GB2060202A - Control system for circular knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for controlling the selection of needles on circular stocking knitting machines to effect designs, comprises a first unit (Fig. 1A) combined with the machine and a second, separate, unit (Fig.1 B) for the initial preparation of the design. The unit combined with the machine comprises a synchronisation signal generator 12 responsive to the needle cylinder and a memory reader 5. The second unit comprises a pin matrix 101 by means of which the design is composed, counters 105, 106 and decoders 107 for lines and columns, a clock pulse generator, a memory writer 108 able to receive data from the matrix, and means for transmitting the data to the memory writer or directly to the decoder of the first unit, for direct actuation of the machine to form samples. By using a memory written by the memory writer, production knitting is effected by means of the first unit alone. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Control systems for circular knitting machines The present invention relates to control systems for circular knitting machines and more particularly to an electronic control system for the selection of needles to effect Jacquard and linkslinks designs on circular knitting machines for stocking knitting and the like.

According to the invention, there is provided a system for controlling the selection of needles in a circular knitting machine, said system comprising a first unit, and a second unit, said first unit comprising a decoder, and a memory reader, said decoder being operative to produce control signals for controlling the needle selection in accordance with a design program written into a memory read by said memory reader, and said second unit comprising a pin matrix for setting the design program, a memory writer selectively operable to write the design program memory in accordance with the pin matrix, and means operative to feed design program data selectively to the memory writer or direct to the decoder of the first unit.

Further according to the invention, there is provided a system for controlling the selection of needles in a circular knitting machine to effect Jacquard and links-links designs, comprising a first unit combined with the machine, and a second unit which can be selectively connected to, and disconnected from, the first unit, said first unit comprising: a synchronisation signal generator responsive to the travel of the needles with respect to an angular origin, a memory reader operative to act selectively on signals originating from the second unit, a decoder, and a power amplifier; and said second unit comprising: a pin matrix for setting the design and having rows and columns, counters and decoders for the rows and columns of the pin matrix, a clock pulse generator able to operate instead of the synchronisation signal generator of the first unit, a memory writer operative to receive the data from the matrix, and means for transmitting the data selectively to said memory writer whereby to write a memory, or direct to the decoder of the first unit for direct actuation of the knitting machine for the formation of samples, while, with the use of said memory, knitting can be effected with the first unit alone.

The memory can be written onto a memory carrier such as a card so that knitting can be effected by inserting the carrier into the reader of the first unit.

The pin matrix has a row of holes along a horizontal line and a row of holes in a vertical column, and counter means cooperating with a pin insertable into a hole of each of said two rows of holes, to effect a delimitation of the sweeping or scanning of the matrix in both directions, so as to delimit at will the field of the design.

Switching or like means are able to switch each of the scanning actions from a mode in which scanning occurs always in one direction (reset), to a mode in which scanning occurs alternately in opposite directions, to effect mirror-image symmetrical designs. Other switching or like means are prodivded to effect a repetition -- in particular, a duplication -- of each datum, to expand the design in one or in each direction.

Suitable controls and programmes permit the programming of the system to produce the design during the formation of a specific portion of the fabric, i.e. during a specified part of a working cycle of the machine.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figures 1 A and 1 B are block diagrams of two units of a control system for a circular knitting machine; Figure 2 shows an assembly for the generation of needle signals; Figure 3 shows an assembly for the production of needle pilot signals, and signals for the rotation of the cylinder and for the generation of control signals; Figure 4 shows components combined with a pin matrix; and Figures 5 and 6 shows details of the pin matrix.

The control system is divided into two units, of which one, A (Figure 1A) is situated on the machine or on each machine, and the other, B (Figure 1 B) is remote from the machine(s) and may be connected to a machine for brief periods of time, by means of electric cables, for the operations which will be described hereinbelow and relating to the composition of a design and the checking of the results obtained on a sample.

As shown in Figure 1 A, combined with the needle cylinder 1 is an electro-mechanical selector 2 for the butts of the jacks, with commands which arrive from a control line 3 to the selectors, such line originating from a power amplifier 4. The latter is piloted by a decoder 5 for the levels of the butts, which decoder will in turn receive data alternately - via a switch SW2 - from a memory reader 6 or direct from the unit B separated from the machine, through a receiver 8 of data originating from the unit B itself and an appropriate pulse generator 10.

12 denotes a synchronisation input unit, with a needle disc 14 and a zeroing disc 16, respectively with notches corresponding to the needles and with a single notch defining an angular zero point.

With these discs 14 and 1 6 there cooperate appropriate optical sensors 1 4A and 1 6A and the corresponding pilots 148 and 1 6B of balanced lines 1 4C and 1 6C. These lines reach line receivers 1 8 and 20 for respective synchronisation signal generators 22 and 24, connected to components 5 and 6. 26 denotes a supply having a line 28 for power supply and a line for the electronic line system supply.

In a connection 32 between decoder 5 and power amplifier 4, a selector 34 is inserted to adapt the apparatus to various types of machines, as a function of the density and the diameter of the cylinder, and therefore of the number of jack levels.

