Adjustable Textile Jig with Displaceable Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional textile jigs are limited by their inability to accommodate multiple sizes and shapes, require frequent replacement due to lack of durability, and increase labor time and costs, reducing manufacturing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable jig with a frame, multiple displaceable plates, and guide rods that secure textiles of various sizes and shapes, allowing for reconfiguration to fit different textiles and withstand repeated use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed-pattern jigs are used, then a single jig can accommodate one specific textile size and shape, but multiple jigs are required for different textile sizes and shapes, increasing device complexity and costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different textile sizes and shapesVSAvoidnumber of jigs required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The jig is designed with multiple displaceable plates that can be reconfigured to accommodate different textile sizes and shapes. Each plate can be independently positioned and secured, allowing a single jig to perform multiple functions for various textile types, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated jigs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The plates are made displaceable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the jig structure. The plates can be moved to different positions and secured at various locations, enabling the jig to adapt to different textile geometries and sizes through dynamic structural adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional jigs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the jigs cannot withstand repeated heating and handling, requiring frequent replacement and reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability under repeated heating and handlingVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The jig is segmented into multiple discrete plates rather than a monolithic structure. This segmentation allows individual plates to be replaced if damaged, while the rest of the jig remains functional. The modular design improves reliability by enabling selective replacement and reduces downtime, thereby maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If conventional single-size jigs are used, then the jig design is simple, but it requires frequent replacement for different textile sizes, increasing loss of time and labor costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for jig replacementVSAvoidadjustable plate mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple plates are pre-positioned on the jig frame at various potential locations. When a different textile size is needed, operators can quickly reconfigure the plates to the appropriate positions and secure them, rather than replacing entire jigs. This preliminary arrangement of components enables rapid reconfiguration and reduces time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3560369B1Adjustable jig and method of securing a textile
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP3560369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560369B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An adjustable jig (100) for securing a textile (125) during assembly. The textile (125) may be an upper of an article of footwear. The jig (100) includes a plurality of plates (106) displaceable in a first axis and/or second axis, each plate (106) with one or more pin attachment sites (114) . A template (123) is placed on the jig (100) and pins (113) are placed into each plate (106) to set the pin pattern. The template (123) is removed and a textile (125) is mounted to the jig (100) using the pin pattern. The jig (100) may be configured to accommodate different sizes and shapes of textiles (125) , and is resistant to heating and mechanical forces.