Sewing machine

Abstract

To provide a sewing machine which can adjust a relative position of a first member and a second member of the sewing machine by operating an operation dial, and which contributes to determining whether or not the operation dial is properly operated.SOLUTION: A sewing machine includes an operation dial, a detector, and a display control part. The operation dial can adjust a relative position of a second member with respect to a first member according to the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the operation dial. The display control part displays an image, on a display part, which is the image showing the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member, and which includes: a target position mark showing a target position of the second member with respect to the first member; a movable range of the second member with respect to the first member containing the initial position and the target position of the second member with respect to the first member; and a current position mark for showing whether or not the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member has come close to the target position on the movable range, according to the rotation direction detected by the detector.(S5, S12).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The sewing machine of Patent Document 1 includes a sewing machine frame, a main shaft, a needle bar, a loop catcher fixing shaft, a loop catcher, a loop catcher position adjustment member, and a loop catcher position detection means. The loop catcher fixing shaft is supported on the sewing machine frame so as to be rotatable or swingable and is connected to the main shaft via a transmission mechanism. The loop catcher is fixed to the loop catcher fixing shaft and has a loop catcher portion that captures a needle thread loop formed as the needle bar moves up and down. The loop catcher position adjustment member can be attached to the lower end of the needle bar. The loop catcher position detection means can detect the contact state between the loop catcher position adjustment member and the loop catcher portion of the loop catcher. An operator aligns the loop catcher by checking the contact state of the loop catcher with the loop catcher fixing shaft using the loop catcher position detection means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-25594 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described sewing machine, it is difficult to tell whether the operation is being performed properly when the loop catcher and the loop catcher fixing shaft are brought relatively close to each other and brought into contact with each other.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine in which the relative position of a first member and a second member of the sewing machine can be adjusted by operating an operating dial, and which contributes to determining whether the operating dial is being operated appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sewing machine of claim 1 of the present invention is a sewing machine capable of adjusting the relative position of a second member with respect to a first member, and is equipped with an operating dial that can be rotated in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and that can adjust the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member depending on the amount of rotation and direction of rotation of the operating dial; a detector that can detect at least the rotation direction of the operating dial; and a display control unit that displays on a display unit an image representing the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member, the image including a target position mark indicating a target position of the second member with respect to the first member, a movable range of the second member with respect to the first member that includes the initial position and the target position of the second member with respect to the first member, and a current position mark on the movable range that indicates whether the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member has approached the target position depending on the rotation direction detected by the detector. By displaying the image on the display unit, the sewing machine helps the worker adjusting the relative position of the second member to the first member to easily check whether they are operating the operating dial in the appropriate direction to adjust the relative position of the second member to the first member to the intended position.

[0007] In the sewing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, the movable range is represented by a plurality of squares, and the target position mark is indicated by one of the plurality of squares. The sewing machine contributes to making it easier for the operator to grasp the target position within the movable range by the image displayed on the display unit.

[0008] In the sewing machine according to claim 3 of the present invention, the detector is capable of detecting the direction and amount of rotation of the operating dial, and the display control unit changes the display position of the current position mark relative to the movable range according to the direction and amount of rotation detected by the detector, and the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively from an initial cell that is the initial position cell among the multiple cells to a first adjacent cell adjacent to the initial cell is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively from the first adjacent cell to a second adjacent cell that is different from the initial cell and adjacent to the first adjacent cell. By making the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when moving from the initial cell to the first adjacent cell smaller than the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when moving from the first adjacent cell to the second adjacent cell, the sewing machine contributes to making it easier to check whether the operating dial is being operated in the appropriate direction when starting to operate the operating dial.

[0009] In the sewing machine according to claim 4 of the present invention, the width of the first adjacent cell is shorter than the width of the second adjacent cell. This sewing machine contributes to both making it easier for the operator to check whether the operation dial is being operated in the appropriate direction when the operator begins to operate the operation dial, and understanding, based on an image, changes in the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member in response to the amount of rotation of the operation dial.

[0010] In the sewing machine according to claim 5 of the present invention, the detector is capable of detecting the direction and amount of rotation of the operation dial, and the display control unit changes the display position of the current position mark relative to the movable range in accordance with the direction and amount of rotation detected by the detector, and the amount of rotation of the operation dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively between a target square where the target position mark is located and a first target adjacent square adjacent to the target square is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operation dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively between the first target adjacent square and a second target adjacent square adjacent to the first target adjacent square separately from the target square. The sewing machine makes the amount of movement of the current position mark according to the amount of rotation of the operation dial more sensitive when the current position mark is near the target square than when it is far from the target square, thereby contributing to making it easier for the operator to align the current position mark displayed on the display unit with the target square.

[0011] In the sewing machine according to claim 6 of the present invention, the width of the first target adjacent cell is shorter than the width of the second target adjacent cell. This sewing machine contributes to both confirming whether the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member has been adjusted to the target position and grasping, based on the image, the change in the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member in response to the amount of rotation of the operating dial.

[0012] In the image of the sewing machine according to claim 7 of the present invention, the color of the target square indicating the target position mark is different from the other squares of the plurality of squares, which contributes to making the target square in the image easier to see than when the target square is the same color as the other squares.

[0013] In the image of the sewing machine according to claim 8 of the present invention, the color of the end cells that represent the end of the movable range among the plurality of cells is different from the color of the other cells. Compared to when the end cells are the same color as the other cells, this makes it easier for the worker to understand that the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member is at the end of the movable range, and contributes to preventing further operation of the operation dial in the same direction.

[0014] The display control unit of the sewing machine according to claim 9 of the present invention displays the image on the display unit with the current position mark flashing when the amount of rotation of the operation dial detected by the detector is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. When the current position mark in the image does not move due to a relatively small amount of rotation of the operation dial, the sewing machine contributes to notifying the operator whether the current position mark does not move because the detector is not operating correctly, or whether the detector is operating correctly but the detected amount of rotation is smaller than the amount necessary to move the current position mark.

[0015] The sewing machine according to claim 10 of the present invention further includes a strain detector that detects the amount of strain of the first member, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display the image that has been moved relatively from a target adjacent cell adjacent to a target cell indicating the target position mark to the target cell based on the amount of strain detected by the strain detector.When it is desired to adjust the position where the second member is brought into contact with the first member and pressed a certain amount, the sewing machine contributes to displaying whether the second member has been brought into contact with the first member and pressed a certain amount by determining whether the strain detector moves the current position mark from the target adjacent cell to the target cell based on the amount detected.

[0016] The sewing machine according to claim 11 of the present invention further includes a needle bar to which a sewing needle can be attached at its lower end, and a shuttle mechanism having a movable body, wherein the first member is the sewing needle, the second member is the movable body, and the operation dial moves the movable body relative to the sewing needle in accordance with the amount and direction of rotation of the operation dial. Generally, to properly perform a sewing operation in a sewing machine, it is necessary to adjust the positional relationship between the sewing needle attached to the needle bar and the movable body. The display control unit of the sewing machine contributes to displaying whether the operator is rotating the operation dial in the appropriate direction when moving the movable body of the shuttle mechanism relative to the sewing needle.

[0017] The display control unit of the sewing machine according to claim 12 of the present invention displays the image including an initial position mark indicating the initial position on the display unit. When the current position mark has moved from the initial square, the sewing machine contributes to making it possible to check whether the operation dial has been operated in the appropriate direction by the simple task of checking the position of the current position mark relative to the initial square. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine 1. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shuttle unit 8. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor unit 4 detached from the frame 7. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sensor unit 4 attached to a frame 7. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the sewing machine 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a zero point detection process. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart of a placement cell determination process executed in the zero point detection process of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9 is a flowchart of a sensor reference process executed in the placement cell determination process of FIG. 8. [Figure 10](A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of an image displayed on the display unit 29, and (C) to (G) are explanatory diagrams of the transition of the current position mark relative to the movable range included in the image. [Figure 11] 10A to 10F are explanatory diagrams illustrating the transition of the current position mark relative to the movable range displayed on the image when the widths of the multiple squares representing the movable range are not uniform. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a needle receiver needle gap detection process. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart of a placement cell determination process executed in the needle receiver needle gap detection process of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 10A is an explanatory diagram of an image displayed on the display unit 29, and FIGS. 10B to 10G are explanatory diagrams of the transition of the current position mark relative to the movable range included in the image. [Figure 15] (A) is an explanatory diagram of multiple squares 57 when the width is not uniform, (B) is an explanatory diagram of multiple squares 89 arranged in the vertical direction, and (C) is an explanatory diagram of multiple squares 59 arranged in a ring shape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A sewing machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, left and right, front and rear, and up and down will be used as indicated by arrows in the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sewing machine 1 is a gate-type sewing machine capable of sewing a workpiece. The sewing machine 1 has a bed 21, a feed mechanism 25, pillars 221 and 222, a beam 23, an operating unit 27, a head 24, and a frame 7.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 , the bed 21 has a base 211 and a frame 212. The base 211 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped. The base 211 includes a first retaining plate 213, a second retaining plate 214, and bellows 215 and 216. Openings 217 and 218 are formed in the base 211. The base 211 further includes a pair of first rails and a pair of second rails (not shown). The first retaining plate 213 forms the upper surface of the base 211 and is a flat surface extending horizontally. The second retaining plate 214 is a rectangular plate disposed in front of the first retaining plate 213 and flush with the first retaining plate 213. The opening 217 extends in the front-rear direction near the left end of the first retaining plate 213. One of a pair of first rails extending in the front-rear direction is disposed in the opening 217. The opening 218 extends in the front-rear direction near the right end of the first retaining plate 213. The other of the pair of first rails is disposed in opening 218. Bellows 215 covers opening 217. Bellows 216 covers opening 218. Bellows 215 and 216 expand and contract as feed mechanism 25, which will be described later, moves back and forth along the pair of first rails. Frame 212 is a lattice-like structure, and supports base 211 from below. The pair of second rails extend in the left-right direction below first holding plate 213 and between openings 217 and 218.

