A needle guide assembly for a flat knitting machine
By setting a combination of clearance groove and guide groove on the guide surface of the insert, the problems of insufficient needle arrangement density and insert strength are solved, and stable needle sliding and efficient knitting are achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG TAITAN CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, in order to increase the density of the knitting needles, the thickness of the needle shank or the thickness of the insert are reduced, resulting in insufficient insert strength and affecting the stability of equipment operation.
Design a needle guide assembly that uses a relief groove on the guide surface of the insert to accommodate different parts of the spring sheet, thereby achieving relief in the thickness direction, increasing the tightness of the needle arrangement, and improving the sliding stability of the needle through the combination of the guide groove and the relief groove.
While increasing the tightness of the needle arrangement, the strength of the inserts is maintained to ensure the smooth sliding and running stability of the needles, and to avoid excessive slotting of the inserts affecting their strength.
Smart Images
Figure CN224280668U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a flat knitting machine, and more specifically, to a needle guide assembly for a flat knitting machine. Background Technology
[0002] Multiple knitting needles are installed side by side on the needle plate of the flat knitting machine. Each needle is separated by inserts, and a guide gap is formed between adjacent inserts. The needles are embedded in the guide gap and can slide back and forth along the guide gap to realize the knitting action of the needles.
[0003] As the density of the knitting needles increases, it becomes necessary to compress the gaps between adjacent needles to accommodate more needles per unit length. Currently, to increase the density of the needles and the number of needles, the thickness of the needle shank is usually reduced, or thinner inserts are used to compress the overall thickness of the overlap between the needle and the insert. However, simply reducing the thickness of the insert may result in insufficient strength, making it prone to deformation and affecting the operational stability of the equipment.
[0004] Therefore, a new solution is needed to address this problem. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a needle guide assembly for a flat knitting machine.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a needle guide assembly for a flat knitting machine, comprising a plurality of inserts and a plurality of needles, wherein the inserts are installed parallel and equidistantly on the needle plate, and the two sides of the inserts are respectively a planar side and a guide surface side, the planar side and the guide surface side of adjacent inserts are arranged opposite to each other, and a guide gap is formed between the planar side and the guide surface side of adjacent inserts.
[0007] The knitting needle is embedded in the guide gap between adjacent inserts and can slide back and forth within the guide gap;
[0008] The guide surface has a relief groove, and part of the knitting needle is embedded in the relief groove. The direction of the relief groove is consistent with the sliding direction of the knitting needle, and the knitting needle can slide along the relief groove.
[0009] The present invention is further configured such that the knitting needle includes a needle bar and a spring plate, the spring plate is provided on the side of the needle bar facing the guide surface, and at least a portion of the spring plate can be embedded in the relief groove.
[0010] The present invention is further configured such that the spring sheet has an elastic protrusion that protrudes from the side of the knitting needle; the guide surface of the insert is also provided with a second relief groove, and the elastic protrusion is at least partially embedded in the second relief groove.
[0011] The present invention is further configured such that the second relief groove and the first relief groove partially overlap each other, and the depth of the second relief groove is greater than that of the first relief groove.
[0012] The present invention is further configured such that the insert has an upper end, and the first relief groove and the second relief groove extend and penetrate to the upper end of the insert.
[0013] The present invention is further configured such that the needle bar includes a middle section, a needle hook end and a needle tail end, wherein the needle tail end is curved in an arc towards the planar side and elastically resists the planar side.
[0014] The present invention is further configured to include a long needle, which corresponds one-to-one with a knitting needle. The long needle is embedded in the guide gap between two adjacent inserts and can move in conjunction with the knitting needle.
[0015] The present invention is further configured such that an embedding portion is formed on the lower side of the insert, the embedding portion being used to embed into the needle groove of the needle plate, and the clearance groove being exposed outside the needle groove of the needle plate.
[0016] The present invention is further configured such that the spring sheet includes an elastic raised portion, an elastic bent portion, a pressing portion and a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion, the elastic bent portion, the pressing portion and the elastic raised portion are connected in sequence, the connecting portion is fixedly connected to the needle bar, the pressing portion is located between the elastic bent portion and the elastic raised portion and can abut against the needle bar, and the pressing portion is used for the yarn to pass over.
[0017] The present invention is further configured such that the needle bar has a relief groove three, and at least a portion of the spring sheet is embedded in the relief groove three.
[0018] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0019] A guide gap is formed between two adjacent inserts, and the knitting needle is embedded in the guide gap to achieve sliding guidance; in addition, a relief groove is opened on the guide surface side of the insert, which can accommodate the spring sheet and achieve relief in the thickness direction, thereby reducing the thickness of the insert and the knitting needle overlap, which can increase the tightness of the knitting needle arrangement to a certain extent.
