Knitted Fabric Pull-Down Device With Segmented Guiding Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pull-down devices for knitted fabrics in flat knitting machines are large and cumbersome, making them difficult to install and requiring complex mechanisms for base section movement, which complicates the catching and pulling down process.

Innovation Solution

A pull-down device with a simplified configuration where the guiding plate is fixed to the base section, and an opening/closing mechanism allows the guiding plate to move between open and closed positions through deformation, eliminating the need for base section movement, and incorporating a catching/pull-down mechanism with a camshaft and pulley system for efficient fabric handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the base section is moved to open/close the guiding plate, then the guiding plate can be positioned correctly, but the device becomes large and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding plate positioningVSAvoidpull-down device size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding plate is divided into a fixed base section and a movable open/close section. The open/close section can be displaced independently between open and closed positions relative to the fixed base section, allowing the guiding plate to perform its function without moving the entire base section, thus reducing device size and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The open/close section of the guiding plate is designed to be dynamically displacable between open and closed positions. This dynamic component allows the guiding plate to adapt its configuration as needed while the main base section remains fixed, avoiding the need to move the entire heavy base section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the base section is moved to open/close the guiding plate, then the guiding plate can be positioned correctly, but the device becomes complex to install

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding plate positioningVSAvoidbase section movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding plate is segmented into fixed and movable parts. The open/close section can be displaced independently using a simple mechanism relative to the fixed base section, avoiding the need for complex base section movement mechanisms and simplifying installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Only the open/close section of the guiding plate is designed to be dynamically displacable, while the base section remains fixed. This reduces the complexity of the overall system by limiting dynamic elements to only where necessary, simplifying both installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the base section is moved to open/close the guiding plate, then the guiding plate can be positioned correctly, but the adjusting process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding plate positioningVSAvoidadjusting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding plate is segmented so that only the open/close section needs to be adjusted, not the entire base section. This reduces the adjusting process to moving a smaller component, significantly reducing the time required for positioning and setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic open/close section can be quickly displaced between positions without requiring time-consuming adjustment of the entire base section. This localized dynamic capability reduces adjusting time while maintaining the necessary positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution results in a smaller, lighter pull-down device that is easier to install and maintain, with reduced complexity in adjusting the catching mechanism, enhancing the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the flat knitting machine.

Implementation Method 1

an opening/closing mechanism for displacing at least a part of each guiding plate between a closed position which is proximate to the knitted fabric passing path and an open position which is further separated from the knitted fabric passing path than the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

a catching/pull-down mechanism for catching the knitted fabric drooped to a position facing the guiding plate and pulling down the knitted fabric toward a lower side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3098339B1Pull-down device for knitted fabric
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 SHIMA SEIKI MFG LTD
  • EP3098339B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3098339B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3098339B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

A pull-down device for a knitted fabric that has a simpler configuration than the conventional device and that can be easily installed with respect to the flat knitting machine is provided. A pull-down device 100 for a knitted fabric includes a pair of base sections 1, a guiding plate 2 arranged at a position facing a knitted fabric passing path 101 on an upper side of each base section 1, and a catching/pull-down mechanism 3 for catching the knitted fabric drooped to a position facing the guiding plate 2 and pulling down the knitted fabric toward a lower side. In the pull-down device 100 for the knitted fabric, the base section 1 is fixed to the flat knitting machine. The pull-down device 100 of the knitted fabric includes an opening/closing mechanism 4 for displacing at least a part of each guiding plate 2 between a closed position which is proximate to the knitted fabric passing path 101 and an open position which is further separated from the knitted fabric passing path 101 than the closed position.