[0021] The feed mechanism 25 has a holding mechanism 26 and connecting portions 251 and 252. The holding mechanism 26 holds the workpiece. The holding mechanism 26 has an upper frame 260, a lower frame 261, and air cylinders 262 and 263. The upper frame 260 and the lower frame 261 are rectangular frames in a plan view and clamp the workpiece. The upper frame 260 moves up and down by the air cylinders 262 and 263. One end of the connecting portion 251 is connected to a first rail disposed in the opening 217 of the bed 21, and the other end of the connecting portion 251 is connected to the left end of the holding mechanism 26. One end of the connecting portion 252 is connected to a first rail disposed in the opening 218 of the bed 21, and the other end of the connecting portion 252 is connected to the right end of the holding mechanism 26.

[0022] The pillar portions 221, 222 are each substantially rectangular pillar-shaped. The pillar portion 221 extends upward from the left end of the base portion 211 of the bed portion 21 and a position forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction. The pillar portion 221 is located to the left of the bellows 215 in the left-to-right direction. The pillar portion 221 supports therein a synchronization mechanism (not shown) that synchronously drives the needle bar mechanism 6 and the shuttle mechanism 12. The pillar portion 222 extends upward from the right end of the base portion 211 of the bed portion 21 and a position forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction. The pillar portion 222 is located to the right of the bellows 216 in the left-to-right direction. The pillar portion 221 supports therein an X-motor 132 (see FIG. 6 ) that moves the shuttle mechanism 12 and the needle bar mechanism 6 in the left-to-right direction parallel to the horizontal direction relative to the sewing material. The pillar portions 221, 222 are spaced apart in the left-to-right direction.

[0023] The beam 23 is installed between the pillars 221, 222. The beam 23 has a housing 231, a third rail (not shown), and a bellows 232. The housing 231 extends between the upper and rear ends of the pillar 221 and the upper and rear ends of the pillar 222. The third rail is provided in the space surrounded by the pillars 221, 222, the housing 231, and the bellows 232. The third rail is rod-shaped and installed between the pillars 221, 222. The third rail supports the head 24 (described later) so that it can move in the left-right direction. The bellows 232 is installed across the front ends of the pillars 221, 222 and the housing 231, and both left and right ends of the head 24 (described later). The bellows 232 covers the third rail that supports the head 24 from the front. The bellows 232 expands and contracts in response to the head 24 moving back and forth in the left and right direction along the third rail.

[0024] The operation unit 27 is fixed to the front surface of the left end of the beam 23. The operation unit 27 includes a group of switches 28 and a display unit 29. Various instructions are input to the group of switches 28 in response to operations by an operator. The display unit 29 is a liquid crystal display that can display various images.

[0025] The head 24 is located in front of the beam 23. The head 24 includes a needle bar 31, a drive unit 50, a presser foot 32, a thread take-up lever 33, a thread tension device 34, a sub-thread tensioner 35, and thread guides 36 and 37. The needle bar 31 extends vertically, and a sewing needle 30 can be attached to its lower end. The drive unit 50 reciprocates the needle bar 31 vertically using the power of a main motor 131 (see FIG. 6). The drive unit 50 includes a main shaft 52 and a rotary knob 51. The rotary knob 51 is manually rotated when the operator moves the needle bar 31 vertically or rotates a movable body 80 (described later). The presser foot 32 has a through-hole through which the sewing needle 30 passes as the needle bar 31 moves, and presses down on the sewing object from above. The thread take-up lever 33 operates in response to the vertical movement of the needle bar 31 to pull up the upper thread. The thread tensioning device 34 adjusts the tension of the upper thread. The sub-thread tensioner 35 wraps around the upper thread extending from a thread spool (not shown) and guides the upper thread toward the thread tensioning device 34 below. The thread guides 36 and 37 each come into contact with the upper thread extending from the thread tensioning device 34 and guide the upper thread toward the thread take-up 33. The head 24 is movable left and right along the front end of the beam 23.

[0026] The frame 7 shown in FIG. 2 is provided below the head 24 and inside the base 211. The frame 7 has a housing 70, a needle plate 74, legs 71 and 72, support shafts 751 and 752, a shuttle unit 8, and an adjustment unit 78. The housing 70 houses the shuttle unit 8 inside. The housing 70 has a main portion 701 and a protruding portion 702. The main portion 701 is box-shaped. The protruding portion 702 protrudes leftward from the inside of the left surface of the main portion 701, near the front end. The needle plate 74 is detachably fixed above the protruding portion 702. The needle plate 74 has a needle hole 73 formed therein, through which the sewing needle 30 can be inserted. The needle hole 73 is located below the needle bar 31. In FIG. 2, the needle hole 73 and the needle plate 74 are shown in phantom lines.

[0027] The leg 71 is provided at the rear end of the main part 701 and is supported by a second rail 75 extending in the left-right direction. The leg 72 is provided at the front end of the main part 701 and is supported by a second rail 76 extending in the left-right direction. The shuttle unit 8 can move in the left-right direction in synchronization with the head part 24 as the legs 71, 72 move along the second rails 75, 76. The head part 24 and the frame 7 move in the left-right direction by the power of the X motor 132. The support shafts 751, 752 are provided at the front end of the upper surface of the protruding part 702. The support shafts 751, 752 each protrude upward in a cylindrical shape from the upper surface of the protruding part 702.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the shuttle unit 8 has a shuttle shaft 11 and a shuttle mechanism 12. The shuttle unit 8 is housed in the housing 70 of the frame 7. The shuttle shaft 11 has a shaft body 85, an end assembly 87, and a shuttle shaft gear 86. The shaft body 85 extends cylindrically in the left-right direction. The shaft body 85 is rotatably supported within the housing 70 of the frame 7. The axis that passes through the center of the shaft body 85 and extends in the left-right direction is referred to as "axis C."

[0029] The termination assembly 87 is provided at the right end of the shaft body 85. The termination assembly 87 is cylindrical with a larger radius than the shaft body 85. The termination assembly 87 is supported by the housing 70 of the frame 7. The termination assembly 87 does not rotate even when the shaft body 85 rotates. However, the termination assembly 87 is movable left and right relative to the frame 7. As the termination assembly 87 moves left and right relative to the frame 7, the shaft body 85 also moves left and right relative to the frame 7. A groove 871 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the front side of the termination assembly 87. The groove 871 has a wall portion 870 that is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] The shuttle shaft gear 86 is provided on the shaft 85 to the left of the end assembly 87. A belt (not shown) is stretched between the rotary shaft of the main motor 131 in FIG. 6 and the shuttle shaft gear 86. The shuttle shaft gear 86 receives a rotational driving force from the belt, which rotates in response to the driving of the main motor 131, and rotates the shaft 85. Note that the main shaft 52 of the drive unit 50 in FIG. 1 also rotates in response to the driving of the main motor 131. Therefore, the main shaft 52 and the shaft 85 rotate in unison in response to the driving of the main motor 131.

[0031] The shuttle mechanism 12 is a vertical shuttle in which the bobbin's rotation axis is disposed perpendicular to the direction of movement of the needle bar 31. The shuttle mechanism 12 includes a shuttle body 81, a shuttle 82, and a movable body 80. The shuttle body 81 includes a first storage section 801 and a second storage section 802. The first storage section 801 is cylindrical and extends in the left-right direction. A groove 817 extending in the up-down direction is provided on the front side surface of the first storage section 801. The groove 817 has a planar wall section 818 perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The second storage section 802 is provided at the left end of the first storage section 801. The second storage section 802 is cylindrical and extends in the left-to-right direction. The second storage section 802 includes a first section 811 and a second section 812. The second section 812 is located to the left of the first section 811. The outer diameter of the first section 811 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second section 812. The outer diameter of the first portion 811 and the outer diameter of the second portion 812 are larger than the outer diameter of the first accommodating portion 801 .

[0032] A through-hole 803 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the center of the first housing portion 801 in the shuttle body 81. The left end of the shaft body 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 is inserted from the right into the through-hole 803 of the first housing portion 801. A recess 813 recessed to the right is formed in the left surface of the second part 812 of the second housing portion 802. The movable body 80, which will be described later, is accommodated in a space 810 surrounded by the recess 813. A hole 814 communicating with the recess 813 is formed in the upper end of the second housing portion 802. The upper end of the recess 813 and the left end of the hole 814 are connected. A hole 815 communicating with the recess 813 is formed in the rear end of the first part 811 of the second housing portion 802. Hole 815 is an elongated hole that is long in the vertical direction, and a female thread is formed on inner circumferential surface 805 of the upper end of hole 815, and a female thread separate from the female thread on inner circumferential surface 805 is also formed on inner circumferential surface 806 of the lower end of hole 815. Within second accommodating portion 802, first portion 811 has a front end portion formed with hole 816 that communicates with recess 813. Hole 816 has a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cauldron 82 is provided at the left end of the cauldron body 81. The cauldron 82 is in the shape of a ring plate. The outer diameter of the cauldron 82 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second portion 812 of the second accommodation portion 802 of the cauldron body 81. A circular hole 821 is formed in the center of the cauldron 82, penetrating it in the left-right direction. The diameter of the hole 821 is smaller than the diameter of the recess 813 of the cauldron body 81 in a side view. The cauldron 82 covers a part of the recess 813 of the cauldron body 81 from the left side.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing portion 802 of the large shuttle body 81 protrudes leftward from the left surface of the protruding portion 702 inside the housing 70 of the frame 7. A shuttle thread guide 90 is fixed to the upper side of the second housing portion 802. The shuttle thread guide 90 is a plate that is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The shuttle thread guide 90 covers the hole 814 of the second housing portion 802 from above. The shuttle thread guide 90 is located below the needle plate 74. The shuttle thread guide 90 has a notch 901. The notch 901 extends rightward from the left end of the shuttle thread guide 90.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the movable body 80 has a shuttle 83 and a driver 84. The shuttle 83 and the driver 84 are disposed in a space 810 in the shuttle body 81. The shuttle 83 is made of metal. The shuttle 83 is disposed in the space 810 in the shuttle body 81. The shuttle 83 is rotatably supported by the shuttle body 81 and the shuttle 82, with the shuttle 82 fixed to the shuttle body 81. The shuttle 83 has a base 835, a peripheral portion 836, a point 837, and a stud 830.

