Knitting machine with electronic auxiliary components

Abstract

The present application relates to a knitting machine with an electronic auxiliary component. The knitting machine may include a needle bed and a carriage movable along the needle bed. The carriage may be configured to engage at least one feeder to move a dispensing area of ​​the feeder along the needle bed while dispensing yarn, wherein the carriage includes an interface for providing energy to the auxiliary component.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with an application date of March 30, 2018, application number 201880023261.1, and invention name “Knitting machine with electronic auxiliary components”.

[0002] Related Applications

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 479,698, filed on March 31, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. background

[0004] A variety of articles are formed from textiles. For example, articles of clothing (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, footwear, jackets and other outerwear, underpants and other undergarments, hats and other headwear), containers (e.g., backpacks, bags), and decorative items for furniture (e.g., chairs, couches, vehicle seats) are often at least partially formed from textiles. These textiles are often formed by weaving or interlooping (e.g., knitting) one or more yarns, usually by mechanical processes involving a loom or knitting machine. One particular object that can be formed from a textile is an upper for an article of footwear.

[0005] Knitting is an example of a process that can form a textile. Knitting can generally be classified as weft knitting or warp knitting. In weft knitting and warp knitting, one or more yarns are manipulated to form a plurality of intermeshed loops defining a plurality of courses and wales. In the more common weft knitting, the courses and wales are perpendicular to each other and can be formed by a single yarn or by many yarns. In warp knitting, the wales and courses run generally parallel.

[0006] Although knitting can be performed by hand, the manufacture of knitted components is usually performed commercially by knitting machines. An example of a knitting machine for producing weft knitted components is a V-bed flat knitting machine, which includes two needle beds that are angled relative to each other. Tracks extend above and parallel to the needle beds and provide attachment points for feeders that move along the needle beds and supply yarn to the needles in the needle beds. Standard feeders have the ability to supply yarn for knitting, tuck and float. In the case where inlay yarns are incorporated into knitted components, inlay feeders are usually used.

[0007] A common problem with existing knitting machines is the inability to detect broken needles. When a needle breaks, it interrupts the knitted structure of the knitted component, which often requires the knitted component to be discarded as waste. This problem can go undetected for a long time, especially when the knitting machine is running automatically without anyone continuously on-site (oversite). Summary of the invention

[0008] This application provides the following:

[0009] 1). A knitting machine, comprising:

[0010] Bed of needles; and

[0011] a carriage movable along the needle bed, the carriage being configured to engage at least one feeder to move a dispensing area of ​​the feeder along the needle bed while dispensing yarn,

[0012] The carriage comprises an interface for supplying energy to auxiliary components.

[0013] 2). The knitting machine as described in 1), wherein the interface is a USP port.

[0014] 3). A knitting machine as described in 1), wherein a cable extends from a power source to said carriage to provide said energy to said interface.

[0015] 4) A knitting machine as described in 1), wherein the auxiliary component is configured to determine when the needles of the needle bed are damaged or broken, and then send a feedback signal to the control system of the knitting machine through the interface, indicating that the needles are damaged or broken.

[0016] 5). The knitting machine as described in 1), wherein the interface is configured to receive a feedback signal from the auxiliary component so that the feedback signal is received by the control system.

[0017] 6) A knitting machine as described in 5), wherein the knitting machine is configured to adjust the knitting sequence in response to the feedback signal received by the control system from the auxiliary component.

[0018] 7) A knitting machine as described in 5), wherein the knitting machine is configured to terminate the knitting process in response to the feedback signal received by the control system from the auxiliary component.

[0019] 8). The knitting machine as described in 5), wherein the auxiliary component is a lamp.

[0020] 9). The knitting machine according to 5), wherein the auxiliary component is a sensor configured to sense at least one environmental condition.

[0021] 10). The knitting machine as described in 9), wherein the auxiliary component is a temperature sensor.

