Knitting cam for a flat knitting machine, flat knitting machine and method for operating the flat knitting machine

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a knitting cam for a flat knitting machine with a guide cam arranged in the edge region of the knitting cam. Furthermore, the invention relates to a flat knitting machine and a method for operating a flat knitting machine.

[0002] When producing knitted fabrics on knitting machines, increasingly high demands are placed on patterns and designs as well as special properties, such as the strength of the entire knitted fabric or areas thereof.

[0003] In order to meet these requirements, flat knitting machines have already been developed whose thread guides can be moved independently of the carriage or knitting cam over the needle bed(s) by means of separate drives.

[0004] To create further possibilities for thread insertion, corresponding options for vertically moving the thread guide and pivoting the thread guide rails on which the thread guides are guided were developed. These technologies enable a wide variety of new weave types to be realized, as it is now possible to guide threads between the needles, loop them around them, and insert the threads into the knitted fabric as warp threads.

[0005] To enable the simultaneous insertion of one or more threads on knitting machines for processing as weft, plating, intarsia, or standing threads, the selected needles must be moved into a defined, advanced position. The carriage then assumes a position outside the knitting or needle bed area. For this purpose, a special cam at the end of the carriage is known, which moves selected needles into an advanced position as they run out. Since the cam has no take-off parts, normal knitting functions cannot be performed. As the needles run in, only the needles advanced before the carriage reversal can be processed and retracted.

[0006] A knitting machine having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from JP H06 4092 U.

[0007] EP 2 025 785 A1, DE 21 44 271 A and JP H08 74146 A disclose a knitting machine with which warp threads in knitted fabric sections can be inserted into compound needles of the front needle bed by means of tubular thread guides.

[0008] Another knitting machine in which warp threads can be inserted into needles of the front needle bed by means of tubular thread guides is known from EP 1 972 706 A1.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a knitting cam with which inserts for a warp thread function can be advanced and yet all knitting functions can be carried out with the knitting cam.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a knitting cam for a flat knitting machine having the features of patent claim 1.

[0011] In particular, it can be provided that the at least one guide lock section can be lowered toward the lock plate for a non-active position, or can be moved into, below, or above another lock part, in particular another guide lock section, and thus deactivated. When the guide lock section is lowered, it can be at least partially sunk into the lock plate. It is also conceivable that the guide lock section is arranged at a distance above the lock plate in an active position, thus creating "space" between the guide lock section and the lock plate.The guide lock section can be lowered for an inactive position so that the distance to the lock plate is reduced, no longer exists, i.e. the underside of the guide lock section is at the level of the lock plate, or the guide lock section is at least partially recessed into the lock plate.

[0012] When the guide lock section is displaced for an inactive position, in particular parallel to the top of the lock plate, it can be displaced into, above, or below another lock section, in particular another guide lock section. The other lock section can have a pocket in which the displaced guide lock section can be received.

[0013] By deactivating at least one guide cam section, an additional cam track can be created that can be used by inserts advanced for warp thread inlay. However, if the guide cam section is used in its active position, the guide cam part can be used in its conventional function.

[0014] The guide cam part can have three guide cam sections. At least one guide cam section can be switchable. This makes it possible, for example, to form a channel between the other two guide cam sections by deactivating one guide cam section. In particular, this makes it possible to keep the control feet of inserts that have been advanced separate from those that have not. This supports the reliability of the knitting process.

[0015] In particular, a guide cam section can be provided for stabilizing control feet of knitting needles when they pass through a cam track formed by another guide cam section.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the pusher part is arranged below the take-up part and is still arranged at the same height as a pusher part provided for forming a tuck loop. If a take-up part is provided, the usual, normal knitting functions can be performed. However, by providing a further additional pusher part in the area of ​​the take-up part, it can be prevented that the control butts of inserts that have assumed an advanced position are pulled off the take-up part. This means that the inserts remain in an advanced position and warp thread applications can be carried out. In knitting cams, a pusher part is often already provided in the area of ​​a take-up part, but this pusher part is located on a different track than a pusher part that is provided for forming a tuck.In the arrangement according to the invention, two push-button parts are preferably provided below a pull-off part. Depending on the knitting function performed with an insert that is intended to remain in a forward position, a push-button part in the area of ​​the pull-off part can prevent the insert from being pulled off, so that the insert remains in a forward position.

