechanism.

7. The sewing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second sewing operation is front placket sewing, and the second auxiliary unit includes a positioning member and a positioning member moving part as the auxiliary mechanism.

8. An auxiliary unit comprising: A connecting mechanism capable of being attached to and detached from a sewing machine table having a sewing machine unit having a sewing machine main body on the sewing machine table; an auxiliary mechanism that performs a pre-process of the cloth sewing operation performed by the sewing machine body; and The auxiliary table is capable of attaching and detaching the connection mechanism and is provided with the auxiliary mechanism.

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