Needle Selection Device With Laterally Spaced Electromagnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle selection devices in high-gauge knitting and hosiery machines face challenges in actuating selection elements at high speeds due to limitations in magnetic field control and space constraints, leading to selection errors and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates two laterally spaced selection electromagnets with permanently aligned polar regions, allowing for independent control of magnetic forces to accurately actuate selection elements of varying lengths, ensuring precise movement and engagement in high-gauge environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single selection electromagnet is used in existing needle selection devices, then the device structure is simpler, but the magnetic field control precision deteriorates leading to selection errors at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The single selection electromagnet is divided into two laterally spaced electromagnets (6, 7), each with independent coils (14, 15) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows independent magnetic field control for different selection elements, preventing interference and enabling precise high-speed selection without compromising structural simplicity too much.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single electromagnet configuration to a dual electromagnet arrangement spaced laterally (in the lateral dimension) relative to the main magnet's polar regions. This lateral spacing creates independent magnetic field zones that can act on different selection elements simultaneously, resolving the conflict between simplicity and precision.
2Productivity
If the polar region dimension of the selection electromagnet is increased to actuate high-gauge selection elements, then the actuation capability improves, but the risk of simultaneous attraction of multiple contiguous selection elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the selection electromagnet into two laterally spaced electromagnets, each with a smaller effective polar region, the patent ensures that each electromagnet can only attract one selection element at a time. This segmentation of the magnetic field influence zone prevents simultaneous attraction of multiple elements while maintaining high-gauge actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized magnetic field zones at each selection electromagnet's polar region (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) that are spatially separated. This local quality ensures that the magnetic attraction is confined to specific locations, allowing reliable actuation of individual high-gauge selection elements without interfering with adjacent elements.
3Productivity
If the distance between selection elements is reduced for high-gauge machines, then the machine gauge improves, but the magnetic field interference between adjacent elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual electromagnet configuration creates segmented magnetic field zones that are laterally separated. Even when selection elements are closely spaced (high gauge), each electromagnet's magnetic field is confined to its lateral zone, reducing interference between adjacent elements and enabling reliable high-gauge operation.
4Area of stationary object
If the selection electromagnet is positioned closer to selection elements for compact design, then the space utilization improves, but the magnetic field distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the two selection electromagnets laterally (in the lateral dimension) relative to the main magnet's polar regions, rather than only in the axial direction. This lateral positioning allows compact axial spacing while maintaining sufficient lateral separation to reduce magnetic field distortion and maintain field uniformity for precise actuation.
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 configuration enables reliable and precise actuation of selection elements even at high speeds and in tight spaces, reducing selection errors and simplifying manufacturing and installation, while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
the selection electromagnet can be actuated individually in order to generate or cancel or reduce an attractive magnetic force at the corresponding polar region
Implementation Method 2
The selection electromagnet is provided with a coil that can be supplied with electric power in order to cancel or reduce substantially the attractive magnetic force
Implementation Method 3
a main magnet, which has two side-by-side polar regions separated by a gap, and a selection electromagnet, which is provided with a ferromagnetic core that has at least one polar region arranged at the gap between the two polar regions of the main magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An electromagnetic actuator, particularly for needle selection devices in machines for knitting, hosiery or the like, with high gauge. The electromagnetic actuator (1) according to the invention comprises a main magnet (2) which has at least two polar regions (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b) which are side-by-side and separated by a gap (5a; 5b). The electromagnetic actuator (1) comprises two selection electromagnets (6, 7), each provided with at least one polar region (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) which is aligned with the gap (5a; 5b) and spaced laterally from said gap (5a; 5b). The at least one polar region (6a, 6b) of a selection electromagnet (6) is arranged laterally on the side opposite to the at least one polar region (7a, 7b) of the other selection electromagnet (7) with respect to the gap (5a; 5b). The selection electromagnets (6, 7) can be activated individually to generate or cancel or reduce an attractive magnetic force at the corresponding polar region (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).