Knitting Tool Spring Section Recess for Dirt Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knitting tools face issues with dirt and fiber abrasion accumulation, manufacturing cost, and variability in spring force due to tapers and additional processing steps, leading to increased wear and power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A knitting tool with a shaft having a spring section bent in the width direction and recesses that penetrate the shaft, reducing the area of contact and eliminating the need for additional processing steps, thereby minimizing dirt entry and manufacturing costs while stabilizing spring properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the braking means is tapered in the width direction to reduce spring force, then the spring force is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with a recess that creates a local reduction in cross-sectional area at the spring section, while the width of the shaft remains constant. This local geometric modification changes the elastic properties of the braking means without requiring tapering of the entire shaft, thus reducing spring force without additional complex processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the shaft by introducing a recess that reduces the cross-sectional area at the spring section. This parameter change (reducing area while maintaining constant width) directly affects the spring force while avoiding the need for tapering operations
2Force
If the shaft is tapered in the width direction to reduce spring force, then the spring force is reduced, but manufacturing precision decreases due to fluctuations in spring properties
Solution Approach 1:
The recess creates a localized change in the shaft geometry only at the spring section, while the rest of the shaft maintains its original dimensions. This localized modification ensures that spring force can be adjusted without affecting the overall dimensional consistency and manufacturing precision of the knitting tool
Solution Approach 2:
The recess introduces an asymmetric geometric feature in the shaft cross-section at the spring section, creating a non-uniform area distribution that reduces spring force. This asymmetric design allows precise control of elastic properties while maintaining symmetry in the shaft width, improving manufacturing consistency
3Force
If the shaft is tapered in the width direction, then spring force is reduced, but dirt accumulation increases in the taper area
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is designed as a localized feature at the spring section with controlled dimensions and positioning. By carefully designing the recess geometry (depth, width, and position), the invention reduces spring force while minimizing the creation of dirt-trapping cavities, thus preventing dirt accumulation issues associated with tapered designs
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a recess is filled with vibration-damping material to prevent dirt accumulation, then dirt accumulation is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed as a homogeneous structure made of a single material throughout, with the recess serving purely as a geometric feature to reduce spring force. This homogeneous design eliminates the need for composite materials or additional filling operations, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing process steps
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
The solution reduces dirt accumulation, manufacturing costs, and variability in spring force, resulting in improved dynamic behavior, reduced wear, and consistent power requirements across production batches.
Implementation Method 1
the braking means is elastically deformed by contact with the needle channel and thus provides a spring force acting in the width direction
Implementation Method 2
Due to friction at the point of contact with the needle channel, this leads to a braking force acting perpendicular to the width direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a knitting tool (1) for knitting machines. The knitting tool (1) has a braking device (7) which is bent in a spring section (5) such that it provides a spring force during knitting. This spring force provides a holding force during knitting, preventing unwanted movement of the knitting tool (1) during the knitting process. The side surfaces of the knitting tool (1) are machined in the spring section (5) such that they have a smaller area per unit length than in at least one shaft section (8) adjacent to the spring section. Surprisingly, a knitting tool (1) with this feature reduces the accumulation of dirt and fiber abrasion. It is inexpensive and can be manufactured with consistent quality.