JP7529772B2 - Sinker, sinker arrangement and warp knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sinker having a knock-over edge, a hold-down edge, and a throat edge.

Warp knitting machines are expensive equipment. Various types of warp knitting machines, for example used as tricot or raschel machines, are used to produce various warp knitted fabrics with different knit structure variations, especially when different yarn tensions and yarn materials are used for warp knitted fabrics or knitted fabrics. Although the aforementioned machine types show some similarities, so far no warp knitting machine is known that can be universally used to produce all types of warp knitted fabrics . For example, the knitted fabric take-off means in known warp knitting machines are rigidly fixed on the warp knitting machine, so that the take-off direction of the warp knitted fabric is mainly only suitable for producing tricot machine knitted fabrics or raschel knitted fabrics . Also, sinkers and sinker arrangements are usually only provided for use with one type of warp knitting machine.

German Patent No. 2643565 C2 discloses a sinker for a warp knitting machine of the tricot type, which has knock-over and pressing means. As a result of the special configuration of the knock-over edge with the adjacent descending front edge, it is possible to use the sinker for producing knitted fabrics produced on a warp knitting machine of the Raschel type. The sinker is preferably used together with vertically standing needles. However, the aforementioned sinker is geometrically impossible, since the relatively arranged needles collide with the holder of the sinker. Even if a needle with a specially recessed shank (with which knitting seems impossible) could be combined with the sinker without collision, the needle would not be able to carry the knitting yarn beyond the neb of the sinker, since there is no space for this. Furthermore, wrapping of specially applied pillar stitches is not possible, since no cross connection between the knock-over edges of the sinker is disclosed, which would allow the pillar stitch to be knocked over reliably. The known holders cannot be used for knock-over. Therefore, the functionally reliable characteristics of a sinker cannot be directly and unambiguously inferred from this publication (including, in particular, the figures).

EP 3276062 A1 discloses a warp knitting machine of the tricot type, which, by means of a specially operated sinker and an additional pressing means, makes it possible to produce a knitted material (lace) which could only be produced on a warp knitting machine of the Raschel type. For this purpose, a sinker as is commonly used on a tricot knitting machine is used, the arrangement of which is additionally provided with knock-over means (on the bar). All warp knitted materials which can be produced on a Raschel machine cannot be universally produced, since the knitted material is taken over via horizontally arranged knock-over means.

DE 1 174 010 discloses a take-off means for a warp knitting machine in which the direction of rotation of the take-off roller pairs is reversible. By changing the running direction, different take-off tensions can be preferably adjusted. It is also desirable to obtain a certain variation in the take-off angle of the knitted fabric. However, apart from the production of knitted fabrics with different tensions, no further possibilities of the produced knitted fabrics are mentioned.

German Patent No. 4228048 A1 discloses a tricot machine capable of producing reinforced knitted fabrics produced on a Raschel machine. For this purpose, the sinkers of the tricot machine are fixed and continuous transverse carriers are arranged on the sinkers. The transverse carriers are fixed with wires which are introduced into holes in the sinkers, in which holes the wires acting as knock-over elements are arranged. At the front end of the sinkers, standard transversely continuous lead stabilizing means are attached. To ensure the fixation of such stabilizing means, the sinkers often have a contour at the front end which is completely surrounded by stabilizing means from above, in front and below. Such an improved tricot machine can again only produce one specific type of Raschel knitted fabric (reinforced knitted fabrics with weft and pile yarns).

In view of the above-mentioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a sinker, a sinker arrangement, and a warp knitting machine that can universally produce warp knitted fabrics using a warp knitting machine without the need to prepare different types of machines.

The sinker for warp knitting machines according to the present invention has a knock-over edge, a hold-down edge, and a throat edge. The knock-over edge extends in the width direction of the sinker and at least partially in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the knock-over edge is formed in a straight line and extends entirely in the longitudinal direction. However, the knock-over edge can also extend in a curved line so that the knock-over edge extends only partially in the longitudinal direction, possibly only in an infinitesimally small cross section. The longitudinal direction can then be determined by a tangent applied to the knock-over edge in the middle between the transition point of the knock-over edge and a point above the end point to which the hold-down edge extends forward. The height direction of the sinker is directed vertically upward from the surface of the knock-over edge. The hold-down edge is located opposite the knock-over edge at a distance in the height direction. The throat edge divides the knock-over edge toward the rear and relays the knock-over edge and the hold-down edge in the longitudinal direction. At the knock-over edge transition at the front end of the knock-over edge, the hold-down edge is adjacent to the knock-over edge. At the support edge transition, the support edge is adjacent to the knock-over edge. The support edge extends at least partially in a substantially longitudinal direction and is disposed in a height direction below the knock-over edge. Preferably, the support edge extends longitudinally forward from the support edge transition point and/or extends longitudinally exclusively from the support edge transition point. The sinker according to the invention is characterized in that the support edge transition point is at least four times as far in height from the knock-over edge transition point as it is in the longitudinal direction.

Sinkers with knock-over edges, hold edges and throat edges are commonly used on tricot machines. As a result of the additional arrangement of correspondingly designed hold-down and support edges adjacent to the knock-over edges, the sinkers are configured to knock-over stitches when the take-off direction of the warp knitting machine is vertical (pillar). Thus, warp knits that are only produced on Raschel machines can be produced on the sinkers. Converting a tricot knitting machine to a Raschel machine can even be performed without changing the knitting machine (e.g. sinkers but also needles, etc.).

