EP2458050A1 - Device and method for making it easier to install and remove cylinders in round knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a coupling device connected to a knitting cylinder (12), and a holding device (48) fastened to a round knitting machine. A lifting gear (36) is arranged between the coupling device and the holding device for vertical lifting or lowering the coupling device and the cylinder. An adjusting device (46) is arranged between the lifting gear and the coupling device for horizontally moving the lifting gear and the cylinder. The coupling device has a star-shaped carrier with radial arms, and the adjusting device has a horizontally-arranged running rail (45). An independent claim is also included for a method for mounting and demounting of a knitting cylinder of a round knitting machine.

Description

The invention relates to a lifting device for the knitting cylinder of a circular knitting machine and to a method for installing and / or removing a knitting cylinder.

Circular knitting machines have a needle cylinder which is rotatably mounted in a machine frame. The knitting cylinder accommodates a number of knitting tools, for example knitting needles, which are slidably mounted in the knitting cylinder. For this purpose, a number of needle channels in a defined size and at a defined distance from each other are provided. The number and size of the needles determines the fineness of the knitted fabric produced. If different subtleties are to be generated on a circular knitting machine, the knitting cylinder must be replaced.

This sees the DE 196 53 761 B4 a replaceable knitting cylinder. The knitting cylinder is screwed in the circular knitting machine with a rotatably mounted ring. To change the knitting cylinder this is released from the rotatably mounted ring. The loosened knitting cylinder can be taken out together with the dial by means of mounting rails from the circular knitting machine. The height adjustment of the knitting cylinder is done by means of jackscrews.

Another knitting machine with replaceable knitting cylinder shows the DE 10 2007 020 743 A1 , The knitting cylinder is in turn on a rotatably mounted ring assembled. If it is to be changed, it must be released from the ring and lifted out of the knitting machine. Below the knitting cylinder arranged eccentric serve to lift the same.

The EP 0 413 608 B2 discloses a knitting machine integrated mechanism for lowering and lifting a knitting tool carrier.

A knitting cylinder is a big and heavy, but sensitive component. If it is taken out of or inserted into a knitting machine, it is unlikely to hit it anywhere, so that its needle channels are not damaged and it does not damage other parts of the knitting machine.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a concept that facilitates the change of knitting cylinders of knitting machines.

• Die erfindungsgemäße Hebeeinrichtung weist einerseits eine Koppeleinrichtung zum Anschluss an den Strickzylinder und andererseits eine Halteeinrichtung zur Befestigung an der Rundstrickmaschine auf. Die Hebeeinrichtung wird dabei oberhalb des Strickzylinders mit der Rundstrickmaschine verbunden. Zu der Hebeeinrichtung gehören eine Hubvorrichtung und eine Verstelleinrichtung. Mit der Hubvorrichtung kann der Strickzylinder in Vertikalrichtung bewegt, das heißt von seinem drehbar gelagerten Laufring abgehoben und aus der Strickmaschine herausgeführt werden. Mit der Verstelleinrichtung kann der Strickzylinder oberhalb des Platinenschlossträgers seitlich d.h. in Horizontalrichtung aus der Rundstrickmaschine herausgeführt und soweit verfahren werden, dass er beispielsweise auf einem bereitgestellten Lager, beispielsweise einem Hubwagen oder dergleichen, abgelegt werden kann.

This object is achieved in the lifting device according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 14:

• The lifting device according to the invention has on the one hand a coupling device for connection to the knitting cylinder and on the other hand a holding device for attachment to the circular knitting machine. The lifting device is connected above the knitting cylinder with the circular knitting machine. The lifting device includes a lifting device and an adjusting device. With the lifting device of the knitting cylinder can be moved in the vertical direction, that is lifted from its rotatably mounted race and led out of the knitting machine. With the adjustment of the knitting cylinder above the board lock carrier laterally ie in the horizontal direction be led out of the circular knitting machine and moved so far that it can be stored, for example, on a provided warehouse, such as a pallet truck or the like.

The presented concept considerably facilitates the installation and removal of the needle cylinder on a circular knitting machine. This allows the cylinder change, for example, when replacing a defective or worn cylinder perform. However, it is also possible to use cylinders of different fineness (pitch) in one and the same circular knitting machine so that material can be produced according to the market requirements. The use of different knitting cylinders in a circular knitting machine reduces and optimizes the machine park. A knitwear manufacturer no longer needs to have a separate machine for every fineness. Rather, he can easily adapt his circular knitting machine to different subtleties using the inventive concept.

