Knitting Machine Retention Element for Loop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-gauge knitting machines without sinkers face issues with automatic resumption of knitting after yarn breakage and insufficient loop tensioning, leading to knitting errors and reduced production potential.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of knitting retention elements that can move between needles to retain loops and prevent them from being carried away during extraction, utilizing actuation cams and elastic means for coordinated motion with the needles, ensuring reliable loop formation and automatic resumption without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sinkers are removed from high-gauge knitting machines to reduce device complexity, then the machine can operate at higher needle density, but automatic resumption of knitting after yarn breakage is lost and loop tensioning becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A retention element is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle and the loop of knitting. This element mediates the retention function that was previously performed by sinkers, allowing the needle to release the loop at the appropriate moment while preventing premature release during yarn breakage. The retention element has a retention portion that engages with the loop and a retention cam surface that controls the timing of release.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element is designed to be movable relative to the needle, transitioning between a retention position where it holds the loop and a release position where it allows the loop to be formed. This dynamic behavior is controlled by the interaction between the retention cam surface and the actuation cam, enabling automatic resumption of knitting after yarn breakage without requiring the complex sinker mechanism.
2Device complexity
If sinkers are removed to simplify the machine structure, then device complexity is reduced, but loop tensioning during needle extraction becomes insufficient causing knitting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element serves as a mediator that provides controlled tensioning during needle extraction. The retention cam surface works in conjunction with the actuation cam to timing the release of the loop, ensuring that the loop is properly tensioned and positioned as the needle extracts. This prevents knitting errors that would otherwise occur due to insufficient tensioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element is positioned and configured in advance to engage with the loop of knitting before needle extraction begins. The retention cam surface is pre-configured to interact with the actuation cam at the appropriate moment during the extraction cycle, ensuring that tensioning is applied at the correct stage of the knitting process to maintain manufacturing precision.
3Productivity
If all needles are used for knitting to maximize productivity, then production potential is fully utilized, but without sinkers the loops cannot be reliably retained during extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element provides dynamic loop retention that is active during needle extraction and automatically releases at the appropriate moment. This allows all needles to be used for knitting simultaneously while maintaining reliable loop retention, as each needle's retention element independently controls its own loop without requiring the mechanical sinker system that would limit needle density.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element acts as an intermediary between the needle and the loop, providing reliable retention during extraction for all needles in the machine. The retention cam surface and actuation cam mechanism ensure that each loop is retained and released at the correct moment, enabling full utilization of all needles for knitting production.
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
Ensures correct knitting formation and automatic resumption even in cases of yarn breakage, allowing full utilization of the machine's production potential without the limitations imposed by the absence of sinkers.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means which exert an elastic action on the knitting retention element so as to maintain said knitting retention element in the first position and to oscillate said knitting retention element about said oscillation axis between the first and second positions
Implementation Method 2
actuation means comprising an actuation cam which can be engaged, in a region spaced from said oscillation axis, by the knitting retention element during the oscillation of the knitting retention element about said oscillation axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A knitting machine (101) with latch needles and without sinkers comprising, in at least some of the regions of the needle holder (102) comprised between two contiguous slots (103) which accommodate a corresponding needle (5), a knitting retention element (106) which has a portion (106a) which forms a stop shoulder (107) for the knitting; the knitting retention element (106) can move on command from a first position, in which it does not interfere with the knitting being formed, to a second position, in which it is inserted with the portion (106a) between two contiguous needles (5) in a region which faces the knitting forming plane (104), in order to retain the portion of knitting that lies between two contiguous needles (5), contrasting the entrainment of the knitting along the needles (5) during the extraction motion of the needles from the needle holder (102) to release, onto their shank (5b), the previously formed loop of knitting and/or to engage the yarn delivered at a feed or drop of the machine.