Adjustable Gap Flat Knitting Machine Knock-Over Bits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat knitting machines with fixed knock-over bits can only knit fabrics of a single thickness, limiting their ability to produce three-dimensional fabrics with adjustable thickness.
Innovation Solution
The design includes two needle beds with adjustable knock-over bits and cam systems that allow the gap between them to be changed, enabling the production of three-dimensional fabrics with varying thicknesses by using control butts, extending sections, bending sections, and loop hanging sections connected to the needles, and knock-over bit cams that drive the displacement of knock-over bits to alter the gap size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed knock-over bits are used in a flat knitting machine, then the machine structure is simple and stable, but the gap between knock-over bits cannot be adjusted, limiting the machine to knit only single-thickness fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The knock-over bits are designed with movable control butts that can be positioned at different locations along the needle extending line. The cam system provides a displacement stroke that moves the control butts between different positions, dynamically adjusting the gap size between facing knock-over bits. This allows the same machine structure to knit fabrics of varying thicknesses by changing the gap dimension.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable knock-over bits are introduced to change gap size, then the machine can knit three-dimensional fabrics with different thicknesses, but the cam system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the displacement stroke to adjust the gap between knock-over bits, while also maintaining the positioning of control butts on the needle extending lines. The same cam mechanism that controls needle movement is extended to control knock-over bit positioning, eliminating the need for a completely separate adjustment mechanism and reducing overall system complexity.
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
This solution allows for the production of three-dimensional fabrics with adjustable thickness, enhancing the versatility of flat knitting machines by enabling the knitting of fabrics with different thicknesses and structures, such as concave and convex patterns outside the plane.
Implementation Method 1
the knock-over bit cam is controlled to define a displacement stroke for driving the plurality of knock-over bits to change the size of the gap
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A flat knitting machine structure (100) with an adjustable gap between two knock-over bits includes two needle beds (11, 12) and two cam systems (13). Each needle bed (11 or 12) comprises a plurality of needles (15) and a plurality of knock-over bits (16). Each needle (15) are combined with a jack which comprises a butt (151). Each of the knock-over bits (16) comprises a control butt (161). The two needle beds (11, 12) are disposed at interval so that the knock-over bits (16) face each other to define a gap (10). The distance of the gap (10) is equal to a space (101) between two knock-over bits (16) facing each other. Each cam system (13) comprises a needle cam (131) to provide the plurality of butts (151) being placed and guide each needle (15) to make a knitting stroke towards the gap (10), and a knock-over bit cam (132) provides the control butts (161) being placed. The knock-over bit cam (132) is controlled to define a displacement stroke (133) for driving the plurality of knock-over bits (16) to change the size of the gap (10).