Knitting Machine Needle With Actuated Flexible Lamina
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knitting machine needles struggle with efficiently transferring stitches between adjacent needles, particularly in high-fineness machines, due to limitations in actuating elastically flexible portions and excessive stress on stitches and needle components.
Innovation Solution
A needle design with elastically flexible laminas that can be actuated independently of machine elements, featuring a shank, latch, and actuation regions to control the position of these laminas, allowing for reduced stress and versatile operation, enabling the transfer of stitches to adjacent needles with reduced thickness for high-fineness machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elastically flexible portions are actuated solely by elastic reaction, then the needle structure remains simple, but the actuation possibilities are limited and excessive stress is applied to the stitch and needle components
Solution Approach 1:
The needle employs dynamic actuation mechanisms that allow the elastically flexible portions to transition between active and inactive positions through controlled forces. The actuation means can apply forces to maintain portions in inactive position or release them to become active, enabling versatile stitch transfer operations without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and position parameters of the elastically flexible portions by applying controlled forces. The actuation means modifies the force parameters applied to the portions, allowing transitions between states (active/inactive) and controlling the degree of flexing to reduce stress on stitches and components
2Adaptability or versatility
If the needle thickness is reduced for high-fineness machines, then the needle can be used in machines with more than 12 needles per inch, but the structural strength and stress resistance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The needle incorporates elastically flexible portions that can be made as thin films or flexible elements. These portions are designed to flex elastically between active and inactive positions, providing the necessary functionality for high-fineness machines while maintaining adequate strength through elastic properties rather than thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation means applies controlled forces beforehand to maintain the elastically flexible portions in inactive positions during critical phases of operation. This cushioning effect prevents excessive stress from developing on the thin needle components, protecting them from damage while enabling use in high-fineness machines
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 needle design enhances the reliability and versatility of stitch transfer, reduces stress on stitches and needle components, and allows for use in machines with more than 12 needles per inch, improving the quality and finish of knitted items.
Implementation Method 1
The transition of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina from the inactive position to the active position, in this type of needle, is obtained simply by means of the elastic reaction of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A needle for transferring stitches from said needle to adjacent needles for knitting machines for hosiery or the like, the needle (1) comprising a shank (2), a hooked head (3) that is arranged at a longitudinal or upper end of the shank (2), and a latch (4), pivoted to the shank (2) proximate to the head (3), for rotation in order to open or close the head (3), the needle (1) comprising at least one lamina (6a, 6b) connected to the shank (2) and having a portion (8a, 8b) elastically flexible from an inactive position to an active position; in the active position, this portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) widens the loop (9) of knitting fitted onto the shank (2) at the elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina, and the head (3) of an adjacent needle (Ia, Ib) can be inserted in the space comprised between the portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b), in the active position, and the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of the shank (2), to pick up the loop (9) of knitting, the lamina (6a, 6b) has at least one actuation region (31 a, 31b) that can be engaged by an actuation means to transfer or keep its elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) in the inactive position or to transfer or keep its elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) in the active position.