Sewing Machine Automatic Embroidery Alignment via Marker Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sewing machines require manual operation of eight-directional keys and rotation keys to adjust the sewing position and angle of embroidery patterns, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A sewing machine equipped with a storage device for embroidery data, an imaging device to capture a marker on the work cloth, a detection device to determine the marker's position and angle, and a conversion device to adjust the embroidery data accordingly, allowing for automatic alignment and sewing of the pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation of eight-directional keys and rotation keys is used to adjust sewing position and angle, then the sewing machine can be operated without additional devices, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of position and angle adjustmentVSAvoidtime required for manual adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical key operation system with an optical detection system. The imaging device captures images of the work cloth, and the detection device automatically determines the sewing position and angle by processing the image data, eliminating the need for manual eight-directional key and rotation key operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sewing machine performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting the work cloth position and orientation through the imaging and detection devices. The system determines the sewing position and angle autonomously without requiring user intervention through manual key operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If an imaging device and detection device are added to automatically detect marker position and angle, then operation becomes easier and faster, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of position and angle determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of additional detection devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures images of the work cloth for both position determination and angle determination. The same detection device processes image data to extract both positional and orientational information, reducing the need for separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a marker as an intermediary element on the work cloth that facilitates automatic detection. The marker serves as a visual reference that the imaging device can easily capture and the detection device can process to determine both position and angle, simplifying the overall detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If the center point of the embroidery pattern outline is used for position adjustment, then the system can determine position automatically, but the precision of position alignment may be insufficient for complex patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of position determinationVSAvoidprecision of sewing position alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a separately affixed marker on the work cloth as an intermediary reference point for position determination, rather than relying solely on the embroidery pattern outline. This marker provides a clear, easily detectable reference that improves positioning precision while maintaining full automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the position reference (marker) from the embroidery pattern itself. This segmentation allows the detection device to focus on identifying the simple, distinct marker features rather than analyzing the potentially complex embroidery pattern outline, thereby improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8061286B2Sewing machine and computer-readable medium storing sewing machine control program

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth includes a storage device that stores embroidery data to identify a shape of the embroidery pattern and reference line data to identify a pattern position and a pattern angle. The sewing machine also includes an imaging device that captures an image of the work cloth onto which a marker is affixed, and a detection device that detects a marker position and a marker angle based on information of the image captured by the imaging device. The sewing machine further includes a conversion device that converts the embroidery data based on the pattern position, the pattern angle, the marker position, and the marker angle. The sewing machine further includes a sewing control device that controls sewing of the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data obtained after conversion.