EP0381908A1

EP0381908A1 - Mechanism of self-control and automatic regulation of pressure and yarn consumption in rectilineal knitting machines

Info

Publication number: EP0381908A1
Application number: EP89500015A
Authority: EP
Inventors: José Abril Cullell
Original assignee: ABRIL CULLELL
Current assignee: ABRIL CULLELL
Priority date: 1989-02-07
Filing date: 1989-02-07
Publication date: 1990-08-16
Also published as: JPH02221447A; PT90430A; KR900013128A

Abstract

The mechanism is based in having available the pressure plates (5) with which the yarn tension is adjusted, in the situation of proximity with the side tensors (6), each of these incorporating a tiltable head (19) against a spring (21), which when tilting, actuates on an axle (17), housed in the hollow inside of the support (8) of the plates (5), and that, in turn, actuates on a special washer (14) located between the very plates (5) and the classical spring (11) which tends to press one against the other, with interposition of the yarn, so that the positional adjustment of this washer (14), determined by the angular or tilting position of the head (19), of the corresponding side tensor (6), determines the pressure between plates (5), same remaining self-controlled and self-regulated according to the very traction and consumption of yarn from the carriage of the machine.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a mechanism for the regulation of pressure on the yarn, and the consumption of same, in rectilineal knitting machines, a mechanism which structural characteristics have been designed in order that said regulation is carried out automatically, with a perfect self-control in the previously cited variables, that is, in the pressure and yarn consumption, adequate to the specific needs of each time.

ANTECEDENTS OF THE INVENTION

The systems used up till date, for the conduction, control and regulation of yarns for weaving, in the rectilineal knitting machines, have not practically varied in recent times.
The threading or travel of the yarn is started in the feeding cones, located on a supporting board and the yarns pass through the upper arms or tensors, through the knot catchers and through the pressure plates, located all of them in the upper part. After this, the yarns pass through the side tensors, located at the left and right, and therefrom, are directed to the carriers, which are the ones that, definitely, locate it in the convenient position for weaving.
For a perfect weaving, it is necessary to graduate not only the upper tensors but also the pressure plates and the side tensors, which requires personnel with much considerable knowledge, preparation and experience. This grading or commissioning, is still more difficult when matters with little elasticity are used, such as the regenerated yarns, those of carded wool or short fiber, getting to very big percentages of loss or waste.
On the other hand, and as it is evident, once the regulation of tensions in the machine has been made manually, said tensions are kept constant, when at practice, it would be desirable their varying, according to the consumption of yarn at each time because, as it is known, the consumption-pressure relationship must be inversely proportional, that is, the more consumption, the minor pressure of the plates on the yarn and viceversa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Well then, the mechanism which the invention proposes solves this problem at full satisfaction, ensuring a self-control and a self-regulation in the rectilineal knitting machine, to which such a mechanism is coupled, so that the pressure is regulated automatically according to the consumption of yarn, being adequate at each time to the specific needs of same and under optimal conditions from the quantitative point of view.
Therefor, and in a more concrete mode, the mechanism of self-control and regulation which is preconized, starts from the classical elements with respect ot a rectilineal knitting machine, that is, to the corresponding upper arms or tensors, with their corresponding knot catchers, of the pressure plates which is precisely where the regulation of said pressure is carried out, and of the side tensors that feed the carriers and which are the ones in charge of absorbing the yarn excess, when necessary, like for instance, on the edges. The invention is centered on a special and new configuration and disposition for some of these elements.
In a more concrete mode and in accordance with one of the characteristics of the invention, the group of pressure rollers is moved towards the farthest areas of the machine, to be placed close to the side tensors, as these elements, that is, pressure rollers and side tensors, are intended to work jointly, with a direct action of ones on the others, to attain the effect of automatism pursued.
In accordance with another characteristic of the invention, these pressure plates, which conventionally are mounted on a support provided with a threaded neck are are pressed one against the other by a conical spring, which pressure is manually adjusted with a nut coupled to the said threaded neck, keeping these structural elements, incorporate besides, a special washer, located between the conical spring and the corresponding plate, which washer is provided with a central nerve on which, in due time, actuates a small axle, mounted in the hollow inside of the support, and actuated by the corresponding side tensor, as will be seen later on. In this way, according to the more or less push that said axle exercises on the special washer, it, in turn, will limit in more or in less, the pressure that the conical spring transmits to the first plate, attaining this way, as well, the variation or the regulation of the pressure suffered by the yarn passing between the two plates.
For the actuation of the control axle of each of the pressure plates, it has been provided that said axle emerges substantially from the corresponding support and remains operatively opposite to the head of the corresponding side tensor, which head is mounted tiltably on a rotation axle, and assisted by a spring, also with adjustable pressure, which tends to separate it from the axle, so that, in the situation of rest of the machine, and when the consumption of yarn is null, the pressure between plates is maximum, whilst, as the tension increases in the yarn and it forces the side tensor to be deformated, there occurs a progressive tilting at the head of said tensor, and a push at the same time progressive on the axle of the pressure plates, with which the pressure between them also decreases progressively, up to a limit situation of maximum consumption of yarn, in which said pressure is fully cancelled.
In accordance with another characteristic of the invention, it has been provided that these side tensors adopt a conical configuration, that is, that they present a progressively decreasing section towards their free end, in which is located the eyelet for the passing of the yarn towards the "carriers" of the carriage, so that their flexibility increases progressively towards said free end, and the effective or real moves of the eyelet through which the yarn passes are considerably greater than the tilting of the head of the tensor, in order to attain that the movement of the axle corresponding to the pressure plates be minimal, in accordance with the practical requirements of the type of regulation expected.
It is also necessary to indicate the existence at the heads of the side tensors, of an arm of actuation on a microbreaker, so that before an eventual breaking of the yarn, the spring assisting said tensors forces them to tilt until the limit situation of actuation of said microbreaker, provoking the stop of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description which is being made and in order to help to a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, it is enclosed to the present specification, as an integral part of same, a set of drawings in which, with an illustrative and non limitative character, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a schematic, partial and front elevation representation of a knitting machine, provided with a mechanism of self-control and automatic regulation of the pressure and yarn consumption, which makes up the object of the present invention.
Figure 2.- Shows an amplified view of the assembly corresponding to a couple of pressure plates, as well as of the part close and in contact with it of the corresponding side tensor, in the inoperative situation for said tensor.
Figure 3.- Shows a representation similar to that of figure 2, but in which it has been represented the different positions being adopted by the head of the side tensor with respect to the couple of corresponding plates, whilst the traction of the yarn increases.
Figure 4- Shows a partial, perspective view of the end area of the machine, in which are located the mechanisms of figures 2 and 3, but in which it has been represented only two from the multiple operative units of the machine, for further clarification and simplification of the drawing.
Figures 5 and 6.- Show, as per respective perspectives from different points of observation, the end sector of the machine represented in figure 4, but now shown totally.
Figure 7.- Shows, finally, a dismantling, also in perspective, of the operative group corresponding to one of the couples of pressure plates.

