Button clamping device for a sewing machine

Abstract

The application discloses a button clamping device of a sewing machine in the technical field of garment production, which comprises a clamping device, the clamping device comprises a driving unit, the output shaft of the driving unit is rotationally connected with two rotating arms, and the rotating arms are respectively provided with clamping assemblies which are symmetrical to each other and have the same structure; the clamping assembly comprises a clamping rod which is symmetrically arranged in front of and behind the clamping assembly and is vertically arranged, the clamping rod and the clamping assembly are elastically and slidably connected along an arc track with the output shaft of the driving unit as the center, the clamping assembly is provided with a locking unit, and the locking unit is used for locking the position of the clamping rod relative to the clamping assembly; the clamping rod is respectively attached to different points of the radial direction of the button, thereby forming radial surrounding type limiting of the button, so that the positioning process does not need to adjust or replace the clamp according to the shape and size of the button, self-adapting clamping of buttons with different specifications and different shapes is realized, the machine does not need to be stopped for debugging, and the production efficiency and the application range of the equipment are effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of garment production technology, specifically to a button clamping device for a sewing machine. Background Technology

[0002] When sewing buttons with a sewing machine, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 First, the robotic arm picks up a button from the vibrating plate, then rotates θ to the gripping mechanism on the sewing machine, and then moves the button upward between the two grippers 17. Next, the two grippers 17 turn towards the button together, and the button is gripped by the engagement of the gripper 17 slot with the button. Then the robotic arm returns to the vibrating plate to pick up the next button, and the sewing machine performs the sewing action simultaneously, thus completing the sewing action. During the operation of the sewing machine, it is necessary to ensure that the button needle eye after the clamping mechanism is clamped, the predetermined transfer position of the robotic arm, and the needle eye on the support plate of the garment are all aligned, so as to ensure the normal operation of the sewing machine. In this process, traditional sewing machines have the following shortcomings when dealing with different buttons: 1. Because the shape of the clamp 17 is fixed, when clamping buttons with different shapes, the groove of the clamp 17 cannot complete the engagement with the button. The clamp 17 needs to be replaced according to the button. As a result, the equipment can only sew a single type of button in each processing process, which limits the scope of use of the equipment. 2. When changing the button model, it is necessary to adjust according to the shape of the button; the clamping position of the clamping mechanism needs to be adjusted according to the shape of the button, as well as the clamping range of the clamp 17. This means that every time a button to be sewn is changed, the machine needs to be stopped and the equipment adjusted, which limits the further improvement of production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a button clamping device for a sewing machine to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a button gripping device for a sewing machine, comprising a sewing machine, a vibrating plate, a robotic arm, a tray, a button, and a gripping device. The gripping device includes a drive unit, the output shaft of which is rotatably connected to two rotating arms. The ends of the two rotating arms are respectively provided with clamping components that are identical in structure and symmetrical to each other. The drive unit is used to drive the two rotating arms to rotate synchronously in opposite directions. The clamping assembly includes clamping rods that are symmetrically arranged front and back and vertically. The clamping rods are elastically slidably connected to the clamping assembly along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the output shaft of the drive unit. The clamping assembly is provided with a locking unit, which is used to lock the position of the clamping rods relative to the clamping assembly. The clamping rods are used to limit the radial displacement of the button. The clamping assembly also includes a limiting component for limiting the axial displacement of the button.

[0005] Preferably, the rotating arm is fixedly connected to two sets of arc-shaped rails, and the arc-shaped rails are elastically slidably connected to arc-shaped rods along their own trajectories. The ends of the arc-shaped rods are fixedly connected to the side walls of the corresponding clamping rods, and the centers of the arc-shaped rails and the arc-shaped rods are both the axis of the output shaft of the drive unit.

[0006] Preferably, the arc-shaped rail consists of two slide rails arranged symmetrically at different heights, and the arc-shaped rod is located between the two slide rails and is elastically slidably connected to the two slide rails.

