Rotary-Shuttle Thread-Cutting Mechanism for Compact Embroidery Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embroidery machines require a large space for the movable knife to rotate and cooperate with a stationary knife, leading to increased volume of the needle plate seat, complex drive structures, and higher processing costs.
Innovation Solution
A thread-cutting mechanism with a movable knife frame coaxially mounted with the rotary shuttle, rotating around it to cut threads, and a stationary knife, reducing the need for a power conversion structure and simplifying the transmission mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a movable knife rotates in a plane to cooperate with a stationary knife for cutting threads, then the thread-cutting function is achieved, but the volume of the needle plate seat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable knife is changed from a planar rotating knife to an arc-shaped knife that rotates along the arc surface of the rotary shuttle. The arc surface of the movable knife is parallel to the arc surface of the periphery of the rotary shuttle, allowing the knife to follow the curved path of the rotary shuttle and reduce the required space for rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation of the movable knife is changed from planar rotation to rotation along a curved path in three-dimensional space. By mounting the movable knife frame at the periphery of the driving shaft and having it rotate along the arc surface, the mechanism utilizes the third dimension to reduce the footprint on the needle plate seat.
2Ease of manufacture
If a planar knife with horizontal placement and driving structure is used, then thread cutting is enabled, but the occupancy of the needle plate seat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planar knife is replaced with an arc-shaped knife whose arc surface is parallel to the arc surface of the rotary shuttle. This curved design allows the knife to operate in a compact space by following the natural curvature of the rotary shuttle's path.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation and shape parameters of the knife are changed from planar and horizontal to arc-shaped and aligned with the rotary shuttle's arc surface. This parameter change allows the cutting mechanism to adapt to the curved motion path, reducing the required area on the needle plate seat.
3Ease of operation
If a motor and swing rod transmission structure is used to drive the movable knife, then the knife can rotate and cut threads, but the drive structure becomes complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The complex motor and swing rod transmission structure is replaced by directly mounting the movable knife frame on the periphery of the driving shaft. The driving shaft itself provides the rotation, eliminating the need for separate transmission components and simplifying the overall drive structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation function previously provided by the motor and swing rod is merged into the driving shaft itself. The movable knife frame is directly coupled to the driving shaft, combining the drive mechanism and the knife mounting into a single integrated structure that is simpler to assemble and maintain.
Data Source
AI summary
A thread-cutting mechanism of an embroidery machine, and a tube embroidery machine applying the same are provided. A movable knife frame provided at a periphery of a rotary shuttle can drive a movable knife to rotate around the rotary shuttle and coordinate with a stationary knife to cut a thread. The movable knife frame is rotatably provided at a periphery or one side of a driving shaft of the rotary shuttle. The movable knife frame is rotatably mounted on a needle plate seat, or on an embroidery machine body, at a corresponding location for cooperation with the rotary shuttle. The stationary knife is mounted on the needle plate seat, or on the embroidery machine body, at a corresponding location for cooperation with the rotary shuttle. This substantially reduces the space occupied by the movable knife. The thread-cutting mechanism is more compact, simple, compatible, and easy to use.