EP1176243A1 - Circular knitting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The circular knitter, to produce knitted pile fabrics, has a yarn guide structure (46) with one guide unit (72) to lay the pile yarns and a second unit (70) to lay the ground yarns. The ground yarn guide extends radially inwards, in relation to the cylinder (12) axis, and is against the direction of knitting needle (42) rotation on the cylinder circumference, offset to the first guide unit. The circular knitter has pile sinkers (16) which slide between two loop-forming positions, using two yarn laying zones of different widths to form pile loops of different lengths. The second laying zone is at least double the width of the first laying zone, in a radial direction. The first laying zone is at the free end of the pile sinker, with the second zone at a gap from it. At least one of the yarn laying zones has a longitudinal taper, with an increasing gap from the free end of the sinker. The second yarn guide feeds the ground yarn radially, about as far as the outer edge (95) of the dial (36) of the knitting needles (42). The yarn guide structure has a base (52) to hold the second guide unit in a release mounting, with an adjustable setting. The second yarn guide unit has an extending jib (60) with the guide eyelet (70) at its free end. The first yarn guide unit is fitted to the base with a release mounting, so that the pile yarns are fed in a radial direction at the level of the points (74) of the hooks of extended needles. The first yarn guide unit has a guide head (56), with a guide channel (72) positioned so that its end towards the knitting needles is at the level of the needle hook points.

Description

The invention relates to a circular knitting machine for Manufacture of plush knitted fabrics with in one Ribbed sliding knitting needles and with in a cylinder of axially displaceable plush boards as well as with a thread guide for inserting a Plush thread and a basic thread in the knitting needles, wherein the plush boards can be moved in a controlled manner between a basic position and at least one loop-forming position to form a Pile loop.

Circular knitting machines of this type are from DE-PS 19 35 224 known. The plush boards can help of lock parts between a basic position and a loop-forming position are shifted. In the The plush boards are not in the basic position Mesh formation involved, so no plush loops be generated. In its loop-forming position are the plush boards of assigned lock parts expelled so far that the plush thread around the Plush boards can be moved around so that Plush handles with a predeterminable length can be formed. By driving out and lowering the Plush boards can thus be a knitted fabric with one Create patterns in the form of areas with a Plush handles, in which the plush boards on Meshing process were involved, and areas without plush handles, in which the plush boards are not on Stitch formation process were involved.

To prevent one from going around the plush boards plush thread led around during the subsequent Stitching Process Adjacent Knitting needles is pulled and consequently the Length of the plush handle is usually reduced the plush board is controlled so that it also after completed stitch formation of the adjacent Knitting needle initially continues in its loop-forming Position remains and therefore the plush handles are held on the plush boards, like this long until more stitches of the basic thread are formed are no longer a danger for the plush handle exists to be drafted. For this, the Point of intersection of the one controlling the knitting needle Rib lock set to preference. It has shown, however, that in particular in one such adjustment of the rib lock not in all Cases can be ensured that the basic thread is securely gripped by the knitting needle.

The object of the present invention is a Circular knitting machine of the type mentioned above to further develop that the basic thread regardless of the Position of the plush board can be detected safely.

With a circular knitting machine, this task is the Generic type solved according to the invention in that the thread guide to insert the plush thread first guide element and for inserting the basic thread comprises a second guide element, the second Guide element related to the axis of the cylinder radially inwards and in relation to the cylinder circumference counter to the direction of rotation of the knitting needles first guide element is arranged.

