Yarn tension control device, knotting device and flat knitting machine

Abstract

Provided is a yarn tension control device, a knotting device, and a flat knitting machine. The yarn tension control device is capable of controlling the tension applied to a yarn. The device includes a motor that generates a driving force; a cam configured to be rotatable by the driving force of the motor; a pair of guides that guide the yarn to a prescribed position; a spring that generates a force; and an arm having a through-hole and a pin, the through-hole being supported so as to be freely swingable along an imaginary plane passing between the pair of guides and allowing the yarn guided by the pair of guides to pass therethrough, the cam being capable of acting on the pin, the arm being forced by the spring in a direction in which tension is applied to the yarn, and the arm being swung in a direction away from the pair of guides based on a position at which the force of the spring and the tension of the yarn are balanced by the action of the cam on the pin, thereby increasing the tension applied to the yarn.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a yarn tension control device, a knotting device provided with the yarn tension control device, and a flat knitting machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a device that applies tension to a yarn mechanically supplied to a fiber by a force of a spring is known. For example, a device that applies constant tension to a yarn by a force of a spring is disclosed in Patent Literature 1, which is provided in a knotting device. Further, it is known that a device that applies tension to a yarn by a force of a spring is provided in a flat knitting machine.

[0003] However, the device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 applies a certain tension to a yarn in a state other than a knotting operation, and thus there is a problem that a load equal to or more than a required load is applied to the yarn. Therefore, a yarn tension applying device that can control a tension applied to a yarn is desired.

[0004]

Prior Art Literature

[0005]

Patent Literature

[0006]

Patent Literature 1

[0007]

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] The present application is made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a yarn tension control device, a knotting device, and a flat knitting machine that can control a tension applied to a yarn.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] The means for solving the problem will be described below.

[0011] That is, the yarn tension control device according to the present application includes a motor that generates a driving force; a cam configured to be rotatable by the driving force of the motor; a pair of guides that guide a yarn to a predetermined position; a spring that generates a force; and an arm having a penetration portion and an action portion, the penetration portion being supported so as to be swingable along an imaginary plane passing between the pair of guides and to be penetrated by the yarn guided by the pair of guides, the cam being able to act on the action portion, the arm being urged by the spring in a direction in which a tension is applied to the yarn, and the arm being swung in a direction away from the pair of guides based on a position at which the force of the spring and the tension of the yarn are balanced by the action of the cam on the action portion, so that the tension applied to the yarn is increased.

[0012] By so constituting, the tension applied to the yarn can be controlled.

[0013] Further, the arm swings toward the direction of the pair of guides from the position of the balance as a reference by the action of the cam on the action portion, thereby reducing the tension applied to the yarn.

[0014] By so constituting, the tension applied to the yarn can be controlled more finely.

[0015] Further, one end of the spring is fixed to the arm, and the other end of the spring is fixed to the cam.

[0016] By so constituting, the force of the spring can be controlled.

[0017] Further, the cam includes a first cam configured to act on the action portion of the arm and a second cam to which the other end of the spring is fixed, and the cam is configured to switch which one of the first cam and the second cam is rotated by the driving force of the motor.

[0018] By so constituting, the force of the spring can be controlled, and the tension applied to the yarn can be easily increased.

[0019] Further, the cam includes a first cam configured to act on the action portion of the arm and a second cam to which the other end of the spring is fixed, and either one of the first cam and the second cam is fixed to a motor shaft of the motor, and the other one of the first cam and the second cam is linked to the either one of the first cam and the second cam via a differential device and configured to rotate in the direction opposite to the either one of the first cam and the second cam in conjunction with the rotation of the either one of the first cam and the second cam.

[0020] By so constituting, the force of the spring can be controlled, and the tension applied to the yarn can be easily increased.

[0021] Further, the knotting device is provided with the yarn tension control device according to any one of technical solutions 1-5.

[0022] By so constituting, the tension applied to the yarn can be changed before, during, and after knotting, respectively.

[0023] Further, the flat knitting machine is provided with the yarn tension control device according to any one of technical solutions 1-5.

[0024] By so constituting, the transition elongation of the yarn at the time of the reverse of the weft yarn at the end of the knitted fabric can be suppressed.

[0025]

Inventive Effects

[0026] As an effect of the present application, it is possible to control the tension applied to the yarn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a feed mechanism of a yarn tension control device to which the first embodiment of the present application is applied.

[0028] Figure 2 Also shows the yarn tension control device of the first embodiment, is a perspective view of the yarn tension control device.

[0029] Figure 3 Also shows the yarn tension control device of the first embodiment, is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device before knotting.

