Method for changing yarn grips and flat knitting machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for changing the gripper of knitting yarn and a flat knitting machine that can suppress the lengthening of the yarn end of the yarn gripped by the gripper. [Solution] The device comprises: a first gripping step in which the waiting yarn, gripped by a first gripper 2 located on the opposite side of the needle bed of the cutter 46, is moved toward the needle bed and gripped by a second gripper 49 located on the needle bed side of the cutter 46; a second gripping step in which the waiting yarn, gripped by the second gripper 49, is moved toward the opposite side of the needle bed and gripped by the first gripper 2; a cutting step in which the waiting yarn, gripped by at least the first gripper 2 or the second gripper 49, is cut by the cutter 46; and a yarn feeding step in which the yarn to be fed, gripped by the first gripper 2, is gripped by the second gripper 49 or held by the knitting needle 111 by moving the yarn feeder 120, or a yarn feeding step in which the yarn to be fed is moved to a position where it can be gripped by the first gripper 2, gripped by the first gripper 2, and then the yarn is cut.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for changing the gripping of knitting yarns and the technology of a flat knitting machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the technology of a flat knitting machine equipped with a cutter for cutting knitting yarns and a gripper for gripping has been known. For example, it is as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] In the flat knitting machine described in Patent Document 1, two grippers are provided on the opposite side of the needle bed with respect to the cutter. If a gripper is provided on the needle bed side of the cutter, when cutting the knitting yarn extending from the knitting needle to the yarn feeder, the knitting yarn between the yarn feeder and the cutter cannot be gripped by the gripper. Therefore, usually, like the flat knitting machine described in Patent Document 1, the gripper is provided on the opposite side of the cutter with respect to the needle bed.

[0004] Here, when it is desired to newly grip another knitting yarn with a gripper that is already gripping a knitting yarn, or when it is desired to release only some of the plurality of knitting yarns gripped by one gripper, there are cases where the gripping of the knitting yarn is changed. However, with the change of the gripping of the knitting yarn, there arises a problem that the knitting yarn is pulled out from the yarn supply port of the yarn feeder waiting in a state where the knitting yarn is gripped by the gripper, and the yarn end of the knitting yarn gripped by the gripper becomes long. More specifically, in a state where a knitting yarn is gripped by one of the two grippers, when the knitting yarn is gripped by the other gripper, the knitting yarn is in a state of passing between the two grippers. By releasing the gripping of one gripper, the yarn end becomes long by the amount of the knitting yarn that passed between the two grippers. When the yarn end becomes long, for example, the length of the yarn end sucked by the suction nozzle after cutting the knitting yarn becomes long, resulting in yarn clogging in the tube of the suction nozzle, or there is a risk that the yarn end of the knitting yarn gripped by one gripper is accidentally gripped during the gripping operation of the other gripper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-156086 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a method for changing the grip of knitting yarn and a flat knitting machine that can suppress the lengthening of the yarn end of the knitting yarn held by the gripper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and the means for solving these problems will now be explained.

[0008] That is, the yarn gripping change method according to the present invention includes a first gripping change step of moving a yarn feeder that supplies the waiting yarn, which is gripped by a first gripper located on the opposite side of the needle bed of a cutter capable of cutting knitting yarn including knitting yarn and waiting yarn, toward the needle bed and gripping it with a second gripper located on the needle bed side of the cutter; a second gripping change step of moving the yarn feeder that supplies the waiting yarn, which is gripped by the second gripper, toward the opposite side of the needle bed and gripping it with the first gripper; and a cutting step of cutting the waiting yarn, which is gripped by at least the first gripper or the second gripper, with the cutter, and the The invention comprises at least one of the following steps: a yarn feeding step in which the yarn to be fed, which is held by one gripper, is moved so that it is in a position where it can be picked up by knitting needles arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the needle bed, and the yarn to be fed is held by at least the second gripper or the knitting needles, and then the gripper releases the yarn to be fed or the yarn to be cut off from the first gripper; or a yarn feeding step in which the yarn to be fed is moved to a position where it can be gripped by the first gripper, and after being gripped by the first gripper, the yarn to be fed is cut. This configuration prevents the yarn end of the knitting thread held by the gripper from becoming too long.

[0009] Furthermore, in the yarn-out step, when the waiting yarn is grasped by the first gripper in the second grip-changing step, the knitting yarn may be grasped together with the waiting yarn by the first gripper, and the knitting yarn may be cut by the cutter between the first gripper and the second gripper. This configuration allows the thread to be fed out without making the thread end too long.

[0010] Furthermore, in the yarn-feeding step, when the waiting yarn is grasped by the first gripper in the second gripping step, the knitting yarn may be grasped together with the waiting yarn by the first gripper, and the knitting yarn may be cut by a cutting device different from the cutter between the second gripper and the knitting needle that holds the knitting yarn. This configuration allows the thread to be fed out without making the thread end too long.

[0011] Furthermore, in the thread insertion step, while the first gripping change step is being performed, the knitting thread may be gripped by the second gripper, and then cut by the cutter between the first gripper and the second gripper. This configuration allows the thread to be inserted without making the thread end too long.

[0012] Furthermore, in the yarn insertion step, while the first gripping change step is being performed, after the knitting yarn is grasped by the second gripper, the knitting yarn may be cut between the second gripper and the knitting needle holding the knitting yarn using a cutting device different from the cutter. This configuration allows the thread to be inserted without making the thread end too long.

[0013] The system may also include a suction step in which the cut braided yarn is sucked up by a suction nozzle. This configuration allows for the removal of cut yarn.

