Braiding tool

Abstract

In recent years, it has become increasingly important in the development of braiding tools to reduce friction and wear. The braiding tool (1) according to the invention and the braiding device (27) according to the invention are therefore suitable for reducing the friction and the accumulation of dirt (23) in the braiding machine compared to conventional braiding tools. To this end, the braiding tool (1) has a section (7) in the functional region (5), in which section the value of the slope of the center of gravity line (4) is greater than zero.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to knitting tools and knitting equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Since the 19th century, knitting tools used in industrial knitting machines have been continuously developed and have faced new challenges due to the gradual development of the knitting machine field. In recent years, in this context, especially against the backdrop of rising energy prices and production costs, reducing friction and wear has gained attention. Common knitting tools have a bar extending longitudinally along the tool, designed, at least in its functional area, to guide and perform a knitting motion as linearly as possible along the tool's longitudinal direction within the needle slots of the knitting machine (as well as circular and plain knitting machines). The force for this knitting motion is transmitted to the knitting tool through the needle heel, which protrudes from the bar in a height direction perpendicular to the tool's longitudinal extension. Here, a lateral force also acts at the needle heel in a width direction perpendicular to both the tool's longitudinal and height directions. This lateral force causes the knitting tool to be angled in the needle slot and supported by contact with the sidewall of the needle slot. Due to the angle, the knitting tool has linear contact with the needle slot only on the upper and lower sides, respectively. The angled placement of the knitting tool in the needle slot is described in EP1860219A1. Figure 2 The image clearly shows that the resulting contact area is marked with an ellipse.

[0003] FR2260262A7 illustrates a knitting tool that should reduce vibration of the hooks (loop-forming devices) occurring at high knitting speeds and therefore should prevent needle breakage. For this purpose, the needle bar has a design adjacent to the needle heel (…). Figure 1 The section of the rod behind #5 has a wavy shape. Figure 1 (#4c and #4d). This wave shape should suppress oscillations along the longitudinal direction of the needle.

[0004] DE3612316A1 discloses a weaving tool that should have better shock absorption characteristics. For this purpose, the weaving tool has at least one longitudinally elongated groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the bar. Figure 4 This illustrates a particular embodiment of such a weaving tool, in which arc-shaped cuts are arranged along the bar. Figure 4 (#11). These cuts form bridging elements that should reduce the weight of the knitting needles and give them some flexibility.

[0005] DE3213158A1 discloses a knitting tool having a hook element (loop forming device) and a closing element, wherein the hook of the hook element can be closed by relative movement between the closing element and the hook element. This type of knitting tool is also known as a sliding needle. Figure 5A special embodiment of such a braiding tool is shown, which has recesses (7 and 9) for accommodating the thread. Figure 5 The recesses (7 and 9) are connected directly to the hook element in the longitudinal direction and are not guided in the needle groove. Figure 5 The recesses (7 and 9) are connected directly to the hook element in the longitudinal direction and are not guided in the needle groove.

[0006] EP 2 927 360 A1 shows a braiding tool with a curved bar, which has regions of reduced thickness and in this way reduces the friction between the braiding tool and the needle groove. The curved bar here has a plurality of bar regions which are offset from one another in the height direction, the bar regions each extending along the tool longitudinal direction. The bar regions are connected to one another by webs which extend in the height direction. The curved bar of the braiding tool does not have bar sections which are inclined to the tool longitudinal direction: all bar sections either point exactly to the tool longitudinal direction or are angled at 90° to the tool longitudinal direction.

[0007] The aforementioned EP 1 860 219 A1 shows a braiding tool, the bar of which has a functional region. The height of the surface center of gravity of the cross section of the braiding tool, which lies in a plane which is developed by the height direction and the width direction, changes as a function of the position of the cross section along the tool longitudinal direction in the functional region. This is achieved by so-called "floating sections". These "floating sections" are spaced apart both from the lower side of the braiding tool and from the upper side of the braiding tool. The "floating sections" as well as the remaining sections of the functional region here extend parallel to the bottom of the needle groove of the braiding machine in which the braiding tool is inserted, i.e. they extend essentially along the tool longitudinal direction of the braiding tool. The height of the surface center of gravity is therefore constant in the "floating sections". Since the "floating sections" are spaced apart from the upper side and the lower side of the braiding tool, the contact surface between the braiding tool and the needle groove should be reduced. The "floating sections" are connected to one another by bar sections which extend essentially along the tool longitudinal direction and which are arranged at the upper side and the lower side of the braiding tool and are supposed to form the thread-shaped contact surface with the needle groove. In this embodiment of the braiding tool, gaps are produced above and below the "floating sections", in which dirt can collect during the braiding operation. SUMMARY

[0008] It is therefore the object of the present invention to specify a braiding tool and a braiding system which have a reduced friction in the braiding operation compared to conventional braiding tools and braiding systems and which also reduce the collection of dirt.