[0030] Figure 4 Also shows the yarn tension control device of the first embodiment, is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device during knotting.

[0031] Figure 5 Also shows the yarn tension control device of the first embodiment, is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device at the end of knotting.

[0032] Figure 6 In the figure, (a) is a bottom view of a cam or the like of the first other example, and (b) is a bottom view of a cam or the like of the second other example.

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a yarn tension control device of the second embodiment.

[0034] Figure 8 Also shows the yarn tension control device of the second embodiment, (a) is a side sectional view showing a state in which the first cam engages with the motor shaft, and (b) is a side sectional view showing a state in which the second cam engages with the motor shaft.

[0035] Figure 9 Also shows the yarn tension control device of the second embodiment, (a) is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device before knotting, (b) is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device during knotting, and (c) is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device at the end of knotting.

[0036] Figure 10 is a front view of a yarn tension control device of the third embodiment.

[0037] Figure 11Similarly, the yarn tension control device of the third embodiment is shown in the following figures: (a) is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device during knotting, (b) is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device at the end of knotting, and (c) is a bottom view of the yarn tension control device before knotting.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a yarn feeding mechanism in a flat knitting machine where a yarn tension control device is used.

[0039] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0040] 3. Knotting device

[0041] 4. Flat knitting machine

[0042] 30, 50, 60 line tension control devices

[0043] 31 motors

[0044] 33 Cam

[0045] 37. Yarn guide

[0046] 38 arms

[0047] 39 Recoil Spring

[0048] 53, 63 First Cam

[0049] 56, 66 Second Cam

[0050] 69 Differential gear Detailed Implementation

[0051] The directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in the diagram will be defined as up, down, forward, backward, left, and right, respectively. Additionally, for simplicity, some diagrams of the constituent parts have been omitted from the illustration.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the yarn feeding mechanism 1 is configured to supply yarn A used in knitting fabrics from the yarn cone 2 to the flat knitting machine 4 via the knotting device 3. In the yarn feeding mechanism 1, the knotting device 3 is arranged downstream of the yarn cone 2 in the yarn feeding direction, and the flat knitting machine 4 is arranged downstream of the knotting device 3 in the yarn feeding direction.

[0053] In the flat knitting machine 4, the yarn feeder 5 is linked to the triangular carriage 6 and moves along the needle bed 7. Multiple knitting needles 8 are arranged side by side on the needle bed 7. The knitting needles 8 move forward and backward relative to the toothed mouth 9, pulling in yarn A from the yarn feeder 5 to knit the knitted fabric product C.

[0054] The knotting device 3 performs a yarn joining of the yarn A in use in the flat knitting machine 4 and a new yarn A wound on the yarn cone 2. The knotting device 3 is provided with a yarn selecting section 10 and a yarn joining section 20.

[0055] The yarn selecting section 10 is configured to guide the yarn A selected from among the plurality of yarns A supplied from the yarn cone 2 to the yarn joining section 20. The yarn joining section 20 is configured to perform the yarn joining of the yarn A selected by the yarn selecting section 10 and the yarn A in use in the flat knitting machine 4. The yarn joining section 20 is provided on a downstream side in a yarn feeding direction of the yarn selecting section 10. A yarn tension control device 30 is provided to the yarn joining section 20.

[0056] Hereinafter, the structure of the yarn tension control device 30 will be described using Figure 2 and Figure 4 as a reference. Note that the cam 33 and the arm 38 are members that can rotate or swing, and hereinafter, the description will be made with the positions shown in Figs. 10 and 11 as a reference. Figure 2 and Figure 4

[0057] The yarn tension control device 30 controls the tension of the yarn A at the time of knotting. The yarn tension control device 30 is provided with a motor 31, a motor base 32, a cam 33, a yarn guide 37, an arm 38, and a recoil spring 39.

[0058] The motor 31 generates a driving force. As the motor 31, any motor can be used, but a stepping motor and a servo motor are suitable. The motor 31 is provided with a motor shaft 31a that can rotate by the driving force generated thereby. The motor 31 is arranged so that the axial direction of the motor shaft 31a faces the up-down direction, and is provided so that the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 31a can be adjusted by a control section not shown.

[0059] The motor base 32 supports the motor 31. The motor base 32 is formed in a suitable shape that can support the motor 31, and is provided below the motor 31 in a manner so that the motor shaft 31a is inserted therethrough. A pin 32a is provided to the motor base 32.

