Sewing machine

Abstract

To provide a sewing machine contributing to suppress of deterioration in operability of an input part by a user.SOLUTION: A sewing machine 1 comprises: a leg part 4 extending in a vertical direction; a cylinder bed part 5 extending forward from a position above a lower end part of the leg part 4; an arm part 6 extending forward from the leg part 4 at a position separated upward from the cylinder bed part 5; and an input button 30 disposed on a front face plate 63 positioned at a front end part of the arm part 6 in order to operate the sewing machine 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sewing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The sewing machine described in Patent Document 1 includes an arm riser, a bed, an arm, and an input unit. The arm riser extends in the vertical direction. The bed defines the X direction as a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and extends from the arm riser in one direction in the X direction. The arm extends from the arm riser in one direction in the X direction at a position above and away from the bed. The input unit defines the Y direction as a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the X direction, and is disposed on a plate located at one end of the arm in the Y direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-259719 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in a sewing machine that is operated by a user from one side in the X direction, in a configuration such as that described in Patent Document 1, the input unit is placed on a plate located at one end of the arm unit in the Y direction, which may impair the user's operability of the input unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine that contributes to preventing a loss of operability of an input unit by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present specification discloses, for example, the following aspects.

[0007] The sewing machine of the first aspect comprises a pillar portion extending in the vertical direction, a bed portion extending in a first specific direction which is one of first directions perpendicular to the vertical direction from a position above a lower end of the pillar portion, an arm portion extending in the first specific direction from the pillar portion at a position above the bed portion, and an input portion for operating the sewing machine, which is disposed on a front panel which is a plate located at the end of the arm portion in the first specific direction.

[0008] The sewing machine of the second aspect includes a pillar portion extending in a vertical direction, a bed portion extending in a first specific direction which is one of first directions perpendicular to the vertical direction, an arm portion extending from the pillar portion in the first specific direction at a position above the bed portion, an input portion for operating the sewing machine, and a carriage including a mounting portion on which an embroidery frame for holding an object to be sewn is mounted and which is located between the bed portion and the arm portion in the vertical direction and which is movable in the first direction, the mounting portion being configured so that the embroidery frame is mounted by inserting the embroidery frame from the first specific direction, and the input portion being disposed on a front panel which is a plate located at the end of the arm portion in the first specific direction.

[0009] According to the first or second aspect, the sewing machine contributes to suppressing impairment of operability of the input unit by the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sewing machine 1 as seen from above and to the front. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sewing machine 1 as seen from above, front right. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sewing machine 1 as seen from below and the front left. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of the sewing machine 1 with the lid 523 removed, as viewed from above and in the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that the present invention can employ. The configuration of the device illustrated in the drawings is merely an illustrative example and is not intended to be limiting.

[0012] The sewing machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Hereinafter, the upper, lower, lower right, upper left, lower left, and upper right in Figure 1 will be referred to as the upper, lower, front, rear, left, and right of the sewing machine 1, respectively. In this embodiment, the front of the sewing machine 1 is the front surface of the sewing machine 1.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the sewing machine 1 is an embroidery machine for sewing on a sewing object C held in an embroidery frame 100 based on sewing data received from an external device 9. The sewing object C is a flexible sheet-like object, such as a piece of cloth. The external device 9 is a communication terminal such as a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet terminal. FIG. 1 shows the state before the embroidery frame 100 is attached to the carriage 8, and FIG. 2 shows the state after the embroidery frame 100 is attached to the carriage 8. The embroidery frame 100 is not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sewing machine 1 is composed of a sewing machine frame (not shown) and a sewing machine cover 3, and has a leg column portion 4, a cylinder bed portion 5, an arm portion 6, and a head portion 7. The sewing machine frame is configured in a U-shape that opens forward in a side view. The sewing machine cover 3 is configured in a shape that corresponds to the sewing machine frame, and covers the sewing machine frame with multiple plates.

[0015] The pillar portion 4 is located at the rear end of the sewing machine 1 and extends in the vertical direction. The pillar portion 4 includes a mounting portion 41 and an extension portion 42. The mounting portion 41 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and includes a bottom panel 411. The bottom panel 411 is located at the bottom end of the pillar portion 4 and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The sewing machine 1 is installed so that the bottom panel 411 is in contact with an installation stand (not shown) such as a table or sewing machine stand. The extension portion 42 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and extends upward from the mounting portion 41.

[0016] The cylinder bed section 5 is provided above the lower plate 411 and extends forward from the pillar section 4. As the cylinder bed section 5 is located above the lower plate 411, a space S is formed below the cylinder bed section 5. The cylinder bed section 5 has a rounded rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and includes a lower plate 51, an upper plate 52, and a side plate 53. The lower plate 51 is located at the lower end of the cylinder bed section 5 and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The upper plate 52 is located at the upper end of the cylinder bed section 5 and extends parallel to the lower plate 411. The side plate 53 extends from the periphery of the lower plate 51 to the periphery of the upper plate 52, and forms the side of the cylinder bed section 5.

[0017] In this embodiment, the length of the cylinder bed portion 5 in the front-rear direction is greater than each of the lengths of the cylinder bed portion 5 in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. The length of the cylinder bed portion 5 in the left-right direction is smaller than each of the lengths of the installation portion 41 and the extension portion 42 in the left-right direction.

[0018] 1 and 4, top plate 52 is provided with a needle hole 521 and an opening 522 (see FIG. 4). Needle hole 521 is located forward of the center of top plate 52 in the front-to-rear direction and at the center of top plate 52 in the left-to-right direction. Needle hole 521 passes through top plate 52 in the up-down direction. During sewing, sewing needle 12 is inserted up-down through needle hole 521.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, opening 522 is located forward of pinhole 521 and penetrates upper plate 52 in the up-down direction. The outer shape of opening 522 is a D-shape rounded toward the front in a plan view, and is larger than the outer shape of storage section 193 described below. A lid 523 shown in Fig. 1 is provided on opening 522. When lid 523 is attached to opening 522, it covers opening 522 (see Fig. 1). When lid 523 is removed from opening 522, it opens opening 522 (see Fig. 4).

