Sewing apparatus and method of use

Abstract

The application discloses a sewing device and an application method. The sewing device comprises a rack, a material moving device and a material storage device. The material moving device comprises a moving assembly and a pressing plate. The moving assembly is connected to the rack. The pressing plate is connected to the moving assembly. The pressing plate comprises a first needle group. The first needle group comprises a first needle head. The first needle head is connected to the pressing plate. The material storage device is connected to the rack. The material storage device comprises a material box bottom plate and a bottom plate lifting assembly. The material box bottom plate is suitable for carrying eyelet cloth. The eyelet cloth is stacked on the material box bottom plate along the vertical direction. The bottom plate lifting assembly is connected to the material box bottom plate. The bottom plate lifting assembly is configured to drive the material box bottom plate to ascend, so that the eyelet cloth on the top layer is located at a preset height. The first needle head is configured to only be able to pierce one piece of eyelet cloth. The application can ensure that single piece of cloth is stably grabbed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the textile field, and in particular to a sewing device and its application method. Background Technology

[0002] In the fabric processing stage, automated fabric gripping and conveying are key processes for achieving continuous production. Traditional automated material handling methods often employ the needle-punching principle, using needles to pierce the fabric fibers to create mechanical engagement, thereby separating the fabric from the stockpile and facilitating subsequent transfer. However, embroidered fabrics typically have specific geometric shapes, and due to the diversity of capping materials, including significant differences in thickness, hardness, surface properties, and interlayer bonding states, a single gripping strategy often fails to meet the reliability requirements under different working conditions, thus limiting the adaptability and stability of automated equipment in actual production.

[0003] Existing automatic material handling needle punching modules generally adopt a fixed-length uniform pressing structure, which causes the positioning reference to drift during the grasping moment, and the negative pressure between pieces cannot be released, resulting in frequent failures of overlapping and dropping pieces. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this application is to provide a sewing device and application method that can ensure stable gripping of single pieces of fabric.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, some embodiments of this application provide a sewing device, comprising: frame, The material transfer device includes a moving component and a pressure plate. The moving component is connected to the frame, and the pressure plate is connected to the moving component. The pressure plate includes a first needle group, which includes a first needle head. The first needle head is connected to the pressure plate. A material storage device is connected to a frame. The material storage device includes a material box base plate and a base plate lifting assembly. The material box base plate is suitable for carrying embroidered fabric. The embroidered fabric is stacked on the material box base plate in a vertical direction. The base plate lifting assembly is connected to the material box base plate. The base plate lifting assembly is at least configured to drive the material box base plate to rise so that the top layer of embroidered fabric is at a preset height. The first needle was configured to pierce only one piece of embroidered fabric.

[0006] In some embodiments, the pressure plate further includes a second needle assembly, which includes at least two second needles, one of which is offset from the line connecting the other second needle and the first needle.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first needle assembly further includes a first cylinder, and the second needle assembly further includes a second cylinder. The first cylinder is connected to the first needle tip to adjust the length of the first needle tip extending out of the pressure plate, and the second cylinder is connected to the second needle tip to adjust the length of the second needle tip extending out of the pressure plate.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second needle group includes at least two second needles, and at least one of the second needles is positioned off-center from the line connecting the first needle and one of the second needles in a plane parallel to the surface of the pressure plate.

[0009] In some embodiments, the sewing equipment further includes a material separating device, which includes a material separating plate configured to move horizontally to separate the top layer of embroidered fabric from other fabrics.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pressure plate further includes a second needle set, the second needle set including at least two second needles, the embroidery fabric having a first end and a second end, the area of ​​the first end being smaller than that of the second end, the first needle being adapted to connect to the first end, and the second needle being adapted to connect to the second end; The sewing equipment has a single pressing state, an intermediate state, and a double pressing state. In the single pressing state, only the first needle group is connected to the embroidery fabric, and the first needle group is connected to the first end of the embroidery fabric located on the top layer of the storage device. The material distribution device moves along the direction from the first end to the second end to allow the sewing equipment to enter the intermediate state. In the intermediate state, only one piece of embroidery fabric is laid on the material distribution plate, and both the first needle group and the second needle group are spaced apart from the embroidery fabric laid on the material distribution plate. In the double pressing state, both the first needle group and the second needle group are connected to the embroidery fabric.

[0011] In some embodiments, the sewing device includes a shrink cylinder and a three-axis cylinder, both of which are connected to a storage device. The shrink cylinder is configured to clamp the storage device in a horizontal direction and to drive the storage device to move in a vertical direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the storage device includes a positioning pin connected to the bottom plate of the material box, the positioning pin extending vertically, and the positioning pin passing through the stacked embroidered fabric; and / or, The material storage device includes a guard and a positioning pin. The guard is connected to the bottom plate of the material box. The guards are distributed circumferentially around the positioning pins. The guards are suitable for abutting the embroidery fabric in the horizontal direction.

[0013] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides an application method for any of the above-mentioned sewing equipment, the application method comprising: Adjust the height of the storage device so that the top layer of embroidered fabric stacked on the bottom plate of the material box is at the preset height; The first needle pierces the top layer of embroidered fabric.

[0014] In some embodiments, after the step of inserting the first needle into the top layer of embroidered fabric, the application method further includes: The pressure plate moves up to separate the first end of the embroidered eyelet fabric from the other fabrics; The dividing plate moves horizontally so that the embroidery fabric pierced by the first needle is laid on the pressing plate; The first needle was withdrawn; The pressure plate moves down to fit the embroidered fabric on the dividing plate; The first needle extends to pierce the first end of the embroidered fabric, and the second needle extends to pierce the second end of the embroidered fabric.

[0015] According to the above embodiments, the beneficial effects of this application are: The sewing equipment of this application includes a frame, a material transfer device, and a material storage device. The material transfer device includes a moving component and a pressure plate. The moving component is connected to the frame, and the pressure plate is connected to the moving component. The pressure plate includes a first needle assembly, which includes a first needle head connected to the pressure plate. The material storage device is connected to the frame and includes a material box base plate and a base plate lifting assembly. The material box base plate is adapted to hold embroidery fabric, which is stacked vertically on the material box base plate. The base plate lifting assembly is connected to the material box base plate and is configured to at least drive the material box base plate upwards so that the top layer of embroidery fabric is at a preset height. The first needle head is configured to pierce only one piece of embroidery fabric.