[0017] Further advantages arise when the knitting cam is designed symmetrically with respect to a center plane. This allows one or more inserts to be advanced in both carriage directions, allowing warp thread operations to be performed.

[0018] The invention also includes a flat knitting machine with a knitting cam according to the invention.

[0019] Furthermore, the scope of the invention includes a method for operating a flat knitting machine with the features of patent claim 8, in which one or more inserts, in particular knitting needles, of a front needle bed and / or one or more inserts, in particular knitting needles, of a rear needle bed are brought into a defined advanced position for warp thread application, with the cam running out, and then a thread is introduced into the advanced inserts. To ensure that the inserts remain in an advanced position, a pusher part is provided which prevents the advanced inserts from being pulled off. In addition, a guide cam part has a guide cam part section which can be switched to inactive, thereby creating an additional cam track and preventing the inserts from being pulled off at this point.A switchable pusher part can lift the correspondingly selected inserts from the cam cam via a take-off part, thus preventing the inserts from being pulled off. A section of the respective trailing guide cam part can be deactivated, causing the inserts to move along the additional cam track created. The selected inserts can then remain in their advanced position, allowing warp threads to be inserted into these inserts. The inserts to be advanced, in particular knitting needles, can be selected and advanced in the needle bed via a drive-off cam part. Then, depending on the switch position of a pusher part and the selected selection track, a tuck loop or a stitch can be formed with the advanced inserts.Afterwards, as already explained above, the advanced inserts can be lifted over a trigger part by an activated pusher part so that they reach a lock track.

[0020] This means that both inserts used to form a tuck loop and inserts used to form a stitch can assume a forward position for a warp thread application.

[0021] A lock track can be created by switching off a guide lock section.

[0022] In particular, this can prevent the advanced inserts from being pulled off as they enter the lock.

[0023] Furthermore, a pusher part can be activated as the lock is approaching to raise the control feet of the advanced inserts over a pull-off part. This allows the control feet of the corresponding inserts to subsequently move into a lock area, with which a knitting operation can be performed. Alternatively or additionally, another pusher part can be activated as the lock is approaching to raise the control feet of the advanced inserts over another pull-off part. This allows the advanced inserts to remain in an advanced position even as the lock is approaching.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the control feet of advanced inserts and non-advanced inserts are kept separate by a guide lock section.

[0025] The method according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, to drive all needles or sections of needles, or individual needles, of the front and / or rear needle bed for warp thread applications out of the cam into a defined, advanced position. Furthermore, it is possible, after the carriage reversal, to process and coullate the needles driven out for warp thread applications in the cam infeed. One or more additional cam tracks for the needles or other inserts of the needle bed can be created by designing the guide cam part to be switchable in sections. For this purpose, the guide cam part(s) can be designed in multiple parts.

[0026] The conventional handle part control can have an additional switchable handle part on the lock exiting and / or on the lock entering side of the lock, which allows the advanced inserts to be lifted via a trigger part.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, based on the figures of the drawing, which illustrate details essential to the invention, and from the claims. The features shown therein are not necessarily to scale and are presented in such a way that the special features of the invention can be clearly seen. The various features can be implemented individually or in combinations in variants of the invention.

[0028] The schematic drawing shows embodiments of the invention in various stages of use and is explained in more detail in the following description.

[0029] They show: Fig. 1 shows a knitting cam according to the invention with two guide cam sections; Fig. 2 shows a knitting cam according to the invention with three guide cam sections; Fig. 3 shows the possible path F for tuck formation and subsequent expulsion to the warp thread insert; Fig. 4a, 4b shows possible variants for the formation of tuck loops and loops in combination with the expulsion of inserts into a position for warp thread applications; Fig. 5a - 5d shows the knitting cam 100 after a carriage reversal; Fig. 6 shows the possibility of retracting the inserts, which have been pushed out of the cam to the warp thread insert, into the basic position after the carriage reversal; Fig. 7 shows a symmetrically designed knitting cam.

