EP4019683A1 - Knitting machine with at least one yarn guide for feeding one or more separate yarns - Google Patents

Abstract

A knitting or warp-knitting machine with at least one thread guide (100) that can be moved along a thread guide rail (101) and has a thread guide arm (120), at the lower end of which is a thread guide element (4) with a plurality of thread feed elements (41) for feeding threads to the knitting needles of the flat knitting machine, the thread guide (100) being formed from at least three modules (1, 2, M) which are detachably connected to one another, of which two outer modules (1, 2) are provided with rollers for hooking into a thread guide rail (101) and enclosing between them an interchangeable central module (M) containing a support part (7) of the thread guide arm for the thread guide member (4).

Description

Today's demands on knitted fabrics that are produced on knitting or warp knitting machines require the knitting of increasingly more elaborate and complicated patterns and designs as well as the creation of special properties, for example with regard to the strength of the entire knitted fabric or areas thereof. In order to meet these requirements, flat knitting machines have already been developed whose thread guides can be moved over the needle bed(s) by means of separate drives independently of the carriage or knitting cam.

Other possibilities of thread insertion are using thread guides according to EP 2 243 871 B1 , which are vertically movable, as well as swiveling thread guide rails ( EP 2 843 095 A1 ) achievable.

Using these technologies, new types of weave can be realized since it is now possible to thread threads between the needles to pass them through, to wrap them around and to integrate the threads into the knitted fabric as warp threads.

However, the thread guide eyelets used as standard in the known thread guides can only feed one or more knitting threads together to the knitting needles. A separation of the threads is not possible with the thread guides according to this prior art. Also, the width of the thread guide eyelets is not suitable for moving the thread or threads between the knitting needles in flat knitting machines with finer needle gauges.

From the EP 3 575 462 A2 it is known to arrange several guide needles side by side in the longitudinal direction of the needle bed of a flat knitting machine instead of yarn guide eyelets at the lower end of a yarn guide arm in order to be able to insert several separate threads into the knitting needles. These guide needles are rigidly mounted on an element that has been swapped for a standard thread guide eyelet. It is therefore not possible here to adapt the guide needles to the pitch of the machine's needle beds. An increase or decrease in the number of guide needles is also not possible with this known thread guide.

The invention is therefore based on the object of equipping a knitting machine with the possibility of being able to feed separate threads to the knitting needles in a way that allows easy adaptation to different needle gauges and to the desired number of threads to be fed and the use of different threads .

The object is achieved by a warp or knitting machine with at least one thread guide that can be moved along a thread guide rail and has a thread guide arm, at the lower end of which a thread guide element with one or more thread feed elements for feeding one or more threads to the knitting needles of the flat knitting machine is arranged characterized in that the thread guide is formed from at least three modules that are detachably connected to one another, two of which are outer modules with rollers for hanging in a thread guide rail and enclose a middle, exchangeable module between them. The middle module can contain a support part of the yarn guide arm for the yarn guide member.

The interchangeability of the central module allows the thread guide to be adapted to different needle gauges and/or to a different number of threads to be fed and/or to threads to be fed with different properties without having to replace the entire thread guide. The middle module can expediently be exchangeable for other modules with a different width and/or a differently designed thread guide element.

The two outer modules can be connected to one another by means of at least one web-shaped connecting element which overlaps the middle module. By exchanging the connecting element for elements of a different length or by varying the length of the connecting element, the two outer modules can have middle modules of different widths between them lock in. The outer modules themselves do not need to be altered or replaced when the middle module is replaced.

Further possible variations for the thread guide arise when the thread guide element is arranged to be exchangeable. This also makes it possible to adapt to a different number of threads and/or needle pitches.

If different threads such as knitting threads, elastane threads, warp, weft or stationary threads can be introduced into a knitted fabric with the flat knitting machine, it is also advantageous if the thread feed elements are arranged on the thread guide element in an adjustable and/or interchangeable manner. Depending on the properties of the threads to be fed and the needle pitch, the appropriate thread feed elements can be arranged on the thread guide element and/or aligned appropriately.

The yarn guide element can have eyelets, perforated needles or small tubes as a yarn feed element of a single type or in any combination. In addition, it is advantageous if the thread feed elements can have different materials and/or sizes of the thread openings depending on the properties of the threads to be fed.

Further advantages arise when the yarn guide element is arranged so that it can move vertically on the yarn guide arm. In this way, the yarn guide element can be adjusted between an upper resting position, remote from the comb gap, and a lower working position, close to the comb gap.

The yarn guide element can also be movable in the horizontal direction by means of the yarn guide arm. This makes it possible to pass threads between needles of a needle bed in the working position of the thread guide element, for example in order to loop around a needle. In addition, a rest position of the thread guide can be taken in the horizontal direction outside the needle area.