[0016] This application solves the problem of multiple pieces sticking together due to uncontrollable needle penetration depth during automated grasping by configuring the first needle to pierce only one piece of embroidery fabric. In the embroidery feeding stage of the hat-making process, the hat pieces vary significantly in thickness and hardness. Traditional uniform pressing structures often cause localized stress concentration when grasping elastic or napped fabrics because the needles extend synchronously and cannot retract, resulting in over-penetration or fabric slippage. This solution precisely limits the piercing capability of the first needle, ensuring that it forms a reliable connection with only the top layer of the hat piece in a single pressing action. This effectively avoids the failure of lifting lower layers of fabric due to excessive grasping force, while also reducing the interference of inter-piece negative pressure on grasping stability. In addition, the continuous lifting action of the material box bottom plate by the bottom plate lifting assembly ensures that the top layer of embroidery fabric is always maintained at the preset height, allowing the first needle to complete the piercing action within a constant working stroke. This eliminates the need for frequent adjustments to the stroke parameters of the pressing cylinder, thereby improving the equipment's adaptability to fabrics of different thicknesses. In summary, this application, through graded control of gripping force, ensures a high success rate for single-piece gripping while reducing downtime caused by repeated gripping failures, effectively guaranteeing production continuity and the stability of sewing quality.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or from practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a sewing device viewed from a first perspective in one embodiment of this application. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a sewing device viewed from a second perspective in one embodiment of this application. Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a sewing device viewed from a third-person perspective in one embodiment of this application. Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the storage device viewed from a fourth perspective in one embodiment of this application; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partial blast-damaged structural diagram of the intermediate storage unit; Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material transfer device viewed from a fifth perspective in one embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material transfer device viewed from a sixth perspective in one embodiment of this application; Figure 9 for Figure 8 Enlarged view at point B in the middle; Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material dispensing device viewed from a seventh perspective in one embodiment of this application; Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the material dispensing device viewed from an eighth perspective in one embodiment of this application; Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the storage device viewed from a ninth perspective in one embodiment of this application; Figure 13 This is a partial structural diagram of the sewing equipment in operation in one embodiment of this application, wherein the first end of the embroidery fabric is lifted by the first needle group, the second end is still attached to other fabrics, and the separating plate is about to be inserted between the lifted embroidery fabric and other fabrics. Figure 14 This is a flowchart of an application method in one embodiment of this application.

[0020] Explanation of icon numbers: Sewing equipment 10; Embroidery fabric 20; First end 21; Second end 22; Material transfer device 100; pressure plate 110; first needle group 111; second needle group 112; moving component 120; first sensor 130; Storage device 200; positioning pin 210; side guard 220; material box bottom plate 230; second sensor 240; Material distribution device 300; Material distribution plate 310; Figure 11 and Figure 12 1. Right material rack base plate for embroidered eyelet; 2. Cylinder fixing bracket assembly; 3. Three-axis cylinder; 4. Material box lifting base plate assembly; 5. Support shaft for embroidered eyelet material rack; 6. Platform plate for right material rack for embroidered eyelet; 7. Guide rail; 8. Slide rail fixing block for embroidered eyelet; 9. Separation plate for right material rack for embroidered eyelet; 10. Photoelectric sensor; 11. Fixing sheet metal for embroidered eyelet cylinder; 12. Connecting sheet metal for embroidered eyelet cylinder; 13. Limiting sheet metal for embroidered eyelet guide rail; 14. MGC20X275S mini cylinder; 15. Floating joint; 16. Thorium spike pad; 17. TRN12-04NO proximity sensor; 18. Clamping cylinder; 19. Through-type trapezoidal lead screw; 20. Positioning pin.

[0021] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this application involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0024] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this application involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or," "and / or," or "and / or" throughout the text implies three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0025] The following is for reference. Figures 1 to 14 This application describes a sewing device 10 and its application method according to embodiments of the present application. The sewing device 10 of the present application includes a frame, a material transfer device 100, and a material storage device 200. (Refer to...) Figures 1 to 4 The material transfer device 100 includes a moving component 120 and a pressure plate 110. The moving component 120 is connected to the frame, and the pressure plate 110 is connected to the moving component 120. The pressure plate 110 includes a first needle assembly 111, which includes a first needle head connected to the pressure plate 110. The material storage device 200 is connected to the frame and includes a material box base plate 230 and a base plate lifting assembly. The material box base plate 230 is adapted to hold embroidery fabric 20, which is stacked vertically on the material box base plate 230. The base plate lifting assembly is connected to the material box base plate 230 and is configured to at least drive the material box base plate 230 upwards so that the top layer of embroidery fabric 20 is at a preset height. The first needle head is configured to pierce only one piece of embroidery fabric 20.

[0026] This application solves the problem of multiple pieces sticking together due to uncontrollable needle penetration depth during automated grasping by configuring the first needle to pierce only one piece of embroidery fabric 20. In the embroidery feeding stage of hat making, the hat pieces vary significantly in thickness and hardness. Traditional uniform pressing structures often cause localized stress concentration when grasping elastic or napped fabrics because the needles extend synchronously and cannot retract, resulting in over-penetration or fabric slippage. This solution precisely limits the piercing capability of the first needle, ensuring that it forms a reliable connection with only the top single piece of hat piece in a single pressing action. This effectively avoids the failure of lifting lower layers of fabric due to excessive grasping force, while also reducing the interference of inter-piece negative pressure on grasping stability. Furthermore, the continuous lifting of the material box base plate 230 by the base plate lifting assembly ensures that the top layer of embroidery fabric 20 remains at a preset height. This allows the first needle to complete the insertion action within a constant working stroke, eliminating the need for frequent adjustments to the stroke parameters of the pressing cylinder and thus improving the equipment's adaptability to fabrics of different thicknesses. In summary, this application, through graded control of the gripping force, ensures a high success rate for single-piece gripping while reducing downtime caused by repeated gripping failures, effectively guaranteeing production continuity and the stability of sewing quality.

[0027] Reference Figure 10 In some embodiments, the storage device 200 is provided with a second sensor 240, which is used to determine whether the embroidered fabric 20 located on the top layer is at a preset height.

[0028] It should be noted that the eyelet fabric 20 in this application refers to a specific shaped fabric used in the hat-making process for sewing the eyelet area. In some embodiments, the eyelet fabric 20 has an asymmetrical structural feature with a first end 21 and a second end 22, and the area of ​​the first end 21 is smaller than that of the second end 22. The fabric has an eyelet hole in the center for the positioning needle 210 to pass through to achieve multi-layer stacking and positioning. At the same time, its material covers a variety of fabric types with different thicknesses and softness. It needs to be accurately grasped by a single piece through automated equipment for subsequent sewing processing.

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 4In some embodiments, the frame refers to the basic component that forms the overall structural support frame of the sewing equipment 10. It is used to fix and support all functional components such as the material transfer device 100, the material storage device 200, and the material distribution device 300, providing a stable installation reference and relative positional relationship for each device. This ensures that the translational movement of the moving component 120, the vertical pressing action of the pressure plate 110, the horizontal movement of the material distribution plate 310, and the vertical stacking storage of the material storage device 200 can all operate collaboratively within a precise spatial coordinate system. It is the mechanical foundation for realizing the overall structural integration of the equipment and the linkage and coordination of various functional modules. In some embodiments, the frame is a gantry frame structure with a crossbeam component spanning the working area. This provides a long-stroke linear motion guide for the moving component 120 of the material transfer device 100, while symmetrically arranging the material storage device 200 and the material distribution device 300 on both sides of the crossbeam to achieve an efficient dual-station alternating material handling mode. In some embodiments, the frame is a cantilever support structure, with one end fixed to the base and the other end extending to form an open working space, facilitating the quick loading, unloading, and maintenance of the storage device 200. The dispensing device 300 can be integrated into the cantilever end and the transfer device 100 to form a compact material handling unit, suitable for space-constrained automated production line layouts. In some embodiments, the frame is a modular combined frame, assembled from profile components with standardized interfaces. The stroke range of the transfer device 100, the material holding height of the storage device 200, and the intervention angle of the dispensing device 300 can be flexibly adjusted according to the specifications and dimensions of the embroidered fabric 20 and process requirements, enabling rapid reconfiguration and functional expansion of the equipment structure to meet personalized configuration needs in different application scenarios.

