JP2007154403A - Air feed type knitting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knitting machine in which air can relatively easily access a knitting cam and bring about a dust-removing effect to each component of a knitting tool. <P>SOLUTION: This knitting machine has an air feed device (21) utilized for feeding air into an air guide chamber (18) formed between a knitting cam aggregate (12) and a needle cylinder (3). Air for removing dusts is directly fed to a knitting tool (5) through the air guide chamber without needing an outside casing for storing the knitting cam aggregate (12). The air is guided from a space between a dial and the knitting cam aggregate (12) disposed there to a dial needle or a sinker. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a knitting machine in which air is supplied to a knitting tool according to the superordinate concept of claim 1 (so-called part, preamble part).

  A knitting machine usually has a number of knitting tools which are reciprocated by suitable drive means in order to knit a knitted fabric from supplied yarns. At this time, dust, yarn waste, or so-called lint accumulates in the knitting tool, which may interfere with the knitting process.

  From Patent Document 1, a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder having a large number of needle grooves on its outer peripheral surface is known. These needle grooves are fitted so that the Bella needles each provided with a bat can be displaced along the grooves. Bella needle butt protrudes from the needle groove and is connected to an annular knitting cam assembly comprising a number of knitting cams surrounding the needle cylinder. As the needle cylinder rotates, the needle bats follow the contour shape of the individual knitting cams so that the needle hooks are moved up and down accordingly.

  The knitting cam assembly is provided with an annular casing from the outside, and filtered air is supplied to the knitting cam assembly by a blower. This annular casing, together with the upper edge of the needle cylinder and / or sinker plate, forms a duct which is substantially annular, through which air moves, for example in the form of a needle hook It is blown toward the member.

  In order to generate an air jet for dust removal, it is necessary to store the entire knitting cam assembly in the casing, so that the knitting cam is not easily accessible. In order to perform the adjustment work with the knitting cams, it is first necessary to ensure access to the respective knitting cams by at least partially removing the casing. In addition, it is only the hook of the knitting tool, that is, the work member, that dust is blown off by this known concept, and the dust removal effect is not obtained for the other parts.

US Pat. No. 5,737,942

  The object of the present invention is to obtain a knitting machine that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages starting from this prior art.

This problem is solved by the knitting machine according to claim 1.
The knitting machine according to the present invention has an air feed device that feeds air into an air guide chamber formed between the knitting cam assembly and the needle bed. The needle bed may be, for example, a circular needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine, but may be a dial of a circular knitting machine. In either case, the needle bed (needle cylinder or dial) is moved, while the knitting cam assembly is arranged in a stationary manner.

  The air guide chamber may be formed by a somewhat larger gap that is found between the knitting cam assembly and the needle bed. In addition, the needle groove contributes greatly to the flow cross section of the air guide chamber. Even if the existing gap between the needle bed and the knitting cam is reduced to almost zero, a significant amount of air still flows through the needle groove which is not completely filled by the knitting tool. be able to. In addition, the knitting tool may be provided with an air guide groove in order to reduce airflow resistance in the needle groove. Finally, a considerable flow cross section can also be found in the knitting cam, which also contributes to the air guide chamber.

  By introducing air between the needle bed and the knitting cam assembly, it is possible to appropriately guide the air flow to the working member of the knitting tool, for example, the hook and the spatula of the needle. This is achieved by eliminating the need to store the knitting cam assembly in the casing. For this reason, the access from the outside to the knitting cam is guaranteed without limitation without having to remove the surrounding plate of the air guide portion or the like.

  In addition to this, not only dust removal of the work member of the knitting tool but also dust removal of the knitting tool and the needle guide groove can be performed by guiding the dust removing airflow to the space existing between the knitting cam assembly and the needle bed. In particular, wear particles and dust that enter or are formed in the region of the knitting cam can be removed from the needle groove and the knitting cam. For this reason, the idea of the present invention relating to the air guide system contributes to improvement of the operation reliability of the knitting machine and reduction of wear. In particular, the cam area and the needle bed, i.e. the needle cylinder, are kept free of wear particles.