[0014] Furthermore, the flat knitting machine according to the present invention comprises a needle bed on which knitting needles are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction; a cutter provided on the side of the needle bed and capable of cutting knitting yarn including knitting yarn and standby yarn; a first gripper provided on the opposite side of the cutter from the needle bed and capable of gripping the knitting yarn; a second gripper provided on the needle bed side of the cutter and capable of gripping the knitting yarn; and a control unit that controls the operation of the cutter, the first gripper and the second gripper, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the cutter, the first gripper and the second gripper so that the yarn feeder that supplies the standby yarn gripped by the first gripper can be moved toward the needle bed and gripped by the second gripper, and the yarn feeder that supplies the standby yarn gripped by the second gripper is moved toward the needle bed The yarn feeder is capable of moving the yarn feeder to the opposite side so that it can be gripped by the first gripper, cutting the waiting yarn gripped by at least the first gripper or the second gripper with the cutter, and performing at least one of the following steps: a yarn feeding step in which the yarn to be fed is moved so that the yarn to be fed, gripped by the first gripper, is in a position where it can be picked up by the knitting needle, the yarn to be fed is gripped by at least the second gripper or held by the knitting needle, and then the grip of the yarn to be fed is released by the first gripper or the yarn to be cut away from the first gripper; or a yarn feeding step in which the yarn to be fed is moved to a position where it can be gripped by the first gripper, gripped by the first gripper, and then the yarn to be fed is cut. This configuration prevents the yarn end of the knitting thread held by the gripper from becoming too long.

[0015] Furthermore, the second gripper may be configured to switch between gripping and releasing the knitting yarn by opening and closing, and may be driven by a common drive source with the cutter so that it opens and closes in sync with the opening and closing operation of the cutter. This configuration allows for cost reduction and space saving.

[0016] Further, the second gripper may include a gripping portion formed to be able to grip the braided yarn before the cutter closes to cut the braided yarn, and a spring portion that applies an elastic force in a direction in which the second gripper closes in a state where the braided yarn interferes with the gripping portion. By configuring in this way, the braided yarn can be surely gripped.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] As an effect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress the yarn ends of the braided yarn gripped by the gripper from becoming long.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] Side view showing a gripper and a cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism of a flat knitting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front view showing a gripper. [Figure 3] Side view showing a cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism. [Figure 4] Front view showing a cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism. [Figure 5] (a) Part drawing of a cutter. (b) Part drawing of a connecting rod. (c) Part drawing of a gripper on the needle bed side. [Figure 6] Block diagram showing the configuration of a flat knitting machine. [Figure 7] Operation explanatory diagram of a cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism, showing a schematic diagram of (a) a state where an operating plate is located at the lowest descending position, (b) a state where the operating plate is located above the lowest descending position, (c) a state where the operating plate is located further above, and (d) a state where the operating plate is located at the highest ascending position. [Figure 8] Flowchart showing steps of a yarn feeding method and a yarn discharging method. [Figure 9] Operation explanatory diagram of a flat knitting machine during yarn feeding, showing a front schematic diagram of (a) a state where a braided yarn is gripped by a gripper on the opposite side of the needle bed, (b) a state where a knitting yarn is fed, and (c) a state where a standby yarn feeder is moved to the needle bed side. [Figure 10]This is a schematic front view illustrating the operation of a flat knitting machine when inserting yarn, showing (a) the state in which the knitting yarn is gripped by the gripper on the needle bed side and cut by the cutter, (b) the state in which the gripper on the opposite side of the needle bed has released the grip of the knitting yarn, and (c) the state in which the waiting yarn feeder has been moved back to its original position. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a flat knitting machine when inserting yarn, showing a front view of the machine with the standby yarn gripped by the gripper on the opposite side of the needle bed and the gripper on the needle bed side releasing the yarn. [Figure 12] This is a schematic front view diagram illustrating the operation of a flat knitting machine during yarn feeding, showing (a) the state in which the waiting yarn is held by the gripper on the opposite side of the needle bed, (b) the state in which the waiting yarn feeder has been moved toward the needle bed side, and (c) the state in which the waiting yarn is held by the gripper on the needle bed side and cut by the cutter. [Figure 13] A schematic front view diagram illustrating the operation of a flat knitting machine during yarn feeding, showing (a) the state in which the gripper on the opposite side of the needle bed has released the grip of the knitting yarn, (b) the state in which the waiting yarn feeder has been moved back to its original position, and (c) the state in which the knitting yarn has been fed out. [Figure 14] A schematic front view illustrating the operation of a flat knitting machine during yarn feeding, showing (a) the state in which the knitting yarn is gripped by the gripper on the opposite side of the needle bed and the gripper on the needle bed side releases the grip, and (b) the state in which the knitting yarn is cut by the cutter. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] In the following explanation, the directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in the diagram will be defined as upward, downward, forward, backward, left, and right, respectively.

[0020] The flat knitting machine 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 6 mainly comprises a needle bed 110, a yarn feeder 120, a control unit 130, and a yarn end processing mechanism 200.

[0021] The needle beds 110 shown in Figures 1 and 9 are arranged so that the needles face each other across the teeth, and the knitting needles 111 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction. The yarn feeder 120 shown in Figures 6 and 9 is configured to feed yarn to the needle bed 110 by moving within the knitting width of the needle bed 110. The control unit 130 shown in Figure 6 is configured to control the operation of the yarn feeder 120, as well as the first drive motor 6 and the second drive motor 7, which will be described later. By controlling the operation of the first drive motor 6 and the second drive motor 7, the control unit 130 can control the operation of the cutter 46, the first gripper 2 and the second gripper 49, which will be described later.