[0022] 11) A knitting machine, comprising:

[0023] Bed of needles; and

[0024] an auxiliary transport device configured to move along a track of the knitting machine so that an end of the auxiliary transport device moves along the needle bed,

[0025] The end portion of the auxiliary transport device includes at least one electronic auxiliary component.

[0026] 12) The knitting machine according to 11), wherein the auxiliary transport device comprises a sensor configured to detect the needles of the needle bed.

[0027] 13). The knitting machine as described in 12), wherein the auxiliary component is at least one of a laser and a camera.

[0028] 14). The knitting machine as described in 11), wherein the control system of the knitting machine is electrically connected to the auxiliary component and is configured to receive a feedback signal from the auxiliary component.

[0029] 15). Knitting machine according to 11), wherein said end of said auxiliary transport device comprises at least two electronic auxiliary components.

[0030] 16) A knitting machine as described in 11), wherein the end of the auxiliary transport device includes a first electronic auxiliary component that moves along the first needle bed of the knitting machine and a second electronic auxiliary component that moves along the second needle bed of the knitting machine.

[0031] 17). A method comprising:

[0032] knitting a knitted part on the needle bed,

[0033] wherein the knitting step includes moving a carriage along the needle bed, the carriage being configured to engage at least one feeder to move a dispensing area of ​​the feeder along the needle bed while dispensing yarn, and

[0034] The carriage comprises an interface for supplying energy to auxiliary components.

[0035] 18). The method as described in 17), wherein the interface is a USP port.

[0036] 19). A method as described in 17), wherein a cable extends from a power source to the slide to provide the energy to the interface.

[0037] 20) A method as described in 17), wherein the auxiliary component is configured to determine when the needles of the needle bed are damaged or broken, and then send a feedback signal to the control system of the knitting machine through the interface, indicating that the needles are damaged or broken. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a knitting machine according to the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a knitting machine with auxiliary components according to the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 3 It is shown that according to the present disclosure Figure 2 Illustration of a side view of a knitting machine having a carriage with auxiliary components.

[0041] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A side view of a knitting machine and an illustration of the needle being stuck in the actuated position.

[0042] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an auxiliary transportation device having two auxiliary components according to the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 6 It is shown that according to the present disclosure Figure 5 Illustration of a perspective view of an auxiliary transport device on the track of a knitting machine and operated via a belt drive. Detailed Description

[0044] Various aspects are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are generally identified by similar numbers. The relationship and function of the various elements of the various aspects can be better understood by reference to the following detailed description. However, the aspects are not limited to those aspects illustrated in the accompanying drawings or explicitly described below. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in some cases, details that are not necessary for understanding the aspects disclosed herein, such as conventional manufacturing and assembly, may have been omitted.

[0045] Figure 1A knitting machine 100 is shown having two needle beds (a front needle bed or first needle bed 102 and a rear needle bed or second needle bed 104) that are angled relative to each other (e.g., to form a V-shaped bed). The needles of the first needle bed 102 can be located on a first plane, and the needles of the second needle bed 104 can be located on a second plane. The first plane and the second plane can be angled relative to each other and meet to form an intersection (or axis) that extends along a majority of the width of the knitting machine 100. The needles can each have a first or neutral position (in which the needles are retracted) and a second or extended position (in which the needles are extended). In the neutral position, one end of the needle is spaced from the intersection, and in the extended position, the needle passes through the intersection. The needles, needle beds, and intersections are further described in detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 048,540, which is patented as US 9,060,570, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0046] One or more tracks 106 may extend above and parallel to the intersection line and may provide attachment points for one or more feeders 108. Herein, the track 106 is defined by a guide rail to which the feeder 108 may be movably coupled. The track 106 may be fixed to a body 107, wherein the body 107 includes a track 106 on each side (e.g., on both sides as shown) (and wherein each of the tracks 106 is configured to be coupled to a different feeder 108). Two tracks 106 are included in the depicted embodiment, but more than two or less than two tracks 106 may be included. The feeder 108 may include a distribution area 110 located near the intersection line and configured to distribute the yarn 112 to at least one of the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104 when the feeder moves along the intersection line.

