DE102021119011A1 - knitting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

In recent years, the reduction of friction and wear has gained importance in the development of knitting tools. A knitting tool (1) according to the invention and a knitting device (27) according to the invention are therefore suitable for reducing the friction in knitting machines and the accumulation of dirt (23) compared to conventional knitting tools. For this purpose, the knitting tool (1) has subsections (7) in a functional area (5) in which the slope of a center line (4) is greater than zero.

Description

Knitting tools for use in industrial knitting machines have been further developed since the 19th century and are always faced with new challenges due to the ongoing developments in the field of knitting machines. In recent years, the reduction of friction and wear has come to the fore - especially against the background of rising energy prices and production costs. Conventional knitting tools have a shank that runs in the longitudinal direction of the tool and is designed, at least in one functional area, to be guided in the needle channels of knitting machines (both circular knitting and flat knitting machines) and, within a defined operating range, to perform a largely rectilinear knitting movement in the longitudinal direction of the tool perform. The force for this knitting movement is transmitted to the knitting tool via a foot which protrudes beyond the shaft of the knitting tool in a vertical direction which runs perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the tool. A transverse force also acts on the base in a width direction that is perpendicular to the tool longitudinal direction and height direction. The transverse force leads to an inclined position of the knitting tool in the needle channel and is supported by contact with the side walls of the needle channel. Due to the inclined position, the knitting tool has linear contact with the needle channel only on the top and bottom. The inclination of the knitting tool in a needle channel is illustrated in 2 the EP1860219A1 shown: the resulting contact points are marked there with oval circles.

the FR2260262A7 shows a knitting tool that is used to reduce the vibrations of the hook (stitch-forming means) that occur at high knitting speeds and thus prevent needle breakage. For this purpose, the needle shaft points at its foot ( 1 , #5) adjoining, rear section of the shaft has a wavy shape ( 1 , #4c and #4d). This wavy shape is intended to dampen vibrations in the longitudinal direction of the needle.

the DE3612316A1 shows a knitting tool said to have improved shock absorbing properties. For this purpose, the knitting tool has at least one elongated groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. the 4 shows a special embodiment of such a knitting tool, in which arcuate cutouts ( 4 , #11) are arranged. Bridges are formed by these cutouts, which reduce the weight of the knitting needle and give it a resilient resilience in sections.

the DE3213158A1 shows a knitting tool with a hook element (stitch-forming means) and a closing element, the hook of the hook element being able to be closed by a relative movement between the closing element and the hook element. This form of knitting tool is also known as a compound needle. the 5 shows a special embodiment of this knitting tool with grooves ( 5 , #7 and #9) suitable for taking up a thread. These flutes ( 5 , #7 and #9) directly adjoin the hook element in the longitudinal direction and are not guided in a needle channel.

the EP2927360A1 shows a knitting tool with a meander shaft, which has areas of reduced thickness and in this way reduces the friction between the knitting tool and the needle channel. The meander shank has a plurality of shank regions which are offset relative to one another in the height direction and each extend in the longitudinal direction of the tool. These shaft areas are connected to one another by webs which extend in the vertical direction. The meandering shank of the knitting tool has no shank sections that are inclined to the longitudinal direction of the tool: all shank sections either point exactly in the longitudinal direction of the tool or enclose an angle of 90° to the longitudinal direction of the tool.

The aforementioned EP1860219A1 shows a knitting tool whose shaft has a functional area. The height of the centroid of a cross section of the knitting tool lying in a plane spanned by the height and width direction changes within the functional area with the position of the cross section in the longitudinal direction of the tool. This is achieved by so-called "floating sections". These "floating sections" are spaced from both the bottom of the knitting tool and the top of the knitting tool. The "floating sections" as well as the remaining sections of the functional area run parallel to the bottom of the needle channel of the knitting machine in which the knitting tool is used - they run essentially in the longitudinal direction of the knitting tool. Thus, the height of the centroid is constant within the "floating sections". Since the "floating sections" are separated from the top and bottom of the knitting tool, the contact area between the knitting tool and the needle channel should be reduced. The "floating sections" are connected to one another by shaft sections which essentially extend in the longitudinal direction of the tool and are arranged on the top and bottom of the knitting tool and are intended to form a linear contact surface with the needle channel. In such an embodiment of a knitting tool, there are gaps above and below the “floating sections” in which dirt can accumulate during the knitting operation.

The object of the invention is therefore to specify a knitting tool and a knitting system which, during the knitting operation, have reduced friction compared to conventional knitting tools and knitting systems and also reduce the accumulation of dirt.

• - einem Schaft, der sich hauptsächlich in einer Werkzeuglängsrichtung erstreckt, in der das Werkzeug im Strickbetrieb bewegt wird,
• - wobei der Schaft an jedem Punkt seiner Längserstreckung eine quer zur Werkzeuglängsrichtung verlaufende Querschnittsfläche aufweist, die von seiner Breiten- und Höhenrichtung aufgespannt wird,
• - wobei jede dieser Querschnittsflächen einen Flächenschwerpunkt aufweist, durch den eine gedachte Schwerpunktslinie, die die Flächenschwerpunkte aller Querschnittsflächen entlang der Werkzeuglängsrichtung miteinander verbindet, führt,
• - wobei der Schaft zumindest einen Funktionsbereich aufweist,
• - in dem die Schwerpunktslinie ihre Höhe in Höhenrichtung ändert (das heißt die Schwerpunktslinie weist keinen Abschnitt auf, in dem die Höhe der Schwerpunktslinie konstant ist - also keinen Abschnitt, der im Wesentlichen in Werkzeuglängsrichtung des Strickwerkzeugs verläuft. Die zweite Ableitung der Schwerpunktslinie ist also ungleich null, wenn ihre Steigung null ist),
• - in dem die Höhe der Querschnittsfläche - die Querschnittsflächenhöhe - an jedem Punkt der Längserstreckung des Funktionsbereiches geringer ist als die Schafthöhe innerhalb des Funktionsbereiches (die Schafthöhe ist dabei die Höhe zwischen dem in Höhenrichtung niedrigsten Punkt und dem in Höhenrichtung höchsten Punkt des Schaftes innerhalb dessen Funktionsbereiches),
• - wobei der Funktionsbereich eine Längserstreckung aufweist, die mehr als 20% bevorzugterweise jedoch mehr als 25% der Längserstreckung des gesamten Strickwerkzeugs ausmacht,

ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Funktionsbereich Unterabschnitte aufweist, in denen der Betrag der Steigung der Schwerpunktslinie zwischen 0 und ∞ liegt. Der Betrag der Steigung der Schwerpunktslinie in den Unterabschnitten ist also größer als 0. Die Steigung zwischen zwei Punkten der Schwerpunkstlinie entspricht dem Quotient aus dem Höhenunterschied in Höhenrichtung und dem Längenunterschied in Werkzeuglängsrichtung zwischen diesen zwei Punkten der Schwerpunktslinie $\left(Steigung=\frac{H\ddot{o}henunterschied}{L\ddot{a}ngenunterschied}\right).$

Die Bereiche des Strickwerkzeugs, für die auf diese Weise keine Steigung berechnet werden kann (z.B. wenn der Längenunterschied zwischen zwei Punkten der Schwerpunktslinie null ist), sind keine Unterabschnitte im Sinne dieser Patentanmeldung. Vorteilhafterweise liegt der Betrag der Steigung der Schwerpunktslinie in den Unterabschnitten zwischen 0 und 3. Der Betrag der Steigung der Schwerpunktslinie in den Unterabschnitten liegt bevorzugterweise jedoch zwischen 0 und 1. Es ist vorteilhaft, wenn der Betrag der Steigung der Schwerpunktslinie in den Unterabschnitten auf zumindest 50% der Längserstreckung der Unterabschnitte zwischen 0,01 und 0,8, bevorzugterweise jedoch zwischen 0,025 und 0,6 liegt. Die Schwerpunktslinie verbindet die Flächenschwerpunkte dabei auf dem kürzesten Weg. In den Unterabschnitten des Funktionsbereichs ändert die Schwerpunktslinie ständig ihre Höhe - die Höhe der Schwerpunktslinie bleibt also nicht konstant sondern hebt und/oder senkt sich in Höhenrichtung entlang ihres Verlaufs in Werkzeuglängsrichtung. Vorteilhafterweise ändert die Schwerpunktslinie ihre Höhe derart, dass der Verlauf der Schwerpunktslinie in einer x-z-Ebene betrachtet einen „oszillierenden“ Verlauf aufweist. Der Verlauf der Schwerpunktslinie ergibt sich im Wesentlichen aufgrund einer Änderung des Querschnitts des Strickwerkzeugs in der x-y-Ebene und resultiert nicht aus einer Dichte- oder Materialänderung. Eine Änderung des Querschnitts kann auch einfach eine Verschiebung des Querschnitts in Höhenrichtung sein. Vorteilhafterweise ist das Strickwerkzeug gestanzt. Besonders vorteilhaft ist es, wenn das Strickwerkzeug ein monolithisches Stanzteil ist; das gesamte Strickwerkzeug besteht dann bevorzugterweise aus einem einzigen Werkstoff und alle Stellen des Strickwerkzeugs weisen im Wesentlichen die gleiche Dichte auf. Während der Strickbewegung des Strickwerkzeugs in Werkzeuglängsrichtung wird Schmutz, der sich im Bereich des Schafts befindet, aufgrund der Steigung der Schwerpunktslinie in positive Höhenrichtung von dem Schaft nach oben und somit aus dem Betriebsbereich des Strickwerkzeugs geschoben. Mit dem Betriebsbereich ist der Bereich gemeint, in dem sich das Strickwerkzeug während seiner Strickbewegung aufhalten kann. Das Strickwerkzeug bewegt sich dabei im Wesentlichen in Werkzeuglängsrichtung. Auf Verschmutzungen, die während dieser Bewegung mit dem Funktionsbereich in Kontakt kommen, wirkt eine Kraft, die senkrecht zur Oberfläche des Strickwerkzeugs an der Kontaktstelle gerichtet ist. Aufgrund des Verlaufs der Schwerpunktslinie hat diese Kraft Richtungsanteile in Bewegungsrichtung des Strickwerkzeugs und in Höhenrichtung. In dem Betriebsbereich stellt sich somit ein Selbstreinigungseffekt ein; Schmutz wird entfernt und in der Folge erhöht sich die Zuverlässigkeit und Lebensdauer des Strickwerkzeugs.The object is solved by the two claims 1 and 12. A knitting tool with the following features:

• - a shank which extends mainly in a tool longitudinal direction in which the tool is moved in the knitting operation,
• - wherein the shank has at each point of its longitudinal extent a cross-sectional area running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tool, which is spanned by its width and height direction,
• - each of these cross-sectional areas having a centroid through which an imaginary centroid line that connects the centroids of all cross-sectional areas along the longitudinal direction of the tool leads,
• - wherein the shaft has at least one functional area,
• - in which the center of gravity line changes its height in height direction (i.e. the center of gravity line does not have a section in which the height of the center of gravity line is constant - i.e. no section that essentially runs in the longitudinal direction of the knitting tool. The second derivative of the center of gravity line is therefore unequal zero if their slope is zero),
• - in which the height of the cross-sectional area - the height of the cross-sectional area - at each point of the longitudinal extent of the functional area is less than the shaft height within the functional area (the shaft height is the height between the lowest point in the vertical direction and the highest point in the vertical direction of the shaft within its functional area ),
• - wherein the functional area has a longitudinal extent that makes up more than 20%, but preferably more than 25% of the longitudinal extent of the entire knitting tool,

is characterized in that the functional area has subsections in which the magnitude of the slope of the centroid line is between 0 and ∞. The slope of the center of gravity line in the subsections is therefore greater than 0. The slope between two points of the center of gravity line corresponds to the quotient of the height difference in height direction and the length difference in the tool longitudinal direction between these two points of the center of gravity line $\left(SteiG\mathrm{and}nG=\frac{H\ddot{O}Hen\mathrm{and}nte\mathrm{right}scHie\mathrm{i.e}}{L\ddot{a}nGen\mathrm{and}nte\mathrm{right}scHie\mathrm{i.e}}\right).$

