Pinch Roller Stabilization for Knitted Fabric Roving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing knitwear using knitting machines struggle to achieve a balance between softness and strength, particularly in the context of fiber structure reinforcement, as they require close proximity between the spinneret and knitting needles, which is impractical and results in inadequate fiber strength for conventional processing.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a pair of pinch rollers that rotate in opposite directions to clamp and stabilize the twisted, solidified roving emerging from the spinneret, allowing for a longer transport distance to the knitting machine and enabling the production of a soft, voluminous knitwear with improved fiber alignment and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the fiber structure is solidified by the spinneret with wrapping fibers, then the softness of the knitted fabric is improved, but the strength of the fiber structure becomes insufficient for conventional processing and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftness of knitted fabricVSAvoidstrength of fiber structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the fiber structure into two distinct components: a core of parallel-aligned fibers that provides structural strength, and wrapping fibers that provide softness and comfort. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between softness and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite fiber structure where wrapping fibers are applied around a core of parallel-aligned fibers. This composite structure combines the soft, comfort-providing properties of the wrapping fibers with the strength and stability of the core, enabling both softness for knitwear quality and sufficient strength for processing and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the knitting needles are positioned close to the spinneret, then the fiber structure strength is maintained, but the practical operability and transport distance become limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber structure strengthVSAvoidpractical operability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary strengthening of the fiber structure by creating a composite structure with wrapping fibers around a parallel fiber core before transport. This preliminary action ensures the fiber structure has sufficient strength to withstand conventional processing and transport over longer distances, eliminating the need for immediate proximity between spinneret and knitting needles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the distance between spinneret and knitting needles is increased, then the practical operability is improved, but the false twist is not eliminated and fiber stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepractical operabilityVSAvoidfiber structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of wrapping fibers around a parallel core provides inherent stability that prevents false twist formation during transport. The wrapping fibers act as a stabilizing layer that maintains the structural integrity of the core, allowing the fiber structure to remain stable over longer distances between spinneret and knitting needles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 knitwear with a soft, voluminous texture and enhanced strength, enabling efficient and practical industrial-scale production by decoupling the roving drafting and strengthening system from the thread delivery system, thus preventing false twist formation and maintaining fiber stability over longer distances.

Implementation Method 1

a spinneret device, with which a drafted roving emerging from the drafting system can be subjected to compressed air on a fiber-consolidation section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The fiber structure is solidified by means of the spinneret in such a way that a core of the fiber structure, in which the fibers, which are essentially twist-free and largely aligned parallel to one another, is wrapped around by winding fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic action: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

the pair of pinch rollers (71, 72) pressing on one another, which form a clamping passage for the twisted, solidified roving (4c) emerging from the spinneret device (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2753735B1Device for producing knitted fabric
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 TERROT GMBH
  • EP2753735B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2753735B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2753735B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for producing knitted fabric, comprising a knitting machine and at least one roving drawing and strengthening unit. The at least one roving drawing and strengthening unit has a roving supply unit, by means of which a roving can be provided in the form of a fiber bundle that has not been strengthened, a stretching unit, to which the roving can be fed in a roving conveying direction in the form of at least one sliver, and a spinning nozzle device, by means of which compressed air can be applied to a drawn roving exiting the stretching unit in a fiber strengthening segment. The invention further relates to methods for producing knitted fabric by means of a knitting machine and at least one roving drawing and strengthening unit. By means of the at least one roving drawing and strengthening unit, a roving is provided by a roving supply unit in the form of a fiber bundle that has not been strengthened, the roving is fed in a roving conveying direction in the form of at least one sliver, the roving is drawn by the stretching unit, and compressed air is applied to the drawn roving exiting the stretching unit by a spinning nozzle device in a fiber strengthening segment and said roving is thus strengthened.