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the arm portion 6 extends forward from the upper end of the pillar portion 4, and is disposed at a position spaced upward from the cylinder bed portion 5. The arm portion 6 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, and includes an upper plate 61, a lower plate 62, a front plate 63, a left plate 64, and a right plate 65. The upper plate 61 is disposed at the upper end of the arm portion 6, and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The lower plate 62 is disposed at the lower end of the arm portion 6, and extends parallel to the upper plate 61. The lower plate 62 is disposed at a position spaced upward from the upper plate 52, and is disposed so as to face each other.

[0021] The front plate 63 extends from the front end of the upper plate 61 to the front end of the lower plate 62. The front plate 63 is located at the front end of the arm portion 6, and extends in the up-down, left-right and right directions. The left plate 64 extends from the left end of the upper plate 61 to the left end of the lower plate 62. The left plate 64 is located at the left end of the arm portion 6, and extends in the up-down, front-rear and right directions. The right plate 65 extends from the right end of the upper plate 61 to the right end of the lower plate 62. The right plate 65 is located at the right end of the arm portion 6, and extends parallel to the left plate 64.

[0022] 1, a holder shaft 611 is provided near the rear end of the top plate 61. The holder shaft 611 is located to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the top plate 61. The holder shaft 611 extends in the front-rear direction, and holds a thread spool (not shown) around which an upper thread is wound.

[0023] An opening 641 is provided near the front end of the left panel 64. The opening 641 penetrates the left panel 64 in the left-right direction and extends in the vertical direction like a slit. A lever 17 is disposed in the opening 641. The lever 17 protrudes leftward beyond the left panel 64 from within the arm portion 6 through the opening 641. The lever 17 is supported by the sewing machine frame so as to be movable in the vertical direction along the opening 641. The function of the lever 17 will be described later.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, openings 651 and 652 are provided near the front end of the right panel 65. Opening 652 is located forward of opening 651 and is aligned with opening 651 in the front-rear direction. Openings 651 and 652 each penetrate right panel 65 in the left-right direction and extend in the shape of a slit in the up-down direction. Opening 651 guides the upper thread extending from a thread spool (not shown) from above to below. The upper thread guided by opening 651 passes through opening 652. A thread take-up lever 18, which will be described later, is disposed in opening 652.

[0025] 3, an opening 621 is provided near the left end of the lower plate 62. The opening 621 is located to the left of the center C1 of the lower plate 62 in the left-right direction. The opening 621 penetrates the lower plate 62 in the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear direction like a slit. An extension portion 81, which will be described later, is disposed in the opening 621.

[0026] A recess 622 is provided near the right end of the lower plate 62. The recess 622 is located to the right of the center C1 in the left-right direction of the lower plate 62. In other words, the recess 622 is located opposite the opening 621 in the left-right direction with respect to the center C1. The recess 622 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the left-to-right direction in a bottom view, and is recessed upward from the lower plate 62. The distance from the rear end of the recess 622 to the pillar portion 4 is shorter than the distance from the front end of the recess 622 to the front end of the arm portion 6.

[0027] The recess 622 is large enough for a user to hook his / her finger. For example, the length of the recess 622 in the front-rear direction is not limited to a specific length, but is 5 cm or more in this embodiment. The length of the recess 622 in the left-right direction is not limited to a specific length, but is 1 cm or more in this embodiment. The depth of the recess 622 in the up-down direction is not limited to a specific depth, but is 4 cm or more in this embodiment. An anti-slip treatment is applied to the inner surface of the recess 622. In this embodiment, a plurality of projections and recesses 623 are formed on the inner surface of the recess 622. For example, the user inserts his / her finger into the recess 622 from the right side of the arm unit 6, and lifts the sewing machine 1 by hooking his / her finger on the plurality of projections and recesses 623.

[0028] A plurality of input buttons 30 and a plurality of lamps 90 are arranged on the front panel 63. Each of the plurality of lamps 90 is configured with an LED. The plurality of input buttons 30 and the plurality of lamps 90 will be described in detail later.

[0029] The head 7 extends downward from near the front end of the arm 6. The lower end of the head 7 is disposed above the upper plate 52 so as to face the vicinity of the front end of the upper plate 52. The lower end of the head 7 is open.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the sewing machine 1 includes a thread take-up 18, a needle bar 11, a presser foot 15, a threading mechanism 16, a horizontal shuttle 19 shown in FIG. 4, and a thread cutting mechanism (not shown). The thread take-up 18 is disposed inside the arm portion 6 and is supported by the sewing machine frame. The thread take-up 18 is hook-shaped and exposed to the right through an opening 652. The upper thread guided by an opening 651 is hung on the thread take-up 18 within the opening 652. The thread take-up 18 moves up and down along the opening 652 by being driven by a sewing machine motor (not shown). The thread take-up 18 pulls up the upper thread with which the lower thread is entangled, and adjusts the position of the knot between the upper thread and the lower thread.

[0031] Needle bar 11 is supported by the sewing machine frame and extends downward from the bottom end of head 7. A sewing needle 12 is attached to the bottom end of needle bar 11. Sewing needle 12 extends downward from needle bar 11. Needle bar 11 moves up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of thread take-up 18 when driven by the sewing machine motor. The up and down movement of needle bar 11 causes sewing needle 12 to move up and down. The range of movement of sewing needle 12 includes a predetermined threading position (not shown) where threading is performed by threading mechanism 16, which will be described later.