The areas of the knitting tool for which no gradient can be calculated in this way (eg when the difference in length between two points of the centroid line is zero) are not subsections within the meaning of this patent application. Advantageously, the slope of the line of gravity in the subsections is between 0 and 3. However, the slope of the line of gravity in the subsections is preferably between 0 and 1. It is advantageous if the slope of the line of gravity in the subsections is at least 50 % of the longitudinal extent of the subsections is between 0.01 and 0.8, but preferably between 0.025 and 0.6. The centroid line connects the centroids in the shortest way. In the subsections of the functional area, the center of gravity line constantly changes its height - the height of the center of gravity line does not remain constant but rises and/or falls in the height direction along its course in the longitudinal direction of the tool. The center of gravity line advantageously changes its height in such a way that the course of the center of gravity line has an “oscillating” course when viewed in an xz plane. The course of the center of gravity line results essentially from a change in the cross section of the knitting tool in the xy plane and does not result from a change in density or material. A change in the cross section can also simply be a shift in the cross section in the vertical direction. The knitting tool is advantageously punched. It when the knitting tool is a monolithic stamped part is particularly advantageous; the entire knitting tool then preferably consists of a single material and all points of the knitting tool have essentially the same density. During the knitting movement of the knitting tool in the longitudinal direction of the tool, dirt in the area of the shaft is pushed upwards by the shaft and thus out of the operating range of the knitting tool due to the incline of the center of gravity line in the positive height direction. The operating range means the range in which the knitting tool can stay during its knitting movement. The knitting tool moves essentially in the longitudinal direction of the tool. For contamination that occurs during this movement come into contact with the functional area, a force acts perpendicular to the surface of the knitting tool at the contact point. Due to the course of the center of gravity line, this force has directional components in the direction of movement of the knitting tool and in the vertical direction. A self-cleaning effect thus occurs in the operating range; Dirt is removed and as a result the reliability and service life of the knitting tool increases.

A knitting tool according to the invention which has at least one foot offers further advantages. The foot extends essentially in the height direction. Advantageously, the foot projects beyond the surrounding areas of the knitting tool in the vertical direction. Driving forces or driving movements can be introduced into the knitting tool via the foot. For use in knitting machines, this foot engages in a cam with a cam-shaped cam, which transmits a knitting movement in the longitudinal direction of the tool to the foot by moving the knitting tool relative to the stationary cam. A knitting tool that includes at least two feet offers further advantages. The teaching according to the invention can also be advantageously used with knitting tools that have more than two feet.

It is also advantageous if the functional area is divided into at least two sub-areas, each of which has sub-sections in which the slope of the center of gravity line is between 0 and ∞, and these sub-areas are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the knitting tool. The breakdown of the functional area into at least two sub-areas means that a region of the knitting tool that does not belong to the functional area is arranged between these at least two sub-areas. For example, this can be an area in which the center of gravity of the cross section of the knitting tool does not change its height, i.e. its height is constant. It is particularly advantageous if the at least two subregions are at a distance which is at least as large, but preferably 1.5 times as large as the longitudinal extent of the foot—ie the foot length—in the longitudinal direction of the tool. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the foot is arranged between the at least two partial areas.

Further advantages result if the knitting tool has at least a portion of the functional area that is in front of the foot in the longitudinal direction of the tool and has at least a portion of the functional area that is downstream of the foot in the longitudinal direction of the tool. In knitting, the foot is exposed to great stress as the point at which the driving forces are applied. The upstream and downstream sub-areas of the functional area can distribute and support the drive forces introduced during the knitting operation.

A knitting tool according to the invention is advantageous in which at least one sub-area—but preferably two sub-areas—of the functional area directly adjoins the foot or is only at a distance from the foot in the longitudinal direction of the tool that is less than or equal to 10% of the longitudinal extension of the entire knitting tool. A distance that is less than 5% of the longitudinal extent of the entire knitting tool is particularly advantageous.

It is advantageous if the functional area has at least one local extremum—minimum or maximum—of the height of the center of gravity line. The slope of the line of gravity is therefore 0 at this at least one extreme. The subsections described above follow in the surrounding areas, in which the slope of the line of gravity lies between 0 and oo. If a transverse force acts on a knitting tool in a needle channel, it rests against the side walls of the needle channel due to a resulting inclined position in the area of the local minima and maxima. Consequently, the transverse forces are supported there and contact points and, as a result of a knitting movement of the knitting tool, also friction occur. It is particularly advantageous if the shaft is designed in the area of local minima and maxima in such a way that a contact point with a small contact surface is produced in each of these areas during knitting.

Further advantages result if at least two local extrema of the height of the centroid line have the same height. It is particularly advantageous if at least two local minima and/or two local maxima have the same height. Further advantages result when at least two local maxima have the same height and a third local maximum has a lower height. It is just as advantageous if at least two local minima have the same height and a third local minimum has a greater height. It is particularly advantageous if the at least two local extremes of the line of gravity, which have the same height, are global extremes—ie the height of the line of gravity is nowhere greater (global maximum) or smaller (global minimum).

A knitting tool is advantageous in which the in the positive vertical direction of the knitting tool - ie the direction in which the foot protrudes beyond the surrounding tool areas - pointing Surface of the shank - hereinafter referred to as the cover surface - has the same height in the longitudinal direction of the tool at the points of at least two local maxima of the center of gravity line and/or in the negative height direction - i.e. the direction that points down to the needle channel bed during knitting operation - of the knitting tool Surface of the shaft - hereinafter the bottom surface - has the same height at the points of at least two local minima of the line of gravity. The positive height direction and the negative height direction are exactly opposite to each other. It is particularly advantageous if the top surface has the same height at the locations of the global maxima of the line of gravity and/or the bottom surface has the same height at the locations of the global minima of the line of gravity.

A knitting tool according to the invention is also advantageous in which at least one local extremum has a surface which is raised compared to the surface of a large part of the functional area in the width direction. As already described, when used in a knitting machine, the knitting tool lies against a needle channel in the area of the local extrema. If the surface is raised at these points compared to the rest of the functional area, there is a clearly defined contact surface at the raised points and it is prevented that other areas of the knitting tool form contact points with parts of the knitting machine, for example due to manufacturing inaccuracies. Further advantages arise when the surface is raised in such a way that essentially punctiform contact points to the knitting machine are formed during the knitting operation.

It is advantageous if the shaft is at a distance from the minimum shaft height of the functional area at the locations of local maxima of the line of gravity and from the maximum height of the shaft of the functional area at the locations of local minima of the line of gravity. It is particularly advantageous if this distance is at least half as large as the maximum shaft height of the functional area.

Further advantages result if at least a partial area of the functional area comprises at least one recess which is triangular in the x-z plane and/or a corrugated recess which penetrates the functional area in the width direction. It is particularly advantageous if the height of the recess in the vertical direction is at least 50%, preferably at least 65%, of the shaft height.

