Needle Threading Aid Using Collapsible Wire Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty of threading finer needles with finer threads has increased, making it challenging for individuals with good vision and coordination to achieve a threaded needle in a single pass, and existing aids often require magnification, auxiliary lighting, or large devices that are inconvenient to carry.
Innovation Solution
A compact needle threading aid with a graspable body, a planar threading ledge, a collapsible wire loop, and grasping depressions, which allows for easy passage of the thread through the needle eye without magnification or lighting, using a collapsible wire loop to guide the thread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnifying lenses are used to assist threading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases and the device becomes more prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential threading assistance function from complex optical systems (magnifying lenses and lighting) and implements it through a simple geometric structure - a ledge with an aperture that naturally guides the thread through the needle eye using its shape alone, eliminating the need for magnification or illumination components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces fragile, expensive optical components with a simple, durable plastic body that can withstand repeated use without degradation, prioritizing robustness and simplicity over optical enhancement
2Ease of operation
If auxiliary lighting is used to assist threading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to battery failure
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs threading assistance through its passive geometric structure - the ledge and aperture configuration inherently guides the thread without requiring external power sources, batteries, or active components, making it completely reliable and maintenance-free
3Ease of operation
If larger devices are used to assist threading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates the threading assistance function into a localized geometric feature - a small ledge with an aperture at a specific position on the needle holder - rather than requiring a large overall device structure, achieving effectiveness in a compact form
4Manufacturing precision
If finer needles and finer threads are used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased threading difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The ledge with aperture acts as an intermediary element between the thread and needle eye, providing a guided pathway that facilitates the transfer of the fine thread through the small needle eye, making the threading process easier despite the fineness of the components
Data Source
AI summary
A needle threading aid has a graspable body with a threading ledge on its upper surface, with a threading aperture formed through the threading ledge, a ridge is formed next to the threading aperture, the ridge has a collapsible wire loop over the threading aperture, the wire loop has a generally angular return bend, the wire loop is passable through the eye of a needle.