Needle Eye Threading Guide With Self-Aligning Hook Funnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle threading devices, such as those described in WO1993/018220 and DE 675708 C, are difficult to use, especially for small-diameter needles and challenging for visually impaired individuals or those with uncontrolled tremors, as they require precise alignment and do not facilitate easy threading.
Innovation Solution
A device with an ergonomic solid body featuring a guide section and a hook mechanism that guides the sewing thread through the needle's eye, allowing threading without visual alignment, and includes a detection system to ensure proper needle positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cylindrical body with a movable sleeve and punch is used (WO1993/018220), then threading can be achieved, but precise positioning and visual alignment are required making it difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide section as an intermediary structure that mediates between the thread and the needle eye. The guide section provides a predefined path that automatically aligns the thread with the needle eye, eliminating the need for manual positioning and visual alignment by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide section is pre-configured with a specific geometry that performs the alignment action beforehand. The funnel-shaped guide section is designed to naturally direct the thread toward the needle eye position, so the alignment is accomplished in advance by the device structure itself rather than requiring user action during threading.
2Ease of operation
If a wire needle threader with rigid tension and elastic bending is used, then threading can be facilitated, but inserting the wire through small-diameter needle eyes remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the guide section, specifically designing it with a funnel shape that has a larger opening at the entry side and a smaller opening at the needle eye side. This parameter change creates a self-aligning structure that accommodates various thread sizes and automatically positions them correctly for insertion through small needle eyes.
3Measurement precision
If precise positioning of the device and punch end opposite the needle eye opening is required, then threading can be achieved, but the process becomes tricky and difficult for visually impaired individuals or those with tremors
Solution Approach 1:
The guide section is designed to perform the alignment function automatically without requiring user intervention. The structural geometry of the guide section itself provides the positioning function, making the device self-aligning and eliminating the need for the user to perform precise positioning actions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for assisting with threading the eye of a needle (26), the eye being of the type bounded at its periphery by an edge extending substantially in a plane referred to as the eye opening plane. The assistance device (1) comprises a solid body (2) forming a housing, referred to as eye housing (3), designed to be able to accept the eye of the needle and to hold the needle in position with respect to the solid body (2), a passage (4) in the solid body (2) comprising a portion referred to as guide portion (5). The guide portion (5) forms a first funnel (201) for guiding deployment of the hook from the retracted position toward the threading position, and a second funnel (202) for guiding retraction of the hook (16) from the threading position toward the retracted position, through the eye of the needle each time, the thread thus being drawn as the hook retracts from the threading position toward the retracted position.