PREFERENT EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

On view of these figures, it can be seen how in a rectilineal knitting machine, provided with the mechanism of control and automatic regulation of pressure, which makes up the object of the present invention, there exists as well as platform or supporting board 1 for the different cones 2 which supply the yarn 3, which goes up to some upper tensors 4, or arms, wherefrom it is directed to the pressure plates 5, through these to the side tensors 6 and finally, to the carriers 7 set forth in the movable carriage of the knitting machine.
Well then, as from this basic and conventional structuration, in accordance with one of the characteristics of the invention, the pressure plates 5, instead of being placed at the top and close to the upper tensors 4, are placed on the sides, at the end areas of the machine, close to the side tensors 6, exactly and as especially observed in figure 1.
But besides, the structure of these pressure plates 5 is also subtantially modified, as especially noticeable in figure 7. The plates in themselves 5, as conventional, are mounted on a support 8, provided with a threaded neck 9 and with a diametral cutting 10, on which neck 9 is mounted a conical spring 11 which presses the plates 5 against each other, when resting at its end with a bigger diameter, on one of said plates, and at the other end, on a washer 12 of adjustable position, with the cooperation of a reeding nut 13, which is threaded to the very neck 9.
As from this basic structuration, each group of pressure plates 5, presents, as a special characteristic, and that is fundamental for the effect of self-control and automatic regulation which is pretended, the incorporation of a special washer 14, set forth between the conical spring 11 and the couple of plates 5, the existence in said special washer 14, of a central nerve 15, which crosses the slot or diametral cutting 10 of the shaft 9, and the existence in the support 8 of an axial hole 16, through which enters in its sine an axle 17, which end 18, incides on the cen tral nerve 15 of the special washer 14, so that through the movement of the axle 17 one may control the positioning of the special washer 14 and through the latter, control the effect that the conical axle 11 exerts on the couple of plates 5, or what is the same, control and pressure on the yarn that passes between them.
The positional government of the axle 17 is carried out with the corresponding side tensor 6, for which reason the pressure plates and the side tensors must be located in proximity and on the side and end areas of the machine, each side tensor 6 incorporating a head 19, tiltable on an axle 10, common for all the heads of the side tensors, as especially observed in figure 6, and which tilting is made against a spring 31 that, at one of its ends, is fastened to the head 19, through the hook 22 or through any other appropriate means, whilst on its other end it is fastened to the bedframe 23 which supports all these tension mechanisms and which is as well perfectly visible in figures 5 and 6.
In a more concrete way, this framework 23 incorporates at the top a transverse bar or axle 24, on which the rollers 25 for guiding for the yarns 3 from the upper tensors 4 toward the plates 5 are mounted, being the supports 8 of the latter mounted on a transverse flatbar 26, under and behind which is located the cited tilting axle 20 for the heads of the side tensors 6.
The side tensors 6, as especially observed in figure 4, adopt a conical configuration, that is, their section is decreasing towards their free end, where an eyelet 27 is located, for the guiding of the yarn towards the carriers 7, so that with this conical configuration, the flexibility of the side tensors grows progressively towards said free end. Notwithstanding, the cited tensors could be obtained on basis of cylindrical rods of diameters which progressively decrease towards their free end, as in turn shown in figure 1.
Finally, it must be highlighted that on the same framework 23 and concretely with the cooperation of extreme arns 28, are established a couple of transverse rods 29, located behind the axle 20, on which rods are mounted a plurality of microbreakers 30 which are left operatively opposite to the respective heads 19 of the side tensors 6, and more concretely the tongues 31 of said microbreakers are left operatively opposite to arms 32 solidarized to the heads 19 of the side tensors, in charge of actuating the microbreakers, having it been represented concretely in figure 4 one of said side tensors, in the situation of maximum tilt before the traction of the spring 21 and, for instance, before a case of breaking of the yarn, in which situation, the arm 32 actuates on the tongue 31 of the microbreaker 30 that corresponds, and provokes the stop of the machine.
In this figure 4 and especially in figure 3, it can be seen how as long as the consumption of the yarn 3 increases, and concretely, as long as the traction on the side tensor 6 increases, same tilts, adopting the multiple positions represented on a discontinuous line in the cited figure 3, which in turn, provoke a progressive and each time further penetration of the axle 17 in the sine of the support 8 and a progressive movement of the special washer 14, which is equivalent to a progressive reduction of the pressure between the plates 5 until a top situation, of maximum consumption of yarn, in which said pressure is null.
It is attained this way, in accordance with the purpose of the invention, that the control and the regulation of pressure for yarns is carried out automatically, according to the very requirements of the machine, although a manual regulation can also be made through the reeded nut 13.
Just like an example, let us assume that we are weaving in one course with all the work needles in both fonts. To weave this course, a time is required, with a speed of stretching of the yarn and consumption of same, which determines the presssure of the plates 5 on said yarn. If another course is now weaved, only with the needles of a font, the time used will be the same, but the speed of stretching and consumption of the yarn decreases, approximately the half, increasing twice, also approximately, the pressure of the plates 5 on the yarn 3.
It is not considered as necessary to make this description more extensive, so that any skilled in the art understands the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it.
The materials, shape, size and disposition of the elements will be susceptible of variation, provided it does not mean an alteration to the essentiality of the invention.
The terms under which this specification has been described, must always be taken in a broad and non limitative sense.

