The moving mechanism of the suction tube assembly in a sock machine

Abstract

This invention discloses a moving mechanism for a sock suction tube assembly in a sock knitting machine, including a sock suction tube assembly and a sock suction tube assembly mounting base, the mounting base being fixed to the machine; it also includes a four-bar linkage and a linear drive mechanism; a first link is fixedly mounted on the sock suction tube assembly mounting base, and the sock suction tube assembly is fixedly connected to a third link; the fixed end of the linear drive mechanism is fixedly connected to the extension of the first link, and the movable end is connected to the fourth link; the four-bar linkage is located on the same two-dimensional plane, which forms an angle of 25° to 40° with the horizontal plane. In this invention, the moving path of the sock suction tube assembly is a three-dimensional curve with displacement in three directions, which can be used to arrange other additional components on the machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of knitting machinery technology, specifically relating to an integrated intelligent sock machine, and in particular to the moving mechanism of the suction tube assembly in the sock machine. Background Technology

[0002] After the socks are knitted, they need to be sewn shut, specifically by sealing the toe area. Currently, the mainstream technology for automatic sock sewing is disclosed in Chinese Patent Application No. 2009801088587. This patent represents a circular knitting machine whose sewing device includes upper and lower sections, respectively located above and below a central area. The central area houses a device for supporting and suspending the socks. After the socks enter the lower suction tube assembly, the suction tube inserts upwards through the unsealed sock to reach the upper section, causing the socks to turn outwards outside the suction tube before sewing. To better facilitate the socks entering the suction tube, the suction tube assembly has an inclined motion relative to the vertical direction.

[0003] Building upon this foundation, those skilled in the art have made numerous improvements to facilitate the insertion of longer socks into the suction tube. For example, publications CN107345336A, CN208201288U, and CN109576884A all feature a lower component (i.e., the suction tube assembly) with a track, allowing it to be moved to a more advantageous position. Combined with the negative pressure and up-and-down movement of the suction tube, this allows the sock to enter the suction tube earlier and faster. Another example is publication CN113943999A, which utilizes the repeated back-and-forth pulling of the negative pressure suction tube to guide the sock into the suction tube, making it suitable for considerably longer socks.

[0004] In all existing technologies, the suction tube assembly needs to move as a whole, either by tilting or rotating at an angle, or by translating along a track in all directions, or a combination of both. Generally speaking, the movement of the suction tube assembly occurs on a single plane. From the perspective of an observer standing in front of the machine, defining the left-right direction as the x-axis, the up-down direction as the y-axis, and the front-back direction as the z-axis, we can see that the movement of the suction tube assembly in existing technologies is all within a two-dimensional plane formed by the x and y axes, and does not involve movement along the z-axis. However, with technological advancements, the number of additional components on sock machines is increasing, inevitably occupying more and more space. The movement plane of the suction tube assembly happens to block part of the installation space in front of the sock machine. Placing other components in this area would cause movement interference with the suction tube assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a moving mechanism for the suction tube assembly in a sock machine, which has a more reasonable moving path and can free up space in front of the sock machine.

[0006] Therefore, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a sock suction tube assembly moving mechanism in a sock machine includes a sock suction tube assembly and a sock suction tube assembly mounting base, the sock suction tube assembly mounting base being fixed to the machine; it also includes a four-bar linkage formed by connecting a first link, a second link, a third link, and a fourth link end to end, and a linear drive mechanism; the first link is fixedly mounted on the sock suction tube assembly mounting base, and the sock suction tube assembly is fixedly connected to the third link; the fixed end of the linear drive mechanism is fixedly connected to the extension of the first link, and the movable end is connected to the fourth link; the four-bar linkage is located on the same two-dimensional plane, which forms an angle of 25° to 40° with the horizontal plane.

[0007] The four-bar linkage has a variable parallelogram structure, with the first and third links in the x-axis direction and the second and fourth links in the z-axis direction in one of the motion states.

[0008] The linear drive mechanism is a lead screw and slider mechanism.

[0009] Furthermore, a locking buckle is fixedly installed on the sock suction tube assembly, and a corresponding locking pin is installed on the sock suction tube assembly mounting base; when the sock suction tube assembly approaches the sock suction tube assembly mounting base, the locking pin extends into the locking buckle, fixing the sock suction tube assembly to the sock suction tube assembly mounting base.

[0010] The sock suction tube assembly mounting base is also provided with a positioning block, which has a flared opening; the sock suction tube assembly is provided with a corresponding positioning pin; when the sock suction tube assembly approaches the sock suction tube assembly mounting base, the positioning pin enters the opening of the positioning block.

[0011] The stocking suction tube assembly of this invention moves via a four-bar linkage, and its movement path actually unfolds along the two-dimensional plane containing the four-bar linkage. Since this two-dimensional plane itself has an angle with the horizontal plane, i.e., a certain slope in the y-axis direction, the stocking suction tube assembly has displacement in the y-axis direction. Simultaneously, the four-bar linkage has the ability to change the angle of the parallelogram, during which the stocking suction tube assembly generates displacement in the x-axis and z-axis. In summary, the movement path of the stocking suction tube assembly manifests as a three-dimensional curve with displacement in three directions. Especially the displacement in the z-axis direction, which visually appears as an outward bend, thus freeing up space for arranging other additional components on the machine. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 1.

[0013] Figure 2 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of some components.