[0009] This object is achieved by the present invention. A braiding tool has the following features:

[0010] - a bar, which extends essentially along a tool longitudinal direction along which the tool moves in the braiding operation,

[0011] - wherein the rod has at any point of its longitudinal extension a cross section transverse to the longitudinal extension of the tool, the cross section being developed by a width and a height direction of the rod,

[0012] - wherein each of the cross sections has a surface barycenter, an imaginary barycentric line connecting the surface barycenters of all cross sections to each other along the longitudinal extension of the tool leading through said surface barycenters,

[0013] - wherein the rod has at least one functional zone,

[0014] - in the at least one functional zone, the barycentric line changes its height in the height direction (that is to say, the barycentric line does not have a section of the barycentric line which is constant in height, that is to say, a section which extends essentially along the longitudinal extension of the braiding tool. When the slope of the barycentric line is zero, the second derivative of the barycentric line is thus not equal to zero),

[0015] - in the at least one functional zone, the height of the cross section, that is to say, the cross section height, at each point of the longitudinal extension of the functional zone, is less than the rod height within the functional zone (the rod height here being the height of the rod between the lowest point of the rod in the height direction and the highest point of the rod in the height direction within the functional zone of the rod),

[0016] - wherein the functional zone has a longitudinal extension which constitutes more than 20%, but preferably more than 25%, of the longitudinal extension of the entire braiding tool,

[0017] characterized in that the functional region has a section in which the value of the slope of the barycentric line is between 0 and ∞. The value of the slope of the barycentric line in the section is thus greater than 0. The slope between two points of the barycentric line corresponds to the quotient of the height difference in the height direction and the length difference in the tool longitudinal direction between these two points of the barycentric line (slope = height difference / length difference). The regions of the braiding tool in which the slope cannot be calculated in this way, for example when the length difference between two points of the barycentric line is zero, are not sections according to the present patent application. The value of the slope of the barycentric line in the section is advantageously between 0 and 3. But the value of the slope of the barycentric line in the section is preferably between 0 and 1. Advantageously, the value of the slope of the barycentric line in the section is between 0.01 and 0.8, but preferably between 0.025 and 0.6, over at least 50% of the longitudinal extension of the section. The barycentric line connects the surface barycenter in the shortest path here. In the section of the functional region, the barycentric line constantly changes its height, so that the height of the barycentric line is thus not constant, but rises and / or falls in the height direction along its course in the tool longitudinal direction. The barycentric line advantageously changes its height in such a way that the course of the barycentric line has an "oscillating" course when viewed in the x-z plane. The course of the barycentric line is essentially caused by a change in the cross section of the braiding tool in the x-y plane and not by a change in density or material. The change in the cross section can also simply be a movement of the cross section in the height direction. The braiding tool is advantageously stamped. It is particularly advantageous if the braiding tool is an integral stamped part; the entire braiding tool is then preferably made of only one kind of material and all parts of the braiding tool essentially have the same density. During the braiding movement of the braiding tool in the tool longitudinal direction, dirt in the region of the rod is moved upward from the rod and thus out of the operating region of the braiding tool due to the positive slope of the barycentric line in the height direction. The operating region refers to the region in which the braiding tool can come to rest during its braiding movement. The braiding tool moves essentially in the tool longitudinal direction here. The force oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the braiding tool at the contact point acts on the dirt that comes into contact with the functional region during this movement. Due to the course of the barycentric line, this force has a directional component in the direction of movement of the braiding tool and in the height direction. A self-cleaning effect thus occurs in the operating region; the dirt is removed and the reliability and service life of the braiding tool are improved as a result.

[0018] The knitting tool according to the application having at least one needle butt provides further advantages. The needle butt extends essentially in the height direction. The needle butt advantageously projects in the height direction beyond the surrounding area of the knitting tool. The driving force or driving movement can be introduced into the knitting tool via the needle butt. For use in a knitting machine, this needle butt is inserted into a cam of a cam profile having a curved cam profile, the curved cam profile transferring the knitting movement in the longitudinal direction of the tool to the needle butt by the relative movement of the knitting tool to the stationary cam. The knitting tool comprising at least two needle butts provides further advantages. The teaching according to the application can likewise be advantageously used with knitting tools comprising more than two needle butts.

[0019] It is also advantageous if the functional area is divided into at least two subareas, which each have a subsegment in which the slope of the centre of gravity line has a value between 0 and ∞, and which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the tool. The division of the functional area into at least two subareas is to mean that between these at least two subareas there is arranged an area of the knitting tool which does not belong to the functional area. This area can for example be an area in which the centre of gravity of the cross section of the knitting tool does not change its height, i.e. it is constant. It is particularly advantageous if the at least two subareas have a spacing which is at least exactly as large as the longitudinal extent of the needle butt in the longitudinal direction of the tool, i.e. as large as the needle butt length, but preferably 1.5 times as large. It is furthermore advantageous if the needle butt is arranged between the at least two subareas.

[0020] It is further advantageous if the knitting tool has at least one subarea of the functional area which is arranged in front of the needle butt in the longitudinal direction of the tool and at least one subarea of the functional area which is arranged behind the needle butt in the longitudinal direction of the tool. The needle butt is subjected to a high load as a force introduction point of the driving force in the knitting operation. The front and rear subareas of the functional area can distribute and support the introduced driving force in the knitting operation.

[0021] The knitting tool according to the application is advantageous in which at least one subarea, but preferably two subareas, of the functional area are directly connected to the needle butt or have only a spacing in the longitudinal direction of the tool from the needle butt which is less than or equal to 10% of the longitudinal extent of the entire knitting tool. A spacing of less than 5% of the longitudinal extent of the entire knitting tool is particularly advantageous.

[0022] Advantageously, the functional region has at least one local extremum, i.e. a minimum or a maximum, of the height of the centre of gravity line. The slope of the centre of gravity line is thus zero at this at least one extremum. The aforementioned section adjoins in the surrounding region, in which the slope of the centre of gravity line is between 0 and ∞. If a transverse force acts on the knitting tool in the needle groove, the knitting tool is coupled to the side wall of the needle groove in the region of the local minimum and maximum due to the resulting inclination. The transverse force is thus supported there and contact points and, due to the knitting movement of the knitting tool, also friction are produced. It is particularly advantageous if the bar is designed in such a way in the region of the local minimum and maximum that, in the knitting operation, contact points with a small contact surface are produced in these regions, respectively.

