Yarn Feeding Device Swing Arm Shift Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flatbed knitting machines, the existing yarn feeding devices often fail to reliably catch the knitting yarn when it is placed at a higher position relative to the passage along which the hook of the knitting needle retracts, leading to deviations and missed stitches, especially during transitions in knitting patterns.
Innovation Solution
A yarn feeding device with a swing arm and shift mechanism that allows the yarn feeding port to be shifted between reference and back positions, enabling precise alignment of the yarn with the hook's retracting path, and a decentering mechanism for adjusting the plating-yarn feeding port's position relative to the main-yarn feeding port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the knitting yarn is fed through a fixed yarn feeding port, then the structure is simple, but the yarn may be placed at a higher position than the passage causing deviation and unreliable catching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the yarn feeding port movable instead of fixed. The port can shift between a reference position and front/back positions along the passage direction, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate different knitting patterns and yarn placement requirements, thereby improving yarn catching reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The yarn feeding device is segmented into multiple functional components: a base that slides along a travel rail, a yarn feeding arm connected to the base, a swing arm connected to the yarn feeding arm, and a shift mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component to achieve precise yarn positioning while maintaining manageable device complexity
2Reliability
If the yarn feeding port is shifted to align yarn with the passage, then yarn catching reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple adjustment functions into a coordinated system where the base sliding mechanism, yarn feeding arm, and swing arm work together. The shift mechanism combines vertical sliding of a shift member with front/back movement along slope portions, creating an integrated system that achieves precise positioning without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each degree of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arm acts as an intermediary component between the yarn feeding arm and the yarn feeding port. It provides the necessary flexibility and movement range to position the yarn feeding port at different locations along the passage, mediating between the fixed base structure and the movable yarn port to achieve reliable yarn catching
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A yarn feeding device (1) of a flatbed knitting machine includes a yarn feeding arm (12) that extends downward from a base that slides along a travel rail, the yarn feeding arm (12) being connected to a plaiting-yarn feeding port (14); a swing arm (2) that is supported so as to be swingable in front and back directions with respect to the yarn feeding arm (12), the swing arm (2) having the plaiting-yarn feeding port (14) at a lower end portion; a shift member (31) supported so as to be vertically slidable with respect to the yarn feeding arm (12); and shift operation means (37) for shifting the plaiting-yarn feeding port (14) between a reference position and a front or back position using the swing arm (2) in accordance with a vertical slide of the shift member (31).