[0036] The base 835 is a plate-like fan-shaped plate perpendicular to the left-right direction when viewed from the left side. Axis C passes through the center of the fan-shaped base 835. The peripheral edge 836 is provided on an arc portion of the base 835. One end of the peripheral edge 836 in the circumferential direction about axis C is referred to as the "internal hook end 831." The other end of the peripheral edge 836 in the circumferential direction about axis C is referred to as the "internal hook end 832." The internal hook end 831 corresponds to the end of the peripheral edge 836 on the counterclockwise side when viewed from the left. The internal hook end 832 corresponds to the end of the peripheral edge 836 on the clockwise side when viewed from the left.

[0037] The point 837 extends to the other side in the circumferential direction centered on the axis C. The tip of the point 837 is sharp. The point 837 catches the upper thread that is inserted into the sewing needle 30 during the sewing process using the sewing machine 1. The stud 830 extends leftward from the base 835 along the axis C. A bobbin case (not shown) that contains a bobbin around which a lower thread is wound is rotatably supported on the stud 830.

[0038] The driver 84 is made of metal. The driver 84 has a fixed portion 851, a base portion 852, a needle guard 853, an engaged body 854, and a detected body 855. The fixed portion 851 is cylindrical and extends in the left-right direction. A through hole 840 in the fixed portion 851 extends in the left-right direction. An axis C passes through the center of the through hole 840. The fixed portion 851 is provided with a protrusion 841 that extends in a radial direction centered on the axis C. Hereinafter, the radial direction centered on the axis C is referred to as the "axial radial direction." A slit 850 is formed in the fixed portion 851 and the protrusion 841. The slit 850 extends in the axial radial direction. A fixing screw 842 is screwed into the protrusion 841. The spacing of the slits 850 can be adjusted by the fixing screw 842.

[0039] When the fixing screw 842 is tightened with the shaft body 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 inserted into the through-hole 840, the fixed part 851 is connected to the shaft body 85, and the rotational force of the shaft body 85 can be transmitted. On the other hand, when the fixing screw 842 is loosened, the fixed part 851 is detached from the shaft body 85, and the transmission of the rotational force of the shaft body 85 is cut off.

[0040] The base portion 852 extends outward along the axial direction from the side surface of the fixing portion 851. The tip of the base portion 852 is bent to the left.

[0041] The needle guard 853 is provided at the tip of the base 852. The needle guard 853 extends in the circumferential direction about the axis C. The needle guard 853 comes into contact with the sewing needle 30 during sewing by the sewing machine 1 and guides the sewing needle 30 to prevent it from bending. One end of the needle guard 853 in the circumferential direction about the axis C is referred to as the "needle guard end 843." The other end of the peripheral portion 836 in the circumferential direction about the axis C is referred to as the "needle guard end 844." The needle guard end 843 corresponds to the end of the needle guard 853 on the counterclockwise side when viewed from the left. The needle guard end 844 corresponds to the end of the needle guard 853 on the clockwise side when viewed from the left.

[0042] The engaged body 854 is provided on the side surface of the fixed portion 851. The engaged body 854 has an engaging extension portion 845 and an engaged portion 846. The engaging extension portion 845 extends outward from the side surface of the fixed portion 851 in the axial radial direction. The engaging extension portion 845 is shaped like a quadrangular prism. The engaged portion 846 is a recess formed in the tip portion of the engaging extension portion 845. The engaged portion 846 extends from the plane of the tip portion of the engaging extension portion 845 toward the axis C.

[0043] The detectable body 855 is provided on the side surface of the fixed portion 851. The detectable body 855 has a detectable extension portion 847 and a detectable surface 848. The detectable extension portion 847 extends outward from the side surface of the fixed portion 851 along the axial direction. The extending direction of the detectable extension portion 847 differs from the extending direction of the engaging extension portion 845 of the engageable body 854. The angle between the engaging extension portion 845 and the detectable extension portion 847 is approximately 120 degrees when viewed from the left. The detectable extension portion 847 is disposed on the clockwise side of the engaging extension portion 845 when viewed from the left. The shape of the detectable extension portion 847 is a rectangular prism. The detectable surface 848 is a flat surface provided at the tip of the detectable extension portion 847 and perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0044] The driver 84 is disposed within the space 810 of the shuttle body 81 and on the right side of the shuttle 83. A needle receiver end 843 of a needle receiver 853 of the driver 84 contacts an inner shuttle end 832 of the shuttle 83. A needle receiver end 844 of the needle receiver 853 of the driver 84 contacts an inner shuttle end 831 of the shuttle 83. However, when one of the needle receiver ends 843, 844 is in contact with the inner shuttle 83, the other is spaced apart from the inner shuttle 83.

[0045] The driver 84, which is connected to the shaft body 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 by tightening the set screw 842, rotates about the axis C in response to the rotation of the shaft body 85. At this time, a rotational driving force is transmitted from the driver 84 to the shuttle 83, whose inner shuttle ends 831, 832 come into contact with the needle guard ends 843, 844 of the needle guard 853 of the driver 84. As a result, the shuttle 83 rotates about the axis C in response to the rotation of the driver 84. In other words, by connecting the driver 84 to the shaft body 85, the movable body 80, which includes the shuttle 83 and the driver 84, is connected to the shaft body 85, and the movable body 80 rotates in response to the rotation of the shaft body 85.

[0046] On the other hand, the driver 84, which has been detached from the shaft body 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 by loosening the fixing screw 842, does not rotate even when the shaft body 85 rotates. Moreover, the inner shuttle 83 does not rotate either because no rotational driving force is transmitted from the driver 84. In other words, the state in which the movable body 80 including the inner shuttle 83 and the driver 84 is connected to the shaft body 85 is released when the driver 84 is detached from the shaft body 85.

[0047] The engaging body 60 is provided in the second housing portion 802 of the shuttle body 81 of the shuttle unit 8. The engaging body 60 has a base 61, a movable portion 62, an operating portion 63, and a fixed portion 64. The base 61 is cylindrical and extends rearward along the axial direction. The fixed portion 64 is provided integrally with the base 61, on the inside of the base 61 in the axial direction. A screw groove for fixing is formed on the side surface of the fixed portion 64. The base 61 is inserted into the upper end of a hole 815 formed in the second housing portion 802 of the shuttle body 81, and the screw groove of the fixed portion 64 is screwed into the female thread of the hole 815, thereby fixing the base 61 to the second housing portion 802. The base 61 and the fixed portion 64 have through holes extending along the axial direction.

[0048] The movable part 62 has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the through holes of the base part 61 and the fixed part 64. The movable part 62 is movable in the axial radial direction relative to the base part 61 and the fixed part 64. An end part of the movable part 62 that is on the inner side in the axial radial direction is called an "engagement part 68." When the movable part 62 moves inward in the axial radial direction, the engagement part 68 protrudes inward in the axial radial direction relative to the fixed part 64. When the movable part 62 moves outward in the axial radial direction, the engagement part 68 is disposed inside the fixed part 64 and does not protrude inward in the axial radial direction relative to the fixed part 64.

[0049] The operating part 63 is provided on the outer side in the axial direction inside the movable part 62. The operating part 63 is disposed on the outer side in the axial direction relative to the base part 61. The operating part 63 is gripped by an operator when moving the movable part 62 along the axial direction.

[0050] With the movable part 62 moved outward in the axial direction, the engaging part 68 is located further outward in the axial direction than the inner surface of the shuttle body 81 that forms the space 810. At this time, the engaging part 68 is located further outward in the axial direction than the region through which the engaged body 854 and the detected body 855 pass as the driver 84 rotates.

[0051] On the other hand, with the movable part 62 moved inward in the axial direction, the engaging part 68 protrudes inward from the inner surface that forms the space 810 within the shuttle body 81. At this time, the engaging part 68 is located inward in the axial direction from the region through which the engaged body 854 and the detected body 855 pass as the driver 84 rotates.

[0052] 2 is a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor 69 is fixed to the lower end of a hole 815 formed in the second housing portion 802 of the hook body 81. The proximity sensor 69 has a base portion 67, a holder portion 65, and a sensor head 66.

[0053] The base 67 is cylindrical and extends diagonally downward and rearward along the axial direction. A screw groove for fixing is formed on the side of the base 67. This screw groove is threaded into the female thread of the hole 815. The holding portion 65 is provided at the inner end of the base 67, on the outer side in the axial direction. The holding portion 65 has a hexagonal shape. A wrench or the like is attached to the holding portion 65 when the proximity sensor 69 is fixed to the shuttle body 81 via the screw groove of the base 67. The sensor head 66 is provided at the inner end of the base 61, on the inner side in the axial direction. The sensor head 66 generates a high-frequency magnetic field to detect the approach of the detection target 855 of the driver 84. The sensor head 66 is positioned outward in the axial direction from the area through which the engagement target 854 and the detection target 855 pass as the driver 84 rotates.

[0054] The detection surface 848 of the detection object 855 and the proximity sensor 69 are both disposed at a position different from that of the inner shuttle 83 in the left-right direction, more specifically, to the right of the inner shuttle 83. The detection surface 848 of the detection object 855 and the proximity sensor 69 are positioned at the same position in the left-right direction. The proximity sensor 69 outputs a detection result indicating whether or not the detection surface 848 of the detection object 855 has approached the sensor head 66.

[0055] The adjustment unit 78 is fixed to the housing 70 of the frame 7. The adjustment unit 78 includes operation dials 2 and 3, position adjustment mechanisms 13 and 14, and a detector 79 shown in FIG. 6. The operation dial 2 can be rotated in a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1. The position adjustment mechanism 13 can adjust the left-right position of the driver 84 connected to the shaft 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 according to the direction and amount of rotation of the operation dial 2. The position adjustment mechanism 13 includes a body 135 and a head 136. The body 135 is cylindrical and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The body 135 is an eccentric shaft. The radius of the body 135 is not uniform in the circumferential direction, with one portion of the body 135 being larger than the other portions. The rear end of the body 135 fits into a groove 871 provided in the end assembly 87 of the shuttle shaft 11. A groove extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the front end of the body 135. An O-ring (not shown) is fitted into this groove. The head 136 is provided on the front side surface of the body 135. A groove (slot) extending linearly is formed in the head 136. Rotation of the position adjustment mechanism 13 moves the shuttle shaft 11 left and right relative to the frame 7. The detector 79 can detect at least the rotation direction of the operating dial 2. The detector 79 of this embodiment can detect the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the operating dial 2.