[0060] The pin 32a is provided in the vicinity of the portion through which the motor shaft 31a is inserted, in a manner so as to extend downward from the lower surface of the motor base 32. The pin 32a engages with the end portion of the recoil spring 39 described later.

[0061] The cam 33 is configured to rotate by the driving force of the motor 31. More specifically, the cam 33 is inserted and fixed by the lower end of the motor shaft 31a below the motor base 32, and is provided to rotate around the axis of the motor shaft 31a as the motor shaft 31a rotates. The cam 33 is formed in a substantially L-shaped plate shape, and is arranged with the plate surface facing the up-down direction. A first protrusion portion 35 and a second protrusion portion 36 are formed to the cam 33.

[0062] ​The first protruding portion 35 is one of the two protruding portions that constitute the substantially L-shaped portion of the cam 33, and acts on a pin 38b of the arm 38 described later when the cam 33 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the bottom view. The first protruding portion 35 is formed so as to extend to a position where it can act on the pin 38b substantially to the right from a portion through which the motor shaft 31a is inserted. A first pressing surface 35a is formed on the first protruding portion 35 so as to face the pin 38b, and the pin 38b is pressed by the first pressing surface 35a when the cam 33 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the bottom view.

[0063] The second protruding portion 36 is the other of the two protruding portions that constitute the substantially L-shaped portion of the cam 33, and acts on the pin 38b of the arm 38 described later when the cam 33 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view. The second protruding portion 36 is formed so as to extend to a position where it can act on the pin 38b substantially to the rear from a portion through which the motor shaft 31a is inserted. The second protruding portion 36 is formed so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first protruding portion 35. A second pressing surface 36a is formed on the second protruding portion 36 so as to face the pin 38b, and the pin 38b is pressed by the second pressing surface 36a when the cam 33 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view.

[0064] The guide 37 guides the yarn A to a prescribed position. The guide 37 extends from the motor base 32 to the side (rear in this embodiment) of the motor base 32. A pair of guides 37 is provided above and below. Hereinafter, the upper guide 37 will also be referred to as guide 37A, and the lower guide 37 will also be referred to as guide 37B. As shown in FIG. 2, a through-hole 37a is formed at the front end of the guide 37, and the yarn A supplied from the yarn cone 2 is inserted through the through-hole 37a. The through-hole 37a of the guide 37A and the through-hole 37a of the guide 37B are formed at positions that overlap in the bottom view. Figure 4

[0065] The arm 38 is used to change the tension applied to the yarn A guided by the guide 37. The arm 38 is a long, rod-shaped, and plate-shaped rigid body, and is disposed with the plate face facing the up-and-down direction. The arm 38 is inserted through and fixed to the motor shaft 31a, and is disposed so as to oscillate about the axis of the motor shaft 31a. The arm 38 is disposed between the motor base 32 and the cam 33 in the up-and-down direction, and is disposed between the guide 37A and the guide 37B, and is supported so as to be freely oscillatable along an imaginary plane passing between the guide 37A and the guide 37B. The above-mentioned imaginary plane is a plane that intersects a line segment connecting the through-hole 37a of the guide 37A and the through-hole 37a of the guide 37B, and is a horizontal plane in this embodiment. The arm 38 has a through-hole 38a and a pin 38b.

[0066] Figure 4 ​The insertion hole 38a shown is formed through the front end of the upper and lower through arm 38, for the yarn A guided by the yarn guide 37 to pass through. The insertion hole 38a is formed at a position where the distance from the center of the axis of the motor shaft 31a to the center of the insertion hole 38a in the top view is the same as the distance from the center of the axis of the motor shaft 31a to the center of the insertion hole 37a of the yarn guide 37 in the top view. In this way, the insertion hole 38a is formed at a position where the center of the insertion hole 38a can coincide with the center of the insertion hole 37a of the yarn guide 37 when the arm 38 swings.

[0067] The cam 33 can act on the pin 38b. The pin 38b is cylindrical in shape and is positioned to extend from the lower surface of the arm 38 to the same height as or below the lower surface of the cam 33. The pin 38b is positioned near the cam 33 along the length of the arm 38 and, in the bottom view, is positioned not to overlap with the cam 33. More specifically, in the bottom view, the pin 38b is circumferentially positioned between the first protrusion 35 and the second protrusion 36, centered on the axis of the motor shaft 31a. Thus, the pin 38b is positioned so that the first pressing surface 35a of the first protrusion 35 and the second pressing surface 36a of the second protrusion 36 can abut each other when the cam 33 rotates.

