Sewing Machine Gripper System Three-Dimensional Control Curve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sewing machine gripper systems require significant design effort and complex arrangements to achieve accurate stitch formation, often resulting in high impact forces and noise, especially at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

The gripper system is designed with a three-dimensional control curve that adapts to axial movements during radial pivoting of the capsule fan, allowing the button to contact the control cam over a larger area, optimizing the bearing selection for both button and fan lever movements, thus reducing design complexity and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional control cam with a two-dimensional control curve is used, then the design is simpler, but the button contacts the control cam only at certain points resulting in high impact forces and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact forces and noiseVSAvoidcontrol cam design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control curve is extended from a two-dimensional curve to a three-dimensional surface by adding axial dimension. The control cam now has a control surface that extends in the axial direction, allowing the button to contact over a larger area rather than at discrete points, thereby reducing impact forces and noise during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If accurate stitch formation is ensured through complex cam and transmission arrangements, then stitching precision is improved, but the design effort and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestitch formation accuracyVSAvoidgripper system design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By extending the control curve into the third dimension (axial direction), the patent achieves accurate control of the capsule fan movement with a simpler overall design. The three-dimensional control surface provides continuous contact guidance that ensures precise stitch formation without requiring complex transmission mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The control cam with three-dimensional control surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the radial pivoting of the capsule fan, controls the axial movements of the button, and ensures accurate timing for stitch formation, thereby reducing the need for separate control mechanisms

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

3Ease of operation

If the fan shaft is arranged parallel to the gripper drive shaft, then the transmission of movements is simpler, but the bearing selection cannot optimize both button and fan lever pivoting movements simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing optimization for movementsVSAvoidshaft arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where the fan shaft is positioned perpendicular to the gripper drive shaft rather than parallel. This asymmetric configuration allows different bearing types to be selected for optimal performance in each direction: one bearing handles the button pivoting movements while another bearing optimizes the fan lever pivoting movements, achieving superior operational ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2050852B1Sewing machine and loop taker system for sewing machine
Publication Date: 2010.12.01 DURKOPP ADLER GMBH
  • EP2050852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2050852B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2050852B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The machine has a push button (37) fastened to a rotationally driving radial cam (39). The radial cam is rotationally driven around an axis (13) of a gripper drive shaft (14). The radial cam is formed at an outer periphery of a control disk (38). A capsule lifter (33) is rotatably mounted around an axis (35) perpendicular to the axis (13) of the gripper drive shaft. The radial cam exhibits different radial distances from the axis (13) for adapting to the axial movements of the push button in the direction of the gripper drive shaft. The cam is connected with a gripper in a torque proof manner.