JP7337493B2 - Textile tool with indicator layer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to textile tools adapted for use with textile machines. Textile tools are used, for example, for knitting stitches on textile machines or for handling or guiding threads or sections of threads. Textile tools of this type include, for example, sewing machine needles, warp knitting needles for knitting machines, weft knitting needles for knitting machines, tufting needles, hooks, guide needles, transfer needles, and machine needles such as thread combs. For example, such textile tools can be subjected to severe wear during the knitting of stitches for the production of professional textiles with abrasive yarns. In the case of sewing needles, warp knitting needles, and/or tufting needles, a high level of wear is generated from solid objects or abrasive materials as the needles also pass through solid objects or abrasive materials during the fabric manufacturing process. Sometimes.

US Pat. No. 6,300,005 describes a wear part comprising a core provided with a thin wear protection layer. Optionally, an intermediate layer can be provided between the wear protection layer and the core.

In order to produce high-quality textile products, it is necessary to replace worn textile tools from time to time. Otherwise, errors or inconsistencies can occur in the manufactured textile. Even with a wear protection layer, the wear of textile tools is inevitable and the only thing that can be done about it is to reduce the wear. Since the life of the textile tool varies greatly depending on how it is used, it is difficult for the operator to determine the correct time to replace the textile tool of the textile machine.

DE 10126118 A1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a textile tool whose wear state can be easily determined.

This task is solved by a textile tool according to claim 1 . Such a textile tool can be manufactured by a method according to claim 15.

The textile tool of the present invention has a work portion, where the textile tool contacts a yarn, a plurality of yarns, a textile material and/or a nonwoven material. The work piece is configured to sustainably guide or position the yarn or act on the yarn during the production of the fibre. The textile tool further comprises, in particular, a holding part, which is arranged for placing the textile tool on the textile machine and for that purpose is arranged to cooperate with corresponding holding or supporting means of the textile machine. It is

Textile tools may be, for example, knitting machine weft knitting needles, knitting machine warp knitting needles, tufting needles, sewing machine needles, hooks, guide needles, transfer needles, thread combs, and the like.

A fiber tool has a tool core made of a core material (a member serving as a core). Preferably, a metallic material or a metal alloy, such as an alloy steel, is used as the core.

The tool core is at least partially provided with a wear protection layer. This wear protection layer covers the tool core at least in the working part of the textile tool. This wear protection layer differs from the core material of the tool core and consists in particular of a harder material than the core material. The wear protection layer is, for example, a hard chromium layer, in particular a galvanic hard chromium layer, an aluminum oxide layer, a carbon layer, a DLC layer, a PVD layer, a CVD layer, a carbide layer, such as a titanium carbide layer (TiC), or a nitride layer. for example an aluminum titanium nitride layer (AlTiN) or a titanium carbonitride layer (TiCN). For example, the DLC layer may be a hydrogen-containing amorphous carbon layer (aC:H).

An indicator layer is provided between the wear protection layer and the core in at least one indicator area. The indicator layer may be provided over the area where the abrasion protection layer is additionally provided. The indicator layer may also be provided only in at least one indicator area within the workpiece, which indicator area does not cover the entire area where the tool core is covered with the wear protection layer. As such, the at least one indicator zone may be smaller in area than the area of the tool core covered by the wear protection layer. Preferably, the at least one indicator area is located in a region of the work piece where wear of the textile tool is greatest, at least when the textile tool is used as desired.

The indicator layer is chosen by color so that it can be easily distinguished optically by the naked eye from the wear protection layer and preferably also from the tool core. This identification can be achieved if the color of the wear protection layer and also the wavelength and/or contrast difference between the color of the tool core and the color of the indicator layer are sufficient.

The indicator layer may have a color in a narrow-band wavelength spectrum, in particular below 30 nm, below 20 nm, or below 10 nm, which falls entirely within the visible region. Additionally or alternatively, the first contrast _K1 based on the average luminance _LV of the wear protection layer and the average luminance _LI of the indicator layer when illuminated with white light is at least 0.3, 0.5, or 0.7 is fine. This can be calculated with the following formula.

Additionally or alternatively, the _second contrast K2 based on the average brightness L _K of the core material of the tool core and the average brightness L _I of the indicator layer when illuminated with white light is at least 0.3, 0.3. 5, or 0.7. This can be calculated with the following formula.

