CN113994039B

CN113994039B - Braiding machine

Info

Publication number: CN113994039B
Application number: CN201980097512.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·拉特雷·弗兰奇托拉
Original assignee: TALLERES RATERA SA
Current assignee: TALLERES RATERA SA
Priority date: 2019-06-14
Filing date: 2019-06-14
Publication date: 2023-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-14
Also published as: CN113994039A; ES2956091T3; EP3985152A1; EP3985152B1; US20220162783A1; EP3985152C0; WO2020249832A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a braiding machine comprising a series of plates arranged in a closed circuit in a continuous manner, each plate comprising a plurality of slots receiving spindles with guides, at least one driving device driving the plates, a guide channel in which the spindle guides run, and at least two commutator channels having two positions, a first position for the spindles to rotate continuously on one and the same plate, and a second position for the spindles to switch the plates.

Description

Braiding machine

A braiding machine comprising a series of plates arranged in a closed circuit in a continuous manner, each plate comprising a plurality of slots receiving spindles (spindles) having guides, at least one drive driving the plates, a guide channel in which the spindle guides run, and at least two commutator channels having two positions, a first position for the spindles to rotate continuously on one and the same plate, a second position for the spindles to switch the plates, wherein the series of plates comprises: a first set of plates having at least five plates, wherein one plate of the first set of plates is a drive plate, a first drive plate; the first set of plates being arranged in a continuous manner and defining two end plates, each plate having at least four slots therein; the second group of plates is provided with two plates, the two plates are driving plates, the second driving plate is positioned behind the two end plates, each end plate corresponds to one second driving plate, and at least four grooves are formed in the two plates; and a third set of plates having one drive plate located between the second drive plates, the third drive plate closing the loop and having at least two more slots than the first set of plates; since two commutator channels are located between the second and third sets of plates, the two commutator channels define a first operative position in which the third drive plate is isolated from the circuit and a second operative position in which the third drive plate is part of the circuit.

Background

Different wire braiding systems are known in the art. The first system consists of machine production, which uses an even number of threads for circular knitting. These machines form a so-called tubular braided structure by rotating the turns in one direction and the turns in the opposite direction to wind the wire in the turns. These braids are used for different purposes, e.g. ropes for boats, for climbing etc.

The second system consists of a machine that produces flat braids using an odd number of threads. Thus, the prior art is spanish patent NO 200002978 (ES 2193817) "braiding machine" owned by american metric company (AMERICAN METRIC CORPORATION) in 2000, which relates to a braiding machine formed by a support table that mounts a plurality of individual segments that form a base (bed) with a substantially circular tracking groove. Each segment includes a segment slot including a pair of opposed transfer openings formed through the outer wall, the transfer openings of adjacent segments contacting each other to form a tracking slot as an annular ring. The size of the annular ring is determined by the number and size of the segments used. The tracking grooves may be coated with a selected material other than the material forming the segments.

Applicant is the owner of spanish patent NO 201531634 (ES 2612143-WO 2017081338) "braiding machine" of 2015, which comprises a feeding device moving a number of plates on which a reel carrier is provided, and which comprises at least one splayed guide in which guide elements belonging to the reel carrier move, and a first shaft connected to the feeding device, which first shaft belongs to the plates and ends on top of a first pinion, which first pinion is in engagement with at least one satellite pinion, which satellite pinion is in engagement with a second pinion belonging to the reel carrier, wherein rotation of the first shaft causes rotation of the first pinion, which first pinion blocks the satellite pinion, moves the satellite pinion and moves the reel carrier according to the trajectory of the guide, wherein the same face of the reel carrier remains facing a predetermined reference point throughout the trajectory of the guide.

Furthermore, this document refers to german patent DE616856 and DE102009020053, which respectively protect two systems for exchanging spindles between plates through guide channels, both of which are now in the public domain.

Furthermore, british patent GB611071 relates to a braiding machine in which, for the purposes described herein, a traveling ingot has a curved path thereon by a series of driven rotatable notch discs located within an oil sump, and has intermittent transition guides located at the junction of each disc, and switch operating means for stopping machine operation in the event of a wire break.