[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 4In some embodiments, the material transfer device 100 refers to a functional module connected to the frame for grasping and spatially transferring the embroidery fabric 20. It consists of a moving component 120 and a pressure plate 110. The moving component 120 provides the pressure plate 110 with horizontal translational movement capability. The pressure plate 110 carries the first needle group 111 and performs vertical pressing and lifting actions. Through the step-by-step cooperation of a first pressing state and a second pressing state, the complete material transfer process is completed, from grasping the fabric from the top layer of the storage device 200, separating it through the material separating device 300, and transferring it to the target station. In some embodiments, the material transfer device 100 is an articulated robotic arm transfer system. It realizes the spatial pose adjustment of the end effector through the linkage of multi-degree-of-freedom rotary joints. It can complete the transfer of fabric from the storage station to the sewing station under complex trajectories. Moreover, the end flexible clamping module can simulate the step-by-step actions of the pressure plate 110 and the needle group, first partially clamping and lifting, and then stabilizing the whole grasp. In some embodiments, the material transfer device 100 is a high-speed transfer mechanism driven by a linear motor. It utilizes the principle of direct electromagnetic drive to achieve non-contact, high-precision linear motion, enabling rapid response to the switching requirements between primary and secondary pressing states. Combined with pneumatic or electric actuators, it achieves precise timing control of needle gripping and release, improving the material handling cycle time and positioning accuracy. In some embodiments, the material transfer device 100 is a parallel-configuration gripping platform. Through the coordinated drive of multiple sets of telescopic branches, it achieves six degrees of freedom motion of the moving platform. The pressure plate 110 and the needle assembly can be integrated below the moving platform, rapidly switching spatial postures between primary and secondary pressing states. Simultaneously, the high rigidity of the parallel structure ensures stability during needle gripping, making it suitable for high-speed, high-frequency automated material handling operations.

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 6In some embodiments, the storage device 200 refers to a feeding module connected to the frame for vertically stacking and storing multiple pieces of embroidered fabric 20. It provides a continuous and orderly source of top-layer material for the transfer device 100 by stacking embroidered fabric 20 with a first end 21 and a second end 22, where the area of ​​the first end 21 is smaller than that of the second end 22, in a specific posture. It also works with the distribution device 300 to achieve precise vertical positioning and layered management of the fabric, serving as a fundamental material storage unit to ensure the stable operation of automated continuous grasping operations. In some embodiments, the storage device 200 is a rotary feeding mechanism. It achieves cyclical supply of fabric through multiple storage stations arranged circumferentially on a horizontal rotary table. When the material at one station is completely grasped, the rotary table rotates to switch to the next station to continue feeding. Simultaneously, vacant stations can be manually replenished, enabling parallel processing of continuous operation and offline replenishment. In some embodiments, the storage device 200 is a chain-type circulating lifting mechanism, which uses trays spaced apart on a closed chain to support the stack of fabric. Through the stepping motion of the chain, each layer of fabric is sequentially lifted to a fixed picking height. This, combined with the step-by-step gripping action of the transfer device 100, forms a rhythmic feeding mechanism. The chain's circulation path can adapt to the needs of fabric stacks of different heights. In some embodiments, the storage device 200 is a flexible vibratory feeder directional feeding system. Through controllable vibration excitation, the randomly stacked thin fabric is adjusted in posture and arranged in an orderly manner in a specific cavity. The first end 21 and the second end 22 are automatically oriented using the fabric's own shape characteristics. Then, it is conveyed to the top of the distribution device 300 in a single-layer flat manner, providing the transfer device 100 with a top layer of material that is uniform in posture and easy to grip in steps.

[0032] Reference Figures 7 to 9In some embodiments, the second needle group 112 includes at least two second needles. On a plane parallel to the surface of the pressure plate 110, at least one second needle is positioned off-center from the line connecting the first needle and one of the second needles. This arrangement is designed to fit different shapes of embroidered eyelet fabric 20, thereby improving gripping stability. By adding a second needle group 112 to the pressure plate 110 and offsetting one of the second needles from the line connecting the other second needle and the first needle, a non-collinear multi-point gripping layout is formed, improving the mechanical stability and positioning accuracy of the embroidered eyelet fabric 20 during gripping. In the embroidered eyelet feeding stage of automated hat making, the traditional single-row straight-line needle structure, because all needles are on the same axis, makes it difficult to form an effective torque balance in the fabric plane. Especially when gripping irregularly shaped or offset hat pieces, the fabric is prone to deflection, wrinkling, or even falling off due to single-point or single-axis force. This design arranges at least two second needles of the second needle group 112 in a non-collinear relationship with the first needle, creating dispersed force areas on the fabric at the three gripping points. This generates multi-directional constraint forces at the moment of gripping, effectively suppressing the fabric's tendency to rotate around a single axis. This non-collinear arrangement allows each needle to share shear forces and bending moments in different directions, reducing the risk of fabric slippage caused by localized stress concentration. Simultaneously, the multi-point synergy forms a more stable planar gripping reference, ensuring the embroidery fabric 20 maintains consistent posture and positional accuracy during transport. Furthermore, this layout enhances the equipment's adaptability to caps of different shapes and materials, eliminating the need for frequent gripper changes for different fabric specifications. This effectively improves the equipment's versatility and production line changeover flexibility, providing reliable material positioning for subsequent sewing processes.

[0033] Reference Figures 7 to 9In some embodiments, the first needle group 111 further includes a first cylinder, and the second needle group 112 further includes a second cylinder. The first cylinder is connected to the first needle head to adjust the length of the first needle head extending out of the pressure plate 110, and the second cylinder is connected to the second needle head to adjust the length of the second needle head extending out of the pressure plate 110. By configuring independent cylinder drive mechanisms for the first needle group 111 and the second needle group 112 respectively, the independent adjustment function of the length of each needle head extending out of the pressure plate 110 is realized, thereby giving the equipment the ability to precisely control the grasping process of the embroidered fabric 20. In the complex working conditions of automated hat making, the thickness, hardness, and surface characteristics of the hat material vary significantly. Traditional fixed needle punching structures often lead to problems such as excessive piercing of thin materials, poor grasping of thick materials, or fiber entanglement of napped fabrics because they cannot adjust the piercing depth according to the material characteristics. This solution, through the separate driving of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, enables the first needle head and the second needle head to form differentiated extension length configurations according to actual process requirements, realizing a graded piercing strategy at different stages of the grasping action. This independent adjustment mechanism allows the equipment to achieve initial positioning and separation of individual pieces within a single gripping cycle using a shorter needle extension. Then, by adjusting the extension length of other needles, it forms a multi-point stable grip, effectively avoiding localized stress concentration caused by the simultaneous rigid insertion of all needles. Simultaneously, the cylinder-driven length adjustment method offers rapid response and precise control, optimizing the insertion depth in real time based on fabric characteristics. This minimizes damage to fabric fibers while ensuring reliable piercing, reducing the risk of fabric deformation, snagging, or needle detachment due to improper gripping parameters. This design enhances the equipment's compatibility with diverse materials and process adaptability, providing a reliable technical guarantee for achieving high-quality, high-efficiency automated embroidery feeding.

