EP1437434B1 - Knitting tool and method of manufacturing thereof - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a knitting tool, in particular for high-speed machines and a method for producing such a knitting tool.

From the DE 196 04 954 C1 is a stamped knitting tool, for example in the form of a hook or latch needle, which has on the broad side of its shaft recesses for the distribution of lubricants in the needle channel. The needles must be lubricated in the needle channel to prevent inadmissible heating. On the other hand, lubricant must be used sparingly, otherwise it will come out of the needle channels and contaminate the goods. With the knitting tools according to the cited patent these conditions are fulfilled. The chamfers serving as lubricant distributing means of the shaft form a storage space for lubricants. On the other hand, the formation of the recesses is associated with a relatively high cost. After all, it can not be ruled out that they can become contaminated and lose their effect.

According to the DE 197 40 985 C2 In addition, knitting tools have been proposed, the shanks of which have varying thicknesses by providing free surfaces set back on the shank.

Knitting tools of this type meet the expectations placed in them, but the production cost is still not insignificant.

DE 29 44 300 A1 describes a flat knitting machine needle which is equipped to brake its movements within a needle channel with one or more leaf springs. Each leaf spring is clamped in a longitudinally extending groove in the shank of the needle, with portions of the spring forming elastically outwardly arcuate arcs resiliently engageable with a channel wall. This brakes the needle by friction on the channel wall and centered when using two opposing springs in addition to the channel.

US 1 441 591 A describes a knitting machine needle with a shank which is divided in a section by a longitudinal central recess in two parallel legs.

FR 688 926 A describes another needle whose shaft in the region of a tongue between one of two parallel legs having longitudinally extending recess.

On this basis, it is an object of the invention to provide a knitting tool which has a low frictional resistance in the guide channel, provides oil retention areas and is easy to manufacture.

This object is achieved with the knitting tool according to claim 1 and the manufacturing method according to claim 11.

The knitting tool according to the invention has a shank which can be inserted into a guide channel of a knitting machine and guided longitudinally movably in the guide channel. The shank has a varying thickness. Areas of reduced thickness ensure compliance with a distance from the guide surfaces in a guide channel and can serve, for example, as oil retention areas. They are each formed by mutually free by a slot and curved towards each other legs. Seen from the side, the legs thus consider concave depressions and are curved away from the viewer towards the center of the shaft.

It has been shown that such knitting tools can not only be produced precisely and efficiently, but also have good operating properties. The fixed by the mutually curved limbs flank-side depressions of the shaft reduce the surface with which the knitting tool rests against the guide surfaces of the guide channel. In addition, spaces for lubricants are created. The recesses are also free of sharp edges, which inhibits the deposition of dirt. Finally, there is a certain amount of free space between the legs, which can also serve to maintain the oil.

It has also been shown that the dynamic load capacity of the knitting tool is high. The bent legs increase the flexibility of the knitting tool without compromising its strength and load capacity.

Another advantage of the knitting tool according to the invention lies in its symmetry. The two recesses are arranged on both opposite flanks of the knitting tool at the same place and preferably each formed the same size. This benefits the straightness of the knitting tool. In addition, the recesses can be formed on the flanks of the knitting tool, in particular without ridges on the top and bottom of the needle.

The two legs of the shaft, which are curved towards one another, are preferably bent on a median plane, where they meet here or keep a distance from one another. The slot formed between the legs thus has a minimum thickness centrally, or it is interrupted by a point of contact in which the two legs touch. The legs may, if necessary, be connected to one another here. This can be done, if necessary, by a cohesive connection or a positive connection. For example, a weld can be provided. It is also possible to caulk or rivet the legs together.

Further details of advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the drawings, from the description or from the subclaims.