Unlike metallic colors such as charcoal, gray and silver, the color of the indicator layer is visible without the need for optical assistance. The indicator layer is preferably a signal color such as red, orange or yellow.

Indicator layers according to aspects of the present invention may further comprise luminescent and particularly phosphorescent materials. The illumination intensity can be amplified by illumination at a particular light wavelength, for example with UV light.

When at least one indicator area is provided with a wear protection layer for the use of textile tools, the indicator layer provided underneath becomes visible. Therefore, the operator of the textile machine can quickly identify the severely worn portion of the textile tool. If the indicator layer is visible from the outside, then the wear protection layer has been damaged or completely removed and the textile tool must be replaced at the latest. Previously, such wear was not visible to the naked eye because the core and the wear protective layer were usually optically little or no different. Especially in factory buildings, it has not been possible to detect the state of wear of textile tools quickly and easily. Severe wear can be quickly and easily identified by the optically well-identifiable indicator layer as an intermediate layer between the core and the wear protection layer. Prompt action by the operator before the quality of the textile product produced is adversely affected, or failure or damage to the textile tool occurs resulting in costly or prolonged downtime of the equipment. can be done.

The indicator layer does not require a particular wear protection effect, and may have a lower hardness than the wear protection layer, and in some cases even lower than the hardness of the core material of the tool core.

In one aspect of the invention, the textile tool of the work piece has thread recesses, such as needle holes, guide needle passage holes, hook recesses bounded by opposite edges, knitting machine transverse It is configured to guide the yarn, such as the interior region of the hook of a knitting needle.

Preferably, the indicator layer has a first layer thickness and the wear protection layer has a second layer thickness. The term "layer thickness" is to be understood as the thickness at which a particular layer has an outer edge area which, depending on the manufacturing method, loses its thickness in the unworn condition of the textile tool. The first layer thickness and the second layer thickness may differ at one location, a plurality of locations, or all locations of interest in the at least one indicator area. Preferably, the first layer thickness of the indicator layer is, for example, at least 2, 5 or 10 times smaller than the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer.

The second layer thickness of the wear protection layer can vary within the work piece. For example, the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer inside the thread recesses may be less than the second layer thickness outside the thread recesses.

The second layer thickness of the abrasion protection layer inside the work portion and outside the thread recess is preferably at least 1.0 μm. In an embodiment, the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer is at most 15 μm in the workpiece. For example, the second layer thickness may be 11 μm with a tolerance of ±4 μm.

It is advantageous if the first layer thickness of the indicator layer is at least 0.1 μm and preferably at most 1.0 μm.

In the embodiment of the textile tool, at least part of the holding portion may be free of the wear protection layer and the indicator layer.

The wear protection layer and/or indicator layer may be deposited by physical or chemical processes such as, for example, PVD, CVD, or PACVD processes. The indicator layer may be deposited by a sputtering process. The wear protection layer may be a galvanic layer and may be applied by a galvanic process.

Preferably, the indicator layer is applied directly to the core. It is further preferred if there is no further intermediate layer between the indicator layer and the wear protection layer, instead the wear protection layer is applied directly to the indicator layer in at least one indicator area. If the area covered by the at least one indicator zone is smaller than the wear protection layer, the wear protection layer may be provided directly on the tool core outside the at least one indicator zone.

In one aspect of the invention, the indicator layer may comprise a plurality of indicator zones and/or a continuous indicator zone having openings or recesses, wherein at least one connecting zone is formed outside at least one indicator zone. In at least one connection area, the wear protection layer and the core of the tool core are directly connected. The connection zone is bounded by the edges of the connection zone, for example completely by at least one indicator zone. Such an aspect allows a direct connection between the wear protection layer and the tool core outside the at least one connection area or the at least one indicator area. This aspect is particularly useful when the adhesion of the indicator layer to the wear protection layer is weaker than the adhesion of the tool core to the core material.

The textile tool described above is manufactured as follows.

First, a tool core is manufactured from the core material. Then, in at least one indicator zone, the indicator layer is preferably applied directly to the tool core. Finally, a wear protection layer is provided on the indicator layer in at least one indicator area and optionally on the tool core outside the at least one indicator area. It is possible here to apply the wear protection layer over only the at least one indicator layer. Alternatively, the wear protection layer may also be directly connected to the tool core and/or other intermediate layers outside the at least one indicator area, eg outside the at least one connection area and/or the workpiece.