According to the invention for the supply of plush and Basic thread provided separate guide elements, whereby the second used for the basic thread Guide element both in the radial direction and in Circumferential direction offset to that for the plush thread Use coming first guide element arranged is. The cylinder with the plush boards is put together rotating with the dial and the knitting needles driven, while the thread guide is held stationary is. The both against the direction of rotation of the Knitting needles as well as offset radially inwards Arrangement of the second guide element sets up constructively simple way sure that the basic thread in any case reliably detected by the knitting needle can be, regardless of whether the Plush their basic position or a occupies a loop-forming position.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the Invention is provided that the plush boards in a first and a second loop-forming position are movable and two thread feed areas of different widths that the first or are assigned to the second loop-forming position for training different lengths of plush handles. The Plush boards have thread contact areas to which the plush thread to form a plush handle can be created. Here come two different wide thread feed areas are used, so that differently long plush handles are produced can. This can be used to make a plush knitted fabric on the one hand, areas without plush handles has and on the other hand areas with relatively short Plush handles and additional areas with longer ones Plush loops. The length of the plush handles can thus be in a knitting system can be varied. Here is by the staggered arrangement of the guide elements for the Basic thread and the plush thread ensure that the Knitting needle first the plush thread and then also grips the basic thread reliably, regardless of whether the plush board its basic position or one of its occupies loop-forming positions.

The second guide element is preferably such arranged that the basic thread in the radial direction approximately at the level of the outer edge of the dial Knitting needle can be fed. Such Positioning has become particularly evident when using Tongue needles proven, since this is the basic thread placed directly on the open needle tongue can be.

It has proven to be beneficial if the thread guide has a base on which the second guide element is detachably connected. The detachable connection of the second guide element with the base allows to use different second guide elements adapted to the respective knitted fabric are. This enables the thread guide to Using different knitted fabrics, by in each case the suitable second guide element for Commitment comes.

It is particularly advantageous if the second Guide element is held adjustable on the base, since this is a fine adjustment of the second Allows guide element. Here it is advantageous if the second guide element in is adjustable radially and in the axial direction.

The second guide element can be used as a separate component be designed, preferably with the base is releasably connectable, for example screwable and regardless of the formation of the plush thread receiving first guide element to the respective Purposes, for example the type of Use coming basic thread, can be adjusted. It can be provided, for example, that the second Guide element a boom held at the base includes the basic thread at its free end has receiving guide eyelet.

The first guide element is preferably detachable connectable held at the base, for example with screwable to the base. This enables the first Exchange the guide element in a simple way.

To optimally adjust the first guide element it is advantageous if it is adjustable at the Base is held. For example, it can be provided be that the first guide element in both radial Direction as well as in the axial direction is adjustable.

It is particularly advantageous if the first Guide element can be arranged such that the Plush thread in the radial direction approximately at the height of the Hook tip can be fed to the expelled knitting needle is. Such a positioning of the first Guide element ensures that the plush thread can be reliably grasped by the knitting needle, when it is in its drive position, while ensuring that the Plush board in the radial direction between the first and the second guide element can be positioned, so that the plush thread around a thread contact area Plush board can be carried around without thereby feeding the basic thread or the Plush thread is affected.

With a structurally particularly simple and is inexpensive to manufacture embodiment provided that the first guide element a Guide head has a guide channel, the end area facing the knitting needles in radial Direction approximately at the tip of the hook expelled knitting needles is arranged. The Guide channel can, for example, in the form of a Through hole to be formed, the Guide head essentially in the vertical direction be upheld.

In an advantageous embodiment, that the second thread contact area of the plush sinkers in radial direction is at least about twice as wide like the first thread feed area. This enables the Design of a patterned plush knitted fabric with Areas without plush handles, as well as with areas with Plush handles one simple and one more than double length. This results in an optical particularly appealing design if that Plush knitted fabric is then sheared in such a way that only the plush handles with more than double Be trimmed to length, preferably to a length, which corresponds to the shorter plush handle. That way processed knitted fabric can be used especially as an upholstery cover for example for motor vehicle seats come.