The lifting device according to the invention can be used on circular knitting machines of various manufacturers. It is preferably connected to an existing above the knitting cylinder to the circular knitting machine associated support frame. For this purpose, an adapter which can be adapted to various installation situations, for example in the form of a plurality of tabs, which have a plurality of bores, in particular threaded bores for receiving fastening bolts, along their longitudinal extent, is preferably provided on the lifting device. With such an adapter, the lifting device according to the invention can be adapted to support frames of various circular knitting machines. In this case, the support frame can be designed differently depending on the respective circular knitting machine and occupy a different position.

The lifting device according to the invention grips the knitting cylinder, in order to raise or lower it, with a coupling device, preferably on its inner peripheral surface. For this purpose, the coupling device preferably has a multi-arm star-shaped support with radial arms. The arms are preferably adjustable in length to be able to effect an adaptation to different knitting cylinder diameter.

The arms can be formed so that they engage with their ends on the knitting cylinder anyway existing structures. It is also possible to attach to the inner peripheral surface of the knitting cylinder holders which are engaged by the arm to receive the knitting cylinder with the lifting device. Such holders may e.g. on attachment structures, e.g. Threaded holes, attach, which otherwise serve (in operation) for fixing other parts.

The adjusting device for horizontal movement of the knitting cylinder and the lifting device preferably has a horizontally arranged running rail, which can be connected to the supporting frame of the knitting machine via the adapters mentioned above. On the running rail, a carriage can be movably mounted, for example, carries a pulley and a boom with a wind attached end. This arrangement allows good access to the winch and manual operation thereof. Preferably, the boom has a length which is greater than the radius of the knitting cylinder. In this way, the winch when lifting the knitting cylinder outside the diameter of the same.

The change of a knitting cylinder is carried out according to the invention Concept as follows. First, the knitwear is dropped from the knitting cylinder knitting tools. This is done by separating the yarns of the yarn packages, so that with a subsequent concentricity of the cylinder, the knitted fabric from the tools ie the needles and the boards is removed. The knitwear can then be removed. Thereafter, possibly other fixtures such as spreader bar, center bars, overflow ring holder, board lock segments, cylinder lock segments and possibly a thread guide ring with holder are removed. In the next step, the cylinder fixing screws are released, which connect the knitting cylinder with the remaining in the knitting machine, rotatably mounted raceway. In the next step, the coupling device is connected to the knitting cylinder. For this purpose, means in the form of consoles can be attached to the knitting cylinder inside, which are engaged by the coupling device of the lifting device. To attach the brackets threaded holes can be used, which are present on the inner circumference of the knitting cylinder and to which typically an overflow ring holder is attached. The knitting cylinder can then be lifted with the help of the lifting device on the board lock carrier and laterally moved to a position outside the circular knitting machine. Thereafter, the knitting cylinder is stored, for example, for removal on a suitable trolley.

The re-installation of a same or other knitting cylinder is done in reverse order of the described workflow.

• Figur 1 eine Rundstrickmaschine in einer schematisierten bildartigen Seitenansicht,
• Figur 2 die Rundstrickmaschine nach Figur 1 in einer ausschnittsweisen Schnittdarstellung,
• Figur 3 die Rundstrickmaschine nach Figur 1 in abstrakter schematisierter Darstellung mit Hebeeinrichtung zum Wechsel des Strickzylinders,
• Figur 4 eine Koppeleinrichtung der Hebeeinrichtung nach Figur 3,
• Figur 5 einen Strickzylinder mit daran angebrachten Konsolen zum Anschluss der Koppeleinrichtung in schematisierter sehr vereinfachter Vertikalschnittdarstellung,
• Figur 6 bis 8 verschiedene Arbeitsphasen beim Wechsel eines Strickzylinders in äußerst schematisierter Prinzipdarstellung.

An embodiment of the invention is described below in detail and with reference to the drawings. The drawings and description are essential to the invention and other related matters limited. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a circular knitting machine in a schematized pictorial side view,
• FIG. 2 the circular knitting machine after FIG. 1 in a sectioned sectional view,
• FIG. 3 the circular knitting machine after FIG. 1 in an abstract schematic representation with lifting device for changing the knitting cylinder,
• FIG. 4 a coupling device of the lifting device according to FIG. 3 .
• FIG. 5 a knitting cylinder with attached brackets for connecting the coupling device in a schematic very simplified vertical sectional view,
• FIGS. 6 to 8 different working phases when changing a knitting cylinder in an extremely schematized schematic representation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a circular knitting machine 10 with a rotatably mounted in a machine frame 11 knitting cylinder 12. To the knitting cylinder 12 around several cylinder lock segments 13 extend with interchangeable locks 15th FIG. 2 illustrates the circumstances closer. The knitting cylinder 12 has on its outer periphery vertical needle channels, in which knitting tools, such as the illustrated needle 14, are arranged. In operation, the knitting cylinder 12 rotates (about an axis 51) in the stationary cylinder lock segments 13, which are equipped with interchangeable locks 15, whereby the needles 14 move up and down. The up and down movement is controlled by the interchangeable locks 15, which have channels in which the feet of the needles 14 run.

