JP2004156184A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knitting machine enabling continuous knit-in of yarns of various colors or kinds having a yarn length corresponding to the pattern of the knit fabric. <P>SOLUTION: The knitting machine is provided with a yarn-feeding apparatus having a selection device to select at least one yarn from a plurality of packages having different colors or packages of different yarn kinds, a splicing apparatus and a length-measuring and yarn storing apparatus to simultaneously perform the measurement of the yarn length and the storage of the yarn. Yarns are supplied while measuring the length of the yarns of various colors or kinds to predetermined lengths determined in consideration of the pattern of the knit fabric. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a knitting machine, and more particularly to a knitting machine capable of supplying a plurality of color yarns to knit different patterns.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a flat knitting machine provided with a yarn length measuring means when knitting from a plurality of color yarn packages is already known. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
[0003]
Also, knitting is performed while selectively changing the accommodating posture in the knitting needle hook portion of the color yarns combined for patterning to a posture that is convenient for the color yarns appearing on the front side and the color yarns appearing on the back side according to the pattern. For this reason, a flat knitting machine including a yarn supplying support piece configured to be movable between its height position and left and right positions is also known. (For example, see Patent Document 2)
[0004]
Furthermore, as well as disposing a plurality of color yarn packages, the yarn processing system includes a yarn selection unit, a yarn splicing unit, and a yarn storage unit, and collectively controls all operations of these units and the knitting machine. By doing so, a knitting machine is also known in which a desired yarn in a plurality of yarn supply packages is supplied to the knitting machine at a desired timing so that the knitting machine is not stopped. (For example, see Patent Document 3)
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-209504 (page 2-6, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-49154 (page 2-6, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-9-176942 (pages 2-5, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a (weft) knitting machine provided simply with a yarn length measuring means or a (weft) knitting machine provided with a movable yarn feeder, only a few types of color yarns are used. The length of the traverse of the reciprocating carriage is also required at a minimum, and it is not possible to knit shorter colored yarns.
[0007]
In a configuration in which a desired yarn is spliced from a plurality of yarn supply packages and supplied to a yarn storage unit at a desired timing so as not to stop the knitting machine, a large number of color yarns can be used. Yes, and the lengths of the color yarns can be freely changed, but the yarn lengths are not determined in consideration of the pattern after predetermined knitting.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a knitting machine capable of continuously knitting various colored yarns and yarn types having a yarn length corresponding to a pattern after knitting.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a selection device that selects at least one yarn from a plurality of packages of different colors or a plurality of different yarn types, and splicing the selected yarn. The present invention is characterized in that the knitting machine includes a yarn feeding device having a yarn splicing device and a yarn measuring and storing device for simultaneously measuring and storing the yarn.
[0010]
According to the invention according to claim 1 having the above configuration, it is possible to continuously supply a knitting yarn having an arrangement and a length of color yarns that correctly expresses a patterned pattern after knitting.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the yarn measuring and storing device includes a storage drum that is rotationally driven by a pulse motor or a servomotor capable of controlling an angle, and controls the number of rotations of the yarn by controlling the rotation speed of the motor. It is characterized by performing length measurement.
[0012]
According to the invention according to claim 2 having the above configuration, by controlling the number of revolutions of the pulse motor or the like, it is possible to accurately control the length of the color yarn in minute units, and a knitted fabric having a minute knitting pattern can be formed. Can be manufactured.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the measured yarn length is a yarn length of each of various colored yarns and yarn types determined in consideration of a pattern after knitting.
[0014]
According to the invention according to claim 3 having the above configuration, it is possible to continuously produce a knitted fabric that correctly expresses a desired pattern.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a knitting machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing one embodiment of a knitting machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a yarn selecting device. FIG. 3 shows the driving means of the yarn selecting device. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing a yarn measuring and storing device. 5A and 5B show a knitted fabric knitted by the knitting machine according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A shows an example of a knitted fabric knitted by a flat knitting machine, and FIG. 5B shows an example of a knitted fabric knitted by a circular knitting machine. is there.
