Probe and broken needle alarm device for computerized flat knitting machine

Abstract

The probe for the computerized flat knitting machine is an elastic probe, and the elastic structure with the automatic reset function and the buffering function is integrally arranged on the probe. The utility model also relates to a broken needle alarm device, which comprises two probes arranged on the left and right of the machine head through insulating bases, an alarm control assembly, the probe is an elastic probe, the elastic structure with the automatic reset function and the buffering function is integrally arranged on the probe, the upper portion of the probe is connected with a weak current lead, and the machine head moves left and right on the needle plate to realize knitting. When the probe lower portion and the broken needle needle foot falling from the needle plate contact, the circuit of the alarm control assembly is connected to realize the broken needle alarm. The elastic probe can effectively reduce the impact force of the needle foot contact and automatically reset after the broken needle alarm is removed. In addition, the probe is arranged at the inner bottom plate of the machine head of the computerized flat knitting machine and located between the left and right sides of the needle lifting cam and the needle returning cam, so that the detection of the broken needle is more timely and accurate, and the knitting product quality is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of computerized flat knitting machine technology, and in particular to a broken needle alarm device for detecting abnormal operation of broken needles in computerized flat knitting machines and providing timely alarm. Background Technology

[0002] Computerized flat knitting machines are widely used in the modern knitting industry, precisely controlling the movement of needles to weave various complex fabric patterns. However, in actual production, computerized flat knitting machines often encounter needle breakage issues. If these problems are not detected and addressed promptly, not only will time costs increase, but product damage or defective products may also be produced, resulting in material waste, increased production costs, and reduced production efficiency.

[0003] Therefore, many manufacturers install a broken needle hook self-stop alarm mechanism on computerized flat knitting machines. Traditional broken needle hook self-stop alarm mechanisms use strip probes mounted on the left and right outer sides of the machine head. The biggest drawback is that the probe is a rigid strip; when a needle breaks (usually the hook at the top of the needle breaks) and falls onto the needle plate, the rigid needle foot makes a hard impact with the rigid probe, resulting in significant impact force. This can easily cause the probe to bend, deform, or shift, and since the probe cannot automatically reset, it can easily result in large areas of defective fabric, and the probe has a short lifespan. To address this, some manufacturers use a probe piece in conjunction with a microswitch. When the probe piece comes into contact with a damaged needle or debris, it triggers the microswitch to activate the alarm. However, this method also has the problem that the probe piece cannot automatically reset and requires manual adjustment. If not properly adjusted, it can easily trigger false alarms. Chinese patent CN205954257U discloses a broken needle detector. Its pin box includes a shell, a connecting bracket, a U-shaped metal spring, a pin assembly consisting of a Z-shaped pin, a pin seat, and a spring fitted onto the pin, a pin bracket, and a metal conductive sheet. The connecting bracket connects to a telescopic device, which in turn connects to a fixed bracket. An alarm device is connected to the metal conductive sheet of the pin box and the fixed bracket via a wire. When a broken needle collides with the pin, the pin rebounds, creating a pathway between the connecting bracket, the U-shaped metal spring, the pin seat, the metal conductive sheet, and the alarm device, triggering an alarm and detecting the broken needle. The pin can also automatically return to its original position. However, its shortcomings are: 1. The pin (equivalent to a probe) and the spring in the pin assembly are two separate parts. The pin itself has no elasticity, so the broken needle still contacts the pin directly, making it prone to deformation and displacement, affecting detection accuracy. Furthermore, over time, the pin becomes difficult to reset. 2. The entire detector has many parts, a complex structure, and high production and installation costs.

[0004] Furthermore, the existing automatic stop alarm mechanism for broken needle hooks in computerized flat knitting machines has a significant problem: its probes (or detectors) are mostly installed on the left and right outer sides of the cam head (referred to as the machine head). This external probe structure not only poses a risk of the operator accidentally touching the probe, causing it to shift or deform, but also, as is well known, the starting cam of computerized flat knitting machines is usually located in the middle of the inner base plate of the machine head. If the probe is installed outside the machine head, the distance between the probe and the starting cam is too great. By the time the probe outside the machine head detects a broken needle, a section of defective fabric has already been produced. In addition, the bottom surface of the base plate of the machine head, located on the left and right sides of the starting cam, also has left and right return cams. Therefore, there is a problem that the return cams reset the broken needle before the probe touches the broken needle foot, rendering the broken needle probes on the two outer sides of the machine head ineffective.

