TW201937032A - Textile tool with indicator layer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile tool designed for use in a textile machine, for example a weft knitting machine, warp knitting machine or sewing machine. The textile tool (10) has a working portion (15), which in particular comprises a thread recess (16) for guiding a thread. In the working portion (15), the textile tool (10) comes into contact with the thread, with a plurality of threads, fibre material and/or a non-woven material and is subjected to increased wear. Thus, a wear protection layer (21) is applied to a tool core (20), at least in the working portion (15). An indicator layer (23) is arranged between the wear protection layer (21) and the tool core (20), directly adjacently to the wear protection layer (21), in at least one indicator zone (22) in the working portion (15). The indicator layer (23) is coloured differently from the wear protection layer (21) and preferably also differently from the tool core (20), and can be distinguished in particular without optical magnifying aids.

Description

Textile tool with indicator layer

The invention relates to a textile tool designed for use in a textile machine. Textile tools are used, for example, to form stitches or to manipulate or guide wire or wire portions in a textile machine. This type of textile tool can be, for example, a machine needle, for example, a machine sewing needle, a machine warp knitting needle, a machine weft knitting needle, a machine tufting needle, a hook, a guide needle, a transfer needle, a wire comb, etc. (for example Say). For example, in the case of stitching when producing technical textiles from abrasive yarns, such textile tools may be exposed to high levels of wear. In the case of sewing needles, warp knitting needles and/or tufting needles, it is also possible to cause high levels of wear due to the strong or abrasive material pierced by the needle during the knitwear production process.

DE 101 26 118 A1 describes a wear part having a core material provided with a thin wear protection layer. The intermediate layer can be optionally disposed between the wear protection layer and the core material.

In order to produce high quality textiles, textile tools that have been subjected to severe wear by wear must be replaced in a timely manner. Otherwise, errors or irregularities may occur in the textile products produced. Although a wear protection layer is used, the wear of the textile tool cannot be avoided, but is only reduced. The life or service life of a textile tool can vary significantly depending on the particular use, and thus it is difficult for the operator to determine the exact time at which the textile tool in the textile machine should be replaced.

The object of the invention can therefore be considered to produce a textile tool in which the wear state can be easily determined.

This problem is solved by the textile tool according to claim 1. A textile tool can be produced by the method according to claim 15.

The textile tool according to the invention has a working part at which the textile tool comes into contact with a thread, with a plurality of threads, a fibrous material and/or a nonwoven material. The working part is designed as a guide line or a positioning line, or acts on the line in an appropriate manner during textile production. In particular, the textile tool also has a holding portion which is designed to arrange the textile tool in the textile machine and for this purpose cooperates with a corresponding holding mechanism or a bearing meeting of the textile machine.

The textile tool may be, for example, a machine weft knitting needle, a machine warp knitting needle, a machine tufting needle, a machine sewing needle, a hook, a guiding needle, a transfer needle, a wire comb, or the like.

Textile tools have tool cores that include a core material. Preferably, a metal material or a metal alloy such as a steel alloy is used as the core material.

The tool core is at least partially provided with a wear protection layer. The wear protection layer covers the tool core at least in the working part of the textile tool. The wear protection layer comprises a material that is different from the core material of the tool core and in particular has a greater hardness than the core material. The wear protection layer can be, for example, a hard chrome layer, in particular an electroplated hard chrome layer, an aluminum oxide layer, a carbon layer, a DLC layer, a PVD layer, a CVD layer, a carbide layer (for example, a titanium carbide layer (TiC)) or a nitride layer. (for example, a titanium aluminum nitride layer (AlTiN) or a titanium carbonitride layer (TiCN)). For example, the DLC layer can be a hydrogen-containing amorphous carbon layer (a-C:H).