[0056] The operating dial 3 can be rotated in a third rotation direction R3 and a fourth rotation direction R4 opposite to the third rotation direction R3. The position adjustment mechanism 14 can adjust the left-right position of the inner shuttle 83, which is rotatably supported on the shuttle body 81, according to the direction and amount of rotation of the operating dial 3. The position adjustment mechanism 14 has a body 145 and a head 146. The body 145 and the head 146 correspond to the body 135 and the head 136 of the position adjustment mechanism 13. The rear end of the body 145 fits into a groove 817 provided in the first housing portion 801 of the shuttle body 81. By rotation of the position adjustment mechanism 14, the shuttle body 81 moves left-right relative to the frame 7.

[0057] The sensor unit 4 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The sensor unit 4 is detachably attached to the frame 7. The sensor unit 4 is attached to the frame 7 and used when adjusting the left-right positional relationship between the sewing needle 30 attached to the needle bar 31 and the point 837 or needle guard 853 of the movable body 80. On the other hand, the sensor unit 4 is detached when the sewing machine 1 performs a sewing operation. As shown in Figure 8, the sensor unit 4 has a strain detector 40 and an arm portion 39.

[0058] The arm portion 39 supports the strain detector 40, which will be described later, and fixes the strain detector 40 to the frame 7. The arm portion 39 is a bent rectangular pillar. The arm portion 39 has extension portions 451 and 452. The extension portion 451 extends in the left-right direction. The extension portion 452 extends rearward from the left end of the extension portion 451. Holes 461, 462, and 463 are formed in the extension portion 451. The holes 461 to 463 each pass through the extension portion 451 in the up-down direction. The holes 461, 462, and 463 are lined up on the right side in this order.

[0059] The strain detector 40 is supported by the extension 452 of the arm 39. The strain detector 40 has a support 41, a detection body 42, and a detector 43.

[0060] The support part 41 is fixed to the right side surface of the extension part 452 of the arm part 39 with a screw 411. The detection body 42 is supported on the arm part 39 by the support part 41. The detection body 42 has detection parts 425 and 426 facing each other in the front-rear direction. A gap is formed between the detection parts 425 and 426. The detection part 425 has a light-emitting part on the surface facing the detection part 426. The detection part 426 has a light-receiving part on the surface facing the detection part 425. The light-emitting part emits light toward the light-receiving part. The light-receiving part receives light emitted from the light-emitting part. The detection body 42 further has a connector 427 on the front side surface of the detection part 425. A cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 427.

[0061] The detector 43 has a long, thin, plate-like base 435. The base 435 is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The rotation shaft 431 extends forward from the front surface of the base 435. The tip of the rotation shaft 431 is rotatably supported by a support plate 421 extending forward from the detection unit 425. The rotation shaft 432 extends rearward from the rear surface of the base 435. The tip of the rotation shaft 432 is rotatably supported by a support plate 422 extending forward from the detection unit 426. The rotation shafts 431 and 432 are aligned in a straight line in the front-to-rear direction. The base 435 is rotatable around the rotation shafts 431 and 432. The base 435 extends obliquely downward from the portion where the rotation shafts 431 and 432 are provided toward the right end.

[0062] A contact surface 433 is provided on a part of the peripheral edge of the base 435. The contact surface 433 has a planar shape that is perpendicular to the base 435 and extends across the front and rear of the base 435. The contact surface 433 extends diagonally downward to the right from a position on the peripheral edge of the base 435 that is higher than the rotation axes 431 and 432, curves at the front end of the base 435, and further extends diagonally downward to the left.

[0063] A restricting portion 434 is provided at a position above the contact surface 433 within the peripheral edge of the base 435. The restricting portion 434 has a planar shape perpendicular to the base 435 and extends across the front and rear of the base 435. The restricting portion 434 is located above the upper surfaces of the detection portions 425, 426. The restricting portion 434 restricts the counterclockwise rotation of the base 435 when viewed from the front by contacting the upper surfaces of the detection portions 425, 426. The base 435 can rotate clockwise from a state in which counterclockwise rotation is restricted by the restricting portion 434.

[0064] A shielding plate (not shown) is provided in a portion of the base 435 sandwiched between the detection units 425 and 426. A plurality of slits are formed in the shielding plate. When the base 435 rotates around the rotation axes 431 and 432, light emitted from the light-emitting unit of the detection unit 425 passes through the slits or is blocked by the shielding plate. The light-receiving unit of the detection unit 426 detects the rotational position of the base 435 based on the state of reception of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit of the detection unit 425. The detection body 42 outputs a detection result indicating the detected rotational position via a cable connected to the connector 427.

[0065] The arm 39 is fixed to the frame 7 by inserting the support shafts 751 and 752 of the frame 7 into the holes 462 and 463 from below. A magnet is inserted into the hole 461. When fixing the arm 39 to the frame 7, the magnet is attracted to an iron plate 753 connected to the frame 7 by magnetic force. The magnet uses its magnetic attraction to help insert the support shafts 751 and 752 all the way into the holes 462 and 463 when fixing the arm 39. The magnet also holds the arm 39 by being attracted to the iron plate 753 to prevent rattle during use of the sensor unit 4. When fixed to the frame 7, the arm 39 supports the strain detector 40 to the left and above the movable body 80 of the shuttle unit 8 shown in FIG. 3. The detector 43 of the strain detector 40 enters the notch 901 of the shuttle thread guide 90 from the left. The contact surface 433 of the detector 43 is disposed inside the notch 901 .

[0066] The electrical configuration of the sewing machine 1 will be described with reference to Figure 6. The control unit 110 of the sewing machine 1 has a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a storage device 114, an input / output interface (I / O) 115, drive circuits 121 to 125, etc. The CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the sewing machine 1. The ROM 112 stores in advance programs and the like for executing various processes. The RAM 113 temporarily stores various pieces of information generated during the execution of various processes. The storage device 114 is non-volatile and stores various setting values.

[0067] The drive circuits 121-125, the encoders 141-143, the switch group 28, the strain detector 40, the proximity sensor 69, and the detector 79 are connected to the I / O 115. The drive circuit 121 is connected to a main motor 131 and drives the main motor 131 in response to control commands from the CPU 111. The drive circuit 122 is connected to an X motor 132 of a transport mechanism (not shown) and drives the X motor 132 in response to control commands from the CPU 111. The drive circuit 123 is connected to a Y motor 133 of the feed mechanism 25 and drives the Y motor 133 in response to control commands from the CPU 111. The drive circuit 124 is connected to air cylinders 262 and 263 and drives the air cylinders 262 and 263 in response to control commands from the CPU 111. The drive circuit 125 is connected to a display unit 29 and displays various information on the display unit 29 in response to control commands from the CPU 111.

[0068] The encoder 141 detects the rotation direction, rotation position, and rotation speed of the output shaft of the main motor 131 and outputs the detection results to the I / O 115. The detection results of the encoder 141 indicate the rotation direction, rotation position, and rotation speed of the main shaft 52 and the shaft body 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 driven by the main motor 131. The encoder 142 detects the rotation position of the output shaft of the X motor 132 and outputs the detection results to the I / O 115. The detection results of the encoder 142 indicate the movement direction, left-right position, and movement speed of the needle bar 31 and the shuttle unit 8. The encoder 143 detects the rotation direction, rotation position, and rotation speed of the output shaft of the Y motor 133 and outputs the detection results to the I / O 115. The detection results of the encoder 143 indicate the movement direction, front-rear position, and movement speed of the holding mechanism 26. The switch group 28 detects various instructions and outputs the detection results to the I / O 115. The strain detector 40 and the proximity sensor 69 output the detection results to the I / O 115. The detection result of the strain detector 40 indicates the rotational position of the detector 43. The strain detector 40 functions as a strain detector that detects the amount of strain in the sewing needle 30. The detection result of the proximity sensor 69 indicates whether the detection surface 848 of the detection object 855 has approached the sensor head 66. The detector 79 detects the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the operation dial 2, and outputs the detection result to the I / O 115. The detector 79 is an optical or mechanical encoder.

[0069] The zero point detection process will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. The zero point detection process is carried out in a state where the sensor unit 4 is attached to the frame 7 to detect the zero point, which is the reference position in the left-right direction between the sewing needle 30 attached to the needle bar 31 and the point 837 or needle guard 853 of the movable body 80.

[0070] As a preliminary step, the operator attaches and secures the sensor unit 4 to the frame 7 of the sewing machine 1. The operator connects a cable to the connector 427 of the sensor unit 4. Next, the operator operates the rotary knob 51 of the drive unit 50, which drives the needle bar 31, to position the sewing needle 30 at the meeting position. The meeting position is the position of the sewing needle 30 at the timing when the point 837 of the shuttle 83 captures the loop formed in the upper thread. As shown in FIG. 5 , the tip of the sewing needle 30 positioned at the meeting position enters the notch 901 of the shuttle thread guide 90 from above. The point 837 of the shuttle 83 and the needle guard 853 of the driver 84 are positioned to the right of the sewing needle 30 positioned at the meeting position. The detector 43 of the strain detector 40 enters the notch 901 of the shuttle thread guide 90 from the left. The contact surface 433 of the detector 43 contacts the sewing needle 30 from the left. When the lower end 300 of the sewing needle 30 comes into contact with the detector 43, the detector 43 rotates clockwise as viewed from the front about the rotation axes 431, 432. The strain detector 40 detects the rotation position of the detector 43 by the detector 42 and outputs the detected position to the cable via the connector 427.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 111 displays an operation instruction image 91 shown in FIG. 10(A) on the display unit 29 (S1). As shown in FIG. 10(A), the operation instruction image 91 includes fields 92 to 94, a CANCEL button 95, and an OK button 96. In field 92, a sentence explaining an outline of the operation is displayed. In field 93, an illustration indicating the part for detecting the zero point is displayed. In field 94, an illustration indicating the operating direction of the operation dial 3 is displayed. The CANCEL button 95 is selected when inputting an instruction to cancel the zero point detection process. The OK button 96 is selected when inputting an instruction to display the next image. After checking fields 92 to 94, the operator selects the OK button 96.