The first thread contact area is preferably for Formation of relatively short plush handles at the free end the plush boards arranged and the second Thread feed area for training relatively long The plush handle is at a distance from the free end of the Plush boards positioned. Especially with one Such a configuration can form the plush board be designed a pin needle by a Sample board can be operated and with the help electromagnetic selection means is controllable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the Circular knitting machine according to the invention is provided that at least one thread feed area in Longitudinal direction of the plush board with increasing distance tapered from its free end. Especially with one Design of the plush board with at least two of different widths thread areas it is from Advantage if the thread feed areas each in the one facing away from the free end of the plush board Rejuvenate direction, because this can cause the plush thread in the loop-forming positions of the plush board held securely at the respective thread contact area be without the risk that the Plush thread in the longitudinal direction of the plush board slips, for example over the free end of the Plush board slips off.

The following description of a preferred Embodiment of the invention is used in connection with the drawing of the detailed explanation.

Figur 1:

einen Axialschnitt durch einen Teil einer erfindungsgemäßen Rundstrickmaschine;

Figur 2:

eine vergrößerte Detailansicht mit einem Fadenführer und einer Plüschplatine in ihrer Grundstellung;

Figur 3:

eine Detailansicht entsprechend Figur 2 mit einer Plüschplatine in ihrer ersten schleifenbildenden Stellung;

Figur 4:

eine Detailansicht entsprechend Figur 2 mit einer Plüschplatine in ihrer zweiten schleifenbildenden Stellung;

Figur 5:

eine Seitenansicht des Fadenführers in Richtung des Pfeils A aus Figur 2;

Figur 6:

eine schematische Darstellung des Verlaufs der Stricknadeln und der Plüschplatinen der erfindungsgemäßen Rundstrickmaschine und

Figur 7a bis 7d:

verschiedene Phasen des Maschenbildungsprozesses entsprechend dem Nadelverlauf aus Figur 6 bei der Herstellung eines Plüschgestricks mit langen Plüschhenkeln.

Show it:

Figure 1:

an axial section through part of a circular knitting machine according to the invention;

Figure 2:

an enlarged detail view with a thread guide and a plush board in their basic position;

Figure 3:

a detailed view corresponding to Figure 2 with a plush board in its first loop-forming position;

Figure 4:

a detailed view corresponding to Figure 2 with a plush board in its second loop-forming position;

Figure 5:

a side view of the thread guide in the direction of arrow A of Figure 2;

Figure 6:

a schematic representation of the course of the knitting needles and the plush sinkers of the circular knitting machine according to the invention and

7a to 7d:

Different phases of the stitch formation process corresponding to the course of the needle from FIG. 6 in the production of a plush knitted fabric with long plush handles.

In Figure 1 is the schematic and only partially Knitting head one with the reference number 10 occupied circular knitting machine shown. This includes in the usual way a rotatably mounted Needle cylinder 12 by a fixed Cylinder lock jacket 14 is surrounded. On the outside of the needle cylinder 12 are in side by side arranged longitudinal slots axially slidably a variety of plush boards in the form below pin needles 16 stored in more detail. each Pin needle 16 has a control foot 18 which with a lock part 20 cooperates to a Perform downward movement of the pin needle 16.

Each pin needle 16 is in at its lower end Usually connected to a plunger 22, the one Control foot 24 includes and with a corresponding Lock part 26 interacts. With this lock part 26 can the upward expulsion movement of the Pusher 22 and the pin needle 16 connected thereto be performed.

The lower end of the pin needle 16 facing away The pusher 22 is slidable from a fork 28 a sample board 30 added to the Pushers 22 facing away from the lower end with a projection 32 pivotable in a corresponding groove of the Needle cylinder 22 is mounted. At a The pusher becomes pivoting movement of the pattern board 30 22 actuated in such a way that be Control foot 24 engaged or disengaged from the Lock part 26 arrives and thereby one Upward movement of the plunger 22 and the pin needle 16 prevented or interrupted or triggered.

The triggering of the pivoting movement of the sample board 30 takes place in the usual way by means of a electromagnetic control unit 34, which with the Sample board 30 coupled and from one in the Drawing not shown, known per se Control of the circular knitting machine 10 is controlled. By means of the electromagnetic control unit 34 can the pin needle 16 under the effect of Sample board 30 and the plunger 22 and the respective lock parts between one in FIG. 2 shown basic position, one in Figure 3 represent first loop-forming position and a second shown in Figure 4 shift loop-forming position. How is explained in more detail below, the different positioning of the pin needle 16 Production of a plush knitted fabric with areas without Plush handles, with other areas with plush handles relatively short length and finally with Areas with relatively long plush handles.

