Method for knitting conductive fabric

Abstract

To provide a formation method of an electroconductive knit having a good conductivity.SOLUTION: A flat-knitting machine 1 has a needle bed 10 having a plurality of knitting needles 12 and a yarn feeder 30 that is fitted to a rail 20 in parallel with lengthwise direction of the needle bed 10, travels along the rail 20 and feeds knitting yarn to a tooth port of the needle bed 10. In a formation method of an electroconductive knit, a knit is formed while a nonconductive first knitting yarn 5 and a conductive second knitting yarn 7 obtained by plating a surface of a nylon yarn with copper are fed together in the tooth port through the yarn feeder 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric, which can impart electrical conductivity and antibacterial properties to a knitted fabric knitted by single knitting. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some flat knitting machines equipped with a needle bed on which multiple knitting needles are arranged are provided with a yarn feeder that is attached to a rail, moves along the rail, and supplies knitting yarn to the knitting needles on the needle bed. When knitting a fabric with such a flat knitting machine, there is a knitting method in which a double knitting system is provided with two yarn feeders, a first and a second, and the first and second yarn feeders are used as leading and trailing yarn feeders to supply yarn to the yarn feeder, in which the outer fabric is knitted with the knitting yarn supplied through the first feeder and the lining fabric is knitted with the knitting yarn supplied through the second feeder (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this knitting method, the knitting yarn supplied from the first supply port is a non-conductive knitting yarn such as cotton yarn, and the knitting yarn supplied from the second supply port is a conductive knitting yarn. This makes it possible to make the outer fabric a non-conductive knitted fabric and the inner fabric a conductive knitted fabric, thereby giving the knitted fabric conductivity along with the texture of conventional knitted fabrics. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-266047 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional knitting method, a knitted fabric is knitted with a non-conductive outer fabric and a conductive lining. However, since only the lining is conductive, the outer fabric is not conductive, and there is a problem that good conductive performance cannot be obtained as a whole knitted fabric.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric having good conductivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the problems described above, and can be realized as the following application examples. Note that the reference symbols and supplementary explanations in parentheses in this section indicate the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0008] [Application example 1] The invention described in Application Example 1 is a knitting machine that is attached to a needle bed (10) having a plurality of knitting needles (12) and a rail (20) that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the needle bed (10), and is knitted along the rail (20). round trip In a knitting machine (1) having a yarn feeder (30) that travels and feeds knitting yarn to the needle gap of the needle bed (10), The yarn feeder (30) In A non-conductive first knitting yarn (5) and a conductive second knitting yarn (7) a yarn feeder (32a) having a hole for feeding both the first knitting yarn (5) and the second knitting yarn (7) introduced by the yarn feeder (31b) to the yarn feeder (32a) at a predetermined distance from the yarn feeder (32a) The method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric includes knitting a fabric while feeding yarn into the yarn gap.

[0009] In such a method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric, the yarn feeder (30) travels back and forth along the rail (20) with the first knitting yarn (5) and the second knitting yarn (7) being fed to the needle gap of the needle bed (10) together. Then, when reversing from the forward path to the return path, a twist occurs in the first knitting yarn (5) and the second knitting yarn (7). Since this twist occurs non-uniformly, the first knitting yarn (5) and the second knitting yarn (7) are knitted in a non-uniform state.

[0010] Here, the first knitting yarn (5) is a non-conductive knitting yarn, and the second knitting yarn (7) is a conductive knitting yarn, so that the knitted fabric is a fabric in which the non-conductive knitting yarn and the conductive knitting yarn are knitted unevenly, and therefore the knitted fabric has good conductivity as a whole.

[0011] In addition, depending on the types of the first knitting yarn (5) and the second knitting yarn (7), it is possible to adjust the conductivity, texture, feel, etc. of the knitted fabric.

[0013] moreover, In such a method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric, the first knitting yarn (5) and the second knitting yarn (7) are both guided through a hole in the yarn guide port (31b) and supplied to the yarn feeder port (32a). At this time, since the yarn guide port (31b) and the yarn feeder port (32a) are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, when the yarn feeder (30) travels, the first knitting yarn (5) and the second knitting yarn (7) are more likely to be twisted unevenly between the yarn guide port (31b) and the yarn feeder port (32a). As a result, the knitted fabric will have non-conductive knitted fabric portions and conductive knitted fabric portions that are more unevenly distributed, resulting in a knitted fabric with good conductivity as a whole.

[0014] [Application Example 2 ] Application Examples 2 The method for knitting the conductive knitted fabric described in 1 to In the method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric described above, the second knitting yarn (7) is a conductive knitting yarn containing copper.