[0022] The yarn end processing mechanism 200 shown in Figure 1 is for processing the ends of knitting yarn. Here, "yarn end" refers to the portion of the knitting yarn that is gripped by the first gripper 2 and the second gripper 49, which will be described later, that is closer to the tip than the gripping position. The yarn end processing mechanism 200 mainly comprises a gripper support member 1, a first gripper 2, a guide member 3, a cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism 4, a suction nozzle 5, a first drive motor 6, and a second drive motor 7.

[0023] The gripper support member 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 supports the first gripper 2, which will be described later. The gripper support member 1 is fixed to a block (not shown) provided opposite the side surface of the needle bed 110. Two grooves 1a and 1b extending in the vertical direction are formed in the gripper support member 1.

[0024] The first gripper 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is configured to grip the knitting yarn. The knitting yarn includes the knitting yarn used to knit the fabric and the standby yarn. The first gripper 2 is located on the opposite side of the needle bed from the cutter 46, which will be described later. Here, "opposite side of the needle bed from the cutter 46" means the opposite side of the needle bed 110 relative to the cutter 46 in the direction of movement of the yarn feeder 120. In the drawings of this application, the direction of movement of the yarn feeder 120 is shown as the front-to-back direction. Two first grippers 2 are provided, one at the front and one at the back. Hereinafter, the front first gripper 2 closer to the needle bed 110 will be referred to as the first gripper 2A, and the rear first gripper 2 further from the needle bed 110 will be referred to as the first gripper 2B.

[0025] The first gripper 2A is primarily used to hold knitting yarn when changing the grip of the knitting yarn during yarn insertion and yarn withdrawal. Here, "yarn insertion" means moving the yarn feeder 120 so that the knitting yarn held by the first gripper 2 is in a position where it can be picked up by the knitting needle 111, and after the knitting yarn is held by at least the second gripper 49 or held by the knitting needle 111, the gripper 2 releases its grip on the knitting yarn or cuts the knitting yarn away from the first gripper 2. "Yarn withdrawal" means moving the knitting yarn to a position where it can be gripped by the first gripper 2, gripping it with the first gripper 2, and then cutting the knitting yarn. The first gripper 2B is primarily used to hold together knitting yarn that is used only at the beginning of knitting the fabric after use. Since the first gripper 2A and the first gripper 2B have the same configuration, the first gripper 2A will be described below, and the description of the first gripper 2B will be omitted.

[0026] The first gripper 2A comprises a nip claw mounting plate 11, a nip claw 12, a nip claw shaft 13, a pinion 14, an operating plate 15, a first connecting rod 16, a first connecting rod shaft 17, a first spring 18, a swivel claw 19, a swivel claw shaft 20, a hook 22, a hook shaft 23, and a second spring 24.

[0027] The nip claw mounting plate 11 is to which the nip claws 12, described later, are attached. The nip claw mounting plate 11 is formed in a long, plate-like shape, with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically and its plate surface facing forward and backward.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, an elongated hole 11a is formed approximately in the center of the nip claw mounting plate 11, extending in the vertical direction. A cam groove 11b is formed on the left side of the nip claw mounting plate 11. A rack 11c is formed on the right side of the nip claw mounting plate 11.

[0029] The nip claws 12 are the parts that grip the knitting yarn. There is a pair of nip claws 12, one on the left and one on the right. Hereinafter, the left nip claw 12 will be referred to as nip claw 12A, and the right nip claw 12 will be referred to as nip claw 12B. Both nip claws 12A and 12B are rotatably supported on the nip claw mounting plate 11 around a nip claw shaft 13 located in the left and right center of the upper part of the nip claw mounting plate 11. The nip claws 12A and 12B are formed symmetrically to each other, with nip claw 12B sandwiched between two front and rear nip claws 12A.

[0030] The pinion 14 shown in Figure 2 is rotatably supported by the gripper support member 1. The pinion 14 is positioned to mesh with the rack 11c of the nip claw mounting plate 11.

[0031] The operating plate 15 is formed in a long, plate-like shape, with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically and its plate surface facing forward and backward. The operating plate 15 is fitted into the groove 1a so as to be vertically slidable, while overlapping with the nip claw mounting plate 11 on the front side of the nip claw mounting plate 11.

[0032] A long slot 15a is formed approximately in the center of the control panel 15, extending in the vertical direction. The long slot 15a is formed in a position where it largely overlaps with the long slot 11a when viewed from the front.

[0033] A first notch 15b is formed at the left end of the control panel 15. The first notch 15b is formed so that its width increases towards the bottom. A second notch 15c is formed at the lower end of the control panel 15. The second notch 15c is formed in the shape of an elongated hole with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically. A third notch 15d is formed in the portion of the control panel 15 adjacent to the right end of the second notch 15c.

[0034] The first connecting rod 16 is for operating the nip claws 12. There is a pair of first connecting rods 16, one on the left and one on the right. Hereinafter, the left first connecting rod 16 will be referred to as the first connecting rod 16A, and the right first connecting rod 16 will be referred to as the first connecting rod 16B. Both the first connecting rods 16A and 16B are rotatably supported at their lower ends on the operating plate 15 around the first connecting rod shaft 17, which is located in the left-right center of the upper part of the operating plate 15. The first connecting rods 16A and 16B are formed symmetrically to each other. At their upper ends, the first connecting rods 16A and 16B are connected to the nip claws 12A and 12B, respectively.

[0035] The first spring 18 shown in Figure 2 is stretched between the nip claw mounting plate 11 and the operating plate 15 through the elongated holes 11a and 15a, and biases the operating plate 15 upward relative to the nip claw mounting plate 11.

[0036] The oscillating claw 19 shown in Figure 2 restricts the operation of the operating plate 15. The oscillating claw 19 is formed in a roughly L-shape when viewed from the front. The oscillating claw 19 is supported by the gripper support member 1 so as to be able to swing left and right around an oscillating claw shaft 20 provided on the gripper support member 1.