[0034] Reference Figures 7 to 9In some embodiments, the positions of the first needle and the two second needles respectively form the apex and two base angles of an isosceles triangle. By configuring the spatial positions of the first needle and the two second needles to correspond to the apex and base angles of an isosceles triangle, a geometrically symmetrical three-point gripping layout is constructed, optimizing the mechanical balance and posture stability of the embroidery fabric 20 during gripping and transfer. In the embroidery feeding stage of automated hat making, the geometry of the fabric often exhibits asymmetrical characteristics. If the gripping points are not properly distributed, a deflection torque can easily be generated under the action of transfer acceleration, causing the fabric to slip or warp relative to the pressure plate 110, thereby affecting the positioning accuracy of subsequent sewing processes. This solution utilizes the geometric characteristics of an isosceles triangle, placing the first needle at the apex position to bear the main lifting load, while symmetrically distributing the two second needles at the base angles to form a support surface, so that the three gripping points constitute a stable support structure within the fabric plane. This layout ensures that the point of application of the resultant force naturally approaches the geometric center of the fabric, effectively counteracting the overturning moment caused by fabric asymmetry or center of gravity shift, ensuring the fabric remains flat and conforming throughout the transfer process. Furthermore, the symmetrical isosceles triangle configuration creates a balanced constraint distribution of the gripping force applied by each needle to the fabric in both the lateral and longitudinal directions, enhancing resistance to external disturbances and reducing the risk of fabric detachment due to equipment vibration or sudden stops and starts. This geometric layout design not only enhances the robustness of the gripping system but also provides a unified benchmark framework for rapid changeovers of different cap sizes, reducing the adjustment time required to recalibrate gripping parameters due to material changes, and effectively improving production line operating efficiency and process consistency.

[0035] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11In some embodiments, the sewing equipment 10 further includes a material separating device 300, which includes a material separating plate 310 configured to move horizontally to separate the top layer of embroidered eyelet fabric 20 from other fabrics. By introducing the material separating device 300 and configuring the horizontally movable material separating plate 310, the mechanical active separation function of the embroidered eyelet fabric 20 during the grasping process is realized, effectively solving the problem of multiple pieces sticking together due to inter-piece adhesion or negative pressure adsorption in automated feeding. In the stacked fabric picking stage of the hat-making process, adjacent hat pieces often exhibit adhesion phenomena that are difficult to separate by their own weight due to static electricity, surface fuzz entanglement, or negative pressure in a closed air chamber. Traditional separation methods that rely solely on needle lifting or air blowing are often unreliable and easily cause heavy pieces to be grasped or lower layers of fabric to shift. This solution utilizes the horizontal cutting motion of the separating plate 310 to create a physical barrier between the top layer of embroidered fabric 20 and the lower layer of fabric after initial lifting. The shearing action forcibly disrupts the interfacial bonding, allowing the fabric to be picked up to rest stably on the separating plate 310 while other fabric remains within the storage device 200. This mechanical separation mechanism is not limited by the conductivity or breathability of the fabric material and has good adaptability to elastic fabrics, napped fabrics, and coated materials, broadening the equipment's material compatibility range. Simultaneously, the horizontal movement of the separating plate 310 and the lifting action of the transfer device 100 work in tandem, providing stable bottom support for the picked-up fabric during the separation process. This prevents the fabric from swaying in mid-air before completely detaching from the stockpile, effectively ensuring the repeatability of the gripping position and the flatness of the fabric surface. This design decouples the separation function from the gripping mechanism, allowing each action unit to be optimized for specific functions. This reduces the system coupling complexity, improves the overall operational reliability and maintenance convenience, and lays a key technological foundation for achieving high-speed, continuous, automated embroidery feeding.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 10 and Figure 11In some embodiments, the material separating device 300 refers to a functional module connected to the frame, used to separate the fabric between the first and second pressing states of the material transfer device 100. The material separating device 300 includes a horizontally surfaced material separating plate 310, which can move horizontally from the first end 21 to the second end 22. It cuts and separates the lifted top layer of embroidered fabric 20 from the stacked fabric below and lays it flat on its upper surface, thereby ensuring that the material transfer device 100 can stably grasp single pieces of material in the second pressing state. It is the core execution mechanism for realizing the core process logic of separating before grasping. In some embodiments, the material separating device 300 is an airflow-assisted separation mechanism. It injects a directional and controllable airflow into the gap between the lifted material and the lower layer material to break the negative pressure adsorption between layers and assist the lateral unfolding of the material. At the same time, the horizontally moving support plate intervenes synchronously with the airflow to complete the receiving and flattening of the material. It is suitable for film materials with high surface flatness requirements. In some embodiments, the material distribution device 300 is an electrostatic adsorption separation platform, which utilizes the selective adsorption of specific polar materials by an electrostatic field. When the material transfer device 100 presses down and lifts the first end 21 of the material, the second end 22 of the material is adsorbed by the electrostatic field force and kept in a drooping posture. Subsequently, the horizontally moving insulating separation plate cuts off the electrostatic field effect and transfers the material onto it, achieving contactless separation and support. In some embodiments, the material distribution device 300 is a negative pressure adsorption conveyor belt mechanism, whose surface is evenly distributed with adsorption holes and circulates horizontally. When the material transfer device 100 lifts the top layer of material, the conveyor belt cuts in from the material branch and receives the lower surface of the material by negative pressure adsorption. As the conveyor belt rotates, the material is spread out and transported to the secondary gripping station, completing the continuous operation of separation and transfer.

[0037] Reference Figures 7 to 9 In some embodiments, the pressure plate 110 further includes a second needle group 112, which includes at least two second needles. The embroidery fabric 20 has a first end 21 and a second end 22. The area of ​​the first end 21 is smaller than that of the second end 22. The first needle is adapted to connect to the first end 21, and the second needle is adapted to connect to the second end 22. The sewing device 10 has a first pressing state, an intermediate state, and a second pressing state. In the first pressing state, only the first needle group 111 is connected to the embroidery fabric 20, and the first needle group 111 is connected to the first end 21 of the embroidery fabric 20 located on the top layer of the storage device 200. The material distribution device 300 moves along the first end 21 toward the second end 22 to allow the sewing device 10 to enter the intermediate state. In the intermediate state, only one piece of embroidery fabric 20 is laid on the material distribution plate 310, and the first needle group 111 and the second needle group 112 are spaced apart from the embroidery fabric 20 laid on the material distribution plate 310. In the second pressing state, the first needle group 111 and the second needle group 112 are both connected to the embroidery fabric 20.

