String-like material guiding device of sewing machine

Abstract

To allow reduction of dynamic frictional force applied on a string-like material when guiding the string-like material and also to prevent the string-like material from biting.SOLUTION: A string-like material guiding device comprises: a fixed part 38 that has a fixed opening 38e allowing a string-like material A unwound from a supply source to pass therethrough; and a rotation part 37, which is constituted so as to rotate following rotation of a guide tip 35, and has a passing hole 37d allowing the string-like material A passed through the fixed opening to pass therethrough, and guides the string-like material A passed through the passing hole to the guide tip 35. The string-like material guiding device also has an inner ring 39, which is disposed so as to be substantially coaxial with a rotation axis and nearer to the rotation axis than the fixed opening and the passing hole, and constituted so as to be rotatable with respect to the rotation part and the fixed part. At least one end of the inner ring is flange shapes 39a, 39b. When the string-like material A moves so as to come off from an end of the inner ring 39, the flange shape prevents the string-like material from coming off.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is applicable to a sewing machine in which a string-like material such as a tape, a cord, or a heater wire is sewn to a fabric by a straight stitch, and relates to a guiding device for guiding the string-like material.

Background Art

[0002] There has been conventionally known a sewing machine including a needle bar driven vertically, a sewing needle attached to the lower end of the needle bar, a rotating body assembled coaxially with the needle bar and rotatable about its axis, and a guide tip attached to the rotating body for guiding a string-like material to the position of the needle tip of the sewing needle. The rotation of the rotating body is controlled according to the moving direction of the fabric based on embroidery data, and while changing the orientation of the guide tip so that the guiding direction of the string-like material to the needle tip position becomes appropriate, the string-like material is sewn to the fabric by a straight stitch. As a supply source of the string-like material, a configuration in which a large bobbin wound with a large amount of the string-like material is disposed above the sewing machine has been adopted. Therefore, in the guiding route of the string-like material from the supply source to the guide tip, it is required to have a mechanism capable of coping with the movement of the guide tip that rotates around the needle tip, and a guiding auxiliary mechanism with such a device has been required.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a guiding auxiliary mechanism having a structure in which a string-like material fed out from a supply source is guided to a guide tip through a flexible tube. This flexible tube is configured to have a sufficient length and be in a largely slack state so as to follow the rotation of the guide tip. However, there are problems such as the work of passing the string-like material through the tube being cumbersome because it has to be done manually, and the problem of the tube getting entangled with the rotating body.