[0030] The Fig. 1 shows a knitting cam 100 as a component of a knitting system not shown in detail. The knitting cam 100 comprises a guide cam part 1, take-off parts 3, pusher parts 5 arranged in the area of ​​the take-off parts 3, and a pusher part 4. The take-off parts 3 and the pusher parts 4, 5 are usually present on knitting cams. These cam parts serve to drive out and take off inserts, in particular knitting needles, for the production of knitwear and to hold the inserts in the same position as the comb. The pusher parts 4, 5 serve to press selected control butts of the inserts.

[0031] According to the invention, the guide lock part 1 has guide lock sections 1a, 1b, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown, the guide lock section 1b is switchable. This means that the guide lock section 1b can be lowered towards the lock plate 7 or displaced into, under or over another lock part, e.g. the guide lock section 1a. The guide lock section 1a is fixed, i.e. not arranged to be movable relative to the lock plate 7. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable to design the guide lock section 1a to be switchable and the guide lock section 1b to be rigid, or to provide both guide lock sections 1a, 1b as switchable guide lock sections. The lowering or switching of a switchable guide lock section 1a, 1b can be carried out by means of a slider, lever, motor, magnet, hydraulically or pneumatically.

[0032] Compared to conventional knitting cams, according to the invention, an additional, likewise switchable, cam part 2 is provided on the outgoing side of the switchable cam part 4 for catching. By means of the cam part 2, just as by the cam part 5, the control foot of a selected insert can be pressed into the needle bed (not shown here), and thus lifted from the cam cam via the take-off part 3, thereby preventing retraction or sagging of the selected insert.

[0033] The control feet of the selected inserts, which are lifted over the take-off part 3, enter an additional cam track Z, which is created when the guide cam section 1b is lowered. This keeps the inserts in their advanced position and allows them to be used for warp thread applications.

[0034] Trigger part 2 is located on the same track as trigger part 4 for the catch. Like trigger part 5, it is also located below the right trigger part 3.

[0035] The Fig. 2 essentially corresponds to the Fig. 1 with the difference that the guide lock part 1 has three sections. In particular, the guide lock sections 1a, 1b are again provided, wherein the guide lock section 1b is designed to be switchable. In addition, a guide lock section 1c is provided. When the guide lock section 1b is lowered, a channel 11 is created between the guide lock sections 1a, 1c. The guide lock section 1c allows the control feet of inserts that have an advanced position to be kept separate from the control feet of inserts that do not have an advanced position. The control feet of inserts that do not have an advanced position move along the underside of the guide lock section 1c.

[0036] The Fig. 3 shows the possible path F (solid line) for tuck formation and subsequent expulsion to the warp thread insert of control feet of inserts (not shown in detail here) during stitch formation in a cam 100 according to the invention. The carriage movement direction is in the Fig. 3 represented by the arrow L.

[0037] The selected control foot(s) first pass through the drive cam part 6, whereby the inserts are advanced from their comb-level position in the needle bed. By means of the tuck pusher part 4, the control feet of the selected inserts are pressed into the needle bed. These inserts initially form tuck loops. As they continue along their path, the control feet are also pressed into the needle bed by the additional switchable pusher part 2, whereby they cannot be retracted by the trailing take-up part 3. In the process, the trailing guide cam section 1b is switched to an inactive position, i.e. lowered. The control feet are guided by the additional cam track Z. The selected inserts remain in their advanced position and can be used for warp thread applications.

[0038] Furthermore, a possible path MB (dashed line) for stitch formation and subsequent expulsion to the warp thread insert of the control feet of inserts (not shown in detail here) during stitch formation is shown.

[0039] The selected control butts again pass the drive cam part 6, whereby the inserts are advanced from their position in the needle bed, level with the comb. Stitches are therefore initially formed here. As the path MB continues, the control butts are pressed into the needle bed by the pusher part 5 running out of the cam, preventing them from being retracted by the trailing take-up part 3. In the process, the trailing guide cam section 1b is switched to an inactive position. The control butts are guided by the additional cam track Z. The selected inserts remain in their advanced position and can thus be used for warp thread applications.

[0040] Since the inserts in this case were selected for stitch formation, the presser feet of the inserts are on a different track, which is why presser part 5 was used instead of presser part 2.

[0041] A stitch formation with subsequent expulsion to the warp thread insert can also be achieved via the other selection track by switching the pusher part 4 for tuck into its inactive position and using the pusher part 2.