The indicator layer is disposed between the wear protection layer and the core material, at least in at least one of the indicator regions. The indicator layer can be disposed in an entire area in which the wear protection layer is also disposed. The indicator layer can also be arranged in the working portion only in the at least one indicator zone, the indicator zone not covering the entire area of the tool core covered by the wear protection layer. The at least one indicator zone can thus be smaller than the area of the tool core area covered by the wear protection layer. The at least one indicator zone is preferably disposed at least in an area of the working portion where the textile tool experiences maximum wear in the area when the tool is used as intended.

The indicator layer is chosen in terms of color such that it is easy to visually distinguish the indicator layer from the wear protection layer and preferably also from the tool core with the naked eye. This identifiability can be achieved by a sufficient difference in contrast and/or wavelength between the wear protection layer and the color of the indicator layer, or alternatively, and between the color of the tool core and the indicator layer.

The indicator layer can have a color having a narrowband wavelength spectrum, the bandwidth of which is in particular less than 30 nm or less than 20 nm or less than 10 nm, wherein the bandwidth is completely within the range of light visible to the human eye. Additionally or alternatively, the first contrast K ₁ depending on the average brightness L _{V of the} wear protective layer and the average brightness L _I of the indicator layer when illuminated by white light may be at least 0.3 or at least 0.5 or at least 0.7. This is calculated according to the following formula:
.

Additionally or alternatively, the second contrast K ₂ depending 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 by white light may be at least 0.3 or at least 0.5 or at least 0.7. This is calculated according to the following formula:
.

The indicator layer preferably has a color that is different from the metallic color (eg, charcoal black, gray, silver) and that can be perceived by the eye without optical assistance. The indicator layer preferably has a signal color, such as red, orange or yellow.

In an embodiment, the indicator layer can also comprise a fluorescent material, in particular a phosphorescent material. Fluorescence can be excited by using a specific wavelength of light (eg, by means of UV light).

If a wear protection layer for the textile tool is deposited on the at least one indicator zone, the indicator layer disposed below it is visible. The operator of the textile machine is thus able to quickly identify the points of severe wear on the textile tool. If the indicator layer is visible from the outside, this means that the wear protection layer is damaged or completely removed at this point and the textile tool has to be replaced at this time. Previously, it was difficult to see this type of wear with the naked eye because usually the core material and the wear protection layer are not optically different from each other or hardly optically different from each other. Especially in factory buildings, it has not previously been possible to quickly and easily detect the wear state of textile tools. Due to the optically distinguishable indicator layer as an intermediate layer between the core material and the wear protection layer, severe wear can be quickly and easily identified. The operator can take immediate action before adversely affecting the quality of the textile product produced or the destruction or damage of the textile tool. Damage or damage to the textile tool may in some cases lead to high scrapping costs or longer machine downtime. time.

The indicator layer in particular has no wear protection effect and can have a hardness lower than that of the wear protection layer, and optionally also has a lower hardness than the core material of the tool core.

In some exemplary embodiments, the textile tool may have a wire slot in the working portion that is designed for guiding the wire, such as a needle eye, a through hole of a needle, and a hook defined by opposing edges The groove, the inner area of the hook of the machine weft knitting needle, and the like.

Preferably, the indicator layer has a first layer thickness and the wear protection layer has a second layer thickness. The term "layer thickness" is understood to mean the thickness of the layer that a particular layer has outside of the edge region when the textile tool is in an unworn state, where the layer thickness can be removed depending on the production method. The first layer thickness and the second layer thickness are different in the at least one indicator zone at least at one point, at multiple points, or at all points considered. The first layer thickness of the indicator layer is preferably less than the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer, for example at most one-half or one-fifth or one-tenth of the thickness of the second layer of the wear protection layer .

The second layer thickness of the wear protection layer can vary within the working portion. For example, the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer in the wire groove may be less than the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer outside the line groove.

Preferably, the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer in the working portion and outside the line groove is at least 1.0 μm. In a preferred embodiment, the second layer thickness of the wear protection layer in the working portion is at most 15 μm. For example, the second layer thickness can be 11 μm and have a tolerance of ±4 μm.