[0068] A recoil spring 39 applies force to the arm 38. The recoil spring 39 is positioned between the motor base 32 and the arm 38, with the motor shaft 31a inserted through its central portion. One end of the recoil spring 39 is fixed to the arm 38, and the other end is fixed to a pin 32a in the motor base 32. This recoil spring 39 applies force to the arm 38 in the direction of tension applied to the yarn A, and more specifically, in the direction of counter-clockwise swing of the arm 38 in the bottom view. Figure 4 This indicates that the force of the recoil spring 39 applied to arm 38 is in balance with the tension of yarn A.

[0069] The following uses Figures 3 to 5 The operation of each component of the yarn tension control device 30 when controlling the tension of yarn A will be explained. When the yarn tension control device 30 knots the yarn A selected by the yarn selection unit 10 with the yarn A used in the flat knitting machine 4 in the yarn receiving section 20, it controls the tension applied to yarn A. Hereinafter, the period before knotting will be referred to as "before knotting," the period during knotting will be referred to as "during knotting," and the final tightening of the knot during knotting will be referred to as "end of knotting."

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, before knotting, the cam 33 is moved from the cam 33 by driving the motor 31. Figure 4The position shown is swung in the clockwise direction in the bottom view, that is, in the direction in which the leading end portion of the arm 38 approaches the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37A, 37B in the plan view, until the center of the insertion hole 38a of the arm 38 coincides with the center of the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37. Figure 4 The position shown is swung in the clockwise direction in the bottom view, that is, in the direction in which the leading end portion of the arm 38 approaches the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37A, 37B in the plan view, until the center of the insertion hole 38a of the arm 38 coincides with the center of the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37.

[0071] Thus, the yarn A can be guided to a position at which no tension is applied to the yarn A. Therefore, before knotting, no excessive load can be applied to the yarn A. Hereinafter, the position of the arm 38 shown will be referred to as the "first position". Figure 3 The position of the arm 38 shown is referred to as the "first position".

[0072] As shown in Fig. 6, in knotting, the motor 31 is driven to rotate the cam 33 from the position shown in Fig. 5 in the clockwise direction in the bottom view. Figure 4 As shown in Fig. 6, in knotting, the motor 31 is driven to rotate the cam 33 from the position shown in Fig. 5 in the clockwise direction in the bottom view. Figure 3 The position shown is swung in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view, that is, in the direction in which the leading end portion of the arm 38 is away from the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37A, 37B in the plan view, from the second position shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the yarn A is forcibly pulled by the arm 38. Figure 3 The position shown is swung in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view, that is, in the direction in which the leading end portion of the arm 38 is away from the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37A, 37B in the plan view, from the second position shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the yarn A is forcibly pulled by the arm 38.

[0073] Thus, in knotting, the slack of the yarn A generated in knotting can be eliminated by the tension of the return spring 39 applied to the yarn A. Hereinafter, the position of the arm 38 shown will be referred to as the "second position". Figure 4 The position of the arm 38 shown is referred to as the "second position".

[0074] As shown in Fig. 6, in knotting, the motor 31 is driven to rotate the cam 33 from the position shown in Fig. 5 in the clockwise direction in the bottom view. Figure 5 As shown in Fig. 6, in knotting, the motor 31 is driven to rotate the cam 33 from the position shown in Fig. 5 in the clockwise direction in the bottom view. Figure 4 The position shown is swung in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view, that is, in the direction in which the leading end portion of the arm 38 is away from the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37A, 37B in the plan view, from the second position shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the yarn A is forcibly pulled by the arm 38. Figure 4 The position shown is swung in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view, that is, in the direction in which the leading end portion of the arm 38 is away from the insertion hole 37a of the guide 37A, 37B in the plan view, from the second position shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the yarn A is forcibly pulled by the arm 38.

[0075] Thus, at the end of knotting, by forcibly pulling the yarn A, the knot of the yarn A can be tightened. Hereinafter, the position of the arm 38 shown in (a) is referred to as a "third position". Figure 5

[0076] As described above, the yarn tension control device 30 according to the present embodiment can change the tension applied to the yarn A according to each situation of knotting. Thus, the load applied to the yarn A when knotting is not performed can be reduced, and when knotting is performed, the slack of the yarn A can be eliminated or the knot of the yarn A can be tightened. In addition, since the arm 38 is constituted by a rigid body, control with excellent responsiveness can be performed.

[0077] The first embodiment of the present application has been described above, but the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the application recited in the claims.

[0078] For example, in the present embodiment, the cam 33 swings the arm 38 in the clockwise direction in the plan view and the counterclockwise direction in the plan view using the two protruding portions of the first protruding portion 35 and the second protruding portion 36, but the arm 38 can be swung in the clockwise direction in the plan view and the counterclockwise direction in the plan view using one protruding portion. That is, the cam 33 can not necessarily have two protruding portions, and can have one protruding portion.

