EP1477600B1 - Circular knitting machine, particularly for the production of spacer fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

Circular knitting machine includes two needle beds for fixing a vertical and a horizontal comb spacing and a stitch spacing. The stitch spacing has a value of >=6 mm. The knitting needles of the needle bed(s) are configured as compound needles having hooks (5a, 15.1). Circular knitting machine comprises a first needle bed in the form of a needle cylinder having grooves in which first knitting needles are slidably mounted. A second needle bed is in the form of a dial having grooves in which second knitting needles are slidably mounted. First and second cams (3) control the first and the second knitting needles, respectively. The two needle beds fix a vertical and a horizontal comb spacing and a stitch spacing. The stitch spacing has a value of >=6 mm. The knitting needles (2, 5) of the needle bed(s) are configured as compound needles having hooks.

Description

The invention relates to a circular knitting machine of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

In circular knitting machines of this type (eg DE 41 28 372 A1 ) are determined by the relative position of the needle cylinder and the dial three dimensions, hereinafter referred to as "axial comb spacing", "radial comb spacing" and "mesh spacing". The axial comb spacing is given by the distance between the upper end face or the stitching edge of the needle cylinder and the bottoms of the rib needles receiving, formed in the dial Ripple, while the radial comb spacing by the distance between the outer end face and the stitched edge of the Ripscheibe and the bottoms of the cylinder needle receiving, formed in the needle cylinder grooves is given. The two so defined ridge distances finally set the distance referred to as mesh spacing, which results essentially by the distance of two circular lines, one of which through the outer circumference of the dial at the level of their Nutenböden and the other by the outer circumference of the needle cylinder in Height of the groove bottoms is given.

In the manufacture of knitwear using both the needle cylinder and It is also often desirable for the dial also to select particularly large values deviating from the usual values for the distances mentioned, in particular the mesh spacing. This applies, for example, in the application of circular knitting machines of the type described above for the production of so-called spacer knitted fabrics. This is understood to mean knitwear consisting essentially of two webs produced solely by the needles of the needle cylinder or alone with the needles of the dial, which are interconnected by thin intermediate layers (eg DE 74 25 934 U1 . DE 28 50 823 A1 ). These intermediate layers are formed by placing a mostly thin, monofilament connecting thread in the cylinder needles as well as in the rib needles between the process steps intended for the production of the two webs and processing them in the manner of tuck stitches. The lengths of the lying between the two webs portions of this connecting thread and thus the total thickness of the Abstandsgestricks depend essentially on the size of the mesh spacing and are the greater, the further the two above-mentioned, the mesh spacing defining circular lines are spaced from each other.

When using conventional, also suitable for other purposes circular knitting machines with needle cylinders and dials, the mesh spacing is relatively small, since e.g. the maximum axial comb spacing is approximately 5.6 mm and the maximum radial comb spacing is approximately 1 mm. Even with circular knitting machines, in which the axial comb spacing by axial displacement of the dial relative to the needle cylinder is variable, as is also true for the above, known circular knitting machines, the maximum producible axial comb spacing is usually less than 6 mm, while the radial comb spacing through the Outside diameter of the needle cylinder and the dial is fixed with a value of about 1 mm.

The small size of the maximum axial comb spacing is among other things a consequence of the tongue needles commonly used and the small tongue or hinge lengths of latch needles. Namely, since the connecting thread in the integration in catching position on the one hand substantially simultaneously both in the Cylinder as well as in the Rippnadeln must be insertable, on the other hand, the cylinder and Rippnadeln may be expelled at the thread take-up but so far that while the hooks in their hooks ("old") still remain on the open needle tongues and not on the tongues slip out onto the needle shafts, the axial comb spacing is limited essentially by the tongue length of the knitting needles used. Corresponding restrictions arise with regard to the radial comb spacing and in the production of goods other than spacer knits.

In connection with the production of spacer knits, it is already known ( US 2002/0152776 A1 ), to increase the mesh spacing by the fact that the two comb distances are at least twice as large and preferably three to four times as large as in standard machines are selected. However, this would presuppose in view of the above explanations that the cylinder and / or Ripp needles can be expelled accordingly far and are provided with correspondingly long tongues, which allow despite the increased budding an arrangement of the knitting needles in a fishing position. The DE 31 40 787 A suggests, for example, a pole height of 6-7 mm between the top surfaces.