[0047] The knitting machine 100 may include a carriage 114 including an upper portion 116 for associating with the feeder 108, a lower portion 114 (also referred to as a cam box) for associating with a cam below the needle bed 102, and the carriage 114 is capable of moving along the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104. The upper portion 116 of the carriage 114 may include a set of plungers (not shown) that can selectively engage at least one of the feeders 108 so that when the carriage 114 moves, the engaged feeder 108 moves along one of the tracks 106. When the carriage 114 moves along the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104, the carriage 114 can selectively actuate the needles of the first needle bed 102 and / or the second needle bed 104 so that the actuated needles move from a default position to an extended position. The actuation may be a set of cams (not shown) of the carriage 114 as the carriage 114 passes by. Figure 1 The result of the butt portion of the needle (not shown) contacting the butt portion of the needle and forcing the needle to move from the default position to the extended position. Due to the action of the carriage 114, the feeder 108 and the needle, the yarn 112 can be distributed from the feeder 108 and distributed to the needles of at least one of the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104.

[0048] refer to Figure 2In some embodiments, the carriage 420 (and possibly multiple carriages) of the knitting machine 400 may include an interface 444 for providing power to at least one auxiliary component 446. The auxiliary component 446 may be selected from a variety of auxiliary components that can interact with the interface 444. For example, the auxiliary component may include a light, a camera, a sensor, a cutting device, or any other suitable auxiliary component. The interface may be any suitable type of interface, including (but not limited to) a USB port, a standard power outlet (such as, for example, a socket compatible with NEMA-1 or NEMA-5 connectors in North America, and equivalents in other regions), a parallel port (e.g., a DB-25 port), and a serial port (e.g., a DE-9 port). Advantageously, the auxiliary component 446 can be coupled to the carriage 420 so that it moves along the needle bed with the carriage and thereby continuously approaches the knitting action (e.g., yarn looping on the needles), which can provide the auxiliary component 446 with the ability to perform operations affecting the yarn before, during, or after the yarn loops on the needles, to collect information about the knitting process, the yarn, or the knitting machine, and to communicate that information to the knitting machine and / or a user, etc. When the interface 444 provides energy (e.g., in the form of electricity), the energy can be provided to the carriage 420 by extending the cable 448 from a location (e.g., a location stationary relative to the frame) to the carriage 420; wirelessly; or by another suitable device or method. Although not shown, it is contemplated that the knitting machine 400 can include a cable management device to manage cable slack as the carriage 420 moves.

[0049] In some embodiments, the interface 444 may be capable of one-way or two-way communication between the auxiliary component 446 and the control system 450 (or another control system) of the knitting machine. When two-way communication is provided by the interface 444, the knitting machine can receive a feedback signal 452 from the auxiliary component 446 (e.g., so that the feedback signal 452 is received by the control system 450 of the knitting machine 400). The knitting machine 400 can adjust its operation in response to the feedback signal 452. For example, the knitting machine 400 can adjust the knitting sequence in response to the feedback signal 452 caused by certain conditions (such as specific environmental conditions, machine damage, yarn breakage, etc.). In some embodiments, the knitting machine may be able to terminate the knitting process in response to the feedback signal 452 (e.g., when the feedback signal 452 indicates that a needle breakage is found by the auxiliary component 446).

[0050] The auxiliary component may be a sensor configured to sense at least one environmental condition. For example, the auxiliary component may include a temperature sensor 454 and / or a barometer 456. This may be advantageous in providing information to the control system 450 so that the control system 450 can take the environmental conditions into account by modifying certain characteristics of the knitting process (e.g., knitting speed, yarn tension, etc.). The result may be a safer, more efficient, and more effective knitting process.

[0051] exist Figure 3 4 shows a side view of a carriage 420 and two needle beds 402. As shown, the carriage 420 may include an upper portion 415 for cooperating with a set of feeders 410 and a lower portion having a cam box 414. The cam box 414 may extend along the needles 403 of the needle beds 402. As shown, the auxiliary component 446 may include a sensor 455 configured to detect displacement or breakage of the needles 403. The sensor 455 may be a laser sensor, a camera, a metal detector, or any other suitable sensor device.

