One-Piece Support Plate for Sewing Machine Thread Path Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing and assembly of sewing machines are complex and costly due to the need for multiple components and varied configurations, which increases production expenses and assembly time.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece support plate that can be prefabricated and preassembled with sewing machine components, allowing for different equipment configurations to simplify manufacturing and assembly, while incorporating features like electronic handwheels, lighting, plug connections for electrical and pneumatic lines, and adjustable thread path settings to support upper thread tensioning devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components and varied configurations are used in sewing machines, then functional requirements can be met, but manufacturing and assembly complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (support plate, thread guide, tensioning device, positioning device, lighting device) into a single integrated support plate structure. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, directly addressing the contradiction by maintaining functional versatility while reducing manufacturing and assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: supporting the thread guide, holding the tensioning device, providing positioning capabilities, and incorporating lighting. This multi-functionality allows a single component to meet various functional requirements across different sewing machine models, reducing the need for multiple specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate components are used in sewing machines, then specific functions can be fulfilled, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional fulfillmentVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is designed as a pre-assembled unit with all necessary components (thread guide, tensioning device, positioning device, lighting) already integrated during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the entire assembly to be installed as a single unit in the sewing machine, dramatically reducing assembly time while ensuring all functional requirements are met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a one-piece support plate is used, then manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced, but adaptability to different sewing machine models must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmodel compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is designed as a universal platform with standardized mounting interfaces and configurable components that can accommodate different sewing machine models. The integrated design maintains adaptability while reducing manufacturing complexity, as the same basic structure can be used across multiple model variants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

While the support plate itself is a one-piece structure, it incorporates segmented, configurable elements (adjustable positioning devices, modular lighting options, configurable tensioning device arrangements) that allow adaptation to different model requirements without requiring different support plate designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2733246B1Sewing machine
Publication Date: 2015.03.04 DURKOPP ADLER GMBH
  • EP2733246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2733246B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2733246B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sewing machine has a housing (2) and stitch forming tools (10) for seam formation, including a needle bar (9) for holding a sewing needle (10). A one-piece support plate (27) fixed to the housing (2) serves to support components of the sewing machine (1). The support plate (27) carries at least one upper thread guide component (35, 36, 37) in the upper thread path after a thread lever (34) and at least one upper thread tensioning device (30, 31). This results in a sewing machine whose manufacture and assembly are simplified.