[0079] Figure 6 (a) shows a state in which the force of the recoil spring 39 applied to the arm 38 and the tension of the yarn A are balanced. Figure 6 The cam 33A shown in (a) differs from the cam 33 shown in (a) in that the second protruding portion 36 is not provided. Figures 2 to 5 In the cam 33A, in a case where it is desired not to apply a load to the yarn A before knotting, the arm 38 is swung to the first position shown in (a) by the first protruding portion 35, as with the cam 33 shown in (a). Figure 3 Similarly, the cam 33A is rotated in the clockwise direction in the plan view to press the pin 38b of the arm 38 with the first pressing surface 35a. Thus, the arm 38 can be swung to the first position shown in (a). Figure 3

[0080] On the other hand, in a case where it is desired to forcibly pull the yarn A at the end of knotting, the cam 33A is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the plan view from the position shown in (a) by approximately 360°, so that the pin 38b of the arm 38 is pressed with the second pressing surface 35b, which is the surface on the opposite side of the first pressing surface 35a of the first protruding portion 35. Thus, the arm 38 can be swung up to the third position shown in (a), and the knot of the yarn A can be tightened. Figure 6 Figure 5

[0081] ​​​​In this embodiment, one end of the recoil spring 39 is fixed to the arm 38, and the other end is fixed to the motor base 32. However, the other end of the recoil spring 39 may also be fixed to the cam 33 instead of the motor base 32. Thus, by rotating the cam 33, the other end of the recoil spring 39 moves, thereby changing the force exerted by the recoil spring 39 on the arm 38. Therefore, the tension applied to the yarn A during knotting can be controlled according to factors such as the ease of stretching and contraction of the yarn A.

[0082] Specifically, when the tension applied to yarn A by the recoil spring 39 is too high due to yarn A being difficult to stretch, the cam 33 can be rotated by reducing the force of the recoil spring 39. On the other hand, when the tension applied to yarn A by the recoil spring 39 is too low due to yarn A being easy to stretch, the cam 33 can be rotated by increasing the force of the recoil spring 39.

[0083] However, if the other end of the recoil spring 39 is fixed to the cam 33, and the cam 33 is rotated to press the arm 38 to swing, then as the first protrusion 35 or the second protrusion 36 of the cam 33 approaches the pin 38b of the arm 38, the arm 38 retracts due to the force of the recoil spring 39, resulting in the problem that the arm 38 cannot be aligned to the first position with high precision. To solve this problem, it is also possible to... Figure 6 (b) is configured as shown in the diagram 33B.

[0084] Figure 6 (b) indicates cam 33B as a second other example of cam 33, representing a state in which the force of the recoil spring 39 applied to arm 38 is balanced with the tension of line A. Figure 6 (b) The cam 33B shown is Figures 2 to 5 The difference in the cam 33 shown is the presence of a third protrusion 46. In the cam 33B, the other end of the recoil spring 39 is fixed to the first protrusion 35. The third protrusion 46 is formed to extend substantially to the right from the portion through which the motor shaft 31a passes between the first protrusion 35 and the pin 38b of the arm 38. A third pressing surface 46a is formed on the third protrusion 46, opposite to the pin 38b. The third pressing surface 46a is formed closer to the pin 38b than the first pressing surface 35a of the first protrusion 35.

[0085] In the cam 33B, the distance from the pin 38b of the arm 38 to the third pressing surface 46a is shorter than the distance to the first pressing surface 35a, and thus in the case where the cam 33B is rotated in the clockwise direction in the plan view, the third pressing surface 46a can easily be brought into abutment with the pin 38b before the arm 38 is retracted. On the other hand, in the case where the cam 33B is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the plan view, the first protruding portion 35 is separated from the arm 38, and thus the acting force of the recoil spring 39 increases, and with the increase in the acting force, the tension of the yarn A increases. When the yarn A reaches a prescribed tension, the displacement of the angle of the arm 38 caused by the acting force of the recoil spring 39 converges, but the arm 38 is swung to the third position shown in (c) by the pin 38b being pressed by the second protruding portion 36, and the yarn A can be forcibly pulled. Figure 5

[0086] In addition, a sensor that measures the tension applied to the yarn A can also be provided, and the position of the arm 38 can be adjusted on the basis of the measured value of the sensor. Thus, the tension applied to the yarn A can be controlled to a desired value.