The construction of a circular knitting machine in consideration of these requirements is possible in principle, but associated with the disadvantage of a comparatively large width of the knitting systems and / or a comparatively low maximum speed. Depending on the speed with which the needle cylinder and the dial are rotated relative to a stationary cylinder and Rippschloß (or vice versa), namely the ejection and withdrawal curves of the cylinder and Rippschlosses must not exceed a preselected maximum slope to avoid needle breaks , This inevitably results in a certain minimum width of the individual knitting systems and leads to circular knitting machines, which can have a maximum of about 48 knitting systems (about 1.6 knitting systems per inch) on the circumference of a needle cylinder with a diameter of 30 inches. If six adjacent knitting systems are required for a complete course of a knit stitch, as is often the case, then each needle cylinder can rotate per revolution A maximum of approximately eight full courses or knit sections are created.

On this basis, the present invention, the technical problem underlying the circular knitting machine of the type described above in such a way that they can be operated despite a comparatively large maximum mesh spacing with smaller system widths and / or higher speeds.

To solve this problem are characteristic features of claim 1.

The invention is based on the idea that it would be possible with the use of sliding needles to drive out the needle parts and thus their hooks at comparable speeds with steeper locks much higher than is possible with latch needles, while opening and closing the hook with Help the slide parts to control so that the old mesh if necessary, even with a high budding of the needle parts Fangmaschen, ie can not slip out of the needle hook. Experiments have confirmed that this assumption is correct and that comb needles 14 mm or more can readily be realized with slider needles. In addition to the per se known advantages of slider needles (eg DE 38 21 213 C2 ) results in particular the advantage that the invention leads to a high-performance machine that can be equipped with a needle cylinder diameter of 30 inches with 72 and more knitting systems and operated at speeds that are common in the previously known machines. The resulting performance increase is 50%.

Further advantageous features emerge from the subclaims.

• Fig. 1 einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Rundstrickmaschine mit einem Nadelzylinder und einer Rippscheibe;
• Fig. 2 schematisch die Herstellung eines Abstandsgestricks unter Anwendung der Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 schematisch die Abwicklung eines Schlosses der erfindungsgemäßen Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 1; und
• Fig. 4 bis 11 schematisch Schnitte durch die Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 1 längs der Linien IV - IV bis XI - XI der Fig. 3.

The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings of an embodiment. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic longitudinal section through a circular knitting machine according to the invention with a needle cylinder and a dial;
• Fig. 2 schematically the production of a spacer fabric using the circular knitting machine according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 schematically the settlement of a lock of the circular knitting machine according to the invention Fig. 1 ; and
• Fig. 4 to 11 schematically sections through the circular knitting machine Fig. 1 along lines IV - IV to XI - XI of Fig. 3 ,

To Fig. 1 contains a circular knitting machine shown only schematically a first needle bed in the form of a rotating needle cylinder 1, which is provided with not shown, paraxial grooves, in which first knitting needles in the form of cylinder needles 2 are slidably mounted in the vertical direction. A first lock surrounding the needle cylinder 1 in the form of a cylinder lock 3 has lock parts, not shown, which interact with feet of the cylinder needles 2, also not shown, in order to give them the necessary ejection and withdrawal movements.

Above the needle cylinder 1, a second needle bed in the form of a dial 4 is arranged, which is provided with not shown, radial and perpendicular to the grooves of the needle cylinder 1 grooves in which second knitting needles are mounted radially displaceable in the form of Rippnadeln 5. Above the dial 4, a second lock in the form of a Rippschlosses 6 is arranged, the lock parts, not shown, which cooperate with also not shown feet of the Rippnadeln 5 to give them the required Austriebs- and deduction movements.

Incidentally, it is clear that along the circumference of the needle cylinder 1 and the surface of the dial 4, a plurality of knitting systems is arranged, each of which have required for expulsion or withdrawal of the cylinder and / or Rippnadeln 2, 5 lock parts.

In circular knitting machines of this type, for the purposes of the present invention, a size x, which corresponds to the distance between an upper end surface or stitched edge of the needle cylinder 1 and the bottoms of the rib needles 5 receiving grooves of the dial 4, as a vertical comb spacing, a measure y between on the other hand, the outer end face or stitching edge of the dial plate 4 and the bottoms of the grooves of the needle cylinder 1 accommodating the cylinder needles 2 are referred to as a horizontal comb spacing. In addition, as a mesh distance z denotes a measure, which is given by the distance between two circular lines 7 and 8, of which the one through the outer circumferential line of the dial 4 at the level of their Nutenböden and the other by the outer circumferential line of the needle cylinder 1 in Height of its groove bottoms is given.

