Circular Knitting Drive Chain With Retracting Butt Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive chains in circular knitting machines suffer from low selection accuracy and are prone to butt damage due to contact with cams, leading to machine downtime and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A drive chain design with an oscillating lever and elastic joint configuration, where the first butt can retract into the groove to avoid contact with cams, maintaining selection accuracy and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed butt is used in the drive chain, then the structure is simple, but the selection accuracy is low and the butt is prone to damage from cam contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed butt into a movable butt that can oscillate between two positions: engaged with the cam for actuation and retracted into the groove for protection. This dynamic capability allows the butt to adapt its position based on operational needs, preventing damage while maintaining structural functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive chain is segmented into distinct functional components: the needle, the movable butt, the oscillating lever, and the groove. This segmentation allows the movable butt to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling it to retract for protection and engage for operation without affecting the entire drive chain structure.
2Measurement precision
If the oscillating lever length is increased to improve selection accuracy, then the linear movement increases, but the overall drive chain size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the oscillating lever length to achieve the minimum required length for adequate linear movement during needle selection. This ensures sufficient selection accuracy while preventing excessive lever length that would increase overall drive chain size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating lever is designed to provide just enough linear movement through its oscillation range to achieve accurate needle selection, avoiding excessive movement that would require a longer lever. The lever's oscillation amplitude is controlled to match the precise requirements of the selection mechanism.
3Productivity
If the movable butt remains engaged with the cam, then continuous actuation is possible, but the butt is prone to hitting and breaking the cam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a retracted position for the movable butt that prevents harmful contact with the cam before damage can occur. When the needle reaches the end of its travel or selection is complete, the butt automatically retracts into the groove, preventing it from hitting and breaking the cam while maintaining the ability to re-engage for continuous operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances selection accuracy, ensures safer operation, reduces machine downtime, and decreases maintenance costs by preventing butt damage.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion (9) configured to rotate with respect to a second portion (10) around a center of rotation coinciding with the rotation pivot of the oscillating lever (7), said first portion (9) being elastically coupled with said second portion (10)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A drive chain for stitch formation members of a circular knitting machine comprises an element (6) coupled or to be coupled with a stitch formation member, and an oscillating lever (7) connected to said element (6) on a junction area. The oscillating lever (7) is configured for interacting with selecting devices (23) so as to oscillate with respect to said element (6). Said element (6) comprises a first portion (9) carrying a first butt (18) and a second portion (10) configured for slidingly coupling with a bottom of a respective groove (5). Along a main direction of development of the drive chain (3), the junction area is placed between the stitch formation member and the first butt (18).