A protective housing can also be provided to cover the yarn guide element. The protective housing protects the yarn guide element with the yarn feed elements and the fed yarns from damage, breakage and dirt.

A collecting piece with a plurality of openings for the passage of threads can also preferably be arranged at the upper end of the thread guide arm. A thread or a plurality of threads can be passed through each opening and then guided to the thread feed elements and picked up separately by them and fed to selected needles.

It is also possible to couple several thread guides together for a joint movement. Due to the coupling, all thread guides are moved together in the longitudinal direction of the thread guide rail and in the vertical and horizontal directions. The distance between the thread guides can be variable.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a thread guide of a flat knitting machine according to the invention will be presented below Use on the machine described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht auf einen Fadenführer;

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Fadenführers aus Fig. 1 sowie einer Fadenführerschiene;

Fig. 3a - 3d

schematische Schnittansichten des unteren Endes des Fadenführers aus Fig. 1 in unterschiedlichen Positionen bezüglich ausgetriebener Nadeln einer Flachstrickmaschine;

Fig. 4a - 4c

perspektivische Ansichten des unteren Endes des Fadenführers aus Fig. 1 in verschiedenen Positionen des Fadenleitorgans;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Fadenführerschiene mit mehreren miteinander gekoppelten Fadenführern.

Show it:

1

a front view of a thread guide;

2

an exploded view of the thread guide 1 and a yarn guide rail;

Figures 3a - 3d

schematic sectional views of the lower end of the thread guide 1 in different positions with respect to the driven-out needles of a flat knitting machine;

Figures 4a - 4c

perspective views of the lower end of the thread guide 1 in different positions of the yarn guide;

figure 5

a perspective view of a yarn guide rail with several coupled yarn guides.

1 shows a front view of a thread guide 100 which, driven independently, can deliver one or more threads to the needles of a flat knitting machine not shown in detail here. For this purpose, it has a thread guide arm 120, at the lower end of which a thread guide element 4 is arranged.

The thread guide 100 includes a first and a second module 1, 2, which can be hung on a thread guide rail and are connected to one another by means of one or more web-like connecting elements 6. The thread guide 100 can be constructed in this way on a thread guide rail 101 ( 2 ) can be mounted movably.

The modules 1, 2 enclose a middle module M between them, which is essentially formed by a support part 7, which forms the middle part of the yarn guide arm 120 and at the lower end of which the yarn guide element 4 is arranged. The carrier part 7 can be exchanged together with the yarn guide element 4 and can therefore also be replaced by a carrier part 7 of a different width. By appropriately exchanging or adjusting the length of the connecting elements 6 between the modules 1, 2 (not shown here), the thread guide 100 can therefore be constructed in different widths, independently of the pitch.

At the upper end of the thread guide 100 is a collecting piece 3, which has a plurality of openings 30 for the passage of one or more threads, not shown here, which are to be fed to the needles of the flat knitting machine. The openings can be designed purely as bores or openings. Alternatively, inserts can be provided which are inserted into the openings 30. The collecting piece 3 serves to collect and separate the threads entering the thread guide 100 . The carrier part 7 guides the threads running from the claw 3 to the thread guide element 4 and protects them from external influences.

The thread guide element 4 has a carrier 42 and a carrier plate 40 on or in which thread feed elements 41 for feeding the thread or threads to the knitting needles of the flat knitting machine are attached. The elements 41 can be designed in the form of eyelets, tubes, punched needles or as simple openings in a strip provided for this purpose, not shown here. Components 40, 41 and 42 (in 1 not provided with a number) can also be designed as a common component. The number of thread feed elements 41 and their design can be varied by replacing the entire support plate 40 or individual elements 41. In the example shown, six thread feed elements 41 are built into the thread guide 100 . More or fewer elements 41 can also be used here. Just a single element 41 is also possible. As a result, the thread guide 100 can also be used for normal stitch formation, whereby the production of stitches, tuck loops, etc. is possible.

The yarn guide element 4 is also surrounded by a protective housing 5 . The protective housing 5 is attached to the modules 1, 2 at the lower end of the yarn guide arm 120. A device not shown here allows the protective housing 5 to be adjusted in the horizontal and/or vertical direction, so that the protective housing 5 can be precisely aligned relative to the yarn guide element 4 and other moving components in the flat knitting machine which can come into contact with the yarn guide 100 .

The yarn guide element 4 can be moved in the vertical direction relative to the yarn guide 100 and the protective housing 5 by means of the carrier part 7 be moved so that it is partially or completely inside the protective housing 5 in its upper rest position and outside the protective housing 5 in its lower working position. However, it is also conceivable that the protective housing 5 can move relative to the thread guide element 4 and the thread guide 100 .

In the upper resting position of the thread guide element 4, the carrier plate 40 with the thread feed elements 41 and the thread or threads running through them are protected from damage, breakage or contamination by other components of the flat knitting machine.