[0023] It is further advantageous if at least two local extrema of the height of the centre of gravity line have the same height. It is particularly advantageous if at least two local minima and / or at least two local maxima have the same height, further advantageous if at least two local maxima have the same height and a third local maximum has a smaller height. It is likewise advantageous if at least two local minima have the same height and a third local minimum has a greater height. It is particularly advantageous if at least two local extrema of the centre of gravity line having the same height are the overall extrema, so that the height of the centre of gravity line is not greater (overall maximum) or smaller (overall minimum) at any point.

[0024] It is advantageous if the knitting tool is designed in such a way that the surface of the bar pointing in the positive height direction of the knitting tool, i.e. pointing in the direction of the needle butt projecting beyond the surrounding tool region (hereinafter referred to as the top surface), has the same height at the points of at least two local maxima of the centre of gravity line in the tool longitudinal direction and / or the surface of the bar pointing in the negative height direction of the knitting tool, i.e. pointing in the direction of the needle groove bed in the knitting operation (hereinafter referred to as the bottom surface), has the same height at the points of at least two local minima of the centre of gravity line. The positive height direction and the negative height direction extend exactly opposite to each other. It is particularly advantageous if the top surface has the same height at the points of the overall maximum of the centre of gravity line and / or the bottom surface has the same height at the points of the overall minimum of the centre of gravity line.

[0025] The braiding tool according to the application is also advantageous in that at least one of the local extremes has a surface which is raised in the width direction relative to the surface of the majority of the functional region. As already explained, the braiding tool, when used in a braiding machine, lies against the needle groove in the region of the local extreme. If the surface is raised in these regions relative to the remaining functional region, a defined lying surface is created at the raised regions and it is prevented that, for example as a result of inaccuracies in manufacture, other regions of the braiding tool form contact points with parts of the braiding machine. It is further advantageous if the surface is raised in such a way that a substantially point-like contact point with the braiding machine is formed during the braiding operation.

[0026] It is advantageous if the rod is spaced apart from the smallest rod height of the functional region at the location of the local maximum of the centre of gravity line and is spaced apart from the greatest rod height of the functional region at the location of the local minimum of the centre of gravity line. It is particularly advantageous if this spacing is at least half as great as the greatest rod height of the functional region.

[0027] It is further advantageous if at least one section of the functional region comprises at least one triangular groove and / or a wave-shaped groove in the x-z plane, said groove running through the functional region in the width direction. It is particularly advantageous if the height of the groove in the height direction is at least 50%, preferably at least 65% of the rod height.

[0028] The braiding tool according to the application is advantageous in that the surface of the rod which points in the positive height direction of the braiding tool, i.e. the top surface, has a slope in the positive tool longitudinal direction which points in the tool push-out direction, which slope has a local maximum in the region of at least one local maximum of the height of the centre of gravity line, and / or the surface of the rod which points in the negative height direction of the braiding tool, i.e. the bottom surface, has a slope in the positive tool longitudinal direction which points in the tool push-out direction, which slope has a local minimum in the region of at least one local minimum of the height of the centre of gravity line. The positive tool longitudinal direction or tool push-out direction is the direction of the tool in which the end of the rod also points, at which end the looping element is present. At said locations, the course of the bottom surface or of the top surface forms a "dirt bump" in such a way that dirt is transported, as a result of the slope of the surface, preferably in the negative tool longitudinal direction. The dirt is thus transported away from the formed loop or from the formed fabric.

[0029] It is particularly advantageous if the value of the local maximum of the slope of the surface of the stem pointing in the positive height direction of the braiding tool, i.e. the top surface, and / or the value of the local minimum of the slope of the surface of the stem pointing in the negative height direction of the braiding tool, i.e. the bottom surface, has a value between 0.57 and 2.75. However, the value of the local maximum of the slope of the top surface and / or the value of the local minimum of the slope of the bottom surface preferably has a value between 0.83 and 1.74. It is further advantageous if the value of the local minimum of the slope of the bottom surface is greater than the value of the local maximum of the slope of the top surface.

[0030] It is further advantageous if the surface of the stem pointing in the positive height direction of the braiding tool, i.e. the top surface, and the surface of the stem pointing in the negative height direction of the braiding tool, i.e. the bottom surface, extend substantially parallel to one another in the partial sections of the functional region. The top surface and the bottom surface extend at least partially parallel to one another. A uniform material and stress distribution in these partial sections is thereby produced. It is particularly advantageous if the top surface and the bottom surface extend substantially parallel over the entire functional region.

[0031] It is advantageous if the last maximum of the center of gravity line of the functional region in the negative tool longitudinal direction against the push-out direction is the overall maximum. It is further advantageous if this last maximum is at most 30 mm, but preferably at most 15 mm, in the tool longitudinal direction from the end of the braiding tool pointing in the negative tool longitudinal direction. In this way, tilting or turning of the braiding tool about an axis pointing in the width direction is prevented and a good guidance of the braiding tool in the braiding device is achieved.

[0032] The object is also achieved by a braiding device having at least one needle slot, which is designed to accommodate a braiding tool and to guide the braiding tool in operation, and having at least one braiding tool, which has the following features:

[0033] - a stem, which extends mainly in a tool longitudinal direction along which the braiding tool moves in a braiding operation,

[0034] - wherein the stem has a cross section extending transversely to the tool longitudinal direction at any one point of its longitudinal extension, which cross section is developed by its width direction and height direction,

[0035] - wherein each of these cross sections has a surface center of gravity, a notional center of gravity line connecting all the surface centers of gravity of the cross sections of the stem to one another in the tool longitudinal direction leads through said surface centers of gravity,

[0036] - wherein the stem has at least one functional region,

[0037] - in which at least one functional region the center of gravity line changes its height,

[0038] - in the at least one functional region, the height of the cross section at any point of the longitudinal extension of the functional region is less than the rod height within the functional region, the rod height being the height between the lowest point of the rod in the functional region and the highest point of the rod in the functional region in the height direction,

[0039] - wherein the functional region has a longitudinal extension which constitutes more than 20%, but preferably more than 25%, of the longitudinal extension of the entire knitting tool.