As is also clear from FIG. 1, a dial 36 concentric with the needle cylinder 12 rotatably supported by a rib lock body 37 is covered, on which a rib lock system 38 with Lock parts 39, 40 and 41 is held. At the Top of the dial 36 are side by side arranged radial slots in a conventional manner A large number of knitting needles can be slid axially stored in the form of latch needles 42. Every latch needle 42 here comprises a control foot 44, which with one of the Lock parts 39, 40, 41 cooperate to the radial Perform the expulsion movement of the latch needle 42.

The circular knitting machine 10 also includes one Thread guide 46, with the help of which a basic thread 48 and a plush thread 50 in the latch needles 42 are insertable.

The thread guide 46 is in FIGS. 2 to 5 shown enlarged. It includes an over in the Drawing not shown, known per se Holding means with the rib lock body 37 rigid connected base 52, on which by means of a Screw connection 54 a first guide element in the form of a guide head 56 releasably connectable and in is held adjustable in the axial direction. For axial Adjustment has the guide head 56 in the Drawing not shown, in vertical In the direction of the elongated hole on the Fastening the guide head 56 by a screw 55 is penetrated, which can be screwed into the base 52 is.

In addition to the guide head 56, the base 52 is over a further screw connection 58 with a screw 59 a second guide element held detachably connectable in the form of a boom 60. This has an inclined to Vertically aligned slot 61 on that of the Screw 59 is penetrated so that the boom 60th both in the vertical direction and in the radial direction Direction can be adjusted by loosening screw 59 can. By means of the screw connections 54 and 58 a fine adjustment for the guide head 56 and the Boom 60 can be performed independently.

In addition to the guide head 56 and boom 60, the Base 52 in the radial direction on the latch needles 42 facing away from an eyelet holder 63, which in radial distance to the guide head 56 a cross to the longitudinal direction of the latch needles 42, that is in essentially in the circumferential direction of the needle cylinder 12 extending support arm 64 carries. On the arm 64 are in Circumferential direction of the needle cylinder 12 at a distance to each other a first and a second guide eyelet 66 or 68 held.

The boom 60 carries on its free, the latch needle 42 facing end a guide eyelet 70, and at the free, the tongue needle 42 facing end of the guide head 56 is a guide channel in the form of one in the drawing only through hole 72 shown in dashed lines educated. The through hole 72 is here in vertical direction with the first guide eyelet 66 aligned and aligned with that through the needle hook 74 limited thread space 76 of the latch needle 42 if it is in its expulsion position. The Plush thread 50 is on the first eyelet 66 and the Through hole 72 the thread space 76 of the expelled latch needle 42 supplied.

The offset in the direction of the cylinder circumference to the first Guide eyelet 66 arranged second guide eyelet 68 serves in Combination with the guide eyelet 70 of the feed of the Basic thread 48. As, for example, from FIGS. 2 to 4 becomes clear, the guide eyelet 70 is related to the through hole 72 is offset radially inward, and so far that they are approximately in the radial direction at the level of the outer edge 95 of the dial 26 is positioned. The radial is correct Positioning the guide eyelet 70 with the position of the open needle tongue of the tongue needle 42 if the latch needle 42 is in the catching position. This is particularly described in the following Figures 7a to 7d clearly.

The guide eyelet 70 is also in Circumferential direction offset from the through hole 72 arranged, this is in particular from Figure 5 clear. Here it takes relative to the direction of rotation the latch needles 42 a position behind the Through hole 72 a. The direction of rotation of the Tongue needles 42 are shown in FIG. 5 by arrow 80 illustrated, i.e. the direction of rotation is in Figure 5 from left to right.