[0005] Therefore, the existing computerized flat knitting machine probe alarm devices have many shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems and deficiencies by providing a probe for computerized flat knitting machines that has an automatic reset function and a buffer function, effectively reducing the impact force when it comes into contact with the needle pin, automatically resetting after the needle breakage alarm is cleared, and has a simple, reliable structure, easy installation, and long service life.

[0007] Based on this, a further objective of this utility model is to provide a broken needle alarm device for computerized flat knitting machines that has an automatic reset function and a buffer function, and is simple in structure and has a long service life.

[0008] The further objective of this invention is to provide a broken needle alarm device for computerized flat knitting machines that can promptly and accurately detect and alarm on broken needle malfunctions, thereby improving product quality and production efficiency, reducing the risk of equipment damage, and featuring few parts and simple and convenient installation, disassembly, and daily maintenance. This invention conceals the entire probe inside the machine head, effectively preventing probe displacement or deformation caused by human error.

[0009] The technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows:

[0010] The probe used in the computerized flat knitting machine described in this utility model is characterized in that: the probe is an elastic probe, which is integrally provided with an elastic structure having an automatic reset function and a buffer function; the upper part of the probe can be connected to the low-voltage lead of the alarm device, and the lower part can contact the broken needle pin of the computerized flat knitting machine.

[0011] The elastic structure is located in the middle or upper part of the probe. It can be a helical elastic structure or an elastically bent structure (such as a Z-shape, serpentine shape, etc.). If the probe is formed from a strip-shaped spring, the middle or upper part of the spring has an elastically bent structure, and the lower part forms a contact joint; preferably, the probe is formed from a contact spring, the middle or upper part of which is a spring structure, and the lower part is a strip-shaped contact spring. More preferably, the upper and middle parts of the contact spring are helical spring structures.

[0012] Furthermore, the probe tip has a positioning structure. This positioning structure can be configured as needed; preferably, it is a positioning hook or ring formed by extending and bending the upper support leg (upper spring wire leg) of a spring structure to one side. The lower strip-shaped contact pin is formed by extending the lower support leg (lower spring wire leg) of the spring structure downwards. More preferably, the lower support leg is first bent and placed at the center of the elastic structure before extending downwards. This makes installation and adjustment more convenient and improves detection accuracy.

[0013] This utility model also relates to a broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine, characterized by: including an insulating base, two probes mounted on the machine head via the insulating base, and an alarm control component connected to the probe circuit. The probes are elastic probes, and each probe has an integral elastic structure with automatic reset and buffer functions. The upper part of the probe can be connected to the low-voltage lead of the alarm device, and the lower part is used to contact the broken needle foot. When the machine head moves left and right on the needle plate to achieve knitting, the lower part of the probe can contact the broken needle foot that falls off the needle plate, so that the circuit of the alarm control component is connected to realize the broken needle alarm.

[0014] Furthermore, the probe is formed by a contact spring, with the upper and / or middle part of the contact spring being a spring structure and the lower part being a strip-shaped contact pin. Preferably, the upper and middle parts of the contact spring are spiral spring structures. Further, the probe tip is provided with a positioning structure. Using the middle or upper part of the probe as a spring structure increases the probe's service life and provides an automatic rebound function, allowing the contact pin to automatically reset after being impacted and oscillating without manual intervention, effectively avoiding false alarms and improving the stability of equipment operation. The top is a positioning structure (positioning hook or positioning ring structure), facilitating fixation to the mounting base using studs and allowing connection to the low-voltage leads of the alarm control component. The lower part of the probe is a simple strip-shaped contact pin, used to contact the broken needle pin to trigger the alarm (the entire computerized flat knitting machine is treated as a ground wire; when the probe contacts the pin, the circuit of the alarm control component is connected through the low-voltage leads to trigger the alarm).

[0015] The probes in this invention can be installed on the left and right sides of the machine head. To avoid the probes being easily displaced or deformed due to human error when installed on the outside of the machine head of the computerized flat knitting machine, and to ensure the safety of the probes and to promptly and accurately detect and alarm on broken needle malfunctions of the computerized flat knitting machine, thereby improving product quality and production efficiency, the preferred solution is that the two probes are respectively installed on the bottom plate of the inner cavity of the machine head, located on the left and right sides of the starting needle triangle and between the returning needle triangle. By changing the position of the probes, they avoid interference from the premature return of the broken needle by the returning needle triangle, allowing for accurate contact with the damaged needle and triggering the alarm. Furthermore, the probes are entirely hidden inside the machine head, with only the contact needle protruding slightly from under the bottom plate, effectively preventing probe displacement and deformation caused by human error.

