EP1788131B1 - Flat knitting machine with a device for driving a functional element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a flat knitting machine with a device for taking along arranged on parallel to the longitudinal axis of a flat knitting machine rails along movable functional elements, in particular yarn guides.

In flat knitting machines, it is customary to take functional elements such as thread guides or cutting devices through take-up devices arranged on the slide to any positions above the needle space of the machine and park them there. For this purpose, the driving devices on a driving finger, which is engageable with the functional element and disengaged. In some driving devices according to the prior art, the driving finger can also trigger switching functions of the functional element, for example a pivoting movement of the arm of an intarsia thread guide. The operation of the driving finger is usually electromagnetically.

Further, it is known to provide driving devices with a safety device in the form of a spring, against the force of the driving finger can be brought into its engaged position temporarily out of engagement with the functional element. For this purpose, for example, bevels can be provided on the functional element. After passing the ramp, the driving finger comes back into engagement with the functional element. This measure serves to prevent collisions between functional elements that would have caused their destruction or damage to the driving finger. Such entrainment device is for example in the DE 39 22 513 C2 described.

If the driving finger in addition to the entrainment of the functional element also trigger switching functions on this, which must be staggered in time to take, d. H. either before driving or after switching off the functional element, the functional element must be designed to be correspondingly long in the driving devices according to the prior art, so that the driving finger of the driving device z. B. can first trigger a switching function before he takes the functional element. Depending on the size of the required time offset between the switching function and the driving function, the button on the functional element must be arranged correspondingly far away from the driving surface of the functional element. However, long-life functional elements have the disadvantage that only a limited number of such functional elements can be arranged along the rail of predetermined length.

In the DE 44 07 708 C2 is a flat knitting machine described, the entrainment devices each have two driving fingers. This also functional elements shorter design can be taken. The triggering of an additional switching function of the functional elements with the second driving finger is not provided. Due to the additional driving finger should rather be dispensed with a switchable Intarsia yarn guide. In addition, this driving device according to the prior art is technically very complicated.

In the EP 0 523 916 A1 a thread guide driving device is described with a driving pin, wherein the driving pin not only entrains the thread guide box, but also activates a pusher, which moves the Fadenführerarm in the comb gap. For this purpose, the pusher part has two projections which, however, always act on the thread guide arm only following the driving pin.

The present invention is based on the object to provide a flat knitting machine with a driving device with which also functional elements can be taken with a short design and switched and has a technically simple structure.

The object is achieved with a flat knitting machine with the features of claim 1.

The required switching functions of the functional element are triggered by the at least one switching projection and not by a driving finger as in the entrainment devices according to the prior art.

The device is also fixedly arranged on a carriage of the flat knitting machine and is thus moved by this. An optimal placement of the driving device and in particular of the driving finger and the at least one switching projection to the desired location of the functional element results from the fact that the driving finger above the center of a knitting buckle of the carriage is movable up and down can be arranged.

Further advantages arise when the at least one switching projection and the driving finger in transversely to the direction of the functional element arranged offset from each other levels. As a result, the driving finger and the at least one switching projection can also be moved together up and down, without the two elements hindering each other in their function. The switching projection then slides past the driving surface and the driving finger past the button of the functional element. Both elements only act on the surface provided for them, which are likewise arranged in different planes.

If symmetrical driving and switching conditions are to be created in both directions of travel of the carriage and / or more than one switching function can be triggered on the functional element, then two switching projections can be provided which advantageously have identical distances to the driving finger in the running direction of the functional element, one of the switching projections leading the entrainment finger and the other switching projection is arranged nachlegend the driving finger.

The two switching projections can be arranged in transversely offset to the direction of the functional element planes. This allows an even shorter design of the functional element, since the switching projections are engageable only with the lying in its plane buttons of the functional element. At the button of the other switching projection and on the driving surface of the functional element they slide past. In the arrangement of the switching projections in different levels also a common operation of both projections is possible.

The driving finger can be brought into and out of engagement with the functional element in a conventional manner electromagnetically. It can also be the at least one switching projection together with the Driving finger with a button of the functional element in and be disengaged. This means that only an electromagnetic drive device for the driving finger and the at least one switching projection is necessary.

However, the at least one switching projection can also be brought into and out of engagement with a button of the functional element separately from the driving finger. Although this solution is technically complex, since a separate drive device, such as an electromagnet, must be provided for the switching projection, but this separate control of driving finger and switching projection allows a reversal of the time sequence between entrainment and switching operation at the same slide direction. In a common drive of driving finger and the at least one switching projection, the time sequence of switching and entrainment process, however, determined by the relative location of the driving finger and switching projection on the driving device.

Also, the driving device of the flat knitting machine according to the invention may have a safety device such that at least the driving finger in engagement position with the functional element against the force of a spring, in particular by bevels on the functional element, temporarily disengaged from the functional element can be brought. As a result, damage to the driving device and / or of functional elements when colliding the entrained functional element with other functional elements is avoided.