[0087] In addition, a motor that can acquire shaft torque can also be used as the motor 31, and the position of the arm 38 can be adjusted on the basis of the value of the shaft torque acquired by the motor 31. Thus, the tension applied to the yarn A can be controlled to a desired value. Furthermore, in the shaft torque acquired by the motor 31, not only the tension applied to the yarn A but also the acting force of the recoil spring 39 is included. Thus, it is preferable that a sensor that detects the position of the arm 38 be provided, and the position of the end point of the recoil spring 39 can be grasped by the sensor. Thus, the change in the acting force of the recoil spring 39 can be grasped, and thus by subtracting the acting force of the recoil spring 39 from the shaft torque acquired by the motor 31, the tension applied to the yarn A can be calculated.

[0088] Next, the yarn tension control device 50 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. Figures 7 to 9 The yarn tension control device 50 according to the second embodiment differs from the yarn tension control device 30 according to the first embodiment mainly in that the lifting member 41a is provided to the motor shaft 31a, and in that the first cam 53 and the second cam 56 are provided instead of the cam 33. Furthermore, in Figures 7 to 9 the drawings, the motor base 32 and the guide 37 are omitted. In addition, the first cam 53, the second cam 56, and the arm 38 are members that can be rotated or swung, but will be described below with reference to the positions shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 as a reference. Figure 7 Figure 9 (b) as a reference.

[0089] ​​The lifting member 41a is formed in a hollow shape with one end open, and is provided so as to house the motor shaft 31a. The cross-sectional shape of the open portion of the lifting member 41a is not limited, and for example, is similar to the cross-sectional shape of the motor shaft 31a. The lifting member 41a is provided so as to be able to rotate together with the motor shaft 31a, and is able to move up and down by a solenoid (not shown) provided below the lifting member 41a. The lower end of the lifting member 41a is formed in a shape that is able to engage with the first cam 53 and the second cam 56. The lower end of the lifting member 41a is formed, for example, in a polygonal shape in a plan view that is larger in diameter than the other portions of the lifting member 41a, and for example, is formed in a decagonal shape to a pentadecagonal shape in a plan view.

[0090] The first cam 53 is for causing the arm 38 to swing, and for the lower end of the lifting member 41a to pass through. The first cam 53 is formed in a plate shape, and is disposed with the plate face facing in the up-and-down direction. A protruding portion 55 is formed in the first cam 53.

[0091] The protruding portion 55 is formed so as to extend to a position that is able to act on the pin 38b of the arm 38 from the portion through which the lifting member 41a passes to the rear left, and abuts against the pin 38b when the first cam 53 is rotated. A first pressing surface 55a and a second pressing surface 55b are formed in the protruding portion 55, and the pin 38b is pressed by the first pressing surface 55a when the first cam 53 is rotated in the clockwise direction in a plan view, and is pressed by the second pressing surface 55b when the first cam 53 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in a plan view.

[0092] The second cam 56 is for controlling the acting force of the recoil spring 39, and is for the lifting member 41a to pass through above the first cam 53. The second cam 56 is formed in a plate shape, and is disposed with the plate face facing in the up-and-down direction. A protruding portion 58 is formed in the second cam 56.

[0093] The protruding portion 58 extends to the right from the portion through which the lifting member 41a passes. The other end of the recoil spring 39 is fixed to the protruding portion 58.

[0094] The lifting member 41a is provided so that the lower end portion is able to move up and down between Figure 8 (a) the position at which the lifting member 41a engages with the first cam 53, and Figure 8 (b) the position at which the lifting member 41a engages with the second cam 56. When the lifting member 41a is positioned at Figure 8 (a), the first cam 53 is able to be rotated by driving the motor 31. On the other hand, when the lifting member 41a is positioned at Figure 8 (b), the second cam 56 is able to be rotated by driving the motor 31. In this way, the first cam 53 and the second cam 56 are configured so that which one of the first cam 53 and the second cam 56 is rotated is switched by the driving force of the motor 31.

[0095] Next, use Figure 9 The operation of each component of the yarn tension control device 50 when controlling the tension of yarn A is explained.

[0096] like Figure 9 As shown in (a), before knotting, the lifting component 41a is moved to... Figure 8 In the position shown in (a), the drive motor 31 is activated, thereby causing the first cam 53 to rotate clockwise in the bottom view, pressing the pin 38b of the arm 38 using the first pressing surface 55a. This allows the arm 38 to swing to... Figure 3 The first position shown.