As for example from Figures 2, 3 and 4 in Connection with Figures 7a to 7d becomes clear the pin needle 16 includes a needle shaft 82 with a radially inside inner edge 83 and one radially outer edge 84. While itself the inner edge 83 substantially straight into the extends free end region of the pin needle 16 and there is slightly bent outwards, forms the outer edge 84 starting from the free end of the pin needle 82 in Direction on the control foot 18 a first and a second conical taper 86 or 87, which has an im substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pin needle 16 extending stage 88 are separated from each other. The The area of the first taper 86 forms a first Thread contact area 90 for the plush thread 50, and through the area of the second taper 87 becomes a second one Thread contact area 92 defined for the plush thread 50.

As already explained, the pin needle 16 can by means of the electromagnetic control unit 34 in different positions. In Figure 2 takes the pin needle 16 retracted Basic position in which they are not in the Intervene in the stitch formation process of the latch needle 42 can, so that no plush handles are formed.

In Figure 3, the pin needle 16 is in its first loop-forming position shown in the their first thread contact area 90 in the amount of Latch needle 42 is positioned. As below 7a to 7d is explained with reference to FIGS. can thereby the plush thread 50 around the first Thread plant area 90 laid around and thereby relatively short plush handles are generated.

In Figure 4, the pin needle 16 is in its second loop-forming position shown at which it with its second thread feed area 92 in the amount of Latch needle 42 is positioned. In this position can the plush thread 50 around the second Thread plant area 92 laid around and thereby Plush handles formed with a relatively large length become.

The manufacture of the plush knitted fabric is as follows with reference to Figures 6 and 7a to 7d explained in more detail. In Figure 6 is a schematic Representation of the time course of the movement of the Pen needles 16 and latch needles 42 are shown. Here, a curve 94 shows the time course of the Expulsion of the latch needle 42 related to the outer edge 95 of the dial 36. The curves 97a, 97b, 97c show alternatively, the time course of the sprouting of the Pin needle 16 related to the upper edge 98 of the Needle cylinder 12 for three different End positions of the pin needle 16. The curve 97a illustrates the course of the pin needle 16 when this to their second loop-forming position is driven out, curve 97b illustrates the Course of the pin needle 16, if only up to their first loop-forming position is shifted and with curve 97c is a for comparison so-called round trip shown, in which the Pin needle 16 is not expelled, but in their Home position remains. The shoot of the latch needle 42 in the radial direction over the outer edge of the dial 36 is also downward in FIG. 6 shown while the corresponding budding of the Pin needle 16 in the axial direction over the Cylinder top edge 98 upwards in FIG. 6 is shown.

Starting from their retracted position (Basic position), the latch needle 42 is first in the in Figure 6 marked 1 ○ catch position spent, as shown in Figure 7a. In the a stitch formed in a previous stitch formation process is opened over the opened needle tongue 78 pushed. While the latch needle 42 then hers Expulsion position passes and the needle tongue 78th this leaves the previously formed stitch at the same time the pin needle 16 vertically upwards expelled and initially takes the one in FIG. 7b shown first loop-forming position, at which the first thread feed area 90 in the amount of Switch needle 42 is arranged. The latter takes here the knitting position marked with 2 ○ in FIG. 6 on.

The pin needle 16 is then driven out further, so that the second thread contact area 92 in the amount of Switch needles 42 are positioned as shown in FIG. 7c is shown. At the same time, the latch needle 42 in her marked with 3 ○ in Figure 6 Moved back closed position, previously using the Guide eyelet 70 of the basic thread 48 on the still open Needle tongue 78 is placed and the tongue needle 42 at the further withdrawal movement that of the Through hole 72 fed plush thread 50 safely grasps. Since the stitch previously formed the needle tongue 78 closes, the basic thread 48 and the Plush thread 50 then securely in the thread space 76 Latch needle 42 held.