[0032] An eyelet 13 is provided at the bottom end of the sewing needle 12. The eyelet 13 opens in the front-to-rear direction when the sewing needle 12 is attached to the needle bar 11. The front of the sewing machine 1 is determined, for example, by the direction in which the eyelet 13 opens. Among the directions in which the eyelet 13 opens (front-to-rear direction), the opposite direction (forward) to the column portion 4 with respect to the sewing needle 12 becomes the front of the sewing machine 1.

[0033] Presser foot 15 is in the shape of a plate that is bent multiple times, and is disposed behind needle bar 11. Presser foot 15 is supported by the sewing machine frame, and extends downward and forward from the lower end of head 7. A hole through which sewing needle 12 passes is provided at the lower end of presser foot 15. Presser foot 15 moves up and down by being driven by a presser motor (not shown). When presser foot 15 moves down, it presses down on sewing object C from above. When presser foot 15 moves up, it moves upward away from sewing object C. Presser foot 15 works in conjunction with the up and down movement of needle bar 11 to intermittently press down on sewing object C.

[0034] The movement range of the presser foot 15 includes a predetermined retracted position (not shown) where the presser foot 15 does not interfere with the threading operation by the threading mechanism 16 described below. When the presser foot 15 is in the retracted position, for example, the lower end of the presser foot 15 is located below the eye 13 of the sewing needle 12.

[0035] The threading mechanism 16 is provided to the left of the needle bar 11 and extends downward from the head 7. The threading mechanism 16 includes a hook. The upper thread is hung on the hook. The threading mechanism 16 operates via a cam mechanism (not shown) by the drive of a threading motor (not shown) to thread the upper thread through the eye 13. In detail, the threading mechanism 16 descends to a predetermined operating position (not shown) with the upper thread hung on the hook. When the sewing needle 12 is in the threading position and the threading mechanism 16 is in the operating position, the height of the hook of the threading mechanism 16 is the same as the height of the eye 13. In this state, the threading mechanism 16 rotates so that the hook faces the eye 13, and the upper thread hung on the hook passes through the eye 13. In this manner, the threading mechanism 16 performs the threading operation.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the horizontal shuttle 19 is disposed in the cylinder bed portion 5, and is positioned so as to overlap the needle hole 521 in a plan view. The horizontal shuttle 19 includes an outer shuttle 191 and an inner shuttle 192. The outer shuttle 191 is cylindrical with an open upper end, and is rotatably supported by the sewing machine frame. The axis AX of the outer shuttle 191 passes through the center of the outer shuttle 191 and extends in the vertical direction. The inner shuttle 192 is cylindrical with an open upper end, and is disposed inside the outer shuttle 191. The inner shuttle 192 is fixed to the sewing machine frame so as not to rotate.

[0037] A storage section 193 is formed inside the inner hook 192. The storage section 193 is a space surrounded by the inner surface of the inner hook 192, and overlaps with the opening 522 in a plan view. The storage section 193 stores a bobbin 10 wound with a lower thread (not shown). A user opens the lid 523 shown in FIG. 1 and stores the bobbin 10 in the storage section 193 through the opening 522.

[0038] In the horizontal shuttle 19, an outer shuttle 191 rotates about an axis line AX in conjunction with the up and down movement of the thread take-up lever 18 and the needle bar 11, driven by a sewing machine motor (not shown). In the horizontal shuttle 19, the outer shuttle 191 rotates relative to the inner shuttle 192, so that the upper thread that has passed through the needle hole 521 is entangled with the lower thread that has been pulled out from the bobbin 10.

[0039] The thread cutting mechanism (not shown) includes a cutting blade and is disposed near the horizontal shuttle 19. The thread cutting mechanism cuts the lower thread and the upper thread, which have been entangled with each other by the horizontal shuttle 19, with the cutting blade when driven by a thread cutting motor (not shown).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the sewing machine 1 further includes a base portion 2, a carriage 8, and a control portion (not shown). The base portion 2 is disposed at a position spaced downward from the cylinder bed portion 5 across a space S. The base portion 2 is rod-shaped and includes extension portions 21, 22 and a connection portion 23. The extension portion 21 extends in the front-rear direction. A rear end portion 211 of the extension portion 21 is connected to the lower end portion of the pillar portion 4 and is fixed near the left end portion of the lower plate 411. The extension portion 22 is located to the right of the extension portion 21 and extends in the front-rear direction. A rear end portion 221 of the extension portion 22 is connected to the lower end portion of the pillar portion 4 and is fixed near the right end portion of the lower plate 411.

[0041] The connection portion 23 extends in the left-right direction and connects a front end portion of the extension portion 21 to a front end portion of the extension portion 22. The base portion 2 extends in a U-shape that opens rearward in a plan view from the rear end portion 211 of the extension portion 21 to the rear end portion 221 of the extension portion 22. The base portion 2 supports the sewing machine 1 so that it does not tip forward or left-right.

[0042] The carriage 8 is L-shaped and opens diagonally upward to the right when viewed from the front, and is composed of a carriage frame and a carriage cover. The carriage 8 includes an extension portion 81 and an attachment portion 82. The extension portion 81 extends in the vertical direction, and extends from inside the arm portion 6 through an opening 621 to a position lower than the lower plate 62. The lower end of the extension portion 81 is located higher than the upper plate 52. A front-rear shaft 80 is provided inside the arm portion 6. The front-rear shaft 80 extends in the front-rear direction and is fixed to the sewing machine frame. The extension portion 81 is supported by the front-rear shaft 80, and moves in the front-rear direction along the front-rear shaft 80 by being driven by a front-rear motor (not shown). This causes the carriage 8 to move in the front-rear direction along the front-rear shaft 80.