[0052] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A knitting machine in which the needle is stuck in the "up" or actuated position. When this happens, the loops or other knitted structures of the knitted components formed on the knitting machine may be damaged because the needles 403 cannot operate properly, which may cause the knitted components to be discarded as waste. More seriously, the carriage 420 and / or the feeder 410 ( Figure 3 ) may contact the needle 403 during the knitting process, which may damage the knitting machine and require maintenance (e.g., replacement of the needle, which is associated with significant machine downtime). In other cases, the needle 403 may break (e.g., due to wear), which may also interrupt the knitting process and / or require the knitting component to be discarded.

[0053] The sensor 455, which may be a laser sensor, camera, etc., may be located on the end of the cam box 414 and configured to detect when the needle is stuck in the actuated position. The sensor 455 is positioned at the end 460 of the cam box 414 (see also Figure 2 ) may be advantageous because, when the knitting machine is operating normally, the needles 403 may be in a "down" or unactuated position when the end 460 passes over those needles 403 (i.e., because the needles 403 are typically actuated to an "up" position only when near the center of the cam box 414 due to the arrangement of the cams). Thus, the sensor may operate by observing (e.g., with a laser or camera) or otherwise sensing (e.g., by metal detection) the presence of the needles 403 in the "up" position when the end 460 of the cam box 414 passes over the needles 403. Upon detecting that the needles 403 are in an improper position, the sensor 455 may provide a signal to the control system 450 ( Figure 2 ) electronically sends a signal and controls the system 450 ( Figure 2 ) can respond appropriately (e.g., by shutting down the knitting operation, indicating a potential problem to an operator via interface 450, etc.).

[0054] Sensor 455 may additionally or alternatively be configured to detect the presence of a broken or missing needle. For example, in some embodiments, sensor 455 may be located at a suitable location on cam box 414 where the needle is appropriately extended to the "up" or actuated position to cooperate with the feeder (e.g., near the center of cam box 414), and thus when the needle should be actuated, the lack of a sensor signal corresponding to needle 403 may indicate that there is a problem with needle 403. Control system 450 ( Figure 2 ) can then react appropriately to prevent or control damage to the knitted components and / or knitting machine.

[0055] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown in , a separate auxiliary transport device 514 can accommodate and transport auxiliary components 546 instead of a carriage (or, the carriage can include auxiliary components while the auxiliary transport device 514 includes different auxiliary components). Figure 5 , the auxiliary component 546 can be an electronic device and can include any of the features described with reference to the auxiliary components above, and can be included on the auxiliary transport device 514, wherein the upper portion 516 is coupled to the track 506 of the knitting machine. Although not shown, the auxiliary transport device 514 can be similar to the carriage and auxiliary component 446 (described above) Figure 2) is wired to a control system, a fixed user interface, etc. In the depicted embodiment, the first auxiliary component 546a is associated with the first needle bed 502a, and the second auxiliary component 546b is associated with the second needle bed 502b (and it should be noted that the dotted line indicates the "up" or actuated position of the needle). Each of the first auxiliary component 546a and the second auxiliary component 546b can include a sensor (e.g., a laser, a camera, a metal detector, or any other suitable sensor) for monitoring the operation and condition of the needle 503. For example, the auxiliary transport device 514 can run back and forth along the track 506 so that the first auxiliary component 546a and the second auxiliary component 546b run back and forth along the needle bed 502 to observe or otherwise detect the condition of the needle 503. This can occur continuously during knitting, at predetermined time intervals, and / or when the carriage passes a predetermined number of times. Although not shown, in other embodiments, the auxiliary transport device 514 may additionally or alternatively include other auxiliary components, such as temperature sensors, barometers, etc., which collect and communicate information about the yarn and / or loops of the knitted component and / or atmospheric conditions. Similarly, auxiliary components 446 (see FIG. 10 ) similar to those described above may also be included. Figure 2 ), auxiliary components 546a and 564b may be coupled to a control system (such as Figure 2 The auxiliary transport device 514 may include a port (similar to a control system 450) for determining operating parameters of the knitting machine. The auxiliary components 546a and / or 546b may additionally or alternatively include devices other than sensors for performing functions during the manufacture of the knitted components, such as cutting devices, moisture or adhesive application devices, heating devices, etc. Although not shown, the auxiliary transport device 514 may include a port (similar to a Figure 2 A port or interface 444 is provided so that different auxiliary components can be selectively used with the auxiliary transportation device 514.

