Sewing Machine Joystick Control for Free Motion Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users unfamiliar with free motion sewing on traditional sewing machines face difficulties in accurately positioning the work cloth, leading to inconsistent stitch placement due to the complexity of operating devices like mice, which require precise movement control.
Innovation Solution
A sewing machine with a transfer device, sewing device, operation device, unit data generation device, sewing data generation device, transfer control device, and sewing control device, along with a computer-readable medium storing a control program, allows for free motion sewing by simplifying the operation through a tilting operation of an operation member, generating unit data and sewing data to specify stitch positions and movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mouse is used as the operation device for free motion sewing, then the sewing machine can perform free motion sewing by moving the embroidery frame according to user commands, but it becomes difficult for users to move the operation device by a desired amount in a desired direction, requiring a wide working space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mouse operation system with a joystick-based operation system. The joystick converts rotational motion into control signals that directly specify the embroidery frame's movement direction and distance, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning and reducing the required working space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from continuous positional coordinates (mouse) to angular and radial parameters (joystick). The joystick's rotation angle and displacement magnitude directly translate to stitching position commands, providing more intuitive control and reducing the space needed for operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mouse is used to control the embroidery frame movement, then free motion sewing can be performed, but the movement direction or movement speed may be changed during the operation, making it difficult to output the same output signal for a certain time period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the joystick's position and movement are continuously monitored and translated into precise control signals. This feedback loop ensures that the embroidery frame moves consistently according to the user's intended input, maintaining reliable and repeatable stitching patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation and conversion of the joystick's rotational and displacement parameters into precise embroidery frame movement commands before execution. This preliminary action ensures that the same joystick input always produces the same output signal, maintaining consistency throughout the sewing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A sewing machine includes a transfer device that is adapted to move a work cloth, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, an operation device that includes an operation member and that outputs an output signal in accordance with a tilting operation of the operation member, the output signal specifying a position where a unit stitch formed, a unit data generation device that generates unit data being data for forming the unit stitch, a sewing data generation device that generates sewing data in accordance with the output signal and the unit data, a transfer control device that causes the work cloth to be moved by driving the transfer device in accordance with the sewing data, and a sewing control device that causes the unit stitch to be sewn on the work cloth by driving the sewing device in accordance with the sewing data.