Sewing Machine Thread Knife Curved End Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thread-pulling knives for lockstitch sewing machines often cause issues with the thread course, leading to undesirable thread catching or wrapping around the knife and other components, which disrupts the smooth operation of the sewing process.

Innovation Solution

A thread-pulling knife with a lengthened and rounded end section and a curved design is introduced to prevent thread catching and wrapping, ensuring a trouble-free thread travel by minimizing interference with the needle thread and other sewing machine components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional thread-pulling knife is used, then the structure is simple, but the thread course is disturbed causing thread catching and wrapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread course smoothnessVSAvoidknife structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end section of the thread-pulling knife is designed with a rounded contour instead of a sharp edge, creating a curvature that prevents thread catching and wrapping. This curved geometry allows the thread to pass smoothly without being caught by angular edges, directly resolving the technical contradiction between thread course smoothness and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the end section is lengthened and rounded, then thread wrapping is prevented, but the knife design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread wrapping preventionVSAvoidknife geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end section is extended and given a rounded contour that follows the natural path of the thread, preventing the thread from wrapping around sharp edges. This curved design eliminates the harmful wrapping effect while adding only minimal geometric complexity to the knife structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Only the end section of the knife is modified with a rounded contour, while the rest of the knife maintains its conventional simple structure. This localized modification addresses the thread wrapping problem specifically at the critical end section without unnecessarily complicating the entire knife design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a curved design is used, then thread travel is improved, but manufacturing may become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread travel smoothnessVSAvoidknife manufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The curved end section is designed with a simple arc contour that can be easily formed during standard knife manufacturing processes. The curvature radius is chosen to be large enough to prevent thread wrapping but small enough to be incorporated into conventional manufacturing workflows without requiring complex tooling or multi-step processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP1847641B1Thread drawing knife for a sewing machine
Publication Date: 2010.02.10 DURKOPP ADLER GMBH
  • EP1847641B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1847641B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1847641B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The second rotation stop (38) is fastened to the thread-pulling blade (29). A positioning restraint (41) secures the thread-pulling blade in the normal position when the shuttle (19) turns in the opposite direction. In this position the second rotation stop (38) works with the second spool casing stop (40). The second stop is molded-on integrally with the thread-pulling blade. A projection (39) opposite the second stop on the thread-pulling blade, transitions smoothly into the blade body. A deflection mechanism operates with the thread pulling blade drive (49), this causes displacement of the blade from its normal position, into a thread-gripping position, by moving the positioning restraint into a release position. Further mechanical details of the mechanism are provided. The thread pulling blade drive includes an electromagnet.