Aspects of the disclosure relate to a sewing machine.
A known sewing machine includes a projector as a projection unit, and an image sensor as a photographing unit. The projector projects a projection image onto a workpiece placed in the vicinity of a needle drop point. The image sensor captures a photographing range in the vicinity of the needle drop point.
The projection unit is to be disposed at an appropriate position to properly project a projection image, downsize the projection unit, and realize operability of the sewing machine. The photographing unit is to be disposed at an appropriate position to properly capture a photographing target, securely provide a photographing area, and realize operability of the sewing machine.
Aspects of the disclosure provide a sewing machine enabling a projection unit to properly project a projection image and a photographing unit to properly capture a photographing target, while maintaining user operability.
According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, a sewing machine includes a bed, an arm, a feed mechanism, a projection unit, and a photographing unit. The arm extends in a first direction and includes, on one side thereof in the first direction, a head. The needle bar is disposed at the head and configured to receive a needle and reciprocally move in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a workpiece, from one side toward the other side of the head, in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The projection unit is disposed at the head and configured to project a projection image toward the bed. The projection unit includes an emitter from which image light of the projection image is emitted. The photographing unit is disposed at the head and configured to capture a photographing target. The photographing unit includes an incident portion on which light reflected by the photographing target is incident. The emitter of the projection unit and the incident portion of the photographing unit are disposed further toward the one side of the arm in the first direction than the needle bar, and further toward the one side of the head in the third direction than the needle bar.
Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by limitation in the accompanying figures in which like reference characters indicate similar elements.
An illustrative embodiment of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. An up-down direction, a lower left direction, an upper right direction, an upper left direction, and a lower right direction of the page of
Overall Structure of Sewing Machine 1
As shown in
The bed 11 includes a feed mechanism 17 and a shuttle mechanism (not shown). The feed mechanism 17 includes a feed dog 17A. The feed mechanism drives the feed dog 17A to feed a workpiece by a predetermined feed amount in the front-rear direction which corresponds to a third direction. A user faces the sewing machine 1 from a front side of a workpiece in its feed direction. The shuttle mechanism includes a shuttle. The shuttle mechanism drives the shuttle to entangle an upper thread with a lower thread. The feed dog 17A and the shuttle are disposed below a needle plate 11A on an upper surface of the bed 11.
The upright arm 12 includes, at its front, a liquid crystal display 12A and a touchscreen 12B disposed in portrait orientation. The liquid crystal display 12A displays thereon messages and the like necessary for sewing operation. The touchscreen 12B is disposed on a front surface of the liquid crystal display 12A. Upon selection of an item displayed on the liquid crystal display 12A by a user with a finger or an exclusive stylus, the touchscreen 12B detects a selected position. The user is allowed to enter various instructions, via the touchscreen 12B, in the sewing machine 1.
The horizontal arm 13 includes, on its front surface, buttons 13D. The buttons 13D include a start/stop button for instructing start/stop of sewing operation. Pressing the buttons 13D drives synchronously elements including the shuttle mechanism, the feed mechanism 17, a needle bar mechanism 14B, a presser foot mechanism 14C, and a take-up mechanism 14D, which will be described later. Consequently, a stich is formed in a workpiece.
An openable cover is disposed at an upper portion of the horizontal arm 13. The cover is omitted from
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The threading mechanism 14E includes a knob 143. The knob 143 has a rod shape. The knob 143 is supported so as to be movable in the up-down direction and rotatable about an axis extending in the up-down direction. Rotating the knob 143 moved down allows an upper thread to be passed through an eye of the needle 15A.
A frame 140, which may be made of metal, supports the needle bar mechanism 14B, the presser foot mechanism 14C, the take-up mechanism 14D, and the threading mechanism 14E. The frame 140 is connected to a front surface of the support 131. The support 131 supports, via the frame 140, the needle bar mechanism 14B, the presser foot mechanism 14C, the take-up mechanism 14D, and the threading mechanism 14E.
Projector Module 2
As shown in
The projector 2A projects a projection image toward the bed 11 (refer to
The generator 21 is plate-shaped and orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The generator 21 includes a reflective display device, a lamp, a mirror, and a prism. The generator 21 generates image light of a projection image by projecting light from the lamp onto an image displayed on the reflective display device. The generator 21 emits the generated image light toward the light guide 22. The generator 21 is not limited to the reflective display device and may be a display device operating by another method. For example, the generator 21 may be a transmissive display device, a laser light source, or a self-luminous device.
