Divided Half Pressers for Flat Knitting Machine Cam Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat knitting machines have limitations in knitting efficiency due to the configuration and length of half pressers in the cam system, which affect the reciprocating stroke and size of the carriage, hindering further enhancements in knitting speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The flat knitting machine is redesigned with divided half pressers and a retraction mechanism, allowing the selection pressers to switch between acting and non-acting states independently, and the raising butt raising cam is positioned to bring the branched point closer to the center line of the cam system, reducing the pitch between cam systems and enhancing the knitting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the half presser is made longer to ensure proper stitch cam clearance, then the reliability of stitch formation is improved, but the reciprocating stroke of the carriage increases and the carriage size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The half presser is divided into two separate pressers: a first half presser that acts on the selecting butt at the H position, and a second half presser that acts on the selecting butt at the A position. This segmentation allows each presser to be optimized independently, with the first presser positioned to ensure proper stitch cam clearance while the second presser handles the transfer operation, thereby reducing the overall reciprocating stroke requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the first half presser is made adjustable or variable during the knitting cycle. The first half presser can be positioned closer to the center line when not in use and moved into position when needed, allowing dynamic optimization of the reciprocating stroke while maintaining reliability of stitch formation when required.
2Productivity
If the half presser is positioned closer to the center line to reduce reciprocating stroke, then the knitting efficiency is improved, but the selecting butt may not clear the stitch cam properly
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the half presser function into two separate pressers positioned at different locations, the first presser can be positioned optimally for stitch cam clearance while the second presser can be positioned closer to the center line for efficient reciprocating motion. This segmentation resolves the conflict between reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The selecting butt serves as an intermediary element that transmits the action from the first half presser (ensuring stitch cam clearance) to the knitting needle. The first presser acts on the selecting butt, which then controls the knitting needle position, allowing the first presser to be positioned optimally without directly interfering with the reciprocating stroke.
3Speed
If the carriage size is reduced to improve speed, then the knitting efficiency is enhanced, but the structural complexity of the cam system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam system is segmented into multiple specialized cams (first needle raising cam, second needle raising cam, stitch cam, first half presser, second half presser) each performing a specific function. This segmentation allows for a more compact overall arrangement while maintaining simplicity in each individual cam's function, enabling reduced carriage size without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The selecting butt serves multiple functions: it is acted upon by the first half presser to control stitch cam clearance, acted upon by the second half presser to control transfer operations, and transmits control to the knitting needle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate control mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the compact design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(E)
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a flat knitting machine capable of further enhancing knitting efficiency than the related art. Half pressers (7, 8) are each divided into two, an outer side divided presser (7A, 8A) at a position away from a center line of a cam system (200) and an inner side divided presser (7B, 8B) at a position close to the center line, where each divided presser (7A, 7B, 8A, 8B) is configured to be switchable to an acting state (state of acting on selecting butt (31)) and a non-acting state (state of not acting on selecting butt (31)) independent from each other. When the outer side divided presser (7A) is in the non-acting state, a position where the selecting butt (31) is sunk into the needle groove by the inner side divided presser (7B) is shifted towards the center line of the cam system (200).