[0020] The guide surface side has two recessed grooves: Recessed Groove 1 and Recessed Groove 2. Recessed Groove 2 partially overlaps with Recessed Groove 1, and its depth is greater than that of Recessed Groove 1. Recessed Groove 1 can accommodate the connecting part, elastic bending part, and pressing part of the spring sheet, while Recessed Groove 2 can accommodate the elastic protrusion with a larger protrusion. The stepped structure formed by Recessed Groove 1 and Recessed Groove 2 serves two purposes: firstly, it accommodates and provides clearance for various parts of the spring sheet; secondly, it prevents excessive slotting at the insert, which could affect the strength performance. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a first-view exploded perspective view of a needle guide assembly of a flat knitting machine in this embodiment;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a second-view exploded perspective view of a needle guide assembly of a flat knitting machine in this embodiment;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the guide surface side of the knitting needle and insert in this embodiment;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the guide surface side of the insert in this embodiment;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the planar side of the insert in this embodiment;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the knitting needle structure in this embodiment;
[0027] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the needle bar and spring sheet in this embodiment;
[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the planar side structure of another type of insert in this embodiment;
[0029] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the planar side of another type of insert and the knitting needle in this embodiment;
[0030] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the guide groove of another type of insert in this embodiment.
[0031] Reference numerals: Inlay 1; Planar side 11; Guide surface side 12; Upper end 13; Relief groove one 14; Relief groove two 15; Embedded part 16; Knitting needle 2; Needle bar 21; Middle section 210; Needle hook end 211; Needle tail end 212; Relief groove three 213; Spring plate 22; Elastic raised part 221; Elastic bending part 222; Pressing part 223; Connecting part 224; Long needle 3; Guide groove 4; Transition part 41; Notch part 42. Detailed Implementation
[0032] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0033] This embodiment discloses a needle guide assembly for a flat knitting machine, referring to 1- Figure 7 As shown, the device includes several inserts 1 and several knitting needles 2. Each insert 1 is installed parallel and equidistantly on the upper surface of the needle plate, specifically in the needle groove of the needle plate. A guide gap is formed between two adjacent inserts 1. The knitting needles 2 are installed in the guide gap between adjacent inserts 1, enabling them to slide back and forth within the guide gap.
[0034] Specifically, the two sides of the insert 1 are a planar side 11 and a guide surface side 12, respectively. The planar side 11 and guide surface side 12 of adjacent inserts 1 are arranged opposite to each other, and the guide gap is formed between the planar side 11 and guide surface side 12 of adjacent inserts 1.
[0035] To improve the tightness of the needle assembly and reduce the gap between two adjacent inserts 1, a clearance groove 14 is provided on the guide surface side 12. During installation, part of the needle 2 is embedded in the clearance groove 14, which can make way for the superimposed thickness of the needle 2 and the insert 1, reducing the thickness of the needle 2 and the insert 1 after they are superimposed, thereby increasing the tightness of the needle arrangement.
[0036] In addition, the direction of the relief groove 14 is consistent with the sliding direction of the knitting needle 2. The relief groove 14 can guide the knitting needle 2 to slide along the relief groove 14, thereby improving the smoothness of the movement of the knitting needle 2.
[0037] Reference Figure 4 As shown, an insert portion 16 is formed on the lower side of the insert 1. Part of the insert portion 16 can be inserted into the needle groove of the needle plate, realizing the insertion and engagement of the insert 1 and the needle groove of the needle plate. After the insert 1 is installed, the positioning groove 14 is exposed outside the needle groove of the needle plate, allowing the spring plate 22 of the knitting needle 2 to slide therein.
[0038] Reference Figures 6-10 As shown, in this embodiment, the knitting needle 2 includes a needle bar 21 and a spring plate 22. The spring plate 22 is installed on the side of the middle section 210 of the needle bar 21. One end of the spring plate 22 is fixedly connected to the needle bar 21, and the other end can be bent elastically. The spring plate 22 of one knitting needle 2 cooperates with the hook part 83 of another opposite knitting needle to realize knitting.
[0039] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, a spring plate 22 is provided on the side of the needle bar 21 facing the guide surface 12. At least a portion of the spring plate 22 can be embedded in the relief groove 14, thereby enabling relief in the thickness direction between the needle 2 and the insert 1.
