Sewing Machine Spool Pin Stand with Color-Variable LED Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multineedle sewing machines face difficulties in accurately selecting and attaching thread spools of different colors due to the proximity of spool pins and thread tension regulators, leading to potential mis-selection and entanglement, which can hinder smooth sewing operations.
Innovation Solution
A sewing machine with a spool pin stand equipped with color-variable thread supply display units and a control unit that reads sewing data to accurately display thread colors on the spool pins, ensuring correct attachment of thread spools by illuminating the corresponding spool pins and tension regulators with full-color LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of sewing needles is increased to enable colorful embroidery sewing, then the productivity and versatility of the sewing machine is improved, but the spool pins and thread tension regulators come closer to one another making thread selection more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded identification by providing each spool pin with a colored label or mark that corresponds to the thread color required for that needle. This visual color coding system enables operators to quickly and accurately identify which thread spool to attach to which spool pin, even when multiple spool pins are in close proximity, thereby resolving the selection difficulty caused by increased needle count for colorful embroidery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual identification system (colored labels or marks on spool pins) that mediates between the physical arrangement of spool pins and the operator's selection process. This intermediary provides clear visual cues that distinguish each spool pin's purpose, preventing mis-selection and entanglement while maintaining the compact arrangement necessary for multineedle operation
2Ease of operation
If light-emitting diodes are disposed on the thread guide passage near thread guide tension discs to indicate selected needle bars, then the threading process is improved, but the operator cannot clearly determine to which spool pin the thread spool should be attached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification function by providing separate visual indicators for two distinct purposes: (1) light-emitting diodes on the thread guide passage indicate which needle bar is selected and the threading path, and (2) colored labels or marks on the spool pins themselves indicate which thread color should be attached to each spool pin. This segmentation ensures that both threading guidance and spool pin identification information are clearly provided without confusion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing specific visual identification features (colored labels or marks) directly on each spool pin location, rather than using a general indication system. Each spool pin has its own unique visual identifier corresponding to the required thread color, providing localized information that enables precise identification at each specific spool pin position
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
This solution allows operators to easily and accurately attach the correct thread spools to the corresponding spool pins, preventing mis-selection and ensuring smooth embroidery operations by providing clear visual cues for thread color identification.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of thread supply display units which are provided on the spool pin stand so as to correspond to the spool pins respectively and are illuminated by full-color LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
A sewing machine includes a spool pin stand having spool pins to which thread spools are attachable and seats corresponding to the spool pins, respectively, thread passage defining members located on a thread passage, a sewing data storage unit storing sewing data including at least thread color information about colors of the needle threads, thread supply display units which are located on the spool pin stand so as to correspond to the spool pins respectively, the thread supply display units being configured to produce light which transmits through at least ones of the spool pins and the seats and displaying the thread colors in a color-variable manner, respectively, and a thread color information control unit controlling the thread supply display units based on the thread color information so that thread colors corresponding to the spool pins are displayed by the thread supply display units, respectively.