Finally, another british patent GB555714 describes a circular knitting machine for manufacturing tubular fabrics, which is converted into a machine for manufacturing fabrics with one or more selvedge widths by blocking one or more loops (loops) of its serpentine path, and so that the spacing of the drive units can be kept uniform, the end drive units provided with a greater number of drive slots than the remaining units being driven by a compound transmission

Disclosure of Invention

The invention belongs to the field of braiding machines.

The closest document is spanish patent NO 200002978 (ES 2193817). This patent solves the problem of friction between the drive gears. However, as with all existing machines on the market today, this patent has the following problems: in order to weave flat and round threads, the machine must be stopped completely and the machine is adapted by removing or adding plates. Thus, it is not worth manufacturing a braided wire having a flat portion, then a round portion, then a flat portion, then a round portion, etc., because changing the configuration of the machine can be time consuming.

The present invention solves this problem by almost automatically effecting the transition from flat knitting to circular knitting and vice versa, and the time required to synchronize flat knitting and circular knitting takes only a few seconds, thereby avoiding wire splicing.

This in turn facilitates the manufacture of wires with different braiding types, which is very useful for fields such as surgery where it may be interesting to achieve high standard suturing.

The object of the present invention is a braiding machine comprising a series of plates arranged in a closed circuit in a continuous manner, each plate comprising a plurality of slots receiving spindles with guides, at least one driving device driving the plates, a guide channel in which the spindle guides run, and at least two commutator channels having two positions, a first position for the spindles to rotate continuously on one and the same plate, a second position for the spindles to switch the plates, wherein the series of plates comprises: a first set of plates having at least five plates, wherein one plate of the first set of plates is a drive plate, a first drive plate; the first set of plates being arranged in a continuous manner and defining two end plates, each plate having at least four slots therein; the second group of plates is provided with two plates, the two plates are driving plates, the second driving plate is positioned behind the two end plates, each end plate corresponds to one second driving plate, and at least four grooves are formed in the two plates; and a third set of plates having one drive plate located between the second drive plates, the third drive plate closing the loop and having at least two more slots than the first set of plates; since two commutator channels are located between the second and third sets of plates, the two commutator channels define a first operative position in which the third drive plate is isolated from the circuit and a second operative position in which the third drive plate is part of the circuit.

Drawings

For ease of explanation, this specification includes eight drawings representing actual embodiments. Such embodiments are introduced by way of example and should not limit the scope of the invention, among others.

FIG. 1 is a general view of the object of the present invention, showing a circular knitting configuration;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 showing the engine and gears;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention showing a flat knitting configuration;

FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG. 3 without a spindle;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention showing a circular knitting configuration;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an example of a commutator channel;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the first drive plate with spindle and coil; and

fig. 8 is a schematic view of three positions in the case of flat knitting.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an end plate 5, second drive plates 6 and 7, a third drive plate 8, a first drive plate drive 13, second drive plate drives 14 and 15, a third drive plate drive 16, commutator channel drives 17 and 18 and a chassis 26.

Fig. 2 includes illustrations of a first drive plate drive 13, second drive plate drives 14 and 15, third drive plate drive 16, commutator channel drives 17 and 18, chassis 26, first drive pinion 27, driven pinions 28 and 29, and end plate pinions 30 and 31.

Fig. 3 shows a first drive plate 1, driven plates 2 and 3, end plates 4 and 5, second drive plates 6, 7, a third drive plate 8, a first set of plate spindles 20, a second set of plate spindles 23, and switching spindles 24 and 25, wherein the first drive plate 1, driven plates 2 and 3, end plates 4 and 5 have respective slots 9, the first drive plate 1, driven plates 2 and 3, end plates 4 and 5 form a first set of plates, the second drive plates 6, 7 form a second set of plates, the third drive plate 8 has slots 11, and the third drive plate 8 forms a third set of plates.

Fig. 4 shows a first drive plate 1, driven plates 2 and 3, end plates 4 and 5, second drive plates 6 and 7 with respective slots 10, third drive plate 8 with slots 11, and switching spindles 24 and 25, the first drive plate 1, driven plates 2 and 3, end plates 4 and 5 having respective slots 9.