[0007] Preferably, the arc-shaped rod has two ball bearings embedded in its body, the ball bearings passing through the upper and lower ends of the arc-shaped rod and rollingly connected to two corresponding slide rails.

[0008] Preferably, the locking unit includes a clamping plate that can cover the movement path of the two clamping rods. The clamping plate is vertically slidably disposed in the clamping assembly. The rotating arm is provided with a triggering component, which can control the clamping plate to move towards the end of the clamping rod and press against the end of the clamping rod before the two rotating arms are closed to their limit positions.

[0009] Preferably, the clamping assembly has a set of locking units symmetrically arranged above and below the two clamping rods.

[0010] Preferably, the triggering component includes an arc-shaped groove extending through the end face of the clamping plate, the arc-shaped groove being parallel to the arc-shaped rail, a wedge block being disposed within the arc-shaped groove, the wedge block being fixedly connected to the rotating arm, and the wedge block being able to press the clamping plate toward the end of the clamping rod through its own wedge surface.

[0011] Preferably, the limiting component includes an arc-shaped plate, and the two rotating arms are elastically slidably connected to the arc-shaped plate along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the output shaft of the drive unit. A limiting rod is vertically and elastically slidably connected through the upper end of the arc-shaped plate, and the limiting rod is used to press down the upper end face of the button. A support plate is fixedly connected to the side wall of the rotating arm, and the support plate is used to support the lower end face of the button.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: The clamping rods are respectively attached to different points on the radial direction of the button, forming a radial encircling limit on the button. This eliminates the need to adjust or change the clamps according to the shape and size of the button during the positioning process, enabling adaptive clamping of buttons of different specifications and shapes. No machine downtime is required for debugging, effectively improving production efficiency and the applicability of the equipment.

[0013] Since the center of both the curved rail and the curved rod is the axis of the output shaft of the drive unit, the contact point between the button and the clamping rod is located on the sliding trajectory of the curved rod. In this way, during the adjustment process, it is ensured that after the clamping rod contacts the button, it will not move relative to the button as the curved rail continues to move, which would cause the button to fail to be positioned during the subsequent sewing process. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of traditional finger gripping of buttons; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the gripping device, robotic arm, and button; Figure 4 Top view of the gripping device, robotic arm, and button after removing the curved plate; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the swing arm that combines the slide rail and the arc rod; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the locking mechanism. Figure 7 An exploded view of the structure for a slide rail and an arc-shaped rod.

[0015] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows: 1. Sewing machine; 2. Vibrating plate; 3. Mechanical arm; 4. Support plate; 5. Button; 6. Drive unit; 7. Rotary arm; 8. Clamping rod; 9. Slide rail; 10. Arc rod; 10. Ball bearing; 11. Clamping plate; 12. Arc groove; 13. Wedge block; 14. Arc plate; 15. Limiting rod; 16. Support plate; 17. Hand gripper. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Please see Figure 1-7 The present invention provides a technical solution: a button clamping device for a sewing machine, comprising a sewing machine 1, a vibrating plate 2, a robotic arm 3, a support plate 4, and a clamping device. The clamping device includes a drive unit 6, the output shaft of which is rotatably connected to two rotating arms 7. The ends of the two rotating arms 7 are respectively provided with clamping components that are identical in structure and symmetrical to each other. The drive unit 6 is used to drive the two rotating arms 7 to rotate, so as to clamp or release the button 5. The clamping assembly includes clamping rods 8 arranged symmetrically front to back and vertically. The clamping rods 8 are elastically slidably connected to the clamping assembly along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the output shaft of the drive unit 6. The clamping assembly is provided with a locking unit, which is used to lock the position of the clamping rods 8 relative to the clamping assembly. The clamping rods 8 are used to limit the radial displacement of the button 5. The clamping assembly also includes a limiting component for limiting the axial displacement of the button 5.