  The idea of the present invention can also be applied to other knitting tools such as sinkers, transfer needles, combination needles, or the like. In either case, the airflow provided to blow off the dust of the knitting tool is guided as completely as possible through the space existing between the knitting cam or sinker cam and the cylinder or needle bed. This is true for the entire dust removal airflow in an ideal case.

  The knitting cam assembly is generally composed of a plurality of knitting cams or cam segments arranged on one cam base plate. In the case of a circular knitting machine, this cam base plate has an annular shape, and the cam base plate may be constituted by a plurality of individual segments juxtaposed. These cam segments are adjacent at their respective elongated sides. In an example of a preferred embodiment, a packing material is arranged between each cam cent to seal the cam segments against each other. This measure reduces air loss. In addition, in order to guide the dust removal air flow to the stitch formation area with zero loss, cover the space between the upper edge of the cam segment and the sinker ring with an appropriate cover so that this air outlet is blocked. Good. However, some air outlets may be provided as appropriate so that a partial flow of the dust removal airflow flows out from there. This measure can be used to properly discharge the wear particles generated in the knitting cam region of the knitting cam assembly from the knitting cam assembly without reaching the working member of the knitting tool. For this purpose it may be sufficient to omit the packing material between two or more cam segments in some cases.

  The air feed device is preferably a blower that sends accelerated air into the air guide chamber. This blower may be configured as a separate unit that sucks in ambient air, filters it, and sends it to the air guide chamber of the knitting machine. In this case, the air feed device is provided with a dedicated drive device independent of the knitting machine drive device. This solution has the advantage that the amount of air feed can be adjusted regardless of the operating speed of the knitting machine.

  Alternatively, it should be sought in many cases to simplify the structure, but a blower can also be incorporated into the knitting machine. In this case, the blower is formed by an impeller / air blade that is significant if it is at least one, but often more than one. These impellers are distributed and arranged around the needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine, for example. At this time, the impeller is arranged below the segment of the knitting cam assembly (that is, the side far from the working member of the knitting tool), and sucked air is passed through the air guide chamber to the upper knitting machine working member. It is used to send in. At that time, the air flows through an intermediate chamber between the knitting cam and the needle cylinder, so that this intermediate chamber is also kept clean. The air may be sucked from a duct extending below the cam base plate. The suction duct may be provided with a filter in order to remove the sucked-in air, particularly before it is blown into the cam area.

  It can be said that the feature of the extended embodiment of the present invention resides in a dust removing device provided for removing dust from a filter connected to the suction duct, for example, by touching it. The dust removing device may be configured as a separate blower that sends an airflow into the suction duct when the switch is turned on, for example. As a result, the filter is operated in the reverse direction, and the dust accumulated on the outside thereof is blown away.

In addition, it may be advantageous to configure the filter as a plurality of individually replaceable segments arranged, for example, in an annular shape on the outer peripheral surface of the cam base plate.
In addition or alternatively, a lubricating fluid may be added to the air stream to supply lubricant to the knitting tool and / or cam. The supply of the lubricant may be performed in a continuous manner, but may be performed only temporarily if desired. For this purpose, a lubrication device for adding a lubricant to the airflow before the airflow reaches the knitting cam, for example, may be provided. Through proper control of the lubrication device, the lubricant can be dispensed.

Other advantageous features of embodiments of the invention are the subject of the drawings, the detailed description, or the claims. The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a knitting machine 1 configured as a circular knitting machine as a suitable example. The needle bed 2 has the shape of a needle cylinder 3, and a plurality of needle grooves 4 that extend vertically, that is, parallel to the rotation axis, are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the needle bed 2. In each needle groove 4, a knitting tool is arranged, for example, in the shape of the illustrated Bella needle 6 so that it can be displaced along each needle groove 4. The spatula needle 6 has a hook 7 projecting from the needle groove 4 at its end, and the hook 7 is combined with a spatula 8 supported in a swinging manner. The shaft of the Bella needle 6 extends into the needle groove 4 and is equipped with a bat 9 that is used to drive the Bella needle 6.

