Double-Headed Knitting Needle Hook Closure Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In purl-purl knitting machines, double-headed latch needles are prone to mechanical damage due to sensitivity to forces and moments, leading to reduced productivity and reliability, especially when threads break or during the process of opening tongues for new yarn insertion.

Innovation Solution

A machine knitting needle with a hook closing element that can selectively close both hooks' inner areas, allowing independent movement relative to the needle body, eliminating the need for separate closing elements for each hook and simplifying the stitch formation process by using a single hook closing element that can be actuated independently of stitch or thread movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate closing elements are used for each hook, then each hook can be closed independently, but the device complexity and sensitivity to forces increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehook closure reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of closing elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate closing elements into a single closing element that can service both hooks. This single closing element is positioned on the needle body and can move to close either the first hook or the second hook, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining the functional capability of closing both hooks independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single closing element is designed to perform multiple functions: it can close the first hook, close the second hook, and be positioned in between the two hooks. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate closing elements for each hook, simplifying the overall structure while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the latch is actuated by stitches during knitting, then the latch can change position dynamically, but the latch becomes sensitive to forces and moments causing mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic latch actuationVSAvoidlatch mechanical durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a closing element that actively prevents harmful forces from damaging the latch. By positioning the closing element between the latch and the hook interior, it absorbs or blocks the harmful forces and moments that would otherwise be transmitted to the latch during thread breaking or yarn insertion operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The closing element serves as a protective barrier that cushions the latch against mechanical damage before harmful forces can reach it. During operations such as thread breaking or when opening the tongue for new yarn insertion, the closing element is already in position to absorb shocks and prevent the latch from colliding with yarn guides or other machine parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the hook closing element moves relative to the needle body, then it can selectively close both hooks, but the positioning accuracy may be affected by stitch or thread movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective hook closureVSAvoidhook closure accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the motion control of the closing element from the stitch formation process. The closing element is designed to move independently relative to the needle body along a defined path, allowing it to selectively position itself to close either hook without being directly influenced by stitch or thread movements. This independent motion control maintains positioning accuracy while enabling selective closure of both hooks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3012363B1Machine knitting needle, arrangement for stitch formation, and use of this arrangement in a process on a knitting machine

Publication Date: 2017.04.05 GROZ BECKERT KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a machine knitting needle (10), an arrangement (53) comprising such a machine knitting needle (10) and two actuating units (54, 55), and a method for using such an arrangement (53) or a machine knitting needle (10) in a knitting machine with a first needle bed (16) and a second needle bed (17). The machine knitting needle (10) has a needle body (11) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), which has a hook (26, 29) at each end. A hook-closing element (12) is movably mounted on the needle body (11) and, in particular, is displaceably mounted in the longitudinal direction (L). The hook-closing element (12) can be brought into a first closing position (S1) to contact one hook (26) and into another, second closing position (S2) to contact the other hook (29). The closing element (12) is actuated by a closing actuating element (57) or (59) of an actuating unit (54) or(55) of the arrangement (53) moves in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the needle bed (16) or (17) and/or relative to the needle body (11). The relative position of the hook closure element (12) is unaffected by the relative movement between a stitch (M) and the machine knitting needle (10).