The indicator layer of the present invention is not used to protect textile tools from wear. Therefore, the hardness of the indicator layer may be lower than that of the wear protection layer and/or core material of the tool core. In the case of the indicator layer, it is particularly important to be optically distinguishable from the color of the abrasion protection layer.

Embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the detailed description of the invention and the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a very basic schematic of an embodiment of a textile tool; FIG. 1 shows a basic schematic of an embodiment of a textile tool; FIG. 1 shows a basic schematic of an embodiment of a textile tool; FIG. 1 shows a basic schematic of an embodiment of a textile tool; FIG. FIG. 3 shows the tool core, indicator layer and wear protection layer of the basic textile tool of the present invention in a wear-free state; FIG. 6 shows the schematic structure of FIG. 5, where the wear protection layer has been removed by wear at some points, revealing the indicator layer; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a basic layer structure configuration in another embodiment; FIG. 11 shows a basic layered structure in another embodiment; FIG. 11 shows a basic layered structure in another embodiment;

1 to 4 each very schematically show an embodiment of a textile tool 10. FIG. The textile tool 10 includes, for example, a sewing machine sewing needle 11 (Fig. 1), a guide needle 12 (Fig. 2) such as a warp knitting machine guide needle, a flat knitting machine hook 13 (Fig. 3), or a flat knitting machine knitting needle 14 ( 4). Alternatively, the textile tool 10 may be a tufting needle, a warp knitting needle, a transfer needle, or the like.

Each textile tool 10 has a work portion 15 configured to contact and influence or guide one or more threads when the textile tool 10 is used as desired. It is In the illustrated embodiment, the textile tool 10 has a thread recess 16 in the work piece 15, which thread recess 16 is adapted to guide the thread during the manufacture of the textile product. The thread recess 16 is formed as an eye in the case of the sewing machine needle 11, can be formed by a through hole in the work portion 15 in the case of the knitting machine guide needle 12, and is formed in front of the hook 13 in the case of the hook 13. It can be formed by an incision in the area, or in the case of the knitting machine weft knitting needle 14 it can be formed in the inner area of the hook.

Each textile tool 10 further comprises a holding portion 17 by means of which the textile tool 10 can be held or attached to a textile machine.

Textile tool 10 has a multilayer structure. The textile tool 10 includes a tool core 20 made of a core material (core material). This core consists, for example, of a metal alloy, preferably an alloy steel. However, this core material is not sufficiently resistant to wear. In the textile tool 10 , at least the work part 15 is therefore provided with a wear protection layer 21 . The wear protection layer 21 completely covers the tool core 20 in the work piece 15 . The wear protection layer 21 may extend further outside the work portion 15 if desired.

For example, a carbon-containing layer such as a DLC layer can be used as a wear protection layer. The DLC layer can be implemented as a hydrogen-containing amorphous carbon layer (aC:H). Alternatively, a hard chromium layer, a carbide layer, and/or a nitride layer can be used as the wear protection layer 21 . In embodiments, the wear protection layer 21 is a titanium carbide layer, an aluminum titanium nitride layer, or a titanium carbonitride layer. The wear protection layer 21 may be implemented as an aluminum oxide layer. The wear protection layer 21 can be deposited by physical or chemical processes such as PVD process, CVD process or PACVD process. The wear protection layer 21 is preferably electrically insulating.

An indicator layer 23 is arranged immediately below this wear protection layer 21 in at least one indicator area 22 in at least the work piece 15 . The at least one indicator area 22 may be the entire work piece 15 or a portion or area of the work piece 15, particularly the areas exposed to the greatest wear when the textile tool 10 is intended to be used, e.g. The inner area can be covered.

The color of the indicator layer 22 differs from the color of the wear protection layer 21 and preferably also from the core material of the tool core 20 . In particular, the color difference is of great importance so that the indicator layer 23 can be distinguished from the abrasion protection layer 21 without the need for an observer to use optical magnification aids such as optical magnification cameras, microscopes, optical magnification glasses, or the like. It is for The indicator layer 23 preferably has a signal color such as red, yellow, orange, green, or blue. The wavelength and/or contrast of the color of the indicator layer 23 compared to the wear protection layer 21 or the core material is selected such that the textile machine operator can see the color difference, especially without the need for optical assistance. .

In one embodiment, indicator layer 23 may comprise luminescent and preferably phosphorescent particles or materials. This indicator layer 23 can be easily and clearly identified when the textile tool is illuminated.