[0072] The CPU 111 determines whether or not selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S2). If selection of the OK button 96 is not detected (S2: NO), the CPU 111 waits in S2 until selection of the OK button 96 is detected. If selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S2: YES), the CPU 111 stores the detection result of the detector 79 as the dial initial value Di in the storage device 114 (S3). The CPU 111 acquires the rotational position of the detector 43 indicated by the detection result of the distortion detector 40 as the distortion initial value Ei, and stores this in the storage device 114 (S4).

[0073] The CPU 111 displays an initial cell image 97 shown in FIG. 10B on the display unit 29 (S5). As shown in FIG. 10B, the initial cell image 97 includes a field 92, multiple cells 98, a current position mark 99, a CANCEL button 95, and an OK button 96. The multiple cells 98 represent the movable range of the second member relative to the first member, including the initial position and target position of the second member relative to the first member. In this embodiment, the first member is the sewing needle 30, and the second member is the movable body 80 of the shuttle mechanism 12. The multiple cells 98 include cells 980 to 988. The direction D in which the multiple cells 98 are arranged is the left-right direction in FIG. 10 and coincides with the longitudinal direction of the display unit 29. Each of the multiple cells 98 is also referred to as cell [N] using the single-digit value of the reference symbol of the cells 980 to 988. For example, cell 981 is referred to as cell [1], and cell 982 is referred to as cell [2]. The cells 980 to 988 are squares of the same shape. The cells 980 to 988 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction from right to left in ascending order of reference numerals. A current position mark 99 indicates the current relative position of the second member with respect to the first member. In this embodiment, the current position mark 99 is a black circle placed in any one of the cells 98. The current position mark 99 indicates, within the movable range, whether the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member is approaching the target position, depending on the rotation direction detected by the detector 79.

[0074] The target position of the second member relative to the first member is represented by a target position mark. In this embodiment, the target position mark is represented by one of the multiple cells 98. In this example, the target cell representing the target position mark is cell 986. The color of cell 986 is different from the other cells of the multiple cells. The color of the target cell 986 is green. The initial position of the second member relative to the first member is represented by an initial position mark. In this embodiment, the initial position mark is represented by one of the multiple cells. In this example, the initial cell representing the initial position mark is cell 981. The color of cell 981 is different from the other cells of the multiple cells 98. The color of the initial cell 981 is blue. The color of an end cell 988 representing the end of the movable range of the multiple cells 98 is different from the colors of the other cells and is red. The colors of cells 980, 982 to 985, and 987 are all white. The color of each cell may be changed as appropriate, or may be freely changeable according to instructions from the operator.

[0075] The operator refers to the initial grid image 97 and rotates the operation dial 2 counterclockwise in plan view, as shown in the illustration in column 94. When the operator rotates the operation dial 2 counterclockwise in plan view, the body 135 of the position adjustment mechanism 13 also rotates, and the shuttle shaft 11 moves leftward relative to the frame 7. At this time, the driver 84 connected to the shaft body 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 also moves leftward. Because the position adjustment mechanism 14 is not rotating, the shuttle 83 does not move. The needle guard 853 of the driver 84 approaches the sewing needle 30 from the right side relative to the sewing needle 30. When the operator rotates the operation dial 2 clockwise in plan view, the body 135 of the position adjustment mechanism 13 also rotates, and the shuttle shaft 11 moves rightward relative to the frame 7. At this time, the driver 84 connected to the shaft body 85 of the shuttle shaft 11 also moves rightward. The needle guard 853 of the driver 84 moves away from the sewing needle 30.

[0076] The CPU 111 disables the OK button 96 (S6). Disabling the OK button 96 can be achieved by making it impossible to execute processing that would occur if the OK button 96 were selected. For example, this can be achieved by hiding the OK button 96, displaying the OK button 96 but making it unselectable, or displaying the OK button 96 but not accepting selection. The CPU 111 acquires the current dial value Dc of the detector 79 (S7). The CPU 111 acquires the current strain value Ec of the strain detector 40 (S8). The CPU 111 determines whether the current dial value Dc acquired in S7 is different from the initial dial value Di acquired in S3 (S9). If the current dial value Dc is the same as the initial dial value Di (S9: NO), the CPU 111 returns the processing to S7. At this time, the CPU 111 may cause the current position mark 99 to blink.

[0077] If the dial current value Dc is different from the dial initial value Di (S9: YES), the CPU 111 performs placement cell determination processing (S10). In the placement cell determination processing, a process is executed to determine a placement cell in which to place the current position mark 99 from among the multiple cells 98.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 8, in the placement cell determination process, the CPU 111 determines whether the current distortion value Ec is equal to the value obtained by adding Z0 to the initial distortion value Ei (S21). If the current distortion value Ec is not equal to the value obtained by adding Z0 to the initial distortion value Ei (S21: NO), the CPU 111 performs the process of S24, which will be described later. If the current distortion value Ec is equal to the value obtained by adding Z0 to the initial distortion value Ei (S21: YES), the CPU 111 determines whether the dial reference position Db has been stored (S22). If the dial reference position Db has not been stored (S22: NO), the CPU 111 sets the dial current value Dc to the dial reference position Db and stores it (S23). That is, the CPU 111 determines the rotational position of the detector 43 indicated by the current dial value Dc as the zero-point position, and stores the zero-point position in the storage device 114 (S23). If the dial reference position Db has been stored (S22: YES), or after S23, the CPU 111 determines whether the dial current value Dc is greater than the dial initial value Di (S24).

[0079] If the current dial value Dc is less than or equal to the initial dial value Di (S24: NO), the CPU 111 determines whether the current dial value Dc is less than the value obtained by subtracting R1 from the initial dial value Di (S31). If the current dial value Dc is less than the value obtained by subtracting R1 from the initial dial value Di (S31: YES), the CPU 111 sets a square [0] in the placement square (S26). If the current dial value Dc is greater than or equal to the value obtained by subtracting R1 from the initial dial value Di (S31: NO), the CPU 111 sets a square [1] in the placement square (S27). In this case, the CPU 111 may determine that the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 is less than a predetermined amount and cause the display unit 29 to display an image 97 in which the current position mark 99 flashes. Following S27 or S32, the CPU 111 ends the placement square determination process and returns the process to the zero-point detection process.

[0080] If the current dial value Dc is greater than the initial dial value Di (S24: YES), the CPU 111 determines whether the current dial value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L1 to the initial dial value Di (S25). If the current dial value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L1 to the initial dial value Di (S25: YES), the CPU 111 sets square [2] as the placement square (S26).

[0081] If the dial current value Dc is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding L1 to the dial initial value Di (S25: NO), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [1] (S27). In this case, the CPU 111 may determine that the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and may cause the display unit 29 to display an image 97 in which the current position mark 99 flashes. The CPU 111 then ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the zero-point detection process.

[0082] The CPU 111 determines whether the current dial value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L2 to the initial dial value Di (S28). L2 is greater than L1. If the current dial value Dc is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding L2 to the initial dial value Di (S28: NO), the CPU 111 ends the placement square determination process and returns the process to the zero point detection process. If the current dial value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L2 to the initial dial value Di (S28: YES), the CPU 111 sets square [3] as the placement square (S29). In the placement cell determination process of this embodiment, the amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively from an initial cell 981, which is the initial position cell among multiple cells 98, to first adjacent cells 980, 982 adjacent to the initial cell 981, is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively from the first adjacent cell 982 to a second adjacent cell 983 adjacent to the first adjacent cell 982, separate from the initial cell 981. Therefore, L1 is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting L1 from L2. R1 is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting L1 from L2.

[0083] The CPU 111 executes a sensor reference process. The detector 43 of the strain detector 40 does not rotate until the needle guard 853 of the driver 84 comes into contact with the sewing needle 30. Therefore, the CPU 111 of this embodiment determines whether to place the current position mark 99 in one of the squares 980 to 983 based on the amount of distortion detected by the detector 79. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 21 , when the needle guard 853 of the driver 84 comes into contact with the sewing needle 30, the sewing needle 30 receives a leftward force from the needle guard 853 and bends. The detector 43 of the strain detector 40 rotates as the sewing needle 30 bends and displaces. The rotational position detected by the detector 42 of the strain detector 40 changes. Therefore, the CPU 111 of this embodiment determines whether to place the current position mark 99 in one of the squares 984 to 988 based on the amount of distortion detected by the strain detector 40.

[0084] In the sensor reference process, the CPU 111 determines a square in which to place the current position mark 99 based on the detection result of the strain detector 40. The strain detector 40 detects the rotational position of the detector 43 using the detector 42 periodically or in response to an operator's operation of the position adjustment mechanism 13, and outputs the detection result. The CPU 111 acquires the detection result output from the strain detector 40. The CPU 111 calculates the rotation angle of the detector 43 based on the difference between the rotational position indicated by the acquired current strain value Ec and the initial strain value Ei. Furthermore, the CPU 111 calculates the amount of displacement of the sewing needle 30 in the left-right direction based on the calculated rotation angle.

[0085] 9, in the sensor reference process, the CPU 111 determines whether the current distortion value Ec is greater than the initial distortion value Ei (S41). If the current distortion value Ec is equal to or less than the initial distortion value Ei (S41: NO), the CPU 111 ends the sensor reference process and returns the process to the placement cell determination process. If the current distortion value Ec is greater than the initial distortion value Ei (S41: YES), the CPU 111 sets cell [4] as the placement cell (S42). The CPU 111 determines whether the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z1 to the initial distortion value Ei (S43). If the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z1 to the initial distortion value Ei (S43: YES), the CPU 111 sets cell [5] as the placement cell (S44). If the current distortion value Ec is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding Z1 to the initial distortion value Ei (S43: NO), the CPU 111 ends the sensor reference process and returns the process to the placement cell determination process.