[0040] Furthermore, the functional region has a section in which the value of the slope of the barycentric line is between 0 and ∞. The barycentric line is thus clamped in the section relative to the tool longitudinal direction at an angle which is greater than 0° and less than 90°. This means, inter alia, that the barycentric line is not parallel to the tool longitudinal extension in the section. This course of the barycentric line results on the basis of a change or "shift" of the cross section of the knitting tool in the x-y plane and not as a result of a change in density or material.

[0041] It is further advantageous if the length of the needle groove in the tool longitudinal direction of the knitting tool, the extension of the functional region in the tool longitudinal direction of the knitting tool and the value of the stroke of the knitting movement of the knitting tool in the knitting operation are coordinated with one another in such a way that at least 80%, preferably 90%, but more preferably 100%, of the extension of the functional region of the knitting tool in its tool longitudinal direction does not leave the needle groove during the knitting operation. The extension of the functional region in the tool longitudinal direction describes the position of the functional region in the tool longitudinal direction relative to the other components of the knitting tool. The extension of the functional region is the area of the functional region between the boundary in front in the tool longitudinal direction and the boundary behind in the tool longitudinal direction. If the functional region has a plurality of sections which are spaced apart from one another in the tool longitudinal direction, the area of the knitting tool arranged between these sections also belongs to the extension of the functional region, for example the needle butt arranged between two sections. The knitting tool is guided in the needle groove in its functional region and the driving force is supported in the needle groove. Here, there is a contact area between the functional region of the knitting tool and the needle groove. If one of the sections of the functional region is too large and leaves the needle groove during the knitting operation, the needle is then guided worse. The selection of the area described above proves to be advantageous in order to ensure a good guidance of the knitting tool. Ideally, the guiding area of the knitting tool is completely within the needle groove during the entire knitting movement, thus not protruding from the needle groove, in particular in the tool longitudinal direction.

[0042] It is further advantageous if the upper edge of the needle groove is spaced apart from the highest point of the surface of the rod, i.e. the top surface, which points in the positive height direction of the knitting tool, by at most 0.5 mm, but preferably by at most 0.3 mm in the height direction. This spacing is hereinafter referred to as the height spacing. The height difference is advantageously as small as possible. It is advantageous if the upper edge of the needle groove is higher than or as high as the top surface at its highest point in the positive height direction. In this way it is ensured that the functional area of the knitting tool forms a contact area with the needle groove at the point of the at least one local maximum and that no contact area with the needle groove is produced, in particular in the partial sections of the functional area. It is particularly advantageous if the upper edge is essentially as high as the top surface at its highest point in the positive height direction.

[0043] It is also advantageous if the knitting tool of the knitting device has a needle butt which is raised in the positive height direction relative to the functional area and which is inserted into the groove, i.e. the triangular curve, of the knitting device, and if the surface of the rod, i.e. the top surface, which points in the positive height direction of the knitting tool, is spaced apart from the triangular curve in the tool longitudinal direction at its highest point in the positive height direction. In this way it is prevented that the top surface of the knitting tool inadvertently hooks into the triangular curve at said point. Otherwise, inadvertent hooking could lead to the knitting tool being clamped and the knitting tool and / or the knitting device being damaged. The spacing between the highest point of the top surface in the positive height direction and the triangular curve in the tool longitudinal direction is a safety spacing. The safety spacing is advantageously greater than zero. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 A knitting tool (1) is shown which has a functional area (5);

[0045] Figure 2 A cross section A-A of the functional area (5) of the knitting tool (1) is shown at the point of the local maximum (14) of the centre of gravity line (4);

[0046] Figure 3 A cross section B-B of the functional area (5) of the knitting tool (1) is shown at the point of the local minimum (15) of the centre of gravity line (4);

[0047] Figure 4 A knitting tool (1) is shown which has a triangular groove (19) in the functional area (5);

[0048] Figure 5 A knitting tool (1) is shown which has a wavy groove (20) in the functional area (5);

[0049] Figure 6A weaving tool (1) is shown, the surface of which has dirt protrusions (21) in the areas of the minimum (15) and maximum (14) of the centroid line (4).

[0050] Figure 7 Three sub-steps are shown, in which the dirt (23) is transported out from the operating area (24) of the weaving tool (1);

[0051] Figure 8 A knitting device (27) is shown, which includes three needle slots (28), one of which is equipped with a knitting tool (1).

[0052] Figure 9 The four triangles (29) of the weaving device (27) and the weaving tool (1) are shown;

[0053] Figure 10 A top view of a knitting device (27) with three needle slots (28) is shown, each needle slot being equipped with a knitting tool (1).

