Shuttle Embroidery Machine Carriage Width Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shuttle embroidery machines require costly and labor-intensive adjustments to set and adjust the carriage width, which can only be done when the machine is at a standstill, and involve complex locking mechanisms and multiple force elements, limiting operational flexibility and precision.
Innovation Solution
A device with a direct play-free connection between the control shaft and shuttle carriage, using an eccentric drum and guide ring with a suitable coefficient of friction for self-locking, allows for precise adjustment of the carriage width during operation without locking means, enabling easy setting and adjustment of the carriage width by turning the adjusting shaft, and allowing the shuttle carriage to be moved for changing embroidery grounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centrally movable wedges are used to adjust carriage width, then adjustment is simplified, but the machine must be stationary during adjustment and locking mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the eccentric drum and guide ring components from the traditional adjustment mechanism, replacing them with a direct connection between the adjusting shaft and shuttle carriage. This extraction of unnecessary components eliminates the need for locking mechanisms while maintaining adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting shaft serves multiple functions: it adjusts the carriage width during operation, retracts the shuttle carriage for changing embroidery bases, and enables rewinding of the embroidery base by several times the working distance. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate locking and stop devices.
2Reliability
If force elements are used to maintain high pressure on the connection, then the connection remains closed during operation, but adjustment requires significantly reducing the force which prevents maintaining carriage width
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-locking through the friction between the eccentric drum surface and guide ring, which maintains the connection stability automatically without requiring external force elements. The adjusting shaft can be rotated freely for adjustment while the set position is maintained by self-locking friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction coefficient at the bearing rings of the adjusting shaft and the surface finish of the sliding surfaces on the eccentric drum and guide ring to achieve self-locking. This parameter change allows the system to maintain stability without requiring high force elements that would prevent adjustment.
3Manufacturing precision
If adjusting screws and locking devices are used, then the carriage width can be fixed, but the adjustment work is considerable and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting shaft is designed to allow preliminary rotation to retract the shuttle carriage for changing embroidery bases, and then the same shaft is used to precisely set the carriage width after base insertion. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism allows continuous rotation of the adjusting shaft during machine operation without interruption. The shaft can be rotated to retract the carriage, insert a new base, and then adjust the width continuously without stopping the machine or using discrete locking steps.
4Reliability
If the adjusting shaft is locked in both directions of rotation, then the carriage width is maintained, but adjustment cannot be performed without passing the dead center position
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-locking friction at the bearing rings and sliding surfaces to maintain the carriage width automatically after adjustment. The adjusting shaft remains free to rotate in both directions without requiring mechanical locks, allowing continuous adjustment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using locking mechanisms to maintain position, the patent uses friction-based self-locking that works in reverse: the friction force automatically prevents rotation when torque is applied, but allows free rotation when torque is removed. This inversion of the locking approach enables continuous adjustment without dead center positioning.
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 cost-effective, low-maintenance, and precise adjustment of the carriage width during operation, eliminating the need for locking and stop means, allowing for precise control of tenths of a millimeter and easy insertion of new embroidery bases, while maintaining the carriage width without torque on the actuating shaft.
Implementation Method 1
By selecting a suitable material for the surface finish of the sliding surfaces on the eccentric drum and the guide ring, the shuttle carriage can be held in any position by self-locking without the need for a locking mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to adjust the carriage distance on an embroidery machine. This aim is achieved in that a control rod (15) can be driven on a setting shaft (9), which extends along the embroidery machine in the rear carriage (2) and has cam cylinders (11) placed thereon, which control rod acts directly on the shuttle carriage (3) and pushes the shuttle carriage forwards and backwards in the Z direction. By means of a half rotation of the setting shaft (9), the carriage distance can be moved from the greatest to the smallest distance from the shuttle race (5) and there, by means of a rotational movement by a few angular degrees α-β, the shuttle race (5) can be adjusted within tenths of millimetres.