EP3722473B1 - Gripping device of a device for inserting inserts into a knitted fabric - Google Patents

Description

Nowadays, ever higher demands are placed on a knitted fabric made on a flat knitting machine. In particular, more and more complex pattern and design options are required. In addition, the number of necessary follow-up processes following the knitting process should be reduced. This is particularly important for so-called smart textiles, which perform additional functions by integrating elements such as sensors, chips, batteries or LEDs. Up to now, these inserts have mostly been introduced into the knitted fabric by hand during or after the production thereof.

When introducing the knitted fabric during production, however, the producing knitting machine must be permanently monitored by personnel, since the knitting machine stops at the point in time at which the additional element is inserted, i.e. the production of the knitted fabric is interrupted. The result is an increased workforce.

In order to avoid this, proposals have already been made to automate the insertion of such parts.

The US 7 246 508 B1 describes a device for inserting elements for stabilizing the shape of the collar on a knitted fabric such as a jacket made on a flat knitting machine. A stack of collar inserts is motorized together with a slider along the flat knitting machine above the needle beds until the insertion position in the knitted fabric is reached and one of the collar inserts can be inserted into the knitted fabric through the slider.

The DE 43 08 251 C2 shows a self-sufficient functional element which can be used, among other things, to insert additional elements into the knitted fabric. This functional element is attached to the thread guide rails and therefore reduces the possible number of thread guides involved in the knitting process. In addition, the functional element hinders the movement of the thread guides, since it is always in the same area as the thread guides.

The present invention therefore has the object of developing a gripping device of a device for inserting inserts of a flat knitting machine in such a way that the disadvantages described in the prior art are avoided and reliable insertion of the insert into the knitted fabric is ensured.

The object is achieved by a gripping device of a device on a flat knitting machine for inserting inserts into a knitted fabric produced on the flat knitting machine with the features of claim 1.

The gripping device can be arranged on the slide of the flat knitting machine or have a separate drive for movement along the machine. The function of thread guides and the actual knitting process are not hindered by the gripping device when it is not needed. The magazine can be a device that is independent of the knitting machine and is arranged next to the knitting machine, or it can be arranged on the knitting machine, both a stationary arrangement and an arrangement movable along the machine being possible. The gripping device is independent of the design of the magazine. Adjustments to different magazines are possible by changing the control of the gripping device.

The gripping device has a gripper with at least one movable gripping jaw. The gripper is thus able to securely pick up differently shaped and differently sized inserts and to transport them to a pick-up area of the knitted fabric produced on the knitting machine.

The gripping jaws can have a contoured surface and / or be made of a material with good holding power. This ensures that the inserts are held securely even when the gripper moves quickly. As materials for the gripping jaws or at least their surface, non-magnetic materials for magnetic inserts or materials with a good holding force such as plastic or rubber come into question. As a result, a wide variety of insert parts such as batteries, LEDs, sensors or the like can be safely taken from the magazine and inserted into the knitted fabric.

The gripper can be moved by a motor at least between a rest position that does not impede the knitting process and an insertion position. If the magazine is stationary on the machine and / or has no transfer devices to the gripper and / or if it is a separate device, a third position is required for the gripper in which it is able to remove an insert from the magazine refer to.

Further advantages result if the inserts can be moved with the gripper to below the needle cross of the flat knitting machine. The pockets or other receptacles of the knitted fabric for the inserts are completed before the inserts are inserted. Therefore, the openings of the receptacles are also located below the needle cross. If the gripper is able to press the insert parts below the needle cross, the insert parts can be safely and completely inserted into the knitted fabric receptacles.

The gripper also has an ejection device for releasing and / or positioning the inserts in the knitted fabric. Such an ejection device supports the delivery of the inserts after the gripping jaws have been opened.

For this purpose, the ejection device can preferably have an ejector which can be retracted and extended, with which an insert part held by the gripping jaws can be moved into a receiving area of the knitted fabric after the gripping jaws have been opened. The receiving area can, for example, be a pocket knitted into the knitted fabric. However, the opening of the pocket below the ridge gap of the machine is quite narrow, so that it is advantageous to apply a positive force to insert the insert through the ejector.