  During operation, the needle cylinder 3 rotates while the annular cam base plate 10 surrounding the needle cylinder 3 is held stationary. The cam base plate 10 has a knitted cam assembly 12 composed of a large number of cams or cam segments 13 on its substantially flat upper surface 11. That is, the knitting cam assembly 12 surrounds the needle cylinder 3 in an annular shape. The cam segment 13 is configured as at least one but preferably a plurality of cam surfaces that cooperate with the bat 9 of the Bella needle 6 to move the Bella needle 6 appropriately as the needle cylinder 3 rotates. It has a cam profile 14. The cam segment 13 is held on the cam base plate 10 by suitable attachment means 15, for example in the form of bolts 16 and positioning pins 17.

  An air guide chamber 18 is configured between the needle cylinder 3 and the knitting cam assembly 12. This includes a gap 19 formed between the contour shape of the needle cylinder 3 and the knitting cam assembly 12. In addition, the air guide chamber 18 includes the needle groove 4 as long as it is not occupied or blocked by the knitting tool 5, and also includes the free space and the hollow chamber of the cam segment. .

  An air feed device 20 is connected to the air guide chamber 18. This is formed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 by at least one, but preferably and rationally a large number of impellers 21. The impeller 21 is fastened to the outer peripheral portion of the needle cylinder 3 approximately at the height of the cam base plate 10 by, for example, fastening bolts 22. The impeller 21 is arranged like a kind of ring, thereby forming a single fan. The impeller 21 forms, for example, an axial fan by being disposed obliquely with respect to the rotation axis of the needle cylinder 3.

  The recess of the cam base plate 10 defines an annular blower chamber 23 together with the recess of each cam segment 13, and the impeller 21 rotates inside thereof. The blower chamber 23 is provided above at least one but preferably a very large number of vent holes 24 which open in the lower surface of the cam base plate 10. These vent holes 24 are directly used as intake ports. These vent holes 24 may be directly provided with an air filter. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an annular cover plate 25 is provided, which is held parallel to and away from the lower surface of the cam base plate 10 together with the lower surface of the cam base plate 10. The air gap suction duct 26 extending in the radial direction is defined. The suction duct 26 is opened at the outer peripheral surface of the cam base plate 10. An air filter 27 is provided at the inlet of the suction duct 26, preferably widened in a funnel shape, for sucking air from there at a low speed and simultaneously removing the dust. The air filter 27 is preferably composed of a plurality of individual filter segments, for example rectangular or square, which are divided into a plurality of segments, i.e. can be individually replaced.

  The individual cam segments 13 of the knitting cam assembly 12 are adjacent at their substantially flat elongated sides. At that time, a gap extending in the radial direction is left between the individual cam segments 13, and a part of the airflow generated by the air feed device 20 leaks therethrough. This may be desirable in special cases in order to carry away wear particles generated in the region of the knitting cam assembly 12. However, as a rule, the efficiency of a blower consisting of a plurality of impellers 21 is limited, so it is desirable to seal each cam segment with respect to each other. For this purpose, an appropriate packing material 29 having a shape of, for example, a rubber string 30 that extends from the upper surface 11 to the upper end of each cam segment 13 may be used. At this time, as shown by a broken line (31) in FIG. 1, the rubber string 30 is routed toward the needle cylinder 3 so that an air outlet as narrow as possible is formed for the dust removing airflow. It is good to. Otherwise, the rubber string 30 preferably extends substantially parallel to the needle cylinder 3. Instead of the rubber cord 30, another appropriate sealing material such as a sealing lip or a sealing compound may be used, or a rubber molding sandwiched between the respective cam segments may be provided from the outside.

In order to appropriately guide the airflow to the work member 7 of the knitting tool 5, a sealing means 44 may be provided between the cam assembly 12 and the sinker ring 32.
The sealing means 44 is configured in the shape of an appropriate cover 45 such as a cover plate. It may be formed as a ring consisting of a plurality of members or segments and attached to either the respective cam segment 13 or sinker ring 32 in a publicly known manner. The seal between the sinker ring 32 and the cam segment 13 may be ensured by an appropriate packing material so that the airflow from the intermediate chamber between the sinker ring 32 and the cam segment 13 is prevented.

  Regardless of the type of the knitting machine 1, for example, another device such as a sinker ring 32 that rotates together with the needle cylinder 3 and carries a plurality of sinkers 33 used for stitch formation in cooperation with the knitting tool 5 is provided. It does not matter if it is A passage 34 is provided between the sinker ring 32 and the needle cylinder 3, and air sent from the blower can pass through this to reach the hook 7.