[0043] The mounting portion 82 is connected to the lower end of the extension portion 81 and extends to the right from the lower end of the extension portion 81. Therefore, the mounting portion 82 is located between the cylinder bed portion 5 and the arm portion 6 in the up-down direction. The mounting portion 82 includes a left-right shaft 84 and an attachment portion 83. The left-right shaft 84 extends in the left-right direction within the mounting portion 82 and is fixed to the carriage frame. The attachment portion 83 is supported by the left-right shaft 84 and extends forward from the left-right shaft 84. The attachment portion 83 moves in the left-right direction along the left-right shaft 84 by being driven by left-right motors (not shown).

[0044] A pair of engagement grooves 831, 832 are provided at the front end of the attachment portion 83. The pair of engagement grooves 831, 832 are aligned in the left-right direction and each has a U-shape that opens forward. The embroidery frame 100 is attached to the attachment portion 82 via the attachment portion 83.

[0045] The embroidery frame 100 includes an outer frame 101 and an inner frame 102, and holds a sewing object C by sandwiching it between the outer frame 101 and the inner frame 102. The embroidery frame 100 is not limited to a particular shape, but is rectangular in this embodiment. An attachment plate 110 is provided on the embroidery frame 100. The attachment plate 110 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the embroidery frame 100 and is U-shaped in a plan view that opens rearward.

[0046] The mounting plate 110 is provided with a pair of protrusions 111, 112. The protrusion 111 protrudes upward from the left rear end of the mounting plate 110. The protrusion 112 protrudes upward from the right rear end of the mounting plate 110. The pair of protrusions 111, 112 respectively fit into a pair of engagement grooves 831, 832 from the front (see arrow A1 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). This allows the embroidery frame 100 to be mounted on the mounting portion 82. When the embroidery frame 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 82, it is fixed in place by a locking mechanism (not shown) provided on the mounting portion 83.

[0047] The control unit is disposed in the sewing machine cover 3. The control unit includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and controls the sewing machine 1. Hereinafter, the multiple motors equipped in the sewing machine 1 will be collectively referred to simply as "multiple motors." In this embodiment, the multiple motors are a sewing machine motor, a threading motor, a presser motor, a thread cutting motor, a front-rear motor, and a left-right motor. The multiple motors are disposed in the sewing machine cover 3 and fixed to the sewing machine frame. The control unit is electrically connected to the multiple motors, the multiple input buttons 30, the multiple lamps 90, and the lever 17.

[0048] The multiple input buttons 30 and lever 17 each send an instruction to the control unit according to their operation. For example, when the lever 17 is operated, it sends an instruction to the control unit to raise and lower the presser foot 15 to the retracted position and to operate the threading mechanism 16 to perform threading. The multiple lamps 90 each emit light according to an instruction from the control unit. When the multiple input buttons 30 or lever 17 are operated, the multiple motors are driven based on the control by the control unit.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 4, the multiple input buttons 30 and the multiple lamps 90 will be described in detail. The multiple input buttons 30 are each operated by a user to operate the sewing machine 1. The multiple input buttons 30 include a first connection button 31, a second connection button 32, a reset button 33, an up / down button 34, a thread cutting button 35, and a start / stop button 36. The first connection button 31 is located at the top of the multiple input buttons 30. When operated, the first connection button 31 sends an instruction to the control unit to make the sewing machine 1 ready for communication and connection with the external device 9 through a first wireless communication method. The first wireless communication method is not limited to a specific communication method, but is, for example, a communication method using Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0050] The second connection button 32 is located below the first connection button 31. When the second connection button 32 is operated, it sends an instruction to the control unit to put the sewing machine 1 into a state in which it can communicate and connect with the external device 9 via a second wireless communication method. The second wireless communication method is a communication method different from the first wireless communication method, and is, for example, a communication method using Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0051] The reset button 33 is located below the second connection button 32. When the reset button 33 is operated, it sends to the control unit an instruction to move the movable parts of the sewing machine 1 to their initial positions or an instruction to cancel an error state. The movable parts of the sewing machine 1 are the needle bar 11, the extension part 81, the attachment part 83, etc., which are operated by driving each of the multiple motors. In this embodiment, when the sewing machine 1 goes into an error state, the operation of the buttons other than the reset button 33 among the multiple input buttons 30 is invalidated.

[0052] The up / down button 34 and the thread cutting button 35 are located below the reset button 33 and are aligned in the left-right direction. The thread cutting button 35 is located to the right of the up / down button 34. When the up / down button 34 is operated, it sends a command to the control unit to move the needle bar 11 up or down. When the thread cutting button 35 is operated, it sends a command to the control unit to perform a thread cutting operation using the thread cutting mechanism. The start / stop button 36 is located below the up / down button 34 and the thread cutting button 35. When the start / stop button 36 is operated, it sends a command to the control unit to start sewing or stop sewing.

[0053] Each of the multiple input buttons 30 is classified as either a first input button or a second input button. The first input button is a button for operating at least one of the multiple motors. In this embodiment, the reset button 33, the up / down button 34, the thread cutting button 35, and the start / stop button 36 each correspond to the first input button. All of the multiple first input buttons are arranged on the front panel 63 to the left of the center C2 in the left-right direction.

[0054] The second input button is a button for performing an operation different from the operation of the multiple motors. In this embodiment, each of the first connection button 31 and the second connection button 32 corresponds to the second input button. Even if the user operates the first connection button 31 or the second connection button 32, none of the multiple motors are driven. All of the multiple second input buttons are arranged on the front plate 63 to the left of the center C2. Therefore, in this embodiment, all of the multiple input buttons 30 are arranged on the front plate 63 to the left of the center C2. No input section is arranged on the front plate 63 to the right of the center C2.