[0004] In view of this point, Patent Document 2 below discloses a guiding and assisting mechanism that is completely different from the structure using such a flexible tube. The guiding and assisting mechanism disclosed therein includes a cover member configured to pass a string-like material fed out from a supply source through a fixed opening, and an annular guiding body having an opening through which the string-like material that has passed through the fixed opening of the cover member passes and configured to rotate following the rotation of the guiding tip portion, and is configured to introduce the string-like material that has passed through the opening of the annular guiding body to the guiding tip portion. In such a configuration, since the annular guiding body rotates following the rotation of the guiding tip portion, the string-like material extending from the fixed opening of the cover member through the opening of the annular guiding body to the guiding tip portion is smoothly guided following the rotation of the guiding tip portion while being supported by the rotational movement of the annular guiding body. The rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) and the rotation angle of the guiding tip portion for each stitch vary depending on the sewing pattern. Therefore, the cumulative rotation angle amount over a plurality of stitches can be one rotation or more, and accordingly, the cumulative rotation angle amount of the annular guiding body following this can also be one rotation or more. On the other hand, since the position of the fixed opening of the cover member is always fixed, as the annular guiding body rotates or rotates cumulatively, the string-like material portion from the fixed opening to the opening of the annular guiding body is repeatedly wound around or unwound in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the rotation axis of the annular guiding body. In order to smooth the winding of the string-like material portion around the rotation axis of such an annular guiding body, in the annular guiding body, a cylindrical portion is erected substantially concentrically with the rotation axis, and the string-like material portion contacts and slides on this cylindrical portion and is wound or unwound.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] According to the configuration of the guiding and assisting mechanism shown in Patent Document 2 described above, since the cylindrical portion around which the string-like material portion comes into contact and is wound is fixed to the annular guiding body, when the string-like material is fed out as the sewing progresses, the string-like material portion is pulled toward the guide tip end side while sliding (rubbing) on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. Therefore, it will receive dynamic frictional force from the cylindrical portion. As a result, there is a problem that an excessive tension is applied to the string-like material. This problem can be solved by providing a rotatable rotating ring on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the annular guiding body and winding the string-like material around the rotating ring. However, if this is done, there will inevitably be a gap, however small, between the end portion of the rotating ring and the opposing portion of the annular guiding body or the cover member, and there is a risk that the string-like material will be caught in the gap.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide a guiding device for a string-like material that can reduce the dynamic frictional force received by the string-like material when guiding the string-like material and can also prevent the string-like material from being caught.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a guiding device according to the present invention is a sewing machine configured to rotationally control the orientation of a guide tip for guiding a string-like material to the position of the needle tip of a sewing needle according to the moving direction of a material to be sewn. The guiding device is for guiding the string-like material fed out from a supply source of the string-like material to the guide tip, and includes a fixed portion having a fixed opening through which the string-like material fed out from the supply source passes, and a rotating portion configured to rotate following the rotation of the guide tip. The rotating portion has a through-hole through which the string-like material that has passed through the fixed opening passes, and guides the string-like material that has passed through the through-hole to the guide tip. The guiding device further includes an inner ring disposed substantially concentrically with the rotation axis of the rotating portion, closer to the rotation axis than the fixed opening and the through-hole, and rotatable with respect to both the rotating portion and the fixed portion. At least one end of the inner ring is in a flange shape.

[0009] The inner ring is disposed closer to the rotation axis than the fixed opening and the through-hole. When the string-like material is fed out as sewing progresses, the portion of the string-like material from the fixed opening to the through-hole may contact the outer periphery of the inner ring. In a state where the portion of the string-like material contacts the outer periphery of the inner ring, when the string-like material is pulled toward the guide tip side, since the inner ring is rotatable, it freely rotates following the pulling, so that almost no or only a slight dynamic frictional force is generated between the string-like material and the inner ring. Therefore, the dynamic frictional force received by the string-like material can be reduced. Since at least one end of the inner ring is in a flange shape, the flange shape prevents the string-like material that contacts, is wound around, or is unwound from the inner ring from axially (upward or downward) coming off from the end of the inner ring. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the string-like material from being caught in the gap between the inner ring and an adjacent member (the rotating portion or the fixed portion) that may occur when the string-like material axially comes off from the end of the inner ring.

[0010] In one embodiment, a step for fitting the flange shape may be formed in a portion of the rotating part or the fixed part facing the flange shape of the inner ring. By adopting such a structure in which the flange shape of the inner ring is fitted into the step of the rotating part or the fixed part, a gap extending in the radial direction (horizontal direction) of the rotating shaft will not occur, and the string-like material will not be caught due to the movement of the string-like material in the radial direction (horizontal direction). Further, the rotating part or the fixed part has a planar portion, and the step is formed in a part of the planar portion, and the surface of the flange shape of the inner ring may be configured to be substantially flush with the planar portion. Thereby, the movement of the string-like material from the outside of the flange shape toward the rotating shaft direction can be smoothed, and the entry into the gap can be effectively prevented.

[0011] As an example, it is preferable that both ends of the inner ring have the flange shape, whereby it is possible to reliably prevent the string-like material from entering the gap at both ends of the inner ring. Further, as an example, the fixed part may be configured to cover the periphery of the rotating part so as not to rotate together with the rotating part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part (one sewing machine head H and its related parts) of a sewing machine (embroidery sewing machine) equipped with a guiding device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a left side view thereof. A plurality of sewing machine heads H are arranged at regular intervals on the front surface of the sewing machine frame 1 of this sewing machine, but only one sewing machine head H is shown in this embodiment for easy understanding of the explanation. First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an outline of this sewing machine head H will be described.