[0038] By configuring the first needle group 111 and the second needle group 112 at the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the embroidered fabric 20, which have different areas, and setting a three-stage grasping process of one-time pressing state, intermediate state and two-time pressing state, a graded and progressive grasping control of the fabric is realized, which improves the reliability of the grasping action and the thoroughness of fabric separation. In the hat-making process, the hat piece is often asymmetrical in shape, narrow in the front and wide in the back. The traditional synchronous pressing needle-punching method is prone to slippage at the front end with insufficient grasping force due to the smaller area, or at the back end with excessive puncture depth due to the larger area, which may lift the lower layer of fabric. This solution involves initial insertion and lifting of the first needle group 111 at the front end during a single pressing phase. The rear end's weight and interlayer adhesion maintain the fabric's rear position, creating a tilted tension to weaken interlayer bonding. Then, the horizontal movement of the distribution device 300 achieves mechanical separation, entering an intermediate state where each needle group is no longer in contact with the fabric, creating conditions for the fabric to lay flat on the distribution plate 310. Finally, a second pressing phase synchronizes the insertion of the front and rear needle groups, forming a complete planar grip. This phased action design ensures that the fabric is physically isolated from the underlying material before full gripping, effectively avoiding the risk of overlapping due to negative pressure adsorption and fiber entanglement. Furthermore, the lifting-then-laying process ensures the flatness and positional accuracy of the fabric during final gripping. This timing control strategy reduces the stringent requirements of a single gripping action, improves system fault tolerance through action decoupling, and provides stable process assurance for high-speed automated production.

[0039] Reference Figure 13 Regarding the first pressing state, it should be noted that the first pressing state refers to the initial working stage of the material transfer device 100 executing the step-by-step grasping process. In this state, the pressure plate 110 moves downward in the vertical direction, causing the first needle of the first needle group 111 to extend and pierce the smaller first end 21 of the embroidery fabric 20 stacked on the top layer of the storage device 200. Subsequently, the pressure plate 110 is raised to partially lift the first end 21 of the fabric, while the larger second end 22 remains in place due to its own weight and adhesion to the lower layer of fabric, forming an inclined posture with the front end of the fabric raised and the rear end hanging down, creating the necessary conditions for the intervention and separation of the material separating plate 310.

[0040] Reference Figure 13 Regarding the intermediate state, it should be noted that the intermediate state refers to the state after the first needle group 111 pierces the first end 21 of the top layer embroidery fabric 20 and is lifted during the first pressing state. The material distribution plate 310 of the material distribution device 300 moves along the first end 21 towards the second end 22, cutting and separating the top layer embroidery fabric 20 from the lower layer fabric, so that only one piece of embroidery fabric 20 is laid on the horizontal surface of the material distribution plate 310. At this time, the first needle group 111 and the second needle group 112 are spaced apart from the embroidery fabric 20 and have not formed a connection. This state is the transition positioning stage before the second pressing.

[0041] Reference Figure 13 Regarding the secondary pressing state, it should be noted that the secondary pressing state refers to the final working stage of the step-by-step grasping process executed by the material transfer device 100. In this state, the pressure plate 110 moves downward again in the vertical direction, causing the first needle of the first needle group 111 to extend and pierce the first end 21 of the embroidery fabric 20 that has been laid on the surface of the material distribution plate 310, thereby lifting the single piece of fabric in a stable, flat position, completing the reliable grasping after separation from the storage device 200 and the material distribution device 300, and ensuring that the material transfer device 100 can transfer the single piece of material to the subsequent sewing station.

[0042] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 In some embodiments, the sewing device 10 includes a shrink cylinder and a three-axis cylinder, both connected to the storage device 200. The shrink cylinder is configured to clamp the storage device 200 horizontally and to drive the storage device 200 to move vertically. By configuring the shrink cylinder and the three-axis cylinder to work together on the storage device 200, integrated control of the material box in both horizontal clamping and vertical movement is achieved, improving the assembly / disassembly efficiency and operational stability of the storage device 200. In the continuous production environment of automated cap manufacturing, the storage device 200 needs to frequently perform cap piece replenishment and material box replacement operations. Traditional fixed or single-drive installation structures often suffer from problems such as long positioning time, insufficient clamping reliability, or poor vertical adjustment flexibility. This solution utilizes the horizontal clamping function of the retractable cylinder to automatically lock the material box laterally after it is placed in position. This effectively prevents the material box from shifting or tipping over due to equipment vibration or inertial impact during material handling, ensuring that the stacked fabric remains within the preset working space. Simultaneously, the vertical drive configuration allows the storage device 200 to quickly adjust its height according to actual working conditions, facilitating connection with external conveyor lines or manual operating tables and shortening downtime for material changes. The introduction of a three-axis cylinder further enhances the guiding accuracy and load capacity of vertical movement, ensuring the material box remains stable and undisturbed during lifting and lowering, preventing fabric slippage or edge misalignment caused by changes in posture. This dual-cylinder collaborative design modularly integrates clamping and lifting functions, simplifying the complexity of the mechanical structure and reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, the rapid response characteristics of pneumatic components improve the overall production cycle and automation level of the equipment, providing a solid mechanical guarantee for achieving efficient and reliable continuous supply of embroidered fabric 20.

[0043] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 12In some embodiments, the storage device 200 includes a positioning pin 210 connected to the bottom plate 230 of the storage box, the positioning pin 210 extending vertically and passing through the stacked embroidery fabric 20. In some embodiments, the storage device 200 includes a retaining edge 220 and a positioning pin 210, the retaining edge 220 connected to the bottom plate 230 of the storage box, the retaining edge 220 being circumferentially spaced around the positioning pin 210, and the retaining edge 220 being adapted to abut against the embroidery fabric 20 in a horizontal direction.

[0044] By setting positioning pins 210 extending vertically and passing through the stacked embroidered fabric 20 in the storage device 200, and edge guards 220 spaced circumferentially around the positioning pins 210, a multi-dimensional limiting system for the embroidered fabric 20 is constructed, improving the neatness of the stacked materials and the repeatability of the picking position. In the feeding process of automated hat making, the hat pieces are prone to horizontal slippage, rotational misalignment, or edge warping in the material box due to their soft material, irregular shape, and large number of stacks. This can cause subsequent gripping actions to fail to accurately align with the target position, resulting in empty gripping or off-center gripping failures. This application utilizes the structural feature of the positioning pins 210 penetrating the central holes of each layer of fabric to form a rigid guiding constraint in the vertical direction, ensuring that each layer of fabric maintains the same reference positioning and effectively suppressing the cumulative offset during the stacking process. Meanwhile, the circumferentially distributed guardrails 220 form a ring-shaped limiting boundary in the horizontal direction, preventing radial expansion or torsional deformation of the fabric due to its own elasticity or external disturbances through lateral abutment, ensuring that the overall stack of materials maintains a regular layered state. The combined design of the positioning pins 210 and the guardrails 220 forms a three-dimensional material constraint space, allowing the fabric to sink naturally under gravity to maintain a constant top layer height, while restricting the degrees of freedom in each direction to avoid misalignment. This limiting system reduces the frequency of equipment downtime for adjustments due to fabric misalignment, improves the stability of continuous production, and reduces the need for manual intervention in material box handling, providing a reliable material management foundation for achieving unmanned or minimally manned automated embroidery feeding.

[0045] Reference Figure 14 The second aspect of this application provides an application method for the sewing equipment 10 described above, the application method comprising: S101: Adjust the height of the storage device 200 so that the top layer of embroidered fabric 20 stacked on the bottom plate 230 of the material box is at the preset height; S103: The first needle pierces the top layer of embroidered fabric 20.