[0055] The multiple lamps 90 each notify the user of the status of the sewing machine 1. The multiple lamps 90 include a first connection lamp 91, a second connection lamp 92, an error lamp 93, and an operation lamp 94. The first connection lamp 91 is located to the left of the first connection button 31. The first connection lamp 91 lights up when the sewing machine 1 is in a state where it can communicate and connect with the external device 9 using the first wireless communication method. The second connection lamp 92 is located to the left of the second connection button 32. The second connection lamp 92 lights up when the sewing machine 1 is in a state where it can communicate and connect with the external device 9 using the second wireless communication method.

[0056] The error lamp 93 is provided on the reset button 33. The error lamp 93 lights up when an error occurs in the sewing machine 1. The operation lamp 94 is provided on the start / stop button 36. The operation lamp 94 lights up when the sewing machine 1 is in a state where it can sew.

[0057] An example of how the user uses the sewing machine 1 and a sewing operation performed by the sewing machine 1 will be described. The user operates the first connection button 31 or the second connection button 32 depending on the wireless communication method to be used. In this case, the control unit puts the sewing machine 1 into a state in which it can communicate with the external device 9 using the first wireless communication method or the second wireless communication method. The user operates the external device 9 to communicatively connect the external device 9 to the sewing machine 1. The user operates the external device 9 to transmit sewing data to the sewing machine 1. In this case, the control unit receives the sewing data from the external device 9.

[0058] The user operates the reset button 33. In this case, the control unit controls multiple motors to move the movable parts of the sewing machine 1 to their initial positions. The user operates the up / down button 34. In this case, the control unit controls the sewing machine motor to move the sewing needle 12 up or down to the threading position. In this state, the user operates the lever 17. In this case, the control unit causes the threading mechanism 16 to thread the upper thread through the eye 13 of the sewing needle 12. In this embodiment, the control unit controls the presser motor to raise and lower the presser foot 15 to the retracted position. In this state, the control unit controls the threading motor to operate the threading mechanism 16 to pass the upper thread through the eye 13.

[0059] The user mounts the embroidery frame 100, which holds the sewing object C, on the carriage 8. More specifically, the user inserts the embroidery frame 100 between the cylinder bed 5 and the arm 6 from the front toward the rear (see arrow A1 in FIG. 1). As a result, the pair of protrusions 111, 112 fit into the pair of engagement grooves 831, 832 from the front, respectively, and the embroidery frame 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 82 via the attachment portion 83. In this case, if the sewing object C is, for example, cylindrical, the embroidery frame 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 82 so that the cylinder bed 5 is inside the cylindrical sewing object C.

[0060] The user operates start / stop button 36. In this case, the control unit controls the sewing machine motor, the front / rear motor, and the left / right motor to sew the sewing object C based on the sewing data received from external device 9. In this embodiment, the control unit controls the sewing machine motor to move needle bar 11 up and down and rotate thread take-up 18 while pressing down the sewing object with presser foot 15. As a result, sewing needle 12 penetrates sewing object C, the upper thread intertwines with the lower thread, and a stitch is formed on sewing object C.

[0061] The control unit controls the front-rear motor and the left-right motor while forming stitches on the sewing object C, and moves the embroidery frame 100 in the front-rear or left-right direction. This forms stitches in a shape based on the sewing data on the sewing object C. To end sewing, the user operates the start / stop button 36. In this case, the control unit stops driving the sewing machine motor, the front-rear motor, and the left-right motor. The user operates the thread cutting button 35. In this case, the control unit controls the thread cutting motor to cut the thread using a thread cutting mechanism (not shown). The user removes the embroidery frame 100 from the carriage 8 (see arrow A2 in FIG. 2).

[0062] For example, an error such as thread breakage may occur during sewing. When an error is detected by an error detection sensor (not shown), the control unit puts the sewing machine 1 into an error state and stops sewing. The error detection sensor is, for example, a sensor that detects the tension of the upper thread. The user performs an operation to resolve the error state. For example, if thread breakage occurs, the user re-threads the upper thread through the eye 13 and then operates the reset button 33. In this case, the control unit releases the error state and enables the operation of the multiple input buttons 30.

[0063] As described above, in the above embodiment, since the sewing machine 1 includes the cylinder bed portion 5, it is assumed that sewing is performed on a cylindrical sewing object C. Therefore, the user operates the sewing machine 1 from the front. In the sewing machine 1, since the multiple input buttons 30 are arranged on the front plate 63, the user can easily operate the multiple input buttons 30 compared to when the multiple input buttons 30 are arranged on the right panel 65 or the like. Therefore, the arrangement position of the multiple input buttons 30 contributes to preventing the user's operability of the multiple input buttons 30 from being impaired. Furthermore, the arrangement position of the multiple input buttons 30 contributes to preventing the sewing machine 1 from becoming larger in size compared to when, for example, an operation panel or the like is separately provided at a position away from the front plate 63 in the left-right direction.

[0064] If the first input buttons are arranged in a scattered manner in the left-right direction, the operation range of the first input buttons by the user may be large in the left-right direction. In this case, when operating at least one of the motors, the user may have difficulty operating the first input buttons with one hand. In the above embodiment, all of the first input buttons are arranged on the front plate 63 to the left of the center C2. This prevents the operation range of the first input buttons by the user from becoming large. Therefore, when operating at least one of the motors, the user can easily operate the first input buttons with one hand. Therefore, the arrangement position of the first input buttons contributes to improving the operability of the first input buttons by the user.

[0065] In the above embodiment, all of the second input buttons are disposed to the left of the center C2 on the front plate 63. This prevents the range of operation of the second input buttons by the user from becoming too large. This makes it easier for the user to operate the second input buttons with one hand when performing an operation other than the operation of the motors. Therefore, the arrangement of the second input buttons contributes to improving the operability of the second input buttons by the user.