Circular knitting machines of this type and their function are the expert, for example from the document DE 41 28 372 A1 well known.

Should with the circular knitting machine Fig. 1 a spacer knit can be made, for example, accordingly Fig. 2 be proceeded, in which the cylinder and Rippnadeln 2, 5 schematically by lines and with the cylinder and Rippnadeln 2, 5 formed stitches are schematically indicated by circles 9 and 10. In a first method step or system S1, for example, a first thread alone is picked up by the Rippnadeln 5 and processed into the mesh 9, whereby a formed on the Rippscheibe 4 Rippschlauch 23 (see also Fig. 4 ) arises. In a second method step or system S2, a second thread is received, for example, solely by the cylinder needles 2 and processed into the loops 10, whereby a cylindrical tube 26 formed on the needle cylinder 1 (cf. Fig. 5 ) arises. Finally, in a third method step or knitting system S3, a connecting thread 11 is inserted into both selected cylinder and selected rib needles 2, 5 and processed by them as a tuck stitch, which is described in US Pat Fig. 2 is indicated by a solid line. It is provided, the connecting thread 11 insert only in every second, each indicated by a long line cylinder and Rippnadel 2, 5, while the cylinder and rib needles 2, 5 shown as short dashes the connection thread 11 do not record. Long and short dashes mean that the associated needles have more or less far from the needle head spaced feet and are selected with these associated lock parts.

In a further two method steps or knitting systems S4 and S5, the stitch formation takes place analogously to the knitting systems S1 and S2. In contrast, in a sixth method step or knitting system S6 as in the knitting system S3, but proceeded with the difference that now a connecting thread 12 is received only by the indicated by short dashes cylinder or Rippnadeln 2, 5 and processed into a tearing stitch. For a complete cycle or section of the spacer knit, therefore, six consecutive knitting systems S1 to S6 are required. However, numerous other types of knitting are possible, as known in the art. For further details, see the documents DE 74 25 934 U1 . DE 28 50 823 A1 and US 2002/0152776 A1 directed. Moreover, it is understood that the finished spacer fabric consists of two independently produced layers or surfaces, which are held together by a third, formed with the connecting threads 11, 12 intermediate layer.

As Fig. 1 shows, the mesh spacing z determines the length of the from the cylindrical needles 2 to the Rippnadeln 5 and vice versa extending portions of the connecting threads 11, 12 and thus also the thickness of the intermediate layer. This thickness is comparatively small in standard machines, since the dimension x is eg 5.5 mm and the dimension y is for example 1.05 mm. It is noteworthy on the one hand that standard machines are equipped with latch needles, which, as in Fig. 1 shown by the example of the Rippnadeln 5, needle hooks 5a and 5b have pivotable tongues. In the usual stitch formation, the needle tongues 5 b are therefore either in the Fig. 1 pivoted apparent open position or a closed position, in which they rest against the needle hooks 5a and keep them closed. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that the Rippnadeln 5 when they should take together with the cylinder needles 2 by a yarn guide 14 supplied connecting thread (eg the connecting thread 11 in Fig. 2 ), not radially beyond the Fig. 1 In addition, the old stitches held by the needle hooks 5a would slide under the tongues 5b onto the shafts of the trimming needles 5 and then be made into a stitch. The formation of tuck stitches, which results from the additional insertion of the connecting thread 11 or 12 in a needle hook 5a, which also still contains the old mesh, would then be impossible. The same applies to the cylinder needles 2.

According to the invention, as basically from the US 2 250 658 A known, in contrast, provided to equip at least one of the two needle beds, which is in the embodiment of the needle cylinder 1, with slide needles. The cylinder needles 2 are therefore provided with parallel and in the vertical direction relative to each other displaceable needle parts 15 and slide members 16 which are slidably mounted in slots of the needle parts 15 (see, in particular Fig. 3 ). The needle parts 15 have needle hooks 15.1 at their upper ends, while the slide parts 16 are provided at their upper ends with pusher tips 16.1, by means of which they can open or close the needle hooks 15.1 in a conventional manner. The cylinder lock 3 surrounding the needle cylinder 1 in this case has not individually shown lock parts, which cooperate with likewise not shown feet of the needle and slide parts 15, 16 in order to require them to open or close the needle hook 15.1 and for picking up threads To give movements. Slide needles and their controls are also known in the art, so that, for example, the document DE 38 21 214 C2 to avoid repetition.