[0015] In such a method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric, a conductive knitting yarn containing copper is used as the second knitting yarn (7), so that a good conductive back can be obtained and further, a knitted fabric having antibacterial properties can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a flat knitting machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a yarn feeder. [Diagram 3] A photograph of an actual knitted sock is shown below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various forms may be adopted as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0018] (Configuration of flat knitting machine) The configuration of a flat knitting machine 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram (front view) showing a schematic configuration of the flat knitting machine 1.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the flat knitting machine 1 includes a pair of needle beds 10, a rail 20, a yarn feeder 30, and a carriage 40. In this embodiment, the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 are collectively referred to as knitting yarns 5, 7, or the twisted yarns are also referred to as knitting yarns 5, 7.

[0020] The needle bed 10 is provided with a plurality of knitting needles 12 arranged in parallel. The knitting needles 12 are driven by a cam system (not shown) mounted on a carriage 40 that reciprocates above the needle bed 10. The rail 20 is a round bar-shaped member made of a metal such as stainless steel that is suspended parallel to the longitudinal direction of the needle bed 10 between a pair of frames 21, 22 attached to both ends of the flat knitting machine 1.

[0021] The yarn feeder 30 runs back and forth along the rail 20 in the longitudinal direction of the flat knitting machine 1, and supplies knitting yarns 5, 7 to the needle gap formed between the needle beds 10. By moving (running) integrally with the carriage 40 of the rail 20, a knitted fabric is knitted with the knitting yarns 5, 7 supplied from the yarn feeder 30.

[0022] In addition, the yarn feeder 30 is supplied with a first knitting yarn 5 and a second knitting yarn 7 to which appropriate tension has been applied via a top spring device 50 and a tension device not shown from a knitting yarn supply section (cone) not shown located above the flat knitting machine 1.

[0023] The carriage 40 incorporates a cam mechanism called a lock (not shown). The lock is actuated by reciprocating over the needle bed 10 together with the yarn feeder 30, and moves the knitting needle 12 up and down, guiding the knitting yarns 5, 7 supplied by the yarn feeder 30 to the needle hooks of the knitting needles 12.

[0024] (Yarn feeder configuration) Next, the configuration of the yarn feeder 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the yarn feeder.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the yarn feeder 30 includes a base portion 31 and an extension portion 32. The base 31 is a long metal member extending vertically from the position of the rail 20, and is equipped with rollers 31a that radially clamp the round bar-shaped rail 20. These rollers 31a support the entire yarn feeder 30 against the rail 20 and allow the yarn feeder 30 to run longitudinally on the rail 20.

[0026] In addition, the upper end of the base 31 is provided with a yarn guide port 31b that simultaneously introduces the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 supplied from a cone not shown, and supplies them as knitting yarns 5, 7 to a yarn feeder port 32a described later.

[0027] The extension portion 32 is a member fixed to the base portion 31 in a form that extends further downward from the base portion 31, and is provided at its lower end with a yarn feed port 32a for guiding the knitting yarns 5, 7 supplied from the yarn guide port 31b to the knitting hole.

[0028] In this way, the upper end of the base 31 is provided with a yarn guide port 31b that simultaneously introduces the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn, and the lower end of the extension portion 32 is provided with a yarn feed port 32a that introduces the knitting yarn 5, 7, which is a combination of the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7, to the needle opening. In other words, since the yarn guide port 31b and the yarn feed port 32a are separated by a predetermined distance (about 2 cm in this embodiment), the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 are unevenly twisted between the yarn guide port 31b and the yarn feed port 32a.

[0029] (Other configurations) In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the flat knitting machine 1 is equipped with a drive mechanism for driving the yarn feeder 30, a power source for supplying power to the drive mechanism, a tension sensor and a tension adjuster for adjusting the tension of the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7, and a control device for controlling these and controlling the knitting state. Since all of these have the same configurations and functions as conventional devices, their explanations will be omitted.

[0030] (knitting yarn) Next, a description will be given of the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7. The first knitting yarn 5 is a non-conductive knitting yarn, and may be selected from cotton yarn, wool yarn, etc. depending on the knitted article 3 to be knitted, such as gloves or socks.

[0031] The second knitting yarn 7 is a conductive knitting yarn containing copper. Specifically, the knitting yarn is made of copper coated with a conductive resin.

[0032] (Formation operation) An operation of the flatbed knitting machine 1 having the above-mentioned configuration when knitting the knitted fabric 3 using the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 will be described.

[0033] A cone for the first knitting yarn 5 and a cone for the second knitting yarn 7 are attached to a knitting yarn supplying section (not shown) of the flat knitting machine 1, and the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 are inserted together into the yarn guide port 31b of the base portion 31 of the yarn feeder 30. Furthermore, the knitting yarns 5 and 7 pulled out from the yarn guide port 31b are both inserted into the yarn feeder port 32a. In this state, when the yarn feeder 30 travels back and forth on the rail 20, a fabric is knitted by the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7.