[0066] If the multiple input buttons 30 are located in the same direction as the balance 18 with respect to the center C2 of the front panel 63 in the left-right direction, the balance 18 may interfere with the operation of the multiple input buttons 30 by the user. In the above embodiment, an opening 651 is provided in the right panel 65, and the balance 18 is disposed in the opening 651. In this case, the multiple input buttons 30 are located on the front panel 63 on the opposite side to the balance 18 in the left-right direction with respect to the center C2. This prevents the balance 18 from interfering with the operation of the multiple input buttons 30 by the user. Therefore, the relationship of the arrangement positions of the multiple input buttons 30 with respect to the balance 18 contributes to improving the operability of the multiple input buttons 30 by the user.

[0067] If the multiple input buttons 30 are positioned on the front panel 63 on the opposite side of the lever 17 in the left-right direction with respect to the center C2, it is assumed that the user operates the lever 17 with one hand and the multiple input buttons 30 with the other hand. In the above embodiment, an opening 641 is provided in the left panel 64, and the lever 17 is disposed through the opening 641. In this case, the multiple input buttons 30 are positioned on the front panel 63 on the same left-right direction as the lever 17 with respect to the center C2. For this reason, after the user operates the lever 17 to thread the thread through the eye 13, for example, the user can easily operate the multiple input buttons 30 with the same hand as the hand that operated the lever 17. Therefore, the positional relationship of the multiple input buttons 30 with respect to the lever 17 contributes to improving the operability of the multiple input buttons 30 by the user.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the lever 17 has a function of raising and lowering the presser foot 15 in addition to a function of operating the threading mechanism 16. Therefore, the user can easily thread the thread through the eye 13 by operating the lever 17. Thus, the lever 17 contributes to the user easily performing an operation for threading the thread through the eye 13.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the opening 522 for accommodating the bobbin 10 in the horizontal shuttle 19 is provided in the top plate 52. In this case, since the user operates the sewing machine 1 from the front, the user can easily accommodate the bobbin 10 in the horizontal shuttle 19 through the opening 522. Therefore, the position of the opening 522 contributes to the user being able to easily accommodate the bobbin 10 in the horizontal shuttle 19.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the recess 622 is provided in the lower panel 62. Therefore, the user can lift the sewing machine 1 by hooking his / her fingers on the recess 622. Therefore, the recess 622 contributes to making it easier for the user to carry the sewing machine 1.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the extension portion 81 extends from inside the arm portion 6 to the outside of the arm portion 6 through the opening 621. Consider a case in which the opening 621 and the recessed portion 622 are located in the same direction with respect to the center C1 of the lower plate 62 in the left-right direction. In this case, when a user puts his / her arm around the arm portion 6 from the direction in which the opening 621 is provided with respect to the center C1 of the lower plate 62 and puts his / her finger on the recessed portion 622, the extension portion 81 may hinder the user from gripping the recessed portion 622. In the above embodiment, the opening 621 is located to the left of the center C1 of the lower plate 62, and the recessed portion 622 is located to the right of the center C1 of the lower plate 62. That is, the opening 621 and the recessed portion 622 are located opposite to the center C1 of the lower plate 62 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the extension portion 81 is prevented from hindering the user from gripping the recessed portion 622. Therefore, the relationship of the arrangement position of the recessed portion 622 with respect to the opening 621 contributes to the user easily gripping the recessed portion 622.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the mounting unit 82 is configured so that the embroidery frame 100 is mounted by inserting the embroidery frame 100 from the front. Therefore, the direction in which the user mounts the embroidery frame 100 into the mounting unit 82 (front to rear direction) is the same as the direction in which the user operates the multiple input buttons 30 (front to rear direction). Therefore, the user can easily operate the multiple input buttons 30 after mounting the embroidery frame 100 into the mounting unit 82, for example, from front to rear. Therefore, the relationship of the arrangement positions of the multiple input buttons 30 to the mounting direction of the embroidery frame 100 into the mounting unit 82 contributes to improving the operability of the multiple input buttons 30 by the user.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the base 2 extends from the rear end 211 to the rear end 221 in a U-shape that opens backward, and the rear ends 211, 221 are connected to the pillar 4. In this case, the base 2 is lighter than, for example, a D-shaped plate without an opening. Furthermore, the part of the sewing object C that hangs down below the cylinder bed 5 is located in the opening area surrounded by the base 2 in a plan view. Therefore, the base 2 is less likely to interfere with sewing than, for example, a D-shaped plate without an opening. Therefore, the shape of the base 2 contributes to the weight reduction of the sewing machine 1 and smooth sewing.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 82 is configured to mount the embroidery frame 100 by inserting the embroidery frame 100 from the front. Therefore, the user operates the sewing machine 1 from the front. Since the input buttons 30 are arranged on the front panel 63, the user can operate the input buttons 30 more easily than when the input buttons 30 are arranged on the right panel 65 or the like. Therefore, the arrangement position of the input buttons 30 contributes to preventing the user's operability of the input buttons 30 from being impaired. Furthermore, the arrangement position of the input buttons 30 contributes to preventing the sewing machine 1 from becoming larger in size than when, for example, an operation panel or the like is separately provided at a position away from the front panel 63 in the left-right direction.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the pillar portion 4 corresponds to the "pillar portion" of the present invention. The front-to-rear direction of the sewing machine 1 corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention. The front of the sewing machine 1 corresponds to the "first specific direction" of the present invention. The cylinder bed portion 5 corresponds to the "bed portion" of the present invention. The arm portion 6 corresponds to the "arm portion" of the present invention. The front panel 63 corresponds to the "front panel" of the present invention. Each of the multiple input buttons 30 corresponds to an "input portion" of the present invention.