A knitting tool according to the invention is advantageous in which the surface of the shank pointing in the positive vertical direction of the knitting tool - the cover surface in the positive tool longitudinal direction pointing in the tool ejection direction has a gradient which has a local maximum gradient in front of at least one local maximum of the height of the center of gravity line and/ or the shaft surface pointing in the negative vertical direction of the knitting tool - the bottom surface in the positive tool longitudinal direction pointing in the tool ejection direction has a gradient which has a local gradient minimum in front of at least a local minimum of the height of the center of gravity line. The positive tool longitudinal direction, or the tool exit direction, is the direction of the tool in which the end of the shaft on which the stitch-forming element is located also points. At the points described, the course of the base surface or cover surface forms “dirt noses” that preferentially convey dirt in the negative longitudinal direction of the tool due to the incline of the surface. The dirt is thus conveyed away from the stitches formed or the textile formed.

It is particularly advantageous if the amount of the local maximum gradient of the surface of the shaft pointing in the positive vertical direction of the knitting tool - the top surface - and/or the local minimum gradient of the surface of the shaft pointing in the negative vertical direction of the knitting tool - the bottom surface - has a value between 0.57 and 2.75. However, the amount of the local maximum gradient of the top surface and/or the local minimum gradient of the bottom surface preferably has a value between 0.83 and 1.74. Further advantages result if the magnitude of the local minimum gradient of the bottom surface is greater than the magnitude of the local maximum gradient of the top surface.

Further advantages result if the surface of the shaft pointing in the positive vertical direction of the knitting tool - the top surface - and the surface of the shaft pointing in the negative vertical direction of the knitting tool - the bottom surface - run essentially parallel to one another in the subsections of the functional area. The top surface and the bottom surface run parallel to one another, at least in sections. As a result, there is an even material and stress distribution in these subsections. It is particularly advantageous if the top surface and the bottom surface run essentially parallel in the entire functional area.

It is advantageous if the last maximum of the center of gravity line of the functional area opposite to the ejection direction in the negative longitudinal direction of the tool is a global maximum. white Other advantages result if this last maximum is spaced a maximum of 30 mm, but preferably a maximum of 15 mm, in the longitudinal direction of the tool from the end of the knitting tool pointing in the negative longitudinal direction of the tool. In this way, tilting or twisting of the knitting tool about an axis pointing in the width direction is prevented and good guidance of the knitting tool in knitting devices is achieved.

• - einem Schaft, der sich hauptsächlich in einer Werkzeuglängsrichtung erstreckt, in der das Strickwerkzeug im Strickbetrieb bewegt wird,
• - wobei der Schaft an jedem Punkt seiner Längserstreckung eine quer zur Werkzeuglängsrichtung verlaufende Querschnittsfläche aufweist, die von seiner Breiten- und Höhenrichtung aufgespannt wird,
• - wobei jede dieser Querschnittsflächen einen Flächenschwerpunkt aufweist, durch den eine gedachte Schwerpunktslinie, die die Flächenschwerpunkte aller Schaftquerschnitte entlang der Werkzeuglängsrichtung miteinander verbindet, führt,
• - wobei der Schaft zumindest einen Funktionsbereich aufweist,
• - in dem die Schwerpunktslinie ihre Höhe ändert,
• - in dem die Höhe der Querschnittsfläche an jedem Punkt der Längserstreckung des Funktionsbereiches geringer ist als die Schafthöhe innerhalb des Funktionsbereichs,
• - wobei der Funktionsbereich eine Längserstreckung aufweist, die mehr als 20% bevorzugterweise jedoch mehr als 25% der Längserstreckung des gesamten Strickwerkzeuges ausmacht.

The object is also achieved by a knitting device with at least one needle channel, which is set up to receive a knitting tool and to guide it during operation, and at least one knitting tool with the following features:

• - a shank, which extends mainly in a tool longitudinal direction, in which the knitting tool is moved in the knitting operation,
• - wherein the shank has at each point of its longitudinal extent a cross-sectional area running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tool, which is spanned by its width and height directions,
• - each of these cross-sectional areas having a centroid through which an imaginary centroid line that connects the centroids of all shank cross-sections along the longitudinal direction of the tool leads,
• - wherein the shaft has at least one functional area,
• - in which the centroid line changes its height,
• - in which the height of the cross-sectional area at any point along the length of the functional area is less than the shaft height within the functional area,
• - Wherein the functional area has a longitudinal extent that makes up more than 20%, but preferably more than 25% of the longitudinal extent of the entire knitting tool.

In addition, the functional area has subsections in which the slope of the centroid line lies between 0 and ∞. In the subsections, the center of gravity line therefore encloses an angle to the longitudinal direction of the tool that is greater than 0° and less than 90°. In particular, this means that the center of gravity line in the subsections does not run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tool. This course of the centroid line results from a change or "shift" in the cross section of the knitting tool in the x-y plane and does not result from a change in density or material.

Further advantages result if the length of the needle channel in the longitudinal direction of the knitting tool, the extension of the functional area in the longitudinal direction of the knitting tool and the amount of stroke of the knitting movement of the knitting tool during knitting are coordinated in such a way that at least 80%, preferably 90%, but preferably 100% of the extension of the functional area of the knitting tool in its tool longitudinal direction does not leave the needle channel during the knitting operation. The extent of the functional area in the longitudinal direction of the tool describes the position of the functional area in the longitudinal direction of the tool relative to other components of the knitting tool. The extent of the functional area is the area in the tool longitudinal direction between the front limit in the tool longitudinal direction and the rear limit of the functional area in the tool longitudinal direction. If a functional area has several sections that are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the tool, the areas of the knitting tool that are arranged between these sections also count towards the extension of the functional area - for example a foot arranged between two sections. The knitting tool is guided in its functional area by the needle channel and driving forces are supported in the needle channel. There are contact areas between the functional area of the knitting tool and the needle channel. If too large a part of the functional area leaves the needle channel in the knitting operation, the needle would be poorly guided as a result. The selection ranges mentioned above have proven to be advantageous in order to ensure good guidance of the knitting tool. In the ideal case, the guiding area of the knitting tool is located completely within a needle channel during the entire knitting movement, ie it does not protrude from a needle channel, particularly in the longitudinal direction of the tool.

Further advantages result if the upper edge of the needle channel is spaced a maximum of 0.5 mm, but preferably a maximum of 0.3 mm, from the highest point of the upper surface of the shaft pointing in the positive vertical direction of the knitting tool - i.e. the cover surface. This distance is referred to below as the height distance. The height difference is advantageously as small as possible. It is advantageous if the upper edge of the needle channel is higher than or at the same height as the top surface at its highest point in the positive vertical direction. In this way it is ensured that the functional area of the knitting tool forms a contact area with the needle channel at the point of at least one local maximum and in particular in the Subsections of the functional area result in no contact areas with the needle channel. It is particularly advantageous if the upper edge has essentially the same height in the vertical direction as the top surface at its highest point in the positive vertical direction.