[0097] like Figure 9 As shown in (b), during knotting, the first cam 53 is rotated counterclockwise in the bottom view until the protrusion 55 no longer abuts against the pin 38b of the arm 38. Then, the arm 38 swings counterclockwise in the bottom view due to the force of the recoil spring 39. Figure 4 In the second position shown, the portion of yarn A inserted into the insertion hole 38a of arm 38 is pulled by arm 38. This eliminates any slack in yarn A that occurs during knotting.

[0098] At this time, by moving the lifting component 41a to... Figure 8 When the motor 31 is driven in the position shown in (b), the second cam 56 can be rotated. This allows the force of the recoil spring 39 applied to the arm 38 to change, thereby controlling the tension applied to yarn A when slack is eliminated.

[0099] In this way, by setting the cam of the pressing arm 38 and the cam at the other end of the fixed recoil spring 39 as different components, it is possible to independently perform the operation of changing the force of the recoil spring 39 and the forced tension of the yarn A by the pulling of the arm 38, thereby taking both into account.

[0100] like Figure 9 As shown in (c), at the end of the knotting process, the lifting component 41a is moved to... Figure 8 In the position shown in (a), the motor 31 is driven to rotate the first cam 53 counterclockwise in the bottom view, thereby causing the protrusion 55 to press the pin 38b of the arm 38. This allows the arm 38 to swing to... Figure 5 The third position shown allows for tightening of the knot in yarn A.

[0101] The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical concept of the invention as described in the claims.

[0102] For example, in the present embodiment, in order to switch which one of the first cam 53 and the second cam 56 is rotated by the driving force of the motor 31, the lifting member 41a is moved up and down by a solenoid or the like, but the first cam 53 and the second cam 56 can be moved up and down, respectively.

[0103] Next, the yarn tension control device 60 according to the third embodiment will be described using Figure 10 and Figure 11 The yarn tension control device 60 according to the third embodiment differs from the yarn tension control device 30 according to the first embodiment mainly in that the first cam 63 and the second cam 66 are provided instead of the cam 33, and that the differential gear 69 is provided. In addition, in Figure 10 and Figure 11 The motor base 32 and the guide 37 are omitted from the drawings.

[0104] The first cam 63 is used to swing the arm 38, and is formed in the same shape as the first cam 53 according to the second embodiment. The protruding portion 65 of the first cam 63 is formed with a pressing surface 65a, and the pin 38b is pressed by the pressing surface 65a when the first cam 63 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the plan view.

[0105] The second cam 66 is used to control the force of the recoil spring 39, and is formed in the same shape as the second cam 56 according to the second embodiment. The second cam 66 is fixed to the motor shaft 31a, and is arranged to rotate around the axis of the motor shaft 31a in accordance with the rotation of the motor shaft 31a. The other end of the recoil spring 39 is fixed to the protruding portion 68 of the second cam 66.

[0106] The first cam 63 is linked to the second cam 66 via the differential gear 69 provided between the first cam 63 and the second cam 66. Thus, the first cam 63 is configured to rotate in the direction opposite to the direction in which the second cam 66 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second cam 66 caused by the driving force of the motor 31.

[0107] Next, the operation of each component of the yarn tension control device 60 when the tension of the yarn A is controlled will be described using Figure 11

[0108] In the case where the force of the recoil spring 39 is desired to be changed in knotting, as in Figure 11 ​(a) shown, by utilizing the driving force of the motor 31 to rotate the second cam 66, thereby moving the position of the other end of the recoil spring 39, the force of the recoil spring 39 can be varied. Specifically, by rotating the second cam 66 in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view, thereby the second cam 66 separates from the arm 38, thus the force of the recoil spring 39 increases. On the other hand, by rotating the second cam 66 in the clockwise direction in the bottom view, thereby the second cam 66 approaches the arm 38, thus the force of the recoil spring 39 decreases.

[0109] In the case where it is intended to forcibly apply tension to the yarn A at the end of knotting, as shown in Figure 11 (b) shown, by the driving force of the motor 31 to rotate the second cam 66 in the clockwise direction in the bottom view, thereby rotate the first cam 63 in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view, make the pressing surface 65a of the protruding portion 65 abut against the pin 38b of the arm 38. Further, by rotating the first cam 63 in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view, thereby the protruding portion 65 presses the pin 38b of the arm 38, make the arm 38 further swing in the counterclockwise direction in the bottom view. Thereby, the arm 38 can be swung to Figure 5 the third position shown, further can tighten the knot head of the yarn A.