[0042] The Fig. 4a, 4b show possible variants for the formation of tuck loops and loops in combination with the expulsion of inlays into a position for warp thread applications. The path F, along which tuck loops are formed, is shown as a solid line. The path MB, along which loops are formed, is shown as a dashed line.

[0043] According to the Fig. 4a Selected control feet of inserts pass through the drive cam 6, whereby the inserts are advanced from their position in the needle bed. This occurs for both path F and path MB.

[0044] By means of the pusher part 4 for tuck, the control butts of the inserts selected for tuck formation (path F) are pressed into the needle bed. These inserts are thus initially used to form tuck loops. As the path F continues, the control butts of the inserts are pressed into the needle bed by the switchable pusher part 2, preventing them from being retracted by the trailing take-up part 3. In the process, the trailing guide cam section 1b is switched to an inactive position. The control butts are guided by the additional cam track Z. The selected inserts thus remain in their advanced position after tuck formation and can be used for warp thread applications.

[0045] The control feet of the inserts selected for stitch formation are not pressed into the needle bed by the pusher part 4, and the selected inserts are expelled for stitch formation according to the path MB. The pusher part 5 is switched to its inactive position and does not act on the control feet. As a result, the control feet come into contact with the trailing take-up part 3 and are pulled by it to the specified weaving depth for stitch formation. These control feet are thus guided below the guide cam part 1 on its underside.

[0046] In the representation according to the Fig. 4b The control feet of selected inserts pass through the drive cam 6, causing the inserts to advance from their position in the needle bed. This occurs for path F and path MB.

[0047] Using the tuck presser part 4, the control feet of the inserts selected for tuck formation (path F, solid line) are pressed into the needle bed. These inserts form tuck loops. Further along path F, these control feet are not pressed into the needle bed by the additional switchable presser part 2, which has been deactivated for this purpose. As a result, the control feet come into contact with the trailing take-up part 3, which pulls them to the specified weaving depth. The corresponding inserts are therefore no longer usable for warp thread applications.

[0048] The control butts of the inserts selected for stitch formation are not pressed into the needle bed by the pusher part 4, and the selected inserts are expelled for stitch formation (path MB, dashed line). The additional switchable pusher part 5 is switched to its active position and acts on the control butts. In addition, the trailing guide cam section 1b is switched to an inactive position. The control butts are guided by the additional cam track Z. The selected inserts thus remain in their advanced position after stitch formation and can be used for warp thread applications. The guide cam section 1c keeps the control butts of inserts in an advanced position and those in a retracted position securely separated.

[0049] The Fig. 5a bis 5d show the knitting lock 100 after a carriage reversal. The carriage and thus the knitting lock 100 now move in the direction of arrow R.

[0050] In the Fig. 5a In the situation shown, the control feet of inserts that were advanced for a warp thread application are guided by the cam 100 as they run in by switching off the now advancing guide cam section 1b through the additional cam track Z. Then, depending on the selection, the control feet are pressed into the needle bed either via the additional switchable pusher part 2 or via the pusher part 5, and thus lifted into the knitting curve via the take-up part 3. In doing so, it is selected which of the selected control feet should form a tuck (path F, solid line) or a stitch (path MB, dashed line). A selection system not shown here decides which track is selected and whether the pusher part 2 or the pusher part 5 must be switched accordingly.

[0051] In contrast to Fig. 5a are in the Fig. 5b The control butts of the inserts still advanced to the warp thread insert and the inserts positioned at the comb level are selected as they enter. The control butts of the inserts that were advanced to the warp thread insert are now lifted over the take-up part 3 after the carriage reversal by means of the additional switchable pusher part 2 and brought into the cam track for tuck formation (path F, solid line). The control butts of the needles that are positioned at the comb level and were not selected and advanced accordingly form stitches after the carriage reversal (path MB, dashed line).

[0052] In the Fig. 5c After the carriage reversal, the control butts of the inlays, which were driven out corresponding to the warp thread inlay, are lifted over the take-up part 3 by means of the switchable pusher part 5 and brought into the cam track for stitch formation. Stitches are therefore formed here (path MB, dashed line). The control butts of the needles that are at the same height as the comb and were not selected for the warp thread inlay and driven out accordingly form a tuck after the carriage reversal (path F, solid line). For this purpose, pusher part 2 is moved to its inactive position and pusher part 4 is activated.