Fig. 5 shows a first drive plate 1, driven plates 2 and 3, end plates 4 and 5, second drive plates 6 and 7 with slots 10, third drive plate 8 with slots 11, first set of plate spindles 20, second set of plate spindles 23, third set of plate spindles 32, and switching spindles 24 and 25, the first drive plate 1, driven plates 2 and 3, end plates 4 and 5 having respective slots 9.

Fig. 6 shows the second drive plates 6 and 7, the third drive plate 8, the commutator channels 12 and 19, and the guide channel 22.

Fig. 7 shows the first drive plate 1, the crossover passage 33, the spindle guides 21, the first set of plate spindles 20, and the guide passage 22.

Finally, fig. 8 shows an end plate with slots 9, second drive plates 6 and 7 with respective slots 10, second set of plate spindles 23, and switching spindles 24 and 25, the end plates 6 and 7 forming a first set of plates, and the second drive plates 6 and 7 forming a second set of plates.

Initially, fig. 6 shows two positions of the commutator channels 12, 19, one for each position. This is for convenience of explanation provided hereinafter. In principle, when both commutator channels 12 and 19 are operating, they should be arranged in the same position, instead of as shown in fig. 6, that is to say, the commutator channels should not both be in their respective operating positions, but should both be in the same operating position. In other words, for circular knitting, two commutator channels should be located in commutator channel 12 as shown, and for flat knitting, two commutator channels should be located in commutator channel 19 as shown.

The braiding machine of the present invention is thus formed by a series of plates 1 to 8 arranged in a continuous manner, the plates 1 to 8 being joined one after the other, forming a closed loop.

The plates 1 to 8 comprise slots 9, and spindles 20 and knitting threads are accommodated in slots 9.

Each spindle 20 has a guide 21 disposed in a guide channel 22, and guide 21 moves in guide channel 22 (fig. 7).

The invention comprises at least one drive for driving the plates 1 to 8 and at least two commutator channels 12 and 19 having two positions. This embodiment includes two channels, but the number of channels may be increased if desired to accommodate particular configuration needs.

The positions are: a first position for the spindle to continuously rotate in the same plate and a second position for the spindle to switch the plates; that is, in a first position, the spindle remains rotating within the same plate, and in a second position, the spindle switches the plates.

Depending on whether the braid is flat or round, the plates are divided into three groups, which have different purposes and different roles.

The first set of plates consists of a minimum of five plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. One of these plates is the driving plate, i.e. the first driving plate 1, i.e. the driving plate 1 transmits motion to the other plates, i.e. the driven plates 2 and 3 and the end plates 4 and 5. The plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are arranged in a continuous manner and they define two end plates 4 and 5, the two end plates 4 and 5 also being driven plates. Furthermore, the plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 comprise at least four grooves 9 in each of the plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

The second set of plates consists of two plates 6 and 7, both plates 6 and 7 being drive plates, hereinafter referred to as second drive plates 6, 7. Two second drive plates are located behind the two end plates 4, 5, one for each end plate. Like the first set of plates, the second set of plates also comprises at least four slots 10 in the two plates 6, 7.

The last group of plates, the third group of plates, consists of only one plate, the drive plate, the third drive plate 8, which is located between the second drive plates 6 and 7, i.e. closes the circuit.

The third drive plate 8 comprises at least two more slots 11 than the slots of the first set of plates.

Furthermore, two commutator channels 12 and 19 are located between the second set of plates and the third set of plates. The two commutator channels define a first operating position in which the third drive plate 8 is isolated from the circuit and a second operating position in which the third drive plate 8 coincides with the position shown in the flat knitting and commutator channels 19, that is to say it will not carry any spindles; in the second operating position, the third drive plate 8 is part of the circuit, in correspondence with the circular knitting, the commutator channels being positioned as indicated by the commutator channels 12, so as to transfer the spindles.

Alternatively, the plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the first set of plates and the plates 6, 7 of the second set of plates comprise four grooves and the plate 8 of the third set of plates comprises six grooves.