[0014] The sewing machine head H is disposed on the front surface of the sewing machine frame 1, and a bobbin 2 around which a string-like material A is wound is arranged above it. The bobbin 2 is provided on a bobbin shaft 4 whose both ends are supported by a pair of support members 3 fixed to the sewing machine frame 1. A support plate 5 extending downward to the lower part of the bobbin 2 is fixed to the support member 3 on the left side (in FIG. 1). A drive pulley 6 is disposed at the base end of the support plate 5, and the drive pulley 6 is fixed to the motor shaft of a drive motor 7 fixed to the support member 3. A driven pulley 8 is rotatably provided at the tip of the support plate 5, and a round belt 9 is wound around the driven pulley 8 and the drive pulley 6. The driven pulley 8 is fixed to one end of a shaft 10 rotatably supported at the tip of the support plate 5, and a rotating pulley 11 around which an anti-slip member is wound is fixed to the other end of the shaft 10. The rotating pulley 11 abuts against the lower end of the left flange of the bobbin 2, and when the rotating pulley 11 is rotated by the drive of the drive motor 7, the bobbin 2 is also rotated, and accordingly, the string-like material A is actively fed out from the bobbin 2.

[0015] On the other hand, in case the string-like material A is rapidly consumed and the active feeding of the string-like material A by the rotation of the bobbin 2 cannot keep up, the string-like material A is held in a state where a certain amount more is drawn out from the bobbin 2, and a mechanism (passive feeding mechanism) is provided such that the string-like material A in the certain amount is rapidly supplied according to the tension applied to the string-like material A when the string-like material A is pulled. Such a mechanism (passive feeding mechanism) is also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but will not be described in detail in the present application. The bobbin 2 storing the string-like material A and the related active and / or passive feeding mechanisms function as a supply source of the string-like material A.

[0016] The string-like material A fed downward from the supply source passes through a guide collar 25 provided at the lower end of the mounting plate 24, and further passes through a guide collar 27 provided at the front end of the guide bracket 26 and a guide collar 28 provided at the lower end, and is guided to the guiding device 36.

[0017] The components of the sewing machine head H other than the guiding device 36 may have a well-known configuration. That is, the sewing machine head H has a needle bar (hidden in the figure) supported so as to be vertically drivable, a sewing needle 30 attached to the lower end of the needle bar and reciprocated vertically together with the needle bar by the rotation of the sewing machine main shaft 29, and a cloth presser body 33 that moves up and down in conjunction with the vertical movement of the sewing needle 30. The well-known basic sewing is performed by the vertical movement of the sewing needle 30 and the rotation of a bobbin (not shown) provided below the needle plate 31.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a left side view showing the lower part of the sewing head H, and a guiding device 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention provided at the lower part of the sewing head H is shown in a sectional view. As is well known, in a sewing machine capable of sewing a string-like material A to a material to be sewn (for example, a fabric), there are a guide tip 35 for guiding the string-like material A to the position of the needle tip of the sewing needle 30, and a rotating body 32 for rotationally controlling the direction of the guide tip 35. The rotating body 32 is rotationally controlled via a motor or an actuator (not shown) according to the moving direction of the material to be sewn (fabric) based on sewing data, so as to control the direction of the guide tip 35.

[0019] The rotating body 32 is arranged concentrically with the axis of the needle bar and is rotatable about the axis. The fabric presser 33 is configured not only to move up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of the sewing needle 30, but also to rotate together with the rotating body 32, and the fabric presser 33 is also rotationally displaced according to the change in the sewing direction of the string-like material A. The rotating body 32 is provided with a guide lever 34 that is rotated at a predetermined timing with respect to the up and down movement of the sewing needle 30. A guide tip 35 for guiding the string-like material A to the needle tip is fixed to the lower end of the guide lever 34. Then, while changing the direction of the guide tip 35 so that the guiding direction of the string-like material A becomes appropriate by rotationally controlling the rotating body 32 according to the moving direction of the material to be sewn (fabric) based on embroidery data, the guide lever 34 is rotated to the left and right of the needle tip position for each reciprocation of the sewing needle 30, and the string-like material A is sewn to the material to be sewn (fabric) by so-called running stitch.