[0054] Figure 11 A cross-section of the needle groove (28) equipped with a knitting tool (1) in the xz plane is shown;

[0055] Figure 12 A weaving tool (1) is shown in which the value of the maximum local slope (40) of the top surface (10) is less than the value of the minimum local slope (41) of the bottom surface (13). Detailed Implementation

[0056] Figure 1 A weaving tool 1 is shown, having a rod 2 extending primarily along the tool's longitudinal direction z and having a looping element 3 in the form of a hook at its first end pointing towards the positive tool longitudinal direction z. The rod 2 has a cross-section 8 at each point of its longitudinal extension along the tool's longitudinal direction z, the cross-section lying in a plane unfolded by the width direction y and the height direction x. In the functional region 5, the height of this cross-section 8 along the height direction x, i.e., the cross-sectional height 22, is less than the rod height 6 at any point. The rod height 6 here refers to the height between the minimum and maximum extension along the height direction x in the functional region 5. Figure 2 The diagram exemplarily illustrates a cross-section 8 and a surface centroid 9 of the cross-section. Figure 1 The centroid line 4 is drawn, connecting the centroids 9 of all surfaces of these cross sections 8 of the rod to each other on the shortest path. The centroid line 4 is... Figure 1The shown embodiment comprises three local maxima 14 and three local minima 15. But other advantageous embodiments of the braiding tool 1 can comprise more or less local maxima 14 and / or local minima 15. Furthermore, the top surface 10 has the same height in the area of the three local maxima 14. The bottom surface 13 has the same height in the area of the three local minima 15 in the height direction x. In the partial sections 7 of the functional area 5, the barycentric line 4 here has a slope greater than 0. The rods 2 in these partial sections 7 are therefore inclined with respect to the tool longitudinal direction z and in particular do not extend parallel to the tool longitudinal direction z.

[0057] Figure 2 The section plane A-A is shown, the position of which is also plotted in Figure 1 , and which passes through the rod 2 in the functional area 5 at the location of the local maximum 14 of the barycentric line 4. Some portions of the functional area 5 are shown, wherein the functional area 5 extends generally over the entire rod height 6. The rod height 6 is defined by the maximum rod height 12 in the positive height direction x and by the minimum rod height 11 in the negative height direction x. The cross section 8 is shown hatched and has a surface barycenter 9, which is centrally "in" the cross section 8 viewed in the height direction x and the width direction y. The cross section 8 is defined downward in the negative height direction x by the bottom surface 13 of the braiding tool 1. The bottom surface 13 can also be seen in Figure 2 , in an area which lies outside the section plane and continues below the cross section 8. Furthermore, the cross section 8 is defined upward in the positive height direction by the top surface 10 of the braiding tool 1, wherein the top surface 10 lies at the height of the maximum rod height 12. The bottom surface 13 and thus the rod 2 at the location of the cross section 8 is then spaced apart from the minimum rod height 11 by a bottom spacing 16, so that there is a "free space" between the rod 2 and the minimum rod height 11 below the local maximum 14 in the negative height direction x.

[0058] Figure 3 The section plane B-B is shown, the position of which is also plotted in Figure 1 , and which passes through the rod 2 in the functional area 5 at the location of the local minimum 15 of the barycentric line 4. Some portions of the functional area 5 are shown, wherein the functional area 5 extends generally over the entire rod height 6. The rod height 6 is defined by the maximum rod height 12 in the positive height direction x and by the minimum rod height 11 in the negative height direction x. The cross section 8 is shown hatched and has a surface barycenter 9, which is centrally "in" the cross section 8 viewed in the height direction x and the width direction y. The cross section 8 is defined upward in the positive height direction x by the top surface 10 of the braiding tool 1. The top surface 10 lies at the height of the maximum rod height 12 in Figure 3can also be seen in a region which lies outside the plane of section and which continues above the cross section 8. Furthermore, the cross section 8 is defined downwards in the negative height direction by a bottom face 13 of the braiding tool 1, wherein the bottom face 13 is spaced apart from the minimum rod height 11 at the location of the cross section 8. Figure 3 The top face 10 is spaced apart from the maximum rod height 12 at the location of the cross section 8 by a top spacing 17, whereby there is a "free space" between the rod 2 and the maximum rod height 12 above the local minimum 15 in the positive height direction x.

[0059] Figure 4 A braiding tool 1 according to the application is shown, which comprises a heel 18 which is suitable for absorbing the driving force and driving movement in the braiding operation and for transmitting them to the braiding tool 1. Two partial regions 33 of the functional region 5 are connected before and after the heel 18 in the positive tool longitudinal direction z. The two partial regions 33 together form the functional region 5 and are spaced apart from one another by a functional region spacing 31 which is approximately 1.5 times as large as the heel length 32 of the heel 18 in the tool longitudinal direction z. The heel 18 is arranged in this embodiment between the two partial regions 33 of the functional region 5. The shape of the rod 2 in the partial regions 33 of the functional region 5 has a plurality of triangular grooves 19, wherein the triangular grooves 19 have a substantially triangular geometry in the x-z plane and run completely "through" the rod 2 of the braiding tool 1 in the width direction y. The top face 10 and the bottom face 13 of the rod 2 run substantially parallel to one another in the functional region 5.

[0060] Figure 5 A braiding tool 1 according to the application is shown, which also comprises a heel 18 and a functional region 5 having two partial regions 33. In contrast to the embodiment of Figure 4 The shape of the rod 2 in the partial regions 33 has a plurality of wave-shaped grooves 20, wherein the wave-shaped grooves 20 have a substantially wave-shaped or arcuate geometry in the x-z plane and run completely "through" the rod 2 of the braiding tool 1 in the width direction y. One of the two partial regions 33 is arranged in front of the heel 18 in the tool longitudinal direction z, the other of the two partial regions 33 is arranged behind the heel 18 in the tool longitudinal direction z. The two partial regions 33 are directly connected to the heel 18. There is no spacing between the partial regions 33 and the heel 18 in the tool longitudinal direction. The last maximum of the centre of gravity line of the functional region 5 in the negative tool longitudinal direction z against the push-out direction is the overall maximum of the functional region 5. The braiding tool 1 is particularly well supported and guided by this overall maximum in such a way that tilting of the braiding tool 1 about an axis which points in the width direction y is prevented.