[0016] To further simplify the installation structure, the insulating base is an insulating fixing plate. This plate has a probe mounting hole, a locking blind hole, and at least one locking through hole. The probe is installed within the probe mounting hole, with its contact pin passing through the hole and extending downwards through the base plate, suspended above the needle plate. The probe is fitted with a clearance fit to the through hole in the base plate. The through hole in the base plate is larger than the probe diameter. The locking blind hole engages with a stud to lock the probe's positioning structure onto the insulating base. The locking through hole engages with a bolt to detachably mount the insulating base onto the base plate. Therefore, the insulating base securely mounts the entire probe onto the base plate of the computerized flat knitting machine, provides insulation between the probe and the machine head, and allows for detachable connection via bolts and locking through holes, facilitating installation and maintenance.

[0017] The preferred positioning structure is a positioning hook or positioning ring formed by extending and bending the upper support leg of a spring structure to one side. A stud mounted on the locking blind hole passes through the positioning hook or positioning ring structure to fix the probe to the mounting base. To make the structure more reliable, the low-voltage lead is generally soldered to the positioning hook or positioning ring.

[0018] The base plate has figure-eight grooves located on the left and right sides of the starting triangle and between the returning triangle. Preferably, the two probes are installed at the end of the figure-eight grooves near the rear end of the starting triangle. The mounting base can be made into a specific shape and size to fit the mounting position of the base plate.

[0019] The alarm control component includes a signal processing circuit and an alarm, with the signal processing circuit connected to a low-voltage lead and a probe circuit.

[0020] The advantages of this utility model are:

[0021] 1. The probe itself has automatic reset and buffering functions, and its structure is simple, reliable, and easy to install: The probe of this utility model adopts an integrated elastic probe, which has an integrated elastic structure with automatic reset and buffering functions. When this elastic probe comes into contact with a hard broken needle pin, it can generate a certain amount of elasticity to buffer and bypass the impact force of the needle pin, thus avoiding a hard impact between the probe and the needle pin. Therefore, the probe is less prone to damage and displacement. Moreover, the probe can automatically reset after the impact force from the needle pin is released, without manual reset, and will not cause false alarms, so the structure is reliable. In addition, the probe is an integrated structure with only one part, making it simple to construct, easy to install, and with a long service life.

[0022] 2. Sensitive and accurate detection: By changing the position of the probe on the machine head, the probe is hidden inside the machine head and located between the left and right sides of the starting triangle and the returning triangle. This effectively avoids the events that are easily caused by human error when the probe is externally placed, such as probe displacement or deformation. It also avoids the interference of the returning triangle and can accurately contact the damaged broken needle to trigger the alarm.

[0023] 3. Simple structure and easy maintenance: The overall structure of the broken needle alarm device is simple and reasonable, the connection between each component is simple, and it is easy to install and disassemble, which facilitates daily maintenance and troubleshooting and reduces maintenance costs.

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the probe structure in this utility model.

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure for installing a broken needle alarm device on a computerized flat knitting machine.

[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 3 AA sectional view.

[0029] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A top view of the structure of the machine head after the cover plate has been removed.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the probe mating with the insulating base. Detailed Implementation

[0031] like Figure 1-2As shown, the probe for the computerized flat knitting machine described in this utility model is an elastic probe. The probe 1 has an integral elastic structure with automatic reset and buffering functions. The upper part of the probe 1 can connect to the low-voltage lead of the alarm device, and the lower part can contact the broken needle pin of the computerized flat knitting machine. Furthermore, the probe 1 can be formed as a needle-contact spring, with the middle and / or upper part being a spring structure 12 (coil spring structure), and the lower part being a strip-shaped needle 11. Figure 1 As shown, preferably, the middle and upper parts are both spring structures 12, and the lower contact pin 11 is located at the central axis of the spring structure. Alternatively, the probe can be formed as a strip-shaped spring sheet, with the middle and / or upper part having an elastic bending structure (such as an S-shaped bend or a Z-shaped bend), and the lower part forming a contact joint. To facilitate probe installation and ensure reliable fixation on the computerized flat knitting machine, a positioning structure 13 can be provided at the top of the probe 1. The positioning structure can be a positioning piece or a rod; preferably, the positioning structure 13 at the top of the probe 1 is a positioning hook (such as a U-shaped hook) or positioning ring formed by extending and bending the upper support leg of the spring structure 12 to one side, and the lower strip-shaped contact pin 11 is formed by extending the lower support leg of the spring structure 12 downwards. Preferably, the lower support leg of the spring structure 12 first bends towards the center and then extends downwards, so that the free end contact pin at the bottom of the probe is located at the central axis of the probe.

