Warp Knitting Machine Control Surfaces on Common Component

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing warp knitting machines face issues with producing high-quality knitted fabrics due to incorrect assembly of pattern discs, leading to defects that are not immediately recognizable until the fabric is finished or processed, and require multiple control disks for pattern changes, complicating the process.

Innovation Solution

The control surfaces of at least two guide bars are arranged on a common unchangeable component, ensuring fixed assignment and simplified assembly, with a single component for all guide bars, reducing errors and simplifying work preparation by eliminating the need for multiple control disks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate pattern discs are used for different guide bars, then pattern versatility is improved, but assembly complexity and error risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern versatilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate pattern discs into a single integrated pattern disc that controls all guide bars simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need to handle and assemble multiple separate discs, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to produce different patterns through electronic control of the single disc.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pattern disc is designed to serve multiple functions by controlling all guide bars in the bar arrangement. This universal component can produce various knitting patterns by electronically adjusting its control surface, eliminating the need for multiple specialized discs while maintaining pattern versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate pattern discs are used, then pattern selection flexibility is improved, but the risk of incorrect assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern selection flexibilityVSAvoidassembly accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging all pattern control surfaces onto a single disc, the patent eliminates the risk of incorrect assembly between multiple separate discs. The single disc ensures that all guide bars are controlled by a unified reference, guaranteeing consistent and accurate pattern production without assembly errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pattern disc acts as an intermediary that coordinates all guide bar movements simultaneously. This central control mechanism ensures that the relative positions and timing of all guide bars are consistently maintained, preventing the assembly errors that would occur with multiple separate discs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate pattern discs are used for each guide bar, then customization capability is improved, but work preparation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidwork preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges all pattern control functions into a single disc, allowing operators to prepare and change patterns by replacing or reconfiguring just one component rather than multiple separate discs. This dramatically reduces work preparation time while maintaining full customization capability through electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pattern disc incorporates dynamic, electronically controlled surfaces that can be rapidly reconfigured for different patterns. This allows instant pattern changes without the time-consuming process of physically assembling multiple separate discs, maintaining customization while minimizing preparation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a single common component with all control surfaces is used, then assembly simplicity is improved, but adaptability for different patterns may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidpattern flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single common component is designed as a universal pattern disc that can control all guide bars for various knitting patterns. Its electronic control system allows it to perform multiple pattern functions, maintaining high adaptability while providing the assembly simplicity of a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pattern disc uses electronically controllable surfaces whose geometry can be dynamically changed through parameter adjustment. This allows the single physical component to provide multiple pattern configurations, maintaining versatility while simplifying assembly to a single unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3708702B1Warp knitting machine
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 KARL MAYER STOLL R&D GMBH
  • EP3708702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A warp knitting machine (1) with a bar arrangement is described, comprising several laying bars (4) whose movements in an offset direction (8) are controlled by a pattern control arrangement (9), wherein the pattern control arrangement (9) has a control surface (10, 11) rotating around an axis of rotation for each laying bar (4). The aim is to ensure good quality of the warp knit fabric while maintaining ease of use. For this purpose, the control surfaces (10, 11) of at least two laying bars (4) are arranged on a common, fixed component (14).