As is clear from FIG. 7d, the Tongue needle 42 then that in FIG. 6 with 4 ○ illustrated setting position. The pin needle 16 remains, however, in its second loop-forming Position, while adjacent needles 42a already the plush thread 50 and the basic thread 48 take so that the plush thread 50 around the still driven pin needle 16 runs around. The pin needle 16 stays in her second so long loop-forming position, up to - depending on the fineness E the circular knitting machine - several adjacent Tongue needles 42a have formed stitches at one Fineness E18, for example, about 7 neighboring ones Switch needles, so that there is no longer any danger that when the pin needle 16 is ultimately withdrawn by moving the plush thread 50 around the second thread contact area 92 formed plush handles is withdrawn again. Here, the fineness E understood the number of needles related to one Reference length of 1 English inch (25.4 mm) on Nominal diameter of the circular knitting machine are arranged.

The stitch formation process is shown in FIGS. 7a to 7b using the example of a plush knit with long Plush handles made clear. Here, the Pen needle in its second loop-forming position. Instead, a plush knit with short Plush handles or without plush handles the plush handles are only up to their first loop-forming position corresponding to the Curve 97b or not driven at all, corresponding to curve 97c in FIG. 6, during the Course of the latch needles 42 is unaffected by this.

From the above it is clear that by means of Circular knitting machine 10 made a plush knitted fabric can be, depending on the control of the electromagnetic control unit 34 on the one hand areas can have without plush handles and the other Areas where a relatively short plush handle or there is a relatively long plush handle. On in this way an optically appealing pattern can be created for the plush knit. Here, the staggered arrangement of the two guide elements for the Basic thread 48 and the plush thread 50 ensured that the threads are reliably gripped by the latch needle 42 can be independent of the control of the Pen needle 16.

Claims (13)

Circular knitting machine for producing plush knitted fabrics with knitting needles (42) displaceable in a dial (36) and with plush sinkers (16) axially displaceable in a cylinder (12) and with a thread guide (46) for inserting a plush thread (50) and a base thread (48 ) into the knitting needles (42), the plush sinkers (16) being displaceable in a controlled manner between a basic position and at least one loop-forming position to form a plush handle, characterized in that the thread guide (46) for inserting the plush thread (50) has a first guide element ( 72) and for inserting the base thread (48) comprises a second guide element (70), the second guide element (70) with respect to the axis of the cylinder (12) radially inward and with respect to the cylinder circumference against the direction of rotation (80) of the knitting needles (42) is arranged offset from the first guide element (72). Circular knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the plush sinkers (16) can be displaced into a first and second loop-forming position and comprise two thread contact areas (90, 92) of different widths which are assigned to the first and the second loop-forming position to form different lengths plush loops. Circular knitting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second guide element (70) is arranged such that the base thread (48) can be fed in the radial direction approximately at the level of the outer edge (95) of the dial (36) of the knitting needle (42) , Circular knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread guide (46) has a base (52) on which the second guide element (70) is detachably connected. Circular knitting machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the second guide element (70) is adjustably held on the base (52). Circular knitting machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the second guide element comprises a cantilever (60) held on the base (52) and having a guide eye (70) at its free end. Circular knitting machine according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the first guide element (72) is detachably connected to the base (52). Circular knitting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the first guide element (72) is adjustably held on the base (52). Circular knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide element (72) is arranged in such a way that the plush thread (50) can be fed in the radial direction approximately at the level of the hook tip (74) of the knitting needle (72) which has been driven out. Circular knitting machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the first guide element has a guide head (56) with a guide channel (72) whose end region facing the knitting needles (42) is arranged approximately at the level of the hook tip (74) of the knitting needles (42) being driven out. Circular knitting machine according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the second thread contact area (92) is at least approximately twice as wide in the radial direction as the first thread contact area (90). Circular knitting machine according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the first thread contact area (90) is arranged at the free end of the plush board (16) and the second thread contact area (92) is positioned at a distance from the free end of the plush card (16). Circular knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one thread contact area (90, 92) tapers in the longitudinal direction of the plush sinker with increasing distance from its free end.

Images