FIG. 5 shows the layer structure of at least one indicator zone 22 on a virgin textile tool 10 or an unworn wear protection layer 21 . Outside the edge region where the layer thickness is consistently reduced, the thickness of the indicator layer 23 is equal to the first layer thickness d1, the thickness of the wear protection layer 21 if the wear protection layer 21 and the indicator layer 23 are not worn away. is the second layer thickness d2. The two layer thicknesses d1, d2 differ at the same measurement point in at least one indicator area 22, the first layer thickness d1 of the indicator layer 23 being preferably smaller than the second layer thickness d2. The second layer thickness d2 can vary within the work piece 15 . For example, the second layer thickness d2 inside the thread recess 16 may be different than the second layer thickness d2 outside the thread recess 16 . For example, the second layer thickness d2 inside the thread recess 16 may be smaller than the second layer thickness d2 outside the thread recess 16 .

The first layer thickness d1 of the indicator layer 23 may vary or be constant within the at least one indicator zone 22 .

In the situation schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, the wear protection layer 21 at the wear point 30 has been removed by abrasion, in particular abrasive contact with a thread, a plurality of threads, a textile material and/or a non-woven material. As such, indicator layer 23 is exposed at wear points 30 . Since the indicator layer 23 is visible at the wear points 30, severe wear of the textile tool 10 can be quickly and easily identified by optical or color differences (wavelength and/or contrast) between the protective layer 21 and the indicator layer 23. , the replacement of the worn textile tools 10 of the textile machine can be initiated. Wear and tear of the textile tool is thus avoided and errors or defects in the quality of the manufactured textile product due to wear are prevented.

In an embodiment, the second layer thickness d2 outside the thread recess may be a minimum of 1.0 μm and a maximum of 15.0 μm. Within the thread recesses 16, particularly within thread recesses of very small dimensions, the second layer thickness d2 may be less than 1.0 μm.

The first layer thickness d1 of the indicator layer 23 is preferably at least 0.1 μm at each point of the at least one indicator zone 22 . The maximum thickness of indicator layer 23 is preferably 1.0 μm in at least one indicator zone.

The indicator layer 23 in at least one indicator zone 22 is preferably applied directly to the core of the tool core 20 . In at least one indicator area 22 the wear protection layer 21 is applied directly to the indicator layer 23 . If the wear protection layer 21 is provided outside the area of the at least one indicator area 22 , the wear protection layer 21 is provided directly on the tool core 22 .

In the example described here, the wear protection layer 21 in its unworn state forms the outermost layer on the work piece 15 .

The wear protection layer 21 of the embodiment has a higher hardness than the core material of the tool core portion 20 . The hardness of the indicator layer 23 is, for example, lower than the hardness of the wear protection layer 21 and/or the hardness of the core material of the tool core 20 . The colored indicator layer 23 only serves to indicate whether the wear protection layer 21 has been completely removed at the wear point 30 . Indicator layer 23 is not configured to protect tool core 20 from wear.

In embodiments, indicator layer 23 and wear protection layer 21 may be provided over work portion 15 . In the manufacturing process, the tool core 20 is first provided. The indicator layer 23 is then provided by a chemical, physical, galvanic or sputtering process. Following application of indicator layer 23, wear protection layer 21 is applied by a physical or chemical vapor deposition process.

7 to 9 show variant embodiments of the layer structure. Here, a plurality of indicator zones 22 or a continuous indicator zone 22 with openings are provided, the openings of which each form a connecting zone 31 (FIG. 9). In this connection area 31 there is no indicator layer 23 arranged in the workpiece 15 . At these connection areas 31 the wear protection layer 21 is in direct contact with the tool core 20 . This type of embodiment is useful when the adhesion of the wear protection layer 21 is inhibited by the indicator layer 23 . In the connection area 31, the wear protection layer 21 is in direct contact with the tool core 20 and forms a strong part-to-part adhesive bond.

FIG. 9 shows the connection section 31 only schematically. The contour and size of each connection area 31 can be adapted to mechanical requirements. The portion containing the at least one indicator zone 22 is located in a high wear area and is selected such that the appearance of the indicator layer 23 makes the wear visible at the wear points 30 . At least one connection area 31 may be completely surrounded by at least one indicator area 22 .

