Sewing Machine Presser Foot Height Control via Optical Cord Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sewing machines face difficulties when sewing a cord onto a work cloth at a 90-degree angle, as the presser foot's height needs to be adjusted based on the cord's thickness to prevent the cord from getting caught in the guide groove or requiring excessive time to move up and down.
Innovation Solution
A sewing machine with a lift mechanism and optical detecting system that calculates the cord's width and adjusts the presser foot's height accordingly, ensuring smooth operation and efficient sewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the presser foot position is set low to prevent cord catching, then the cord can move smoothly along the guide groove, but the sewing machine requires more time to move the presser foot up and down
Solution Approach 1:
The presser foot position is made dynamically adjustable based on detected cord thickness. The lift mechanism changes the presser foot height according to the actual cord dimensions, allowing optimal positioning for each sewing task rather than using a fixed low position that causes time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the presser foot height parameter based on the detected cord thickness. By measuring the cord width with the optical detecting portion and calculating appropriate height, the system optimizes the presser foot position to prevent catching while minimizing movement time.
2Productivity
If the presser foot position is set high to reduce movement time, then the presser foot moves quickly, but the cord may be caught by the guide groove and the user cannot turn the work cloth smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The presser foot position transitions from a static high position to a dynamically adjusted position based on cord thickness detection. This allows the system to achieve high sewing speed when appropriate while preventing cord catching through adaptive positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects cord thickness and self-adjusts the presser foot height without user intervention. The optical detecting portion measures the cord, the control portion calculates the appropriate height, and the lift mechanism positions the presser foot accordingly, enabling seamless operation.
3Reliability
If manual presser foot adjustment is used for different cord thicknesses, then the presser foot can be positioned appropriately, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic cord thickness detection and presser foot height adjustment without requiring manual measurement or adjustment by the user. The optical detecting portion, control portion, and lift mechanism work together to self-regulate the presser foot position based on the actual cord dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an optical detection and automated control system. Instead of requiring the user to manually measure and adjust the presser foot, the system uses optical sensing and automated actuation to achieve precise positioning.
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 seamless 90-degree sewing by accurately adjusting the presser foot's height based on the cord's thickness, preventing catching and reducing sewing time.
Implementation Method 1
The optical detecting portion is configured to optically detect the cord guided by the guide portion and to output data representing the cord
Data Source
AI summary
A sewing machine includes a bed, a needle plate, a needle bar, a needle bar swing mechanism, a lift mechanism, an optical detecting portion, and a control portion. The lift mechanism is configured to raise and lower a presser foot. The optical detecting portion is configured to optically detect a cord guided by the guide portion, and to output data representing the cord. The control portion is configured to calculate a width of the cord based on the data output by the optical detecting portion, calculate a height position of the presser foot based on the width of the cord, and cause the lift mechanism to move the presser foot to the height position.