Interchangeable Knitting Needle Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interchangeable circular knitting needle systems often experience disconnection issues due to movement and vibrations, leading to snagged or fallen stitches.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a deformable plug and receptacle, along with a disconnecting tool, ensures a reliable and consistent connection between the knitting needle and flexible cable, utilizing an interference fit and removal apertures for secure engagement and easy disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connectors are used to join knitting needles to flexible cables, then the connection may become partially or fully disconnected during knitting due to movement and vibrations, but a more secure connection mechanism would require a more complex connector design
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into two separate members: a plug attached to the knitting needle and a receptacle attached to the flexible cable. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining a simple overall structure that prevents disconnection during knitting movements
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is inserted into the receptacle, with the smaller plug component nested within the larger receptacle component. This nested configuration creates a secure fit that prevents disconnection while maintaining simplicity, as the plug essentially becomes part of the receptacle assembly during use
2Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is implemented to prevent disconnection, then connection reliability improves, but the ease of assembly and disassembly may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly includes pre-formed plug and receptacle components that are designed to fit together without requiring additional fastening steps. The interference fit geometry is predetermined during manufacturing, allowing users to simply insert and push the components together to achieve a secure connection, eliminating the need for threading or tightening operations
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring active fastening actions (such as threading or clamping) to secure the connection, the design uses a passive interference fit where the plug's geometry naturally prevents removal once inserted. The security of connection is achieved through the shape complementarity rather than through active locking mechanisms, inverting the traditional approach to secure fastening
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
The solution provides a reliable and consistent connection, preventing stitch loss and snagging, while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, enhancing knitting efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The plug is deformable to allow insertion into such a receptacle and to establish an interference fit engagement
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable circular knitting needle system with improved reliability and consistency having at least one knitting needle, at least one flexible cable, and a connector assembly to join the needle to the cable. The connector assembly is composed of two members, a plug and a receptacle. The plug may be inserted snugly into the receptacle to ensure a reliable physical connection. An interchangeable circular knitting needle kit is composed of the interchangeable circular knitting needle described above as well as a disconnecting tool for assisting in disconnecting the connector assembly members.