The knitting cylinder 12 is screwed to a race 16, which is rotatably mounted in a belonging to the machine frame support ring 17. The provided storage facility is in FIG. 2 not further illustrated. The knitting cylinder 12 is bolted to the race 16 via a plurality of, for example, six fastening screws 18. Above the race 16, a non-rotatably mounted lock ring 19 is arranged, on which the cylinder lock segments 13 rest.

The knitting cylinder 12 has on its inner circumferential surface 20, at least in the present embodiment, an overflow ring 21, via which the knitted fabric runs within the knitting cylinder 12 axially downwards. The overflow ring 21 is supported by an overflow ring carrier 22, which rests against the inner peripheral surface 20 of the knitting cylinder 12 and is held there, for example by fastening screws.

In the present embodiment, the circular knitting machine In addition, a circuit board ring 23 in which a number of boards 24 is mounted radially displaceable. This is associated with a board lock, which consists of board lock segments 25. These are held by a board lock carrier ring 26 which is supported on the knitting machine, for example the support ring 17, via a group of board lock carrier holders 27.

As FIG. 1 further shows, belonging to the machine frame 11, a support frame 28 with a plurality of rising from the machine frame 11 columns 29, 30 and one or more horizontally disposed horizontal beams 31. These may carry one or more annular support, so-called machine rings 32, 33, on which accessories , such as yarn feeding devices 34, 35 sit.

The circular knitting machine 10 is in FIG. 3 shown in simplified form. In particular, those elements have been omitted which are unnecessary for the understanding of the inventive concept regarding the installation and removal of the knitting cylinder 12.

The support frame 28 is according to FIG. 3 provided with a lifting device 47, which is preferably attached to the horizontal beam 31. The lifting device 47 comprises a coupling device 37, which in FIG. 4 is shown. This coupling device 37 is suspended from a suitable traction means, eg a traction cable 38 (FIG. FIG. 3 ) which is guided via a deflection roller 39 to an exemplary and preferably manually operated winch 40.

The coupling device 37 may be formed, for example, as a multi-arm star, the arms 41 are adjustable in length, for example, telescopically formed. In the present embodiment, each arm 41 a radially adjustable support piece 42. Preferably, each support piece 42 is fixable in desired radial positions.

The guide roller 39 is preferably rotatably disposed near one end of a cantilever 43. The other end of the boom 43 carries the winch 40. The length of the horizontally disposed boom 43 is preferably greater than the radius of the knitting cylinder 12th

Preferably, the boom 43 is attached to a carriage 44 which is arranged horizontally movable on a running rail 45. The deflection roller 39 is arranged on the boom 43, preferably below the carriage 44. From the carriage 44, the boom 43 may extend horizontally cantilever away.

The running rail 45, which may be formed in several parts, and the carriage 44 together form an adjusting device 46, with which the recorded by the lifting device 36 knitting cylinder 12 is horizontally adjustable or movable.

The winch 40 forms, together with the deflection roller 39 and the traction cable 38, a lifting device 36, which is connected to the coupling device 37.

To connect the lifting device 36 and the adjusting device 46 with the circular knitting machine 10, in particular the support frame 28, serves a holding device 48. The holding device is formed for example by tabs 49, 50, through which the running rail 45 is connected to the horizontal beam 31. For example, projecting from the running rail 45 each two parallel aligned tabs 49 and 50, the horizontal support 31 between take each other up. The tabs 49 that make up a pair are like FIG. 3 illustrated, preferably disposed at one end of the track rail 45, which is on one side of the axis of rotation 51 of the knitting cylinder 12, while the tabs 50, which form a second pair, preferably at a greater distance from the axis of rotation 51 on the other side thereof. The vertical part of the traction cable 38 is preferably aligned with the axis of rotation 51, which is determined by the bearing of the race 16. It is also possible to connect the running rail 45 by further holding means with the horizontal beam 31 (not shown). Thus, for example, the remote from the tabs 49 end of the track 45 may be connected by means of a cable and a corresponding fastener with the end of the horizontal beam 31. As a result, the running rail 45 is stably held and the cylinder replacement can be performed safely.