[0086] The CPU 111 determines whether the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z2 to the initial distortion value Ei (S45). If the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z2 to the initial distortion value Ei (S45: YES), the CPU 111 sets the cell [6] as the placement cell (S46). If the current distortion value Ec is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding Z2 to the initial distortion value Ei (S45: NO), the CPU 111 ends the sensor reference process and returns the process to the placement cell determination process.

[0087] The CPU 111 determines whether the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z3 to the initial distortion value Ei (S47). If the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z3 to the initial distortion value Ei (S47: YES), the CPU 111 sets the cell [7] as the placement cell (S48). If the current distortion value Ec is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding Z3 to the initial distortion value Ei (S47: NO), the CPU 111 ends the sensor reference process and returns the process to the placement cell determination process.

[0088] The CPU 111 determines whether the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z4 to the initial distortion value Ei (S49). If the current distortion value Ec is greater than the value obtained by adding Z4 to the initial distortion value Ei (S49: YES), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [8] (S50). If the current distortion value Ec is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding Z4 to the initial distortion value Ei (S49: NO), or after S50, the CPU 111 ends the sensor reference process and returns the process to the placement cell determination process. In the placement cell determination process of FIG. 8, after S30, the CPU 111 ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the zero point detection process.

[0089] In the zero point detection process of FIG. 7, after S10, the CPU 111 determines whether the placement square determined in S10 is square [8] (S11). If the placement square is square [8] (S11: YES), the CPU 111 displays a warning image (S16). The warning image indicates that the current position mark is at an end square and urges the operator not to rotate clockwise any further. The warning image includes, for example, an error message such as "Do not rotate clockwise any further." In the warning image, the display position of the current position mark 99 relative to the multiple squares 98 is changed so that the current position mark 99 is positioned at the end square 988. The CPU 111 returns the process to S7.

[0090] If the placement square is not square [8] (S11: NO), the CPU 111 changes the display position of the current position mark 99 relative to the movable range represented by the multiple squares 98 according to the rotation direction and amount detected by the detector 79, and updates the image displayed on the display unit 29 (S12).

[0091] If the placement cell is cell [0], the current position mark 99 is placed in cell 980, which is adjacent to the right of the initial cell 981, as shown in Figure 10(H). If the placement cell is cell [2], the current position mark 99 is placed in the first adjacent cell 982, which is adjacent to the left of the initial cell 981, as shown in Figure 10(C). If the placement cell is cell [3], the current position mark 99 is placed in the second adjacent cell 983, which is adjacent to the left of the first adjacent cell 982, separate from the initial cell 981, as shown in Figure 10(D).

[0092] When the placement square is square [4], the current position mark 99 is placed at square 984, as shown in FIG. 10(E). When the placement square is square [5], the current position mark 99 is placed at square 985, as shown in FIG. 10(F). When the placement square is square [6], the current position mark 99 is placed at square 986, as shown in FIG. 10(G). Based on the amount of distortion detected by the distortion detector 40, an image is displayed on the display unit 29, where the image is relatively moved from a target adjacent square 985 adjacent to the target square 986 indicating the target position mark to the target square 986. Although not shown, when the placement square is square [7], the current position mark 99 is placed at square 987.

[0093] The CPU 111 determines whether the placement square is set to square [6] or square [7] (S13). If the placement square is not set to square [6] or square [7] (S13: NO), the CPU 111 returns the process to S7. If the placement square is set to square [6] or square [7] (S13: YES), the CPU 111 enables the OK button 96 (S14). The OK button 96 can be enabled by making it possible to execute a process that would be executed if the OK button 96 were selected, and this is executed, for example, by displaying the OK button 96 and accepting selection of the OK button 96.

[0094] The CPU 111 determines whether or not selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S15). If selection of the OK button 96 is not detected (S15: NO), the CPU 111 returns the process to S7. If selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S15: YES), the CPU 111 ends the zero point detection process.

[0095] In the zero point detection process of the above embodiment, the method of expressing the movable range may be modified as appropriate. For example, when expressed as multiple cells, the width of the first adjacent cell may be shorter than the width of the second adjacent cell, and the width of the first target adjacent cell may be shorter than the width of the second target adjacent cell. Here, the width of a cell is defined as the length in the direction in which the multiple cells are arranged. The multiple cells 88 of the modified example shown in Figures 11(A) to 11(F) include cells 880 to 888 corresponding to cells 980 to 988 of the multiple cells 98. The direction D in which the multiple cells 88 are arranged is the left-right direction in Figure 11. The cells 880 to 888 correspond to the cells 980 to 988, respectively. Cell 881 is the initial cell. Cell 886 is the target cell. Cell 888 is an end cell. Cells 880 and 882 are first adjacent cell. Cell 883 is the second adjacent cell. The length in direction D of first adjacent cells 880 and 882 is shorter than the length in direction D of second adjacent cell 883. Cells 885 and 887 are first target adjacent cells. Cells 884 and 888 are second target adjacent cells. The length in direction D of first target adjacent cells 885 and 887 is shorter than the length in direction D of second target adjacent cells 884 and 888.

[0096] The needle receiver gap detection process will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. The needle receiver gap detection process is carried out to adjust the positional relationship between the needle receiver 853 of the movable body 80 and the sewing needle 30 in the left-right direction.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 111 displays an operation instruction image 101 shown in FIG. 14(A) on the display unit 29 (S61). As shown in FIG. 14(A), the operation instruction image 101 includes fields 102 to 104, a plurality of cells 89, a current position mark 99, a CANCEL button 95, and an OK button 96. The plurality of cells 89 includes cells 890 to 896. Each of the plurality of cells 89 is also referred to as cell [N] using the single-digit value of the reference code of cells 980 to 988. The target cell 893 is a cell located at the center of the plurality of cells 89 in direction D, where cells 980 to 988 are aligned. The color of the target cell 893 is different from that of the other cells. The colors of the end cells 890 and 896 are different from that of the other cells. The color of the target cell 893 is green. The color of the end cells 890 and 896 is red. The color of the squares 891, 892, 894, and 895 is white. The initial position of the current position mark 99 is set to one of the multiple squares 89 based on the current value of the detector 79. In FIG. 14(A), the current position mark 99 is placed in the square 892 to the right of the target square 893. The color of the square 892 is the same as the color of the squares 891, 894, and 895. A text explaining an overview of the operation is displayed in the field 92.

[0098] Column 102 displays an illustration indicating the part where the needle receiver needle gap is to be detected. Column 103 displays an illustration indicating the operating direction of the operating dial 2. Column 104 displays text explaining an overview of the operation and precautions. The CANCEL button 95 is selected when inputting an instruction to stop the zero point detection process. The OK button 96 is selected when inputting an instruction to display the next image. The operator checks columns 102 to 104 and the current position marks 99 in multiple squares 89, and then selects the OK button 96.

[0099] The worker rotates the operation dial 2 in the directions shown in the columns 103 and 104 to move the driver 84 left and right. The worker moves the driver 84 left and right until the current position mark 99 displayed on the display unit 29 reaches the target square 893. When the current position mark 99 displayed on the display unit 29 reaches the target square 893, the worker stops the movement of the driver 84.

[0100] The CPU 111 determines whether or not selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S62). If selection of the OK button 96 is not detected (S62: NO), the CPU 111 waits in S2 until selection of the OK button 96 is detected. If selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S62: YES), the CPU 111 acquires the detection result of the detector 79 as the dial current value Dc (S63). The CPU 111 disables the OK button 96 (S64). The CPU 111 executes placement square determination processing (S64). In the placement square determination processing, processing is executed to determine a placement square in which to place the current position mark 99 from among a plurality of squares 89.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 13, in the placement cell determination process, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the dial current value Dc is greater than the dial reference position Db (S81).

[0102] If the dial current value Dc is greater than the dial reference position Db (S81: YES), the CPU 111 determines whether the dial current value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L1 to the dial reference position Db (S82). If the dial current value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L1 to the dial reference position Db (S82: YES), the CPU 111 sets the cell [4] as the placement cell (S83).

[0103] If the dial current value Dc is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding L1 to the dial reference position Db (S82: NO), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [3] (S88). The CPU 111 then ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the needle receiver needle gap detection process of FIG.

[0104] After S83, the CPU 111 determines whether the dial current value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L2 to the dial reference position Db (S84). If the dial current value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L2 to the dial reference position Db (S84: YES), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [5] (S85). In the placement cell determination process of this embodiment, the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the target cell 893, which is the cell where the target position mark is located, and a first target adjacent cell 894 adjacent to the target cell 893, is set to be smaller than the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the first target adjacent cell 894 and a second target adjacent cell 895, which is adjacent to the first target adjacent cell 894 separately from the target cell 893. Therefore, L1 is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting L1 from L2. If the dial current value Dc is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding L2 to the dial reference position Db (S84: NO), the CPU 111 ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the needle receiver needle gap detection process of FIG.

[0105] After S85, the CPU 111 determines whether the dial current value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L3 to the dial reference position Db (S86). If the dial current value Dc is greater than the value obtained by adding L3 to the dial reference position Db (S86: YES), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [6] (S87). If the dial current value Dc is equal to or less than the value obtained by adding L3 to the dial reference position Db (S86: NO), the CPU 111 ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the needle receiver needle gap detection process of FIG.

[0106] If the dial current value Dc is equal to or less than the dial reference position Db (S81: NO), the CPU 111 determines whether the dial current value Dc is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting R1 from the dial reference position Db (S89). If the dial current value Dc is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting R1 from the dial reference position Db (S89: YES), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [2] (S90). If the dial current value Dc is equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting R1 from the dial reference position Db (S89: NO), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [3] (S88). The CPU 111 then ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the needle receiver needle gap detection process of FIG.

[0107] After S90, the CPU 111 determines whether the dial current value Dc is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting R2 from the dial reference position Db (S91). If the dial current value Dc is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting R2 from the dial reference position Db (S91: YES), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [1] (S92). In the placement cell determination process of this embodiment, the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the target cell 893, which is the cell where the target position mark is located, and a first target adjacent cell 892 adjacent to the target cell 893, is set to be smaller than the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the first target adjacent cell 892 and a second target adjacent cell 891, which is adjacent to the first target adjacent cell 892 separately from the target cell 893. Therefore, R1 is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting R1 from R2. If the dial current value Dc is equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting R2 from the dial reference position Db (S91: NO), the CPU 111 ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the needle receiver needle gap detection process of FIG.