[0037] A claw portion 19a is formed at the lower part of the oscillating claw 19. The oscillating claw 19 is biased in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front by a spring (not shown), and the claw portion 19a is formed to be able to engage with the first cutout 15b of the operating plate 15. A cam follower 19b is formed at the upper right part of the oscillating claw 19, which is able to contact the cam groove 11b of the nip claw mounting plate 11.

[0038] The hook 22 restricts the movement of the operating plate 15. The hook 22 is supported so as to be able to swing from side to side around a hook shaft 23 provided on the nip claw mounting plate 11. The hook 22 is biased in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front by a second spring 24 and engages with the third notch 15d of the operating plate 15.

[0039] The guide member 3 shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4 is fixed to a block (not shown) provided opposite the side surface of the needle bed 110. As shown in Figure 1, the guide member 3 has a groove 3a that extends in the vertical direction.

[0040] The cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism 4 shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4 has the function of gripping the knitting yarn and the function of cutting the gripped knitting yarn. The cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism 4 comprises an operating plate 41, a pinion 42, a guide plate 43, an upper shaft 44, a lower shaft 45, a cutter 46, a second connecting rod 47, a right shaft 48A, a left shaft 48B, and a second gripper 49.

[0041] The operating plate 41 shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4 is formed in a longitudinal plate shape, with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically and its plate surface facing forward and backward. The operating plate 41 is fitted into the groove 3a of the guide member 3 so as to be vertically slidable. As shown in Figure 4, a rack 41a is formed on the right side of the operating plate 41.

[0042] The pinion 42 shown in Figure 4 is rotatably supported by the guide member 3. The pinion 42 is positioned to mesh with the rack 41a of the operating plate 41.

[0043] The guide plate 43 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is formed in the shape of a long plate, with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically and its plate surface facing forward and backward. The guide plate 43 is positioned in front of the operating plate 41 and slightly above the operating plate 41. The guide plate 43 is provided on the needle bed side of the cutter 46, which will be described later. Here, "needle bed side of the cutter 46" means the side on which the needle bed 110 is located relative to the cutter 46 in the direction of movement of the yarn feeder 120. The guide plate 43 is supported on the upper part of the operating plate 41 by an upper shaft 44 provided on the operating plate 41. As shown in Figure 3, the guide plates 43 are provided so that two of them are stacked front to back with a gap between them. As shown in Figure 4, an elongated hole 43a extending vertically is formed in the lower part of the guide plate 43. The lower shaft 45 provided on the guide member 3 is inserted into the elongated hole 43a.

[0044] The cutter 46 shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5(a) is provided on the side of the needle bed 110 and is capable of cutting knitting yarn. The cutter 46 includes cutter 46A and cutter 46B. Hereinafter, the cutter 46 whose upper part is on the left side when open will be referred to as cutter 46A, and the cutter 46 whose upper part is on the right side when open will be referred to as cutter 46B. Cutters 46A and 46B are formed symmetrically to each other. Cutter 46A is formed in a roughly L-shape when viewed from the front, with its lower end bent to the right, and cutter 46B is formed in a roughly L-shape when viewed from the front, with its lower end bent to the left. Both cutters 46A and 46B are supported by an operating plate 41 so as to be able to swing left and right around an upper shaft 44. When open, cutter 46A is equipped with a blade 46a on the part facing cutter 46B, and when open, cutter 46B is equipped with a blade 46b on the part facing cutter 46A.

[0045] The second connecting rod 47 shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5(b) connects the operating plate 41 and the cutter 46. The second connecting rod 47 is formed in a longitudinal plate shape, with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically and its plate surface facing forward and backward. The second connecting rod 47 includes the second connecting rod 47A and the second connecting rod 47B. Hereinafter, the second connecting rod 47 with its upper part located on the left will be referred to as the second connecting rod 47A, and the second connecting rod 47 with its upper part located on the right will be referred to as the second connecting rod 47B. The external shapes of the second connecting rods 47A and 47B are formed symmetrically to each other. The second connecting rod 47A extends vertically from its lower end to the middle of its upper and lower section, and then bends from the middle of its upper and lower section to extend upward to the left. The second connecting rod 47B extends vertically from its lower end to the middle of the upper and lower section, and is formed to bend from the middle of the upper and lower section and extend upward and to the right.

[0046] Elongated holes 47a and 47b extending vertically are formed in the upper and lower intermediate portions of the second connecting rods 47A and 47B, respectively, and the lower shaft 45 provided on the guide member 3 is inserted into the elongated holes 47a and 47b. An arc-shaped hole 47c is formed in the second connecting rod 47A below the elongated hole 47a. A pin 47d projecting forward is formed in the second connecting rod 47B below the elongated hole 47b, and the pin 47d is inserted through the arc-shaped hole 47c.

[0047] The second connecting rod 47A is rotatably connected at its upper end to the left end of the cutter 46B around the left shaft 48B provided on the cutter 46B. The second connecting rod 47B is rotatably connected at its upper end to the right end of the cutter 46A around the right shaft 48A provided on the cutter 46A.

[0048] The second gripper 49 shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5(c) is the part that grips the knitting yarn. The second gripper 49 is used to temporarily hold the knitting yarn that was being gripped by the first gripper 2 when changing the grip of the knitting yarn. The second gripper 49 is sandwiched between two front and rear guide plates 43 and is provided on the needle bed side of the cutter 46.