[0014] Figure 4 This is an exploded diagram of each component. Detailed Implementation

[0015] See Figure 1 Example 1 includes a suction tube assembly mounting base 1 and a suction tube assembly 2. The suction tube assembly mounting base is fixed on the machine, and the suction tube assembly 2 is arranged vertically. The two are connected by a four-bar linkage, which is driven by a screw-slider mechanism 4. The screw-slider mechanism is parallel to the plane of the four-bar linkage and forms an angle of 33° with the horizontal plane.

[0016] See Figure 2 The image shows the suction tube assembly mounting base and the four-bar linkage. The four-bar linkage consists of a first link 31, a second link 32, a third link 33, and a fourth link 34 connected end-to-end. Adjacent links are rotatably connected via bearings, forming a parallelogram with adjustable angles. The first link 31 is fixedly connected to the suction tube assembly mounting base 1.

[0017] Below the suction tube assembly mounting base 1, there are also locking pins 5 and positioning blocks 7, both facing the direction of the third link.

[0018] See Figure 3 .exist Figure 2 Based on the above, a lead screw and slider mechanism 4 is added. Its fixed end 41 is fixed to the extension section 311 of the first connecting rod, and its movable end 42 is rotatably connected to the fourth connecting rod. When the lead screw and slider mechanism is activated, its movable end 42 extends forward, pushing the fourth connecting rod, and thus pushing the entire four-bar linkage to change the angle of the parallelogram.

[0019] The suction tube assembly 2 can be fixed on the third link 33, so that it moves with the third link in the four-bar linkage. Its movement trajectory is to move up and down and back and forth along an inclined plane at a 33° angle to the horizontal plane, which together form a three-dimensional movement curve.

[0020] See Figure 4 The figure shows more details. The suction tube assembly mounting base 1 has a side plate 11, and the first connecting rod 31 is fixed to this side plate 11; that is, the suction tube assembly mounting base 1, the side plate 11, the first connecting rod 31, and the extensions 311 of the first two are actually a complete and relatively fixed whole. The lead screw slider mechanism is provided with a lead screw 43. When the motor drives the lead screw to rotate, it pushes the movable end 42 forward. The four connecting rods are rotatably connected to each other through bearings, washers (not shown in the figure), and other connecting parts.

[0021] The suction tube assembly 2 has a mounting block 21 on the side facing the suction tube assembly mounting base. The mounting block 21 is positioned higher than the fixed position of the suction tube assembly and the third connecting rod. The mounting block is equipped with a latch 6 and a positioning pin 8. The latch 6 has a through hole into which the locking pin 5 extends; the positioning pin 8 can enter the flared opening 71 of the positioning block 7. When the suction tube assembly approaches the suction tube assembly mounting base, the positioning pin 8 first enters the flared opening 71 of the positioning block 7, and under the guidance of the curve of the flared opening, finely adjusts the relative position of the suction tube assembly and the suction tube assembly mounting base, so that the two continue to approach until the latch 6 and the locking pin 5 are mutually positioned. At this time, the locking pin 5 extends into the through hole of the locking hole under the pneumatic drive, thereby locking the suction tube assembly and the suction tube assembly mounting base.

[0022] The structure of Example 2 is the same as that of Example 1, except that the four-bar linkage and the lead screw slider mechanism are both at an angle of 25° to the horizontal plane; correspondingly, the movement trajectory of the suction tube assembly is to move up and down and back and forth along an inclined plane at an angle of 33° to the horizontal plane.

[0023] The structure of Example 3 is the same as that of Example 1, except that the four-bar linkage and the lead screw slider mechanism are both at a 40° angle to the horizontal plane; correspondingly, the movement trajectory of the suction tube assembly is to move up and down and back and forth along an inclined plane at a 40° angle to the horizontal plane.

Claims

1. A sock suction tube assembly moving mechanism in a sock machine, comprising a sock suction tube assembly and a sock suction tube assembly mounting base, the sock suction tube assembly mounting base being fixed to the machine; characterized in that: It also includes a four-bar linkage formed by connecting the first, second, third, and fourth links end to end, and a linear drive mechanism; the first link is fixedly mounted on the suction tube assembly mounting base, and the suction tube assembly is fixedly connected to the third link; the fixed end of the linear drive mechanism is fixedly connected to the extension of the first link, and the movable end is connected to the fourth link; the four-bar linkage is located on the same two-dimensional plane, which forms an angle of 25° to 40° with the horizontal plane; the four-bar linkage has a variable parallelogram structure, with the first and third links in the x-axis direction, and the second and fourth links in the z-axis direction in one of the motion states; From the perspective of an observer in front of the machine, the left and right directions are the x-axis, the up and down directions are the y-axis, and the front and back directions are the z-axis.

2. The moving mechanism of the suction tube assembly in the sock machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The linear drive mechanism is a lead screw and slider mechanism.

3. The sock suction tube assembly moving mechanism in the sock machine as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The suction tube assembly is fixedly equipped with a buckle, and the suction tube assembly mounting base is equipped with a corresponding locking pin; when the suction tube assembly approaches the suction tube assembly mounting base, the locking pin extends into the buckle, fixing the suction tube assembly to the suction tube assembly mounting base.

4. The moving mechanism of the suction tube assembly in the sock machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The sock suction tube assembly mounting base is also provided with a positioning block, which has a flared opening; the sock suction tube assembly is provided with a corresponding positioning pin; when the sock suction tube assembly approaches the sock suction tube assembly mounting base, the positioning pin enters the opening of the positioning block.

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