Knitting Machine Spacer Mechanism for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern knitting machines face issues with high energy consumption and heat generation due to friction between system components and needle beds, leading to wear and inefficiencies in loop-forming processes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a spacer mechanism that adjusts the distance between adjacent system components in a groove, reducing friction by creating a free space between loop-forming means and allowing for optimized movement and power transfer, thereby reducing energy consumption and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If system components are moved in common channels of the needle bed, then the device complexity is reduced, but frictional load increases causing wear and heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common channel into separate guiding regions for different system components (needles and sinkers). Each component type has its own dedicated guiding path within the channel, segmenting the movement paths to reduce friction and interference between components while maintaining the compact common channel structure.
2Device complexity
If system components are moved in common channels of the needle bed, then the device complexity is reduced, but frictional load increases causing sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common channel into separate guiding regions for different system components (needles and sinkers). Each component type has its own dedicated guiding path within the channel, segmenting the movement paths to reduce friction and interference between components while maintaining the compact common channel structure.
3Device complexity
If system components are moved in common channels of the needle bed, then the device complexity is reduced, but frictional load increases causing heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common channel into separate guiding regions for different system components (needles and sinkers). Each component type has its own dedicated guiding path within the channel, segmenting the movement paths to reduce friction and interference between components while maintaining the compact common channel structure.
4Productivity
If the distance between adjacent system components is reduced, then the productivity increases, but friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement of system components by adjusting their distances in multiple dimensions within the common channel. The spacer element controls the positioning of adjacent components, allowing optimized spacing that reduces friction while maintaining high productivity through efficient use of the channel space.
5Productivity
If the distance between adjacent system components is reduced, then the productivity increases, but wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement of system components by adjusting their distances in multiple dimensions within the common channel. The spacer element controls the positioning of adjacent components, allowing optimized spacing that reduces friction while maintaining high productivity through efficient use of the channel space.
Data Source
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AI summary
The publication is about a loop-forming process, which comprises the following actions: • at least two system components (11, 12) are moved in one groove (16) of a needle bed relative to said needle bed (14) in a first direction (y) which corresponds to their longitudinal direction, • said system components (11, 12) contact threads (23) for forming loops with their loop-forming means (20, 24), • at least one spacer (10) is placed between two adjacent system components (11, 12) which are moved in the groove (16), • whereby this spacer (10) contributes to the adjustment of the distance (21) between the loop-forming means (20, 24) of the two adjacent system components (11, 12) in a second direction (x) which corresponds to the direction of the width of the grooves (16) of the needle bed (14),whereby said at least one spacer (10) abstains from the loop-forming process, • whereby the at least one spacer (10) is moved together with a first one of said two adjacent system components (11, 12) • and whereby the at least one spacer (10) is at least temporarily moved inside a section (41) of the longitudinal (y) extension of a groove (16), • in which the spacer (10) and the second system component (12) are in mechanical contact with each other and/or in which said spacer (10) is in mechanical contact with a second spacer (10) which is moved together with the second one (12) of said two adjacent system components (11, 12). An equivalent device and respective system components are also disclosed and claimed.