[0049] The second gripper 49 is supported on the operating plate 41 so as to be able to swing from side to side around an upper shaft 44 provided on the operating plate 41. The left end of the second gripper 49 is connected to the upper end of the second connecting rod 47A at the base 49b. The second gripper 49 has a gripping portion 49a on the side facing the guide plate 43 that is formed in a jagged shape so as to be able to grip the braided yarn. The base 49b and the gripping portion 49a are connected via a spring portion 49c that provides elastic force to the gripping portion 49a. The spring portion 49c is formed to provide elastic force in the direction of closing the second gripper 49 when the braided yarn interferes with the gripping portion 49a and a force is applied to the gripping portion 49a in the direction that opens the second gripper 49.

[0050] The suction nozzle 5 shown in Figure 9 is configured to suck up the cut braided yarn. The suction nozzle 5 is connected to a discharge nozzle (not shown) via a conduit and is configured to draw air from the intake port using the negative pressure created when compressed air is discharged from the discharge nozzle. The suction nozzle 5 is located between the first gripper 2A and the cutter 46 in the direction of movement of the yarn feeder 120.

[0051] The first drive motor 6 shown in Figures 1 and 6 has its motor shaft fixed to the pinion 14 shown in Figure 2 via an intermediate gear (not shown), and is configured to drive the first gripper 2. The first drive motor 6 includes a motor 6A that drives the first gripper 2A, and a motor 6B that drives the first gripper 2B.

[0052] The second drive motor 7, shown in Figures 1 and 6, has its motor shaft fixed to the pinion 42 shown in Figure 4 via an intermediate gear (not shown), and is configured to drive the cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism 4.

[0053] The operation of the first gripper 2 shown in Figure 2 will be described below. Note that the nip claws 12A and 12B are closed in the standby position, which is the lowest position of the first gripper 2, and in the operating position, which is the highest position of the first gripper 2. Between the standby position and the operating position, the nip claws 12A and 12B are open. Figure 2 shows the state in which the nip claws 12A and 12B are open between the standby position and the operating position.

[0054] First, by rotating the first drive motor 6, the nip claw mounting plate 11 rises within the groove 1a of the gripper support member 1 via the pinion 14 and rack 11c. The rise of the nip claw mounting plate 11 is transmitted to the operating plate 15 via the first spring 18, and the operating plate 15 also begins to rise. When the operating plate 15 rises, as shown in Figure 2, the claw portion 19a of the oscillating claw 19 comes into contact with the lower end of the first cutout portion 15b of the operating plate 15, and the rise of the operating plate 15 stops.

[0055] As a result, the first connecting rod shaft 17 provided on the control plate 15 does not rise, and the nip claws 12A and 12B, which are rising together with the nip claw mounting plate 11, are pulled by the first connecting rods 16A and 16B, causing their tips to spread to the left and right.

[0056] Furthermore, as the nip claw mounting plate 11 rises, the cam follower 19b of the oscillating claw 19 exits the cam groove 11b, causing the oscillating claw 19 to rotate clockwise in a front view, disengaging the claw portion 19a of the oscillating claw 19 from the first notch portion 15b. This releases the stoppage of the operation plate 15 rising.

[0057] However, because the hook 22 provided on the nip claw mounting plate 11 engages with the third notch 15d of the operating plate 15, the operating plate 15 cannot rise relative to the nip claw mounting plate 11, even though it is biased upward by the first spring 18. Instead, the nip claw mounting plate 11 and the operating plate 15 rise together. As a result, the knitting yarn is positioned between the open nip claws 12A and 12B.

[0058] When the nip claw mounting plate 11 and the operating plate 15 are raised further, the hook 22 comes into contact with the lower end of the gripper support member 1 and rotates clockwise. As a result, the engagement between the hook 22 and the third notch 15d is released, and the operating plate 15 rises relative to the nip claw mounting plate 11 due to the biasing force of the first spring 18. As the operating plate 15 rises, the nip claws 12A and 12B rotate in a closing direction via the first connecting rods 16A and 16B. This allows the nip claws 12A and 12B to grip the knitting yarn.

[0059] Next, the operation of the cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism 4 will be explained using Figure 7.

[0060] With the operating plate 41 positioned as shown in Figure 7(a), rotating the second drive motor 7 causes the operating plate 41 to rise within the groove 3a of the guide member 3 via the pinion 42 and rack 41a. As a result, the braided yarn is inserted between the open cutters 46A and 46B, and between the guide plate 43 and the second gripper 49.

[0061] Furthermore, when the operating plate 41 rises to the position shown in Figure 7(b), the lower ends of the elongated holes 47a and 47b of the second connecting rods 47A and 47B, which are connected to the cutters 46A and 46B, come into contact with the lower shaft 45. The upward movement of the second connecting rods 47A and 47B is restricted by the contact of the lower ends of the elongated holes 47a and 47b with the lower shaft 45.

[0062] As shown in Figure 7(c), when the operating plate 41 rises further, the second connecting rods 47A and 47B do not rise, but the guide plate 43 rises, causing the second gripper 49 to rotate in a direction that brings it closer to the guide plate 43 when viewed from the front, and the cutters 46A and 46B to rotate in a direction that brings them closer to each other. By rotating the second gripper 49 in a direction that brings it closer to the guide plate 43 when viewed from the front, the second gripper 49 can grip the braided yarn. In this way, the second gripper 49 is formed so that it can grip the braided yarn with its gripping portion 49a before the cutter 46 closes and cuts the braided yarn.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7(d), when the operating plate 41 rises further, the cutters 46A and 46B rotate in a direction that closes them further toward each other, allowing the knitted yarn gripped by the second gripper 49 to be cut by the cutters 46A and 46B.

[0064] In this way, the cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism 4 can hold the braided yarn with the second gripper 49 as the operating plate 41 rises, and the cutter 46 can then cut the braided yarn held by the second gripper 49. Furthermore, because the spring portion 49c is provided, when the braided yarn is held by the gripping portion 49a, an elastic force is applied to the gripping portion 49a in the direction that closes the second gripper 49, so that the braided yarn can be securely held by the second gripper 49.