Further advantages result if the ejection ram can be extended to different extents, so that insert parts of different sizes can be moved with its help to below the needle cross of the flat knitting machine. By appropriately programming the drive of the ejection ram, the gripping device can thus be adjusted to different insert parts.

It can also be provided that the gripper, in its insertion position and with the ejector ram extended, can be moved by the slide over the insertion part in order to reach into the receiving area of the knitted fabric. This measure is particularly advantageous when inserting long inserts into the knitted fabric. The ejection ram acts on the entire upper edge of the insert and thus reliably presses it into the receiving area of the knitted fabric.

Furthermore, the gripping device can have monitoring devices with which the presence and the position of an insert part in the gripper and the comb gap can be monitored. Optical or capacitive sensors in particular can be used for this purpose. If there is no insert between the gripper jaws, a new one must be picked up from the magazine. The ridge gap must be completely open, ie all needles and sinkers must be withdrawn. Otherwise, the attempt to insert the insert through the gripping device would lead to damage to the needles or sinkers. If the ridge gap is not completely free, the insertion of the insert is therefore stopped and an error message is output.

For the actuation of the different functions of the gripping device, it can preferably have a first motor for moving the gripper and a second motor for moving the gripping jaws and the ejecting device.

In the following, an exemplary embodiment of a device for inserting inserts of a flat knitting machine with a gripping device according to the invention is described in detail with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Teilansicht einer Flachtrickmaschine mit einer Vorrichtung zum Einführen von Einlegeteilen;

Fig. 2a

eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer Greifeinrichtung der Vorrichtung zum Einführen eines Einlegeteils aus Fig. 1 mit einem Greifer in Ruheposition;

Fig. 2b

einen Querschnitt durch die Flachstrickmaschine im Bereich der Greifeinrichtung mit dem Greifer in der Stellung aus Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3a

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der Greifeinrichtung der Vorrichtung zum Einführen eines Einlegeteils aus Fig. 1 mit dem Greifer in einer Übernahmeposition eines Einlegeteils;

Fig. 3b

einen Querschnitt durch die Flachstrickmaschine im Bereich der Greifeinrichtung mit dem Greifer in der Stellung aus Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4a

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der Greifeinrichtung der Vorrichtung zum Einführen eines Einlegeteils aus Fig. 1 mit dem Greifer mit einem aufgenommenen Einlegeteil;

Fig. 4b

einen Querschnitt durch die Flachstrickmaschine im Bereich der Greifeinrichtung mit dem Greifer in der Stellung aus Fig. 4a;

Fig. 5a

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der Greifeinrichtung der Vorrichtung zum Einführen eines Einlegeteils aus Fig. 1 mit dem Greifer in einer Übergabeposition des Einlegeteils;

Fig. 5b

einen Querschnitt durch die Flachstrickmaschine im Bereich der Greifeinrichtung mit dem Greifer in der Stellung aus Fig. 5a;

Fig. 6a

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der Greifeinrichtung der Vorrichtung zum Einführen eines Einlegeteils aus Fig. 1 mit dem Greifer nach dem Einführen des Einlegeteils in ein Gestrick;

Fig. 6b

einen Querschnitt durch die Flachstrickmaschine im Bereich der Greifeinrichtung mit dem Greifer in der Stellung aus Fig. 6a;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische, teilweise geschnittene Detaildarstellung der Greifeinrichtung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic partial view of a flat knitting machine with a device for inserting inserts;

Fig. 2a

a perspective detailed view of a gripping device of the device for inserting an insert from Fig. 1 with a gripper in rest position;

Figure 2b

a cross-section through the flat knitting machine in the area of the gripping device with the gripper in the position Fig. 2a ;

Fig. 3a

a perspective detailed view of the gripping device of the device for inserting an insert from Fig. 1 with the gripper in a takeover position of an insert;

Figure 3b

a cross-section through the flat knitting machine in the area of the gripping device with the gripper in the position Fig. 3a ;

Figure 4a

a perspective detailed view of the gripping device of the device for inserting an insert from Fig. 1 with the gripper with a received insert;