The light guide 22 is cylindrical and extends in the up-down direction. The light guide 22 guides the image light generated by the generator 21 to the first lens 23 at its lower end. The image light guided by the light guide 22 is emitted toward the bed 11 via the first lens 23. As shown in
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As shown in
Holder 5
As shown in
The main body 51 has a bent plate shape. The main body 51 may be made of metal. The main body 51 includes plate portions 51B and 51L. The plate portion 51B is substantially square and orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The plate portion 51B faces, from the rear, a portion of the generator 21 and the control board 2B (refer to
The holder 5 rotatably supports the projector module 2 mounted thereon about a first axis X1 extending in the left-right direction along the protrusion 510. The emitting direction in which image light is emitted from the first lens 23 of the projector 2A rotates about the first axis X1. As shown in
As shown in
Camera 3
As shown in
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As shown in
Holder 6
As shown in
The relay board 61 receives a signal output from the detector 33 of the camera 3, converts the signal to a signal detectable by a controller (not shown) of the sewing machine 1, and outputs the converted signal. The relay board 61 is orthogonal to the up-down direction. The detector 33 of the camera 3 is held below the relay board 61. The position of the holder 6 in the left-right direction relative to the needle bar frame 140B is adjustable by the plate portion 62. The plate portion 62 has a substantially rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The plate portion 62 extends downward from a rear end of the relay board 61. The position of the holder 6 in the front-rear direction relative to the needle bar frame 140B is adjustable by the plate portion 63. The plate portion 63 has a substantially rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction and is orthogonal to the left-right direction. The plate portion 63 extends downward from a left end of the relay board 61.
As shown in
The holder 6 is rotatably supported by the needle bar frame 140B in a range in which the two screws 60 relatively move along the respective slots 62A. As shown in
Usage Examples of Projector Module 2 and Camera 3
For example, the projector 2A of the projector module 2 emits image light of an image representing an embroidery pattern. The image light is projected on a workpiece placed on the bed 11. This allows a user to confirm, prior to execution of sewing, a state in which an embroidery pattern is sewn on the workpiece. Also, for example, before shipment of the sewing machine 1, the projector 2A projects a predetermined calibration pattern (e.g., grid lines arranged in a grid pattern). The camera 3 captures the calibration pattern. The controller (not shown) of the sewing machine 1 detects a distortion amount of the captured image and stores it in a memory (not shown). When the sewing machine 1 is used after shipment and projects image light of an image representing an embroidery pattern, the controller adjusts the image light emitted from the projector 2A to correct distortion by the distortion amount stored in the memory. This enables the sewing machine 1 to project image light of an image without distortion on a workpiece. The usage examples of the projector module 2 and the camera 3 are not limited to the above, and they can be used for various other purposes.
In the sewing machine 1, the first lens 23 of the projector 2A and the second lens 31 of the camera 3 are disposed to the left of the needle bar 15 at the head 14. In this case, the sewing machine 1 provides a wide space surrounded by the upright arm 12, the horizontal arm 13, the needle bar 14, and the bed 11. Thus, the sewing machine 1 maintains operability for a user in this space. This may reduce, in the sewing machine 1, the possibility that the projector 2A and the camera 3 interfere with the take-up unit 141.
In the sewing machine 1, the first lens 23 of the projector 2A and the second lens 31 of the camera 3 are disposed further to the front than the needle bar 15 at the head 14. This may reduce, in the sewing machine 1, the possibility that an upper thread guided by the take-up unit 141 is caught by the projector 2A and the camera 3. The first lens 23 of the projector 2A is disposed further to the front than the needle bar 15. This may reduce the possibility that a shadow of the needle bar 15 caused by emitted image light hinders sewing operation by a user. Reflection of the emitted image light toward the user's visual field may also be reduced and thus operability for the user may be maintained. The second lens 31 of the camera 3 disposed further to the front than the needle bar 15 is enabled to properly capture a photographing target. For example, the camera 3 is enabled to properly capture a projection image projected by the projector 2A.
In the sewing machine 1, the first lens 23 of the projector 2A and the second lens 31 of the camera 3 are disposed to the left of and further to the front than the needle bar 15 at the head 14. In this case, the projector 2A and the camera 3 are readily exposed by removing the cover 14A from the head 14 of the sewing machine 1. Thus, the sewing machine 1 provides a user with ease of maintenance of the projector 2A and the camera 3.
As described above, while maintaining operability for a user, the sewing machine 1 enables the projector 2A to properly project a projection image and enables the camera 3 to properly capture a photographing target.