[0020] The guiding device 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention takes in the string-like material A that has been fed out from the bobbin 2 and passed through the guide collar 28, through the through-hole 38e, and guides it to the guide tip 35. FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the guiding device 36. The guiding device 36 includes an annular guiding body 37 configured to rotate together with the rotating body 32 and located above the guide tip 35, a cover member 38 that covers the periphery of the annular guiding body 37 without rotating together with the annular guiding body 37, and an inner ring 39 that is rotatable with respect to both the cover member 38 and the annular guiding body 37. The annular guiding body 37 rotates together with the rotating body 32, while the cover member 38 is fixed without rotating. A through-hole 38e is formed on the side surface of the cover member 38, and the string-like material A that has been fed out from the bobbin 2 and passed through the guide collar 28 is passed through the through-hole 38e of the cover member 38 and taken into the guiding device 36. Since the cover member 38 is fixed, the through-hole 38e functions as an opening with a fixed arrangement (i.e., a fixed opening).

[0021] The annular guiding body 37 includes a disk portion 37c with an opening in the center and a cylindrical portion 37b erected around the central opening of the disk portion 37c. The inside of the cylindrical portion 37b is a hollow portion 37a connected to the central opening of the disk portion 37c. The rotating body 32 is accommodated in the hollow portion 37a, and by fixing the annular guiding body 37 to the rotating body 32 via the cylindrical portion 37b, the annular guiding body 37 is configured to rotate together with the rotating body 32. A through-hole 37d for passing the string-like material A is provided in the disk portion 37c, and a guide collar 21 is attached to the through-hole 37d so that the string-like material A can pass through the through-hole 37d smoothly. The string-like material A taken into the guiding device 36 through the through-hole 38e of the cover member 38 is passed through the guide collar 21 (i.e., the through-hole 37d) of the disk portion 37c and pulled out downward (outward) from the guiding device 36. Since the annular guiding body 37 rotates together with the rotating body 32, the through-hole 37d functions as a movable opening. The string-like material A pulled out from the through-hole 37d of the guiding device 36 is introduced into the guide tip 35 of the guide lever 34 and guided to the needle base position of the sewing needle 30.

[0022] Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of the guide device 36. As is clear from this figure, the annular guide body 37 positions the rotating body 32 within its hollow portion 37a and is fixed to the mounting plate 42 fixed to the rotating body 32 with two mounting screws 43. The cover member 38 is cylindrical with a top plate 38a, and a through-hole 38b into which the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 37b of the annular guide body 37 is fitted is formed in the top plate 38a. The cover member 38 fits the cylindrical portion 37b of the annular guide body 37 into the through-hole 38b and is placed on the disc portion 37c of the annular guide body 37. Two engaging holes 38c, 38d are formed in the top plate 38a of the cover member 38, and the tip portions of the two regulating members 40, 41 fixed to the sewing machine head H are engaged with the engaging holes 38c, 38d, respectively. As a result, the rotation and upward movement of the cover member 38 are regulated, and when the annular guide body 37 rotates together with the rotating body 32, the cover member 38 does not rotate. On the side surface of the cover member 38, a plurality of window holes 38f for checking the inside of the cover member 38 are formed on the left and right of the through-hole 38e.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner ring 39 is loosely inserted into the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 37b of the disk portion 37c of the annular guide body 37. The inner ring 39 is disposed substantially concentrically with the rotation axis of the annular guide body 37 and closer to the rotation axis than the through hole (fixed opening) 38e and the through hole (movable opening) 37d within the space between the cover member 38 and the annular guide body 37 (i.e., inside the guide device 36), and is rotatable with respect to both the cover member 38 and the annular guide body 37. Thus, since the inner ring 39 is disposed closer to the rotation axis than the through hole (fixed opening) 38e and the through hole (movable opening) 37d, when the string-like material A is paid out as the sewing progresses, the portion of the string-like material A from the through hole (fixed opening) 38e to the through hole (movable opening) 37d can contact the outer periphery of the inner ring 39 and can be appropriately wound around or unwound from the outer periphery of the inner ring 39. When the portion of the string-like material A contacts (or is wound around) the outer periphery of the inner ring 39 and the string-like material A is pulled toward the guide tip portion 35 side, since the inner ring 39 is rotatable, it freely rotates following the pulling, so that almost no or only a slight dynamic frictional force is generated between the string-like material A and the inner ring 39. Therefore, due to the presence of this rotatable inner ring 39, the dynamic frictional force received by the string-like material A can be reduced, and no excessive tension is applied to the string-like material A.