Figure 4b

a cross-section through the flat knitting machine in the area of the gripping device with the gripper in the position Figure 4a ;

Figure 5a

a perspective detailed view of the gripping device of the device for inserting an insert from Fig. 1 with the gripper in a transfer position of the insert;

Figure 5b

a cross-section through the flat knitting machine in the area of the gripping device with the gripper in the position Figure 5a ;

Figure 6a

a perspective detailed view of the gripping device of the device for inserting an insert from Fig. 1 with the gripper after the insertion of the insert into a knitted fabric;

Figure 6b

a cross-section through the flat knitting machine in the area of the gripping device with the gripper in the position Figure 6a ;

Fig. 7

a perspective, partially cut detailed representation of the gripping device.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the partial area of a known flat knitting machine 100 with a front and rear needle bed, not shown here. A front and rear carriage 20, 20 ', to which knitting locks 30, 30' are attached, is moved over the needle beds.

The flat knitting machine 100 has a device 10 for inserting insert parts 70 ( Figure 4b ) into a knitted fabric produced on the flat knitting machine, which is formed by a magazine 40 for inserts 70, which is rigidly arranged to the left of the needle beds (not shown here), and a gripping device 50 for inserts 70.

The magazine 40 is designed for storing and dispensing the inserts 70, which for this purpose are stored in a magazine container 41 and, if necessary, can be dispensed by means of a transport device not shown in detail here. A defined delivery position of the inserts 70 can be approached with the transport device. This defined delivery position can be adapted in accordance with the possible different dimensions of the insert parts 70 to be fed. Sensors are also provided which monitor the presence of insert parts 70, their position in the magazine container 41 and the position of the transport device.

The transport device can, for example, have a slide element which brings the respective insert 70 into a predetermined position for reception by a gripper of a device for inserting an insert 70. The introduction of movement into the slide can be done by a motor using a gear unit, toothed rack, belt drive, etc.

An NFC writer 47 is also attached to the magazine 40, which makes it possible to transfer data to microchips integrated in the insert 70.

The gripping device 50 is attached to the side of the slide 20 and is therefore moved along with it. The gripping device 50 takes over the inserts 70 brought by the magazine 40 into the defined delivery position from the magazine 40 and introduces them into a predefined receiving area within a knitted piece (not shown here) which is currently being produced on the flat knitting machine 100.

The following Figures 2a-6b show a schematic view of the process of inserting an insert 70 by the gripping device 50, each based on a perspective view (a) and a section (b) through the flat knitting machine 100, starting in the rest position of the gripper 51 of the gripping device 50.

The Fig. 2a, b show the gripping device 50 with a gripper 51, the gripper 51 being in a rest position. For this purpose, it is pivoted into a rear end position. In this position, the gripper 51 cannot collide with elements such as thread guides 60 etc. when the carriage 20, 20 'executes movements over the needle beds to act on elements necessary for knitting, such as needles or sinkers.

If an insert 70 is to be inserted into the knitted fabric, the carriage 20, 20 'moves into a Fig. 3a, b Position shown in front of the magazine 40, not shown here for the sake of clarity. The gripper 51 of the gripping device 50 moves from its rear end position or rest position, driven by a first motor 58, into a vertical position in which the insert 70 is securely gripped can. At the same time, the gripping jaws 52, 52 ′ of the gripper 51, driven by a second motor 59, move away from one another and thus free a space for receiving the insert 70. In the example shown, only one of the gripping jaws 52, 52 'moves for this purpose. The opposite gripping jaw 52 is rigid. But it is also conceivable to move both gripping jaws 52, 52 '.

The Fig. 4a, b show a view in which the insert 70 is moved into a defined receiving position between the gripping jaws 52, 52 'by the feed devices of the magazine 40, not shown here and the gripping jaws 52, 52 'were moved towards one another by means of the second motor 59 and thus keep the insert 70 clamped between them.

