FR2464324A1 - ELECTROMAGNETIC STOP DEVICE CONTROLLED BY MEMORY, IN PARTICULAR FOR KNITTING MACHINES - Google Patents

Abstract

A. THE INVENTION RELATES TO AN ELECTROMAGNETIC STOP DEVICE CONTROLLED BY MEMORY, IN PARTICULAR FOR KNITTING MACHINES, INCLUDING SEVERAL POSITIONING LEVERS. B. THIS DEVICE IS CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT CONTAINS IN COMBINATION SEVERAL PARALLEL ELEMENTS 10 MOVABLE BY TRANSLATION UNDER THE ACTION OF THE THRUST EXERCISED BY EXTERNAL LEVERS 5, 8, ORGANS 14 WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTROL 19 TO STOP THE TRANSLATION MOVEMENT OF THE ELEMENTS 10 IN A SERIES OF PREDETERMINED AND SELECTED POSITIONS OF THE MOVEMENT, THE LEVERS 5, 8 THUS BEING STOPPED IN THE POSITIONS CHOSEN AS A RESULT OF THE STOPPING OF THE MOVABLE ELEMENTS 10 IN THE STOP POSITIONS. C. THE INVENTION IS APPLICABLE IN PARTICULAR TO KNITTING MACHINES.

Description

The subject of the invention is an electromagnetic stopping device

  controlled by memory especially for

  knitting machines, having a plurality of position levers

  ment. In order to control the type of mesh and patterns in flat-bed knitting machines and the like, a series of machine levers are positioned, so that each is at a predetermined level, by means of a lever positioning device. A widespread type of positioning device is constituted by a chain having a series of links carrying in turn raised parts whose height determines the stop position of the levers of the machine, the levers of the machine are loaded by springs in direction in advance and are alternately erased and advanced against the. chain by a stirrup operated by the machine. A given string has a number of combinations of raised parts and is moved one

  predetermined number of steps at each call of a new combination

  bination. The displacement occurs at each presentation of a new door to the levers of the machine corresponding to the call of the new combination. The chain carrying the raised parts (program) is a stop device because the levers of the machine are alternately erased and advanced against the

program chaena.

  A given string carries a given program comprising a predetermined sequence of raised portions. In the case of a complicated control model, the chain can be very long and heavy. To change programs, the channel must be removed from the machine and a new program chain must be installed. This is a troublesome operation and takes time. To install a new program not previously available, it is necessary to study and carry out a

new channel.

  The invention aims to avoid these inconveniences

  and for this purpose concerns a device of the above type characterized in that it comprises in combination several parallel elements displaceable by translation under the action of the thrust exerted by external levers, bodies to

  electromagnetic control to stop the movement of transla-

  the elements in a series of predetermined and 2.selected positions of the movement, the levers thus being stopped at selected positions as a result of the shutdown of the elements.

  movable in the stop positions.

  According to the present invention, the program chain is replaced by a steel block containing several horizontal plungers, each plunger corresponding to a specific lever of the machine. A return spring applies each plunger against the corresponding lever of the machine, forcing the plungers to follow the oscillating movement of the levers of the machine. The advance movement of the plunger caused by the action of the lever of the machine can be stopped by any one of a number of vertical pins which can be placed in its path by actuating an electromagnet which can be part of a together or connectable by a rod and a crank lever. The pins are arranged in bores made perpendicular to the holes containing the plungers; they correspond to the different heights of

  all previous achievements.

  The pins operate with a minimum of electrical energy because they are arranged perpendicular to the plungers and serve as stops. The pins are operated in accordance with a program carried by a programmable constant memory. The program is advanced by a signal from a counter or similar device operated by the machine. To have a new program, a new constant memory is introduced and / or a new Jbloc having a different arrangement of pin holes is mounted. In addition to the described operation, a machine can make use of auxiliary movements of direct action also controlled by chain. By way of non-limiting examples, mention may be made of jacquard model controls and needle plate controls. Since the present invention avoids chain control, these movements are controlled by direct acting electromagnets which are also controlled and timed by the previously described program. The present invention therefore reduces downtime due to program changes. Programming and adjustment of the machine are simplified and less expensive. 3.-

  programming is made much more flexible.

  The invention will be better understood with regard to

  of the following description and the accompanying drawings

  a known embodiment and an embodiment of the invention.

  tion. In these drawings: FIG. 1 represents a part of a widespread type of previously known programmer using a chain, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mechanical controller according to the present invention, FIG. section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of FIG.

  the set of a programmer according to the invention.

  A classic embodiment of com-

  program run is constituted by a chain such as that shown in Figure 1. This chain 1 is moved by a pinion 2 rotated by a shaft 3. The teeth 4 carried by the chain have different predetermined heights and are used to stop levers 5 of the machine at different levels. Scheduled and controlled operation of the machine

  is determined by the stop level of the levers 5 of the machine.

  The program is changed by advancing the chain 4 one or more steps until the desired new program is presented to the levers 5. When one must have a large number of programs, the chain becomes long and cumbersome. When a new program is needed that is not materialized in a given string, a new string must be built, which

  is an expensive and time consuming operation.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view representing

  both a position of the mechanical stop device according to.

  the invention as shown in Figure 2. When released by the stirrup 6, the lever 5 of the machine moves against an intermediate lever 8 pivotally mounted at 9. The lever 8 pushes a rod 10 moving in a bore It operates in a block 12, in opposition to a return spring 13 until it is stopped by a pin 14 moving in one of the holes 15, 16, 17. The spindle 14 is selected according to a stored program, as explained in detail in 4.- in the following. The pin 14 is pushed into the bore 15, in

  opposition to the force of a return spring 18, by an electro-

  magnet 19 acting via a rod 20 and a bent lever 21. The rod 10 is thus stopped at a predetermined position and, via a lever 8,

  keeps the lever 5 of the machine at a predetermined level.