[0046] By breaking down the application method into two key steps—height adjustment of the storage device 200 and insertion of the first needle—a benchmark process for automated gripping of embroidered fabric 20 was established, ensuring the repeatability and reliability of the gripping action. First, the height of the storage device 200 is adjusted so that the top layer of embroidered fabric 20 is at a preset height. This step, driven by the bottom plate lifting assembly, compensates for the decrease in material stack height caused by piece-by-piece material handling, ensuring that the target fabric is in a constant spatial position relative to the transfer device 100 during each gripping cycle. This eliminates the need for frequent adjustments to the pressure plate 110 stroke or cylinder parameters due to height deviations, improving the equipment's adaptability to different initial stack heights and fabric thicknesses, while also ensuring stable and suitable contact conditions during the first needle insertion. Secondly, the first needle pierces the top layer of embroidered fabric 20. This step, by controlling the piercing action of a single needle group, achieves initial grasping of a single piece of fabric. A reliable connection force is formed through the mechanical interlocking between the needle and the fabric fibers. Furthermore, limiting the piercing depth ensures effective connection only with the top layer of fabric, avoiding the risk of multiple pieces of lower fabric being hooked due to excessive piercing. The method of this application, through the sequential arrangement of positioning followed by grasping, decomposes spatial position calibration and physical connection establishment into independent and controllable steps, reducing system coupling errors. This allows each action unit to execute under defined initial conditions, improving the grasping success rate and fabric integrity, laying a stable technological foundation for subsequent transfer and separation processes. Simultaneously, it simplifies the control logic and fault diagnosis process, facilitating efficient and stable automated continuous production.

[0047] In some embodiments, after the step of inserting the first needle into the top layer of embroidered fabric 20, the application method further includes: The pressure plate 110 moves upward to separate the first end 21 of the embroidered eyelet from the other fabric; The dividing plate 310 moves horizontally so that the embroidery fabric 20 pierced by the first needle is laid on the pressing plate 110. The first needle was withdrawn; The pressure plate 110 moves down to fit the embroidered fabric 20 on the material distribution plate 310; The first needle extends to pierce the first end 21 of the embroidered fabric 20, and the second needle extends to pierce the second end 22 of the embroidered fabric 20.

[0048] By sequentially executing a series of steps after the first needle pierces the top layer of embroidered fabric 20, including the upward movement of the pressure plate 110, the horizontal movement of the separating plate 310, the retraction of the first needle, the downward movement of the pressure plate 110, and the simultaneous insertion of the double needle group, a complete graded and progressive gripping process is constructed, which improves the reliability of fabric separation and the stability of final gripping. First, the pressure plate 110 moves upward to separate the first end 21 of the embroidered eyelet fabric 20 from the other fabrics. This step utilizes the lifting action of the first needle group 111 to generate a vertical displacement at the front end of the fabric, disrupting the interlayer static pressure adsorption and fiber entanglement. At the same time, the weight of the rear end and the inter-sheet adhesive force maintain the position of the rear end, forming an inclined tension state to weaken the interlayer bonding force, creating conditions for subsequent mechanical separation. Second, the separating plate 310 moves horizontally to lay the embroidered eyelet fabric 20 pierced by the first needle on it. This step, through the horizontal cutting motion of the separating plate 310, forms a physical isolation barrier between the separated top layer fabric and the lower layer, using shearing action to forcibly complete the complete separation and flatten the fabric. The fabric is stably supported on the dividing plate 310, preventing it from swinging or slipping in the air. Then, the first needle retracts, releasing the temporary grip at the front end and allowing the fabric to completely break free from the needle assembly, providing freedom for repositioning. Subsequently, the pressure plate 110 moves down to fit the embroidered fabric 20 on the dividing plate 310, restoring the pressure plate 110 to contact the fabric surface and establishing a stable reference plane for final gripping. Finally, the first needle extends to pierce the first end 21 of the fabric, and the second needle extends to pierce the second end 22 of the fabric. This step, through the synchronous insertion of the front and rear needle assemblies, forms a multi-point balanced planar gripping layout, improving the anti-deflection capability and posture stability during the transfer process. This method effectively avoids the risk of overlapping fabrics caused by negative pressure adsorption and fiber entanglement by breaking down the separation, transfer, and re-grinding processes into independent and controllable process units. At the same time, the arrangement of spreading the fabric before gripping ensures the flatness of the fabric, providing a reliable process guarantee for achieving high-speed and high-precision automated embroidery feeding.

[0049] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 14This paper describes the sewing equipment 10 and its application method according to a specific embodiment. The sewing equipment 10 of this application includes a frame, a material transfer device 100, a material storage device 200, and a material distribution device 300. The material transfer device 100 includes a moving component 120 and a pressure plate 110. The moving component 120 is connected to the frame to realize horizontal translation and feeding. The pressure plate 110 is connected to the moving component 120 and carries the needle-punching and gripping function. A first needle group 111 and a second needle group 112 are arranged on the pressure plate 110. The first needle group 111 includes a first needle head and a first cylinder. The second needle group 112 includes at least two second needle heads and a second cylinder. The spatial positions of the first needle head and the two second needle heads respectively form the vertex angle and two base angles of an isosceles triangle, forming a non-collinear three-point gripping layout. The first cylinder and the second cylinder independently drive the first needle head and the second needle head to adjust the length of each needle head extending out of the pressure plate 110, thereby realizing graded control of the puncture depth. The first needle is configured to pierce only one piece of embroidered fabric 20, ensuring that a single piercing does not penetrate multiple layers, thereby avoiding the grabbing of multiple pieces.

[0050] The storage device 200 is connected to the frame and includes a material box base plate 230, a base plate lifting assembly, positioning pins 210, and side guards 220. The material box base plate 230 supports vertically stacked embroidery fabric 20. The base plate lifting assembly is connected to the material box base plate 230 and configured to drive it upward, ensuring that the top layer of embroidery fabric 20 is always at a preset height, compensating for the height reduction after each piece is removed. The positioning pins 210 extend vertically and pass through the stacked embroidery fabric 20, providing a central reference positioning for each layer of fabric. The side guards 220 are circumferentially spaced around the positioning pins 210 and are suitable for abutting against the embroidery fabric 20 in the horizontal direction, forming an annular limiting boundary to prevent radial displacement. The storage device 200 is also equipped with a shrink cylinder and a three-axis cylinder. The shrink cylinder is used to clamp the storage device 200 in the horizontal direction to ensure stable operation, and the three-axis cylinder is used to drive the storage device 200 to move in the vertical direction to assist in the assembly and disassembly operations.

[0051] The material separating device 300 includes a material separating plate 310, which is configured to move horizontally to separate the top layer of embroidered fabric 20 from other fabrics. The sewing machine 10 has three operating modes during operation: a single-press state, an intermediate state, and a double-press state. In the first pressing state, the first needle group 111 connects to the first end 21 of the embroidery fabric 20 located on the top layer of the storage device 200, and the second needle group 112 maintains a distance from the embroidery fabric 20. At this time, the extension length of the first needle is controlled so as to pierce only the front end of a single piece of fabric. Then, the material distribution device 300 moves along the direction from the first end 21 to the second end 22, so that the device enters the intermediate state. At this time, only one piece of embroidery fabric 20 is laid on the material distribution plate 310, and the first needle group 111 and the second needle group 112 are both spaced from the fabric. Finally, in the second pressing state, the first needle group 111 and the second needle group 112 are both connected to the embroidery fabric 20. The first needle and the second needle extend synchronously and pierce the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the fabric respectively, forming a stable multi-point planar grip.