In Fig. 5a, b the gripping device 50 is shown after the carriage 20, 20 'has been moved over the knitting area of the flat knitting machine 100 to a position at which the insert 70, which is held between the gripping jaws 52, 52' of the gripper 51, into the formed knitted fabric should be inserted. For this, in the preceding knitting process, for example, a pocket can be formed as a receiving area for the insert 70 in the knitted fabric.

Then there is a movement of the gripper 51 in the direction of the comb gap 80 of the flat knitting machine 100. In the example shown, the movement is a pivoting movement, initiated by the first motor 58. The movement can alternatively also be carried out linearly or in any combination of rotational and linear movements .

By moving the gripper 51 in the direction of the comb gap 80, the insert 70 is inserted into the pocket formed in the previous knitting process.

Fig. 6a, b show a view of the gripping device 50 after the gripping jaws 52, 52 'have been opened by means of the second motor 59 and, likewise by means of the second motor 59, an ejection device 53 on the gripper 51 has been moved from an upper rest position in the direction of the comb gap 80 into an ejection position . This movement of the ejection device 53 moves the insert 70 out of the area between the gripping jaws 52, 52 'and into the receiving area of the knitted fabric.

The carriage 20, 20 ′ is then moved in the direction of the magazine 40 counter to its previous knitting direction. The gripper 51 and the ejector 53 remain in their in the Figure 6a , b positions shown. As a result, the insert 70 is securely slipped into the knitted fabric.

After the gripper 51 and the ejection device 53 have been moved back to their rest positions by means of the first and second motors 58, 59, the knitting process for the knitted fabric can be resumed. For example, the pocket into which the insert 70 was placed can be partially or completely closed.

Fig. 7 illustrates the structure of the gripping device 50 in an individual illustration with partially omitted or cut-open housing parts. The displaceable arrangement of the gripping device 50 on a guide 25 for the slide 20, 20 '(not shown here) can be seen.

The pivoting movement of the gripper 51 in the direction of the double arrow 54 is brought about by the motor 58. The lower, movable clamping jaw 52 ′ is pressed against the stationary gripping jaw 52 by a spring 55. The opening movement of the gripping jaw 52 ′ is triggered by the second motor 59. This motor 59 also moves the ejector 53 back and forth via a lever mechanism 56. The transmission of the force between motor 59 and lever mechanism 56 takes place via a toothed belt 57. The ejection device 53 has an ejection ram 53 'which protrudes between the gripping jaws 52, 52' and can be moved back and forth.

Claims (10)

1. Gripping means of a device (10) on a flat knitting machine for introducing inserts (70) into a knitted fabric produced on the flat knitting machine, by means of which gripping means inserts (70) can be picked up from a magazine (40) and moved to the comb gap (80) between the needle beds of the flat knitting machine and can be introduced into the knitted fabric produced on the flat knitting machine (100), characterized in that said means has a gripper (51) having at least one movable gripping jaw (52, 52') and in that the gripper (51) has an ejection means (53) for dispensing and/or positioning the inserts (70) into the knitted fabric.
2. Gripping means according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping jaws (52, 52') have a contoured surface and/or are made of a material having a good holding force.
3. Gripping means according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the gripping jaws (52, 52') are made from one or more non-magnetic materials.
4. Gripping means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper (51) can be moved by motor at least between a rest position which does not impede the knitting process and an insertion position.
5. Gripping means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper (51) of the gripping means of the device (10) can move the knitted fabric inserts (70) to below a needle cross of the flat knitting machine.
6. Gripping means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ejection means (53) has an ejection plunger (53') which can be retracted and extended and by means of which an insert (70) held by the gripping jaws (52, 52') can be moved into a receiving region of the knitted fabric after the gripping jaws (52, 52') have been opened.
7. Gripping means according to claim 6, characterized in that the ejection plunger (53') can be extended to different distances.
8. Gripping means according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the gripper (51), in its insertion position and with the ejection plunger (53') extended, can be moved over the insert (70) in order to embed it into the receiving region of the knitted fabric.
9. Gripping means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has monitoring means with which the presence and the position of an insert (70) in the gripper (51) can be monitored.
10. Gripping means according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a first motor (58) for moving the gripper (51) and a second motor (59) for moving the gripping jaws (52, 52') and the ejection means (53).

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