The at least one indicator area 22 and the at least one connection area 31 in FIG. 9 are always masked in the area that later forms the connection area 31 by a masking material 32 applied directly to the tool core 20 when the indicator 23 is provided. can be manufactured in this way. An indicator layer 23 is then applied to the at least one indicator area 22 adjacent to the masking material 32 (FIG. 7). Masking material 32 is subsequently removed (FIG. 8). An opening 33 is thus formed in the indicator layer 23 where the tool core 20 is exposed at the opening and not covered by the indicator layer 23 . A wear protection layer 21 is then applied, which penetrates into the opening 33 so that a direct connection of the connection area 31 with the tool core 20 is formed (FIG. 9). A connection area 31 within the work piece 15 may thus be completely surrounded by one or more indicator areas 22 .

The present invention relates to a textile tool adapted for use on a textile machine, for example a flat knitting machine, a warp knitting machine or a sewing machine. The textile tool 10 has a work part 15 which is provided with a thread recess 16 for guiding the thread. In the work portion 15, the textile tool 10 comes into contact with a thread, a plurality of threads, textile materials and/or non-woven materials and is subject to further wear. Therefore, a wear protection layer 21 is provided at least on the tool core 20 of the work piece 15 . In at least one indicator area 22 of the workpiece 15 , the indicator layer 23 is arranged between the wear protection layer 21 and the tool core 20 and directly contacts the wear protection layer 21 . The color of the indicator layer 23 differs from the color of the wear protection layer 21, preferably also from the color of the tool core 20, and is distinguishable without the need for an optical magnification aid in particular.

10 Textile Tool 11 Sewing Machine Needle 12 Knitting Machine Guide Needle 13 Hook 14 Knitting Machine Weft Knitting Needle 15 Work Part 16 Thread Recess 17 Holding Part 20 Tool Core 21 Wear Protection Layer 22 Indicator Area 23 Indicator Layer 30 Wear Point 31 Connection Area 32 Masking Material 33 Opening d1 First layer thickness d2 Second layer thickness

Claims (11)

a work part (15) comprising a thread recess (16) configured to guide at least one thread or textile material and/or non-woven material;
a tool core (20) made of core material;
a wear protection layer (21) provided on the tool core (20) at least in the work portion (15);
an indicator layer (23) arranged between said tool core (20) and said wear protection layer (21) at least in at least one indicator zone (22) of said workpiece (15) ;
with
The indicator layer (23) is different in color from the tool core (20) and the wear protection layer (21) to be visually distinguished, and the indicator layer (23) has a first layer thickness (d1). and the first layer thickness (d1) is a minimum of 0.1 μm and a maximum of 1.0 μm,
The wear protection layer (21) has a second layer thickness (d2), and the first layer thickness (d1) and the second layer thickness (d2) are defined at any point on the work portion (15). , wherein the second layer thickness (d2) is smaller inside the thread recess (16) than outside the thread recess (16), and is a minimum of 1.0 μm outside the thread recess (16),
Textile tool (10). A textile tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that said first layer thickness (d1) is less than said second layer thickness (d2). 2. Textile tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that the second layer thickness (d2) of the wear protection layer (21) varies within the work part (15). 2. Textile tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said second layer thickness (d2) of said wear protection layer (21) is at least 1.0 [mu]m in said work part (15). . 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that said second layer thickness (d2) of said wear protection layer (21) is a maximum of 15.0 μm in said work part (15). Textile tools as described. 6. The indicator layer (23) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the color of the indicator layer (23 ) is not charcoal, gray or silver and is visible without optical assistance. textile tools. A retainer (17) configured to retain said textile tool (10) to a textile machine is provided, said retainer (17) at least partially comprising said wear protection layer (21) and said indicator layer (23). ) is not provided . Textile tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wear protection layer (21) is a DLC layer, a carbide layer, a nitride layer or a hard chromium layer and/or a galvanic layer. . Said indicator layer (23) in said work part (15) adjacent said at least one indicator zone (22) is at least 9. Textile tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one connection section (31). A method of manufacturing a textile tool (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , comprising:
- manufacturing said tool core (20) from said core;
- in the work part (15) of the textile tool (10), providing the indicator layer (23) in at least the at least one indicator zone (22);
- providing a wear protection layer (21) on said indicator layer (23) in said at least one indicator zone (22) of said work portion (15) of said textile tool (10). Outside the at least one indicator area (22) of the work part (15) of the textile tool (10), the wear protection layer (21) is applied directly to the tool core (20). 11. The method of claim 10 , wherein

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