Sewing Machine Ultrasonic Position Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sewing machines require users to affix and remove a marker on the work cloth to set the sewing position and angle, making the operation cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A sewing machine equipped with detecting portions to identify the position of an ultrasonic wave transmission source, allowing for precise positioning without the need for a physical marker, using a processor and memory to control the sewing process based on detected ultrasonic waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a marker is affixed to the work cloth to set the sewing position and angle, then the sewing position and angle can be automatically set based on the captured image of the marker, but the operation becomes troublesome for the user due to the need to affix and remove the marker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesewing position setting accuracyVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the marker from the system by replacing it with an ultrasonic transmission source that can be directly held by the user. The marker affixing step is removed entirely, and instead an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from a portable transmission source to detect position information without any physical attachment to the work cloth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical marker affixing and removal process with an ultrasonic wave-based detection system. Instead of physically attaching a marker to the work cloth and then removing it, the system uses ultrasonic waves transmitted from a portable source to detect position information, substituting mechanical operations with acoustic field-based detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If an imaging portion is used to capture the marker image for automatic sewing position setting, then the sewing position and angle can be automatically determined, but the process requires additional steps of marker affixing and removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic sewing position settingVSAvoidtime for marker affixing and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the user hold the ultrasonic transmission source at the desired sewing position before sewing begins. The position is determined in advance through ultrasonic wave detection, eliminating the need for post-positioning adjustments or marker removal steps after sewing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the time-consuming marker affixing and removal steps from the workflow. By using an ultrasonic transmission source that doesn't require physical attachment, the system eliminates these preparatory and cleanup steps, reducing total operation time while maintaining automatic position setting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If a marker is used to specify the sewing position on the work cloth, then the position can be clearly identified, but the work cloth requires additional materials and cleanup steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition identification accuracyVSAvoidmarker material usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic transmission source serves itself as both the positioning tool and the detection target. The user holds the transmission source at the desired position, and the system detects the position through the ultrasonic waves emitted by the same device, eliminating the need for separate markers and their associated material consumption and cleanup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 easy and accurate setting of sewing positions on the work cloth, reducing user effort and eliminating the need for a physical marker, while ensuring precise coordination calculations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one detecting portion configured to detect an ultrasonic wave that has been transmitted from a transmission source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave detection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS9096962B2Sewing machine, embroidery unit, and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing sewing machine control program

Publication Date: 2015.08.04 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A sewing machine includes at least one detecting portion, a processor, and a memory. The at least one detecting portion is configured to detect an ultrasonic wave that has been transmitted from a transmission source. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps including identifying a position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave based on information pertaining to the ultrasonic wave that has been detected by the at least one detecting portion, and controlling sewing based on the position of the transmission source that has been identified.