Another configuration is possible in which each drive plate 1, 6, 7, 8 is a separate drive 13, 14, 15, 16, for example a servo drive for each drive plate 1, 6, 7, 8.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the machine may be configured such that each commutator channel 12 and 19 comprises a separate drive means 17 and 18, for example a servo drive, i.e. as described above, the commutator channels 12 and 19 are driven between the first and second operating positions and vice versa the commutator channels 12 and 19 are driven between the second and first operating positions.

The possibility has been provided that the third drive plate 8 rotates at a lower speed than the second drive plates 6, 7 and the first drive plate 1 when in the circular knitting position.

In the configuration explained before, it is assumed that the third drive plate 8 rotates at a speed of 2/3 of the speed of the second drive plates 6, 7, the plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the first set of plates and the plates 6, 7 of the second set of plates have four grooves, and the plates 8 of the third set of plates have six grooves.

Similarly, the following possibilities are provided: in the flat knitting position, the second drive plates 6, 7 sometimes include spindles 23 and 24 (fig. 8) in each slot 10 during rotation.

Similarly, the second drive plates 6 and 7 move forward and backward, as will be explained in more detail below, and this is shown in three positions in fig. 8.

Also in fig. 8, when the second drive plates 6 and 7 switch one of their spindles 24 with the end plates 4 and 5 of the first set of plates in the flat knitting position (fig. 8A), the plates remain moved forward under inertia and then return to receive spindles 25 from the end plates 4, 5 (fig. 8B) while the end plates 4 and 5 continue in the same rotational direction, and the second drive plates 6 and 7 switch their rotational directions, first forward, then backward, and then forward again.

When in the flat knitting position, there are two configurations possible for the third plate 8: in the first configuration, the third drive plate 8 does not rotate and stops when the other plates rotate, and in the second configuration, the third drive plate 8 rotates as an idle plate, i.e. without intervening knitting.

Continuing with the example, in yet another embodiment, in the circular knitting position and the flat knitting position, seventeen spindles are included: 20. 23, 24, 25. Thus, the braiding machine may be configured with eight spindles rotating in one direction and nine spindles rotating in the opposite direction. That is, even in circular knitting, a knitting of an odd number of threads can be produced, whereas circular knitting is generally made of only an even number of threads.

Unlike the machines known in the prior art, in this case the third drive plate 8 can be configured such that the diameter of the third drive plate 8 is identical to the diameter of the second drive plates 6 and 7 and to the diameters of the plates 1 to 5 in the first group.

To facilitate braiding, both circular braiding and flat braiding, the plates 1 to 8 are arranged in a circular shape. Thus, in a practical embodiment, the operator will first set up a control panel (not shown, which is known and not part of the claims) according to the type of knitting to be performed by the machine. If the operator selects circular knitting, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, the process is as follows.

It is initially the plates 1 to 7 with four slots in each plate and six slots in the third drive plate 8. The number of grooves 11 in the third drive plate 8 may vary depending on the number of grooves in the remaining plates 1 to 7 and the specific needs, but the minimum number of grooves in the third drive plate 8 must be two more than the number of grooves in the second drive plates 6 and 7.

The slot arrangement also relates to the rotational speed of the third drive plate 8, the second drive plates 6 and 7 each having four slots, the third drive plate 8 having six slots 11, i.e. in a ratio of 2/3, which then defines that the rotational speed of the third drive plate 8 is 2/3 of the rotational speed of the second drive plates 6 and 7, and thus the ratio is the same ratio between the slots of the second drive plates 6 and 7 and the third drive plate 8.

In this way, the circular knitting arrangement in this embodiment includes eight plates. The eight plates comprise four drive plates, a first drive plate 1, second drive plates 6 and 7, and a third drive plate 8, the first drive plate 1 driving the plates of the first set of plates by means of a gear system (fig. 2).

In this example, the closed circuit formed by the eight plates 1-8 includes seventeen spindles 20, 23, 24, 25, 32, with nine spindles rotating in one direction and eight spindles rotating in the opposite direction. Both circular and flat knitting arrangements use the same number of spindles.