[0061] Figure 6A knitting tool 1 according to the application is shown, which comprises a needle butt 18 and a guide region 5, wherein the guide region 5 comprises two partial regions 33. The bar 2 has a partial section 7 in its guide region 5, in which the bar 2 and the barycentric line 4 extend substantially linearly and obliquely at a constant angle with respect to the tool longitudinal direction z, the slope of the barycentric line 4 thus having a value greater than 0. In the region of the local maximum 14, the top face 10 of the bar 2 has a dirt bump 21, respectively. In the region of the local minimum 15, the bottom face 13 of the bar 2 has a dirt bump 21, respectively. In the dirt bump 21 before the local maximum 14 of the barycentric line in the positive tool longitudinal direction, the top face 10 of the bar 2 has a slope progression which has a local maximum before the local maximum 14 of the barycentric line 4. In the dirt bump 21 before the local minimum 15 of the barycentric line in the positive tool longitudinal direction, the bottom face 13 of the bar 2 has a slope progression which has a local minimum before the local minimum 15 of the barycentric line 4. The top face 10 or the bottom face 13 is thus more strongly oblique with respect to the tool longitudinal direction z, which thus has a greater value in terms of slope than the adjacent partial section 7 of the bar 2. The dirt bump 21 improves the dirt transport in the negative tool longitudinal direction z when the knitting tool 1 is moved back in the negative tool longitudinal direction z. Dirt is thereby removed from the part of the knitting tool 1 which comprises the loop-forming element 3. The possible soiling of the loops and the fabric formed is reduced.

[0062] Figure 7 A principle is shown, according to which the "self-cleaning" of the knitting tool takes place, for example, in three partial steps. In the initial position, here in partial step a), dirt 23 is present in the operating region 24 of the knitting tool 1. Here, the dirt 23 can consist of various fibers, dust particles and debris, which are not connected to one another. The barycentric line 4 is not shown in this figure for reasons of clarity, but extends between the local maximum 14 and the local minimum 15 with a slope greater than 0. In the operating region 24 of the knitting tool 1, the dirt 23 is present in the region of the local maximum 14 of the barycentric line 4. Figure 7 In partial step b), the knitting tool 1 is shown in the advancing movement 25. The dirt 23 is moved in the partial section 7 in the positive tool longitudinal direction z and the height direction x due to the rising barycentric line 4 on the advancing movement 25 of the knitting tool 1. In the partial section 7, the dirt 23 is moved in the positive tool longitudinal direction z and the height direction x due to the rising barycentric line 4 on the advancing movement 25 of the knitting tool 1. Figure 7Step c) shows the knitting tool 1 in the backward movement 26. The dirt 23 moves towards the negative tool longitudinal direction z and the height direction x due to the movement of the knitting tool 1 and the rising center of gravity line 4. In the figure, the knitting tool 1 is arranged in the knitting machine such that the tool longitudinal direction z is upright and the gravitational acceleration g is therefore pointing towards the negative tool longitudinal direction z. Therefore, those portions of the dirt 23 that extend beyond the knitting tool in the height direction (because they are removed from the running area 24) fall off the knitting machine due to gravity caused by the gravitational acceleration g. The dirt 23 protruding from the running area 23 is additionally "stripped" in all embodiments according to the teachings of the invention by the relative movement of the knitting tool 1 relative to the triangle 29 or rib (in horizontally arranged knitting tools). The dirt on the knitting tool 1 and the knitting device 27 is thus reduced.

[0063] Figure 8 A portion of the knitting device 27 is shown, which includes three needle slots 28. Figure 8 The leftmost of the three needle slots 28 is equipped with a knitting tool 1, which in this case is a knitting needle, and the loop-forming element 3 of the knitting needle is a hook. The needle slots 28 in the center and on the right of the figure are not equipped with knitting tools 1 in order to better show the needle slots 28. During knitting operations, all needle slots 28 are usually equipped with knitting tools 1. The knitting tool 1 includes a needle heel 18, which bulges along the height direction x relative to the remainder of the knitting tool 1 and the needle slots 28.

[0064] Figure 9A knitting tool 1 and four cams 29 are shown, the cams each comprising a cam curve 30. The heel 18 of the knitting tool 1 can be inserted into any one of the four cam curves and can introduce a movement into the respective knitting tool 1 in the tool longitudinal direction, which movement is caused by the relative movement of the knitting tool 1 with respect to the cam 29. In order to better show the position of the cam 29 with respect to the knitting tool 1 and the course of the cam curve 30, the cam 29 is shown rotated by 90° about the tool longitudinal axis z. The recess of the cam curve 30 opens in the correct mounting position actually in the direction of the negative height direction x, so that the heel 18 of the knitting tool can be inserted into one of the cam curves 30 pointing in the height direction x. The centre of gravity line 4 of the knitting tool 1 has two local maxima 14, in the position of which the highest points of the top surface 10 in the positive height direction x are also located. In order to better overview, the entire centre of gravity line 4 is not shown in the drawing, but only the two local maxima 14 of the centre of gravity line. These highest points of the top surface 10 are spaced apart from the cam curves 30 in the tool longitudinal direction z by a safety distance 38 which is greater than zero. Thereby it is prevented that the lever 2 of the knitting tool 1 accidentally "hooks into" one of the cam curves 30 at these points and influences the drive movement of the knitting tool 1 or causes a clamping of the knitting tool 1.