Advantageously, the first layer thickness of the indicator layer is at least 0.1 μm and preferably at most 1.0 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment of the textile tool, at least a portion of the retaining portion can be free of a wear protection layer and an indicator layer.

The wear protection layer and/or indicator layer can be applied, for example, by physical or chemical processes such as PVD processes, CVD processes, or PACVD processes. It is also possible to apply the indicator layer by a sputtering process. The wear protection layer may also be a plating layer and may be applied by a plating process.

Preferably, the indicator layer is applied directly to the core material. It is further preferred that at least in the at least one indicator zone, no other intermediate layer is provided between the indicator layer and the wear protection layer, but the wear protection layer is applied directly to the indicator layer. If the at least one indicator zone covers a smaller area than the wear protection layer, the wear protection layer can be applied directly to the tool core outside of the at least one indicator zone.

In one embodiment, the indicator layer can include a plurality of indicator zones and/or a continuous indicator zone having holes or slots, wherein at least one connection zone is formed outside of the at least one indicator zone. In the at least one connection zone, there is a direct connection between the wear protection layer and the core material of the tool core. The connection zone can be defined, for example, entirely by the at least one indicator zone at the edge of the connection zone. By means of this type of embodiment, a direct connection between the wear protection layer and the tool core can be produced in the at least one connection zone or outside the at least one indicator zone. This embodiment is advantageous in particular in the case where the indicator layer is weaker than the adhesion of the core material of the tool core to the wear protection layer.

Textile tools as described above are produced as follows:
First, a tool core is produced from a core material. Thereafter, the indicator layer is preferably applied directly to the tool core in the at least one indicator zone. Finally, a wear protection layer is applied to the indicator layer in the at least one indicator zone and optionally to the tool core outside of the at least one indicator zone. It is possible here that the wear protection layer as a whole is only applied to the at least one indicator layer. Alternatively, the wear protection layer can be directly connected to the tool core and/or another intermediate layer outside of the at least one indicator zone (eg, in at least one connection zone and/or outside of the working section).

The indicator layer in the case of the present invention is not used to protect the textile tool from abrasion. It can therefore have a lower hardness than the wear protection layer and/or the core material of the tool core. In the case of an indicator layer, in particular an optical distinguishability of the color of the wear protection layer acts.

Figures 1 - 4 each show an exemplary embodiment of a textile tool 10 in a very schematic manner. The textile tool 10 can be, for example, a machine sewing needle 11 (Fig. 1); a guide pin 12 (Fig. 2), such as a guide pin for a warp knitting machine; a hook 13 for a weft knitting machine (Fig. 3); or a machine weft. Pin 14 (Figure 4). Instead of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the textile tool 10 may also be a tufting needle, a machine warp knitting needle, a transfer needle or the like.

Each textile tool 10 has a working portion 15 that is designed to contact and thread or guide the textile tool 10 as it is intended to be in contact with one or more lines. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the textile tool 10 has a wire slot 16 in the working portion 15 that is designed to guide the wire during production of the textile product. The cable groove 16 can be formed by the wire eyelet in the case of the machine sewing needle 11, can be formed by the through hole in the working portion 15 in the case of the machine guide pin 12, and can pass through the front portion of the hook 13 in the case of the hook 13 The recesses in the region are formed and can be formed by the inner region of the hook in the case of the machine weft knitting needle 14.

Each textile tool 10 further comprises a holding portion 17 by which the textile tool 10 can be held or mounted in the textile machine in question.

The textile tool 10 has a multi-layered structure. It comprises a tool core 20 made of a core material. For example, the core material comprises a metal alloy, preferably a steel alloy. However, the core material is not sufficiently resistant to wear. The textile tool 10 is therefore provided with a wear protection layer 21 at least in the working portion 15. The wear protection layer 21 completely covers the tool core 20 in the working portion 15. The wear protection layer 21 can optionally also extend outside of the working portion 15.