The first lens 23 of the projector 2A is disposed to the right of the second lens 31 of the camera 3. In this case, in the sewing machine 1, the first lens 23 of the projector 2A is allowed to be disposed at a position relatively closer to the needle bar 15. This enhances, in the sewing machine 1, positional accuracy of a projection image projected in the vicinity of a needle drop point. Accordingly, for example when projecting an embroidery pattern as a projection image, the projector 2A is enabled to accurately project the embroidery pattern onto a portion of a workpiece where sewing is actually performed. Further, in the sewing machine 1, the camera 3 may be prevented from even partially entering the emission position of image light emitted by the projector 2A. This may reduce, in the sewing machine 1, the possibility that a portion of the projection image becomes invisible behind the camera 3 (i.e., so-called vignetting occurs).
The first lens 23 of the projector 2A is disposed further to the front than the second lens 31 of the camera 3. In this case, the camera 3 may be prevented from extending to the front relative to the head 14. This may reduce, in the sewing machine 1, the possibility that the camera 3 enters a user's visual field in the vicinity of the needle drop point to hinder operation by the user.
The first lens 23 of the projector 2A is disposed farther from the bed 11 in the up-down direction than the second lens 31 of the camera 3. This may readily widen, in the sewing machine 1, the projection range of a projection image while reducing the possibility that the camera 3 enters a user's visual field in the vicinity of the needle drop point during sewing operation. In the sewing machine 1, the second lens 31 of the camera 3 is allowed to be disposed relatively close to the bed 11. In this case, the needle bar 15 and the like may be prevented from entering the photographing range to be captured by the camera 3, thereby reducing the possibility that an unwanted object appears in the captured image.
The projector 2A includes the generator 21. Image light generated by the generator 21 is emitted toward the bed 11 via the first lens 23. The holder 5 rotates, about the first axis X1, the emission direction in which the image light is emitted from the first lens 23. The first axis X1 and the first intersection P1 of a plurality of first straight lines L1 defined to extend from the first lens 23 toward the generator 21 along the emission direction are at the substantially same position. In this case, the projector 2A with a compact structure is enabled to change in a wide range the emission direction of the image light emitted from the first lens 23. Thus, the downsized projector 2A enables the sewing machine 1 to save space.
The camera 3 includes the detector 33. The holder 6 rotates, about the second axis X2, the incident direction in which reflected light is incident on the second lens 31. The detector 33 detects the reflected light incident via the second lens 31. The second axis X2 and the second intersection P2 of a plurality of second straight lines L2 defined to extend from the second lens 31 toward the detector 33 along the incident direction are at the substantially same position. In this case, the camera 3 with a compact structure is enabled to change in a wide range the incident direction of the reflected light incident from the second lens 31. Thus, the downsized camera 3 enables the sewing machine 1 to save space.
The sewing machine 1 includes, at the head 14, the threading mechanism 14E for passing an upper thread through the sewing needle. The projector 2A is fixed, via the holder 5, to the threading frame 140E of the threading mechanism 14E. In this case, heat generated from the projector 2A is transmitted via the holder 5 to the threading frame 140E which dissipates the heat. Thus, the sewing machine 1 realizes dissipation of heat from the projector 2A by the threading frame 140E. In this case, a fan or the like for cooling the projector 2A is not required, thereby eliminating troubles caused by a fan (such as scattering of thread dust and lubricating oil due to the flow of air generated by the fan, clogging or malfunction of the fan). Such smooth heat dissipation allows use of a compact projector 2A. Thus, the downsized projector 2A enables the sewing machine 1 to save space.
The photographing area G2 of the camera 3 includes the projection area G1 of a projection image projected by the projector 2A. In this case, in the sewing machine 1, the camera 3 is enabled to properly capture a projection image projected by the projector 2A.
The sewing machine 1 includes the take-up unit 141. The take-up unit 141 disposed at the head 14 is reciprocally movable within the moving range M in the up-down direction. The holder 5 includes the partition wall 52. The plate portion 52R of the partition wall 52 is positioned between the projector 2A and the moving range M in the left-right direction. In this case, in the sewing machine 1, the plate portion 52B of the partition wall 52 may reduce the possibility that an upper thread guided by the take-up unit 141 is caught by the projector 2A. The connecting portion 520 of the plate portions 52B and 52R of the partition wall 52 is curved. This may reduce, in the sewing machine 1, the possibility that an upper thread is caught by the partition wall 52 itself.
