Multihead Sewing Machine Shuttle Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-head embroidery machines require frequent bobbin thread changes and are expensive to manufacture due to the use of driver bars and complex gear systems, which affects efficiency and operability.
Innovation Solution
The multi-head embroidery machine employs a shuttle guide device with a separate gear for each shuttle, eliminating the need for a driver bar and allowing for synchronized movement with a continuous shaft, enabling longer thread supply and reduced bobbin thread changes, using shuttles with up to 250 meters of thread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a driver bar and complex gear system are used to move shuttles, then synchronized movement of multiple shuttles is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shuttle movement system into independent modules, with each shuttle having its own guide device and gear mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler while maintaining overall synchronization through modular design, reducing both manufacturing cost and device complexity compared to a unified driver bar system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a centralized driver bar approach to individual guide devices for each shuttle, effectively changing the structural dimension from a single shared mechanism to multiple independent mechanisms. This dimensional change simplifies each individual component while achieving the same synchronization function.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional bobbins are used, then thread supply is limited to approximately 100 meters, but frequent bobbin thread changes are required, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads significantly longer thread lengths (up to 250 meters or more) onto the shuttles before operation begins. This preliminary action of loading extended thread supplies eliminates the need for frequent thread changes during operation, thereby maintaining continuous productivity and reducing operational interruptions.
3Ease of manufacture
If spools with up to 100 meters of thread are used, then the machine structure is simple, but frequent thread changes reduce operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses shuttles that are copies of proven designs from large embroidery machines, adapting them for use in multi-head machines. These shuttle copies can hold up to 250 meters of thread, significantly reducing thread change frequency while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of manufacture through the use of standardized, proven components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine has sewing heads comprising needle points movable relative to a sewing point in a movement direction. A lower thread unit is attached to the sewing heads and has a shuttle guide device (15) for guiding a shuttle (31). The thread unit has a transmission (19) e.g. cam mechanism and linkage, for driving the guide device. The guide device has a slide (17) that is movably arranged along a guiding rod (21), where the slide is connected with the transmission. A rotatable drive shaft (45) is connected with the transmission, and the guide device is attached to a mounting frame (13).