Knitting Needle-Driven Sinker Mechanism for Simplified Cam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knitting systems require separate drives for both knitting needles and holding-down sinkers, which complicates the design and movement coordination, and are dependent on the sinker channel design for relative movement.
Innovation Solution
A driven connection between the knitting needle and the holding-down sinker is established, allowing the knitting needle to drive the sinker, eliminating the need for a separate sinker drive and simplifying the knitting cam assembly, with the sinker supported pivotably to generate transverse movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate drives are used for knitting needles and holding-down sinkers, then reliable independent control of each component is achieved, but device complexity increases and design is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive functions by making the knitting needle the driver and the holding-down sinker the driven element. The sinker is supported pivotably on the needle bed, allowing it to be driven by the needle's movement through a driven connection, thereby eliminating the need for a separate sinker drive mechanism while maintaining coordinated control of both components
2Ease of operation
If separate drives are used for knitting needles and holding-down sinkers, then independent movement control is achieved, but the number of required drives increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knitting needle serves a dual function: it is both the working element for knitting and the drive element for the holding-down sinker. The sinker is connected to the needle through a driven connection that allows the needle's longitudinal movement to drive the sinker's transverse movement, reducing the total number of drives from two to one
3Ease of manufacture
If sinker channel design is used to define relative movement, then simple structural implementation is achieved, but adaptability of movement paths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sinker support structure dynamic by allowing the sinker to be supported pivotably rather than fixed in a rigid channel. This pivotable support enables the sinker to follow different movement paths and positions while being driven by the needle, increasing adaptability without requiring complex reconfiguration of the needle bed structure
Data Source
AI summary
A knitting system (6) wherein said system causes a rocker guide (23) to move the holding-down and knock-over sinker 5 as a function of the longitudinal position of the knitting needle (4). Consequently, the pivoting movement of the holding-down and knock-over sinker (5) is forced to follow the back-and-forth linear movement of the knitting needle (4). A single box cam is sufficient for controlling this knitting system (6). In any event, it is only necessary to allocate box cams to the knitting needles (4). The holding-down and knock-over sinkers (5) do not require dedicated drives and box cams.