The heat absorber 2D of the projector module 2 contacts the generator 21 of the projector 2A to absorb the heat of the generator 21 and thereby cool the generator 21. The heat of the heat absorber 2D is transmitted to the support 131 which supports the arm 13, via the cover 2C of the projector module 2, the threading frame 140E of the threading mechanism 14E, and the frame 140. In this case, the sewing machine 1 realizes the heat dissipation function of the projector 2A by the heat absorber 2D configured to absorb the heat generated by the projector 2A and transmit the heat to the support 131 via the cover 2C, the threading frame 140E, and the frame 140. Thus, heat dissipation is realized by the support 131 existing in the sewing machine 1 without the need for adding a new structure for heat dissipation. Thus, the sewing machine 1 is enabled to save space while realizing effectively heat dissipation from the projector 2A.
Modifications
The disclosure may not be limited to the above-described illustrative embodiment, and various changes may be applied therein. The sewing machine 1 may include a moving mechanism for moving an embroidery hoop in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. The sewing machine 1 may sew an embroidery pattern when the moving mechanism moves a workpiece held by the embroidery hoop in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction.
The locations of the first lens 23 of the projector 2A and the second lens 31 of the camera 3 may be changed as needed, as long as the first lens 23 and the second lens 31 satisfy the condition that they are disposed to the left of and further to the front than the needle bar 15. For example, the first lens 23 of the projector 2A may be disposed to the left of the second lens 31 of the camera 3. The first lens 23 of the projector 2A may be disposed further to the rear than the second lens 31 of the camera 3. The first lens 23 of the projector 2A may be disposed at a lower position than the second lens 31 of the camera 3. The first lens 23 of the projector 2A and the second lens 31 of the camera 3 may be disposed at the same position.
The projector 2A may emit laser light from a laser light source to generate image light. In this case, the projector 2A may not include the first lens 23 and may have a through-hole instead at a position where the image light is emitted. The projector module 2 may be directly fixed to the threading frame 140E. In this case, the emission direction in which image light is emitted from the projector 2A may be unchangeable.
The camera 3 may not include the second lens 31 and may have a through-hole instead at a position where reflect light is incident. The camera 3 may be directly fixed to the needle bar frame 140B. In this case, the incident direction in which the reflect light is incident on the camera 3 may be unchangeable.
The projector 2A may not be disposed at the threading frame 140E of the threading mechanism 14E. For example, the projector 2A may be disposed at the needle bar frame 140B of the needle bar mechanism 14B, or may be directly disposed at the cover 14A for the head 14. The projector 2A may be disposed at the support 131 of the arm 13. The photographing area G2 of the camera 3 may not include a portion of the projection area G1 of a projection image projected by the projector 2A.
The plate portion 52R of the partition wall 52 may overlap the moving range M of the take-up unit 141 in the left-right direction. The connecting portion 520 of the plate portions 52B and 52R of the partition wall 52 may be angular.
The plate portion 51B of the projector module 2 may be directly fixed to the support 131 of the arm 13. The projector module 2 may not include the heat absorber 2D. A fan may be provided to cool the projector 2A.
Others
The left-right direction is an example of a first direction according to an aspect of the disclosure. The left is an example of one side of a thing in the first direction according to an aspect of the disclosure. The up-down direction is an example of a second direction according to an aspect of the disclosure. The front-rear direction is an example of a third direction according to an aspect of the disclosure. The front is an example of one side of a thing in the third direction according to an aspect of the disclosure. The rear is an example of the other side of the thing in the third direction according to an aspect of the disclosure. The feed mechanism 17 is an example of a feed mechanism according to an aspect of the disclosure. The horizontal arm 13 is an example of an arm according to an aspect of the disclosure. The projector 2A is an example of a projection unit according to an aspect of the disclosure. The first lens 23 is an example of an emitter according to an aspect of the disclosure. The camera 3 is an example of a photographing unit according to an aspect of the disclosure. The second lens 31 is an example of an incident portion according to an aspect of the disclosure. The holder 5 is an example of a first rotation mechanism according to an aspect of the disclosure. The holder 6 is an example of a second rotation mechanism according to an aspect of the disclosure. The cover 2C, the threading frame 140E, and the frame 140 are each an example of a transmitter according to an aspect of the disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018-125933 | Jul 2018 | JP | national |
This is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/111,018 filed on Dec. 3, 2020, which is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2019/022715 filed on Jun. 7, 2019, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-125933 filed on Jul. 2, 2018. The entire contents of the earlier applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17111018 | Dec 2020 | US |
Child | 17843154 | US | |
Parent | PCT/JP2019/022715 | Jun 2019 | US |
Child | 17111018 | US |