Flatbed Knitting Compound Needle Linear Blade Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing compound needles in flatbed knitting machines experience increased sliding resistance and instability due to curved blades, which complicates the centering and opening/closing accuracy of the hook aperture.
Innovation Solution
A compound needle design featuring parallel blades with linear-shaped portions and contacting shoulder portions that maintain rigidity and reduce sliding resistance by allowing the blades to move without curvature, ensuring accurate hook aperture opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the blades are curved to provide bending portions for centering effect, then the opening and closing accuracy of the hook aperture is improved, but the sliding resistance is increased and the driving load is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two distinct functional portions: a linear-shaped portion for sliding within the blade groove and a shoulder portion for contacting the opposite blade. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without the compromises required by a fully curved design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the blade are given different geometric qualities: the lower portion has a linear shape for low-friction sliding, while the upper shoulder portion is designed to contact the opposite blade for centering. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between sliding efficiency and centering accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the blades are curved to provide bending portions, then the centering effect is achieved, but the rigidity of the blade is reduced and the final shape becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The blade structure is segmented into a rigid linear-shaped portion and a flexible shoulder portion. The linear portion maintains blade rigidity and structural stability, while the shoulder portion provides the necessary flexibility for centering contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear-shaped portion is designed with sufficient thickness and straight geometry to maintain high rigidity, while the shoulder portion is designed with contact surfaces that provide the needed flexibility for centering without compromising overall blade strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the blades are curved with complex bending shapes, then the centering effect is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the final shape stability becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The blade design segments the centering function into a separate shoulder portion distinct from the sliding portion. This allows the sliding portion to have a simple linear shape that is easy to manufacture, while the shoulder portion is specifically designed for centering contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear-shaped portion is designed with simple geometry for easy manufacturing and stable final shape, while the shoulder portion is designed with the specific contact surfaces needed for centering. This local differentiation simplifies manufacturing while maintaining centering functionality.
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
This design enhances the sliding stability and reduces resistance, maintaining positional accuracy and preventing lateral displacement, thereby improving the opening/closing accuracy of the hook aperture with a simpler structure.
Implementation Method 1
outside surfaces of the bending portions make slide contact with side wall surfaces of the blade groove so as to restrict the blades from expanding in the width direction
Implementation Method 2
when the contacting portions makes contact with an opening end of the hook, the contacting portions are separated into both sides of the hook
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(e)
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
[Problem to be solved] The present invention provides a compound needle for a flatbed knitting machine in which sliding resistance can be made small and opening/closing accuracy to an aperture of a hook by a tongue can be enhanced with a simple structure. [Solution] Tongues 1a, 2a have no bent and have linear shaped portions 1b, 2b provided at the rear side of the tongues 1a, 2a, so that the blades 1, 2 have stable finishing shapes and manufacturing thereof can be easily performed. Since lower portions of the blades 1, 2 are not bent in the blade groove, sliding resistance can be made small. Shoulder portions 1c, 2c which come out of the blade groove from rear portions of the tongues 1a, 2a are bent inward between the shoulder portions 1c, 2c opposed to each other such that front ends of the shoulder portions 1c, 2c make closer to and contact with each other so as to form contacting portions 1f, 2f, therefore, a centering effect can be obtained. A space generated between the tongues 1a, 2a is kept so that resistance when the hook 3a opens between the tongues 1a, 2a can be made small and opening/closing accuracy of the hook 3a can be enhanced.