For the at least one switching projection and a separate spring element may be provided, against the force of the switching projection in its engaged position, regardless of the driving finger briefly out of engagement with the functional element can be brought. This leads to a short-term lifting of the switching projection when it comes into contact with a ramp. It is expedient if this spring element has a lower spring force than the spring element for the driving finger. Then, at a run-up of the driving finger on a ramp, both the driving finger and the at least one shift projection raised and raised at a emergence alone of at least one switching projection on a ramp only this.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of driving devices according to the invention flat knitting machines are explained in detail with reference to the drawing.

Fig.1

eine schematische Frontansicht einer ersten Mitnahmevorrichtung;

Fig. 2a, 2b

Seitenansichten der Mitnahmevorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in und außer Eingriff mit einem Funktionselement;

Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c

Frontansichten der Mitnahmevorrichtung aus Fig. 1 und zweier Varianten dazu.

In detail show:

Fig.1

a schematic front view of a first driving device;

Fig. 2a, 2b

Side views of the driving device off Fig. 1 in and out of engagement with a functional element;

Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c

Front views of the driving device off Fig. 1 and two variants.

Fig. 1 shows a driving device 1, which is fixedly arranged on a carriage 2 of a flat knitting machine otherwise not shown. The device 1 has a guide part 10 and a bridge 11 arranged thereon. The guide part 10 is electromagnetic in the direction of the arrows A and T in the carriage 2 movable up and down and thereby engaged (arrow T) and out of engagement (arrow A) with a schematically indicated functional element 4 brought along a rail 3 parallel to the longitudinal axis of a not shown here Flat knitting machine in the direction of arrow X is longitudinally displaceable. At the rail 3 side facing the bridge 11, a driving finger 13 and two switching projections 12, 14 are arranged. The driving finger 13 is located exactly in the middle Y of the device 1, which also corresponds to the center of a schematically indicated knitting lock 5 of the flat knitting machine. The switching projections 12 and 14 are arranged symmetrically to the driving finger 13 in the end regions of the bridge 11. Both switching projections 12, 14 are provided with buttons 12 ', 12 "or 14', 14". The driving finger 13 also has two driving surfaces 13 ', 13 ", and the driving surfaces 13', 13" as well as the buttons 12 ', 12 "and 14', 14" are offset relative to one another in the direction of movement X of the device 1 Layers arranged. This makes it possible to have the elements 13, 12 and 14 each act on different switching or driving surfaces of the functional element 4, without the other elements 12, 13, 14 thereby being in the way. Of course, this requires that the corresponding switching and driving surfaces of the functional element 4 are arranged transversely to the direction of movement X staggered planes. The distance VL of the button 12 'and the distance VR of the button 14 "to the center Y determines the time interval with which the switching movements of the switching projections 12, 14 lead the entrainment movement by the driving finger 13. Similarly, the distances NR and NL determine the Buttons 12 "and 14 'to the center Y, the time delay between the entrainment movement and the switching movements, which are triggered by the switching projections 12, 14. If the carriage 2 and thus also the knitting lock 5 move in the direction of the arrow L, the button 12 'causes a leading the knitting cam 5 switching movement, the driving surface 13 'entrainment and the button 14' a cam follower switching movement on the functional element 4. If the carriage 2 moves in the opposite direction R, the surfaces act 14 ", 13" and 12 "successively the functional element 4 a.

The distances VL, VR, NL, NR need not be fixed. You can also be variable with a displaceable arrangement of the switching projections 12, 14. In the illustrated example, also the length of the driving finger 13 and the switching projections 12 and 14 are identical. Again, however, variations in the length of the elements 12, 13, 14 are conceivable.

When the device 1 is in engagement with the functional element 4, it is not firmly locked in this position. On the contrary, it can momentarily be pushed upward against the force of a spring 16, ie. H. be brought out of engagement with the functional element 4. The spring 16 is supported on a surface 22 of the carriage 2 and abuts against the top of the bridge 11. In the non-compressed state brings a boundary 15 of the guide member 10 in abutment against a surface 21 in the carriage 2, whereby the bridge 11 occupies its lowest position.

Fig. 2 shows the device 1 from the side, ie in the direction of movement X according to Fig. 1 , in which Fig. 2a the device 1 in engagement with the functional element 4 and Fig. 2b the device 1 out of engagement with the functional element 4 shows. Fig. 2 illustrates how the switching projections 12, 14 and the driving finger 13 are arranged in different planes and can cooperate in these planes with corresponding projections on the functional element 4. The levels of Switching projections 12, 14 and the driving finger 13 could also be interchanged.

