Raschel Loom Movable Needle Bed for Knitting Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Raschel looms lack a reliable mechanical device for precisely controlling knitting density, resulting in tubular items with imperfect anatomical shape and limited reproducibility and modifiability, failing to meet modern textile requirements for comfort and elegance.
Innovation Solution
A 'tricot-Raschel-crochet' loom with moving needle beds that adjust vertically to change knitting density, allowing for precise variation of stitch length and density, enabling the production of tubular items with differentiated elasticity and accurate anatomical shape, and incorporating a mechanical precision instrument for automatic adjustment of knitting density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If knitting density is varied empirically by changing yarn tension and pulling strength, then some variation in knitting density is achieved, but the control is imprecise and lacks reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The needle bed is made movable along the longitudinal axis instead of being fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the sinking plane position. This enables continuous variation of knitting density by changing the relative position between needles and sinking plane, providing precise control without complex tensioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the needle bed along the longitudinal axis to control knitting density. By adjusting the needle bed position, the sinking plane position relative to needles changes, directly controlling stitch length and knitting density in a precise and reliable manner
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of operating needles is kept fixed, then the loom structure remains simple, but knitting density can only be varied to a small and imprecise extent
Solution Approach 1:
The needle bed is designed to move dynamically along the longitudinal axis, allowing the sinking plane position to be continuously adjusted. This provides a wide range of knitting density variation while maintaining a relatively simple structure compared to changing the number of needles
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of varying knitting density by changing the number of operating needles (one dimension), the invention moves the needle bed along the longitudinal axis (another dimension), providing effective control over a wide range of densities without adding structural complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional Raschel looms are used for tubular items, then production is possible, but the items do not meet requirements for anatomical shape and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The movable needle bed enables dynamic adjustment of knitting density during production, allowing the fabric to be precisely adapted to different anatomical regions. This achieves accurate anatomical shaping while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single continuous process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables different knitting densities to be applied to different sections of the tubular item corresponding to different anatomical parts. By locally adjusting the needle bed position, the fabric density can be optimized for each body region, achieving superior anatomical fit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and related equipment for manufacturing shaped fabrics or anatomically shaped tubular hosiery and knitwear items, obtained with Raschel looms having preferably two parallel needle beds and automatic latch needles. During the knitting process, by gradually varying the height of the needle bed and of the sinking plane lying above with respect to the needles sliding in the same bed, knitting density can also be suitably changed. As a consequence, concerned anatomic parts such as the bodice and ankles of a pair of tights or a stockings as well as the waist and sleeves of a sweater can be shaped with higher accuracy and effectiveness.