Modular Sewing Machine Base with Universal Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sewing machine designs require a multitude of specific and expensive parts for different configurations, leading to high manufacturing and storage costs, limiting flexibility and making it economically unfeasible for users to adapt or upgrade machines to meet changing market demands.
Innovation Solution
A modular base for sewing machines with a unified bearing structure, flange means, and adjustable coupling mechanisms that allow a single head to be used across various set-ups, reducing the number of unique parts needed and enabling easy conversion between configurations with a limited number of part changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific parts are used for different machine configurations, then each configuration can be optimized for its specific work operation, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with a universal bearing structure that can accommodate different crochet-bearing groups through standardized coupling means. The bearing structure includes multiple coupling surfaces and mounting positions that allow various crochet-bearing groups to be attached to the same base, enabling one base to serve multiple machine configurations without requiring configuration-specific bases.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine is divided into modular components: a standardized base with bearing structure, interchangeable crochet-bearing groups, and a head assembly. This segmentation allows the base to remain constant while only the crochet-bearing groups need to be changed for different work operations, reducing the number of unique parts that must be manufactured and stored.
2Reliability
If multiple specific bases are manufactured for different configurations, then each base can be optimized for its specific crochet-bearing group, but manufacturing and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal base design with standardized bearing structure and coupling mechanisms replaces the need for multiple configuration-specific bases. The bearing structure incorporates multiple mounting surfaces and adjustment capabilities that allow it to reliably support different crochet-bearing groups, maintaining configuration-specific optimization without requiring separate base designs for each configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed base design is used for all configurations, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the ability to accommodate different crochet-bearing groups is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing structure incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow it to adapt dynamically to different crochet-bearing group requirements. This includes adjustable mounting positions, reconfigurable coupling surfaces, and movable components that can be positioned to accommodate various crochet-bearing group configurations, providing configuration flexibility within a single standardized base design.
4Productivity
If users need to adapt machines to changing market demands, then responsiveness to market changes improves, but the cost of acquiring new configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine system is segmented into a permanent standardized base and interchangeable crochet-bearing groups. When market demands change, users only need to replace the crochet-bearing group component rather than acquiring an entirely new machine configuration, significantly reducing conversion costs and improving market responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows users to discard or set aside unused crochet-bearing groups and recover them for future use when different work operations are needed. This enables cost-effective reconfiguration of the machine for different market demands without permanent loss of specialized components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The base (1) enables alternatingly associating various crochet-bearing groups to a sewing machine (M). The base (1) comprises a column bearing structure (10), fixed on a support table (100) and designed to support at a top thereof a head (T) of the sewing machine (M), in predetermined longitudinal positions, The bearing structure (10) houses an electric motor (E) for activating the machine (M) and the corresponding crochet-bearing group (PC), via transmission organs, The bearing structure (10) internally comprises upper coupling means (3), to which a relative crochet-bearing group (PC) identified in a first series (31, 32, 33) is associable, and lower coupling means (4), to which a relative crochet-bearing group (PC) identified in a second series (41, 42, 43, 44) is associable.