[0056] Figure 6 The device shown has auxiliary components 546a and 546b. Figure 5 506. The upper portion 516 of the auxiliary transport device 514 can have wheels and / or other suitable devices for moving the auxiliary transport device 514 along the track 506. Although the auxiliary transport device 514 can be configured to move with the carriage 520 (i.e., in a manner similar to a feeder), it is also contemplated that the auxiliary transport device 514 can be actuated independently of the carriage 520.

[0057] The auxiliary transport device 514 can be coupled to an actuator 522 configured to move the auxiliary transport device 514 so that the auxiliary components 546a and 546b are moved along the needle bed of the knitting machine and / or along the loops of the knitted components, as shown. The auxiliary transport device 514 is preferably movable independently of the carriage 520 (i.e., due to actuation of the actuator 522), but in other embodiments, it can be alternatively (or additionally) actuated by the carriage 520 (e.g., in a manner similar to that of the actuator 522). Figure 1 The auxiliary transport device 514 may be coupled to the actuator 522 via a belt 524 (which may be implemented as a chain, a flexible belt, a conveyor, or another suitable device coupling the actuator to the auxiliary transport device 514). The positions of the auxiliary components 546a and 546b may be selected so that they do not interfere with the needles 503 or the carriage 520 during knitting (e.g., even when the needles are fully extended, the auxiliary components 546a and 546b may be located above the needles 503 so that they cannot contact the needles 503 as they pass over the needles 503). Optionally, the upper portion 516 of the auxiliary transport device 514 may have its own track 506 so that it can operate without interfering with the knit feeder 510, but in other embodiments, the upper portion 516 may share the track 506 with another component (e.g., another auxiliary transport device 514 with additional auxiliary components, a knit feeder, etc.).

[0058] Advantageously, by including an independently movable and independently controllable auxiliary transport device 514, the knitting machine can significantly increase its flexibility with respect to certain features, since the movement of the auxiliary transport device 514 is independent of the position / movement of the carriage 520 (the carriage 520 also typically has the task of moving the knitting feeder). For example, the actuator 522 can move the auxiliary transport device 514 along the needle 503, regardless of the operation of the carriage 520 and the knitting feeder 510, to provide continuous information about the needle 503, environmental conditions, loops of the knitted components, etc., without being affected by certain movements of the carriage 520 required to knit certain structures.

[0059] In the present disclosure, the scope given in absolute terms or approximate terms is intended to cover both, and any definition used herein is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Although the numerical range and parameter of the wide range of the present embodiment are approximate values, the numerical value set forth in the specific example is recorded as accurately as possible. However, any numerical value inherently contains some errors that are inevitably caused by the standard deviation found in its corresponding test measurement. In addition, the full range disclosed herein should be understood to cover any and all sub-ranges (including all fractional values ​​and integer values) included in this article.

[0060] In addition, the present disclosure encompasses any and all possible combinations of some or all of the various aspects described herein. It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the aspects described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and without eliminating the advantages expected thereof. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A knitting machine, comprising: Bed of needles; a carriage movable along the needle bed, wherein the carriage engages at least one feeder to move a dispensing area of ​​the feeder along the needle bed while dispensing yarn; as well as an auxiliary transport device movable along the needle bed and independently movable relative to the carriage, the auxiliary transport device comprising at least one sensor, wherein an actuator is configured to move the auxiliary transport device, and wherein the auxiliary transport device is coupled to the actuator via a belt, Wherein the at least one sensor comprises a laser sensor, and wherein the laser sensor is configured to detect the position of the needles of the needle bed to determine whether the needles of the needle bed are in an inappropriate position, and once the needles are detected to be in an inappropriate position, the laser sensor sends a feedback signal to the control system of the knitting machine.

2. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein the carriage comprises a USB port.

3. A knitting machine according to claim 2, wherein a cable extends from a power source of the knitting machine to the carriage to provide power to the USB port.

4. The knitting machine of claim 1, wherein the knitting machine adjusts a knitting sequence in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the at least one sensor.

5. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein the knitting machine terminates the knitting process in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the at least one sensor.

6. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

7. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a barometer.

8. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor detects at least one environmental condition.

9. The knitting machine of claim 1, wherein the knitting machine adjusts operation of the knitting machine in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the at least one sensor.

10. A knitting machine, comprising: a needle bed including a first needle bed having a first set of needles and a second needle bed having a second set of needles; a carriage movable along the needle bed and actuating each of the first and second sets of needles; as well as an auxiliary transport device movable along the needle bed and independently movable relative to the carriage, the auxiliary transport device comprising at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprising a laser sensor, wherein an actuator is configured to move the auxiliary transport device, and wherein the auxiliary transport device is coupled to the actuator via a belt, The laser sensor is configured to detect the position of the needles of the needle bed to determine whether the needles of the needle bed are in an improper position, and once the needles are detected to be in an improper position, the laser sensor sends a feedback signal to the control system of the knitting machine.

11. Knitting machine according to claim 10, wherein the carriage comprises a USB port.

12. The knitting machine of claim 11, wherein a cable extends from a power source of the knitting machine to the carriage to provide power to the USB port.

13. The knitting machine of claim 10, wherein the knitting machine adjusts a knitting sequence in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the laser sensor.

14. The knitting machine of claim 10, wherein the knitting machine terminates a knitting process in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the laser sensor.

15. The knitting machine according to claim 10, wherein said at least one sensor detects a temperature near said needle bed.

16. The knitting machine of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor senses at least one environmental condition.

17. The knitting machine of claim 10, wherein the knitting machine adjusts operation of the knitting machine in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the laser sensor.

18. A knitting method comprising: knitting a knitted component using a knitting machine having a needle bed and a carriage, wherein the carriage is movable along the needle bed, wherein the carriage engages at least one feeder to move a dispensing area of ​​the feeder along the needle bed while dispensing yarn, wherein the knitting step further comprises moving an auxiliary transport device along a track of the knitting machine, the auxiliary transport device being movable independently of the carriage and comprising at least one sensor, wherein an actuator is configured to move the auxiliary transport device, and wherein the auxiliary transport device is coupled to the actuator via a belt, and At least one of the sensors is a laser sensor, and wherein the laser sensor is configured to detect the position of the needles of the needle bed to determine whether the needles of the needle bed are in an inappropriate position, and once the needles are detected to be in an inappropriate position, the laser sensor sends a feedback signal to the control system of the knitting machine.

19. The knitting method of claim 18, wherein the knitting machine adjusts a knitting sequence in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the at least one sensor.

20. The knitting method of claim 18, wherein the knitting machine terminates the knitting process in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the at least one sensor.

21. The knitting method of claim 18, wherein the knitting machine adjusts operation of the knitting machine in response to a feedback signal received by the control system from the at least one sensor.

22. An auxiliary transport device for a knitting machine, the auxiliary transport device comprising: an upper portion configured to have its own track so that the auxiliary transport device can be operated without obstructing the knit feeder; as well as at least one auxiliary component configured to be coupled to a control system of the knitting machine, the auxiliary component comprising a sensor for monitoring the position of the needles of a needle bed of the knitting machine, wherein the auxiliary transport device is movable independently of the carriage of the knitting machine, wherein an actuator is configured to move the auxiliary transport device such that the auxiliary component moves along the needle bed of the knitting machine, and wherein the auxiliary transport device is coupled to the actuator via a belt.

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