  As shown in FIG. 3, three bores 15, 16, 17 are provided with electromagnet-actuated pins 14, 22, 23, which makes it possible to have three selective stopping points that can be imposed on the rod 10. corresponding to the levers 5 of the machine with four selective feed positions. When no pin is actuated, the rod 10 can move to the end of the bore 11, which gives the fourth position. By drilling the holes 15, 16, 17 at other positions in a longitudinal direction relative to the spindle bore 11, one or more of the

selective positions.

  Two characteristics must be emphasized

  important features of the device described so far. One of them is that the programming device is passive. That means he does not have to develop a power to move

  the levers 5 of the machine. It only limits their movement.

  The levers 5 are moved by the machine and the present

  sitive intervenes as a stop acting at a predetermined point.

  The only energy required is that required to actuate the electromagnets 19 and push a selected pin 15, 16, 17 in the corresponding bore made in advance in

  block 12. The other feature is that the intermediate lever

  8 acts as a motion converter, so that a greater stroke for the rod 10 can be used while maintaining a small predetermined amplitude for the

  lever 5 movement of the machine.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a set of six rods 10 and sixteen electromagnets 19 with rods 21 and bent levers 20. Block 12 is shown carrying rods 10 and perpendicular pins 14 with all the associated elements mounted in a frame 24. The number of rods 10, pins 14 and their actuators depending on the application and the conditions of the machine programmed. The rods 10 are coupled 5.- with levers of the machine and stirrups as described

  previously for a single controller.

  Figure 4 is a block diagram of the assembly of a programmer according to the present invention, showing in particular the electronic control system actuators. Since the mechanical part of the system has been shown and described in detail previously, the

  representation has been greatly simplified in Figure 4.

  The programmed machine 25 is shown with a single rod 10

  stopped by a pin 14 of the block 129 as previously described.

  We did not represent the machine and the intermediate levers

  have not been represented either for reasons of simplicity

  cited, since Figure 4 is intended to focus on the electronic components of the system; It is assumed that the machine 25 programmed has movable elements to be controlled. The control is provided by the stop devices described above. There is, however, another factor that is the time setting. This time setting is triggered by a motion detector.

  coupled with the machine and capturing a chronometric signal.

  This signal is sent to a processor 27 by a driver 28. This processor produces appropriate count pulses that are sent by a line 29 to an address counter 30 which provides a memory address sent by the drivers 31. and 32 to program memory 33. Control signals are generated at the selected address in program memory 33, which signals are sent through leads 34 to 35 to a control desk 36. The desk

  36 operates with electronic control currents

  magnets sent by drivers 37, 38, 39 to electro-

  Preselected members 19 which, in turn, actuate the pins 14 via links 20 and levers

bent 21.

  The operation of all these components

  electronics is suitable for the operation of the machine.

  sidered. The course of the program is controlled by the program memory 33. This may, for example, be a memory cons-aunt (erasable memory and programmable again)

  in which are stored specified control programs.

  6.- The number of programs or program steps stored in a given constant memory depends on the capacity of that memory and the complexity of the program or program steps considered. One or more programs can be changed by programming again. the constant memory or by introducing a memory of constant programmed differently. It is clear that this way of changing programs is simple and practical when compared to the cumbersome and expensive control chalc described by referring to

in Figure 1.

  Although we have represented and described

  On top of the preferred embodiment of the invention, modifications of detail are possible. For example, although the stop pins were shown with a control by bent levers, they could also be actuated

  directly by the electromagnets.

7.-

Claims (7)

  1.- Electromagnetic stopping device controlled by memory especially for knitting machines, comprising several positioning levers, characterized in that it comprises in combination a plurality of parallel elements (10) movable by translation under the action of the thrust exerted by external levers (5, 8), electromagnetically controlled members (14) for stopping the translational movement of the elements (10) in a series of predetermined and selectively controlled positions of the movement, the levers (5, 8). being thus stopped at selected positions as a result of the stopping of the displaceable elements (10) in the stop positions.   2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements movable by translation   are cylindrical rods (10), the electrically controlled members   tromagnetic being cylindrical pins (14).   3.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that cpe the electromagnetically controlled members (14) are controlled by a program stored in memory (33) in an integrated circuit.   4.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electromagnetically controlled members (14) operate as a result of a chronometric signal produced   outside in connection with the levers (5, 8).   5.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises intermediate levers (8) arranged between the first levers (5) and the elements displaceable by translation (10) to amplify the movement required to stop the first levers ( 5) in the chosen positions. 6.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (12) for maintaining   perpendicular to each other the elements movable by trans-   tion (10) and the electromagnetically controlled members (14).   7.- Device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetically controlled members (14) are subjected to the joint control of an electronic memory (33) and an externally generated chronometric signal, 8.- 8. - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged to replace a conventional program chain in knitting machines and similar machines. 9.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electromagnetically controlled members (14) are actuated by a series of electromagnets (19) to move mechanical stops in the trajectories of the elements movable by translation (10).   10. An electromagnetic shutdown device controlled by memory, characterized in that it comprises several parallel elements (10) movable by translation under the action of the thrust of external members (5, 8) whose movement must be limited. electromagnetically controlled members (14-) limiting the translational movement of the displaceable members (10) at a plurality of selected and predetermined positions of the movement to selectively limit the movement of the members outside (5, 8).