[0017] During operation, the vibratory feeder 2 first sorts and transports the buttons 5. The robotic arm 3 picks up a single button 5 from the vibratory feeder 2 and transfers it to the predetermined clamping area above the tray 4, while ensuring that the eye of the button 5 is initially aligned with the eye of the needle on the tray 4. Then, the clamping device is activated. After receiving the clamping signal, the drive unit 6 drives its output shaft to drive the two rotating arms 7 to rotate synchronously in opposite directions, so that the clamping components at the ends of the two rotating arms 7 move closer to each other and gradually approach the button 5 transferred by the robotic arm 3.

[0018] During the clamping assembly's approach, the symmetrically arranged clamping rods 8, due to their elastic sliding connection with the clamping assembly along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the output shaft of the drive unit 6, will first contact the outer edge of the button 5. As the rotating arm 7 continues to rotate in opposite directions, the clamping rods 8, under the resistance of the outer edge of the button 5, adaptively slide and adjust their position along the arc-shaped trajectory (correspondingly, during this process, the clamping rods 8 that are in contact with the outer edge of the button 5 remain stationary relative to the button 5), until the four clamping rods 8 (two for each of the two clamping assemblies) respectively contact different radial points of the button 5, forming a radial encircling limit on the button 5. At this time, under the positioning action of the clamping rods 8, the needle eye of the button 5 is precisely aligned with the needle eye on the predetermined transfer position of the robotic arm 3 and the tray 4.

[0019] After the clamping rod 8 is in contact with the button 5 and completes radial positioning, the locking unit on the clamping assembly is activated simultaneously to lock the sliding position of the clamping rod 8 relative to the clamping assembly, preventing the clamping rod 8 from shifting due to vibration or force during sewing, and ensuring the stability of the radial limit of the button 5; at the same time, the limiting component of the clamping assembly moves synchronously to apply a limiting force from the axial direction (up and down direction) of the button 5, restricting the movement of the button 5 along the axial direction, so that the button 5 is stably fixed in the predetermined clamping position under the dual action of radial and axial limiting. After the button 5 is clamped and fixed, the robotic arm 3 resets, the sewing machine 1 starts, and sews the button 5 onto the garment supported on the tray 4 according to the preset program. After sewing is completed, the drive unit 6 drives the two rotating arms 7 to rotate synchronously in opposite directions, the clamping components separate from each other, the locking unit unlocks, and the limiting component releases the axial constraint on the button 5 so that the garment and the sewn button 5 can be removed together, completing a single button sewing operation. The whole process does not require adjustment or replacement of the clamps according to the shape and size of the button 5, realizing adaptive clamping of buttons of different specifications and shapes, without the need to stop the machine for debugging, effectively improving production efficiency and the applicability of the equipment.

[0020] Preferably, the rotating arm 7 is fixedly connected to two sets of arc-shaped rails, and the arc-shaped rails are elastically slidably connected to arc-shaped rods 10 along their own trajectories. The ends of the arc-shaped rods 10 are fixedly connected to the side walls of the corresponding clamping rods 8, and the centers of the arc-shaped rails and the arc-shaped rods 10 are both the axis of the output shaft of the drive unit 6.

