Color-Coded Seam Allowance Guide for Sewing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sewing machines with engraved measurement lines pose difficulties for non-numerically oriented individuals, such as children or those with limited education, in accurately identifying and maintaining the correct seam allowance during sewing, leading to confusion and errors.
Innovation Solution
A color-coded seam allowance guide label, 'Sewing with Color Label', is applied to the sewing machine needle plate, where each color represents a specific measurement, allowing users to easily identify and select the correct measurement line for sewing without numerical representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If numerical representations are used to specify measurements on the sewing machine plate, then measurement precision is improved for those who understand numbers, but ease of operation deteriorates for non-numerical persons such as children or those with limited education
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to measurement lines on the sewing machine plate, where each color represents a specific measurement value. This allows users to identify measurements through color recognition rather than numerical reading, making the system accessible to children and non-numerical persons while maintaining measurement precision through the color-chart legend that maps colors to exact measurements.
2Ease of manufacture
If all measurement lines are made with the same width, color and length, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring worsens as it becomes difficult to determine the correct measurement line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different color characteristics to different measurement lines while maintaining uniform physical dimensions (width, length, and engraving style). Each measurement line retains the same physical properties for manufacturing simplicity, but differs in color to provide local identification cues. The color-chart legend provides the mapping between colors and measurements, allowing users to easily identify the correct line without complicating the physical structure.
3Ease of operation
If color-coded measurement lines are implemented, then ease of operation is improved for non-numerical persons, but device complexity increases due to the need for color coding system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a color-chart legend that serves multiple functions: it acts as a key for interpreting colored measurement lines, provides a reference for selecting appropriate measurements, and can be used independently of the physical plate. This universal reference system simplifies the overall device complexity by consolidating information in one location rather than requiring complex integrated controls or multiple separate indicators.
Data Source
AI summary
A seam allowance guide aide system including a needle plate of a sewing machine containing vertical and horizontal lines with colors; a vertical line is provided to be aligned with the needle default position on the sewing machine. Colors are used to represent a standard measurement known and accepted in the sewing industry. The seam allowance guide aide is fixed and non-removable to said needle plate.