Tubular Knitted Fabric Toe Partitioning Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing knitting methods for tubular knitted fabrics, such as socks, fail to form a partitioning section that reaches the distal end of the toe portion, leading to discomfort when worn as the adjoining toes touch.

Innovation Solution

A knitting method using a flat knitting machine with front and back needle beds, where stitches are transferred and formed into a base surface and second setup portions to create a partitioning section that extends from the base surface, allowing the partitioning section to reach the distal end of the toe portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the partitioning section is arranged inside the sock using conventional knitting methods, then the knitting can be completed in a seamless manner, but the partitioning section cannot reach the distal end of the toe portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartitioning section extension lengthVSAvoidcoupling satisfaction at toe closure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention forms a base surface and second setup portion in advance before knitting the main body section, allowing the partitioning section to be pre-positioned and extended to the distal end of the toe portion. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the toe portion is closed, the partitioning section is already in place to prevent toe contact, resolving the contradiction between extension length and coupling satisfaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the partitioning section does not reach the distal end of the toe portion, then the knitting process is simpler, but the ends of adjoining toes touch each other causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknitting process simplicityVSAvoidtoe contact discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base surface and second setup portion are formed preliminarily to establish the partitioning section's position before the main knitting process. This allows the partitioning section to extend to the distal end of the toe portion, preventing toe contact discomfort while maintaining knitting process simplicity through systematic procedure organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the partitioning section is formed to reach the distal end of the toe portion, then toe contact is prevented, but the knitting process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoe contact preventionVSAvoidknitting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The knitting process is segmented into distinct phases: forming the base surface, creating the second setup portion with pick up stitches, knitting the main body section, and closing the toe portion. This segmentation allows the partitioning section to extend to the distal end while managing process complexity through systematic organization of operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base surface and second setup portion are formed in advance to pre-position the partitioning section. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by establishing the partitioning structure before main body knitting, reducing the complexity of coordinating partitioning section formation with toe closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2518198B1Knitting method of tubular knitted fabric, and tubular knitted fabric
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 SHIMA SEIKI MFG LTD
  • EP2518198B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP2518198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2518198B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(D)

AI summary

Provided is a knitting method of a tubular knitted fabric capable of forming a partitioning section up to a distal end of a closed tubular knitted fabric. A plurality of stitches are formed on a front needle bed (FB) and a back needle bed (BB), and a first setup portion (1A) comprising such stitches is formed. A base surface (1) in which outer peripheral sides are all held on the front and back needle beds is formed with the first setup portion (1A) (position of side ab) as a starting line, and a second setup portion (3A) comprising a plurality of pick up stitches connecting to a plane of the base surface (1) is formed. A partitioning section is knitted following the second setup portion (3A) (position of side ef) while knitting a main body section (2) following the outer peripheral sides abdc of the base surface (1).