Knitting Machine Loop Transfer Mechanism for Toe Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stocking machines face difficulties in effectively transferring loops from knitting needles to a toe stitching apparatus, leading to defective stockings due to precise adjustment requirements and inadequate loop transfer mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising transfer members and strip members that move relative to the needles to individually take loops from the knitting machine and attach them to the reed teeth of a toe stitching apparatus, utilizing a cam mechanism for radial and axial movements to ensure accurate loop transfer and stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transfer member takes the loop in a position between the needle hook and the latch, then the loop can be transferred, but very precise adjustment is required and any maladjustment causes the loop to ladder and the stocking to become defective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized transfer member with a cup-shaped structure that acts as an intermediary between the needle hook and the reed tooth. This transfer member includes a body portion and a protruding portion that cooperates with the needle hook to reliably engage and transfer the loop without requiring precise adjustment, thereby solving the contradiction between transfer reliability and adjustment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer member is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for stable positioning and a protruding portion for loop engagement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, reducing the overall adjustment complexity while maintaining reliable loop transfer
2Reliability
If a hook enters the loop from the side of the needle to take the loop, then the loop can be transferred, but the hook must collapse in the shape of a semicircle which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the loop engagement function from a complex collapsing hook mechanism and implements it through a simpler transfer member with a protruding portion that engages the loop from the front. This eliminates the need for the hook to collapse into a semicircle, reducing device complexity while maintaining transfer reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the hook enter the loop from the side and collapse, the transfer member engages the loop from the front using a protruding portion. This inverted approach simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the collapsing motion and asymmetric shape requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If a transfer member comprised by two parts is used, then partial transfer functionality is achieved, but the loops cannot be transferred to another reed tooth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the loop engagement function and the transfer function into a single integrated transfer member structure. The body portion and protruding portion work together as one unit to complete the loop transfer from the needle hook to the reed tooth, ensuring complete and reliable transfer functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
A transfer apparatus (100) for transferring a stocking (4) from a knitting machine to a stitching apparatus to close an open-end of the stocking (4) comprises strip and transfer members (2, 1) . The knitting machine includes a needle (3) having a hook (3b) for forming a loop (41) at the open-end of the stocking (4), and a latch (3a) that is pivotal upward or downward to move to or away from the hook (3b). The strip member (2) is movable axially upward and downward and radially towards and away from the needle (3), and is capable of contacting the loop (41) on the needle (3) to push the loop (41) toward or away from the hook (3b). The transfer member (1) is disposed horizontally above the strip member (2), is movable axially upward and downward and radially toward and away from the needle (3), and includes a tip region (112) for receiving the loop (41) from the hook (3b) when the strip member (2) pushes the loop (41) to the hook (3b).