For example, a carbonaceous layer (eg, a DLC layer) can be used as a wear protection layer. The DLC layer can be implemented as a hydrogen-containing amorphous carbon layer (a-C:H). Alternatively, a hard chrome layer, a carbide and/or a nitride layer can be used as the wear protection layer 21. In an exemplary embodiment, the wear protection layer 21 can be a titanium carbide layer, a titanium aluminum nitride layer, or a titanium carbonitride layer. The wear protection layer 21 can also be realized as an aluminum oxide layer. The wear protection layer 21 can be applied in a physical or chemical process such as a PVD process, a CVD process, or a PACVD process. The wear protection layer 21 is preferably electrically insulating.

The indicator layer 23 is disposed directly below the wear protection layer 21 at least in at least one indicator zone 22 within the working portion 15. The at least one indicator zone 22 can cover the entire working portion 15 or only a portion or region of the working portion 15, particularly those regions that are subject to maximum wear when the textile tool 10 is used as intended, for example, the wire slot 16 Edge or inner area.

The indicator layer 22 is colored differently from the core material of the tool core 20 than the wear protection layer 21 and preferably also. In particular, the color difference is so significant that the viewer does not need any optical magnification assistance (eg, an optical magnification camera, microscope, magnifying glass, etc.) to distinguish between the indicator layer 23 and the wear protection layer 21. The indicator layer 23 is preferably colored to a signal color, for example, red, yellow, orange or also green, blue, or the like. The contrast ratio of the wear protection layer 21 or the core material and/or the wavelength of the color of the indicator layer 23 is chosen such that the operator of the textile machine is able to perceive the difference in color, especially without optical assistance.

In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator layer 23 can comprise luminescent particles or materials, and preferably comprises phosphorescent particles or materials. Therefore, the textile tool can be easily and clearly identified when it is illuminated.

Figure 5 shows the layered structure in at least one indicator zone 22 in the case of an unused textile tool 10 or an unworn wear protection layer 21. Outside the edge region where the layer thickness can be continuously reduced, the indicator layer 23 has a first layer thickness d1 and the wear protection layer has a second layer thickness d2 without the layers 21, 23 having been subjected to wear. The two layer thicknesses d1, d2 are different at the same considered point in the at least one indicator zone 22, and the first layer thickness d1 of the indicator layer 23 is preferably smaller than the second layer thickness d2. The second layer thickness d2 can vary within the working portion 15. For example, the second layer thickness d2 in the line groove 16 can be different from the second layer thickness d2 outside the line groove 16. For example, the second layer thickness d2 in the line groove 16 can be smaller than the second layer thickness d2 outside the line groove 16.

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

Figure 6 shows schematically the situation in which the wear protection layer 21 at the wear point 30 has been removed by wear, in particular by with a wire, with a plurality of wires, with fibrous material and/or with The abrasive material is removed by abrasive contact. The indicator layer 23 is thus exposed at the point of wear 30. Since the indicator layer 23 is visible at the wear point 30, the high level 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. It is worn and can begin to replace the worn textile tool 10 in the textile machine. This avoids damage to the textile tool or prevents errors or quality damage of the produced textile product caused by wear.

In a preferred embodiment, the second layer thickness d2 outside the line groove can be at least 1.0 μm to at most 15.0 μm. The second layer thickness d2 can also be less than 1.0 μm in the line groove 16 , particularly in the wire groove 16 having a very small wire groove size.

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

The indicator layer 23 within the at least one indicator zone 22 is preferably applied directly to the core material of the tool core 20. In the at least one indicator zone 22, the wear protection layer 21 is applied directly to the indicator layer 23. Outside of the at least one indicator zone 22, the wear protection layer 21 (if provided) is applied directly to the tool core 22.

In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the wear protection layer 21 forms the outermost layer in the working portion 15 in a state where it has not been subjected to wear.