[0021] During the process of the drive unit 6 driving the two rotating arms 7 to rotate synchronously in opposite directions and the clamping assembly gradually approaching the button 5, the two arc-shaped rails fixed on the rotating arms 7 move in an arc shape around the output shaft of the drive unit 6 together with the rotating arms 7. The arc-shaped rod 10, which is elastically slidably connected to the arc-shaped rails, also moves synchronously. When the clamping rod 8 in the clamping assembly contacts the outer edge of the button 5, as the rotating arms 7 continue to rotate in opposite directions, the button 5 generates a radial resistance force on the clamping rod 8. This force is transmitted to the arc-shaped rod 10 through the clamping rod 8, causing the arc-shaped rod 10 to slide elastically along the trajectory of the arc-shaped rail. During this process, since the center of the arc-shaped rail and the arc-shaped rod 10 are both the axis of the output shaft of the drive unit 6, the contact point between the button 5 and the clamping rod 8 is located on the sliding trajectory of the arc-shaped rod 10. In this way, during the adjustment process, it is ensured that after the clamping rod 8 contacts the button 5, it will not move relative to the button 5 as the arc-shaped rail continues to move, which would cause the button 5 to fail to be positioned in the subsequent sewing process. The elastic connection structure between the arc-shaped rod 10 and the arc-shaped rail provides the clamping rod 8 with adaptive adjustment travel space, and also ensures that the clamping rod 8 always fits against the outer edge of the button 5 through elastic force. Regardless of whether the button 5 is round, square or irregular in shape, the two arc-shaped rods 10 drive the corresponding clamping rods 8 to slide independently along their respective arc-shaped rails, so that the four clamping rods 8 accurately fit against different radial points of the button 5, forming a stable encircling radial limit. At the same time, the arc-shaped rail guides the sliding of the arc-shaped rod 10, preventing the clamping rod 8 from deviating or leaving the predetermined trajectory during the adjustment process, ensuring the positioning accuracy of the clamping rod 8 on the button 5, and thus ensuring the precise alignment of the button 5 needle eye with the predetermined positions of the support plate 4 and the robotic arm 3, laying a stable foundation for the subsequent locking unit locking, limiting component limiting and sewing machine 1 sewing operation.

[0022] Preferably, the arc-shaped rail is composed of two slide rails 9 arranged symmetrically at different heights, and the arc-shaped rod 10 is located between the two slide rails 9 and is elastically slidably connected to the two slide rails 9.

[0023] As the rotating arm 7 rotates with the output shaft of the drive unit 6, the two symmetrically arranged slide rails 9 of the arc-shaped rail move synchronously with the rotating arm 7. When the clamping rod 8 is subjected to the resistance of the button 5, the arc-shaped rod 10 located between the two slide rails 9 slides elastically along the arc-shaped trajectory of the slide rail 9. The symmetrical slide rails 9 form a bidirectional clamping guide for the arc-shaped rod 10. The upper and lower end faces of the arc-shaped rod 10 are respectively in contact with the inner wall of the corresponding slide rail 9, which prevents the arc-shaped rod 10 from moving up and down or swaying during the sliding process, ensuring that the arc-shaped rod 10 always moves smoothly along the preset arc-shaped trajectory, thereby ensuring the movement accuracy of the clamping rod 8.

[0024] Preferably, the arc-shaped rod 10 has two balls 101 embedded in its body. The balls 101 pass through the upper and lower ends of the arc-shaped rod 10 and are tactilely connected to two corresponding slide rails 9.

[0025] The rotating arm 7 drives the arc-shaped rail to rotate synchronously. When the clamping rod 8 contacts the outer edge of the button 5 and is subjected to resistance, the arc-shaped rod 10 needs to elastically slide along the arc-shaped trajectory of the slide rail 9 to adjust its position. At this time, the two balls 101 embedded in the body of the arc-shaped rod 10 roll and fit against the inner wall of the upper and lower corresponding slide rails 9 respectively, converting the sliding friction between the arc-shaped rod 10 and the slide rail 9 into rolling friction, which greatly reduces the frictional resistance when the arc-shaped rod 10 slides. The rolling connection makes the sliding of the arc rod 10 smoother and more responsive, allowing the clamping rod 8 to quickly and adaptively conform to the outer edge of buttons 5 of different shapes (round, square, irregular, etc.). It also reduces wear between the arc rod 10 and the slide rail 9, extending the service life of the components. The arc rod 10 can meet the needs of the equipment for high-frequency, low-amplitude repeated sliding. At the same time, the two balls are reasonably distributed along the body of the arc rod 10, and together with the symmetrical upper and lower slide rails 9, further restrict the up-and-down movement and left-and-right sway of the arc rod 10, ensuring that the arc rod 10 always moves accurately along the preset arc trajectory. This ensures the radial positioning accuracy of the clamping rod 8 on the button 5, so that the needle eye of the button 5 can be stably aligned with the predetermined position of the tray 4 and the robotic arm 3.

