warp knitting machine

Abstract

A warp knitting machine is described, which has a compound needle bed (2) with a plurality of compound needles and a drive (1) acting on the compound needle bed (2), which has a linear guide (3) with a first part (4) and a second part (5) movable relative to the first part (4), wherein the first part (4) can be oscillated in an oscillating movement about an oscillating axis and the second part (5) is connected to the compound needles (2). It is intended to be able to produce the movement of the compound needle bed (2) in a simple manner in a raschel warp knitting machine. To this end, it is provided that the oscillating axis is a first oscillating axis (6) and the second part (5) is hingedly connected to a guide bar (7), which can be oscillated about a second oscillating axis (8), which is separate from the first oscillating axis (6).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a warp knitting machine with a compound needle bar having a plurality of compound needles and a drive acting on the compound needle bar, which drive has a linear guide with a first part and a second part movable relative to the first part, wherein the first part is able to oscillate about an oscillation axis in an oscillating movement and the second part is connected to the compound needle bar. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the case of the manufacture of warp-knitted fabrics, the needles or working needles, which in the present case have to be designed as compound needles, are moved relative to the guide needles (Legenadel) in such a way that the needles are moved through the passages between the guide needles. This movement can be achieved in that the guide needles, which are fixed at the guide bar (or called guide needle bar, Legenadelbarre), are oscillated or in that the compound needles are oscillated with the compound needle bar relative to the guide bar. This last movement takes place, in particular, in the case of Raschel warp knitting machines.

[0003] Furthermore, the needles have to be moved up and down in order to pull the yarns through the loops formed on the needles in the case of the manufacture of knitted fabrics, respectively. In the course of the loop formation in this section, the tuck space (Fangraum) of the needles has to be closed. This is achieved in the compound needles in that the needle core is moved relative to the compound needle in order to close the tuck space.

[0004] In order to generate this movement of the compound needle bar, one uses a superimposition of two movements, namely, on the one hand, the oscillating movement of the linear guide in order to guide the compound needles through the passages between the guide needles and, on the other hand, the linear movement of the second part relative to the first part of the linear guide. This movement is generated in the prior art by means of a cam disc. The manufacture of such a cam disc is, however, relatively costly and complex. SUMMARY

[0005] The object of the invention is to generate the movement of the compound needle bar in a Raschel warp knitting machine in a simple manner.

[0006] This object is achieved in a warp knitting machine of the type mentioned at the outset in that the oscillation axis is a first oscillation axis and the second part is hingedly connected to a guide rod, which guide rod is able to oscillate about a second oscillation axis, which second oscillation axis is separate from the first oscillation axis.

[0007] The first swivel axis, the second swivel axis and the articulation point, at which the guide bar is connected to the second part, thus form a triangle. When the linear guide is swiveled about the first swivel axis, the angle of this triangle changes. This angle change then causes a change in the side of the triangle, at which the linear guide is arranged. A change in the length of this side of the triangle is possible, since here the second part of the linear guide is movable relative to the first part. One can thus produce a linear movement of the second part in a simple manner, without having to use a cam disc. The linear movement of the second part of the linear guide relative to the first part is produced exclusively via the guide bar. When the linear movement of the second part of the linear guide is then superimposed on the swivel movement of the linear guide, the desired movement curve of the compound needle bed is obtained.

[0008] Preferably, the first part is connected to a crank drive, which is driven by the main shaft of the warp knitting machine. With such a crank drive, a swivel movement, which is limited to a certain swivel angle, can be produced in a simple manner.

[0009] Preferably, the crank drive is connected to the first part via a lever. A certain transmission ratio can thus be achieved, so that one can set the swivel angle relatively precisely.

[0010] Preferably, the second swivel axis can be displaced in time with the swivel movement of the linear guide. If one displaces the second swivel axis in time with the swivel movement of the linear guide, the second swivel axis still forms a corner point of the above-mentioned triangle. However, one can ensure by the displacement of the second swivel axis that the compound needle bed moves on a curved track in the case of a swivel movement in one direction, which is different from the curved track in the case of a swivel movement in the opposite direction. The curved track, which consists of two segments, is then simply described as "drop-shaped". In this way one can ensure on the one hand that the compound needle can accordingly catch the yarn in the case of a swivel movement of the linear guide in one direction, on the other hand that the compound needle does not collide with the yarn in the case of a movement in the other direction, but leads past the yarn at a certain distance.

[0011] Preferably, the second swivel axis can be displaced on an arc of a circle. Such a displacement movement can be produced in a simple manner.