• 1 1 zeigt ein Strickwerkzeug (1), das einen Funktionsbereich (5) aufweist.
• 2 2 zeigt den Schnitt A-A durch den Funktionsbereich (5) des Strickwerkzeugs (1) an der Stelle eines lokalen Maximums (14) der Schwerpunktslinie (4)
• 3 3 zeigt den Schnitt B-B durch den Funktionsbereich (5) des Strickwerkzeugs (1) an der Stelle eines lokalen Minimums (15) der Schwerpunktslinie (4)
• 4 4 zeigt ein Strickwerkzeug (1), das im Funktionsbereich (5) dreickförmige Ausnehmungen (19) aufweist.
• 5 5 zeigt ein Strickwerkzeug (1), das im Funktionsbereich (5) wellenförmige Ausnehmungen (20) aufweist.
• 6 6 zeigt ein Strickwerkzeug (1), dessen Oberfläche im Bereich lokaler Minima (15) und Maxima (14) der Schwerpunktslinie (4) Schmutznasen (21) aufweist.
• 7 7 zeigt die drei Teilschritte in denen Verschmutzungen (23) aus dem Betriebsbereich (24) des Strickwerkzeugs (1) herausgefördert werden.
• 8 8 zeigt eine Strickvorrichtung (27), die drei Nadelkanäle (28) umfasst, von denen einer mit einem Strickwerkzeug (1) bestückt ist.
• 9 9 zeigt vier Schlossteile (29) einer Strickvorrichtung (27) und ein Strickwerkzeug (1).
• 10 10 zeigt die Draufsicht auf eine Strickvorrichtung (27) mit drei Nadelkanälen (28), die jeweils mit einem Strickwerkzeug (1) bestückt sind.
• 11 11 zeigt den Schnitt in der x-z-Ebene durch einen mit einem Strickwerkzeug (1) bestückten Nadelkanal (28).
• 12 12 zeigt ein Strickwerkzeug (1) bei dem der Betrag des lokalen Steigungsmaximums (40) der Deckelfläche (10) kleiner ist als der Betrag des lokalen Steigungsminimums (41) der Bodenfläche (13).

It is also advantageous if the knitting tool of the knitting device has a foot which is raised relative to the functional area in the positive vertical direction, and the foot engages in a recess in the knitting device - the cam lock - and the surface of the knitting tool pointing in the positive vertical direction Shank - the top surface - is spaced at its highest point in the positive height direction of the lock cam in the longitudinal direction of the tool. This prevents the cover surface of the knitting tool from unintentionally hooking into the cam at these points. Otherwise, unintentional hooking could lead to the knitting tool jamming and damage to the knitting tool and/or the knitting device. The distance in the longitudinal direction of the tool between the highest point of the cover surface in the positive height direction and the cam of the cam is the safety distance. The safety distance is advantageously greater than zero.

• 1 1 shows a knitting tool (1) which has a functional area (5).
• 2 2 shows the section AA through the functional area (5) of the knitting tool (1) at the point of a local maximum (14) of the center of gravity line (4)
• 3 3 shows the section BB through the functional area (5) of the knitting tool (1) at the point of a local minimum (15) of the center of gravity line (4)
• 4 4 shows a knitting tool (1) which has triangular recesses (19) in the functional area (5).
• 5 5 shows a knitting tool (1) which has wave-shaped recesses (20) in the functional area (5).
• 6 6 shows a knitting tool (1) whose surface has dirt lugs (21) in the area of local minima (15) and maxima (14) of the center of gravity line (4).
• 7 7 shows the three partial steps in which dirt (23) is removed from the operating area (24) of the knitting tool (1).
• 8th 8th shows a knitting device (27) comprising three needle channels (28), one of which is equipped with a knitting tool (1).
• 9 9 shows four lock parts (29) of a knitting device (27) and a knitting tool (1).
• 10 10 shows the top view of a knitting device (27) with three needle channels (28), which are each equipped with a knitting tool (1).
• 11 11 shows the section in the xz plane through a needle channel (28) equipped with a knitting tool (1).
• 12 12 shows a knitting tool (1) in which the magnitude of the local maximum gradient (40) of the top surface (10) is smaller than the magnitude of the local minimum gradient (41) of the bottom surface (13).

the 1 shows a knitting tool 1, which has a shank 2, which extends primarily in the longitudinal direction z of the tool and has a stitch-forming element 3 in the form of a hook at its first end pointing in the positive longitudinal direction z of the tool. The shank 2 has a cross-sectional area 8 at each point of its longitudinal extent in the tool longitudinal direction z, which lies in the plane spanned by the width direction y and height direction x. In the functional area 5, the height of this cross-sectional area 8 - i.e. the cross-sectional area height 22 - in the height direction x is lower at every point than the shaft height 6. The shaft height 6 means the height between the minimum and the maximum extent of the functional area 5 in the height direction x . In 2 the cross-sectional area 8 and the centroid 9 of a cross-section are shown as examples. In 1 a centroid line 4 is drawn in, which connects all centroids 9 of these cross-sectional areas 8 of the shank to one another by the shortest possible route. The centroid line 4 includes in the illustrated embodiment 1 three local maxima 14 and three local minima 15. However, other advantageous embodiments of the knitting tool 1 can also include more or less local maxima 14 and/or local minima 15. Furthermore, cover surface 10 has the same height in the area of the three local maxima 14 . The bottom surface 13 has the same height in the vertical direction x in the area of the three local minima 15 . In the subsections 7 of the functional area 5, the center of gravity line 4 has a gradient that is greater than 0. The shank 2 is therefore inclined in these subsections 7 with respect to the longitudinal tool direction z and, in particular, does not run parallel to the longitudinal tool direction z.

the 2 shows the section AA, whose position is also shown in 1 is drawn in, and which goes through the shaft 2 in the functional area 5 at the point of a local maximum 14 of the center of gravity line 4 . They are part of the functional area Ches 5 is shown, with the functional area 5 extending over the entire height of the upper 6. The upper height 6 is limited in the positive vertical direction x by the maximum upper height 12 and in the negative vertical direction x by the minimum upper height 11 . The cross-sectional area 8 is shown hatched and has a centroid 9 that “lies” in the middle of the cross-sectional area 8 as viewed in the height direction x and width direction y. The cross-sectional area 8 is delimited downwards in the negative height direction x by the base area 13 of the knitting tool 1 . The bottom surface 13 is in the 2 can also be seen in an area that lies outside the section plane and continues below the cross-sectional area 8 . Furthermore, the cross-sectional area 8 is delimited upwards in the positive height direction x by the cover surface 10 of the knitting tool 1 , the cover surface 10 being at the height of the maximum shaft height 12 . The bottom surface 13 - and thus the shaft 2 - is spaced at the point of the cross-sectional area 8 by the bottom distance 16 from the minimum shaft height 11 - in the negative height direction x below the local maximum 14 there is therefore a "free space" between the shaft 2 and the minimum Shaft height 11.