[0026] Preferably, the locking unit includes a clamping plate 11 that can cover the movement path of the two clamping rods 8. The clamping plate 11 is vertically slidably disposed in the clamping assembly. The rotating arm 7 is provided with a triggering component. The triggering component can control the clamping plate 11 to move toward the end of the clamping rod 8 and press against the end of the clamping rod 8 before the two rotating arms 7 are closed to their extreme positions.

[0027] When the drive unit 6 drives the two rotating arms 7 to close towards each other and the clamping rod 8 completes the adaptive radial positioning of the button 5, before the rotating arms 7 reach the closing limit position, the trigger component starts to move and drives the clamping plate 11 to slide in the vertical direction. Since the clamping plate 11 can cover the movement path of the two clamping rods 8, as the clamping plate 11 moves closer to the end of the clamping rod 8 and finally presses against the end of the clamping rod 8, the sliding between the arc rod 10 and the arc rail is restricted, thereby locking the adaptive position of the clamping rod 8, so that the clamping rod 8 can no longer move along the arc trajectory during the sewing process, ensuring that the button 5 is clamped stably and does not shift radially, thus improving the sewing accuracy.

[0028] Preferably, the clamping assembly has a set of locking units symmetrically arranged above and below the two clamping rods 8.

[0029] The clamping assembly consists of two sets of locking units symmetrically arranged above and below the two clamping rods 8, which operate synchronously to press and lock the clamping rods 8 from both the top and bottom directions. The two sets of clamping plates 11 work simultaneously to ensure that the clamping rods 8 are subjected to uniform force and are clamped stably, preventing the clamping rods 8 from tilting, warping, or loosening during locking or sewing. This further improves the reliability of the clamping rods 8 in locking position, ensures that the button 5 maintains accurate positioning during high-speed sewing, and enhances clamping stability and sewing quality.

[0030] Preferably, the triggering component includes an arc-shaped groove 12 extending through the end face of the clamping plate 11. The arc-shaped groove 12 is parallel to the arc-shaped rail. A wedge block 13 is provided in the arc-shaped groove 12. The wedge block 13 is fixedly connected to the rotating arm 7. The wedge block 13 can press the clamping plate 11 toward the end of the clamping rod 8 through its own wedge surface.

[0031] During the process of the two rotating arms 7 closing towards each other and the clamping rod 8 completing the adaptive positioning of the button 5, the wedge block 13, which is fixedly connected to the rotating arm 7, moves relative to the clamping plate 11 and slides along the arc groove 12 on the clamping plate 11. Since the arc groove 12 is parallel to the arc rail, during the sliding process, the wedge surface of the wedge block 13 gradually contacts the side wall of the arc groove 12 and generates a squeezing effect, pushing the clamping plate 11 to move vertically towards the end of the clamping rod 8. As the rotating arms 7 continue to close, the squeezing force of the wedge block 13 on the clamping plate 11 gradually increases, so that the clamping plate 11 presses tightly against the end of the clamping rod 8, realizing the automatic locking of the position of the clamping rod 8. This triggering structure does not require additional drive and can complete the locking synchronously by using the closing action of the rotating arms 7. The action is reliable and the response is timely.

[0032] Preferably, the limiting component includes an arc-shaped plate 14, and the two rotating arms 7 are elastically slidably connected to the arc-shaped plate 14 along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the output shaft of the drive unit 6. A limiting rod 15 is vertically elastically slidably connected through the upper end of the arc-shaped plate 14, and the limiting rod 15 is used to press down the upper surface of the button 5. A support plate 16 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the rotating arm 7, and the support plate 16 is used to support the lower surface of the button 5.