The knitting machine 1 described above operates as follows.
During operation, the cam base plate 10 and the knitting cam assembly 12 are stationary, while the needle cylinder 3 and the optional sinker ring 32 rotate together with the knitting tool 5 or the sinker 33. At that time, both the knitting tool 5 and the sinker 3 perform a reciprocating motion vertically or horizontally. The impeller 21 rotates together with the needle cylinder 3 so that the geometry of the outer edge of the impeller 21 which is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the knitting tool 5 results in an upward or knitting cam assembly in FIG. An air flow toward the body 12 is generated. This air flow goes around the air guide chamber 18 between the knitting cam assembly 12 and the needle cylinder 3 and finally reaches the operating range of the knitting tool 5. At this time, the air flow blows away dust, fiber waste, yarn waste and the like in the needle groove 4 and the knitting tool 5, thereby removing dust in the space existing between the knitting cam assembly 12 and the needle cylinder 3. The dust removal of the tool 5 is also performed. Air necessary for this is sucked from the suction duct 26 through the air filter 27 by a blower composed of a plurality of impellers 21.

  The embodiment of the knitting machine 1 described above can be modified into various modes. As an example, the cam base plate 10 may be formed by arranging a large number of individual segments. In that case, the respective segments of the cam base plate 10 are preferably the same size as the respective cam segments 13 in the circumferential direction. In this case, each segment of the cam base plate 10 may be provided with an air filter individually.

  In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 2, a separate blower 35 that feeds air into the suction duct 26 via the hose 36 may be provided. In this case, the blower formed by the impeller 21 can be omitted. The air current is also sent to the air guide chamber 18 by one blower, here, the blower 35, and is sent to the knitting tool 5 regardless of the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the needle cylinder 3. The air filter 27 is disposed in the blower 35. For the rest, the explanation for the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 made on the basis of the signs already taken up applies accordingly.

  FIG. 3 shows another modification of the knitting machine according to the present invention shown in FIG. The blower that generates the airflow for the air guide chamber 18 is also formed by the impeller 21 here. To that extent, this modification operates in the same manner as the knitting machine 1 shown in FIG. However, there is additionally provided a blower 37 which can be operated for at least a short time and which can be connected to the suction duct 26 at one or more openings of the cover plate 25. The blower 37 is not normally used. When activated, the blower 37 generates a slight overpressure in the suction duct 26. Thereby, air is blown out through the air filter 27. This airflow can be used to remove dust from the filter 27 as necessary. The blower 37 may be a member of the knitting machine 1, but may be connected to the knitting machine 1 as a portable or self-propelled blower that can move from the knitting machine to the knitting machine, for example. When not in use, the opening 38 to which the blower 37 is connected is preferably closed.

  Alternatively, a suction device may be used to suck out and remove dust and lint accumulated in the filter 27. The blower 37 forms a dust removing device 37 for the filter 27.

  FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the knitting machine 1 based on the modified example shown in FIG. In addition, there is additionally provided a lubrication device 40 configured to send a lubricant into the inside of the knitting machine 1 using an airflow flowing through the air guide chamber 18. This may be done in a continuous manner, but may be done only occasionally as needed. The lubrication device 40 includes a pump 41 configured to discharge the lubricant, a lubricant reservoir 42, and other appropriate air in the suction duct 26 and other air flows generated by the blower 37. At least one dispenser or nozzle 43 is included for delivery to the point. For example, the plurality of nozzles 43 may be arranged in a distributed manner around the needle cylinder 3. These nozzles may be activated simultaneously or sequentially as needed to release the lubricant over a long or short period of time, respectively. The lubricant is preferably sprayed in the form of fine droplets, but this can be achieved by properly configuring the nozzle 43.

  In addition, a lubricant may be added to the air sent inside the blower 37. In this case, the consistency of the lubricant must be selected so that the fear of oil contamination of the hose 36 is eliminated. The lubricant may be supplied at a position closer to the needle groove 4 or the knitting cam assembly 12, and this can be realized by moving the nozzle 43 around the cam segment 13.