[0024] Incidentally, since the inner ring 39 is rotatable, there will inevitably be some clearance between the end of the inner ring 39 and the opposing portion of the member adjacent thereto (i.e., the annular guide body 37 or the cover member 38), and there is a risk that the string-like material A may enter and get caught in this clearance. In order to prevent the string-like material A from entering such a clearance, as shown in FIG. 4, flange shapes 39a and 39b are formed at both ends (upper end and lower end) of the inner ring 39. These flange shapes 39a and 39b are formed in a shape where both ends of the inner ring 39 are bent outward at a substantially right angle. That is, the upper end and the lower end of the inner ring 39 form flat flange shapes 39a and 39b having a diameter slightly larger than its side peripheral surface. When the string-like material A that has come into contact with, been wound around, or been unwound from the inner ring 39 moves in the axial direction (upward or downward), it can be prevented from coming off the end of the inner ring 39 by being stopped by these flange shapes 39a and 39b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the string-like material A from entering and getting caught in the clearance.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment, in the annular guide body 37 and the cover member 38, steps (that is, annular recesses) 37e and 38g for fitting the flange shapes 39a and 39b of the inner ring 39 are formed at portions facing the flange shapes 39a and 39b of the inner ring 39. FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the annular guide body 37 and the cover member 38 with the inner ring 39 omitted to clearly show the steps 37e and 38g formed therein. As shown in FIG. 6, the annular guide body 37 has a planar portion (that is, the upper surface of the disk portion 37c), and a step 37e is formed as an annular recess in a part of the planar portion (that is, the annular portion near the cylindrical portion 37b). Further, the cover member 38 also has a planar portion (that is, the lower surface of the top plate 38a), and a step 38g is formed as an annular recess in a part of the planar portion (that is, the annular portion near the through hole 38b). By adopting such a structure in which the flange shapes 39a and 39b of the inner ring 39 are fitted into the steps 37e and 38g of the annular guide body 37 and the cover member 38, no gap is generated in the radial direction (horizontal direction) of the rotation axis, and no biting of the string-like material A into the gap due to the movement of the string-like material A in the radial direction (horizontal direction) occurs at all.

[0026] Next, an outline of the operation of sewing the string-shaped material A to the material to be sewn (fabric) will be described. The string-shaped material A fed out from the bobbin 2 in which the string-shaped material A is wound and stored is manually passed through each part of the supply path as described above, pulled out from the guide tip portion 35 of the guide lever 34, and guided to the position at the base of the sewing needle 30. With the string-shaped material A set as prescribed in this way, the embroidery sewing operation is started, the fabric is moved and controlled in the XY directions based on predetermined embroidery data, and the sewing needle 30 is driven up and down to perform well-known sewing with a bobbin (not shown). The fabric presser body 33 is moved up and down at a predetermined timing with respect to the up and down movement of the sewing needle 30 to perform the function of pressing the fabric. The guide lever 34 rotates left and right with respect to the position at the base of the needle for each reciprocation of the sewing needle 30, and the string-shaped material A guided to the position at the base of the needle by its guide tip portion 35 is swung left and right. The string-shaped material A is sequentially sewn to the fabric by so-called stitch sewing. The rotating body 32 is rotated according to the moving direction of the fabric based on the embroidery data, and is rotationally controlled relative to the sewing machine head H so that the guide tip portion 35 points in the sewing progress direction. Since such a sewing operation of the string-shaped material A is well-known, in order to perform an equivalent sewing operation, not limited to the illustrated example, other appropriate configurations may be used.