[0033] In the initial state, the two arc-shaped plates 14 are already closed. The robotic arm 3 picks up a single button 5 from the vibrating plate 2 and transfers it to the predetermined clamping area below the arc-shaped plate 14. During this process, the button 5 first reaches below the limiting rod 15, and then is lifted upward by the robotic arm 3 to the clamping area. The button 5 presses against the lower end of the limiting rod 15, so that the robotic arm 3, in conjunction with the limiting rod 15, restricts the axial displacement of the button 5. Then, the two rotating arms 7 move towards the predetermined clamping area and close together, so that the support plate 16 on the rotating arm 7 moves to and supports the lower end face of the button 5, forming a bottom support for the button 5. Finally, after the rotating arm 7 moves into place, the robotic arm 3 moves down and disengages from the clamping assembly, and then moves back to the vibrating plate 2 to pick up a new button 5.

Claims

1. A button gripping device for a sewing machine, comprising a sewing machine (1), a vibrating plate (2), a robotic arm (3), a tray (4), and a gripping device, characterized in that: The clamping device includes a drive unit (6), the output shaft of the drive unit (6) is rotatably connected to two rotating arms (7), and the ends of the two rotating arms (7) are respectively provided with clamping components with the same structure and symmetrical to each other. The drive unit (6) is used to drive the two rotating arms (7) to rotate so as to clamp or release the button (5). The clamping assembly includes clamping rods (8) arranged symmetrically front and back and vertically. The clamping rods (8) are elastically slidably connected to the clamping assembly along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the output shaft of the drive unit (6). The clamping assembly is provided with a locking unit, which is used to lock the position of the clamping rods (8) relative to the clamping assembly. The clamping rods (8) are used to limit the radial displacement of the button (5). The clamping assembly also includes a limiting component for limiting the axial displacement of the button (5).

2. The button clamping device for a sewing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating arm (7) is fixedly connected to two sets of arc-shaped rails. The arc-shaped rails are elastically slidably connected to arc-shaped rods (10) along their own trajectory. The ends of the arc-shaped rods (10) are fixedly connected to the side walls of the corresponding clamping rods (8). The centers of the arc-shaped rails and the arc-shaped rods (10) are both the axis of the output shaft of the drive unit (6).

3. The button clamping device for a sewing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The arc-shaped rail consists of two slide rails (9) arranged symmetrically at the top and bottom. The arc-shaped rod (10) is located between the two slide rails (9) and is elastically slidably connected to the two slide rails (9).

4. A button clamping device for a sewing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The arc-shaped rod (10) has two balls (101) embedded in its body. The balls (101) pass through the upper and lower ends of the arc-shaped rod (10) and are tactilely connected to the two corresponding slide rails (9).

5. A button clamping device for a sewing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking unit includes a clamping plate (11) that can cover the movement path of the two clamping rods (8). The clamping plate (11) is vertically slidably arranged in the clamping assembly. The rotating arm (7) is provided with a triggering component. The triggering component can control the clamping plate (11) to move towards the end of the clamping rod (8) and press against the end of the clamping rod (8) before the two rotating arms (7) are closed to their extreme positions.

6. A button clamping device for a sewing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The clamping assembly has a set of locking units symmetrically arranged above and below the two clamping rods (8).

7. A button clamping device for a sewing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The triggering component includes an arc-shaped groove (12) that runs through the end face of the clamping plate (11). The arc-shaped groove (12) is parallel to the arc-shaped rail. A wedge block (13) is provided in the arc-shaped groove (12). The wedge block (13) is fixedly connected to the rotating arm (7). The wedge block (13) can press the clamping plate (11) toward the end of the clamping rod (8) through its own wedge surface.

8. A button clamping device for a sewing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting component includes an arc plate (14), and two rotating arms (7) are elastically slidably connected to the arc plate (14) along an arc trajectory centered on the output shaft of the drive unit (6). The upper end of the arc plate (14) is vertically elastically slidably connected to a limiting rod (15), which is used to press down the upper surface of the button (5). A support plate (16) is fixedly connected to the side wall of the rotating arm (7), which is used to support the lower surface of the button (5).

Images