Warp Knitting Tool Support and Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Warp knitting machines face deformation and increased stresses due to lateral forces during the knitting cycle, leading to tool failure, fabric defects, and reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

A warp knitting machine design with a wider gap between lamellae and first knitting tools, allowing support from a second tool arrangement to minimize deformation, and incorporating a friction-reducing layer to prevent jamming and wear, with a transition area of greater width and optional chamfer or thickness change to maintain tool functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the first knitting tools are supported by the second knitting tool arrangement, then tool deformation is reduced, but friction and wear increase due to contact between tools and lamellae

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool deformation resistanceVSAvoidtool wear and failure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A friction-reducing layer is applied to the surface of the first knitting tools that contact the lamellae. This intermediate layer reduces friction between the knitting tools and the second tool arrangement, minimizing wear and tool failure while maintaining the supportive contact that prevents deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a small gap is provided between the first working tools and the second working tool assembly, then wear is reduced, but threads may become trapped in the gap at the ejection position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool wearVSAvoidthread jamming
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gap between the first working tools and the second working tool assembly is made non-uniform, with a widened inlet area adjacent to the working area. This local variation in gap size allows threads to pass freely through the wider inlet region while maintaining a smaller gap in other areas to minimize wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the transition area has greater width, then tool stiffness is increased, but the working area may be obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool stiffnessVSAvoidworking area accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The first knitting tool is divided into distinct functional areas: a mounting area for attachment, a transition area with greater width for enhanced stiffness and support, and a working area with appropriate clearance for knitting operations. This segmentation allows each area to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3354780B1Warp knitting machine
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 KARL MAYER STOLL R&D GMBH
  • EP3354780B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3354780B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3354780B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A warp knitting machine is described, comprising a first knitting tool arrangement (1) with a plurality of similarly movable first knitting tools (2), and a second knitting tool arrangement (8), wherein the first knitting tool arrangement (1) and the second knitting tool arrangement (8) are movable relative to each other during a stitch formation cycle. The aim is to provide a warp knitting machine with high productivity. For this purpose, it is provided that, at least during part of the stitch formation cycle, the first knitting tools (2) are supported against the second knitting tool arrangement (8).