In a presently considered best mode of carrying out the invention, it is further contemplated that the vertical comb spacing x would be unchanged with horizontal Comb spacing y much larger than standard machines to choose and give it, for example, a value of 14 mm, which leads to y = 1.05 mm to a value of about 14.04 mm for the measure z . To do this, as follows from the Fig. 3 to 11 explained, no special measures are taken.

According to Fig. 3 For example, the needle part 15 of the needle 2 has a shank 15.2 with a back resting on the bottom of an associated groove of the needle cylinder 1 back 15.3. At the top, the shaft 15.2 is adjoined by a breast section 15.4, which merges into the needle hook 15.1 along a section 15.5 that recesses obliquely to the rear. The formed in the shaft 15.2 and the chest section 15.4, the slide member 16 receiving slot is formed so that the needle member 15 between a position in which its hook is retracted 15.1 substantially below the top of the needle cylinder 1 (circular line 8), and out Fig. 1 apparent Austriebsstellung in which the needle hook 15.1 is disposed above adjacent Rippnadeln 5, reciprocated and while the slide member 16 can be held in a position in which the slider tip 16.1 either corresponding Fig. 1 is arranged directly below the upper edge of the needle cylinder 1 or slightly higher or lower, as further described below. In addition, the breast portion 15.4 in the axial direction is preferably designed to be straight at all times, at least on its front side facing away from the needle cylinder 1, so as not to obstruct or permit the mesh formation explained below.

Fig. 3 shows the exemplary knitting curves for the systems S1 to S3 in FIG Fig. 2 explained mesh formations, the direction of the needles 2, 5 is indicated by an arrow v . In addition, a curve is shown by a solid line 18, along which the needle hooks 15.1 of the cylinder needles 2 move. A dashed line 19 indicates the course of the slide tips 16.1 of the cylinder needles 2. Finally, a dotted line 20 shows a path along which the hooks 5a of the ripple needles 5 move through the systems S1 to S3.

The system S1 is analogous to Fig. 2 made a series of ribbed hose. To For this purpose, the Rippnadeln 5 along a web portion 20.1, which ends at a knitting position corresponding web portion 20.2, radially outwardly to open the hooks 5a, and then withdrawn along a web portion 20.3 radially inward to a thread 21 of a To receive yarn guide 22, to process into a mesh and thereby a first commodity surface or layer, ie a ribbed tube 23 (FIG. Fig. 2 and 4 ) to build. The slider needles 2 are held in the system S1 in a continuous position.

In the system S2, the Rippnadeln 5 remain in a retracted pass position, while the needle parts 15 of the needle bars 2 are first expelled along a track section 18.1. The slide parts 16 initially remain in a position in which the slide tips 16.1 below the upper edge (circular line 8 in Fig. 1 ) of the needle cylinder 1 are arranged. Characterized the needle hooks 15.1 are opened when a track section 18.2 is reached, so that one of a yarn guide 24 supplied second thread 25 can be inserted into it, when the needle parts 15 along a track section 18.3 deducted again and simultaneously the slide members 16 initially along a track section 19.1 slightly expelled and then withdrawn along with the needle parts 16 along a track section 19.2, thereby closing the hooks 15.1. As a result, the thread 25 is picked up by the hooks 15.1 and processed into stitches, whereby a fabric surface or layer formed on the slider needles 2, ie a cylinder tube 26, is produced (FIG. Fig. 2 and 5 to 7 ).

In the further course, the rib needles 5 are first expelled in the system S3 along a track section 20.4 which terminates at a track section 20.5 corresponding to the catching position. With a slight delay to the needle parts 15 are driven along a track section 18.4 until a catch position corresponding track section 18.5 is reached. The slide parts 16 still remain in their deep, under the upper edge of the needle cylinder 1 retracted position ( Fig. 8 ). In this position, the pusher tips are 16.1 but in a central region of the breast portion 15.4 such that they are still below old, on arranged in the breast sections 15.4 and formed in a previous system stitches 27 are arranged. It is clear that the cylinder and rib needles 2.5 in the system S3 accordingly Fig. 2 can be selected while the remaining needles 2.5 are left in not shown passages.

In particular Fig. 8 shows, in this position, on the one hand, the needle parts 15 are driven into a position raised so high that their hooks are 15.1 arranged despite the large comb distance x above the Rippnadelebene. On the other hand, the Rippnadeln 5 are advanced so far radially outward that their hooks 5a are on the front sides of the cylinder needles 2. Therefore, in both types of needles, such as Fig. 8 shows, at the same time the connecting thread 11 (see also Fig. 1 and 2 ) are inserted, including the out Fig. 1 apparent thread guide 14 is used.