[0065] Figure 10 A plan view of a knitting device 27 is shown, which comprises three needle slots 28. In each of the three needle slots 28 a knitting tool 1 is arranged, which comprises a functional area 5 having two subareas 33. The upper and lower knitting tools of the three knitting tools 1 are shown in the pushed-out state. They show two different variants of the pushed-out state. In the knitting movement there is only one pushed-out state. But in the Figure 10 In the drawing two variants are shown in the pushed-out state. In the pushed-out state the knitting tool is in the position of the knitting movement which is most distant in the positive tool longitudinal direction z. In the Figure 10 In the first variant of the pushed-out state shown in the drawing the upper knitting tool of the three knitting tools 1, the functional area 5 of the knitting tool 1 is completely accommodated in the upper needle slot 28 and has an edge clearance 35 from the front edge of the needle slot 28. The middle knitting tool of the three knitting tools 1 is shown in the pulled-in state. It is thus in the position of the knitting movement which is most distant in the negative tool longitudinal direction z. In the Figure 10The spacing of the loop-forming elements 3 of the middle and upper knitting tools 1 in the tool longitudinal direction z corresponds to the stroke 34 of the knitting movement. The knitting tool 1 shown in the lowermost position in the figure is shown in the second variant of the push-out state. The stroke 34 in this case is so great that the functional region 5 leaves the needle groove 28 during the knitting operation. At least 80% of the extension of the functional region 5 of the knitting tool 1 in the tool longitudinal direction z is here always in the groove 28 during the knitting operation.

[0066] Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the knitting device 27 is shown. The cross-section is in the x-z plane and through the needle groove 28 equipped with the knitting tool 1. The upper edge 36 of the needle groove 28 is spaced apart from the highest point 39 of the top face 10 of the knitting tool 1 and thus also from the bar 2 by a height spacing 37. The upper edge 36 is higher in the positive height direction x than the highest point of the top face 10. Advantageous for all embodiments of the invention is also a needle groove 28 whose upper edge 36 is at the same height in the positive height direction x as the highest point of the top face 10. In this case, the height spacing 37 is zero.

[0067] Figure 12 Another embodiment of the knitting tool 1 is shown, which essentially exhibits the same features as the knitting tool 1 shown in Figure 6 . In comparison to Figure 6 , the knitting tool 1 has a top face 10 whose local maximum 40 of the slope is numerically smaller than the local minimum 41 of the slope of the bottom face 13. This knitting tool 1 causes less friction in the needle groove of the knitting device during the knitting operation, since the flatter slope of the top face 10 enables a better guidance and a more fluid movement of the knitting tool 1. In addition, the knitting tool 1 differs from the knitting tool 1 shown in Figure 6 in that the last maximum 14 of the center of gravity line 4 of the functional region 5 in the negative tool longitudinal direction z, i.e. against the push-out direction, is a total maximum 42. This total maximum 42 is, although spaced apart from the end of the knitting tool 1 pointing in the negative tool longitudinal direction z, selected to be as small as possible in the tool longitudinal direction z. In this way, tilting or rotation of the knitting tool 1 about an axis pointing in the width direction y is prevented. Thereby, a better guidance and a more fluid movement of the knitting tool 1 during the knitting operation is also achieved. The shape of the dirt bump 21 formed by the top face 10, although changed in comparison to the embodiment of Figure 6 , shows that this shape of the dirt bump 21 supports the "self-cleaning effect" already explained in paragraph

[0033] .

[0068] List of reference signs:

[0069] 1 knitting tool

[0070] 2 bar

[0071] 3 loop-forming element

[0072] 4 center of gravity line

[0073] 5 functional area

[0074] 6 rod height

[0075] 7 sub-section

[0076] 8 cross-section

[0077] 9 surface center of gravity

[0078] 10 top surface

[0079] 11 minimum rod height

[0080] 12 maximum rod height

[0081] 13 bottom surface

[0082] 14 local maximum of the center of gravity line 4

[0083] 15 local minimum of the center of gravity line 4

[0084] 16 bottom spacing

[0085] 17 top spacing

[0086] 18 needle butt

[0087] 19 triangular recess

[0088] 20 wavy recess

[0089] 21 dirt bump

[0090] 22 cross-sectional height

[0091] 23 dirt

[0092] 24 running area

[0093] 25 forward movement

[0094] 26 backward movement

[0095] 27 knitting device

[0096] 28 needle groove

[0097] 29 triangle

[0098] 30 curved triangle

[0099] 31 functional area spacing

[0100] 32 needle butt length of the needle butt (18)

[0101] 33 partition of the functional area (5)

[0102] 34 stroke of the weaving motion

[0103] 35 edge distance

[0104] 36 upper edge of the needle slot (28)

[0105] 37 height distance

[0106] 38 safety distance

[0107] 39 highest point of the top surface (10)

[0108] 40 local maximum of the slope of the top surface (10)

[0109] 41 local minimum of the slope of the bottom surface (13)

[0110] 42 overall maximum of the center of gravity line (4)

[0111] x height direction

[0112] y width direction

[0113] z tool longitudinal direction

Claims

1. Braiding tool (1) with the following features: • a shaft (2) which extends mainly in the tool longitudinal direction (z) along which the braiding tool (1) moves in a braiding operation, • wherein, said shaft (2) has at any point of its longitudinal extension a cross section (8) which extends transversely to the tool longitudinal direction (z) and which is developed by a width direction (y) and a height direction (x) of the shaft, • wherein each of these cross sections (8) has a surface barycenter (9), an imaginary barycenter line (4) which connects the surface barycenters (9) of all cross sections (8) to one another is guided through said surface barycenters along the tool longitudinal direction (z), • wherein the shaft (2) has at least one functional region (5), • in which functional region the barycenter line (4) changes its height, so that the barycenter line does not have a section of the barycenter line in which the height is constant in the functional region, • in which functional region the height of the cross section (8) is smaller at each point of the longitudinal extension of the functional region (5) than the shaft height (6) within the functional region (5), the shaft height being the height within the functional region (5) of the shaft between the lowest point of the shaft (2) in the height direction (x) and the highest point in the height direction (x) of the shaft (2), • wherein the functional region (5) has a longitudinal extension which constitutes more than 20% of the longitudinal extension of the entire braiding tool (1), characterized in that the functional region (5) has a subsection (7) in which the slope of the barycenter line (4) has a value between 0 and ∞.

2. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The functional region (5) has a longitudinal extension which constitutes more than 25% of the longitudinal extension of the entire braiding tool (1).

3. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The braiding tool (1) has at least one needle butt (18).

4. Braiding tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The functional region (5) is divided into at least two subsections (33) which each have a subsection (7) in which the slope of the barycenter line (4) has a value between 0 and ∞, and which are spaced apart from one another along the tool longitudinal direction (z).

5. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The braiding tool (1) has at least one subsection (33) of the functional region (5) which precedes the needle butt (18) along the tool longitudinal direction (z) and at least one subsection (33) of the functional region (5) which follows the needle butt (18) along the tool longitudinal direction (z).

6. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that At least one subsection (33) of the functional region (5) is directly connected to the needle butt (18) or has only a spacing from the needle butt (18) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) which is less than or equal to 10% of the longitudinal extension of the entire braiding tool.

7. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that Two subsections (33) of the functional region (5) are directly connected to the needle butt (18) or have only a spacing from the needle butt (18) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) which is less than or equal to 10% of the longitudinal extension of the entire braiding tool.

8. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The functional region (5) has at least one local extreme, i.e. a minimum (15) or a maximum (14), of the height of the barycenter line (4), and the slope of the barycentric line (4) is 0 at the at least one local limit.

9. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The surface of the bar (2) pointing in the positive height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the top face (10), has the same height at the location of the at least two local maxima (14) of the barycentric line (4) in the tool longitudinal direction (z), and / or the surface of the bar (2) pointing in the negative height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the bottom face (13), has the same height at the location of the at least two local minima (15) of the barycentric line (4).

10. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that At least one of the side faces of the bar (2) pointing in the width direction (y) bulges in the width direction (y) relative to the bulk of the functional area (5) at the location of the at least one local limit.

11. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The bar (2) is spaced apart from the smallest bar height (11) of the functional area (5) at the location of the local maxima (14) of the barycentric line (4), and the bar (2) is spaced apart from the greatest bar height (12) of the functional area (5) at the location of the local minima (15) of the barycentric line (4).

12. Braiding tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one section (33) of the functional area (5) comprises at least one triangular groove (19) and / or at least one wavelike groove (20) in the x-z plane, which groove runs through the functional area (5) in the width direction (y).

13. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The surface of the bar (2) pointing in the positive height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the top face (10), has a slope progression in the positive tool longitudinal direction (z) pointing in the tool push-out direction, which slope progression has a local slope maximum (40) before the at least one local maximum (14) in the height of the barycentric line, and / or The surface of the bar (2) pointing in the negative height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the bottom face (13), has a slope progression in the positive tool longitudinal direction (z) pointing in the tool push-out direction, which slope progression has a local slope minimum (41) before the at least one local minimum (15) in the height of the barycentric line (4).

14. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that The value of the local slope maximum (40) of the top face (10) and / or the value of the local slope minimum (41) of the bottom face (13) has a value between 0.57 and 2.

75.

15. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The surface of the bar (2) pointing in the positive height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the top face (10), and the surface of the bar (2) pointing in the negative height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the bottom face (13), extend substantially parallel to one another in the section (7) of the functional area (5).

16. Braiding tool (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The last maximum (14) of the barycentric line (4) of the functional area (5) in the negative tool longitudinal direction (z) is the overall maximum (42).

17. Braiding apparatus (27) with at least one needle slot (28) and at least one braiding tool (1) according to claim 1, the needle slot being provided for accommodating and guiding the braiding tool (1) in operation.

18. Braiding device (27) according to claim 17, characterized in that • the length of the needle slot (28) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool (1), • the extension of the functional area (5) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool (1), • and the value of the stroke (34) of the braiding movement of the braiding tool (1) in a braiding operation, are coordinated with one another such that at least 80% of the extension of the functional area (5) of the braiding tool (1) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool does not leave the needle slot (28) during a braiding operation.

19. Braiding device (27) according to claim 18, characterized in that • the length of the needle slot (28) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool (1), • the extension of the functional area (5) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool (1), • and the value of the stroke (34) of the braiding movement of the braiding tool (1) in a braiding operation, are coordinated with one another such that at least 90% of the extension of the functional area (5) of the braiding tool (1) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool does not leave the needle slot (28) during a braiding operation.

20. Braiding device (27) according to claim 19, characterized in that • the length of the needle slot (28) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool (1), • the extension of the functional area (5) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool (1), • and the value of the stroke (34) of the braiding movement of the braiding tool (1) in a braiding operation, are coordinated with one another such that 100% of the extension of the functional area (5) of the braiding tool (1) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) of the braiding tool does not leave the needle slot (28) during a braiding operation.

21. Braiding apparatus (27) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that The upper edge (36) of the needle slot (28) is spaced apart from the highest point (39) of the surface of the stem (2) pointing in the positive height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the top surface (10), by at most 0.5 mm in the height direction (x).

22. Braiding apparatus (27) according to claim 21, characterized in that The upper edge (36) of the needle slot (28) is spaced apart from the highest point (39) of the surface of the stem (2) pointing in the positive height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the top surface (10), by at most 0.3 mm in the height direction (x).

23. Braiding apparatus (27) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that The braiding tool (1) has a needle butt (18) which is raised in the positive height direction (x) relative to the functional area (5), and the needle butt (18) is embedded in a recess of the braiding device (27), i.e. in a triangular fillet (30), and the surface of the stem (2) pointing in the positive height direction (x) of the braiding tool (1), i.e. the top surface (10), is spaced apart from the triangular fillet (30) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) at the highest point (39) thereof in the positive height direction (x).

Images