[0108] After S92, the CPU 111 determines whether the dial current value Dc is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting R3 from the dial reference position Db (S93). If the dial current value Dc is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting R3 from the dial reference position Db (S93: YES), the CPU 111 sets the placement cell to cell [0] (S94). If the dial current value Dc is equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting R2 from the dial reference position Db (S93: NO), the CPU 111 ends the placement cell determination process and returns the process to the needle receiver needle gap detection process of FIG.

[0109] After S65, the CPU 111 determines whether the placement square determined in S65 is square [0] or square [6] (S66). If the placement square is square [0] or square [6] (S66: YES), the CPU 111 displays a warning image (S71). The warning image shows that the current position mark is at an end square, and urges the operator to rotate the operation dial 2 toward the target square. If the placement square is square [0], the warning image shows that the current position mark 99 is displayed at an end square 890 relative to the multiple squares 89, as shown in FIG. 14(G). If the placement square is square [6], the warning image shows that the current position mark 99 is displayed at an end square 896 relative to the multiple squares 89, as shown in FIG. 14(E). The CPU 111 returns the process to S63.

[0110] If the placement square is not square [0] or square [6] (S66: NO), the CPU 111 changes the display position of the current position mark 99 relative to the movable range represented by the multiple squares 98 according to the rotation direction and amount detected by the detector 79, and updates the image displayed on the display unit 29 (S67).

[0111] When the placement square is square [3], the current position mark 99 is placed on the target square 893 as shown in FIG. 14(B). When the placement square is square [4], the current position mark 99 is placed on the first target adjacent square 894 as shown in FIG. 14(C). When the placement square is square [5], the current position mark 99 is placed on the second target adjacent square 895 as shown in FIG. 14(D). When the placement square is square [1], the current position mark 99 is placed on square 891 as shown in FIG. 14(F). When the operation dial 2 is not rotated in the direction indicated in columns 103 and 104, the CPU 111 displays the current position mark 99 in a different display mode from when the operation dial 2 is rotated in the direction indicated in columns 103 and 104. Specifically, when the operation dial 2 is not rotated in the direction indicated in columns 103 and 104, the CPU 111 causes the current position mark 99 to flash.

[0112] The CPU 111 determines whether the placement square is set to square [3] (S68). If the placement square is not set to square [3] (S68: NO), the CPU 111 returns the process to S63. If the placement square is set to square [3] (S68: YES), the CPU 111 enables the OK button 96 (S69). The CPU 111 determines whether selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S70). If selection of the OK button 96 is not detected (S70: NO), the CPU 111 returns the process to S7. If selection of the OK button 96 is detected (S70: YES), the CPU 111 ends the needle receiver needle gap detection process.

[0113] In the needle receiver needle gap detection process of the above embodiment, the method of expressing the movable range may be modified as appropriate. For example, when expressed using multiple cells, the width of the first target adjacent cell may be shorter than the width of the second target adjacent cell. The multiple cells 57 of the modified example shown in FIG. 15(A) include cells 570-576 corresponding to cells 890-896 of the multiple cells 89. The direction D in which the multiple cells 57 are arranged is the left-right direction in FIG. 15(A). Cell 573 is the target cell. Cells 570 and 576 are end cell. Cells 572 and 574 are first target adjacent cells. Cells 571 and 575 are second target adjacent cells. The length of the first target adjacent cells 572 and 574 in direction D is shorter than the length of the second target adjacent cells 571 and 575 in direction D.

[0114] In the above embodiment, sewing machine 1 is an example of a sewing machine of the present invention. Operating dial 2 is an example of an operating dial of the present invention. Shuttle mechanism 12 is an example of a shuttle mechanism of the present invention. Display unit 29 is an example of a display unit of the present invention. Sewing needle 30 is an example of a sewing needle of the present invention. Needle bar 31 is an example of a needle bar of the present invention. Strain detector 40 is an example of a strain detector of the present invention. Detector 79 is an example of a detector of the present invention. Movable body 80 is an example of a movable body of the present invention. Multiple squares 98, multiple squares 88, and multiple squares 89 are examples of multiple squares of the present invention. Current position mark 99 is an example of a current position mark of the present invention. CPU 111 is an example of a display control unit of the present invention. First adjacent squares 880, 882, 980, and 982 are examples of first adjacent squares of the present invention. Second adjacent squares 883 and 983 are examples of second adjacent squares of the present invention. The second target adjacent masses 571, 575, 884, 891, 895, and 984 are examples of second target adjacent masses of the present invention. The first target adjacent masses 572, 574, 885, 892, 894, and 985 are examples of first target adjacent masses and target adjacent masses of the present invention. The target masses 573, 886, 893, and 986 are examples of target masses of the present invention. The initial masses 881 and 981 are examples of initial masses and initial position marks of the present invention. The end masses 888, 890, 896, and 988 are examples of end masses of the present invention. The first rotation direction R1 is an example of a first rotation direction of the present invention. The second rotation direction R2 is an example of a second rotation direction of the present invention.

[0115] The effects of the above embodiment and modified examples will be described mainly using as an example a case where the sewing machine 1 executes a zero point detection process. A description of a case where the sewing machine 1 executes a needle guard needle gap detection process will be omitted. The sewing machine 1 is capable of adjusting the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member in the zero point detection process. The sewing machine 1 has an operation dial 2, a detector 79, and a CPU 111. The operation dial 2 can be rotated in a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1. The operation dial 2 can adjust the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member depending on the rotation amount and rotation direction of the operation dial 2. The detector 79 can detect at least the rotation direction of the operation dial 2. The CPU 111 functions as a display control unit that displays on the display unit 29 an image representing the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member, the image including a target position mark indicating the target position of the second member with respect to the first member, a movable range of the second member with respect to the first member including the initial position and target position of the second member with respect to the first member, and a current position mark 99 indicating on the movable range whether the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member has approached the target position according to the rotation direction detected by the detector 79. By displaying the image 97 on the display unit 29, the sewing machine 1 contributes to the easy confirmation by the operator performing the adjustment of the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member whether the operator has operated the operation dial 2 in the appropriate direction to adjust the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member to the intended position.

[0116] In the zero point detection process of the sewing machine 1 of the above embodiment, the movable range is represented by a plurality of squares 98. The target position mark is indicated by one of the plurality of squares 98. The sewing machine 1 contributes to making it easier for the operator to grasp the initial position and the target position within the movable range by the image 97 displayed on the display unit 29. Similarly, in the needle receiver needle gap detection process of the sewing machine 1, the movable range is represented by a plurality of squares 89.

[0117] In the zero point detection process of the sewing machine 1 of the above embodiment, the detector 79 can detect the direction and amount of rotation of the operation dial 2. The CPU 111, functioning as a display control unit, changes the display position of the current position mark 99 relative to the movable range in accordance with the direction and amount of rotation detected by the detector 79. The amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively from an initial cell 981, which is the initial position cell among the multiple cells 98, to a first adjacent cell 982 or a first adjacent cell 980 adjacent to the initial cell 981 is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively from the first adjacent cell 982 to a second adjacent cell 983, which is separate from the initial cell 981 and adjacent to the first adjacent cell 982. The sewing machine 1 contributes to making it easier for the operator to confirm whether the operation dial 2 is being operated in the appropriate direction when the operator begins to operate the operation dial 2.

[0118] 11(A) to 11(F) that display an image including a plurality of cells 88, the width of the first adjacent cell 882 is shorter than the width of the second adjacent cell 883. The sewing machine 1 contributes to both making it easier for the operator to check whether the operation is being performed in the appropriate direction when the operator begins to operate the operation dial 2, and understanding, based on the image 97, changes in the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member in response to the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2. Regarding the image displayed in the needle receiver needle gap detection process of the sewing machine 1, the width of the first adjacent cell may also be shorter than the width of the second adjacent cell.

[0119] In the needle guard needle gap detection process of the sewing machine 1 of the above embodiment, the detector 79 can detect the direction and amount of rotation of the operation dial 2. The CPU 111, functioning as a display control unit, changes the display position of the current position mark 99 relative to the movable range in accordance with the direction and amount of rotation detected by the detector 79. The amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between a target cell 893, which is the cell where the target position mark is located, and a first target adjacent cell 894 adjacent to the target cell 893, is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the first target adjacent cell 894 and a second target adjacent cell 895, which is adjacent to the first target adjacent cell 894 but is separate from the target cell 893. The amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the target cell 893 and a first target adjacent cell 894 adjacent to the target cell 893 is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between a second target adjacent cell 891 adjacent to the first target adjacent cell 892, separate from the target cell 893. When the current position mark 99 is near the target cell 893, the sewing machine 1 makes the amount of movement of the current position mark 99 according to the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 more sensitive than when the current position mark 99 is located farther from the target cell 893, thereby making it easier for the operator to align the current position mark 99 displayed on the display unit 29 with the target cell 893.

[0120] 15(A) that displays an image including a plurality of cells 57, the width of first target adjacent cells 572, 574 is shorter than the width of second target adjacent cells 571, 575. The sewing machine 1 contributes to both confirming whether the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member has been adjusted to the target position and grasping, based on the image, the change in the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member in response to the amount of rotation of the operating dial 2.

[0121] In the image 97 displayed during the zero point detection process of the sewing machine 1 of the above embodiment, the color of the target square 986 indicating the target position mark is a different color from the other squares of the plurality of squares 98. The sewing machine 1 contributes to making the target square 986 in the image 97 easier to see than if the target square 986 were the same color as the other squares.

[0122] In the image 97 displayed in the zero point detection process of the sewing machine 1 of the above embodiment, the color of an end cell 988, which represents the end of the movable range among the multiple cells 98, is a color different from the colors of the other cells. Compared to when the end cell 988 is the same color as the other cells, the sewing machine 1 makes it easier for the operator to understand that the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member is at the end of the movable range, and contributes to preventing further operation of the operating dial 2 in the same direction.