[0027] Next, the guiding assist operation by the guiding device 36 during the sewing operation of the string-like material A described above will be explained. During the sewing operation of the string-like material A, the annular guide body 37 also rotates together with the rotating body 32, and the string-like material A passed through the through-hole (movable opening) 37d of the disc portion 37c is properly guided to the needle base position of the sewing needle 30 via the guide tip portion 35. At this time, although the annular guide body 37 rotates together with the rotating body 32, the cover member 38 does not rotate. Therefore, the string-like material A extending from the through-hole (fixed opening) 38e of the cover member 38 through the through-hole (movable opening) 37d of the annular guide body 37 to the guide tip portion 35 is smoothly guided following the rotation of the guide tip portion 35 while being supported by the rotational movement of the annular guide body 37. The rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) and the rotation angle of the guide tip portion 35 for each stitch vary depending on the sewing pattern defined by the sewing data. Therefore, the cumulative rotation angle amount over a plurality of stitches can be one rotation or more, and the cumulative rotation angle amount of the annular guide body 37 following this can also be one rotation or more. On the other hand, since the position of the through-hole (fixed opening) 38e of the cover member 38 is always fixed, as the annular guide body 37 rotates or rotates cumulatively, the portion of the string-like material A from the through-hole (fixed opening) 38e to the through-hole (movable opening) 37d of the annular guide body 37 is repeatedly wound or unwound clockwise or counterclockwise around the inner ring 39. Therefore, inside the guiding device 36, the string-like material A is stably wound around the inner ring 39 or unwound without being disturbed. As described above, since the inner ring 39 is rotatable, the dynamic frictional force received by the string-like material A can be reduced, and no excessive tension is applied to the string-like material A. In addition, the flange shapes 39a and 39b at both ends of the inner ring 39 can prevent the string-like material A from biting into the gap.

[0028] As is clear from the above, the cover member 38 corresponds to a fixed portion having a fixed opening (through hole 38e) through which the string-like material A fed out from a supply source (such as the bobbin 2) passes, and the annular guide body 37 corresponds to a rotating portion configured to rotate following the rotation of the guide tip portion 35 and having a through hole 37d through which the string-like material A that has passed through the fixed opening (through hole 38e) passes. The configurations of this fixed portion and the rotating portion are not limited to the configurations illustrated and described above as the cover member 38 and the annular guide body 37, and may be appropriately deformed.

[0029] FIG. 7(a) is a longitudinal sectional view showing an enlarged state of the flange shapes 39a and 39b of the inner ring 39 fitted into the steps 37e and 38g of the annular guide body 37 and the cover member 38. As shown in the figure, the surfaces of the flange shapes 39a and 39b of the inner ring 39 (that is, the upper surface of the flange shape 39a and the lower surface of the flange shape 39b) may be configured to be substantially flush with the planar portions (the upper surface of the disk portion 37c) of the annular guide body 37 (rotating portion) and the planar portions (the lower surface of the top plate 38a) of the cover member 38 (fixed portion). Thereby, the movement of the string-like material A from the outside of the flange shapes 39a and 39b toward the rotation axis direction inside the guide device 36 can be smoothed, and the entry into the gap can be effectively prevented. Note that only one of the flange shapes 39a or 39b may be configured to be substantially flush with the corresponding planar portion of the annular guide body 37 (rotating portion) or the cover member 38 (fixed portion), and at that portion, the movement of the string-like material A can be smoothed and the entry into the gap can be effectively prevented. However, it is not limited to this, and both the upper surface of the flange shape 39a and the lower surface of the flange shape 39b may be configured not to be substantially flush with the corresponding planar portions of the annular guide body 37 (rotating portion) and the cover member 38 (fixed portion), and the corresponding effects can also be achieved thereby.