Fig. 1 bis 4

Zungennadeln mit flankenseitigen Schaftvertiefungen, jeweils in teilweise geschnittener Seitenansicht in verschiedenen Ausführungsformen,

Figur 5

einen Ausschnitt aus dem jeweiligen Schaft der Zungennadeln gemäß Figur 1 bis 4, geschnitten jeweils entlang der Linie A-A,

Figur 6

eine andere Ausführungsform eines Strickwerkzeugs mit flankenseitigen Schaftvertiefungen, in ausschnittsweiser, perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 7

das Strickwerkzeug nach Figur 6 in einem Zwischenschritt bei der Herstellung der Schaftvertiefung,

Figur 8

eine Querschnittsdarstellung des Schafts des Strickwerkzeugs nach Figur 7 im Bereich der auszubildenden Schaftvertiefung,

Figur 9

das Strickwerkzeug nach Figur 6, geschnitten quer zur Schaftrichtung,

Fig. 10 und 11

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform eines Strickwerkzeugs in quer geschnittener Darstellung vor und nach der Ausbildung der Vertiefung und

Fig. 12 und 13

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Strickwerkzeugs mit Schaftvertiefung vor und nach der Ausbildung der Vertiefung.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Show it:

Fig. 1 to 4

Tongue pins with flank-side shank recesses, each in a partially sectioned side view in various embodiments,

FIG. 5

a section of the respective shaft of the latch needles according to Figure 1 to 4 , each cut along the line AA,

FIG. 6

another embodiment of a knitting tool with flank-side shank recesses, in a fragmentary, perspective view,

FIG. 7

after the knitting tool FIG. 6 in an intermediate step in the production of the shaft depression,

FIG. 8

a cross-sectional view of the shaft of the knitting tool according to FIG. 7 in the area of the recess to be formed,

FIG. 9

after the knitting tool FIG. 6 , cut transversely to the direction of the sheep,

10 and 11

a modified embodiment of a knitting tool in cross-sectional view before and after the formation of the recess and

FIGS. 12 and 13

a further embodiment of a knitting tool with shank recess before and after the formation of the recess.

In FIG. 1 a latch needle 1 is representative of all elongated knitting tools illustrated, which are reciprocally movably mounted in a respective guide channel. The latch needle 1 has a shaft 2, the rear portion 3 of which as a guide section in a guide channel 4 (FIG. FIG. 5 ) sitting a knitting machine. The guide channel 4 is bounded by two guide surfaces 5, 6, which are preferably formed as flat surfaces. Section 3 is how FIG. 1 also shows, preferably provided with a foot 7, which serves to drive the latch needle 1. From the section 3, the shaft 2 extends to a hook 8 or other functional area.

The shaft 2 has in the section 3 a greater height measured from the needle back 9 to the needle top 11 which is greater than in the front section extending towards the hook 8. In the section 3, the shaft 2 is provided with recesses 12, 13, 14, 15, so that in each case a web 16, 17, 18, 19 is formed to the needle top 11. Between the webs 16, 17, 18, 19 each have an intermediate portion 21, 22, 23, 24 is formed, in which the shaft 2 is formed continuously at full height. However, the intermediate sections 22, 23, 24 have a reduced thickness. This is going out FIG. 5 clear, which illustrates the intermediate section 23, cut along the line or sectional plane AA. In the intermediate portion 23 a extending from the needle top 11 to the needle back 9 extending slot 25 is formed, which, as FIG. 1 illustrated, may extend into the adjacent webs 18, 19 in. The slot 25 is preferably formed symmetrically to a median plane 26, which in FIG. 1 coincides with the cutting plane and in FIG. 5 is perpendicular to the drawing plane. The median plane 26 is located midway between the Flanks 27, 28 of the shaft 2. The width of the slot 25 may for example make up about one third of the total thickness of the shaft 2. The slot 25 separates two legs 29, 31 from each other, which merge at their two respective ends in each case in the full unslotted shaft 2. The legs 29, 31 are bent towards each other, where they, as FIG. 5 can contact at a contact point 32, whereby the slot 25 is interrupted. The contact point 32 can extend over the entire height of the shaft 2 from the needle back 9 to the needle top 11.

The legs 29, 31 are preferably offset or steplessly bent, so that no sharp edge is present on the outer flank 27, 28 of the shaft 2. Rather, the flank 27 merges with a gentle curvature in a recess 33, which forms a concave curvature. The same applies to the flank 28, which defines a concave depression 34 as a result of the bending or curvature of the leg 31. The recesses 33, 34 ensure that the flank 27, 28 in the region of the respective recess 33, 34 maintains a distance from the guide surfaces 5, 6, which reduces the friction of the reed needle 1 in the guide channel. In addition, the recesses 33, 34 form spaces in which to collect and hold lubricant.

The FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate modified embodiments of the latch needle 1 after FIG. 1 which differ substantially by the position of the foot 7 from each other. For the rest, the above description applies analogously on the basis of the same reference numbers. In all embodiments, it holds that the intermediate portion 21 which carries the foot 7, unslotted and without lateral recess is trained. If necessary, however, wells can be provided here as well.

• Der Schaft 2 wird, wie Figur 7 zeigt, zunächst mit dem Schlitz 25 versehen. Der Schlitz 25 wird dabei in einem solchen Bereich des Schafts 2 angebracht, in dem die Flanken 27, 28 später mit den gewünschten Vertiefungen versehen werden sollen. Der Schlitz 25 erstreckt sich dabei etwa parallel zu den Flanken 27, 28 zwischen diesen durch den Schaft 2. Mit Blickrichtung senkrecht auf die Flanke 28 untergreift der Schlitz 25 somit den später zu vertiefenden Bereich der Flanke 28. Entsprechendes gilt mit Blick senkrecht auf die Flanke 27.
• Nachfolgend wird ungefähr rechtwinklig zu den Flanken 27, 28 im Bereich des Schlitzes 25 eine Kraft auf die jeweilige Flanke 27, 28 aufgebracht. Damit werden die Schenkel 29, 31 aufeinander zu verformt, wodurch die Vertiefungen 33, 34 entstehen.
• Die Figuren 8 und 9 veranschaulichen die Zungennadel nach den Figuren 6 und 7 jeweils geschnitten im Bereich der späteren Berührungsstelle 32. Die Schenkel 29, 31 sind untereinander nicht verbunden. Dies verleiht der Zungennadel eine besondere Flexibilität.
• Die Figuren 10 und 11 veranschaulichen eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform, bei der der Schlitz 25 in zwei Teilschlitze 25a, 25b unterteilt ist. Der Teilschlitz 25a erstreckt sich von der Nadeloberseite 11 in den Schaft 2 hinein. Der Teilschlitz 25b geht hingegen von dem Nadelrücken 9 aus. Zwischen den Teilschlitzen 25a, 25b ist ein Steg 35 ausgebildet, der die Teilschlitze 25a, 25b voneinander trennt (Figur 10). Die Schenkel 29, 31 sind somit miteinander verbunden. Beim Zusammendrücken wird der Steg 35 plastisch verformt. Wie Figur 11 veranschaulicht, wird dadurch im Bereich der Berührungsstelle 32 eine echte Verbindungsstelle 36 ausgebildet, die die beiden Schenkel 29, 31 stoffschlüssig zusammenhält.
• Die Figuren 12 und 13 veranschaulichen ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel mit stoffschlüssiger Verbindung der Schenkel 29, 31 nach dem Verformen derselben. Die zunächst durch den Schlitz 25 vollkommen voneinander getrennten Schenkel 29, 31 (Figur 12) werden nach dem Verformen durch einen Laserschweißpunkt 37 miteinander verbunden und sind somit aneinander gehalten. Alternativ kann der Laserschweißpunkt auch an der Nadeloberseite 11 und/oder an dem Nadelrücken 9 gesetzt werden.
• Ein Strickwerkzeug 1, insbesondere für schnell laufende Strickmaschinen, weist einen Schaft 2 auf, der mit Vertiefungen 33, 34 versehen ist. Zur Ausbildung derselben wird der Schaft 2 mit einem Schlitz 25 versehen, der zwei voneinander beabstandete Schenkel 29, 31 frei stellt. Diese werden aufeinander zu gebogen, so dass an den Flanken 27, 28 die gewünschten Vertiefungen entstehen. Die Vertiefungen dienen der Reibungsminderung und Ölhaltung.