Unit B separate from the machine, and which may also be termed as a "console" unit, comprises a pin matrix 101, as the fundamental component for the setting-up of a design. 102 denotes receivers of the balanced lines 1 4C, 1 6C with, at 103 two synchronisation signal generatores responsive to the synchronisation unit 12, when unit B is connected to the machine. 104 denotes a clock pulse generator for use in writing the memory. The circuit comprises a counter and decoder 105 for the lines and a counter 106 for the columns, combined with a decoder 107 for the actual columns.The data from the decoder 105 is directed by means of the lines 205 to the pin matrix 101, and the data from the matrix is directed along the lines 207 via the decoder 107 to a memory writer 108 and the drivers 109 of a balanced line 110 for the data which is to reach the switch 102 and therefore to the line receiver 8 of unit A on the machine. 111 denotes a feeder, 112 a column reset line to vary the amplitude of the columns, and 113 a row reset line to vary the amplitude of the rows. 11 4A denotes a switch for writing into the memories, and 1148, 1 4C an assembly of switches between the cadences produced by the unit 12 and those of the clock pulse generator 104.

Figure 2 shows in greater detail the assembly 14, 14A, 14B, 18 and 22 of Figure 1A. 314 denotes a line driver and 414 a line receiver, while 322 denotes symbolically the synchronisation signal generated by the device 22 which is a monostable device.

Figure 3 shows a further development of the synchronisation control system and of the other controls which reach an assembly 500 comprising, inter alia, the member of the memory reader 6 and of the power amplifier 4; 502 and 504 denote means for the production of signals cutting out the controls during alternated movement, and of a signal for the starting of the design system after an appropriate deiay to form, for example, a band or a flange before the design trace.

In the diagram of Figure 4 an assembly of units is represented combined with the pin matrix 101, the structure of which is better illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In Figure 4 a block 601 represents a reversible counter with decoding of the row signals; the clocks pulse signals corresponding to the needles arrive at this counter which is also reached by the cylinder rotation signal, lines 603 and 605 being used respectively; a switch SW4 switches the operation from a mirror-image scanning to a quick reset scanning, selecting a signal, originating from the first row RX of pins, suitably formed by the monostable circuit 110 or by the following bistable circuit 109.A similar reversible counter with a decoder 611 is provided for the scanning of the columns; a switch 605 switches from the mirror-image scanning operation to that of fast rest with the intervention of a bistable device 613 or of a monostable device 61 5, through the signal originating from the first column RY. A pin 617 alongisde row RX and a pin 619 alongside column RY thus permit delimiting the respective dimensions along X and Y.

Figure 5 shows a matrix diagram 101 with electronic symbolism. Figure 6 shows a per sue known matrix structure which may be used for the purpose, for example of the type marketed by SELECTRO. In the diagram 701 denotes the perforated panel of the matrix, 703 and 505 the linear transverse and vertical contacts which may be bridged at the crossings with pins 707 provided with diodes 707D.

The system operates as follows.

By means of the pins 707 the operator sets the design on the pin matrix 101, and he connects the console unit B to the machine by means of the switches 11 4A, 1148, 1 1 4C, and SW2. Under such conditions the machine is operated by the console unit B which receives the synchronisation signals from unit 12 of the machine.

The operator produces test articles bearing the required design and modifies the latter as necessary.

When the design meets requirements, the console unit is removed from the machine and the switches 114 are placed in a position such that the data of the design with the desired characteristics -- set up in the matrix 101 - may be transferred to a memory of solid state type, PROM (Programmable Read Oniy Memory) incribed by the writer 108 (Figure 1 B).

The PROM memory with all the data relating to the drawing may be transferred onto the memory reader 6 on the machine (Figure 1 A) and hence, after having placed the deflector switch SW2 in a position opposite the preceding one, it is possible to supply data direct to effect the design from the reader 6 to the actuators. The writing and memory transfer operation may be repeated to equip a number of machines.

The electronic device is actuated by the signals taken from the machine for the compilation of a program and also in the production of a memory to be inserted in the unit of the machine, in particular: a signal for each needles, with the assembly 14, 1 4A, 148; a signal for each revolution with the assembly 16, 1 6A, 1 6B; a signal for cutting-out the commands during alternating movement stages; a signal for cuttingout the system at the end of each cycle which also reinstates the starting of the system after a certain time from the start of a new cycle (to form the hem of a stocking, for example). The signals of the first type are produced by the wheel 14 which has as many notches as there are needles and which actuates the optical sensor 1 4A; the signals originating from the sensor are transmitted to the control circuits by means of the circuit described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 (1 4A, 314, 414, 22, 148, 14C).

The signals of the second type are produced by the wheel 1 6 which has one notch only, in such a way as to have one pulse for each revolution; the transmission and formation electronic circuits are identical with those of the preceding instance (16A, 16B, 16C).

The signals of the two types indicated last are obtained from the micro-switches 502 and 504 placed on the machine, and they are transmitted to the system with circuits identical with the foregoing and with commands supplied by monostable devices 506, 507, 508 (cf. Figure 3).