[0110] In the case where it is not intended to apply tension to the yarn A before knotting, as shown in Figure 11 (c) shown, by the driving force of the motor 31 to rotate the first cam 63 from Figure 11 the position shown in (b) to the clockwise direction in the bottom view. When the first cam 63 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the bottom view, the arm 38 swings in the clockwise direction in the bottom view together with the first cam 63 in the state of being in contact with the first cam 63 by the force of the recoil spring 39. Thereby, the arm 38 can be swung to Figure 3 the first position shown.

[0111] As described above, the yarn tension control device 30, 50, 60 of the first to third embodiments of the present application is provided to the knotting device 3, but can be provided to the flat knitting machine 4 as shown in Figure 12 The following describes the example in which the yarn tension control device 30, 50, 60 is provided to the flat knitting machine 4.

[0112] In the conventional flat knitting machine, when the knitting yarn is inlayed from one side of the flat knitting machine, the tension becomes small at the end of the knitted fabric on the side far from the yarn tension control device provided near the side surface of the flat knitting machine at the time of reversing of the feeder. Particularly in the case where a high-rigidity fiber is used for the inlay, there is a problem that the tension application based on the spring force cannot follow the change in the tension of the yarn, and the transition of the inlay at the time of reversing becomes long at the end of the knitted fabric on the far side.

[0113] In the present application, the yarn tension control device 30, 50, 60 is provided to the flat knitting machine 4, whereby when the high-rigidity fiber is used as the weft yarn and the yarn is lapped, when the feeder at the end of the knitted fabric on the side away from the yarn tension control device 30, 50, 60 is reversed, the arm 38 is swung to the third position shown by the arrow to increase the tension applied to the yarn A, whereby the tension change at the time of reversal can be absorbed and the excessive elongation of the yarn at the time of reversal of the weft yarn at the end of the knitted fabric can be suppressed. Figure 5 the yarn tension control device 30, 50, 60 is provided to the flat knitting machine 4, whereby when the high-rigidity fiber is used as the weft yarn and the yarn is lapped, when the feeder at the end of the knitted fabric on the side away from the yarn tension control device 30, 50, 60 is reversed, the arm 38 is swung to the third position shown by the arrow to increase the tension applied to the yarn A, whereby the tension change at the time of reversal can be absorbed and the excessive elongation of the yarn at the time of reversal of the weft yarn at the end of the kn

Claims

1. A yarn tension control device, wherein provided are: a motor (31) that generates a driving force; a cam configured to be rotatable by the driving force of the motor (31); a pair of guides (37A, 37B) that guide a yarn (A) to a prescribed position; a spring (39) that generates a force; and an arm (38) having a passage portion (38a) and an action portion (38b), the passage portion (38a) being supported so as to be swingable along an imaginary plane passing between the pair of guides (37A, 37B) and to be passed through by the yarn (A) guided by the pair of guides (37A, 37B), the cam being able to act on the action portion (38b), the arm (38) being urged by the spring (39) in a direction in which tension is applied to the yarn (A), and being swung by the action of the cam on the action portion (38b) in a direction away from the pair of guides (37A, 37B) with respect to a position at which the force of the spring (39) and the tension of the yarn (A) are balanced, so that the tension applied to the yarn (A) is increased.

2. The yarn tension control device according to claim 1, wherein the arm (38) is swung by the action of the cam on the action portion (38b) in a direction approaching the pair of guides (37A, 37B) with respect to the position at which the force of the spring (39) and the tension of the yarn (A) are balanced, so that the tension applied to the yarn (A) is decreased.

3. The yarn tension control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the spring (39) is fixed to the arm (38), and the other end of the spring (39) is fixed to the cam.

4. The yarn tension control device according to claim 3, wherein the cam includes a first cam (53) configured to act on the action portion (38b) of the arm (38) and a second cam (56) to which the other end of the spring (39) is fixed, the cam is configured to switch the rotation of either one of the first cam (53) and the second cam (56) by the driving force of the motor (31).

5. The yarn tension control device according to claim 3, wherein the cam includes a first cam (63) configured to act on the action portion (38b) of the arm (38) and a second cam (66) to which the other end of the spring (39) is fixed, either one of the first cam (63) and the second cam (66) is fixed to a motor shaft (31a) of the motor (31), The other of the first cam (63) and the second cam (66) is linked to either of the first cam (63) and the second cam (66) via a differential device (69) and is configured to rotate in the opposite direction to either of the first cam (63) and the second cam (66) in response to rotation of either of the first cam (63) and the second cam (66).

6. A knotter device, wherein, The yarn tension control device (30, 50, 60) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided.

7. A flat knitting machine, wherein, The yarn tension control device (30, 50, 60) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided.

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