[0040] The spring sheet 22 includes an elastic protrusion 221, an elastic bending portion 222, a pressing portion 223, and a connecting portion 224. The connecting portion 224, the elastic bending portion 222, the pressing portion 223, and the elastic protrusion 221 are integrally connected in sequence. The connecting portion 224 is fixedly connected to the needle bar 21, and the pressing portion 223 is located between the elastic bending portion 222 and the elastic protrusion 221 and can abut against the needle bar 21.
[0041] Among the various parts of the spring sheet 22, the elastic protrusion 221 protrudes the highest from the side of the needle 2, and a gap can be formed between the elastic protrusion 221 and the needle bar 21 for the needle hook end 211 to be inserted. With the connecting part 224 as a support, the elastic bending part 222, the pressing part 223, and the elastic protrusion 221 can elastically deform outward. The pressing part 223 is located between the elastic bending part 222 and the elastic protrusion 221, and is positioned by pressing against the needle bar 21, thereby maintaining the gap between the elastic protrusion 221 and the needle bar 21.
[0042] When the knitting needle 2 is working, the yarn will be caught on the knitting needle 2, specifically at the pressure part 223. Since the pressure part 223 directly abuts against the needle bar 21, it can bear the pressure of the yarn through the needle bar 21, and avoid the elastic protrusion 221 being compressed, which would cause the gap between the elastic protrusion 221 and the needle bar 21 to be too small.
[0043] Additionally, refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, a relief groove 213 is also provided on the side of the needle bar 21, and part of the spring plate 22 can be inserted into the relief groove 213. When the spring plate 22 is stationary and does not bend, only the elastic protrusion 221 of the spring plate 22 is exposed outside the relief groove 213.
[0044] Because the elastic protrusion 221 always protrudes from the side of the knitting needle 2. A second relief groove 15 is also provided on the guide surface side 12 of the insert 1. The position of the second relief groove 15 is opposite to the position of the elastic protrusion 221 of the spring sheet 22, and part of the elastic protrusion 221 can be embedded in the second relief groove 15.
[0045] Reference Figure 4As shown, the second relief groove 15 partially overlaps with the first relief groove 14, and the depth of the second relief groove 15 is greater than that of the first relief groove 14. That is, when the first relief groove 14 is opened on the guide surface side 12 of the insert 1, the second relief groove 15 is opened at the first relief groove 14, and the second relief groove 15 falls completely within the range of the first relief groove 14, so as to accommodate the elastic protrusion 221 of the spring sheet 22.
[0046] Reference Figure 4 As shown, the insert 1 has an upper end 13, and relief groove 14 and relief groove 2 15 extend and penetrate to the upper end 13 of the insert 1. During the operation of the knitting needle 2, the spring plate 22 will slide along the insert 1. As the knitting needle 2 slides upward, the spring plate 22 will also slide upward synchronously. The spring plate 22 can continue to extend upward from the relief groove 14 and relief groove 2 15 without obstructing the spring plate 22, ensuring that the knitting needle 2 can run smoothly and stably.
[0047] Reference Figure 6 As shown, the needle bar 21 includes a middle section 210, a needle hook end 211, and a needle tail end 212. A spring plate 22 is installed at the middle section 210. The needle hook end 211 is inclined upward and is provided with components such as a needle hook and a needle tongue. The needle tail end 212 is inclined downward and is in a bent state, which can elastically press against the insert 1, thereby elastically stabilizing the needle bar 21.
[0048] Specifically, the needle tail end 212 is curved toward the plane side 11 and elastically abuts against the plane side 11. After the needle tail end 212 elastically abuts against the plane side 11 of the insert 1, the middle section 210 of the needle bar 21 and the spring plate 22 will be pressed against the insert 1 on the other side, and the spring plate 22 will be embedded in the relief groove to keep the knitting needle 2 able to slide stably and smoothly between two adjacent inserts 1.
[0049] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the knitting needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine also includes a long needle 3, which corresponds one-to-one with the knitting needle 2. The long needle 3 is embedded in the guide gap between two adjacent inserts 1 and can be linked with the knitting needle 2. Specifically, the long needle 3 is located on one side of the needle tail end 212 of the needle bar 21. The long needle 3 can be connected to the knitting needle 2, thereby driving the knitting needle 2 to perform lifting and lowering movements.
[0050] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, and referring to... Figures 8-10 As shown, the structure between the needle tail end 212 and the insert 1 is supplemented by design.