[0017]
The knitting machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The knitting machine 1 has a configuration in which a yarn feeding device 3 is disposed on a knitting machine main body 2. The yarn feeder 3 pulls out the yarns Y1, Y2, Y3 from the packages P1, P2, P3,... Mounted on the creel 10 and inserts the tension applying member 11 therethrough. The knitting yarn is supplied to the knitting machine main body 2 through the yarn length measuring and storing device 30 and the second tension applying member 13.
[0018]
The packages P1, P2, P3,... Are packages of different colors and yarn types, and are supplied to the yarn measuring and storing device 30 continuously while being spliced by the yarn splicing device 12. In addition, the kind and quantity necessary for manufacturing a desired knitted fabric are to be mounted on the creel 10, and are not limited to the illustrated three pieces, but may be mounted to six or twelve pieces. Has no restrictions.
[0019]
The yarn selecting device 20 has yarn guides 21a, 21b, 21c (see FIG. 3) provided for each of the packages P1, P2, P3, and guides the yarn Y to the yarn joining device 12 as described later. The position is controlled so as to be freely movable between a thread guide position (corresponding to 21A in the figure) and a position for guiding the yarn Y to the suction member 16 (corresponding to 21B in the figure).
[0020]
The yarn Y is cut and spliced by the yarn splicing device 12, and the yarn selected by the yarn selecting device 20 is guided by the guide 26 shown in FIG. It is configured. The yarn splicing device 12 may be a splicer device that splices yarns by air vortex, or a knotter device that performs yarn knotting. Whether the splicer device or the knotter device is used is selected depending on the type of yarn used and the required yarn splicing form.
[0021]
The yarn selecting device 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. A yarn guide 21a for guiding the yarn Y1, a yarn guide 21b for guiding the yarn Y2, and a yarn guide 21c for guiding the yarn Y3 are arranged as the yarn guides 21, respectively. By swinging the member 28 about the fulcrum 28a as the center of rotation, the push-up bar 28b provided at the other end of the swing member 28 abuts the rear guide plate 22B of the thread guide 21 to swing the thread guide 21. The yarn Y is moved to a yarn guide position (corresponding to 21A in the drawing) for guiding the yarn Y to the yarn joining device 12 and a position (corresponding to 21B in the drawing) for guiding the yarn Y to the suction member 16.
[0022]
The thread guide 21 has a boss 22 and is configured to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 22A. A rear guide plate 22B extending rearward is provided on the boss portion 22, and the yarn guide 21 guides the yarn Y to the yarn joining device 12 by a spring member 23 mounted on the rear guide plate 22B. It is configured to urge in the guide position (corresponding to 21A in the figure).
[0023]
The yarn Y sucked by the suction member 16 is held between the yarn holding roller 17 and the yarn holding plate 18. The yarn holding roller 17 is a roller member whose outer peripheral surface is coated with an elastic material such as urethane, and the yarn holding plate 18 is configured to be brought into contact with and separated from the yarn holding roller 17 by a cylinder 19.
[0024]
When the yarn guide 21 swings during the yarn selection, the yarn holding plate 18 is separated from the yarn holding roller 17 and the suction member 16 can suck the yarn Y. When a predetermined yarn is selected and the predetermined yarn guide 21 is positioned at 21A, the yarn holding plate 18 is brought into contact with the yarn holding roller 17 by the cylinder 19 to hold the yarn Y being sucked by the suction member 16. Have been.
[0025]
The rear guide plate 22B has a notch formed at the rear end thereof, and has a configuration in which the locking piece 24 is locked. The position where the cylinder 27 guides the yarn guide 21 to the suction member 16 via the push-up bar 28b. When the cylinder 25 is pressed down (corresponding to 21B in the drawing), the cylinder 25 locks the locking piece 4 into the notch at the rear end of the rear guide plate 22B, thereby shifting the position of the thread guide 21 to the position of 21B in the drawing. It is fixed. The locking piece 24 is rotatable around a fulcrum 24A by a cylinder 25.