The wear protection layer 21 in the exemplary embodiment has a greater hardness than the core material of the tool core 20. The hardness of the indicator layer 23 is, for example, lower than the hardness of the wear protection layer 21 and/or lower than the hardness of the core material of the tool core 20. The colored indicator layer 23 has the task merely to indicate whether the wear protection layer 21 has been completely removed at the wear point 30. It is not designed to protect the tool core 20 from wear.

In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator layer 23 and the wear protection layer 21 can be provided throughout the working portion 15. Tool core 20 is first provided during production. The indicator layer 23 is then applied by a chemical process, a physical process, a plating process, or a sputtering process. After application of the indicator layer 23, the wear protection layer 21 is applied by means of a physical or chemical deposition process.

An alternative embodiment of a layered structure is shown in Figures 7-9. Therein, a plurality of indicators 22 are provided, or the continuous indicator zone 22 includes apertures, each aperture forming a connection zone 31 (Fig. 9). In the connection area 31, the indicator layer 23 is not provided in the working portion 15. In these connection regions 31, the wear protection layer 21 is in direct contact with the tool core 20. This type of embodiment can be advantageous where the adhesion of the wear protection layer 21 may be obstructed by the indicator layer 23. In the connection zone 31, the wear protection layer 21 is directly connected to the tool core 20 and forms a strong adhesive bond.

The connection zone 31 is only schematically shown in FIG. The contour and size of each connection zone 31 can be adapted to the mechanical requirements. The portions having the at least one indicator zone 22 are selected in such a way that they are placed in areas with high wear such that wear at the wear points 30 is visible through the exposure of the indicator layer 23. The at least one connection zone 31 can be completely surrounded by the at least one indicator zone 22.

The at least one indicator zone 22 and the at least one connection zone 31 according to Fig. 9 can be produced such that when the indicator 23 is applied, the area where the connection zone 31 is later formed is directly applied to the mask of the tool core 20. Material 32 is obscured. An indicator layer 23 adjacent to the masking material 32 can then be applied to the at least one indicator zone 22 (Fig. 7). The masking material 32 can then be removed (Fig. 8). A hole 33 is thus produced in the indicator layer 23, at which the tool core 20 is exposed and not covered by the indicator layer 23. If the wear protection layer 21 is subsequently applied, it penetrates into the holes 33 and forms a direct connection with the tool core 20 in the resulting connection zone 31 (Fig. 9). The connection zone 31 in the working part 15 can thus be completely surrounded by one or more indicator zones 22.

The invention relates to a textile tool designed for use in a textile machine, such as a weft knitting machine, a warp knitting machine or a sewing machine. The textile tool 10 has a working portion 15, which in particular comprises a wire slot 16 for guiding the wire. In the working portion 15, the textile tool 10 is in contact with the wire, with a plurality of wires, fibrous material and/or nonwoven material and subjected to increased wear. Therefore, the wear protection layer 21 is applied to the tool core 20 at least in the working portion 15. The indicator layer 23 is disposed in the at least one indicator zone 22 in the working portion 15 in close proximity to the wear protection layer 21 between the wear protection layer 21 and the tool core 20. The indicator layer 23 is colored differently from the wear protection layer 21 and preferably also from the tool core 20, and in particular can be distinguished without the aid of optical magnification.

10‧‧‧Textile Tools

11‧‧‧ machine sewing needle

12‧‧‧ machine guide pin

13‧‧‧ hook

14‧‧‧ machine weft knitting needle

15‧‧‧Process steps

16‧‧‧ wire trough

17‧‧‧Maintaining part

20‧‧‧Tool core

21‧‧‧Wear protective layer

22‧‧‧ indicator area

23‧‧‧ indicator layer

30‧‧‧ wear points

31‧‧‧Connected area

32‧‧‧Mask material

33‧‧‧ hole

D1‧‧‧ first layer thick

D2‧‧‧ second layer thick

Advantageous embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail below based on the drawings, in which:

Figures 1 - 4 each show a very schematic basic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a textile tool;

Figure 5 shows a basic illustration of a tool core, an indicator layer and a wear protection layer of a textile tool according to the invention in a wear-free state;

Figure 6 shows a schematic layered structure according to Figure 5, wherein the wear protection layer is removed by wear at one point and the indicator layer is visible;

Figures 7-9 each show a basic illustration of the production of a layered structure in an alternative exemplary embodiment.

