Flat Knitting Machine Movable Sinker Bed for Needle Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flat knitting machines suffer from damage and unreliable operation due to the unchangeable position of stripping devices, which leads to premature wear of needle latches and inefficient stitch stripping.

Innovation Solution

The stripping sinkers are arranged in a movable sinker bed, allowing for controlled movement between a stripping position and an inactive position, enabling adjustable timing of stitch stripping and reducing pressure on needles, thus preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the stripping device is fixed at an unchangeable distance from the needle bed, then the device structure is simple, but the position in the longitudinal direction of the needles cannot be changed, leading to heavy loading of needle latches and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidneedle latch reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stripping device is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position relative to the needle bed in the longitudinal direction. This enables the stripping fingers to be positioned optimally during operation, reducing excessive loading on needle latches while maintaining structural feasibility through guided movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the stripping fingers rest on the needles with pressure, then the stitching control is improved, but the needle latches are heavily loaded and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestitch stripping controlVSAvoidneedle latch strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stripping fingers are designed to apply pressure locally and temporarily only when needed for stitch control, rather than maintaining continuous pressure on the needles. The fingers can be moved into contact with the needles during the stripping phase and retracted during other phases, providing localized action where needed while preserving needle latch integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the stripping device position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the point in time of stitch contact and stripping cannot be influenced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidstripping timing adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stripping device incorporates movable components that allow adjustment of the timing of stitch contact and stripping by changing the longitudinal position of the stripping fingers relative to the needle bed. This dynamic positioning capability enables optimization of the stripping process timing without requiring a completely fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2042633B1Flat knitting machine with wipe sinkers
Publication Date: 2010.12.15 H STOLL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2042633B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2042633B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2042633B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The flat bed knitting machine has multiple needles (2), where each needle is assigned to stripping hooks (1). The stripping hooks include a stitch by a rear movement of the needle over a closed needle hook (21). The stitch is placed behind a needle guide (22) at a needle shaft (23) during a driving movement of the needle. The stripping hooks are arranged in a movably controlled manner. The stripping hooks are arranged in a hook bed (201). The hook bed is arranged above a needle bed, in which the needles are arranged.