Still referring to circular knitting, when the first drive plate 1 rotates in one direction, the two driven plates 2 and 3 following the first drive plate 1 rotate in opposite directions, and the end plates 4 and 5 rotate in the same direction as the first drive plate 1.

All the plates are connected by means of gears (fig. 2), which, when the first drive plate 1 rotates, cause all the plates to rotate by the effect of the movement produced by the first drive pinion 27 connected to the first drive plate 1 when the two driven pinions 28 and 29 connected to the driven plates 2 and 3 are actuated; and the driven plates 2 and 3 are connected to end plate pinions 30 and 31, and the end plate pinions 30 and 31 are connected to end plates 4 and 5, and the end plates 4 and 5 are used for rotation.

The second drive plates 6 and 7 are not engaged with the first set of plates. Thus, the system allows the plates to be synchronized when the machine must go from circular knitting to flat knitting and vice versa, as will be explained in more detail below.

Similarly, the third drive plate 8 is neither engaged with the second drive plates 6 and 7 to allow transmission of different speeds nor is it able to synchronize with the second drive plates 6 and 7 or stop under flat knitting, and such third drive plate 8 is not engaged.

Thus, when the spindle 24 from the end plate 4 reaches the crossover passage 33, the spindle 24 switches the plates to the second drive plate 6 and stays therein until it reaches the commutator passage 12.

The commutator channel 12 is in the switching position such that the spindle 24 will stay in the third drive plate 8 and will then continue to the second drive plate 7.

When the third drive plate 8 moves at a lower speed than the second drive plates 6, 7, i.e. at 2/3 of the speed of the second drive plates 6 and 7, the third drive plate 8 needs to have more grooves 11 (1/3 more grooves than in the second drive plates 6 and 7); thus, if the number of grooves 10 in the second drive plates 6 and 7 is four, the number of grooves 11 in the third drive plate 8 will be six, and if the speed of the second drive plates 6 and 7 is x rpm, the speed of the third drive plate will be 2/3 of x rpm. This is done to allow more spindles 32 to be gathered in the third drive plate 8 and to produce a circular knit.

If the operator decides that the weave should be flat for production needs, the operator can change configuration and the machine will begin synchronizing the spindles.

In this way, the third drive plate 8 ejects its spindles 32 towards the second drive plates 6 and 7. The figure shows four spindles 32. Once this is done, the third drive plate 8 may be stopped or set to an idle position, as the third drive plate 8 does not affect the knitting.

Furthermore, the two commutator channels change the configuration to that shown in fig. 6 with reference numeral 19, so that the spindle will rotate and will not switch to the third drive plate 8, but will continue to rotate around the second drive plates 6 and 7.

The closed circuit in this configuration consists of seven plates 1 to 7.

Basically, the spindles in the flat knitting will move in a similar way as in the circular knitting until reaching the second drive plates 6 and 7.

In the flat knitting arrangement known in the art, the last plate, i.e. the position where the second drive plates 6 and 7 are arranged, is one more slot than the other plates. In this case, the number of grooves is the same.

In order to be able to hold the same number of spindles as in circular knitting without stopping the machine, the machine must be able to operate with two fewer slots than the second drive plates 6 and 7.

Fig. 8 provides a solution. The spindles 24 of the second drive plate 7 switch in the grooves 9 on the end plate 5 so that the grooves 10 on the second drive plate 7 do not engage (fig. 8A).

At the same time, the end plate 5 maintains the same speed and has a spindle 25 which switches with the second drive plate 7; if the end plate 5 continues to rotate, the spindles 23 of the second drive plate 7 will face the spindles 25 of the end plate 5 (fig. 8B).

In order to use the free slot 10, the second drive plate 7 must be stopped and retracted until the free slot 10 matches the moment at which the spindle 25 switches from the end plate 5 to the second drive plate 7 (fig. 8C).

In this way continuity is achieved, allowing the use of plates with the same number of grooves when performing flat knitting.

Thus, the same machine can be used for both flat knitting and circular knitting and is configured by simply switching the positions of the commutator channels 12, 19 without stopping the machine and without wasting time, and synchronization of the plates is achieved, allowing respective knitting and recovery at high speed.