[0026]
In the thread switching method, first, the cylinder 27 is slightly extended, and the rear guide plate 22B is lifted to release the engagement state with the locking piece 24. Next, only the cylinder 25 corresponding to the selected thread type is driven to move the locking piece 24, so that the locking piece 24 does not come into contact regardless of the position of the rear guide plate 22B. Thereafter, when the cylinder 27 is contracted and the thread guide 21 is rotated by the spring member 23, only the locking pieces 24 corresponding to the selected thread type are at positions not engaged with the rear guide plate 22B. Then, the yarn guide 21 corresponding to the selected yarn type moves to the yarn guide position (corresponding to 21A in the figure) for guiding the yarn Y to the yarn joining device 12, and the other yarn guides 21 have the locking pieces 4 at the rear. It is configured to engage with the guide plate 22B and stop at the guide position 21B in the figure.
[0027]
The thread inserted into the selected thread guide 21 has one end thereof held by the suction member 16 and is indicated by YA as indicated by a broken line. The yarn YA is guided in the direction of the yarn splicing device 12 by turning the guide guide 26 in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, and is spliced with the yarn Y that has been wound by the yarn measuring and storing device 30 by then. Is configured to start.
[0028]
At this time, the number of selected yarn types is not limited to one, and two yarns (for example, the yarns Y1 and Y2) may be simultaneously selected and spliced.
[0029]
The yarn measuring and storing device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. When the yarn measuring and storing device 30 is driven to start winding, the yarn Y having a predetermined length is stored in the storage drum 33. A rotary shaft 32 having a yarn passage 32b along a central axis inside the apparatus main body 31 is rotationally driven by a pulse motor 37 (or a servomotor capable of controlling the angle). The pulley 34 attached to the rotary shaft 32 is driven to rotate via a pulley 36 and a drive belt 35 provided on the pulse motor 37, whereby the rotary shaft 32 is rotated and branched off from the rotary shaft 32. The configuration is such that the winding tube 32 a rotates around the storage drum 33.
[0030]
When the winding tube 32a is driven to rotate around the storage drum 33, the yarn Y passing through the yarn passage 32b provided so as to penetrate the winding tube 32a from the central axis of the rotating shaft 32 becomes a yarn. Is wound and stored on a tapered storage drum 33 that is slightly tapered in the direction of travel. Since the yarn Y coming out of the winding tube 32a is wound around the outer diameter of the tapered portion of the storage drum 33, the yarn Y moves toward the front where the diameter is slightly reduced while sliding on the tapered portion. When the yarn Y is wound around the storage drum 33 while the winding tube 32a is rotating, the yarn sliding action is continuously performed, so that the yarn Y extends over substantially the entire outer diameter of the tapered portion of the storage drum. Are stored in a spirally aligned state.
[0031]
The control of the selected yarn length is performed by controlling the rotation angle of the pulse motor 37 (or a servomotor capable of controlling the angle) by a control device (not shown). Therefore, the length of a minute dimension (1 cm or less) can be controlled. Winding in conjunction with the rotation angle (corresponding to the yarn length determined in consideration of the knitted pattern) of the pulse motor 37, which is rotationally driven by a control program determined in consideration of the knitted pattern. Since the pipe 32a rotates by a predetermined angle, the length of the yarn wound around the storage drum 33 and stored is controlled to the length that accurately forms the pattern after knitting. The presence of the yarn Y stored in the storage drum 33 is detected by a detection sensor such as a photoelectric sensor. In the present embodiment, a head detection sensor 39a and a rear end detection sensor 39b are provided.
