Variable Configuration Sinker for Small Diameter Knitting Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circular knitting machines, especially those with small diameters, are limited in the variety of shoe upper models they can produce, due to their restricted capacity for creating diverse knit patterns.
Innovation Solution
A sinker with a variable configuration, comprising two coplanar and independently movable shaped plates, allows for the production of knit articles with smooth and terry knit areas, even on machines with limited size, by enabling selective formation of knit stitches on multiple yarns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small diameter circular knitting machine is used, then the machine size is reduced, but the variety of knit patterns that can be produced is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sinker body is divided into two independent coplanar plates (first shaped plate and second shaped plate) that can move relative to each other. Each plate can be independently positioned to create different knit stitch configurations, enabling a small machine to produce diverse patterns including smooth knit areas, terry knit areas, and thickened knit areas that would normally require larger machine capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The sinker incorporates dynamic elements including the movable second plate relative to the first plate, selection heels for programmable positioning, and flexible fingers for disengageable engagement. This dynamic configuration allows the same small machine to adapt its sinker geometry on-the-fly to produce various knit patterns, effectively increasing versatility without increasing machine size
2Device complexity
If a single plate sinker is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to produce different knit areas (smooth, terry, thickened) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sinker is segmented into two independent coplanar plates instead of a single monolithic plate. The first shaped plate and second shaped plate can be positioned independently, allowing creation of complex knit patterns with different areas (smooth, terry, thickened) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-plate sinker design makes the same physical structure capable of performing multiple functions: creating smooth knit stitches, terry knit stitches, and thickened knit areas. The selection heels and programmable positioning enable one sinker structure to replace what would traditionally require multiple different sinker types
Data Source
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AI summary
The sinker (1) for a knitting machine has a body with a variable configuration comprising a first shaped plate (2) and a second shaped plate (3) which are coplanar and movable independently from each other, wherein the first plate (2) has a first heel (4) for taking up movement and at least a first knit stitch knock- over surface (5) and the second plate (3) has a second heel (6) for taking up movement and at least a second knit stitch knock-over surface (7), wherein the first and the second plate (2, 3) have the same maximum thickness and at least one portion (2a, 3a) with a reduced thickness, wherein the first and the second plate (2, 3) intersect in the portion thereof with a reduced thickness (2a, 3a), and wherein the sum of the value of the reduced thickness of the first and second plates (2, 3) is not greater than the value of the maximum thickness of the first and second plates (2, 3).