[0065] After the braided thread is cut, the second drive motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction, causing the operating plate 41 to descend within the groove 3a of the guide member 3 via the pinion 42 and rack 41a. This causes the second gripper 49 to rotate away from the guide plate 43, and the cutters 46A and 46B to rotate outwards from each other. In this way, after the braided thread is cut, the second gripper 49 releases its grip on the braided thread.

[0066] The operation of the flat knitting machine 100 during yarn feeding will be explained below using Figures 8 to 11. In the following, the yarn supplied by yarn feeder 120a will be referred to as the knitting yarn, and the yarn supplied by yarn feeders 120b and 120c will be referred to as the standby yarn.

[0067] First, the first gripping change step shown in step S11 of Figure 8 is performed. The first gripping change step is to move the waiting yarn, which is gripped by the first gripper 2 located on the opposite side of the needle bed of the cutter 46, toward the needle bed 110 and grip it with the second gripper 49 located on the needle bed side of the cutter 46. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9(a), with the knitting yarn of the yarn feeder 120a and the waiting yarns of the yarn feeders 120b and 120c gripped by the first gripper 2A, as shown in Figure 9(b), the yarn feeder 120a is moved toward the needle bed 110 so that the knitting yarn is in a position where it can be picked up by the knitting needle 111, and the knitting yarn is held by the knitting needle 111. Next, as shown in Figure 9(c), the waiting yarn feeders 120b and 120c are moved toward the needle bed 110 beyond the second gripper 49. Next, as shown in Figure 10(a), the knitting yarn of yarn feeder 120a and the standby yarns of yarn feeders 120b and 120c are grasped by the second gripper 49. Note that the operations in Figures 9(b) and 9(c) may be performed simultaneously.

[0068] Next, the cutting step shown in step S12 of Figure 8 is performed. The cutting step is to cut the standby yarn held by the first gripper 2 with the cutters 46A and 46B of the cutter-gripper interlocking mechanism 4. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10(a), the knitting yarn of yarn feeder 120a and the standby yarn of yarn feeders 120b and 120c, held by the second gripper 49, are cut by the cutter 46. Next, as shown in Figure 10(b), the grip of the first gripper 2A on the cut knitting yarn and standby yarn is released. The knitting yarn released from the first gripper 2A is then sucked away by the suction nozzle 5.

[0069] Next, the second gripping step shown in step S13 of Figure 8 is performed. The second gripping step is a step in which the waiting yarn held by the second gripper 49 is moved to the opposite side of the needle bed and held by the first gripper 2, and then the grip of the waiting yarn by the second gripper 49 is released. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10(c), the waiting yarn feeders 120b and 120c are moved to the opposite side of the needle bed 110 from the first gripper 2A and placed back in their original positions as shown in Figure 9(a). Next, as shown in Figure 11, the waiting yarns of the yarn feeders 120b and 120c are held by the first gripper 2A, and the grip of the waiting yarn by the second gripper 49 is released.

[0070] Thus, during yarn feeding, the yarn feeder 120 is moved so that the knitting yarn to be fed, held by the first gripper 2A, is in a position where it can be picked up by the knitting needle 111. The yarn is then gripped by the second gripper 49 and held by the knitting needle 111. After this, the yarn feeding step is performed in which the grip of the yarn by the first gripper 2A is released or the yarn is cut away from the first gripper 2A. In the yarn feeding step, the operation of cutting the yarn with the cutter 46 between the first gripper 2A and the second gripper 49 after the yarn has been gripped by the second gripper 49 is performed during the execution of the first grip change step S11. In the yarn feeding step, instead of holding the yarn with the knitting needle 111, the yarn may be gripped by the second gripper 49. In this case, for example, in Figure 11, the yarn is held by the knitting needle 111 before the grip of the yarn by the second gripper 49 is released. In this embodiment, in the first gripping change step S11, the waiting yarn and the knitting yarn are cut with the same cutter 46. Therefore, the second gripping change step S13 can be performed with a minimal configuration, enabling cost reduction and space saving.

[0071] The operation of the flat knitting machine 100 during yarn feeding will be explained below using Figures 8 and 12 to 14.

[0072] First, the first gripping change step shown in step S11 of Figure 8 is performed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12(a), with the first gripper 2A gripping the waiting yarns of the yarn feeders 120b and 120c, the waiting yarn feeders 120b and 120c are moved to the needle bed 110 side from the second gripper 49, as shown in Figure 12(b). Next, as shown in Figure 12(c), the waiting yarns of the yarn feeders 120b and 120c are gripped by the second gripper 49.

[0073] Next, the cutting step shown in step S12 of Figure 8 is performed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12(c), the waiting yarn held by the second gripper 49 is cut by the cutter 46. Next, as shown in Figure 13(a), the grip of the cut waiting yarn by the first gripper 2A is released. The cut knitting yarn, released from the first gripper 2A, is removed by suction nozzle 5.

[0074] Next, the second gripping change step shown in step S13 of Figure 8 is performed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 13(b), the waiting yarn feeders 120b and 120c are moved to a position opposite the needle bed 110 from the first gripper 2A (the original position shown in Figure 12(a)). Next, as shown in Figure 13(c), the yarn feeder 120a is moved to a position opposite the needle bed 110 from the first gripper 2A, and the knitting yarn is gripped by the second gripper 49. Note that the operations in Figures 13(b) and 13(c) may be performed simultaneously. Next, as shown in Figure 14(a), the waiting yarn and the knitting yarn are gripped by the first gripper 2A, and the grip of the waiting yarn by the second gripper 49 is released. Next, as shown in Figure 14(b), the knitting yarn is cut by the cutter 46.