The tabs 49 and / or 50 are preferably each provided with a number of holes 54, in particular threaded holes to receive fastening bolts. Preferably, the distance between the individual threaded bores 54 is dimensioned such that a fastening bolt can be guided just above the horizontal support 31 and another fastening bolt just below the horizontal support 31 through the threaded bores 54. Preferably, there is additionally a threaded bore 54 at the level of the horizontal support 31. In this way, the fastening bolts above and below the horizontal support 31 can provide a positive securing of the tabs 49, 50 and thus the running rail 45 in the vertical direction. With the fixing screws screwed in at the level of the horizontal support 31, the lateral position of the running rail 45 can be adjusted so that the pulling cable 38 coincides sufficiently accurately with the axis of rotation 51.

FIG. 5 illustrates the knitting cylinder 12 after removal of the overflow ring 21 and overflow ring carrier 22 according to FIG FIG. 2 , Instead of the overflow ring carrier 22, a plurality of means 52 in the form of brackets are now provided, which can each be secured by fastening screws 53 on the inner peripheral surface 20. The brackets 52 are used, for example, when lifting the knitting cylinder 12 as a plant or starting points for the support pieces 42. For this purpose, the brackets 52 at one of its ends on a projection which is under attacked by the support pieces 42. If the conditions of removal require it, the brackets 52 can also be mounted rotated 180 degrees on the knitting cylinder 12. The support pieces 42 are then placed above the protrusions and connected to the protrusions with known attachment means.

• Zur Veranschaulichung eines Zylinderwechsels wird auf die Figuren 6 bis 8 verwiesen. Die Rundstrickmaschine 10 sowie ihr Traggestell 28 sind in diesen Figuren jeweils durch gestrichelte Linien symbolisch veranschaulicht. Die Darstellung beschränkt sich im Weiteren auf den Strickzylinder 12 und die zugeordnete Hebeeinrichtung 47.

The lifting device 47 described so far operates as follows:

• To illustrate a cylinder change is on the FIGS. 6 to 8 directed. The circular knitting machine 10 and its support frame 28 are symbolically illustrated in these figures by dashed lines. The illustration is limited in the following to the knitting cylinder 12 and the associated lifting device 47.

To change the knitting cylinder, the knitted fabric is first fed from the knitting cylinder 12, i. the knitting tools 14 separated. This can be done by cutting the threads running to the knitting tools 10 and rotating the knitting cylinder 12 by one or more turns.

It will then be the cylinder lock segments 13, which are equipped with interchangeable locks 15, and the board lock segments 25 and the thread guide ring with the thread guides removed. Optionally, the board lock carrier holder 27 can be removed. In addition, the overflow ring carrier 22 is removed along with overflow ring 21. Once this is done, the brackets 52 can be attached and the mounting screws 18 (FIG. Figures 2 and 5 ) are solved.

Subsequently, the lifting device 47 is attached to the knitting machine. For this purpose, the running rail 45 is fastened by means of the tabs 49, 50 and the fastening bolts or fastening screws on the horizontal support 31 of the knitting machine 10. On the running rail then the carriage 44 is mounted with its individual parts, the winch 40, the guide roller 39 and the pull cable 38 and possibly further required parts.

In order to lead the knitting cylinder 12 out of the knitting machine now, the coupling device 37, as FIG. 4 shows, adjusted to the diameter of the knitting cylinder 12 and lowered in this. The support pieces 42 engage under the brackets 52. This state is in FIG. 6 provided. By operating the winch 40, the knitting cylinder 12 is now raised so that it moves to the position FIG. 7 arrives. Once this is done, the carriage 44 can be moved with the boom 43 along the track 45 radially outward until the position after FIG. 8 is reached. The knitting cylinder 12 is now outside the circular knitting machine 10 and can be lowered, for example, on a trolley.

In the reverse order, another or identical knitting cylinder 12 can be picked up and lifted by a trolley and then starting from the position FIG. 8 about the positions FIG. 7 and FIG FIG. 6 retracted backwards into the round bar machine 10 and mounted there.

