Segmented Yarn Severing Sinker Pivoting Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thread cutting sinkers in flat knitting machines are prone to collisions with the thread guide due to their design, which can lead to unreliable thread grasping and separation issues, especially when the sinkers are arranged closely together.

Innovation Solution

The thread cutting sinker is designed in multiple parts, allowing the thread catching element to move independently of the drive element, enabling a pivoting motion that avoids collisions by being swiveled out of the thread guide's range, with a coupling mechanism providing a time delay in retraction to ensure safe distance from the thread guide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the catch hook of the thread cutting sinker is designed to be high for reliable thread grasping, then thread grasping reliability is improved, but collisions with the thread guide occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread grasping reliabilityVSAvoidcollisions with thread guide
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thread cutting sinker is divided into two separate elements: a drive element and a thread catching element. This segmentation allows the thread catching element to be positioned high for reliable thread grasping while the drive element remains lower to avoid collisions with the thread guide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thread catching element is given freedom to move not only in the linear direction but also in a pivoting motion into a second dimension. This allows it to swivel out of the thread guide's range during operation, avoiding collisions while maintaining high position for thread grasping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If thread cutting sinkers are arranged relatively close together to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but collisions with parked thread guide occur during propulsion movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread cutting speedVSAvoidcollisions with parked thread guide
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thread catching element is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to pivot and change its position relative to the drive element. This dynamic adjustment enables the element to swivel out of the way of parked thread guides during propulsion, preventing collisions while maintaining close spacing for high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the thread catching element is coupled rigidly to the drive element for simple construction, then device complexity is reduced, but the thread catching element cannot move out of thread guide range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesinker construction simplicityVSAvoidthread catching element mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sinker is segmented into drive element and thread catching element that are coupled but not rigidly fixed. The coupling allows relative movement between the two elements, providing mobility to the thread catching element while maintaining a relatively simple construction without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1847639B1Yarn severing sinker of a flat bed knitting machine
Publication Date: 2009.07.01 H STOLL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP1847639B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1847639B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1847639B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A flatbed textile knitting machine has a thread cutting plate (1) forming part of a thread cutting station. The cutting plate has a thread trap (3) and a drive element (2) that move with respect to each other over a limited range.