[0030] Furthermore, the upper surface of the flange shape 39a of the inner ring 39 and the lower surface of the flange shape 39b are not limited to flat (horizontal) surfaces as shown in FIG. 7(a), and may be appropriately inclined or curved as shown in FIG. 7(b) or (c). In FIG. 7(b), the upper surface 39a1 of the lower flange shape 39a forms an inclined surface facing upward, and the lower surface 39b1 of the upper flange shape 39b forms an inclined surface facing downward. In FIG. 7(c), the upper surface 39a2 of the lower flange shape 39a forms a curved surface facing upward, and the lower surface 39b2 of the upper flange shape 39b forms a curved surface facing downward, drawing a smooth arc as a whole. In both examples of (b) and (c), the upper surfaces 39a1, 39a2 and the lower surfaces 39b1, 39b2 of the flange shapes 39a, 39b are configured to be smoothly connected (adjacent at substantially the same height) to the planar portions of the corresponding annular guide body 37 (the upper surface of the disc portion 37c) and the planar portion of the cover member 38 (the lower surface of the top plate 38a). However, the connection manner of the planar portions of the two is not limited to being smoothly connected as shown in the figure, and there may be an appropriate offset.

[0031] In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, in the annular guide body 37 (rotating part) or the cover member 38 (fixed part), steps (that is, annular recesses) 37e, 38g for fitting the flange shapes 39a, 39b of the inner ring 39 are provided at portions facing the flange shapes 39a, 39b of the inner ring 39. However, as another embodiment, without providing such steps (that is, annular recesses) 37e, 38g, it may be deformed to face with a flat surface. Even in such a modified example, the above-described intended effects due to the presence of the flange shapes 39a, 39b of the inner ring 39 can be achieved.

[0032] In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, both ends of the inner ring 39 are the flange shapes 39a, 39b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flange shape 39a or 39b may be formed only at one end. Even with such a modified example, the intended effects by the flange shape 39a or 39b can be achieved at one end of the inner ring 39.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0033] H Sewing Machine Head A Cord-like Material 1 Sewing Machine Frame 2 Bobbin (Supply Source) 30 Sewing Needle 32 Rotating Body 35 Guide Tip 36 Guide Device 37 Annular Guide Body (Rotating Part) 37a Hollow Part 37b Cylindrical Part 37c Disk Part 37d Through Hole (Movable Opening) 38 Cover Member (Fixed Part) 38e Through Hole (Fixed Opening) 39 Inner Ring 39a, 39b Flange Shape 37e, 38g Step

Claims

1. In a sewing machine configured to rotationally control the orientation of a guide tip for guiding a string-like material to the position of the needle tip of a sewing needle according to the moving direction of a material to be sewn, a guiding device for guiding the string-like material fed out from a supply source of the string-like material to the guide tip, comprising: a fixed part having a fixed opening through which the string-like material fed out from the supply source passes; a rotating part configured to rotate following the rotation of the guide tip, the rotating part having a through-hole through which the string-like material that has passed through the fixed opening passes, and guiding the string-like material that has passed through the through-hole to the guide tip; an inner ring disposed substantially concentrically with the rotation axis of the rotating part and closer to the rotation axis than the fixed opening and the through-hole, and rotatable with respect to both the rotating part and the fixed part, wherein at least one end of the inner ring has a flange shape. The guiding device is characterized by this.

2. The guiding device according to Claim 1, wherein a step for fitting the flange shape is formed in a part of the rotating part or the fixed part facing the flange shape of the inner ring.

3. The guiding device according to Claim 2, wherein the rotating part or the fixed part has a planar part, a step is formed in a part of the planar part, and the surface of the flange shape of the inner ring is configured to be substantially flush with the planar part.

4. The guiding device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein both ends of the inner ring have a flange shape.

5. The guiding device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixed part is configured to cover the periphery of the rotating part so as not to rotate with the rotating part.

Images