[0032] like Figures 3-6 As shown, this utility model also relates to a broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine. The broken needle alarm device includes an insulating base 2, two probes 1 mounted on the machine head 3 (also called a triangular machine head) via the insulating base 2, and an alarm control component electrically connected to the probes 1. The machine head 3 is connected to the gantry and the main frame 10, and the probes 1 are elastic probes. Alternatively, the probes can be described as being composed of a custom-made spring. The probes 1 have an integral elastic structure with automatic reset and buffer functions. The upper part of the probes 1 can be connected to the low-voltage lead of the alarm control component, and the lower part is used to contact the broken needle foot. Driven by the drive device and the gantry, the machine head 3 moves left and right on the needle plate 5, achieving knitting through the cooperation of the starting triangle and the upper needle with a hook 8. During knitting, if the hook breaks and becomes a broken needle, the broken needle will fall from the upper part of the needle plate to the lower part. At this time, the lower part of the probe can contact the broken needle foot 81 that has fallen from the needle plate 5, thus activating the circuit of the alarm control component and triggering the broken needle alarm. Figure 3 To allow a clear view of the internal structure of the knitting head, the cover was designed to be transparent. Because the probe is an elastic probe, when a hard, broken needle comes into contact with it, the impact is a hard collision with an elastic component (such as a flexible steel wire). Therefore, firstly, the lower part of the elastic probe can swing slightly backward upon contact, reducing the impact force; secondly, the elastic probe can automatically reset after the broken needle is removed or replaced, preparing for the next broken needle detection.

[0033] The probe 1 is preferably formed by a contact spring, with the upper and middle parts of the contact spring being spring structures 12 and the lower part being a strip-shaped contact pin 11; or the probe 1 is formed by a strip-shaped spring sheet, with the middle and / or upper part of the spring sheet having an elastic bending structure and the lower part forming a contact joint. Furthermore, to ensure the probe is positioned firmly on the insulating base without shifting, a positioning structure 13 is integrally formed at the top of the probe 1. The probe 1 is reliably positioned on the insulating base 2 by the positioning structure and connected to the low-voltage lead 4 of the alarm control component. Preferably, the positioning structure 13 at the top of the probe 1 is a positioning hook (such as a U-hook) or positioning ring formed by extending and bending the upper leg of the spring structure 12 to one side, and the lower strip-shaped contact pin 11 is formed by extending the lower leg of the spring structure 12 downwards. Preferably, the lower leg of the spring structure 12 first bends towards the center and then extends downwards, so that the free end contact pin of the lower part of the probe is located at the central axis of the probe. The low-voltage lead 4 is welded to the positioning hook.

[0034] To effectively prevent probe displacement and deformation caused by external probe placement during use, and to avoid interference from the return needle triangle, the two probes 1 are respectively installed on the bottom plate 31 of the machine head 3 of the computerized flat knitting machine, positioned between the left and right sides of the starting needle triangle 6 and the return needle triangle 7, so that the probes 1 can contact the broken needle foot before the return needle triangle 7. The insulating base 2 is preferably an insulating fixing plate, which has a probe mounting hole, a locking blind hole, and at least one locking through hole. The probe 1 is installed in the probe mounting hole, with its lower end passing through the probe mounting hole and extending downwards out of the bottom plate 31 and suspended above the needle plate 5. The probe and the through hole on the bottom plate need to be clearance-fitted. The locking blind hole is used to cooperate with the stud 9 to lock the positioning structure of the probe on the insulating base, and the locking through hole is used to cooperate with the bolt to detachably install the insulating base 2 on the bottom plate 31. Furthermore, the base plate 31 is provided with figure-eight grooves on the left and right sides of the starting triangle 6 and between the returning triangle 7, and two probes 1 are respectively installed at the end of the grooves near the rear end of the starting triangle 6.