[0052] The application method of the sewing equipment 10 includes: first, adjusting the height of the storage device 200 so that the top layer of embroidery fabric 20 stacked on the bottom plate 230 of the material box is at a preset height; then, the first needle pierces the top layer of embroidery fabric 20 to achieve initial single-piece gripping; subsequently, the pressure plate 110 moves upward to separate the first end 21 of the embroidery fabric 20 from other fabrics, using inclined tension to break the interlayer bonding force; the separating plate 310 moves horizontally so that the embroidery fabric 20 pierced by the first needle is laid on the separating plate 310 to complete mechanical forced separation; the first needle retracts to release the temporary gripping; the pressure plate 110 moves downward to fit the embroidery fabric 20 on the separating plate 310 to re-establish the contact reference; finally, the first needle extends to pierce the first end 21 of the embroidery fabric 20, and the second needle extends to pierce the second end 22 of the embroidery fabric 20 to achieve stable and reliable complete gripping, so as to transfer it to the subsequent sewing station. In summary, this application effectively solves the problems of overlapping, falling off, and positioning drift of fabrics with differences in thickness and hardness by using graded control of gripping force, asymmetric multi-point layout, and phased process control, thereby improving equipment compatibility and production quality.

[0053] Furthermore, referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12 , Figure 11 and Figure 12The detailed structural design of the material distribution device and the material storage device is given, specifically including: 1. Embroidery eye right material rack base plate, 2. Cylinder fixing frame assembly, 3. Three-axis cylinder, 4. Material box lifting base plate assembly, 5. Embroidery eye material rack support shaft, 6. Embroidery eye right material rack platform plate, 7. Guide rail, 8. Embroidery eye slide rail fixing block, 9. Embroidery eye right material rack separation plate, 10. Photoelectric sensor, 11. Embroidery eye cylinder fixing sheet metal, 12. Embroidery eye cylinder connecting sheet metal, 13. Embroidery eye guide rail limiting sheet metal, 14. MGC20X275S mini cylinder, 15. Floating joint, 16. Thorium spike pad, 17. TRN12-04NO proximity, 18. Clamping cylinder, 19. Through trapezoidal lead screw, and 20. Positioning pin.The right-side material rack base plate 1 of the embroidered eyelet fabric provides the installation reference for the entire material distribution and storage device, forming the structural support foundation of the components. The cylinder fixing bracket assembly 2 is installed on the right-side material rack base plate 1 to fix the MGC20X275S mini cylinder 14, ensuring the stable arrangement of the drive components. The three-axis cylinder 3 is also installed on the right-side material rack base plate 1 of the embroidered eyelet fabric, providing the embroidered eyelet material box assembly with rising and falling movements, facilitating the quick installation and disassembly of the material box. The material box lifting base plate assembly 4 is connected to the through trapezoidal screw 19, which realizes vertical lifting under the drive of the screw to compensate for changes in the stacking height of the fabric. The embroidered eyelet fabric rack support shaft 5 is set vertically to provide lateral edge positioning for multi-layer stacked embroidered eyelet fabric. To prevent fabric from tipping over or shifting; the right-side fabric shelf platform plate 6 serves as an intermediate mounting layer, facilitating the arrangement of the guide rail 7 and cylinder components, while also providing movement space and installation reference for the right-side fabric shelf separation plate 9; the guide rail 7 is fixed to the right-side fabric shelf platform plate 6 via the embroidery eye slide rail fixing block 8, providing precise guidance for the reciprocating linear motion of the right-side fabric shelf separation plate 9; the right-side fabric shelf separation plate 9, as the core actuator, has a thin-blade structure at its front end to reduce insertion resistance. Driven by the MGC20X275S mini cylinder 14, it moves horizontally along the direction of the guide rail 7 to achieve the cutting and separation of adjacent fabrics. The middle contact area between the separation plate and the fabric emphasizes the balance between material hardness and support force, ensuring both... Effective separation while stably supporting the fabric; photoelectric sensor 10 is installed at an appropriate position on the right embroidery frame platform plate 6 to detect the position status of the material box lifting base plate assembly 4 and provide feedback signals to the control system; the embroidery cylinder fixing sheet metal 11 and the embroidery cylinder connecting sheet metal 12 cooperate to achieve a reliable connection between the MGC20X275S mini cylinder 14 and the right embroidery frame separation plate 9; the floating joint 15 compensates for installation errors and motion deviations, ensuring smooth transmission; the embroidery guide rail limiting sheet metal 13 is arranged at both ends of the guide rail 7 to limit the stroke limit of the right embroidery frame separation plate 9 and prevent slippage; the thorium needle pad 16 is set at the bottom of the material box as a protective pad for the needle-punching assembly, avoiding... The design prevents damage to the rigid substrate from direct impact of the needle; the TRN12-04NO proximity switch 17 detects the lower limit of the through-type trapezoidal lead screw 19, and works with the photoelectric sensor 10 to achieve bidirectional limit protection for the lifting stroke; the clamping cylinder 18 automatically presses down and clamps after the embroidery box assembly is placed in place, preventing the box from swinging or shifting during material retrieval; the through-type trapezoidal lead screw 19 is driven by a stepper motor, and through threaded transmission, it achieves precise height adjustment of the lifting base plate assembly 4 of the embroidery box, ensuring that the top layer of fabric is always at a constant material retrieval plane; the positioning pin 20 is set on the lifting base plate assembly 4 of the embroidery box, and cooperates with the positioning hole at the bottom of the embroidery box assembly to achieve rapid and accurate positioning of the box and consistency in repeated installation. The above components work together to enable the material distribution device to precisely intervene between the first and second pressing states of the material transfer device, completing the separation and support functions of the fabric. At the same time, the storage device provides structural protection for continuous and stable single-piece material retrieval through automatic lifting compensation and reliable clamping positioning.

[0054] Furthermore, the actions of the right-side material holder component for the embroidered eyelet are implemented as follows: i. In the initial state, the MGC20X275S mini cylinder 14 is in the extended state. Through the embroidered eye cylinder connecting sheet metal 12 and floating joint 15, it drives the embroidered eye right material rack separation plate 9 to the rightmost position, so that the opening of the internal cavity enclosed by the embroidered eye right material rack base plate 1 and the embroidered eye right material rack platform plate 6 is fully exposed, which facilitates the insertion of the embroidered eye material box assembly. At the same time, the clamping cylinder 18 is in the extended state to avoid space for the material box placement.

[0055] ii. The three-axis cylinder 3 pushes upward, driving the material box lifting base plate assembly 4 and positioning pin 20 to rise synchronously, so as to facilitate the placement operation of the embroidery eye material box assembly.

[0056] iii. After the embroidery box assembly is placed in, the clamping cylinder 18 retracts to clamp the embroidery box assembly, thus reliably fixing the box.