[0012] Preferably, the crank drive is a first crank drive and the lever is a first lever and the second swivel axis is arranged at a second lever, which can be swiveled about a third swivel axis, wherein the second lever can be swiveled by means of a second crank drive, which works with a phase shift relative to the first crank drive. The two crank drives work synchronously, however, with a certain phase shift. With this phase shift, the course of the track curve of the compound needle bed is predetermined relative to the course of the needle core bed (or also called slide bar, Schieberbarre), wherein the movement of the compound needle bed in one swivel direction takes place on a track which is different from the track in the opposite direction.

[0013] Preferably, the linear guide is a first linear guide and the warp knitting machine has a needle core bed with needle cores, wherein the needle core bed is connected with a second element of a second linear guide, which can be moved relative to a first element of the second linear guide, wherein the first element of the second linear guide can be swiveled about a first swivel axis and the second element is hingedly connected with a second guide rod, which can be displaced about a fourth swivel axis, which is separate from the first swivel axis and from the second swivel axis. One can then control the movement of the needle core bed in a similar manner as the movement of the compound needle bed. The needle cores and the compound needles can then be moved in a similar manner in a simple manner, with the only difference that the needle cores are moved linearly relative to the compound needles in order to close or open the stitch space of the compound needles.

[0014] Preferably, the fourth swivel axis can be displaced. By means of the displacement of the fourth swivel axis, it is possible to achieve that the needle core bed experiences a movement path in the case of a swivel movement in one direction which is different from the movement path in the case of a movement in the opposite direction. The needle cores can then follow the movement of the compound needles with greater precision.

[0015] Preferably, the fourth swivel axis can be displaced about the third swivel axis on an arc of a circle. Such a displacement can be realized relatively easily.

[0016] Preferably, the second swivel axis and the fourth swivel axis can be displaced with the same phase. Synchronous movement of the compound needle bed and the needle core bed is thus obtained, with the above-mentioned difference that the needle cores can open or close the stitch space of the compound needles.

[0017] Preferably, the fourth swivel axis is arranged on a third lever, which can be swiveled about the third swivel axis. This is a simple and feasible solution for displacing the fourth swivel axis on an arc of a circle.

[0018] Preferably, the second crank drive acts on the third lever. The second crank drive then swivels the third lever about the third swivel axis and enables a simple displacement of the fourth swivel axis.

[0019] Preferably, the first linear guide and the second linear guide can be displaced jointly about the first swivel axis. A desired synchronous swivel movement of the compound needle bed and the needle core bed can thus be achieved.

[0020] Preferably, the knock-over element barre is arranged swivelably about the first swivel axis. The knock-over element barre need only be swiveled. A superimposition of linear movements is not necessary here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The application is explained below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In which:

[0022] Figure 1 a strongly diagrammatic illustration of a drive for a compound needle bed is shown,

[0023] Figure 2 a first embodiment of the application with movement curves of a compound needle bed, a needle core bed and a knock-over element barre is shown, and

[0024] Figure 3 a second embodiment of the application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 A strongly diagrammatic illustration of a component of a warp knitting machine, namely a drive 1 of a compound needle bed 2, is shown. The compound needle bed 2 has a multiplicity of compound needles in a manner not further shown, but known per se. The compound needle bed 2 is arranged at a linear guide 3 which has a first part 4 and a second part 5 which is movable relative to the first part 4, the compound needle bed 2 being connected to the second part. The first part 4 is swivelable about a swivel axis 6. The second part 5 is hingedly connected to a guide bar 7 which is swivelable about a second swivel axis 8. The second swivel axis 8 is separate from the first swivel axis 6. The guide bar 7 is connected to the second part 5 via a hinge point 9.

[0026] The first part 4 is connected torsionally to a first lever 10 which can be swiveled via a first crank drive 11. Here, the first crank drive 11 is driven by a main shaft 12 of the warp knitting machine. If the main shaft 12 is rotated, the first lever 10 is swiveled in the direction of the double arrow 13. To this end, the first crank drive 11 has a crank 14 which is connected via an intermediate lever 15 to a hinge point 16 arranged at the first lever 10. The crank 14 is connected to the intermediate lever via a hinge point 17. The first part 4 of the linear guide 3 is then moved in the same swivel movement as the first lever 10.

[0027] The first swivel axis 6, the second swivel axis 8 and the hinge point 9 form a triangle. If the linear guide 3 is swiveled, the angle of the triangle changes. Thus, if the linear guide 3 is swiveled clockwise (with reference to the illustration in Figure 1 , the side opposite the second swivel axis 8 shortens and the second part 5 of the linear guide 3 drives into the first part 4. The compound needle bed 2 is thus not only swiveled clockwise, but also moved towards the first swivel axis 6. The movement path of the compound needle bed 2 thus deviates from the circular arc in the desired manner. In the case of a counterclockwise swivel movement of the linear guide 3, the second part 5 again drives out of the first part 4 of the linear guide 3, thus away from the first swivel axis 6.

