Sewing Machine Display Unit for Embroidery Positioning

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sewing machines require users to rely on imagination to understand the positional relation between the embroidery frame, sewing object, and embroidery pattern, which can lead to ambiguity due to residual image fading and concentration loss.

Innovation Solution

A sewing machine with a display unit showing the image of the embroidery frame and pattern, along with feature points, allows users to grasp positional relations directly, and the machine can move the embroidery frame to specific points selected by the user, facilitating accurate alignment and correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the needle traces the contour line of the embroidery pattern to indicate the range, then the user can grasp the positional relation among the embroidery frame, sewing object, and embroidery pattern, but the residual image becomes unclear due to concentration loss over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional relation informationVSAvoidclarity of residual image

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the embroidery pattern and embroidery frame that is displayed on a display unit. This virtual image reproduces the positional relationships without relying on the physical residual image on the sewing object, thereby preventing information loss due to concentration loss while maintaining accurate positional relation display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a display unit as an intermediary between the embroidery system and the user. Instead of relying directly on the residual image on the sewing object, the display unit provides a persistent visual representation of the positional relationships, eliminating the reliability issue of fading residual images while preserving the informational content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the embroidery frame is moved horizontally to trace the embroidery pattern range, then the user can image the contour of the trace line, but the user still needs to rely on imagination to maintain the residual image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrasping positional relationVSAvoiduser's imagination ability requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the embroidery pattern and embroidery frame that is displayed on a display unit. This virtual image reproduces the positional relationships without relying on the physical residual image on the sewing object, thereby preventing information loss due to concentration loss while maintaining accurate positional relation display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a display unit as an intermediary between the embroidery system and the user. Instead of relying directly on the residual image on the sewing object, the display unit provides a persistent visual representation of the positional relationships, eliminating the reliability issue of fading residual images while preserving the informational content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the needle moves along the entire circumference of the embroidery pattern to trace the range, then the user can understand the embroidery range, but the process is time-consuming and the residual image fades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembroidery range informationVSAvoidtracing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by displaying the virtual image of the embroidery pattern and frame positioning on the display unit before the actual embroidery sewing begins. This allows the user to check the range and positional relationships in advance without needing to trace the entire circumference, saving time while preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the embroidery pattern and embroidery frame that is displayed on a display unit. This virtual image reproduces the positional relationships without relying on the physical residual image on the sewing object, thereby preventing information loss due to concentration loss while maintaining accurate positional relation display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10876238B2Sewing machine

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 JANOME CORP

AI summary

A sewing machine that sews an embroidery pattern on a sewing object includes an embroidery frame horizontally moving along a direction which a frame surface extends, a needle bar supporting a needle for inserting a thread, and reciprocally moving toward an internal space of the embroidery frame, a memory unit storing image data of the embroidery frame, and embroidery data of the embroidery pattern, and a display unit displaying an image of the embroidery frame, an image of the embroidery pattern within the image of the embroidery frame, and a feature point with a positional relation between the embroidery pattern, and the embroidery frame when actually sewn in accordance with the embroidery data.