Sewing System Single Holding Frame Temporal Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sewing systems require multiple material holders and manual intervention, leading to inefficiencies and increased setup costs, as they lack a seamless integration of sewing and transport processes.

Innovation Solution

A sewing system utilizing a single holding frame with a gripping robot that enables temporal overlap between sewing transport and supply transport, allowing for continuous operation without the need for multiple holders and manual loading, and combining supply and removal functions for enhanced efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple material holders are used, then continuous sewing operation is possible, but device complexity and setup costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous sewing operationVSAvoidnumber of material holders
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple material holders into a single holding frame that can accommodate multiple sewing material parts simultaneously. The holding frame is designed with a contour adapted to the seam to be formed, allowing multiple material parts to be held and processed in one unified structure rather than requiring separate holders for each piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single holding frame serves multiple functions: it holds multiple sewing material parts, guides them through the sewing process, and enables continuous operation by allowing the operator to load new material parts while previous ones are being sewn. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized holders.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If manual loading of material holders is required, then setup costs are reduced, but temporal efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup costsVSAvoidoperator waiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame is designed to enable continuous operation where the operator can load new sewing material parts onto the frame while previous parts are being processed through the sewing machine. This continuous loading process eliminates idle time and ensures the sewing operation can proceed without interruption, maintaining constant productive action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If a single holding frame is used, then setup costs are reduced, but the ability to maintain continuous operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of holding framesVSAvoidtemporal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame is segmented into multiple positions or slots that can accommodate individual sewing material parts. Each segment can be independently loaded and positioned, allowing the operator to prepare new parts while others are being processed. This segmentation within a unified frame maintains simplicity while enabling continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3088587B1Sewing system
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 DURKOPP ADLER GMBH
  • EP3088587B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a sewing system (1) with a sewing machine (2) for sewing two pieces of material together in a stitch formation area (4) by forming at least one seam (5), with a material feed unit (8) for transporting the material (3) from a feed area (6) to the stitch formation area (4) and for transporting the material (3) from the stitch formation area (4) to a drop-off area (7), wherein the material feed unit (8) has exactly one holding frame (9) whose edge contour is adapted to a contour of the seam (5) to be formed, with a material supply transport unit (13) for transporting the material (3) from a material feed stack area (14) to the feed area (6) of the material feed unit (8) and/or for transporting the material (3) from the drop-off area (7) of the material feed unit (8) to a Sewing material storage stacking area (15),wherein the material feed transport device (8) and the material supply transport device (13) are designed such that they transport the material (3) in the area of ​​the sewing system (1) in a temporally overlapping manner.