Interchangeable Knitting Needle Secure Connection via Torque Key
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interchangeable knitting needles with smaller diameters or lengths are difficult to secure to cables due to challenges in gripping and applying sufficient force for a stable connection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a needle grip aperture and key member design that enhances grip and torque application, allowing for improved securement of needle members to cable connectors through threaded connections, even for smaller sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable needle members with smaller diameters are used, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in gripping and applying sufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
A key member is introduced as an intermediary tool to transfer torque from the user's hand to the needle member. The key member includes a key body that fits into a key aperture in the needle member, allowing the user to grip the larger key member rather than the small needle member directly, thereby solving the gripping difficulty for small-diameter needles
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable needle members with smaller diameters are used, then adaptability is improved, but connection stability worsens due to insufficient torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The key member acts as a torque multiplication intermediary, enabling the user to apply sufficient rotational force to securely tighten the threaded connection between the needle member and cable connector, ensuring reliable and stable connections even for small-diameter needles that would be difficult to secure by hand
Solution Approach 2:
The key member features an enlarged key head with a curved or rounded top surface that provides a comfortable grip area and lever arm for the user to apply rotational force, improving the mechanical advantage and torque application capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If needle members are made smaller, then adaptability for different knitting projects is improved, but force application capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The key member serves as a force transmission intermediary, with its larger dimensions providing a better grip surface and longer lever arm for the user to apply rotational force. The key member transfers this applied force through its key body to the needle member, enabling sufficient torque application despite the needle member's small size
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the gripping interface to another dimension by introducing the key member as a separate tool that the user grips, rather than gripping the needle member directly. This dimensional separation allows the user to apply force to a larger object (the key member) that then transmits force to the smaller needle member
Data Source
AI summary
A needle member for use as a knitting needle and methods of making the same are disclosed. An example needle member may be formed of a metallic material and include a solid tip end and a connecting end opposite the tip end. The connecting end may have a threaded portion configured to be selectively secured to a flexible cable by rotating the needle member relative to the cable, and a solid body extending longitudinally from the solid tip end to the connecting end which defines a needle grip aperture. The needle grip aperture may be fixed within the solid body relative to the threaded portion of the connecting end. An interchangeable knitting needle set may be provided, which includes a plurality of needle members and different length cables for selectively connecting two of the needle members to create different knitting needles having different lengths or needle diameters.