[0075] Thus, during yarn feeding, the yarn to be fed is moved to a position where it can be gripped by the first gripper 2A, and after being gripped by the first gripper 2A, the yarn feeding step is performed in which the yarn is cut. In this embodiment, in the yarn feeding step, the waiting yarn and the yarn being fed are gripped by the same gripper (first gripper 2A), and the waiting yarn and the yarn being fed are cut by the same cutter 46. Therefore, the second gripping change step S13 can be performed with a minimum configuration, enabling cost reduction and space saving. Note that the yarn gripping change method of the present invention only needs to include at least one of the yarn insertion step or the yarn feeding step.

[0076] Thus, in the flat knitting machine 100 according to this embodiment, the first gripper 2 is provided on the side opposite the needle bed 110 relative to the cutter 46, and the second gripper 49 is also provided on the needle bed 110 side relative to the cutter 46. As a result, when the knitting yarn is transferred from the first gripper 2 to the second gripper 49, or from the second gripper 49 to the first gripper 2, the excess portion of the knitting yarn can be cut off by the cutter 46, as shown in Figures 9(b) to 10(a) and Figures 12(a) to 12(c). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the length of the yarn end of the knitting yarn gripped by the first gripper 2A or the second gripper 49. Since it is possible to suppress the length of the yarn end of the knitting yarn, it is possible to suppress the accidental gripping of the yarn end of the knitting yarn gripped by one of the first gripper 2A or the second gripper 49 when the other gripper grips it. Furthermore, after cutting the knitting yarn, the length of the yarn end sucked into the suction nozzle 5 can be shortened, thereby suppressing the occurrence of yarn clogging inside the suction nozzle 5.

[0077] Furthermore, the second gripper 49 is designed to switch between gripping and releasing the knitting yarn by opening and closing, and is configured to open and close in sync with the opening and closing operation of the cutter 46 by a second drive motor 7, which is a common drive source for the cutter 46. Therefore, compared to the case where a drive source is provided for both the cutter 46 and the second gripper 49, cost reduction and space saving can be achieved.

[0078] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the invention as described in the claims.

[0079] For example, the number of first grippers 2 and second grippers 49 is not limited to this embodiment and can be any number. Also, in this embodiment, the first gripper 2A is used to change the grip of the knitting yarn, but the first gripper 2B may also be used to change the grip of the knitting yarn.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the yarn insertion step, as shown in Figure 10(a), the knitting yarn is cut by a cutter 46 between the first gripper 2A and the second gripper 49. However, the knitting yarn may also be cut by a cutting device different from the cutter 46 between the second gripper 49 and the knitting needle 111 that holds the knitting yarn. That is, in the yarn insertion step, after the knitting yarn is held by the knitting needle 111 in the first gripping change step of step S11, the knitting yarn can be cut by a cutter 46 between the first gripper 2 and the second gripper 49, or the knitting yarn can be cut by a cutting device different from the cutter 46 between the second gripper 49 and the knitting needle 111 that holds the knitting yarn. As a cutting device different from the cutter 46, for example, a yarn end processing device 8 (see Figure 6) that is movable along the longitudinal direction of the needle bed 110 and processes the end yarn of the knitted fabric can be used. As the yarn end processing device 8, for example, the yarn end processing device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-34234 can be used. The yarn that is inserted becomes the end yarn extending from the knitted fabric. Such end yarns need to be dealt with by cutting them after the knitting of the fabric is completed, but by cutting the yarn close to the fabric when cutting it in the yarn insertion step, the processing of the end yarn after knitting can be omitted. In addition, the end yarn cut in the yarn insertion step hangs down inside the flat knitting machine 100 during the knitting of the fabric, so there is a risk of interference with drive parts such as the winding device. By cutting the yarn close to the fabric when cutting it in the yarn insertion step, the end yarn can be shortened, thereby reducing the risk of interference with drive parts. Note that in the yarn insertion step, after the knitting yarn is grasped by the second gripper 49, the operation of cutting the knitting yarn between the second gripper 49 and the knitting needle 111 that holds the knitting yarn with a cutting device other than the cutter 46, such as the end yarn processing device 8, is performed during the execution of the first grip change step S11.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the yarn-feeding step, as shown in Figure 14(b), the knitting yarn is cut by the cutter 46 between the first gripper 2A and the second gripper 49. However, the knitting yarn may also be cut by a cutting device different from the cutter 46 between the second gripper 49 and the knitting needles 111 that hold the knitting yarn in the needle bed 110. That is, in the yarn-feeding step, when the standby yarn is grasped by the first gripper 2A in the second grip-changing step of step S13, the knitting yarn is grasped by the first gripper 2A together with the standby yarn, and the knitting yarn is cut by the cutter 46 between the first gripper 2A and the second gripper 49, or the knitting yarn can be cut by a cutting device such as a yarn end processing device 8 different from the cutter 46 between the second gripper 49 and the knitting needles 111 that hold the knitting yarn. This makes it possible to omit the processing of yarn ends after knitting is completed, similar to the yarn-inserting step, and reduces the risk of yarn end interference with the drive part.

[0082] Furthermore, the operations shown in Figures 9 to 14 are just examples of operations involving yarn insertion and removal in conjunction with yarn gripping changes, and the operations are not limited to these. For example, in Figure 9(b), the knitting yarn of yarn feeder 120a and the standby yarns of yarn feeders 120b and 120c may be gripped and cut by the second gripper 49, and then yarn feeder 120a may be moved to the knitting position and held by the knitting needle 111.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a suction nozzle 5 is provided for sucking up the cut braided yarn. However, if other means are provided for removing the cut braided yarn, the suction nozzle 5 is not necessarily required.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the suction nozzle 5 utilizes the negative pressure generated when compressed air is discharged to create suction, but the suction method is not limited to this, and suction may be performed by any other method. Also, in this embodiment, the suction nozzle 5 is provided between the first gripper 2A and the cutter 46, but the position where the suction nozzle 5 is provided is not limited to this, and it may be, for example, on the needle bed side of the second gripper 49.