  The lubricating device 40 can also be combined with the knitting machine shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. In that case, the nozzle 43 may be sprayed into the vent hole 24, for example, as is already the case in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  The knitting machine 1 according to the present invention has air feed devices 21, 35, and 37 that are used to feed air into an air guide chamber 18 formed between the knitting cam assembly 12 and the needle cylinder 3. Yes. Through this air guide chamber, dust-removing air is supplied directly to the knitting tool 5 without requiring an outer casing for storing the knitting cam assembly. Similarly, air can be guided from between the dial and the cam disposed therein to the dial needle or sinker concerned.

It is the vertical sectional view which cut out partially and showed the knitting machine which has a built-in type blower typically. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a knitting machine having an external blower partially cut out. It is the knitting machine shown in FIG. 1 provided with the dust removal apparatus. It is the knitting machine shown in FIG. 2 provided with the lubricating device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Knitting machine 2 Needle bed 3 Needle cylinder 4 Needle groove 5 Knitting tool 6 Bella needle 7 Hook, working member 8 Bella 9 Butt 10 Cam base plate 11 Upper surface 12 Knitting cam assembly 13 Cam, cam segment 14 Cam profile 15 Mounting tool 16 Bolt 17 Positioning pin 18 Air guide chamber 19 Air gap 20 Air feed device 21 Impeller 22 Bolt 23 Blower chamber 24 Vent hole 25 Cover plate 26 Suction duct 27 Air filter 28 Elongated side surface 29 Packing material 30 Rubber string 31 Broken line (rubber string)
32 Sinker ring 33 Sinker 34 Passage 35 Blower 36 Hose 37 Blower 38 Opening 39 Dust removal device 40 Lubrication device 41 Pump 42 Lubricant reservoir 43 Nozzle 44 Sealing means 45 Cover

Claims (19)

A needle bed (2) having a number of grooves (4) for receiving a knitting tool (5);
A number of knitting tools (5) displaceable along each groove (4) of the needle bed (2) and having a working member (7);
Knitting cam for driving the knitting tool (5), which is arranged adjacent to the needle bed (2) so as to define at least one air guide chamber (18) between the needle bed (2) and the needle bed (2). An assembly (12);
A knitting machine (21) having an air feed device (21, 35, 37) connected to the air guide chamber (18) for guiding an air flow through the air guide chamber (18) to the working member (7). 1).   The knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle bed (2) is formed by a needle cylinder (3) of a circular knitting machine.   The knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle bed (2) is formed by a dial of a circular knitting machine.   The knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the knitting tool (5) is a knitting needle (6).   The knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the knitting tool (5) is a sinker (33).   The knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the knitting cam assembly (12) comprises a plurality of cam segments (13) arranged sealed to each other.   The knitting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that a packing material (29) is arranged between the cam segments (13).   The knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the air feed device (21, 35, 37) is a blower.   9. A knitting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the blower (37) is provided with a dedicated drive device.   The knitting machine according to claim 8, wherein the blower (35, 37) is configured as a separate unit connected to the knitting machine (1) via at least one air hose (36). Knitting machine.   9. The knitting machine according to claim 1 and 8, characterized in that the air feed device (20) includes at least one impeller (21) connected to the needle cylinder (3) of the knitting machine (1). And a knitting machine.   9. A knitting machine according to claim 1 and 8, characterized in that the air feed device (20) includes at least one impeller (21) connected to the dial (32) of the knitting machine (1). Knitting machine.   13. A knitting machine according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of impellers (21), which form one annular impeller.   14. The knitting machine according to claim 1, 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the air feed device (20) is connected to a suction duct (26) passing through a part of the knitting machine (1). , Knitting machine.   15. A knitting machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the suction duct (26) is arranged under a cam base plate (10) carrying the knitting cam assembly (12).   The knitting machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the suction duct (26) extends in the radial direction of the needle cylinder (3).   15. A knitting machine according to claim 14, characterized in that a filter (27) is provided at the inlet of the suction duct (26).   18. A knitting machine according to claim 17, wherein a dust removal device (39) is arranged with respect to the filter (27).   The knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a lubrication device (40) is provided for supplying lubricant to the air stream.

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