[0028] In a warp knitting machine, however, not only the compound needle bed 2, but also the needle core bed and the sinker bed have to be moved. The needle core bed supports a needle core for each compound needle, which opens or closes the tuck space of the respective compound needle. The compound needle bed thus has to be controlled with a similar movement curve as the compound needle bed 2. In the case of the sinker bed, however, a swivel movement is sufficient. A superposition of linear movements is not necessary here.

[0029] Figure 2 The drive 1 is shown schematically, which is described in connection with Figure 1 , and additionally the drives for the needle core bed and for the sinker bed are shown schematically. The needle core bed and the sinker bed (and also the compound needle bed) are not drawn together. Only the movement curve 18 for the compound needle bed, the movement curve 19 for the needle core bed and the movement curve 20 for the sinker bed are shown.

[0030] Furthermore, the same elements as in Figure 1 are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0031] For the movement control of the needle core bed along the curve 19, a second linear guide is provided, which is not visible in Figure 2 . The second linear guide is situated behind the linear guide 3, which is referred to below as "first linear guide", perpendicular to the drawing plane.

[0032] The second linear guide has a first element, which is swivelable about the first swivel axis 6, and a second element, which is linearly displaceable relative to the first element of the second linear guide. The second element is connected in a hinged manner to a second guide rod 21, which is swivelable about a fourth swivel axis 22, which is separate from the first swivel axis 6 and from the second swivel axis 8. The connection between the second guide rod 21 and the second element is effected via a hinge point 23.

[0033] The first swivel axis 6, the fourth swivel axis 22 and the articulation point 23 thus also form a triangle, the angle of which changes when the second linear guide is swiveled about the first swivel axis 6.

[0034] The fourth swivel axis 22 is shown here on the side of the first linear guide 3 opposite the second swivel axis 8 for reasons of clarity. It is possible for the fourth swivel axis 22 to be arranged on the same side as the second swivel axis 8 depending on the desired movement curve 18, 19. In the case of swivel axes 8, 22 arranged on different sides of the first linear guide 3, opposite linear movement components occur. In the case of swivel axes 8, 22 arranged on the same side of the first linear guide 3, the linear movement components point in the same direction.

[0035] A movement curve 19 which is not circular is thus also obtained in the case of a needle bed. The movement curve 19 consists of two components, namely a swivel movement corresponding to a circular arc on the one hand and a superimposed linear movement generated by the second guide rod 21 on the other hand.

[0036] A knock-over element bed, which is likewise not further shown, is moved along a movement curve 20. The movement curve 20 corresponds to a portion of a circular arc. It is generated in that the knock-over element bed is arranged at a lever, not further shown, which is likewise swiveled about the first swivel axis 6.

[0037] In the design according to Figure 1 and 2 the composite needle bed 2 is moved on the same movement path in the case of a swivel movement of the linear guide 3 in both directions. This can not be desired in many cases.

[0038] Figure 3 A design is shown in which different movement paths can be realized for the "to- movement" and the "back-movement" of the composite needle bed 2. The same elements as in Figure 1 and 2 are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0039] The second swing axis 8 is not arranged stationary at this point, but can be displaced in an arc. The second swing axis 8 is arranged for this purpose at a second lever 24, which can be swung about a third swing axis 25. The second lever 24 is swung via a second crank drive 26, which works with a phase shift relative to the first crank drive 11. The phase shift can be small. The second crank drive 26 is likewise driven by the main shaft 12. The second crank drive 26 drives a third lever 28 in a swinging movement via an intermediate lever 27. The third lever 28 is connected to the second lever 24 in a torsionally rigid manner. The second lever 24 and the third lever 28 can be swung together about the third swing axis 25. The intermediate lever 27 is connected to the third lever 28 via a hinge point 29.

[0040] The fourth swing axis 22 can also be displaced in the operation of the warp knitting machine. The fourth swing axis 22 is arranged on the third lever 28.

[0041] Here, the second swing axis 8 and the fourth swing axis 22 are also arranged on different sides of the linear guide 3. The drawing is chosen for reasons of clarity. It is also possible for the two swing axes 8, 22 to be arranged on the same side of the linear guide 3. The positions of the second swing axis 8 and the fourth swing axis 22 with respect to the position of the linear guide 3 and the position of the third swing axis 25 and the hinge point 29 with respect to the position of the linear guide 3 can in principle be chosen freely. Depending on the chosen positions, then either opposing linear motion components or linear motion components pointing in the same direction are obtained. How the individual linear motion components are then superimposed depends on the desired trajectory curve of the respective bed.