[0032]
When the winding of the yarn Y around the storage drum 33 is started and the leading end detection sensor 39a detects the yarn Y, the rotation driving of the winding tube 32a is temporarily stopped. When the knitting operation is continued in a state where the winding of the yarn Y around the storage drum 33 is stopped and the storage is interrupted, the yarn gradually decreases from the storage drum 33, and the yarn Y is detected at the rear end detection sensor 39b. Since the sensor is consumed and is no longer detected, the pulse motor 37 is driven again to restart the winding by the yarn measuring and storing device 30. When the winding is restarted, the yarn Y to be wound is wound while sliding forward on the tapered outer diameter portion of the storage drum 33 and slightly advancing toward the front. And the leading end detection sensor 39a detects the yarn Y.
[0033]
The speed at which the winding pipe 32a is rotated to store the yarn Y is higher than the knitting speed. This absorbs the error between the knitting speed and the storage speed, and takes into account the yarn selection time and the yarn splicing time. By storing the yarn faster than the knitting speed, the new yarn is stored after the yarn is stored. Is selected, and the knitting operation can be continued even while performing the yarn splicing.
[0034]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a knitted fabric. FIG. 5A shows an example of a knitted fabric knitted by a flat knitting machine, and FIG. 5B shows an example of a knitted fabric knitted by a circular knitting machine. (A) shows that, in a knitted fabric basically knitted from the yarn Y1, various colored yarns of Y2, Y3, and Y4 are woven in a predetermined order and at a predetermined length, and a short pattern shown in Y5. Is a knitted configuration. (B) shows a configuration in which a color thread of Y7 is knitted at a predetermined position to have a predetermined length in a knitted fabric knitted by the basic yarn Y6.
[0035]
As described above, the present invention can be commonly applied to various knitting machines such as flat knitting machines and circular knitting machines, and controls the rotation angle by a pulse motor or the like while splicing various colored yarns. The knitting yarn is wound up by the yarn measuring and storing device 30 that is rotated and driven, so that the knitting machine 1 can knit short patterns of various colors as in this embodiment.
[0036]
According to the present invention, it is possible to select at least one yarn from a plurality of packages of different colors and a plurality of packages of different yarn types and knit continuously while performing yarn splicing. In consideration of the pattern, it is possible to determine the yarn length of each of the various colored yarns and yarn types and knit them, so that it is possible to knit the desired pattern, and to instantly knit the fabric according to various orders. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a knitting machine capable of coping with various kinds in small quantities.
[0037]
Furthermore, even in the case of three-dimensional knitting of a single piece of a recently developed round, a flat knitting machine provided with the yarn feeding device according to the present invention can combine various colored yarns, and is fashionable and unique. A simple knitted product can be easily manufactured.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to continuously supply a knitting yarn having an arrangement and a length of color yarns that correctly represents a knitted pattern after knitting.
[0039]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately control the color yarn length in minute units by controlling the number of revolutions of a pulse motor, a servomotor capable of controlling the angle, etc. A knit can be manufactured.
[0040]
According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to continuously produce a knitted fabric that correctly expresses a desired pattern.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing one embodiment of a knitting machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a yarn selecting device.
FIG. 3 shows the driving means of the yarn selecting device.
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing a yarn measuring and storing device.
5A and 5B show a knitted fabric knitted by a knitting machine according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A shows an example of a knitted fabric knitted by a flat knitting machine, and FIG. 5B shows an example of a knitted fabric knitted by a circular knitting machine; It is.
[Explanation of symbols]
P Package 1 Knitting machine 2 Knitting machine main body 3 Yarn supply device 12 Yarn joining device 20 Selection device 30 Yarn measuring storage device 33 Storage drum 37 Pulse motor

Claims (3)

A selection device for selecting at least one yarn from a plurality of packages having different colors or a plurality of different yarn types; a yarn splicing device for splicing the selected yarn; and a yarn measurement device for simultaneously measuring and storing the yarn. A knitting machine comprising a yarn feeding device having a long storage device. The yarn measuring and storing device includes a storage drum that is rotationally driven by a pulse motor or a servomotor capable of controlling the angle, and measures the yarn length by controlling the number of rotations of the motor. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein The knitting according to claim 1, wherein the measured yarn length is a yarn length of each of various colored yarns and yarn types determined in consideration of a pattern after knitting. Machine.

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