Swivel Connector Assembly for Knitting Needles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circular knitting needles with flexible cables often twist when rotated, making it difficult to knit as the cable winds up, requiring the needles to be released to unwind, which disrupts the knitting process.
Innovation Solution
A swivel connector assembly is introduced, comprising a cylindrical member with a circumferentially extending slot and a female member with radially projecting pins, allowing the male member to rotate freely about a common longitudinal axis, enabling relative rotation between the knitting needle tips and the cable without twisting the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the knitting needle tips are rotated during knitting, then the knitting operation can be performed, but the flexible cable twists and winds up making knitting difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly incorporates a swivel mechanism that allows dynamic rotation of the needle tips relative to the cable. The male member can rotate within the female member's bore, enabling the cable to remain stationary while the needles rotate freely during knitting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate male and female members with independent rotation capabilities. The male member contains the needle tip and can rotate independently within the female member, which remains fixed to the cable, separating the rotation function from the cable connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is allowed to twist freely, then rotation is easy, but the cable winds up requiring release to unwind
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel connector enables continuous rotation during knitting without cable winding by allowing the male member to rotate independently within the female member. This dynamic rotation capability eliminates the need to stop and unwind the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly acts as an intermediary between the needle tips and the cable, absorbing the rotational motion. The male-female member interface with pins and slots provides the mechanical mediation that allows rotation without cable twisting.
3Device complexity
If a fixed connector is used to join needle tips to cable, then assembly is simple, but rotation causes cable twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a fixed design to a dynamic swivel mechanism. The male member rotates within the female member's bore, with pins moving along circumferential slots, enabling rotation while maintaining connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is segmented into male and female members with distinct functions. The male member provides rotation capability while the female member maintains cable connection, dividing the functions to resolve the contradiction between simplicity and rotational freedom.
Data Source
AI summary
Example knitting needle connector assemblies, e.g., for a knitting needle or crochet tool, may include first and second members. The first member may be generally cylindrical and have a radially facing slot extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the first member. The second member may have one or more radially projecting pins received in the slot, wherein the one or more pins are movable about the circumferentially extending slot such that the first member is rotatable with respect to the second member about the longitudinal axis.