[0123] When the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the CPU 111 functioning as a display control unit displays an image 97 in which the current position mark 99 flashes on the display unit 29. When the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 is relatively small and the current position mark 99 in the image 97 does not move, the sewing machine 1 contributes to notifying the operator whether the current position mark 99 does not move because the detector 79 is not operating correctly, or whether the detector 79 is operating correctly but the detected amount of rotation is smaller than the amount necessary to move the current position mark 99.

[0124] The sewing machine 1 includes a strain detector 40 that detects the amount of strain in the first member. The CPU 111, functioning as a display control unit, displays on the display unit 29 an image 97 that has been moved relatively to a target cell 986 indicating a target position mark from a target adjacent cell 985 adjacent to the target cell 986, based on the amount of strain detected by the strain detector 40 during the zero point detection process. When the sewing machine 1 is to adjust the position where the second member is in contact with the first member and pressed a certain amount, the sewing machine 1 contributes to displaying whether the second member has been in contact with the first member and pressed a certain amount by determining whether the strain detector 40 moves the current position mark 99 from the target adjacent cell 985 to the target cell 986 based on the amount of strain detected.

[0125] The sewing machine 1 includes a needle bar 31 to which a sewing needle 30 can be attached at its lower end, and a shuttle mechanism 12 having a movable body 80. The first member is the sewing needle 30, and the second member is the movable body 80. The operation dial 2 moves the movable body 80 relative to the sewing needle 30 in accordance with the amount and direction of rotation of the operation dial 2. Generally, in order to properly perform a sewing operation in the sewing machine 1, it is necessary to adjust the positional relationship between the sewing needle 30 attached to the needle bar 31 and the movable body 80. The CPU 111 of the sewing machine 1 contributes to displaying whether the operator is rotating the operation dial 2 in the appropriate direction when moving the movable body 80 of the shuttle mechanism 12 relative to the sewing needle 30.

[0126] The CPU 111, functioning as a display control unit, displays an image 97 including an initial position mark that indicates the initial position in the zero point detection process on the display unit 29. The initial position mark is, for example, an initial cell 981. The color of the initial cell 981 is a color different from the other cells of the plurality of cells 98. When the current position mark has moved from the initial cell 981, the sewing machine 1 contributes to making it possible to check whether the operation dial 2 has been operated in the appropriate direction by the simple task of checking the position of the current position mark relative to the initial cell 981.

[0127] The sewing machine of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and may be modified in various ways. In the above description, the first member is the sewing needle 30, the second member is the movable body 80, and the relative position of the movable body 80 with respect to the sewing needle 30 is adjusted using the operation dial 2. However, the first member, the second member, and the operation dial may be modified as appropriate. For example, the first member may be the sewing needle 30, the second member may be the hook 83, and the operation dial may be the operation dial 3. The movable range does not have to be represented by multiple squares; for example, it may be represented by a line segment, scale, or the like. The shape and arrangement of the multiple squares may be modified as appropriate. For example, multiple squares 89 may be arranged vertically as shown in FIG. 15(B). When the first member is the sewing needle 30, the second member is the needle plate 74, and the operation dial is the rotary knob 51, the movable range may be represented by multiple squares 59 arranged in a circle as shown in FIG. 15(C). The multiple squares 59 include squares 590 to 609. The squares 590 to 594 and 601 to 605 are each frustum-shaped. The current position mark 99 is not limited to a black circle, and may be any shape such as a star like the current position mark 58. The current position mark may be displayed as any one of a plurality of squares.

[0128] The target position mark and the initial position mark do not have to be indicated by any of the multiple squares. The colors of the target square, the initial square, and the end squares may each be changed as appropriate. The multiple squares including the target square, the initial square, and the end squares may be the same color, or some or all of them may be different colors. The initial position mark may be omitted from the multiple squares 98. In this case, whether the operation dial 2 has been operated in the appropriate direction so that the current position mark approaches the target position mark may be indicated by the display mode of the current position mark, as in the processing of S67. In the processing of S67, the CPU 111 does not have to change the display mode of the current position mark depending on the operation direction of the operation dial 2. The correspondence between the rotation amount of the operation dial 2 and the movement amount of the current position mark 99 may be changed as appropriate. The amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively from the initial cell 981 to the first adjacent cell 982 or the first adjacent cell 980 may be equal to or greater than the amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively from the first adjacent cell 982 to the second adjacent cell 983.

[0129] The amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the target square 893 and the first target adjacent square 894 may be equal to or greater than the amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the first target adjacent square 894 and the second target adjacent square 895. The amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the target square 893 and the first target adjacent square 894 may be equal to or greater than the amount of rotation of the operating dial 2 detected by the detector 79 when the current position mark 99 is moved relatively between the first target adjacent square 892 and the second target adjacent square 891.

[0130] The sewing machine 1 may omit the distortion detector 40. The sewing machine 1 may relatively move from the target adjacent mass 985 adjacent to the target mass 986 indicating the target position mark to the target mass 986 based only on the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79, rather than on the amount of distortion detected by the distortion detector 40 in the zero point detection process.

[0131] The program including the commands for executing the zero point detection process of Fig. 7 and the needle receiver needle gap detection process of Fig. 12 may be stored in a storage device before the CPU 111 executes the corresponding program. Therefore, the program acquisition method, acquisition path, and device for storing the program may each be changed as appropriate. The program may be received from another device via a cable or wireless communication and stored in a storage device such as a memory unit. The other device may include, for example, a PC and a server connected via a network.

[0132] The steps of the zero point detection process in FIG. 7 and the needle receiver gap detection process in FIG. 12 are not limited to being executed by the CPU 111, and may be executed in part or in whole by other electronic devices (e.g., ASIC). The steps of the zero point detection process in FIG. 7 and the needle receiver gap detection process in FIG. 12 may be distributed and processed by multiple electronic devices (e.g., multiple CPUs). The order of the steps of the zero point detection process in FIG. 7 and the needle receiver gap detection process in FIG. 12 can be changed, steps can be omitted, or steps can be added, as necessary. The following modifications may be made to the zero point detection process in FIG. 7 and the needle receiver gap detection process in FIG. 12, as appropriate.

[0133] The current position mark 99 may not be flashed when the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, or the current position mark 99 may not be flashed regardless of whether the amount of rotation of the operation dial 2 detected by the detector 79 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The CPU 111 may be capable of executing only one of the zero point detection process in Fig. 7 and the needle receiver needle gap detection process in Fig. 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 1: sewing machine, 2: operation dial, 12: shuttle mechanism, 29: display unit, 30: sewing needle, 31: needle bar, 40: distortion detector, 79: detector, 80: movable body, 59, 88, 89, 98: multiple cells, 58, 99: current position mark, 111: CPU, 880, 882, 980, 982: first adjacent cell, 883, 983: second adjacent cell, 571, 575, 884, 891, 895, 984: second target adjacent cell, 572, 574, 885, 892, 894, 985: first target adjacent cell, target adjacent cell, 573, 886, 893, 986: target cell, 881, 981: initial cell, 888, 890, 896, 988: end cell, R1: first rotation direction, R2: second rotation direction

Claims

1. In a sewing machine in which the relative position of a second member with respect to a first member can be adjusted, an operation dial that can be rotated in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and that can adjust the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member according to the rotation amount and rotation direction of the operation dial; a detector capable of detecting at least the rotation direction of the operation dial; an image representing the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member, a target position mark indicating a target position of the second member relative to the first member; a movable range of the second member relative to the first member, the range including an initial position of the second member relative to the first member and the target position; a current position mark that indicates, on the movable range, whether the relative position of the second member with respect to the first member has approached the target position, depending on the rotation direction detected by the detector; a display control unit that displays the image including the image on a display unit; A sewing machine comprising:

2. The movable range is represented by a plurality of squares, 2. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the target position mark is indicated by any one of the plurality of squares.

3. the detector is capable of detecting the direction and amount of rotation of the operation dial, The display control unit changing a display position of the current position mark relative to the movable range in accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation amount detected by the detector; The sewing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively from an initial cell, which is the cell at the initial position among the plurality of cells, to a first adjacent cell adjacent to the initial cell, is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively from the first adjacent cell to a second adjacent cell adjacent to the first adjacent cell, separate from the initial cell.

4. 4. The sewing machine according to claim 3, wherein the width of the first adjacent cell is shorter than the width of the second adjacent cell.

5. the detector is capable of detecting the direction and amount of rotation of the operation dial, The display control unit changing a display position of the current position mark relative to the movable range in accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation amount detected by the detector; The sewing machine of claim 2, characterized in that the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively between the target mass, which is the mass on which the target position mark is located, and a first target adjacent mass adjacent to the target mass, is smaller than the amount of rotation of the operating dial detected by the detector when the current position mark is moved relatively between the first target adjacent mass and a second target adjacent mass adjacent to the first target adjacent mass separately from the target mass.

6. 6. The sewing machine according to claim 5, wherein the width of the first target adjacent cell is shorter than the width of the second target adjacent cell.

7. 5. The sewing machine according to claim 2, wherein in the image, the color of the target cell indicating the target position mark is different from the color of the other cells of the plurality of cells.

8. 7. The sewing machine according to claim 2, wherein in the image, the color of the end cells that represent the ends of the movable range among the plurality of cells is different from the color of the other cells.

9. The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the display control unit displays the image with the current position mark blinking on the display unit when the amount of rotation of the operation dial detected by the detector is less than a predetermined amount.

10. Further, a strain detector is provided to detect a strain amount of the first member, The display control unit A sewing machine as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the image is displayed on the display unit by moving the image relatively to the target square from a target adjacent square adjacent to the target square indicating the target position mark based on the amount of distortion detected by the distortion detector.

11. A needle bar at the bottom end of which a sewing needle can be attached; A hook mechanism having a movable body; Further provided with the first member is the sewing needle, and the second member is the movable body, 7. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation dial moves the movable body relative to the sewing needle in accordance with the amount and direction of rotation of the operation dial.

12. The display control unit 2. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the image including an initial position mark indicating the initial position is displayed on the display unit.

Images