[0035] The alarm control component includes a signal processing circuit and an alarm. The signal processing circuit is connected to a low-voltage lead, which in turn is connected to a probe. The signal processing circuit and alarm are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here. The alarm can be an audible and visual alarm connected to the control system of the computerized flat knitting machine. When it receives an alarm signal from the signal processing circuit, the alarm emits a loud alarm sound and flashes a warning light. The corresponding fault information is displayed on the screen of the computerized flat knitting machine control system to remind the operator to handle the situation promptly. Alternatively, the alarm can also stop the operation of the computerized flat knitting machine simultaneously.

[0036] This utility model has a novel design and a very simple structure. When the machine encounters a broken needle hook during the weaving process, it can quickly sound an alarm and stop running, effectively avoiding product loss.

[0037] In the description of this patent, it should be understood that the terms “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this patent and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this patent.

[0038] Although this invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, such description is not intended to limit the invention. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments, based on the description of this invention, will be foreseeable to those skilled in the art, and such variations should fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A probe for a computerized flat knitting machine, characterized in that: The probe (1) is an elastic probe. The probe (1) is integrally provided with an elastic structure with automatic reset function and buffer function. The upper part of the probe (1) can be connected to the weak current lead of the alarm device, and the lower part can be connected to the broken needle pin of the computer flat knitting machine.

2. The probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe (1) is formed by a contact spring, the middle and / or upper part of which is a spring structure (12), and the lower part is a strip contact (11); or the probe is formed by a strip spring sheet, the middle and / or upper part of which has an elastic bending structure, and the lower part forms a contact joint.

3. The probe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The probe (1) has a positioning structure (13) at its tip.

4. The probe according to claim 3, characterized in that: The positioning structure (13) at the top of the probe (1) is a positioning hook or positioning ring formed by extending and bending the upper leg of the spring structure (12) to one side, and the strip-shaped contact pin (11) at the bottom is formed by extending the lower leg of the spring structure (12) downward.

5. A broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine, characterized in that: The device includes an insulating base (2), two probes (1) mounted on the machine head (3) via the insulating base (2), and an alarm control component connected to the probes (1) by circuit. The probes (1) are elastic probes. The probes (1) are integrally provided with an elastic structure with automatic reset function and buffer function. The upper part of the probes (1) can be connected to the weak current lead of the alarm device, and the lower part is used to contact the broken needle foot. When the machine head (3) moves left and right on the needle plate (5) to achieve knitting, it can contact the broken needle foot (81) that falls off the needle plate (5) through the lower part of the probe, so that the circuit of the alarm control component is connected to achieve the broken needle alarm.

6. The broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The probe (1) is formed by a contact spring, the upper and / or middle part of which is a spring structure (12), and the lower part is a strip contact (11); or the probe (1) is formed by a strip spring sheet, the middle and / or upper part of which has an elastic bending structure, and the lower part forms a contact joint.

7. The broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The probe (1) has an integral positioning structure (13) at its top end. The probe (1) is reliably positioned on the insulating base (2) through the positioning structure and connected to the low-voltage lead (4) of the alarm control component.

8. The broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two probes (1) are respectively installed at the bottom plate (31) of the inner cavity of the head (3) of the computer flat knitting machine, and are located between the left and right sides of the starting triangle (6) and the return triangle (7), so that the probes (1) can contact the broken needle foot before the return triangle (7).

9. The broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The insulating base (2) is an insulating fixing plate. The insulating fixing plate is provided with a probe mounting hole, a locking blind hole and at least one locking through hole. The probe (1) is installed in the probe mounting hole. Its lower end passes through the probe mounting hole and extends downward through the base plate (31) and is suspended above the needle plate (5). The probe and the through hole opened on the base plate need to be clearance-fitted. The locking blind hole is used to cooperate with the stud (9) to lock the positioning structure of the probe on the insulating base. The locking through hole is used to cooperate with the bolt to detachably install the insulating base (2) on the base plate (31).

10. The broken needle alarm device for a computerized flat knitting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The base plate (31) is provided with a figure-eight groove between the left and right sides of the starting triangle (6) and the returning triangle (7), and two probes (1) are respectively installed at the end of the groove near the rear end of the starting triangle (6).

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