Open Eye Sewing Needle Angled Channel Threading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sewing needles with closed eyes present difficulties in threading, especially for individuals with reduced vision or dexterity, as they require directing the thread through a small opening, leading to frustration and potential snagging during sewing.
Innovation Solution
The open eye needle design features a tip portion, an open eye portion, and an elongated portion, allowing for easier thread placement and minimizing snagging by incorporating a channel with angled sections and a resilient tongue portion that deflects to guide the thread into the eye region, reducing the likelihood of detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a closed eye needle is used, then the needle structure is simple and compact, but threading becomes difficult especially for individuals with reduced vision or dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The needle eye is segmented into multiple regions: an open eye portion with a large opening for easy thread insertion, a channel portion with angled sections to guide the thread, and a tongue portion to secure the thread. This segmentation transforms the single closed eye into a multi-functional threading system that maintains overall needle simplicity while dramatically improving threading ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle eye transitions from a two-dimensional flat opening to a three-dimensional structured pathway with angled sections and a resilient tongue. This dimensional transformation creates a guided channel that actively directs thread through the needle, converting the passive closed eye into an active thread-guiding system that is both more complex in structure but vastly superior in threading operation.
2Ease of operation
If a separate threading device is used, then threading ability is enhanced, but the device must be stored separately and accessed during sewing
Solution Approach 1:
The threading device functionality is merged directly into the needle structure itself. The open eye portion, channel with angled sections, and resilient tongue are all integrated components of the single needle unit. This eliminates the need for separate threading devices and their associated storage and retrieval requirements, while maintaining enhanced threading capability throughout the sewing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sewing instrument and its own threading device. The integrated channel and tongue structure provides threading assistance for all sewing operations with this needle, making the threading capability universal to every use of the needle rather than requiring a separate dedicated threading tool.
3Productivity
If thread is directly placed through a closed eye, then the process is quick, but snagging occurs during sewing
Solution Approach 1:
The channel with angled sections and resilient tongue performs preliminary thread positioning and securing actions before the actual sewing begins. The thread is guided through the angled channel and secured by the tongue in advance, ensuring proper thread alignment and tension before the needle penetrates the fabric, thereby preventing snagging during the sewing process while maintaining quick threading.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The open eye needle facilitates easier threading and reduces snagging, making sewing more accessible for individuals with physical limitations and enhancing overall sewing efficiency by allowing the thread to be readily placed into the needle eye without the need for separate threading devices.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient tongue portion that deflects to guide the thread into the eye region
Data Source
AI summary
An open eye needle including an elongated portion, a tip portion and an open eye portion. The tip portion is attached to the elongated portion. The open eye portion is attached to the elongated portion. The open eye portion includes a tongue portion, an eye region and a channel. The eye region is defined by the tongue portion. The channel extends around the tongue portion and intersects the eye portion. The channel includes a first channel portion and a second channel portion that extends from the first channel portion. The first channel portion is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the second channel portion. The second channel portion is in communication with the eye region.