Sewing Machine Display for Visualizing Needle Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quilting machines are large, difficult to handle, and lack user control over stitching quality, making it challenging for users to create intricate patterns and designs, while computer-controlled machines sacrifice user involvement for precision.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a display apparatus connected to a sewing machine, allowing users to move a control handle and display to position an indicator relative to a pattern, enabling manual control over the sewing head's movement relative to the workpiece, thereby allowing users to create and manipulate patterns on a workpiece while visualizing the relative motion between the sewing head and workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional quilting machines are used, then stitching precision is achieved, but user control over stitching quality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a display screen to create a visual copy of the workpiece and sewing head position, allowing the user to see and control the stitching process in real-time. The display shows a representation of the workpiece with the sewing head position overlaid, enabling the user to maintain manual control while achieving precision through visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback by displaying the current position of the sewing head relative to the workpiece on a screen. This feedback loop allows the user to adjust their manual control to maintain stitching quality while preserving creative control over the pattern-making process.
2Manufacturing precision
If computer-controlled quilting machines are used, then stitching quality is improved, but user involvement in the pattern-making process is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of automation based on user needs. The display can show different levels of guidance from fully manual operation to computer-assisted positioning, allowing the user to maintain involvement in the creative process while receiving precision support when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen acts as an intermediary between the user and the sewing machine, providing visual information that helps the user make informed decisions about pattern creation while maintaining manual control. This intermediary layer enables users to stay involved in the creative process without sacrificing stitching quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scrolls are used for pattern guidance, then pattern variety is achieved, but storage space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical scrolls with digital representations displayed on a screen. Users can access multiple patterns digitally without needing physical storage space for scrolls. The display shows a copy of the selected pattern, allowing easy switching between different designs without requiring additional physical materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system serves multiple functions: it can display different patterns, provide positioning guidance, show workpiece images, and offer various viewing angles. This single multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple specialized scrolls, reducing storage requirements while maintaining pattern variety.
4Productivity
If the user is located farther away from the needle using a paper pantograph, then machine efficiency is improved, but ability to observe sewing quality and follow pattern decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy of the sewing process on a display screen, allowing users to observe stitching quality and pattern following from a distance. The display shows real-time information about needle position and stitching progress, enabling quality monitoring without requiring close proximity to the needle.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen serves as an intermediary that transmits visual information about the sewing process to the user. This allows users to maintain an efficient distance from the machine while still observing sewing quality through the displayed information, eliminating the need to be close to the needle to monitor progress.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for stitching a workpiece, such as a quilt, is disclosed. The method comprises displaying a predetermined pattern on a display and manipulating the predetermined pattern on the display. The display includes an indicator corresponding to a position of a sewing head relative to the workpiece. The method further includes moving a control handle operably connected to the sewing head to move the indicator relative to the pattern on the display and move the sewing head relative to the workpiece. Devices to practice the method include sewing machines having a sewing head moveable relative to a workpiece and a control handle operably connected to the sewing head to move the sewing head relative to the workpiece, wherein the display showing a pattern to be sewn is mounted relative to the control handle for movement with the control handle.