Multi-Needle Sewing Machine Thread Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-needle sewing machines face the issue of thread tangling due to the lack of effective tension management, leading to entanglements of loose needle threads.
Innovation Solution
A multi-needle sewing machine design featuring a movable thread guide member with spaced thread guide sections and associated thread inlets, coupled with a lifting/lowering mechanism, maintains a constant distance between thread guide sections and inlets, preventing thread tangling by guiding threads in a straight line and eliminating the need to pass threads through thin tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple needle threads are drawn from multiple thread spools in a multi-needle sewing machine, then multi-color embroidery patterns can be formed, but the strands of loose needle threads entangle due to lack of appropriate tension management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide member as an intermediary component that mediates between the thread spools and needle bars. This guide member includes multiple guide holes positioned to correspond with each needle bar, through which the threads are guided. By providing this intermediate guiding structure, the threads are kept separated and properly tensioned throughout the needle bar case transfer process, preventing entanglement while maintaining the multi-color embroidery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is segmented into multiple independent guide holes, with each guide hole dedicated to a specific thread and needle bar combination. This segmentation allows each thread to be independently managed and guided along its own path, preventing interaction between different threads that would cause tangling, while still enabling all threads to function together for multi-color embroidery
2Object-generated harmful factors
If threads are passed through thin elongate tubes to prevent interference, then thread tangling is prevented, but a troublesome task of passing the threads through the thin tubes is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of passing threads through thin tubes from the needle end toward the spool end, the patent inverts the approach by providing guide holes in a guide member that threads are naturally guided through during normal threading operations. The guide holes are positioned and sized to receive threads directly from the spools, eliminating the need for manual threading through restrictive tubes while still preventing thread interference through proper spatial guidance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the needle-bar case is laterally transferred to locate a given needle bar at the sewing position, then multi-color embroidery patterns can be formed, but thread tangling occurs due to movement of the needle-bar case
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as a stationary intermediary structure that remains fixed while the needle-bar case transfers laterally. The guide holes are positioned to maintain proper alignment with each needle bar throughout the transfer range, providing continuous thread guidance during movement. This eliminates thread entanglement during the transfer process while preserving the ability to select and position any needle bar at the sewing position
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-needle sewing machine is disclosed that includes a needle-bar case that supports needle bars; a needle-bar case transfer mechanism that transfers the needle-bar case to place a predetermined needle bar to a needle drop position; a thread guide member that is movable up and down, the thread guide member being provided with thread guide sections spaced by a predetermined distance and that guide a plurality of threads; a plurality of thread inlets that are provided at the needle-bar case, each thread inlet being uniquely associated with one of the thread guide sections and that introduces the threads guided by the thread guide sections toward the needle bars; and a lifting/lowering mechanism that moves the thread guide member up and down during transfer of the needle-bar ease and the thread inlets such that the thread guide sections and the associated thread inlets maintain a constant distance therebetween.