The needle parts 15 and with them the hooks 15.1 are now withdrawn along a track section 18.6 again, while substantially simultaneously the Rippnadeln 5 along a track section 20.6 are withdrawn. This remain, as in particular Fig. 9 shows, the slide parts 16 so long in its retracted position until the old mesh 27 on the located between the chest sections 15.4 and the hooks 15.1, obliquely to the back sides extending portions 15.5 of the needle parts 15 (FIGS. Fig. 3 ) and thereby attracted by the train of the cylinder tube 26 to the backs of the needle parts 15. Unlike when forming stitches, the slide parts 16 are only then lifted along a track section 19.3 (FIG. Fig. 3 and 10 ), when the old stitches 27 are securely on the insides of the slider tips 16.1. Therefore, the old stitches are opposed to 27 6 and 7 not dropped, but on further withdrawal of the needle parts 15 along the track section 18.6 back into the needle hooks 15.1 transported ( Fig. 11 ). In the hooks 15.1 are therefore at the end of the track section 18.6 both the old stitches 27 and loops 28 of the newly inserted Einlegefadens 11, as is customary in tethers ( 10 and 11 ). Accordingly, the Rippnadeln 5 are withdrawn along the track section 20.6 so that even in their hooks 5a, the loops 28 of Einlegefadens 11 are tied as Fangmaschen and long, between the knitting hoses 23 and 26 extended thread loops 28 arise. Subsequently, the needles 2 and 5 are returned to their normal position ( Fig. 11 ), so that in a subsequent system S4 ( Fig. 2 ) the processes described can be repeated.

What about the Fig. 3 to 11 has been explained for a circular knitting machine with a large comb distance x can be realized accordingly in a circular knitting machine with a large comb spacing y by the diameter of the dial 4 is chosen sufficiently small. In this case, the Rippnadeln 5 would form as a sliding needles. Of course, it would also be possible to provide a large mesh spacing z in that both the cylindrical and the knurling needles are designed as sliding needles and that both the vertical and the horizontal comb distances x and y are selected larger than usual.

In all cases described, the particular advantage is achieved that the system width can be kept relatively small due to the use of needle needles and can be realized using standard speeds without further system widths of 2.4 systems per inch of the needle cylinder diameter, resulting in a circumferentially measured system width of approx. 33 mm. This is used according to the invention to equip the circular knitting machine with more than 48, preferably at least 72 knitting systems.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiment, which can be modified in many ways. This applies, for example, for the basis of Fig. 3 described needle curves, which could be modified, for example, by the fact that the needle parts 15 are driven out in the system S2 to the same height (see track section 18.5), as is true for the system S3. Furthermore, the term "slider needle" should also include modified slider needles (eg US 1 385 929 . U.S. Re. 15,741 ). Finally, it should be understood that the various features may be applied in combinations other than those described and illustrated.

Claims (5)

1. Circular knitting machine, comprising: a first needle bed in the form of a needle cylinder (1) which has grooves for first knitting needles (2), a first cam for controlling the first knitting needles, a second needle bed in the form of a dial (4) which has grooves for second knitting needles (5), and a second cam (6) for controlling the second knitting needles (5), the two needle beds (1, 4) fixing a vertical and a horizontal comb spacing (x, y) as well as a stitch spacing (z) characterised in that the two needle beds (1, 4) are set up to form a stitch spacing (z) of at least 6 mm and the knitting needles (2) of at least one needle bed (1) are configured as compound needles having hooks (15.1).
2. Circular knitting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the stitch spacing (2) of at least 6 mm is achieved predominantly by a correspondingly large axial comb spacing (x) and the first knitting needles (2) are configured as compound needles.
3. Circular knitting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the two cams (3, 6) are so configured that both the first knitting needles (2) and the second knitting needles (5) may be brought into a tuck position in which their hooks (15.1, 5a) are arranged above or respectively in front of the respective other knitting needles (5, 2).
4. Circular knitting machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first and the second knitting needles (2, 5) are configured as compound needles.
5. Circular knitting machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a large number of knitting systems (S 1 to S6) are associated with the two needle beds (1, 4), the width of these systems being smaller than corresponds to 1.6 systems per inch of the needle cylinder diameter.

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