the 3 shows the cut BB its position also in 1 is drawn in and goes through the shaft 2 in the functional area 5 at the point of a local minimum 15 of the center of gravity line 4 . Parts of the functional area 5 are shown, with the functional area 5 extending over the entire shaft height 6 . The upper height 6 is limited in the positive vertical direction x by the maximum upper height 12 and in the negative vertical direction x by the minimum upper height 11 . The cross-sectional area 8 is shown hatched and has a centroid 9 that “lies” in the middle of the cross-sectional area 8 as viewed in the height direction x and width direction y. The cross-sectional area 8 is delimited upwards in the positive vertical direction x by the cover area 10 of the knitting tool 1 . The top surface 10 is in the 3 can also be seen in an area that lies outside the sectional plane and continues above the cross-sectional area 8 . Furthermore, the cross-sectional area 8 is delimited downwards in the negative height direction x by the bottom surface 13 of the knitting tool 1, with the bottom surface 13 in 3 is at the level of the minimum shaft height 11. The cover surface 10, on the other hand, is at the point of the cross-sectional area 8 at a distance of the cover distance 17 from the maximum shaft height 12 - in the positive height direction x above the local minimum 15 there is a "free space" between the shaft 2 and the maximum shaft height 12.

the 4 shows a knitting tool 1 according to the invention, which comprises a foot 18 which is suitable for absorbing drive forces and drive movements during knitting and transferring them to the knitting tool 1. Two partial areas 33 of the functional area 5 adjoin in the positive tool longitudinal direction z in front of and behind the foot 18 . The two partial areas 33 together form the functional area 5 and are spaced apart from one another by a functional area distance 31 which is approximately 1.5 times the length of the foot 32 of the foot 18 in the longitudinal direction of the tool, e.g. In this exemplary embodiment, the foot 18 is arranged between the two partial areas 33 of the functional area 5 . The shape of the shank 2 in the partial areas 33 of the functional area 5 has a plurality of triangular recesses 19, the triangular recesses 19 having an essentially triangular geometry in the xz plane and completely “penetrating” the shank 2 of the knitting tool 1 in the width direction y. The top surface 10 and the bottom surface 13 of the shaft 2 run essentially parallel to one another in the functional area 5 .

the 5 shows a knitting tool 1 according to the invention, which also includes a foot 18 and a functional area 5 having two partial areas 33 . In contrast to the embodiment 4 the shape of the shank 2 has a plurality of wavy recesses 20 in the partial areas 33, the wavy recesses 20 having a substantially wavy or arc-shaped geometry in the xz plane and completely “penetrating” the shank 2 of the knitting tool 1 in the width direction y. One of the two partial areas 33 is arranged in front of the foot 18 in the longitudinal direction z of the tool, and the other of the two partial areas 33 is arranged behind the foot 18 in the longitudinal direction z of the tool. The two sections 33 directly adjoin the foot 18 . There is therefore no distance between the partial areas 33 and the foot 18 in the tool longitudinal direction. The last maximum of the center of gravity line of the functional area 5 in the negative tool longitudinal direction z opposite to the ejection direction is a global maximum of the functional area 5. The knitting tool 1 is particularly well supported by this global maximum and guided by preventing the knitting tool 1 from tilting about an axis pointing in the width direction y.

the 6 shows a knitting tool 1 according to the invention, which includes a foot 18 and a guide area 5, wherein the guide area 5 includes two sub-areas 33. In its guide area 5, the shank 2 has subsections 7, in which the shank 2 and the line of gravity 4 essentially run in a straight line and are inclined at a constant angle to the longitudinal direction z of the tool - the amount of the slope of the line of gravity 4 is therefore greater than 0. In the Area of local maxima 14 has the top surface 10 of the shaft 2 each have a dirt nose 21 on. In the area of local minima 15, the bottom surface 13 of the shaft 2 has a dirt nose 21 in each case. In the case of a dirt nose 21 which lies in front of a local maximum 14 of the line of gravity 4 in the positive tool longitudinal direction, the cover surface 10 of the shank 2 has a gradient which has a local maximum in front of the local maximum 14 of the line of gravity 4 . In the case of a dirt nose 21 which lies in front of a local minimum 15 of the center of gravity line 4 in the positive tool longitudinal direction, the bottom surface 13 of the shank 2 has a gradient which has a local minimum in front of the local minimum 15 of the center of gravity line 4 . The top surface 10 or bottom surface 13 is therefore more inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction z of the tool - it therefore has a greater slope than the adjoining subsection 7 of the shank 2 in terms of amount the negative tool longitudinal direction z. This keeps the dirt away from the part of the knitting tool 1 that includes the stitch-forming element 3 . Possible contamination of the stitches formed and the textile is reduced.

the 7 shows the principle according to which the "self-cleaning" of the knitting tool takes place, as an example in three sub-steps. In the initial position—here substep a)—there is dirt 23 in the operating area 24 of the knitting tool 1. The dirt 23 can be composed of a large number of fibers, dust particles and abrasion that are not connected to one another. The centroid line 4 is not shown in this figure for the sake of clarity, but obviously runs between local maxima 14 and minima 15 with a gradient that is greater than 0. In step b) the 7 the knitting tool 1 is shown during a forward movement 25 . During the forward movement 25 of the knitting tool 1, the dirt 23 is pushed in the positive tool longitudinal direction z and height direction x in the subsections 7 due to the rising center of gravity line 4. In step c) of 7 the knitting tool 1 is shown during a backward movement 26 . Due to the movement of the knitting tool 1 and the rising center of gravity line 4, the dirt 23 is pushed in the negative tool longitudinal direction z and height direction x. In the figure, the knitting tools 1 are arranged in a knitting machine in such a way that the longitudinal direction z of the tool is directed upright and the gravitational acceleration g thus points in the negative longitudinal direction z of the tool. The parts of the dirt 23, which protrude beyond the knitting tool in the height direction because they were pushed out of the operating area 24, will therefore fall out of the knitting machine due to a weight force resulting from the gravitational acceleration g. In addition, the dirt 23 protruding from the operating area 24 is “removed” in all embodiments of the teaching according to the invention by the movement of the knitting tool 1 relative to the cam part 29 or a dial (when the knitting tools are arranged horizontally). The soiling of the knitting tool 1 and the knitting device 27 are thus reduced.