In Fig. 3 Different types of arrangement of the switching projections 12, 14 are shown on the bridge 11. In Fig. 3a is the variant off Fig. 1 shown again. The switching projections 12, 14 are rigidly connected to the bridge 11. Moves the device 1 from right to left, so the switching projection 12 can run on a arranged in its plane bevel 8, the driving finger 13 on a arranged in its plane run-on slope 8 'or the switching projection 14 on a arranged in its plane ramp 8 " As soon as one of the switching projections 12, 14 or the driving finger 13 comes into contact with its associated run-on slope 8, 8 ', 8 ", the bridge 11 is moved counter to the force of the spring 16 according to the height of the run-on slope 8, 8', 8" in FIG Direction of the arrow A is raised, the elements 12, 13, 14 of the movement of the bridge 11 follow.

In the device 1 'in Fig. 3b is the driving finger 13 rigidly connected to the bridge 11, while the switching projections 12 '' and 14 '' mounted vertically movable in the bridge 11 and acted upon by compression springs 6, which have a lower spring force than the spring 16. The springs 6 hold the Switching projections 12 '"and 14'" in their lowest position and could also, contrary to the illustrated variant, be supported in the carriage 2. Moves the device 1 'from right to left and comes one of the switching projections 12 "' or 14 '" in contact with the ramp located in its plane 8, 8 ", so only the respective switching projection against the force of the spring 6 according to the Height of the ramp 8, 8 "raised in the direction of arrow A. The bridge 11 and the driving finger 13, however, are not raised. On the other hand, if the driving finger 13 comes into contact with the run-on slope 8 ', then the Bridge 11 and thus the two switching projections 12 '"and 14"' raised.

In the device 1 "according to Fig. 3c the two switching projections 12 "" and 14 "" are mounted vertically movable in the bridge 11 and electromagnetically engageable in and out of engagement with a functional element 4. The driving finger 13 is fixedly arranged on the bridge 11. The switching projections 12 "" and 14 "" are movable in the direction of arrow A "not only by electromagnets, but also when running onto the ramp be 8 or 8". This is also a safety measure to avoid damage to the driving device and / or a functional element in collisions with other elements. The force of the electromagnets in the direction of the arrow T "for the two switching projections 12"",14""is less than the force of the spring 16, so that when raising one of the switching projections, the entire bridge 11 is not lifted at the same time 13 in contact with the run-on slope 8 ', the entire bridge 11 is raised, in this respect the device 1 "acts quite similarly to the device 1' Fig. 3b , However, it has the additional advantage that the two switching projections 12 "", 14 "" separated from each other and the driving finger 13 are controlled, which can be realized even with the same carriage direction, a temporal reversal of the driving and switching movements of a functional element. Both or only one of the switching projections of the functional element 4 triggered by the switching projections 12 "", 14 "" can be carried out by the driving finger 13 before or after the functional element is entrained.

Claims (9)

1. Flat knitting machine with a device for taking up function elements (4) moveable along rails (3) located parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flat knitting machine, in particular thread guides, with a take-up finger (13) that can be brought into and released from engagement with the function element (4) and also comprises at least one switching projection (12, 14) that is arranged to precede or trail the take-up finger (13) in the running direction of the function element (4), and can be brought into and released from engagement with switching surface on the function element (4) for activating a switching function of the function element (4), characterised in that it is immovably located on a carriage (2) of the flat knitting machine, whereby the take-up finger (13) is located above the centre of a cam assembly (5) of the carriage and can be moved up and down.
2. Flat knitting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one switching projection (12, 14) and the take-up finger (13) are arranged at levels that extend transverse to the running direction of the function element (4) and are offset from each other.
3. Flat knitting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that two switching projections (12, 14) are envisaged at identical distances from the take-up finger (13) in the running direction of the function element (4), whereby one of the switching projections (12) is arranged to precede the take-up finger (13) and the other switching projection (14) to trail the take-up finger (13).
4. Flat knitting machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the two switching projections (12, 14) are arranged at levels that extend transverse to the running direction of the function element (4) and are offset from each other.
5. Flat knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the take-up finger (13) can be electromagnetically brought into and released from engagement with the function element (4).
6. Flat knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one switching projection (12, 14) can be brought into and released from engagement with a switching surface of the function element (4) together with the take-up finger (13).
7. Flat knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one switching projection (12, 14) can be brought into and released from engagement with a switching surface of the function element (4) separately from the take-up finger (13).
8. Flat knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least the take-up finger (13), in engagement position with the function element (4) against the force of a spring (16), in particular by means of bevelled slopes (8, 8', 8") on the function element (4), can be briefly released from engagement with the function element (4).
9. Flat knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a separate spring element (6) is envisaged for the at least one switching projection (12, 14), against the force of which the switching projection (12, 14), in an engagement position independently from the follow-up finger (13), can be briefly released from engagement with the function element (4).

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