Knitting Machine Needle with Predetermined Breaking Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed knitting machines experience damage due to collisions between knitting machine needles and locks, particularly with long, slender needles, leading to errors in stitch formation and wear on the hook and tongue, which existing solutions fail to adequately mitigate.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a predetermined breaking section on the shaft of the knitting machine needle, located between the hook and the drive section, which is designed to separate under forces exceeding a certain threshold, reducing the likelihood of damage by allowing controlled breakage and relieving stress on the needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If long, slender knitting machine needles are used to increase needle length and reduce collisions, then the likelihood of collision damage decreases, but the needle becomes more susceptible to breaking under high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shaft is segmented into different sections with varying wall thicknesses. The first shaft section has a reduced wall thickness compared to the second shaft section, creating a predetermined breaking point that allows controlled fracture under excessive force while maintaining overall needle strength
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the needle shaft have different local qualities in terms of wall thickness and mechanical strength. The first shaft section has thinner walls and lower strength to serve as a sacrificial element, while the second shaft section has thicker walls and higher strength to maintain structural integrity
2Reliability
If the needle shaft is made stronger to prevent breaking, then needle reliability increases, but damage to needle beds and locks from collisions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The predetermined breaking point converts the harmful effect of excessive force into a beneficial controlled breakage. When collisions or operational errors generate forces exceeding the threshold, the first shaft section breaks in a controlled manner, protecting the needle bed and locks from damage while maintaining high needle reliability under normal operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The first shaft section with reduced wall thickness acts as a predetermined cushioning element that absorbs excessive forces before they can transmit to the needle bed and locks. This sacrificial section breaks under extreme conditions, preventing transmission of harmful forces to other components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a predetermined breaking point is introduced to protect against collisions, then damage to locking mechanisms is reduced, but needle strength and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shaft is divided into sections with different strength characteristics. The first shaft section has a predetermined breaking point with reduced wall thickness, while the second shaft section maintains full strength. This segmentation allows the weaker first section to break under excessive force, protecting the locking mechanisms without significantly compromising overall needle strength during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The breaking point is localized to a specific section of the shaft rather than uniformly weakening the entire needle. The first shaft section has locally reduced wall thickness at the predetermined breaking point, creating a controlled weak spot that protects locking mechanisms while the rest of the needle maintains its strength and reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a knitting machine needle (1) comprising at least the following features: • A hook (2) for forming stitches, which defines the shaft (3) in the longitudinal direction (z) of the shaft (3) and terminates in a hook point (4), and • A first drive section (33) following the hook (2) in the longitudinal direction (z) of the shaft (3). The knitting machine needle (1) is characterized by a predetermined breaking section (9) for separating the hook (2) from the first drive section (33). The predetermined breaking section (9) is formed by a section of the shaft (3) extending in the longitudinal direction (z). The predetermined breaking section (9) is located entirely within a first shaft section (10) that extends in the longitudinal direction (z) of the shaft (3) between the point (4) of the hook (2) and the first drive section (33). Furthermore, a knitting system (15) is claimed, comprising at least one knitting machine needle (1) with a predetermined breaking section (9).