[0042] If the second swing axis 8 and the fourth swing axis 22 are displaced in operation synchronously with one another, it is achieved that the motion curve (i.e. the curves 18, 19) for the compound needle bed 2 and for the needle core bed looks different in the case in which the respective linear guide is swung in one direction than in the case in which the linear guide is swung in the opposite direction. This is shown schematically in Figure 3 in which the motion curve 18 has a first branch 18a and a second branch 18b. The motion curve 19 is also constructed with two different branches, which, however, lie so close together that they cannot be identified in Figure 3 .

[0043] By the choice of the length of the second lever 24 and by the arrangement of the fourth swing axis 22 on the third lever 28, the distinction between the respective branches 18a, 18b of the motion curves 18 and 19 can be changed.

Claims

1. A warp knitting machine comprising a compound needle bed (2) with a plurality of compound needles and a drive (1) acting on the compound needle bed (2), the drive comprising a linear guide (3) with a first part (4) and a second part (5) movable relative to the first part (4), wherein: The first component (4) is capable of swinging around a swing axis in a swinging motion and the second component (5) is connected to the compound needle bed (2), characterized in that the swing axis is a first swing axis (6) and the second component (5) is articulatedly connected to a guide rod (7), the guide rod is capable of swinging around a second swing axis (8), and the second swing axis is separated from the first swing axis (6).

2. The warp knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first component (4) is connected to a crankshaft transmission, which is driven by a main shaft (12) of the warp knitting machine.

3. The warp knitting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The crankshaft drive is connected to the first component via a lever.

4. The warp knitting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The second pivot axis (8) can be displaced in a temporally synchronous manner with the pivoting movement of the linear guide (3).

5. The warp knitting machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second pivot axis (8) can be shifted on a circular arc.

6. The warp knitting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that The second swing axis (8) can be shifted in time synchronously with the swinging movement of the linear guide (3), wherein the second swing axis (8) can be shifted on a circular arc, wherein the crankshaft drive is a first crankshaft drive (11) and the lever is a first lever (10), and the second swing axis (8) is arranged on a second lever (24), the second lever can be swung about a third swing axis (25), wherein the second lever (24) can be swung by means of a second crankshaft drive (26), the second crankshaft drive operating with a phase shift relative to the first crankshaft drive (11).

7. The warp knitting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The linear guide device is a first linear guide device and the warp knitting machine has a needle bed with a needle core, wherein the needle bed is connected to a second element of a second linear guide device, and the second element can be moved relative to the first element of the second linear guide device, wherein the first element of the second linear guide device can swing around the first swing axis (6), and the second element is articulatedly connected to a second guide rod (21), and the second guide rod can swing around a fourth swing axis (22), and the fourth swing axis is separated from the first swing axis (6) and the second swing axis (8).

8. The warp knitting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that The fourth pivot axis (22) can be shifted.

9. The warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that The linear guide device is a first linear guide device and the warp knitting machine has a needle bed with a needle core, wherein the needle bed is connected to a second element of a second linear guide device, and the second element can be moved relative to the first element of the second linear guide device, wherein the first element of the second linear guide device can be swung around the first swing axis (6), and the second element is articulatedly connected to a second guide rod (21), and the second guide rod can be swung around a fourth swing axis (22), and the fourth swing axis is separated from the first swing axis (6) and the second swing axis (8), wherein the fourth swing axis (22) can be transferred on an arc around the third swing axis (25).

10. The warp knitting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second swivel axis (8) and the fourth swivel axis (22) can be shifted in the same phase.

11. The warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that The linear guide device is a first linear guide device and the warp knitting machine has a needle bed with a needle core, wherein the needle bed is connected to a second element of a second linear guide device, and the second element can be moved relative to the first element of the second linear guide device, wherein the first element of the second linear guide device can be swung around the first swing axis (6), and the second element is articulatedly connected to a second guide rod (21), and the second guide rod can be swung around a fourth swing axis (22), and the fourth swing axis is separated from the first swing axis (6) and the second swing axis (8), wherein the fourth swing axis (22) is arranged on a third lever (28), and the third lever can be swung around the third swing axis (25).

12. The warp knitting machine according to claim 11, characterized in that The second crankshaft drive (26) acts on the third lever (28).

13. The warp knitting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first linear guide device and the second linear guide device can be pivoted together around the first pivot axis (6).

14. The warp knitting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The knockover element bed is arranged so as to be pivotable about the first pivot axis (6).

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