Knitting Machine Needle Cutout for Holder Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of system components in knitting machines is time-consuming and difficult due to the need for precise alignment and order during removal and reinsertion, especially when different components are mixed or not in their intended sequence, hindering efficient cleaning and pitch adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A system component with a temporary connection means, such as a projection with a cutout, allows for the use of a holder to securely align and maintain the components in the correct order, using an elastic material like a rubber cord that fits snugly within the cutout to prevent movement or twisting, facilitating easy handling and reinsertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If system components are removed from the bed for cleaning or pitch adjustment, then maintenance and modification can be performed, but the components must be precisely realigned and reinserted in the correct order, which is time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the system components into modular units, each with an individually addressable connection point (cutout). This segmentation allows components to be handled and reinserted independently while maintaining their correct positions, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual realignment of entire assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection point with the cutout acts as an intermediary element between the system component and the holder. This intermediary feature enables simple attachment and detachment operations, making the components easily removable for maintenance while ensuring they can be quickly and accurately reinserted without complex alignment procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If system components are rigidly connected to maintain alignment, then precise positioning is achieved, but the components cannot be easily removed or have their pitch adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic removable connection. The connection point with the cutout allows the system to switch between a connected state (maintaining precise alignment during operation) and a disconnected state (enabling easy removal and pitch adjustment). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between maintaining precision and enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection point is pre-configured with a cutout that receives a holder, establishing the correct alignment relationship before the component is installed in the bed. This preliminary arrangement of the connection geometry ensures that when components are reinserted, they automatically return to their correct positions without requiring complex realignment procedures.
3Reliability
If system components are permanently fixed in the bed, then stable operation is achieved, but cleaning and maintenance require complete disassembly and complex reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential alignment function from the permanent fixation mechanism. The connection point with the cutout captures and maintains the correct positional relationship, allowing components to be temporarily removed for cleaning while ensuring they can be easily reinserted in the correct positions. This separates the alignment function from permanent mechanical fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection point geometry itself serves the dual function of both maintaining alignment during operation and facilitating easy removal and reinsertion. The cutout automatically guides the holder into the correct position, making the component self-aligning during reassembly, which simplifies the maintenance process while maintaining operational stability.
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 enables efficient handling and cleaning of system components by maintaining alignment and order, allowing for unhindered fluid flow and easy reinsertion, while also accommodating different geometric shapes and facilitating pitch adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
using an elastic material like a rubber cord that fits snugly within the cutout to prevent movement or twisting
Data Source
AI summary
A system component (1), such as, for example a knitting machine needle (2), intended for a loop-forming machine has in its foot (8) at least one cutout (14) that is set up to accommodate a section of a holder (17). This holder can be clipped into the cutout in order to hold several such system components in a pre-specified sequence and at a lateral distance and in alignment with respect to each other. The systems components, which are thus temporarily connected to each other, can be handled as a unit and, in this manner, can be removed from the bed (5), can be treated, for example be cleaned, and can be replaced in the same sequence and alignment in the bed (5).