Circular Knitting Needle-Sinker Assembly for Individual Sinker Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular knitting machines lack the ability to individually select and control holding-down sinkers for specific stitch patterns, limiting the flexibility and versatility in producing knitted fabrics with varied stitch types and patterns.
Innovation Solution
A circular knitting machine with a needle-sinker assembly that includes a pre-selection element and an activation element, allowing for individual selection and control of sinkers to create desired stitch patterns by engaging a connecting portion with the sinker and moving it radially to perform specific operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual sinker selection is implemented, then manufacturing flexibility and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sinker selection mechanism is segmented into individual controllable units. Each sinker can be independently selected and controlled through separate actuating elements, allowing specific sinkers to be activated for specific stitch patterns while others remain inactive. This segmentation enables flexible fabric production without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The sinker selection system implements dynamic control where sinkers can be selectively activated or deactivated during operation. The actuating elements allow sinkers to move between different positions (selected/not selected) based on the desired stitch pattern, providing real-time adaptability without mechanical reconfiguration of the machine structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-selection and activation elements are added for sinker control, then stitch pattern versatility increases, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-selection element and activation element are nested within the existing sinker structure. The pre-selection element is positioned to interact with the sinker, and the activation element is integrated into the same spatial arrangement, allowing compact implementation without adding excessive external components. This nesting reduces manufacturing complexity compared to completely separate control mechanisms.
3Productivity
If radial movement of sinkers is enabled for specific operations, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial movement function is merged with the existing sinker actuation mechanism. The same actuating elements that control sinker selection also enable radial movement for specific operations, combining multiple functions into a single mechanical system. This merging avoids the need for separate radial movement mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining productivity benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A circular knitting machine for knitwear, comprising a needle-holding cylinder, having longitudinal grooves housing a plurality of needles, and a needle-holding ring, having radial grooves housing a plurality of holding-down sinkers, and wherein each needles is paired with an adjacent sinker to form a needle-sinker assembly; the knitting machine comprises, for each needle-sinker assembly, a pre-selection element paired with the respective needle and comprising a connecting portion selectively cooperating with the sinker belonging to the same needle-sinker assembly; each radial groove has a rear section and a front section; the front section is wider than the rear section and configured for laterally containing and guiding the connecting portion of the pre-selection element.