Circular Knitting Machine Dial Sinker Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circular knitting machines face difficulties in casting off stitches, particularly when using needles on the dial with synthetic elastomeric yarns like Lycra or Elastane, resulting in defects, and existing technologies do not effectively facilitate stitch transfer between dial and cylinder needles.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of auxiliary sinkers associated with dial needles, capable of oscillating vertically, interact with the hook of the needle during stitch formation and casting, positioned alongside or between needle grooves, to facilitate smooth stitch casting and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If needles on the dial create stitches separately from needles of the cylinder, then knitting flexibility is improved, but stitch casting reliability deteriorates when using synthetic elastomeric yarns
Solution Approach 1:
A sinker is introduced as an intermediary element between the dial needle and the stitch being cast off. The sinker interacts with the hook of the dial needle during stitch formation and casting, providing mechanical assistance that ensures reliable stitch release. This intermediary component bridges the gap between the separate knitting actions of dial and cylinder needles, making stitch casting reliable even when using challenging yarns like synthetic elastomeric fibers.
2Reliability
If auxiliary elements are added to dial needles, then stitch casting reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sinker is merged with the existing dial needle structure by positioning it alongside the needle in the same radial guide groove. This integration approach allows the auxiliary element to be added without requiring completely separate structural components. The sinker and needle work together as a combined unit within the existing machine architecture, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while achieving improved stitch casting reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If sinkers are positioned alongside needles in guide grooves, then stitch transfer precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sinker is designed with multi-functionality to justify its addition. It serves multiple purposes: guiding the yarn during stitch formation, interacting with the needle hook to control stitch release, and facilitating precise stitch transfer between dial and cylinder needles. This universal component performs several critical functions simultaneously, making the increased manufacturing complexity worthwhile by achieving precise and reliable stitch transfer.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a circular knitting machine for hosiery and/or knitwear comprising a rotating cylinder with a plurality of needles disposed and movable vertically, and a dial subject to rotation together with said cylinder around a vertical axis and carrying a series of needles placed horizontally and moveable in radial grooves. Each of at least one part of the needles (12) on the dial is associated with a sinker (13) controlled and designed to interact with the respective horizontal needle during the formation and slipping of each stitch, when the needles on the dial are working independently from the cylinder needles.