[0053] In the Fig. 5d The control feet of the inserts that were driven out for warp thread inlay are moved in the cam track Z formed by the guide cam section 1b after the carriage reversal and then lifted over the take-up part 3 by means of the additional switchable pusher part 2 and brought into the cam track for stitch formation. A stitch is then formed again (path MB, dashed line). The control feet of the inserts that are at the same level as the comb and were not selected for warp thread inlay and driven out accordingly also form a stitch after the carriage reversal (path MB, solid line).

[0054] The Fig. 6 shows the possibility of retracting the inserts advanced from the cam to the warp thread insert after the carriage reversal to the home position. By activating the leading guide cam section 1b, which closes the additional cam track Z, the inserts advanced to the warp thread insert can be retracted to their comb-like position without prior selection. The inserts can then be selected for all knitting functions.

[0055] The Fig. 7shows a symmetrically designed knitting cam 100. In particular, it is shown that the guide cam sections 1a, 1b, 1c and the additional switchable pusher part 2 can be provided on both sides of the cam 100. This design of the cam 100 allows the needles selected for warp thread inlay to remain in their position even during normal operation of the cam 100 for stitch formation. It is shown here that the guide cam sections 1b have been at least partially countersunk, creating corresponding cam tracks Z through which the butts of the inlays are guided.

Claims

1. Knitting cam (100) for a flat knitting machine, comprising a guide cam part (1) arranged in the edge region of the knitting cam (100), the guide cam part (1) having at least two guide cam part portions (1a, 1b, 1c), and at least one guide cam part portion (1a, 1b, 1c) being able to be switched between an active position and an inactive position, characterized in that a presser part (2, 5) and a take-down part (3) are provided, the presser part (2, 5) being able to be activated on the output side of the cam in order to lift control feet of insert parts over the take-down part (3), and a cam path (Z) for the control feet of the insert parts being created by the at least one guide cam part portion (1a, 1b, 1c) being switched to inactive mode.

2. Knitting cam (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one guide cam part portion (1a, 1b, 1c) can be brought into a lowered position for an inactive position, or can be moved into, under or over another cam part and thus switched to inactive mode.

3. Knitting cam (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the guide cam part (1) has three guide cam part portions (1a, 1b, 1c).

4. Knitting cam (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide cam part portion (1c) is provided for stabilizing control feet of insert parts when the insert parts pass through a cam path (Z) formed by another guide cam part portion.

5. Knitting cam (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the presser part (2) is arranged below the take-down part (3), which presser part is further arranged at the same height as a presser part (4) provided to form a tuck loop.

6. Knitting cam (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured symmetrically with respect to a central plane.

7. Flat knitting machine comprising a knitting cam (100) according to any of the preceding claims.

8. Method for operating a flat knitting machine comprising a knitting cam (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-6, in which one or more insert parts of a front needle bed and / or one or more insert parts of a rear needle bed are brought into a defined advanced position on the output side of the cam for a warp thread application, whereupon a thread can then be introduced into the advanced insert parts, characterized in that a presser part (2, 5) is activated on the output side of the cam in order to lift control feet of the advanced insert parts over a take-down part (3), and a cam path (Z) is created for the control feet of the advanced insert parts by switching a guide cam part portion (1a, 1b, 1c) to inactive mode, in particular by lowering it, or by moving it into, under or over a different cam part.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that insert parts to be advanced are selected and advanced via a drive cam part (6) in the needle bed and then, depending on the switching position of a presser part (4), a tuck loop or a stitch is formed using the advanced insert parts.

10. Method according to either of the preceding claims 8 or 9, characterized in that on the entry side of the cam a cam path (Z1) is created by switching out a guide cam part portion (1b).

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that on the entry side of the cam a presser part (2, 5) is activated in order to lift control feet of the advanced insert parts over a take-down part (3).

12. Method according to any of the preceding claims 8 to 11, characterized in that on the entry side of the cam another presser part (5) is activated in order to lift control feet of the advanced insert parts over another take-down part.

13. Method according to any of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the control feet of advanced insert parts and of non-advanced insert parts are held separately by a guide cam part portion (1c).

14. Method according to any of the preceding claims 8 to 13, characterized in that knitting needles are used as insert parts.