the 8th shows a portion of a knitting device 27, which includes three needle channels 28. The Indian 8th left of the three needle channels 28 is equipped with a knitting tool 1 - in this case a knitting needle, the stitch-forming element 3 is a hook. The middle and right needle channel 28 in the figure are not equipped with a knitting tool 1 in order to be able to show the needle channel 28 better. All needle channels 28 are usually equipped with a knitting tool 1 in the knitting operation. The knitting tool 1 includes a foot 18 which is raised in the height direction x relative to the rest of the knitting tool 1 and the needle channel 28 .

the 9 shows a knitting tool 1 and four cam parts 29, each of which includes a cam cam 30. Feet 18 of knitting tools 1 can engage in each of the four lock curves and initiate a movement in the longitudinal direction of the tool in the respective knitting tool 1 , which movement results from a relative movement of the knitting tool 1 to the lock part 29 . In order to be able to show the position of the cam part 29 relative to the knitting tool 1 and the course of the cam cams 30 better, the cam part 29 is shown rotated by 90° about the longitudinal tool axis z. In the correct installation position, the recesses of the cam locks 30 are actually open in the direction of the negative vertical direction x, so that the foot 18 of the knitting tool pointing in the vertical direction x can engage in one of the cam locks 30 . The center of gravity line 4 of the knitting tool 1 has two local maxima 14, at whose position the highest points of the cover surface 10 in the positive height direction x are also located. For better clarity, not the entire center of gravity line 4 is shown in the figure, but only its two local maxima 14. These highest points of the cover surface 10 are spaced from the cam locks 30 in the tool longitudinal direction z by a safety distance 38 that is greater than zero. This prevents the shaft 2 of the knitting tool 1 from unintentionally “hooking” into one of the locking cams 30 at these points and influencing the drive movement of the knitting tool 1 or causing the knitting tool 1 to jam.

the 10 shows the plan view of a knitting device 27, which includes three needle channels 28. A knitting tool 1 is arranged in each of the three needle channels 28 and comprises a functional area 5 which has two partial areas 33 . The upper and the lower of the three knitting tools 1 are shown in a driven-out state. They show two different variants of an expelled state. In a knitting movement there is only one cast out state. In the 10 Both variants are shown in one figure. In the driven-out state, a knitting tool is in the position of the knitting movement that is deflected furthest in the positive tool longitudinal direction z. In the first variant of the expelled state, with the in the 10 Upper of the three knitting tools 1 is shown, the functional area 5 of the knitting tool 1 is completely accommodated in the upper needle channel 28 and has an edge distance 35 to the front edge of the needle channel 28. The middle of the three knitting tools 1 is shown in a retracted state. It is therefore in the position of the knitting movement that is deflected furthest in the negative tool longitudinal direction z. The distance between the stitch-forming elements 3 in the 10 middle and upper knitting tool 1 in the tool longitudinal direction z corresponds to the stroke 34 of the knitting movement. The bottom knitting tool 1 in the figure is shown in a second variant of the driven-out state. In this case, the magnitude of the lift 34 is so large that the functional area 5 leaves the needle channel 28 in the knitting operation. At least 80% of the extension of the functional area 5 of the knitting tool 1 in the tool longitudinal direction z is always within the groove 28 during the knitting operation.

the 11 shows a sectional view of a knitting device 27. The section is in the xz plane and goes through a needle channel 28 equipped with a knitting tool 1. The upper edge 36 of the needle channel 28 is at the height distance 37 from the highest point 39 of the cover surface 10 of the knitting tool 1 - and thus also the shaft 2 - spaced. The top edge 36 is higher in the positive height direction x than the highest point of the cover surface 10. Advantageous for all embodiments of the invention is also a needle channel 28 whose top edge 36 in the positive height direction x is at the same height as the highest point of the cover surface 10 In this case, the vertical distance 37 would be zero.

the 12 shows another embodiment of a knitting tool 1, which shows essentially the same features as the knitting tool 1 from 6 . Compared to 6 the knitting tool 1 has a top surface 10, the local maximum gradients 40 of which are smaller in absolute terms than the local minimum gradients 41 of the bottom surface 13. Such a knitting tool 1 causes lower frictional forces during knitting operation in the needle channel of a knitting device, because the flatter gradient of the top surface 10 is better Guidance and smoother movement of the knitting tool 1 allows. Furthermore, the knitting tool 1 differs from that in 6 The knitting tool 1 shown is characterized in that the last maximum 14 of the center of gravity line 4 of the functional area 5 is a global maximum 42 in the negative tool longitudinal direction z--that is, opposite to the ejection direction. Although this global maximum 42 is at a distance in the tool longitudinal direction z from the end of the knitting tool 1 pointing in the negative tool longitudinal direction z, the distance is chosen to be as small as possible. In this way, tilting or twisting of the knitting tool 1 about an axis pointing in the width direction y is prevented. This also enables better guidance and smooth movement of the knitting tool 1 in the knitting operation. The shape of the dirt lugs 21, which are formed by the cover surface 10, is due to the features described above compared to the embodiment of FIG 6 Although changed, it has been shown that this shape of the dirt lugs 21 support the "self-cleaning effect" already described in section [0033].

Reference List

1

knitting tool

2

shaft

3

knitting element

4

centroid line

5

functional area

6

shaft height

7

subsection

8th

Cross sectional area

9

centroid

10

cover surface

11

Minimum shaft height

12

Maximum shaft height

13

floor space

14

Local maximum of centroid line 4

15

Local minimum of centroid line 4

16

ground clearance

17

lid clearance

18

Foot

19

Triangular recess

20

Wavy recess

21

dirt nose

22

cross-sectional area height

23

pollution

24

operating range

25

forward movement

26

backward movement

27

knitting device

28

needle channel

29

lock part

30

lock curve

31

functional area distance

32

foot length of foot (18)

33

Part of the functional area (5)

34

Stroke of the knitting movement

35

edge distance

36

Upper edge of the needle channel (28)

37

height clearance

38

safety distance

39

Highest point of the lid surface (10)

40

Local slope maximum of the cover surface (10)

41

Floor Area Local Slope Minimum (13)