The formation of the recesses 33, 34 will be described below using the example of the FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated shaft portion of an embodiment of a knitting tool illustrates:

• The shaft 2 is how FIG. 7 shows, first provided with the slot 25. The slot 25 is mounted in such a region of the shaft 2, in which the flanks 27, 28 are to be provided later with the desired depressions. The slot 25 extends approximately parallel to the flanks 27, 28 between them by the shaft 2. With a view perpendicular to the flank 28 of the slot 25 thus engages under the later to be recessed area of the flank 28. The same applies with a view perpendicular to the flank 27th
• Subsequently, a force is applied to the respective flank 27, 28 approximately at right angles to the flanks 27, 28 in the region of the slot 25. Thus, the legs 29, 31 are deformed towards each other, whereby the recesses 33, 34 arise.
• The FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the latch needle after the FIGS. 6 and 7 each cut in the area of the later contact point 32. The legs 29, 31 are not connected to each other. This gives the latch needle a special flexibility.
• The FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a modified embodiment in which the slot 25 in two partial slots 25a, 25b is divided. The partial slot 25a extends from the needle top 11 into the shaft 2. The partial slot 25b, however, starts from the needle back 9. Between the partial slots 25a, 25b, a web 35 is formed, which separates the partial slots 25a, 25b from each other ( FIG. 10 ). The legs 29, 31 are thus connected to each other. When compressed, the web 35 is plastically deformed. As FIG. 11 illustrated, thereby a real connection point 36 is formed in the region of the contact point 32, which holds the two legs 29, 31 cohesively.
• The FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate another embodiment with cohesive connection of the legs 29, 31 after deforming the same. The first completely separated by the slot 25 legs 29, 31 ( FIG. 12 ) are connected to each other after deformation by a laser welding point 37 and are thus held together. Alternatively, the laser welding point can also be set on the needle top side 11 and / or on the needle back 9.
• A knitting tool 1, in particular for high-speed knitting machines, has a shaft 2 which is provided with depressions 33, 34. To form the same, the shaft 2 is provided with a slot 25 which exposes two spaced legs 29, 31. These are bent towards each other, so that the desired recesses arise on the flanks 27, 28. The depressions are used for friction reduction and oil maintenance.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

latch needle

2

shaft

3

section

4

guide channel

5, 6

guide surfaces

7

foot

8th

hook

9

needle back

11

Needle top

12, 13, 14, 15

recesses

16, 17, 18, 19

web

21, 22, 23, 24

intermediate section

25

slot

25a, 25b

part slots

26

midplane

27, 28

flanks

29, 31

leg

32

contact point

33, 34

wells

35

web

36

junction

37

Laser welding spot

Claims (11)

1. Knitting tool (1) having a shank (2) which is designed to be inserted into a guide channel (4) of a knitting machine, said guide channel being delimited by two guide faces (5, 6), and to be guided in the guide channel (4) and which has a varying thickness, wherein the shank (2), in regions (22, 23, 24) of reduced thickness, has in each case at least one slot (25) enclosed by two legs (29, 31) and the legs are bent towards one another, characterized in that the legs (29, 31) form concave depressions (33, 34) on the outer flanks (27, 28) of the shank (2), so that the flanks (27, 28) maintain a gap from the guide faces (5, 6) in the region of the depressions (33, 34).
2. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the shank (2) has flanks (27, 28), on which concavely curved indentations are defined, said indentations forming the regions (22, 23, 24) of reduced thickness.
3. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot (25) is arranged in a centre plane (26) of the shank (2).
4. Knitting tool according to claim 3, characterized in that the legs (29, 31) are bent towards the centre plane (26).
5. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that a gap exists between the legs (29, 31).
6. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs (29, 31) touch one another.
7. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs (29, 31) are connected to one another.
8. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs (29, 31) are connected to one another by a spot weld (37).
9. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot (25) passes through the entire height of the shank (2).
10. Knitting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot (25) is subdivided into partial slots (25a, 25b), and in that a web (35) is formed between the partial slots (25a, 25b).
11. Method of manufacturing a knitting tool (1), in which an initially straight-flanked region of a shank (2) is provided with at least one depression (33, 34) in order to form a region (22, 23, 23) of reduced thickness, in that a slot (25) is formed between two legs (29, 31) in the knitting tool (1), said slot being formed substantially parallel to a flank (27, 28) in which the depression is to be made and extending substantially parallel to the flank (27, 28), and the legs (29, 31) are then pressed inwards into the slot (25) in order to form legs (29, 31) which are bent towards one another.

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