In the pin matrix 101, the pins are set according to the design to be effected, remembering that in general each pin represents a stitch. The dimensions of the matrix (number of X columns and Y rows) are limited -- with pins 61 7 and 619-only for operational reasons, and it is possible to use M rows and N columns arbitrarily selected. The electronic circuits perform the various functions of scanning the matrix, synchronisation and mixing the commands at the various needle selection levels.

The dimensions of the design are set in advance by means of the insertion of the two pins 617 and 619 (figure 4) in the relevant row RX and column RY of the matrix.

The pins 707 are inserted in the area thus delimited to form the design.

Envisaging the formation of a sock with an upper band, design area, alternated heel, and foot area with part design and alternated point, the procedure is as follows. When the machine starts (Figure 3) the design is not effected (though the band is) until the monostable device is tripped, after which the design starts, this design being held over at the heel further to the action of the monostable device 508; the design resumes in the foot until the authorisation is given by the monostable device 507, which interrupts the design until a new cycle starts.

At each needle which passes under the feed, the control of which is derived from the disc 14, scanning advances by one step in the direction X; at each rotation signal (control derived from 16) a one step advance is made in direction Y. When the position denoted by the pin 617 or 619 which delimits the design area, in direction X and respectively in direction Y, scanning ends and is resumed from the beginning (reset).

There is also the possibility of working in mirror-image in one and/or on the other of the two axes when the appropriate command SW4 or SW5 is inserted (Figure 4). When the position denoted by the pin which delimits the design (in X or in Y or in both), the scanning of the matrix, instead of starting again from zero, as stated above, reverses direction until the start of the row, and so on, in the direction X and/or in the direction Y; scanning is in such a case effected in pendulum manner.

Another possibility afforded is that whereby the design may be lengthened and in particular doubled in direction X, dividing by the two clock pulses from the generator 14 which actuates the rows counter. In the direction Y the design may be lengthened, for example doubled or quadrupled, or multiplied by 8, 16, 32; this is effected dividing the clock pulses which actuates the column counter by the corresponding numbers.- These possibilities are obtained by acting upon controls placed on the matrix panel.

Choosing the output directed or denied by the data it is possible to produce (as the operator chooses) the design in positive or negative form. It is possible furthermore, to suppress the output of the data of the matrix and to supply a fixed datum (obtained from the clock pulse generator 14), in such a way as to effect a rice grain background, and this also without the need to insert pins on the matrix.

Again, it is possible to combine electrically the data output of the matrix and a fixed rice grain background output, in such a manner as to obtain a design on rice grain background instead of on a plain background.

All these possibilities may be entered on the memories and thus inserted in the reader on the machine, without recourse to console unit B.

The system particularly described makes it possible to produce samples of fabrics with designs, and therefore to prepare work programmes for machines. It affords simple and extensive possibilities of varying the patterns or dimensions of designs of Jacquard and links-links type, with electro-mechanical transducers, and with electronic systems.

Claims (7)

1. A system for controlling the selection of needles in a circular knitting machine to effect Jacquard and links-links designs, comprising a first unit combined with the machine, and a second unit which can be selectively connected to, and disconnected from, the first unit, said first unit comprising: a synchronisation signal generator responsive to the travel of the needles with respect to an angular origin, a memory reader operative to act selectively on signals originating from the second unit, a decoder, and a power amplifier; and said second unit comprising: pin matrix for setting the design and having rows and columns, counters and decoders for the rows and columns of the pin matrix, a clock pulse generator able to operate instead of the synchronisation signal generator of the first unit, a memory writer operative to receive the data frnm the matrix, and means for transmitting the data selectively to said memory writer whereby to write a memory, or direct to the decoder of the first unit for direct actuation of the knitting machine for the formation of samples, while, with the use of said memory, knitting can be effected with the first unit alone.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the pin matrix comprises means defining a horizontal row of pin-receiving openings, and means defining a vertical column of pin-receiving openings, and means cooperating with a respective pin inserted into one of said openings of said horizontal row and into one of said openings in said vertical column to terminate scanning of the matrix in both directions, so as to delimit at will the field of the design.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising switching means operable to switch scanning of the matrix from a mode in which scanning always occurs in one direction to a mode in which scanning occurs alternately in opposite directions, to effect mirror-image symmetrical designs.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising switching means operable to effect a repetition of each datum to expand the design in one or each direction.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising means for causing the intervention of the control system during the formation of a specific part of the fabric.

6. A system for controlling the selection of needles in a circular knitting machine, said system comprising a first unit, and a second unit, said first unit comprising a decoder, and a memory reader, said decoder being operative to produce control signals for controlling the needle selection in accordance with a design program written into a memory read by said memory reader, and said second unit comprising a pin matrix for setting the design program, a memory writer selectively operable to write the design program memory in accordance with the pin matrix, and means operative to feed design program data selectively to the memory writer or direct to the decoder of the first unit.

7. A control system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.