Sewing Feed Station with Adjustable Cut Spacing for Pocket Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic sewing machines lack flexibility in sewing different pocket sizes, requiring time-consuming conversions and adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An automatic sewing machine with a setting device that allows for easy switching between pocket sizes by adjusting the distance between cutting devices, using a working cylinder drive and guided displacement of cutting device carriers, along with adjustable stops and a second drive device for maintaining constant incision depth, enabling flexible adjustment and neutral sewing positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sewing machine is converted for different pocket sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time increases due to conversion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for sewing different pocket sizesVSAvoidmachine downtime for conversion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting device carriers are made dynamically adjustable along the guide rods, allowing the distance between cutting devices to be changed for different pocket sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the machine to adapt to various pocket dimensions without requiring complete conversion, thereby reducing machine downtime while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between cutting devices is adjusted for different pocket sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment for different pocket sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting device system is segmented into two independent carriers that can be adjusted separately along the guide rods. This segmentation allows for simplified adjustment of the distance between cutting devices for different pocket sizes, reducing the overall complexity compared to a monolithic adjustment mechanism while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Guide rods serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the adjustment of cutting device carriers. These guide rods provide a straightforward mechanical means for changing the distance between cutting devices, simplifying the adjustment process and reducing device complexity while enabling adaptability for different pocket sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the incision depth is maintained constant for different distances, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional drive device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant incision depthVSAvoidcomplexity of drive mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism is segmented into two independent drive devices: one for adjusting the distance between cutting devices and another for controlling the incision depth. This segmentation allows the incision depth to be maintained constant with precise control independent of the distance adjustment, improving manufacturing precision while keeping each individual drive device relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables rapid and flexible sewing of various pocket sizes without prolonged machine downtime, ensuring consistent incision depth and efficient operation across different sizes.

Implementation Method 1

the first drive device can also be designed as an electric or electro-pneumatic drive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-pneumatic drive:

Implementation Method 2

two cutting devices 11, 12 in the form of scissors for cutting a seam overhang

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP1903139B1Sewing machine and feed station for such a sewing machine
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 DURKOPP ADLER GMBH
  • EP1903139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1903139B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1903139B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic sewing machine has a sewing station with a sewing machine for sewing two pieces of material (4, 5) placed one on top of the other, a support plate (9) for the pieces of material (4, 5) and an insertion station (6). The latter is used for inserting and preparing the sewing material (4, 5) and is located upstream of the sewing station. The insertion station (6) has a positioning stop (7) for specifying a defined relative position of the two sewing material parts (4, 5) to the support plate (9). A cutting device (10) has two cutting devices (11, 12) arranged at a distance from one another for cutting in a seam overhang of a seam (14) to be formed by the sewing station between the incisions (13) produced in this way for sewing the two sewing material parts (4, 5). An adjustment device (15) is used to adjust the distance between the two cutting devices (11, 12) in a driven manner. The result is an automatic sewing machine whose flexibility for sewing different pocket sizes is increased.