Circular Knitting Machine Movable Cam Needle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular knitting machines are inflexible and inefficient, as they require a large number of fixed cams and selection devices to control needle movement, limiting the variety of knitting patterns and increasing the number of elements that need to be moved during the knitting process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of movable cams that can be individually controlled to define different paths for needle elements, allowing for the optimization of needle movement and the use of multiple yarns at various positions, enabling the creation of diverse knitting patterns with a reduced number of moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed cams and selection devices are used to control needle movement, then the knitting machine can operate, but the machine becomes inflexible and limited in knitting pattern variety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed cams with movable cams that can be individually positioned. Each cam can be moved to different locations around the needle cylinder, allowing the same physical cam to control different needles at different times. This dynamic repositioning capability provides pattern versatility without requiring a large number of fixed cams, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing cams that can serve multiple functions through repositioning. A single cam can control multiple different needles by being moved to different positions, and the same cam can be used for different knitting operations at different times. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of cams needed while increasing the variety of knitting patterns achievable.
2Productivity
If a large number of fixed cams are used to control each needle element, then complete control is achieved, but the number of elements that need to be moved increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of movable elements by making cams universal through repositioning. Instead of having separate fixed cams for each needle, a smaller set of reusable cams can be moved to control different needles as needed. This reduces the total number of cam elements that must be manufactured and maintained, while still providing complete control over all needle elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic repositioning of cams allows the system to achieve complete needle control with fewer physical cam elements. By moving cams to different positions around the needle cylinder, the system can control any needle at any time, eliminating the need for a one-to-one fixed cam-to-needle mapping and reducing overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable cams are introduced to define different needle paths, then knitting pattern flexibility increases, but the complexity of cam positioning and control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cam control system into individually positionable units. Each cam can be independently moved to specific positions, allowing precise control over which needles are activated and how they are controlled. This segmented approach to cam positioning manages complexity by making the control system modular and manageable through discrete, independently controllable elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A circular knitting machine and a method for knitting an article with such a circular knitting machine, wherein the article is at least partially knitting by a reciprocating rotational movement of a needle cylinder in a forward direction and a backward direction. Needle elements are either being moved in axial direction of the needle cylinder by a stationary cam means according to a predetermined path of a stationary cam means or being moved in axial direction of the needle cylinder by a movable cam according to an amended path or being disengaged from the cam means and movable cam. The movement of each needle element near each movable cam can be individually controlled.