Multi-Needle Quilting Machine Common Eccentric Drive Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-needle quilting machines face issues with vibration, maintenance costs, and synchronization problems due to separate eccentric drive systems, which increase the risk of machine malfunction and damage.
Innovation Solution
A common off-center drive system using a main rotating drive shaft with eccentrics that synchronizes the reciprocating or oscillating motions of needle, looper, and presser foot assemblies, sharing loads and maintaining synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate eccentric drive systems are used for needle, looper, and presser foot assemblies, then each assembly can be independently adjusted during manufacture and maintenance, but vibration increases and synchronization problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate eccentric drive systems into a single common eccentric drive mechanism that simultaneously drives the needle assembly, looper assembly, and presser foot assembly. This merging eliminates the vibration and synchronization problems caused by multiple separate drives while maintaining the ability to independently adjust each assembly through individual linkages connected to the common drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The common eccentric drive serves multiple functions by driving all three assemblies (needle, looper, and presser foot) from a single mechanism. This universal drive system replaces the need for separate eccentric drives for each assembly, reducing vibration while providing centralized control for all motion requirements.
2Ease of operation
If separate eccentric drive systems are used for needle, looper, and presser foot assemblies, then each assembly can be independently adjusted during manufacture and maintenance, but synchronization problems occur and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate eccentric drive systems into a single common eccentric drive mechanism that simultaneously drives the needle assembly, looper assembly, and presser foot assembly. This merging eliminates the vibration and synchronization problems caused by multiple separate drives while maintaining the ability to independently adjust each assembly through individual linkages connected to the common drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates synchronization linkages that provide feedback between the common eccentric drive and each individual assembly. This feedback mechanism ensures that all assemblies remain synchronized with the common drive while still allowing for independent adjustment when needed, thereby maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
3Force
If multiple separate eccentric drives are used, then different loads of various assemblies are distributed, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate eccentric drive systems into a single common eccentric drive mechanism that simultaneously drives the needle assembly, looper assembly, and presser foot assembly. This merging eliminates the vibration and synchronization problems caused by multiple separate drives while maintaining the ability to independently adjust each assembly through individual linkages connected to the common drive.
Solution Approach 2:
While using a common eccentric drive, the patent segments the drive system into modular linkages for each assembly (needle, looper, presser foot). This segmentation allows each assembly to be independently adjusted and maintained while sharing the common drive, thereby reducing overall complexity compared to having completely separate eccentric drives for each assembly.
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
This solution reduces vibration, maintenance costs, and simplifies assembly, ensuring proper synchronization and increasing machine speed and part life by using a common drive for all assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
The off-center drive system of the illustrated embodiment is an eccentric drive system in which a common drive shaft is provided with one or more eccentrics, each eccentric driving both the needle assembly and the looper assembly of the machine in a reciprocating or oscillating motion.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A multi-needle quilting machine (10) is provided with a common drive (20) that drives the needles (15) and loopers (17). It may also drive the presser foot assembly (18). In the illustrated embodiment, a drive motor (22) drives a rotating drive shaft (24). The drive shaft (24) has an off-center drive assembly (23, 23a) connected to it that rocks a needle rocker shaft (34) as well as looper rocker shafts (37, 37a), and also a presser foot shaft (39). The off-center drive (23, 23a) includes a pair of eccentrics (25) on the drive shaft (24) at each side of the machine (10). Each eccentric (25) oscillates a linkage plate (32) that is fixed to a shaft such as the needle rocker shaft (34) and is also linked to the looper rocker shafts (37, 37a) and the presser foot shaft (39). The eccentric (25) thereby reciprocates the needles (15) and oscillates the loopers ( 17), as well as reciprocates the presser foot plate assembly (18), in permanent synchronization.