42

Center of gravity line global maximum (4)

x

height direction

y

latitude direction

e.g

longitudinal tool direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 1860219 A1 [0001, 0006]
• FR 2260262 A7 [0002]
• DE 3612316 A1 [0003]
• DE 3213158 A1 [0004]
• EP 2927360 A1 [0005]

Claims (15)

Knitting tool (1) with the following features: • a shank (2) which mainly extends in a tool longitudinal direction (z) in which the knitting tool (1) is moved during knitting operation, • the shank (2) at each point of its longitudinal extent has a cross-sectional area (8) running transversely to the longitudinal direction (z) of the tool, which is spanned by its width (y) and height direction (x), • each of these cross-sectional areas (8) having a centroid (9) through which an imaginary centroid line (4), which connects the centroids (9) of all cross-sectional areas (8) along the longitudinal direction (z) of the tool, • wherein the shank (2) has at least one functional area (5), • in which the centroid line (4) has its Height changes, • in which the height of the cross-sectional area (8) at each point of the longitudinal extent of the functional area (5) is less than the shaft height (6) within the functional area (5), • wherein the functional area h (5) has a longitudinal extent that makes up more than 20% but preferably more than 25% of the longitudinal extent of the entire knitting tool (1), characterized in that the functional area (5) has subsections (7) in which the amount of the slope of the centroid line (4) is between 0 and ∞. Knitting tool (1) according to the preceding claim , characterized in that the functional area (5) is divided into at least two sub-areas (33), each of which has sub-sections (7) in which the slope of the center of gravity line (4) is between 0 and ∞ and that these sections (33) are spaced apart from one another in the tool longitudinal direction (z). Knitting tool (1) according to the preceding claim , characterized in that the knitting tool (1) has at least one partial area (33) of the functional area (5), which is located in front of the foot (18) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) and at least one partial area (33 ) of the functional area (5) which is located downstream of the foot in the longitudinal direction (z) of the tool. Knitting tool (1) according to one of the two preceding claims , characterized in that at least one partial area (33) - but preferably two partial areas (33) - of the functional area (5) directly adjoins the foot (18) or extends from the foot (18) only has a distance in the tool longitudinal direction (z) which is less than or equal to 10% of the longitudinal extent of the entire knitting tool. Knitting tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the functional area (5) has at least one local extremum - minimum (15) or maximum (14) - of the height of the center of gravity line (4). Knitting tool (1) according to the preceding claim , characterized in that the surface of the shaft (2) pointing in the positive height direction (x) of the knitting tool (1) - the cover surface (10) - in the tool longitudinal direction (z) at the points of at least two local maxima (14) of the line of gravity (4) has the same height and/or the surface of the shaft (2) pointing in the negative height direction (x) of the knitting tool (1) - the bottom surface (13) - at the locations of at least two local Minima (15) of the center line (4) has the same height. Knitting tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the shank (2) is at a distance from the minimum shank height (11) of the functional area (5) at the points of local maxima (14) of the line of gravity (4). and that the shaft (2) is spaced apart from the maximum shaft height (12) of the functional area (5) at the points of local minima (15) of the line of gravity (4). Knitting tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that at least one partial area (33) of the functional area (5) comprises at least one recess (19) which is triangular in the xz plane and/or at least one wavy recess (20) which Functional area (5) in the width direction (y) penetrates. Knitting tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the surface of the shank (2) pointing in the positive vertical direction (x) of the knitting tool (1) - the cover surface (10) - in the positive tool longitudinal direction (e.g ) has a slope profile which has a local slope maximum (40) in front of at least one local maximum (14) of the height of the center of gravity line, and/or that the surface of the shaft (2) pointing in the negative height direction (x) of the knitting tool (1) - the bottom surface (13) - in the positive tool longitudinal direction (z) pointing in the tool ejection direction, has a gradient that has a local minimum gradient (41) in front of at least one local minimum (15) of the height of the center of gravity line (4). Knitting tool (1) according to the preceding claim , characterized in that the magnitude of the local maximum gradient (40) of the top surface (10) and/or the magnitude of the local minimum gradient (41) of the bottom surface (13) has a value between 0.57 and 2. 75 has. Knitting tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the surface of the shaft (2) pointing in the positive vertical direction (x) of the knitting tool (1) - the cover surface (10) - and that in the negative vertical direction (x) of the Knitting tool (1) showing surface of the shaft (2) - the bottom surface (13) - in the subsections (7) of the functional area (5) essentially parallel to each other. Knitting tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the last maximum (14) of the center of gravity line (4) of the functional area (5) in the negative tool longitudinal direction (z) is a global maximum (42). Knitting device (27) with at least one needle channel (28), which is designed to accommodate a knitting tool (1) and to guide it during operation and at least one knitting tool (1) with the following features: • a shaft (2), which is mainly in a tool longitudinal direction (z), in which the knitting tool (1) is moved during the knitting operation, • wherein the shank has a cross-sectional area (8) running transversely to the tool longitudinal direction (z) at every point of its longitudinal extent, which depends on its width (y) and height direction (x), each of these cross-sectional areas (8) having a centroid (9) through which an imaginary centroid line (4) connecting the centroids (9) of all shank cross-sections (8) along the tool longitudinal direction (z) to one another , Leads, • wherein the shaft (2) has at least one functional area (5), • in which the center of gravity line (4) changes its height • in which the height of the cross-sectional area (8) at j at any point of the longitudinal extent of the functional area (5) is less than the shaft height (6) within the functional area (5), • the functional area (5) having a longitudinal extent that is more than 20% but preferably more than 25% of the longitudinal extent of the entire Knitting tool (1) constitutes, characterized in that the functional area (5) has subsections (7) in which the amount of the gradient of the center of gravity line (4) is between 0 and ∞. Knitting device (27) according to the preceding claim , characterized in that the upper edge (36) of the needle channel (28) in the height direction (x) by a maximum of 0.5 mm, but preferably by a maximum of 0.3 mm from the highest point (39) of the in the positive vertical direction (x) of the knitting tool (1) pointing surface of the shaft - so the cover surface (10) - is spaced. Knitting device (27) according to one of the two preceding claims , characterized in that the knitting tool (1) has a foot (18) which is raised relative to the functional area (5) in the positive height direction (x), and that the foot (18) engages in a recess of the knitting device (27) - the cam (30) - and that the surface of the shaft (2) pointing in the positive vertical direction (x) of the knitting tool (1) - the cover surface (10) - at its positive Vertical direction (x) highest point (39) of the cam lock (30) in the tool longitudinal direction (z) is spaced.

Images