Claims (16)

A textile tool (10), the textile tool comprising a working portion (15), the working portion (15) being designed to act on a line and/or a guide line, The textile tool includes a tool core (20) made of a core material, The textile tool comprises a wear protection layer (21) applied to the tool core (20) at least in the working portion (15) of the textile tool (10), And the textile tool comprises an indicator layer (23), the indicator layer (23) being colored differently than the wear protection layer (21), and at least one of the at least one of the working portions (15) The tool zone (22) is disposed between the tool core (20) and the wear protection layer (21). For example, the textile tool described in claim 1 of the patent scope, Wherein the working portion (15) comprises a wire channel (16) designed to guide at least one wire or fibrous material and/or nonwoven material. For textile tools as described in claim 1 or 2, Wherein the indicator layer (23) has a first layer thickness (d1) and the wear protection layer (21) has a second layer thickness (d2), wherein any of the working portions (15) At the point considered, the first layer thickness (d1) and the second layer thickness (d2) are different. For example, the textile tool mentioned in the third paragraph of the patent application, Wherein the first layer thickness (d1) is smaller than the second layer thickness (d2). For textile tools as described in claim 3 or 4, Wherein the second layer thickness (d2) of the wear protection layer (21) is varied within the working portion (15). For textile tools as described in claim 2 or 5, Wherein the second layer thickness (d2) of the wear protection layer (21) in the wire groove (16) is smaller than the second thickness of the wear protection layer (21) outside the wire groove (16) Layer thickness (d2). Such as the textile tool described in claim 6 of the patent scope, Wherein the second layer thickness (d2) of the wear protection layer (21) in the working portion (15) and outside the wire groove (16) is at least 1.0 μm. A textile tool according to any one of claims 3 to 7, Wherein the second layer thickness (d2) of the wear protection layer (21) in the working portion (15) is at most 15.0 μm. A textile tool according to any one of claims 3 to 7, Wherein the first layer thickness (d1) of the indicator layer (23) is at least 0.1 μm. A textile tool according to any one of claims 3 to 9, Wherein the first layer thickness of the indicator layer (23) is at most 1.0 μm. A textile tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10, Therein, the indicator layer (23) has a color that is different from the metallic color and that can be perceived by the eye without assistance. A textile tool according to any one of claims 1 to 11, Wherein a retaining portion (17) is provided, the retaining portion being designed to retain the textile tool (10) in a textile machine, and wherein at least a portion of the retaining portion (17) does not have the wear A protective layer (21) and the indicator layer (23). A textile tool according to any one of claims 1 to 12, Wherein, the wear protection layer (21) is a DLC layer or a carbide layer or a nitride layer or a hard chrome layer and/or a plating layer. A textile tool according to any one of claims 1 to 13, Wherein the indicator layer (23) includes at least one connection zone (31) adjacent to the at least one indicator zone (22) within the working portion (15), the wear protection in the connection zone The layer (21) is directly connected to the tool core (20). A method for producing a textile tool (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising the steps of: Producing the tool core (20) from the core material, - applying the indicator layer (23) at least in the at least one indicator zone (22) in the working portion (15) of the textile tool (10), Applying a wear protection layer (21) to the indicator layer (23) in the at least one indicator zone (22) in the working portion (15) of the textile tool (10). For example, the method described in claim 15 of the patent scope, Wherein the wear protection layer (21) is directly applied to the tool core (20) outside the at least one indicator zone (22) in the working portion (15) of the textile tool (10) .