[0057] iv. The three-axis cylinder 3 retracts downward, driving the material box lifting base plate assembly 4 and positioning pin 20 to descend synchronously, completing the placement and positioning of the material box.

[0058] v. When the equipment starts operating, the embroidery eyelet feeding component moves from the initial position to the picking position. The gripping function component starts to press down, and after pressing down to the position, the front set of needles starts to pierce and grab the top cap piece, while the rear two sets of needles remain stationary. The gripping function component lifts up, at which point the front end of the cap piece is pulled up, while the rear end remains in its original position due to its own weight, the positioning effect of the mold ejector pin in the embroidery eyelet material box component, and the adhesive force of the two cap pieces.

[0059] vi. The MGC20X275S mini cylinder 14 begins to retract, and through the fixed sheet metal 11 of the eyelet cylinder, the connected sheet metal 12 of the eyelet cylinder, and the floating joint 15, the right material rack separating plate 9 of the eyelet cylinder moves to the left along the guide rail 7 to perform a cutting action. The eyelet guide rail limiting sheet metal 13 provides limit protection for the end point of the stroke. The thickness of the area in the middle of the right material rack separating plate 9 that contacts the cap piece is designed to be as thin as possible to reduce insertion resistance, while a material with a certain degree of hardness is selected to ensure support. Under the cutting of the right material rack separating plate 9, the upper and lower cap pieces are separated, and the first cap piece is picked up and falls on the right material rack separating plate 9. At this time, the mold ejector pin is still in the eyelet of the cap piece, which plays the role of positioning the cap piece with high accuracy.

[0060] vii. The gripping component presses down again to pick up the material. During the pressing process, the first set of needles retracts its needles and releases the front end of the gripping cap. After pressing down to the end, the first set of needles and the second set of needles simultaneously grip the cap. After achieving stable gripping, the gripping component lifts up again.

[0061] viii. The translation function of the embroidery eyelet feeding component begins to feed material to the sewing station of the sewing machine, completing the gripping and transfer of a single cap piece.

[0062] Furthermore, the actions of the embroidery eyelet box component are implemented as follows: After the embroidery eyelet material box assembly is inserted into the embroidery eyelet right material rack assembly, the clamping cylinder 18 retracts to clamp the embroidery eyelet material box assembly, and the three-axis cylinder 3 retracts downward, driving the material box lifting base plate assembly 4 and the positioning pin 20 to descend synchronously, completing the placement and positioning of the material box. When the equipment is running, the material box lifting base plate assembly 4 moves upward under the push of the through trapezoidal screw 19. The TRN12-04NO proximity switch 17 and the photoelectric sensor 10 work together to detect its lifting position, so that the cap piece placed on the thorium needle pad 16 is always at a fixed horizontal plane, which facilitates the gripping function component to grip the cap piece; the embroidery eyelet rack support shaft 5 provides lateral edge positioning for the cap piece, ensuring that the stacked fabric remains neat and orderly during the lifting process.

[0063] In summary, this application enables stable and high-precision transmission of single pieces of lightweight fabric, effectively solving problems in existing technologies such as fabric adhesion, negative pressure adsorption, or large-area needle punching leading to heavy piece handling, mid-process drops, and downtime rework. The machine features a compact hardware layout, with functional modules organically linked through the frame. The clear and explicit control logic facilitates the development and execution of automation programs, improving the production efficiency, single-piece material handling success rate, and finished product quality consistency of automated hat-making production lines. It provides a reliable technical solution for the automated processing of lightweight and soft materials.

[0064] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the content of the specification and drawings of this application under the concept of this application, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A sewing device for gripping embroidered fabric, characterized in that, include: frame, A material transfer device includes a moving component and a pressure plate. The moving component is connected to the frame, and the pressure plate is connected to the moving component. The pressure plate includes a first needle group, which includes a first needle tip connected to the pressure plate. A material storage device is connected to the frame. The material storage device includes a material box base plate and a base plate lifting assembly. The material box base plate is adapted to support the embroidery fabric. The embroidery fabric is stacked on the material box base plate in a vertical direction. The base plate lifting assembly is connected to the material box base plate. The base plate lifting assembly is at least configured to drive the material box base plate to rise so that the top layer of embroidery fabric is at a preset height. The first needle is configured to pierce only one piece of embroidered fabric.

2. The sewing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure plate also includes a second needle group, which includes at least two second needles, one of which is offset from the line connecting the other second needle and the first needle.

3. The sewing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first needle assembly further includes a first cylinder, and the second needle assembly further includes a second cylinder. The first cylinder is connected to the first needle to adjust the length of the first needle extending out of the pressure plate, and the second cylinder is connected to the second needle to adjust the length of the second needle extending out of the pressure plate.

4. The sewing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second needle assembly includes at least two second needles, and on a plane parallel to the surface of the pressure plate, the position of at least one second needle is offset from the line connecting the first needle and one of the second needles.

5. The sewing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sewing equipment also includes a material separating device, which includes a material separating plate configured to move horizontally to separate the top layer of embroidery fabric from other fabrics.

6. The sewing equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pressure plate also includes a second needle group, which includes at least two second needles. The embroidery fabric has a first end and a second end, the area of ​​the first end is smaller than that of the second end, the first needle is adapted to connect to the first end, and the second needle is adapted to connect to the second end. The sewing equipment has a first pressing state, an intermediate state, and a second pressing state. In the first pressing state, only the first needle group is connected to the embroidery fabric, and the first needle group is connected to the first end of the embroidery fabric located on the top layer of the material storage device. The material distribution device moves along the direction from the first end to the second end to allow the sewing equipment to enter the intermediate state. In the intermediate state, only one piece of embroidery fabric is laid on the material distribution plate, and both the first needle group and the second needle group are spaced apart from the embroidery fabric laid on the material distribution plate. In the second pressing state, both the first needle group and the second needle group are connected to the embroidery fabric.

7. The sewing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sewing equipment includes a shrink cylinder and a three-axis cylinder, both of which are connected to the material storage device. The shrink cylinder is configured to clamp the material storage device in a horizontal direction and to drive the material storage device to move in a vertical direction.

8. The sewing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage device includes a positioning pin, which is connected to the bottom plate of the material box. The positioning pin extends along the vertical direction and passes through the stacked embroidery fabric. And / or, The storage device includes a side guard and the positioning pin. The side guard is connected to the bottom plate of the material box. The side guard is distributed circumferentially around the positioning pin. The side guard is adapted to abut against the embroidery fabric in the horizontal direction.

9. An application method, characterized in that, The application method for the sewing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 includes: Adjust the height of the storage device so that the top layer of embroidered fabric stacked on the bottom plate of the material box is at the preset height; The first needle pierces the top layer of embroidered fabric.

10. The application method according to claim 9, characterized in that, After the first needle pierces the top layer of embroidered fabric, the application method further includes: The pressure plate moves up to separate the first end of the embroidered fabric from the other fabric; The dividing plate moves horizontally so that the embroidery fabric pierced by the first needle is laid on the pressing plate; The first needle was withdrawn; The pressure plate moves down to fit the embroidered fabric on the dividing plate; A first needle extends to pierce the first end of the embroidered fabric, and a second needle extends to pierce the second end of the embroidered fabric.

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