[0051] The needle tail end 212 is curved towards the planar side 11 and abuts against the planar side 11 of the insert 1. To improve the movement stability of the needle tail end 212 of the knitting needle 2, a guide groove 4 is provided on the planar side 11 of the insert 1. The guide groove 4 is set along the length direction of the insert 1 and is consistent with the sliding direction of the knitting needle 2. The width of the guide groove 4 is adapted to the end width of the needle tail end 212, and the end of the needle tail end 212 can be embedded in the guide groove 4. The guide groove 4 can limit and guide the needle tail end 212 of the knitting needle 2. The knitting needle 2 is guided by the relief groove 14 and relief groove 25 near the front end (i.e., the needle hook end 211), and can be guided by the guide groove 4 near the rear end (i.e., the needle tail end 212). This can improve the overall smoothness of the sliding of the knitting needle 2, prevent the knitting needle 2 from deviating in the vertical direction, and improve its overall running stability.
[0052] Reference Figure 10 As shown, at both ends of the guide groove 4 along its length, a continuous and inclined transition portion 41 is formed between the guide groove 4 and the surface (i.e., the planar side 11) of the insert 1. Normally, the needle tail 212 of the knitting needle 2 slides and adjusts within the stroke range of the guide groove 4; when the knitting needle 2 needs further adjustment, that is, beyond the formed range, the needle tail 212 of the knitting needle 2 can climb along the transition portion 41 from the bottom of the guide groove 4 until it climbs to the surface of the planar side 11, so that the formation of the needle tail 212 of the knitting needle 2 is not completely restricted by the guide groove 4.
[0053] Furthermore, a notch 42 is formed at the upper rear end of the guide groove 4. The notch 42 is open to the upper side of the upper insert 1. The notch 42 allows the needle tail 212 of the knitting needle 2 to detach upwards, thereby facilitating the operator to install the knitting needle 2 at the notch 42 and making it convenient to insert and detach the needle tail 212.
[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of this utility model's concept are protected. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principle of this utility model should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A needle guide assembly for a flat knitting machine, characterized in that, It includes several inserts (1) and several knitting needles (2). The inserts (1) are installed parallel and equidistantly on the needle plate. The two sides of the inserts (1) are a planar side (11) and a guide side (12), respectively. The planar side (11) and guide side (12) of adjacent inserts (1) are arranged opposite to each other, and a sliding gap is formed between the planar side (11) and guide side (12) of adjacent inserts (1). The knitting needle (2) is embedded in the guide gap between adjacent inserts (1) and can slide back and forth within the guide gap; The guide surface side (12) is provided with a relief groove (14), and part of the knitting needle (2) is embedded in the relief groove (14). The direction of the relief groove (14) is consistent with the sliding direction of the knitting needle (2), and the knitting needle (2) can slide along the relief groove (14).
2. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The knitting needle (2) includes a needle bar (21) and a spring plate (22). The spring plate (22) is provided on the side of the needle bar (21) facing the guide surface (12). At least a portion of the spring plate (22) can be embedded in the relief groove (14).
3. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring sheet (22) has an elastic protrusion (221) that protrudes from the side of the knitting needle (2); the guide surface side (12) of the insert (1) is also provided with a relief groove (15), and the elastic protrusion (221) is at least partially embedded in the relief groove (15).
4. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second relief groove (15) partially overlaps with the first relief groove (14), and the depth of the second relief groove (15) is greater than that of the first relief groove (14).
5. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The insert (1) has an upper end (13), and the first relief groove (14) and the second relief groove (15) extend and penetrate to the upper end (13) of the insert (1).
6. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The needle bar (21) includes a middle section (210), a needle hook end (211) and a needle tail end (212). The needle tail end (212) is curved in an arc towards the planar side (11) and elastically abuts against the planar side (11).
7. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes long needles (3), which correspond one-to-one with knitting needles (2). The long needles (3) are embedded in the guide gap between two adjacent inserts (1) and can move in conjunction with the knitting needles (2).
8. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower side of the insert (1) is formed with an embedding part (16), which is used to embed into the needle groove of the needle plate, and the relief groove (14) is exposed outside the needle groove of the needle plate.
9. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring sheet (22) includes an elastic raised portion (221), an elastic bent portion (222), a pressing portion (223), and a connecting portion (224). The connecting portion (224), the elastic bent portion (222), the pressing portion (223), and the elastic raised portion (221) are connected in sequence. The connecting portion (224) is fixedly connected to the needle bar (21). The pressing portion (223) is located between the elastic bent portion (222) and the elastic raised portion (221) and can abut against the needle bar (21). The pressing portion (223) is used for the yarn to pass around.
10. The needle guide assembly of the flat knitting machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The needle bar (21) has a relief groove three (213), and at least a portion of the spring sheet (22) is embedded in the relief groove three (213).