Walking Foot Stepping Height Adjustment for Variable Fabric Thickness

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial sewing machines require manual and time-consuming processes to adjust the stepping height for sewing both thinner and thicker materials, complicating the setup and operation.

Innovation Solution

A kit or sewing machine with an automated upper walking foot stepping height adjustment mechanism, utilizing a mounting assembly, actuator, drive assembly, and needle drive assembly to facilitate quick and easy adjustment of the upper walking foot and presser foot positions through an actuator shaft extension and retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment mechanisms are used to adjust stepping height, then the machine can sew both thinner and thicker materials, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to sew different material thicknessesVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an automated actuator system. The actuator automatically adjusts the upper walking foot's stepping height based on detected material thickness, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing adjustment time while maintaining the ability to handle various material thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sewing machine system performs self-adjustment through the actuator mechanism. The system automatically detects material thickness and adjusts the stepping height without requiring operator intervention, enabling the machine to serve itself in the adjustment process and significantly reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drive shafts and linkage assemblies are added to adjust stepping height, then the machine can accommodate different material thicknesses, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of stepping heightVSAvoidnumber of drive shafts and linkages

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary drive shafts and linkage assemblies from the traditional mechanism. By eliminating these redundant components and replacing them with a single actuator system, the invention maintains the adaptability to adjust stepping height while significantly reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator system serves multiple functions: it adjusts stepping height, accommodates different material thicknesses, and replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate mechanical components. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts needed while maintaining full adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If manual adjustment of stepping height is performed, then the machine structure remains simple, but labor costs and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator serves as an intermediary between the control system and the upper walking foot. It automatically mediates the adjustment process by translating control signals into precise mechanical adjustments, making the operation easier while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated actuator system. This replacement maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation, as the actuator handles all adjustment tasks automatically without requiring complex manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12492497B2Sewing machine with adjustable stepping height and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 STTCHEX PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING LLC

AI summary

A kit for adding or replacing an automated upper walking foot stepping height adjustment to a sewing machine, the kit includes a mounting assembly including an actuator bracket, an actuator coupled to the actuator bracket, a drive assembly, and a needle drive assembly. The actuator includes an actuator shaft that extends and retracts. The drive assembly includes a drive shaft, a drive arm coupled to the drive shaft and the actuator shaft, and a guide coupled to the drive shaft. The needle drive assembly includes a variable drive crank coupled to the guide and configured to couple to a needle drive shaft of a sewing machine. Selectively extending and retracting the actuator shaft selectively adjusts a stepping height of an upper walking foot.