[0076] The multiple motors correspond to "at least one motor" of the present invention. The first input button corresponds to "first input section" of the present invention. The left-right direction of the sewing machine 1 corresponds to "second direction" of the present invention. The center C2 corresponds to "first center" of the present invention. The left side of the sewing machine 1 corresponds to "second specific direction" of the present invention. The second input button corresponds to "second input section" of the present invention. The right panel 65 corresponds to "first side panel" of the present invention. The opening 652 corresponds to "first opening" of the present invention. The thread take-up lever 18 corresponds to the "thread take-up lever" of the present invention. The left panel 64 corresponds to the "second side panel" of the present invention. The opening 641 corresponds to the "second opening" of the present invention. The threading mechanism 16 corresponds to the "threading mechanism" of the present invention. The lever 17 corresponds to the "lever" of the present invention. The presser foot 15 corresponds to the "presser foot" of the present invention. The retracted position corresponds to the "predetermined position" of the present invention.

[0077] The horizontal hook 19 corresponds to the "horizontal hook" of the present invention. The upper panel 52 corresponds to the "upper panel" of the present invention. The opening 522 corresponds to the "third opening" of the present invention. The lower panel 62 corresponds to the "lower panel" of the present invention. The recess 622 corresponds to the "recess" of the present invention. The center C1 corresponds to the "second center" of the present invention. The opening 621 corresponds to the "fourth opening" of the present invention. The front-rear axis 80 corresponds to the "support portion" of the present invention. The extension portion 81 corresponds to the "extension portion" of the present invention. The mounting portion 82 corresponds to the "mounting portion" of the present invention. The carriage 8 corresponds to the "carriage" of the present invention. The base portion 2 corresponds to the "base portion" of the present invention.

[0078] The present invention may be modified in various ways from the above embodiment. The various modified examples described below may be combined with each other as long as no contradiction occurs. The shape of the base part 2 does not have to be U-shaped, and may be, for example, T-shaped, or may be multiple (for example, a pair of) rod shapes extending in the front-rear direction, or may be a rectangular plate shape.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the mounting unit 82 is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, but may have a configuration in which the embroidery frame 100 is mounted from the front to the rear. For example, the attachment unit 83 may include a protrusion protruding forward or upward instead of the pair of engagement grooves 831, 832. In this case, the engagement portion of the embroidery frame 100 may be provided on the attachment plate 110, and the embroidery frame 100 may be mounted on the mounting unit 82 from the front so that the protrusion of the mounting unit 82 fits into the engagement portion of the attachment plate 110. The engagement portion of the attachment plate 110 is a groove, a coupler, or the like. The mounting unit 82 may have a configuration in which the embroidery frame 100 is mounted from a side other than the front (for example, the left side or the top).

[0080] In the above embodiment, the opening 621 and the recess 622 may be arranged in the lower plate 62 in the same left-right direction (e.g., leftward) with respect to the center C1. The recess 622 may not be provided in the lower plate 62. The opening 621 may not be provided in the lower plate 62. When the opening 621 is not provided in the lower plate 62, the carriage 8 may move in the front-rear direction with a structure different from that of the above embodiment. For example, the front-rear shaft 80 may be arranged inside the cylinder bed portion 5. The size and shape of the recess 622 are not limited to those of the above embodiment. For example, the recess 622 may be longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction and may extend across the center C1.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the sewing machine 1 may include a vertical shuttle instead of the horizontal shuttle 19. In this case, the opening 522 for accommodating the bobbin 10 in the vertical shuttle may be provided in the side panel 53 instead of the top panel 52.

[0082] In the above embodiment, lever 17 does not have to have the function of raising and lowering presser foot 15. In this case, sewing machine 1 may include a lever for raising and lowering presser foot 15 in addition to lever 17.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the input buttons 30 and the lever 17 may be arranged opposite to each other with respect to the center C2 in the left-right direction. For example, the opening 641 in which the lever 17 is arranged may be provided on the right panel 65 instead of the left panel 64. The operation direction of the lever is not limited to that of the above embodiment. The threading mechanism 16 is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment as long as it can thread the upper thread through the eye 13.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the input buttons 30 and the balance 18 may be arranged in the same direction (e.g., to the left) with respect to the center C2 in the left-right direction. For example, the opening 652 in which the balance 18 is arranged may be provided in the left panel 64 instead of the right panel 65.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the number of the second input buttons is more than one. However, the number of the second input buttons may be one. Furthermore, the input buttons 30 may include a button having another function as the second input button instead of or in addition to one or both of the first connection button 31 and the second connection button 32. The other function may be, for example, a function to start receiving sewing data or a function to cut off the communication connection between the sewing machine 1 and the external device 9.

[0086] In the above embodiment, all of the second input buttons may be arranged to the right of the center C2. Some of the second input buttons may be arranged to the left of the center C2, and another part of the second input buttons may be arranged to the right of the center C2.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the number of the first input buttons is more than one. Alternatively, the number of the first input button may be one. Furthermore, the multiple input buttons 30 may include a button having another function as the first input button instead of or in addition to some or all of the reset button 33, the up / down button 34, the thread cutting button 35, and the start / stop button 36. The other function is, for example, a function for winding the bobbin thread around the bobbin 10.

[0088] In the above embodiment, all of the first input buttons may be arranged to the right of the center C2. Some of the first input buttons may be arranged to the left of the center C2, and another part of the first input buttons may be arranged to the right of the center C2.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the number of the input buttons 30 is plural. In contrast, the number of the input button 30 may be one. In this case, the input button 30 may be either the first input button or the second input button. As long as the input button 30 is provided on the front plate 63, it may be provided to the left or right of the center C2, or it may be provided at the center C2. The number and arrangement positions of the lamps 90 may also be changed in the same manner as the input buttons 30.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the sewing machine 1 may be provided with an input unit such as a touch panel instead of or in addition to the multiple input buttons 30. The present invention requires that at least one input unit is provided on the front panel 63, and does not exclude the provision of another input unit at a position other than the front panel 63 (for example, the right panel 65).

