Sewing Machine Bobbin Transport Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sewing machines require significant installation space, consume considerable energy, and experience costly downtimes due to the complex design and bobbin case tilting issues during transport.

Innovation Solution

A sewing machine with two alternating holding and transport devices that pivot between positions to efficiently manage bobbin insertion and removal, allowing for continuous operation with minimal downtime, even when bobbins are partially empty.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single holding and transport device is used for bobbin management, then the device structure is simple, but the sewing machine experiences downtime during bobbin changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of holding and transport devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single holding and transport device is divided into two separate devices: a first holding and transport device and a second holding and transport device. These two devices work alternately to transfer bobbins, allowing one device to replace a bobbin while the other maintains continuous supply. This segmentation eliminates downtime during bobbin changes while keeping each individual device relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a piston with electromagnet is used to transport bobbin cases, then the bobbin cases can be held securely, but the device requires considerable installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebobbin case holding securityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnet and piston components are extracted from the holding and transport device design. Instead, the invention uses gravity-assisted movement where bobbin cases are transferred between devices along a predetermined path, and magnetic holders are used only at the receptacle to secure bobbins during sewing. This extraction eliminates the need for large piston assemblies while maintaining secure bobbin holding through the magnetic holder at the receptacle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a heavy transport device is used to move bobbins continuously, then the bobbin supply is reliable, but considerable energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebobbin supply reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The two holding and transport devices operate in periodic alternating cycles. While the first device transfers a bobbin to the receptacle, the second device simultaneously prepares the next bobbin. This periodic operation allows each device to work intermittently rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption. The devices are driven by simple mechanisms that move only when needed, rather than requiring continuous power for constant movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Loss of time

If a single holding and transport device is used, then the device structure is simple, but costly downtimes occur during bobbin changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedowntime during bobbin changesVSAvoidnumber of holding and transport devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second holding and transport device performs preliminary actions by preparing the next bobbin in advance while the first device is still supplying the current bobbin. This preliminary preparation ensures that a replacement bobbin is always ready when the current one is depleted, eliminating downtime. The alternating operation of two devices allows one to be in advance preparation mode while the other is in active supply mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3754085B1Textile machine and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 NAHMASCHINENFABRIK EMIL STUTZNACKER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3754085B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3754085B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3754085B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a textile machine, in particular a sewing machine, preferably a lockstitch sewing machine, comprising: - a hook (4) rotatable about an axis of rotation and having a receptacle (3), - a bobbin (2) providing a lower thread and insertable into the receptacle (3), in particular with a bobbin case (13), - a device (1) for feeding the bobbin (2) and/or the bobbin case (13) into the receptacle (3), wherein - the bobbin (2) is rotatably arranged in the receptacle (3) and/or the bobbin case (13); - the device (1) for feeding the bobbin (2) and/or the bobbin case (13) has two holding and transport devices (6, 7) which are alternately movable between two positions and move the bobbin (2) with lower thread from a first position outside the hook (4) to a second position in the hook (4).without spool thread from the second position in the gripper (4) to the first position outside the gripper (4), wherein each holding and transport device (6, 7) has a support arm which is arranged to be rotatable or pivotable on a frame (5) about a pivot axis (10, 11) and the support arms with their free ends having receptacles for the spools (2) are movable on two arc-shaped paths, wherein the paths have an intersection point in the area of ​​the gripper (4).