The concept presented for changing a knitting cylinder 12 on a circular knitting machine 10 can also be applied to other sensitive and heavy machine parts on circular knitting machines, for example a running ring or a dial. The lifting device 47 can be fixedly arranged on the support frame 28 and thus integrated into the circular knitting machine 10. Alternatively, the lifting device 47 can be mounted on the supporting frame 28 as a device to be used as needed and dismantled again after use. In addition, further modifications are possible. For example, the winch 40 may be replaced by an electric winch. The electric winch can then be arranged, for example, as shown at the end of the boom 43 or alternatively at the position of the deflection roller 39. Further modifications are possible. For example, the adjusting device 46 is illustrated as a linear guide device. But it can also be designed as an articulated arm with at least one joint and vertical hinge axis.

To facilitate the change of a knitting cylinder 12 on a circular knitting machine 10, the upper support frame 28 of the circular knitting machine 10 is provided with a lifting device 47, which allows a vertical lifting of the knitting cylinder 12 and a horizontal method of the raised knitting cylinder 12. For this purpose, a running rail 45 is fastened by means of a holding device 48 to the upper support frame 28. The track 45 carries a carriage 44, which carries a lifting device 36. This can consist of a boom 43 with a deflection roller 39 and a winch 40, the traction cable 38 leads via the deflection roller 39 to a coupling device 37 serving as a gripper. This attacks the knitting cylinder 12 from the inside. Consequently For example, the large and heavy knitting cylinder 12 can be moved out of or into the circular knitting machine 10 without risk of injury or damage to its delicate outer side with needle channels and other filigree structures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Circular knitting machine

11

machine frame

12

knitting cylinder

13

Cylinder lock segment

14

needle

15

mortice lock

16

race

17

support ring

18

mounting screws

19

Castle ring

20

Inner peripheral surface of 12

21

About race

22

Overflow ring carrier

23

platinum ring

24

circuit board

25

Sinker cam segment

26

Sinker cam carrier ring

27

Sinker cam carrier holder

28

supporting frame

29

pillar

30

pillar

31

Horizontal support

32

Upper machine ring

33

Lower machine ring

34

Yarn feeder

35

Yarn feeder

36

lifting device

37

coupling device

38

rope

39

idler pulley

40

winch

41

poor

42

support piece

43

boom

44

carriage

45

runner

46

adjustment

47

lifter

48

holder

49

tabs

50

tabs

51

axis of rotation

52

consoles

53

fixing screw

54

threaded hole

Claims (15)

Lifting device for the knitting cylinder (12) of a circular knitting machine (10),
with a coupling device (37) for connection to the knitting cylinder (12),
with a holding device (48) for attachment to the circular knitting machine (10),
with a lifting device (36) which is arranged between the coupling device (37) and the holding device (48) in order to lift or lower the coupling device (37) and optionally a knitting cylinder (12) received by the coupling device (37) vertically,
with an adjusting device (46) which is arranged between the lifting device (36) and the coupling device (48) in order to move the lifting device (36) and the knitting cylinder (12) possibly carried by it horizontally. Lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device (37) comprises means (52) for connection to an inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical knitting cylinder (12). Lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device (37) has a multi-arm star-shaped support with radial arms (41). Lifting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the arms (41) for adjusting their effective Have length radially adjustable support pieces (42). Lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises brackets (52) which are screwed to the knitting cylinder (12). Lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device (46) has a horizontally arranged running rail (45) on which a carriage (44) is movably mounted. Lifting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the carriage (44) carries a boom (43) on which a winch (40) is arranged. Lifting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the carriage (44) has a deflection roller (39) via which a to the winch (40) connected to the traction means (38) is guided. Lifting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the boom (43) has a length which is greater than the radius of the knitting cylinder (12). Lifting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the winch (40) is a hand-operated or an electric winch with locking device. Lifting device according to claim 6, characterized in that by means of the holding device (48), the running rail (45) with an upper support frame (28) of a circular knitting machine (10) is connectable. Lifting device according to claim 11, characterized in that for connection of the running rail (45) with the upper support frame (28) tabs (49, 50) are provided which extend in pairs from the running rail (45) upwards and mounting holes, preferably threaded holes (54). Lifting device according to claim 12, characterized in that fastening bolts are arranged in the threaded bores (54). Method for removing and / or installing a knitting cylinder (12) of a circular knitting machine (10), comprising the following steps: Dismounting in the knitting cylinder (12) arranged internals, Detaching the knitting cylinder (12) from its race (16), Positioning a coupling device (37) belonging to a lifting device (47) in the knitting cylinder (12), Coupling the coupling device (37) to the knitting cylinder (12), Lifting the knitting cylinder (12) by operating a lifting device (36), Extending the lifting device (36) with the knitting cylinder (12) from the knitting machine (10). A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the lifting device (47) only for changing the cylinder, if necessary, in the circular knitting machine (12) is arranged.

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