Needle Threader Vertical Movement Resolves Visibility Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional needle threaders for sewing machines obstruct the user's view of the needle base portion due to the positioning of the threading mechanism, making it difficult to perform threading operations efficiently and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A needle threader with a vertically movable threading shaft, a threading hook, and a thread guide member that can be moved between a retreat position, a thread guide preparation position, and a threading operation position, using a pivot mechanism and a position changeover unit to ensure the threading mechanism does not block the user's view and can be easily operated to pass the needle thread through the needle eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the threading mechanism is positioned near the needle base portion to facilitate threading operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the visibility of the needle base portion deteriorates due to obstruction by the threading hook and thread guide members
Solution Approach 1:
The threading shaft is designed to be vertically movable between a standby position (uppermost) and a threading position (lowermost). During sewing operations, the threading mechanism remains retracted at the standby position to avoid obstructing the user's view of the needle base portion. When threading is required, the threading shaft moves downward to the threading position, allowing the threading hook and thread guide members to be positioned near the needle for easy threading operations. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between visibility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The threading mechanism is moved along the vertical dimension (up and down movement of the threading shaft) to resolve the spatial conflict. By utilizing vertical movement rather than horizontal repositioning, the threading hook and thread guide members can be brought close to the needle base portion only when needed, while maintaining clear visibility during normal sewing operations. This dimensional approach allows the threading components to occupy the necessary space temporarily without permanently blocking the user's view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the threading shaft is stopped at a predetermined height position near the needlebar during sewing operations, then the readiness for threading is improved, but the obstruction of the user's view worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The threading shaft is designed to be vertically movable between a standby position (uppermost) and a threading position (lowermost). During sewing operations, the threading mechanism remains retracted at the standby position to avoid obstructing the user's view of the needle base portion. When threading is required, the threading shaft moves downward to the threading position, allowing the threading hook and thread guide members to be positioned near the needle for easy threading operations. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between visibility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The threading mechanism is moved along the vertical dimension (up and down movement of the threading shaft) to resolve the spatial conflict. By utilizing vertical movement rather than horizontal repositioning, the threading hook and thread guide members can be brought close to the needle base portion only when needed, while maintaining clear visibility during normal sewing operations. This dimensional approach allows the threading components to occupy the necessary space temporarily without permanently blocking the user's view.
Data Source
AI summary
A needle threader for a sewing machine includes a threading mechanism including a threading hook mounted on a lower end of a threading shaft and a thread guide member. The threading hook and the thread guide member are movable among a thread guide preparation position where the threading hook and the thread guide member are located near a height position of a needle clamp, a threading operation position where a threading operation is carried out with the threading hook being level with an eye of a needle, and a retreat position which is located above the thread guide preparation position and to which the threading hook and the thread guide member are retreated. A vertical moving mechanism moves the threading shaft vertically so that the threading mechanism is moved among the thread guide preparation position, the threading operation position and the retreat position.