Such a machine allows the knitting yarn to alternate between circular knitting and flat knitting, which, as already explained, provides a very interesting product for high precision surgical suturing.

The present invention describes a new braiding machine. The examples provided herein are not limiting of the invention and therefore should have different applications and/or modifications, all of which are within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Braiding machine comprising a series of plates (1-8) arranged in a closed circuit in a continuous manner, each plate comprising a plurality of slots (9) receiving spindles (20) with guides (21), at least one driving device driving the plates (1-8), spindle guides (21) running in the guide channels (22), a guide channel (22) and at least two commutator channels (12, 19), the at least two commutator channels (12, 19) having two positions, a first position for the spindles to rotate continuously on one and the same plate, and a second position for the spindles to switch the plates, characterized in that the series of plates comprises:

-a first set of plates having at least five plates (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), wherein one plate of the first set of plates is a drive plate, a first drive plate (1); the plates are arranged in a continuous manner and define two end plates (4, 5), each plate (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) having at least four slots (9) therein;

-a second set of plates, having two plates (6, 7), both of which are drive plates, a second drive plate (6, 7) located behind the two end plates (4, 5), one for each end plate, the two plates (6, 7) having at least four grooves (10) therein; and

-a third set of plates, having one drive plate, a third drive plate (8), the third drive plate (8) being located between the second drive plates (6, 7), the third drive plate (8) closing the circuit and having at least two more slots (11) than the first set of plates;

and is characterized in that,

the two commutator channels (12, 19) are located between the second and third sets of plates and define a first operative position in which the third drive plate (8) is isolated from the circuit and a second operative position in which the third drive plate (8) is part of the circuit.

2. Braiding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the plates (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the first set of plates and the plates (6, 7) of the second set of plates have four grooves and the plates (8) of the third set of plates have six grooves.

3. Braiding machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the drive plates (1, 6, 7, 8) has an independent drive means (13, 14, 15, 16).

4. A knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each of the commutator channels (12, 19) comprises an independent drive means (17, 18) that drives the commutator channel between the first and the second operating position.

5. Knitting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the third drive plate (8) rotates at a lower speed than the speed of the second drive plate (6, 7) and the speed of the first drive plate (1) when the knitting machine is in the second operating position.

6. Braiding machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the plates (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the first set of plates and the plates (6, 7) of the second set of plates have four grooves and the plates (8) of the third set of plates have six grooves, wherein the third drive plate (8) rotates at 2/3 of the speed of the second drive plate (6, 7).

7. Knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the second drive plate (6, 7) comprises a spindle (23, 24) in each groove (10) at a given time when rotating when the knitting machine is in the first operating position.

8. Knitting machine as claimed in claim 7, characterized by that the second drive plate (6, 7) has a forward and backward movement.

9. Knitting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that when the knitting machine is in the first operating position, the second drive plates (6, 7) are moved backwards to receive spindles (25) from the end plates (4, 5) when the second drive plates (6, 7) exchange one of their spindles (24) with the end plates (4, 5) of the first set of plates, and that the end plates (4, 5) maintain their rotational direction while the second drive plates (6, 7) change direction and move backwards.

10. Knitting machine as claimed in claim 9, characterized by that the third drive plate (8) is not turned when in the first operating position.

11. Knitting machine as claimed in claim 9, characterized by that the third drive plate (8) rotates in an idle mode when in the first operating position.

12. Braiding machine according to claim 9, wherein the plates (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the first set of plates and the plates (6, 7) of the second set of plates have four grooves and the plates (8) of the third set of plates have six grooves, wherein in the first and second operating positions the braiding machine comprises seventeen spindles (20, 23, 24, 25).

13. The braiding machine according to claim 12, wherein eight spindles rotate in one direction and nine spindles rotate in the opposite direction.

14. Knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized by that the diameter of the third drive plate (8) is the same as the diameter of the second drive plate (6, 7) and as the diameter of the first set of plates (1-5).

15. Knitting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized by that the arrangement of the plates (1-8) is circular.