In the lower working position of the thread guide element 4, threads can be brought to driven out knitting needles by moving the thread guide 100 on the thread guide rail 101 and moving the thread guide 100 transversely to the longitudinal direction of the needle bed.

The respective positions of the yarn guide element 4 can be variably adjusted manually and/or by means of appropriate mechanical or motorized devices.

2 shows the thread guide 100 again in an exploded view together with a thread guide rail 101.

the Figures 3a - 3d show a sequence of movements of the thread guide 100 with the thread feed elements 41 relative to needles SN1, SN2 of a flat knitting machine otherwise not shown in detail.

In Figure 3a the yarn guide element 4 is in its upper rest position away from the comb gap.

In Figure 3b the yarn guide element 4 moves in the direction of the needles SN1, SN2. The thread feed elements 41 leave the protective housing 5.

In 3c the yarn guide element 4 is in its working position and thus the yarn feed elements 41 are in a yarn feed position close to the comb gap.

In 3d the yarn guide 100 was swung between needles SN1, ie offset in the horizontal direction.

the Figures 4a - 4c show the lower end of the thread guide 100 in different positions in an enlarged, three-dimensional view.

In Figure 4a the thread guide 100 is shown in a position in which the thread feed elements 41 of the thread guide element 4 are located within the protective housing 5. The rest position away from the comb gap is shown here, in which there is no thread feed to the needles SN1, SN2. It can also be seen that the yarn guide element 4 has a holder 42 to which a support plate 40 for the yarn feed elements 41 is attached. The holder 42, in turn, is used to fasten the thread guide element 4 to the lower end of the carrier part 7 of the thread guide arm 120 and for the vertical movement of the thread guide element 4.

Figure 4b shows the thread guide 100 in a position in which the elements 41 of the thread guide element 4 are outside of the protective housing 5 condition. The working position near the nip is shown here, in which the thread or threads is or are brought to the needles SN1, SN2. The protective housing 5 has a U-shaped recess 50 which allows the position of the yarn guide element 4 to be checked visually. A scale 43 is also provided on the holder 42, which can be read through the recess 50 and, together with an arrow 51 on the protective housing, makes it easier to check the position.

In Figure 4c is again an enlarged view of the thread guide 100 in FIG Figure 4b shown position, the elements 41 of the yarn guide member 4 are in their working position near the comb gap between the driven out in this representation needles SN1, SN2.

figure 5 shows three thread guides 100a, 100b, 100c, which are movably mounted together on a thread guide rail 101. The thread guides 100a, 100b, 100c are connected to one another by means of coupling rods KS1-KS4.

The coupling rods KS1, KS2 are shorter than the coupling rods KS3, KS4. This allows different distances between the yarn guides 100a, 100b, 100c to be implemented.

It can also be seen that the thread guides 100a, 100b are made wider than the thread guide 100c.

Claims (14)

Knitting or warp-knitting machine with at least one thread guide (100) that can be moved along a thread guide rail (101) and has a thread guide arm (120), at the lower end of which a thread guide element (4) with one or more thread feed elements (41) for feeding one or more threads to knitting needles (SN1, SN2) of the flat knitting machine, characterized in that the thread guide (100) is formed from at least three modules (1, 2, M) detachably connected to one another, two of which are outer modules (1, 2) with Roles are provided for hanging in a thread guide rail (101) and include a middle, replaceable module (M) between them. Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the middle module (M) contains a carrier part (7) of the thread guide arm for the thread guide element (4), Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two outer modules (1, 2) are connected to one another by means of at least one web-shaped connecting element (6) which overlaps the middle module (M). Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the middle module (M) can be exchanged for other modules with a different width and/or a differently designed thread guide element (4). Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread-guiding element (4) is arranged to be exchangeable. Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread-feeding elements (41) are arranged on the thread-guiding element (4) in an adjustable and/or interchangeable manner. Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread-guiding element (4) has, as thread-feeding elements (41), eyelets, punched needles or small tubes, either of a single type or in any combination. Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread feed elements (41) have different materials and/or sizes of the thread openings depending on the properties of the threads to be fed. Knitting or warp knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Thread guide element (4) is arranged to be vertically movable on the thread guide arm (120). Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to Claim 9, characterized in that the thread guide element (4) can be adjusted between an upper rest position remote from the comb gap and a lower working position close to the comb gap. Knitting or warp knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread guide element (4) can be moved in the horizontal transverse and longitudinal direction by means of the thread guide arm (120). Knitting or warp knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a protective housing (5) is provided to cover the thread guide member (4). Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a collecting piece (3) with a large number of openings (30) for the passage of threads is arranged at the upper end of the thread guide (100). Knitting or warp-knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of thread guides (100a, 100b, 100c) can be coupled to one another for a joint movement.

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