Claims

1.- Mechanism of self-control and automatic regulation of the pressure and consumption of yarn in rectilineal knitting machiens, which, incorporating the classical upper arms or tensors, with their corresponding knot catchers, the also classical pressure plates and the side tensors, placed at the ends of the machine, wherefrom the yarns are canalized to the carriers established in the carriage of same, is essentially characterized in that its pressure plates are located at end areas of the machine, in the proximities of the side tensors, having it been provided that said pressure plates incorporate means of regulation for said pressure, movable automatically through the corresponding side tensors, and in accordance with the effect to which the latter are submitted.

2.- Mechanism of self-control and automatic regulation of the pressure and consumption of yarn in rectilineal knitting machiens, as per claim 1st, characterized in that each couple of pressure plates receives the action of the corresponding pressing spring, with interposition of a special washer, provided with a central nerve that matches on a diametral slot or cutting of the corresponding support of the assembly, having it been provided that said support incorporates, besides, an axial hole in which is coupled an axle that, through its internal end, supports on the central nerve of the special washer and that, according to the more or less push on the latter, limits the degree of pressure transmitted by the spring to the plates, until a limit situation of total cancellation of said pressure, being said axle driven and controlled positionally by the corresponding side tensor.

3.- Mechanism of self-control and automatic regulation of the pressure and consumption of yarn in rectilineal knitting machines, as per the previous claims, characterized in that each tensor incorporates a head which tilts on an axle common to all the side tensors of an end of the machine, said head inciding directly on the axle of the couple of corresponding pressure plates, and tilting before the traction of the yarn that passes through the eyelet of its free end, against the tension of a spring that relates the cited head with the framework of the whole mechanism.

4.- Mechanism of self-control cna automatic regulation of the pressure and consumption of yarn in rectilineal knitting machines, as per the previous claims, characterized in that the side tensors adopt a conical configuration, with a thickness that decreases towards their free end, in order that their flexibility also increases progressively towards said end, having it been provided that optionally, said tensors be made up throughcylindrical fragments, conveniently solidarized in between, with diameters echelonedly decreasing towards the free end of the tensor.

5.- Mechanism of self-control and automatic regulation of the pressure and consumption of yarn in rectilineal knitting machines, as per the previous claims, characterized in that on the very framework which supports the pressure plates and the side tensors, is established another support for respect ive microbreakers which determine the automatic stop of the knitting machine, before the breaking of any of the yarns, and on which switches actuate arms associated to the tiltable heads of the side tensors, in the limit tilting situation provoked by said breaking.