Circular Knitting Drive Chain With Retractable 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, 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 is embedded into the groove during interference, preventing contact with cams and maintaining selection accuracy without increasing the chain's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the oscillating lever length is increased to improve selection accuracy, then the linear movement of the selecting tooth increases, but the overall size of the drive chain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the pivot axis from a location that would require a long oscillating lever to a location near the groove bottom, effectively using the vertical dimension of the groove to achieve the necessary lever arm length without increasing the horizontal footprint of the drive chain. This dimensional reconfiguration allows high selection accuracy within a compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating lever is designed to dynamically oscillate between a retracted position (when not selected) and an engaged position (when selected by the piezoelectric device). This dynamic behavior allows the lever to achieve the necessary travel distance for accurate selection without requiring a permanently large structure, as the effective lever arm is only fully utilized during the brief selection moment.
2Ease of operation
If the fixed butt protrudes from the groove to engage with cams, then the drive chain can function properly, but the butt is prone to damage from interference with cams
Solution Approach 1:
The first butt is designed to be elastically deformable rather than rigidly fixed. During normal operation, it protrudes from the groove to engage with the cam and follow its path. However, if interference occurs, the butt can elastically deform and be pushed back into the groove, preventing damage. This dynamic response allows the system to maintain functionality while protecting against reliability failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic nature of the first butt provides beforehand cushioning against potential interference with the cam. Instead of a rigid connection that would transmit full impact forces and cause damage, the elastic material absorbs and dissipates interference forces by deforming, thereby cushioning the system against damage before it can occur.
3Measurement precision
If the oscillating lever is positioned closer to the stitch formation member to improve selection accuracy, then the linear movement increases, but the structural complexity of the drive chain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oscillating lever with the element incorporating the stitch formation member by positioning the pivot axis on the boundary between these two components. This integration allows the oscillating lever to be effectively part of the stitch formation member structure itself, achieving high selection accuracy without adding separate complex structural elements. The lever and stitch formation member become a unified functional assembly.
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, reduces butt damage, and increases machine reliability and productivity while minimizing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first portion (9) is elastically coupled with the second portion (10) so as to keep the first butt (18) in an operating position in which said first butt (18) protrudes from the groove (5) and to allow the first butt (18) to get back into the groove (5) in case of interference with one of the first actuating cams (25)
Data Source
AI summary
A drive chain for stitch formation members of a circular knitting machine includes an element coupled or to be coupled with a stitch formation member and an oscillating lever connected to said element on a junction area. The oscillating lever is configured for interacting with selecting devices so as to oscillate with respect to said element. The element comprises a first portion carrying a first butt and a second portion configured for slidingly coupling with a bottom of a respective groove. Along a main direction of development of the drive chain, the junction area is placed between the stitch formation member and the first butt.