[0085] Furthermore, the configurations of the first gripper 2, the second gripper 49, and the cutter 46 are not limited to those of this embodiment and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in this embodiment, the second gripper 49 is configured to open and close in conjunction with the cutter 46, but this is not necessarily required. In this case, the waiting thread held by the second gripper 49 is cut by the cutter 46 after the first grip change step, but the waiting thread held by the first gripper 2 may be cut by the cutter 46 after the second grip change step.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second gripper 49 is provided with a spring portion 49c that imparts elastic force to the gripping portion 49a, but it is not necessary for the spring portion 49c to be provided.

[0087] Furthermore, although Figure 1 shows an example where the thread end processing mechanism 200 is positioned behind the needle bed 110, it may also be positioned in front of the needle bed 110. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 2 First Gripper 5. Suction nozzle 7. Second drive motor 46 cutters 49 Second Grippa 49a Gripping part 49c Spring section 100 flat knitting machine 110 Needle bed 111 knitting needles 120 Yarn Feeder 130 Control Unit

Claims

1. A first gripping change step involves moving a yarn feeder that supplies the waiting yarn, which is gripped by a first gripper located on the opposite side of the needle bed of a cutter capable of cutting knitting yarn including knitting yarn and waiting yarn, toward the needle bed side and gripping it with a second gripper located on the needle bed side of the cutter, A second gripping change step involves moving the yarn feeder that supplies the waiting yarn, which is gripped by the second gripper, to the opposite side of the needle bed and gripping it with the first gripper, A cutting step of cutting the waiting thread, which is held by at least the first gripper or the second gripper, with the cutter, A yarn feeding step comprising at least one of the following: moving the yarn feeder so that the knitting yarn to be fed, which is gripped by the first gripper, is in a position where it can be picked up by knitting needles arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the needle bed, and after gripping the knitting yarn with at least the second gripper or holding it with the knitting needles, releasing the grip of the knitting yarn by the first gripper or cutting the knitting yarn to separate it from the first gripper; or moving the knitting yarn to be fed out to a position where it can be gripped by the first gripper, gripping it with the first gripper, and then cutting the knitting yarn; Equipped with, How to change the grip on the knitting yarn.

2. In the aforementioned thread-out step, In the second gripping change step, when the waiting yarn is grasped by the first gripper, the knitting yarn is grasped together with the waiting yarn by the first gripper. Between the first gripper and the second gripper, the knitted yarn is cut by the cutter. The method for changing the grip of knitting yarn according to claim 1.

3. In the aforementioned thread-out step, In the second gripping change step, when the waiting yarn is grasped by the first gripper, the knitting yarn is grasped together with the waiting yarn by the first gripper. Between the second gripper and the knitting needle that holds the knitting yarn, the knitting yarn is cut with a cutting device different from the cutter. The method for changing the grip of knitting yarn according to claim 1.

4. In the aforementioned thread insertion step, During the execution of the first gripping change step, after gripping the knitting yarn with the second gripper, the knitting yarn is cut with the cutter between the first gripper and the second gripper. The method for changing the grip of knitting yarn according to claim 1.

5. In the aforementioned thread insertion step, During the execution of the first gripping change step, after gripping the knitting yarn with the second gripper, the knitting yarn is cut between the second gripper and the knitting needle holding the knitting yarn with a cutting device different from the cutter. The method for changing the grip of knitting yarn according to claim 1.

6. The device includes a suction step in which the cut braided yarn is sucked up with a suction nozzle. A method for changing the grip of knitting yarn according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A needle bed in which knitting needles are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction, A cutter provided on the side of the needle bed, capable of cutting knitting yarn including knitting yarn and waiting yarn, A first gripper is provided on the opposite side of the needle bed of the cutter and capable of gripping the knitting yarn, A second gripper is provided on the needle bed side of the cutter and is capable of gripping the knitting yarn, A control unit that controls the operation of the cutter, the first gripper, and the second gripper, It is equipped with, The control unit, By controlling the operation of the cutter, the first gripper, and the second gripper, The yarn feeder that supplies the waiting yarn, which is gripped by the first gripper, can be moved toward the needle bed and gripped by the second gripper. The yarn feeder that supplies the waiting yarn, which is gripped by the second gripper, can be moved to the opposite side of the needle bed and gripped by the first gripper. The waiting thread, which is held by at least the first gripper or the second gripper, can be cut by the cutter. The yarn feeder is moved so that the yarn to be fed, which is gripped by the first gripper, is in a position where it can be picked up by the knitting needle, and the yarn to be fed is gripped by at least the second gripper or held by the knitting needle, and then the grip of the yarn by the first gripper is released or the yarn to be cut off from the first gripper, or the yarn to be fed is moved to a position where it can be gripped by the first gripper, and then the yarn to be fed is gripped by the first gripper, and then the yarn to be fed is cut, and at least one of these steps can be performed. Flat knitting machine.

8. The aforementioned second gripper is The opening and closing mechanism allows for switching between gripping and releasing the knitting thread. The cutter and the cutter share a common drive source, and the cutter opens and closes in sync with the cutter's opening and closing operation. The flat knitting machine according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned second gripper is Before the cutter closes and cuts the braided yarn, a gripping portion formed to grip the braided yarn is provided, A spring portion that applies elastic force in the direction that the second gripper closes while the braided yarn interferes with the gripping portion, Equipped with, A flat knitting machine according to claim 7 or claim 8.

Images