[0034] At this time, as described above, the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 are introduced into the yarn guide port 31b of the yarn feeder 30, and the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 are combined and supplied to the yarn feeder port 32a. In this state, the yarn feeder 30 travels on the rail 20, so that the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 are twisted unevenly between the yarn guide port 31b and the yarn feeder port 32a. In particular, when the yarn feeder 30 travels on the rail 20 and the traveling direction is switched between the forward and backward directions, a twist occurs in the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 at the yarn feeder 32a.

[0035] In this way, the first knitting yarn 5 and the second knitting yarn 7 are twisted while the yarn feeder 30 is moving back and forth to knit the knitted fabric 3, so that the conductive second knitting yarn 7 is arranged unevenly from the back stitch to the front surface of the knitted fabric.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows photographs of a sock knitted by the knitting method of this embodiment. Fig. 3(a) is a photograph of the entire sock, and Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged photograph of the knitted fabric of the sock (an enlarged photograph of the portion indicated by "A" in Fig. 3(a)).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3(a), it can be seen that the sock 3 is formed and knitted with black and white knitted fabric portions. The black portions are non-conductive knitted fabric portions knitted with the first knitting yarn 5, and the white portions are knitted with the second knitting yarn 7, which is conductive knitting yarn.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3(b), which is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3(a), it can be seen that the black knitted portion and the white knitted portion are knitted unevenly. In other words, it can be seen that the non-conductive portion and the conductive portion are knitted unevenly.

[0039] In this way, the conductive second knitting yarn 7 is unevenly arranged from the back surface to the front surface of the knitted fabric, so that the knitted fabric 3 has good conductivity. In addition, since the copper component of the second knitting yarn 7 has antibacterial and deodorizing properties, the knitted fabric 3 also has antibacterial and deodorizing properties.

[0040] [Other embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, as the second knitting yarn 7 having electrical conductivity, knitting yarn having a nylon yarn surface plated with copper or knitting yarn having copper powder mixed with conductive resin and formed into a thread shape may be used instead of knitting yarn made of copper yarn coated with conductive resin.

[0041] (2) In the above embodiment, copper was used as the metal for obtaining conductivity for the second knitting yarn, but a knitted fabric 3 having conductivity, antibacterial properties, and deodorizing properties can also be knitted by using metals other than copper, such as silver or gold.

[0042] (3) In the above embodiment, the yarn guide port 31b and the yarn feed port 32a are spaced apart by approximately 2 cm, but this distance may be changed depending on the types of first knitting yarn 5 and second knitting yarn 7 used and the conductivity to be imparted to the knitted fabric 3 to be knitted.

[0043] (4) In the above embodiment, the knitting machine was described as a flat knitting machine. However, a similarly conductive knitted fabric can also be knitted using a circular knitting machine in which the needle bed 10 is formed in a circular shape, i.e., the knitting needles 12 are arranged on a circumference.

[0044] (5) In the above embodiment, one yarn feeder 30 runs on the rail 20, but multiple yarn feeders 30 may run on the rail. In this way, multiple layers of fabric (a front fabric and a back fabric when two yarn feeders are used) can be knitted, and each layer can have a non-uniform conductive fabric portion, so that a knitted fabric with good conductivity can be knitted even if it is multi-layered. * If you have any other implementations, please let us know. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... flat knitting machine 3... knitted fabric (socks) 5... first knitting yarn 7... second knitting yarn 10... needle bed 12... knitting needle 20... rail 21, 22... frame 30... yarn feeder 31... base 31a... roller 31b... yarn guide port 32... extension section 32a... yarn feed port 40... carriage 50... top spring device.

Claims

1. A knitting machine including a needle bed having a plurality of knitting needles, and a yarn feeder attached to a rail parallel to a longitudinal direction of the needle bed, reciprocating along the rail, and feeding a knitting yarn to a needle gap of the needle bed, A method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric, comprising the steps of: guiding a first non-conductive knitting yarn and a second conductive knitting yarn, which are supplied separately from the yarn feeder, to a yarn guide port that introduces the first non-conductive knitting yarn and the second conductive knitting yarn into a single hole; and knitting the fabric while feeding the first knitting yarn and the second knitting yarn guided by the yarn guide port to the yarn feed port from a yarn feed port that is positioned a predetermined distance from the yarn guide port and has a hole that feeds both the first knitting yarn and the second knitting yarn guided by the yarn guide port to the yarn feed port.

2. The method for knitting a conductive knitted fabric according to claim 1, A method for knitting a conductive fabric, wherein the second knitting yarn is a conductive knitting yarn containing copper.

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