Sinkerless Knitting Machine Latch Needle Loop Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fine-gauge knitting machines without sinkers face issues with yarn breakage leading to manual intervention and insufficient loop tensioning, resulting in knitting errors and reduced production potential.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating knitting retainers with laminar elements that can be actuated to retain loops between needles, ensuring reliable loop formation and automatic resumption in case of yarn breakage, even in fine-gauge machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If sinkers are removed from fine-gauge knitting machines to save space, then space occupation is reduced, but reliability of knitting formation deteriorates due to inability to tension loops and prevent manual intervention during yarn breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the knitting retention function from traditional sinkers and implements it through a separate, dedicated retention element that can be independently actuated. This allows the sinker to be completely removed while the retention function is maintained through the new element that engages with the loop during needle extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element acts as an intermediary component between the needle and the loop. It temporarily engages the loop during the critical extraction phase when the needle is pulled from the needle holder, providing the necessary retention force without requiring the presence of a sinker.
2Reliability
If only one needle every two contiguous needles is actuated to perform retaining action, then knitting errors are prevented, but productivity is reduced due to underutilization of needle capacity
Solution Approach 1:
Each needle is equipped with its own dedicated retention element, allowing every needle to independently perform the retention function for its own loop. This eliminates the need to leave every other needle idle and allows all needles to operate simultaneously at full capacity while maintaining reliable loop retention.
3Volume of moving object
If knitting retainers are made thin for fine-gauge machines, then space occupation is reduced, but structural integrity deteriorates causing easy deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element utilizes the lateral dimension by extending perpendicular to the needle axis, creating a retention arm that protrudes laterally from the needle holder. This dimensional approach allows the element to provide sufficient structural leverage for loop retention while maintaining a compact profile that fits within the constraints of fine-gauge machine geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A sinkerless knitting machine with latch needles, comprising a needle holder with a plurality of slots on one face, each slot accommodating a needle. Knitting retainers are provided, each with a body composed of at least two side-by-side interconnected laminar elements. At least two laminar elements of each knitting retainer are arranged in a same or in two contiguous slots of the needle holder. At least one of the laminar elements composing a knitting retainer has a retention portion defining a stop shoulder for the knitting. Each knitting retainer can move on command from a first position, in which it does not interfere with the knitting being formed, to a second position, in which it is inserted, with the retention portion, between two contiguous needles, in a region which faces the knitting forming plane, in order to retain the portion of knitting that lies between two contiguous needles.