[0091] In the above embodiment, the cylinder bed 5 extends forward from a position above the lower end of the pillar 4. In contrast, the sewing machine 1 may be provided with a bed extending forward from the lower end of the pillar 4 instead of the cylinder bed 5, and the space S may not be formed below the bed. In this case, the sewing machine 1 may omit the base 2. The bed may be configured such that a portion of the bed is detachable from the other portion of the bed. In this case, the bed may have a configuration in which the detachable portion is detached from the other portion of the bed, thereby forming a space S below the other portion of the bed (so-called free arm).

[0092] In the above embodiment, when the first input button or lever 17 is operated, the control unit controls at least one of the multiple motors. In contrast, when the first input button or lever 17 is operated, at least one of the multiple motors may be turned ON or OFF without the intervention of the control unit. Furthermore, for example, the threading mechanism 16 and the thread cutting mechanism may be mechanisms that operate non-electrically rather than by a threading motor and a thread cutting motor, respectively, or may be mechanisms that operate by other actuators such as a solenoid. For example, when the thread cutting mechanism operates by a solenoid or non-electrically, the thread cutting button 35 corresponds to the second input button. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1: sewing machine, 2: base, 4: leg column, 5: cylinder bed, 6: arm, 8: carriage, 15: presser foot, 16: threading mechanism, 17: lever, 18: thread take-up, 19: horizontal hook, 30: input button, 52: top panel, 62: bottom panel, 63: front panel, 64: left panel, 65: right panel, 80: shaft, 81: extension, 82: mounting part, 522: opening, 621: opening, 622: recess, 641: opening, 652: opening

Claims

1. A pillar portion extending in the vertical direction; a bed portion extending from a position above a lower end of the pillar portion in a first specific direction that is one of first directions perpendicular to the up-down direction; an arm portion extending from the pillar portion in the first specific direction at a position spaced upward from the bed portion; an input unit for operating the sewing machine, the input unit being disposed on a front plate that is a plate located at an end of the arm unit in the first specific direction; A sewing machine comprising:

2. the input unit includes a first input unit for operating at least one motor; The sewing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first input portion is positioned on the front panel in a second specific direction, which is one of the second directions, rather than a first center in the second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction.

3. The input unit includes a plurality of the first input units, The sewing machine according to claim 2 , wherein all of the plurality of first input portions are arranged on the front plate in the second specific direction away from the first center in the second direction.

4. The input unit further includes a second input unit for performing an operation different from the operation of the motor, The sewing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the second input portion is disposed on the front plate in the second specific direction relative to the first center in the second direction.

5. The input unit includes a plurality of the second input units, The sewing machine according to claim 4 , wherein all of the plurality of second input portions are arranged on the front plate in the second specific direction away from the first center in the second direction.

6. A first opening is provided in a first side plate which is a plate located at an end of the arm portion in a direction opposite to the second specific direction, 6. The sewing machine according to claim 2, further comprising a thread take-up lever disposed in the first opening.

7. A second opening is provided in a second side plate which is a plate located at an end of the arm portion in the second specific direction, The sewing machine includes: a threading mechanism for threading a thread through an eye provided in the sewing needle; 6. The sewing machine according to claim 2, further comprising a lever disposed through the second opening, the lever operating the threading mechanism to pass the thread through the eye when operated.

8. Equipped with a presser foot, 8. The sewing machine according to claim 7, wherein when the lever is operated, the presser foot is raised or lowered to a predetermined position, and the threading mechanism is operated to pass the thread through the eye.

9. a horizontal kettle disposed within the bed portion; 6. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein a third opening for accommodating a bobbin in the horizontal shuttle is provided in a top plate located at an upper end of the bed portion.

10. 2. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein a lower plate, which is a plate located at a lower end of the arm portion, is provided with a recess that is recessed upward.

11. a fourth opening is provided in the lower plate and is located in a second specific direction that is one side of the second direction and is further away from a second center in the second direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the first direction on the lower plate; The sewing machine includes: A support portion disposed in the arm portion and extending in the first direction; a carriage including an extension supported by the support and extending from within the arm through the fourth opening to the outside of the arm, and a mounting portion to which an embroidery frame for holding a sewing object is mounted and connected to the extension, the carriage being movable in the first direction along the support; The sewing machine according to claim 10 , wherein the recess is located on the lower plate in a direction opposite to the second specific direction from the second center in the second direction.

12. a carriage including a mounting portion on which an embroidery frame for holding a sewing object is mounted and which is located between the bed portion and the arm portion in the vertical direction, the carriage being movable in the first direction; The sewing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is configured so that the embroidery frame is mounted on the mounting portion by inserting the embroidery frame from the first specific direction.

13. The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base portion is arranged at a position spaced downward from the bed portion, the base portion extends in a U-shape from a first end to a second end, the U-shape opening in a direction opposite to the first specific direction in the first direction, and the first end and the second end are connected to the pillar portion.

14. A pillar portion extending in the vertical direction; A bed portion extending in a first specific direction that is one of first directions perpendicular to the up-down direction; an arm portion extending from the pillar portion in the first specific direction at a position spaced upward from the bed portion; an input unit for operating the sewing machine; a carriage including a mounting portion on which an embroidery frame for holding a sewing object is mounted and which is located between the bed portion and the arm portion in the vertical direction, the carriage being movable in the first direction; the mounting portion is configured so that the embroidery frame is mounted on the mounting portion by inserting the embroidery frame from the first specific direction; The input unit is disposed on a front plate that is a plate located at an end of the arm unit in the first specific direction. A sewing machine characterized by:

Images