The sinker according to the invention can be pressed from a steel band, just like a normal sinker. The thickness direction of the steel band then becomes the width direction of the sinker. The sinker can be configured to move longitudinally relative to the knock-over edge to form the stitch, like a normal sinker with a knock-over edge, a hold-down edge and a throat edge. The support edge can be arranged parallel to the knock-over edge. However, the support edge can also be arranged at an angle between 0° and 25° to the knock-over edge. Preferably, the theoretical intersection between the support edge and the knock-over edge is then located in the longitudinal direction in front of the sinker. The angle between the hold-down edge and the support edge is preferably 90°. Thus, a knock-over band with an advantageous rectangular cross section can be supported by the support edge. Furthermore, the knock-over band supported in this way can be brought along the hold-down edge so that it is pressed against the hold-down edge by the take-off force acting on the warp knitted fabric. In a warp knitting machine, the take-off force acts in the vertical direction downwards. A distance between the support edge transition point and the knock-over edge transition point that is at least four times the distance in the height direction as in the longitudinal direction results in the hold-down edge of the sinker or the outer surface of the sinker arrangement in the machine being located approximately in the vertical direction of the machine. The hold-down edge or the outer surface can be inclined at an angle of up to 25° or for example 15°, 10° or 5° to the vertical direction of the machine, such that the area further below the hold-down edge or the outer surface projects further horizontally forward than the area vertically above. In the following, vertical take-off is also understood as a take-off direction that is consequently only at said angle from the vertical. The support edge can extend longitudinally forward from the support edge transition point. Compared to the part of the hold-down edge adjacent to the knock-over edge transition point, the support edge can extend longitudinally forward or exclusively forward. The support edge transition point can be located further forward in the longitudinal direction compared to the section of the hold-down edge adjacent to the knock-over edge transition point or to a virtual line lengthening the section of the hold-down edge adjacent to the knock-over edge transition point. As a result, for example, a knock-over band can be supported on the support edge, which is pressed against the support edge by the take-off force of the warp knitted fabric and pressed against the hold-down edge, so that the take-off force of the warp knitted fabric presses against the hold-down edge. The sinker can have a surface coating. The sinker can have legs. The sinker can be designed without legs. The sinker can be configured to be moved substantially parallel to its longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the sinker can extend significantly further in its longitudinal direction than in its height direction. The hold-down edge can extend parallel to the knock-over edge. At the support edge transition point, the hold-down edge can surmount the support edge with a bend or with a corner, where the enclosed angle is preferably between 70° and 110°. The sinker preferably does not constitute a means suitable for guidance in the circular comb of a circular knitting machine.

The support edge transition point may be at a distance of between 3 mm and 10 mm from the knock-out edge transition point in the height direction. This distance may be any value, for example 5 mm or 6.5 mm. The hold-down edge may be provided with a retaining means capable of forming a recess and/or a plateau in at least a portion thereof. The retaining means may be provided with a portion extending perpendicular to the hold-down edge or at a small angle to the hold-down edge in order to be able to pinch or pinch the knock-over band. For this purpose, the retaining means may be designed as a rectangle with small corner radius relative to the length of the sides and/or may be provided with an undercut. Increasing the distance between the support edge transition point and the knock-over edge transition point allows more installation space for the attachment of the retainer to the hold-down edge.

The support edge can end up to 2 mm longitudinally forward from the support edge transition point. The support edge can have a longitudinal extension of up to 2 mm, e.g. 0.7 mm or 1 mm. Any value up to 2 mm is advantageous. The front end region of the support edge can be the element of the sinker furthest longitudinally forward from the support edge transition point.

The knock-over edge and the hold-down edge may subtend an angle between 90° and 115°. Particularly preferred are angles between 95° and 110°.

The knock-over edge can project forward in the longitudinal direction by up to 2 mm beyond the hold-down edge. In the case of coarse yarns (machine pitch) or wide knits, the knock-over edge can project forward in the longitudinal direction by up to 5 mm beyond the hold-down edge. Preferably, the knock-over edge can project forward in the longitudinal direction by a value between 1 mm and 5 mm, or between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, e.g. 2 mm, 2.5 mm or 3 mm, beyond the hold-down edge. A knock-over edge that projects forward by up to 2 mm beyond the hold-down edge allows the warp knit to be pulled vertically downwards on the warp knitting machine without the sinker or sinker arrangement having to cover a large distance to form a stitch.

The sinker arrangement according to the present invention for a warp knitting machine comprises a plurality of sinkers according to claim 1 arranged at a constant distance in the width direction, and is composed of at least one knock-over band. The knock-over band contacts at least some of the support edges and hold-down edges of the sinkers. The knock-over band bridges the width direction distance between at least two sinkers. The outer surface of the knock-over band is characterized in that the knock-over band is located on the opposite side to the abutment surface against the hold-down surface of the sinker. The sinker arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that in the height direction, the upper end of the height direction of the outer peripheral surface of the knock-over band is at least four times the longitudinal distance from the lower end of the height direction of the outer peripheral surface of the knock-over band.

The knock-over band can in particular serve to knock over columnar stitches sliding between the sinkers. Depending on the position of the knock-over band relative to the height direction, the warp knitting machine can be taken over by passing outside the knock-over band and sliding down approximately vertically below the warp knitting machine. It is of course also possible to take over in the horizontal machine direction towards the user. In particular, when taking over vertically, the knock-over band is pressed by the warp knitted fabric against the support end and the hold-down edge of the sinker. The knock-over band can therefore be connected to the sinker in a sufficiently secure manner by means of a removable fastener.

The knock-over band can have a substantially rectangular cross section, which can be substantially constant over its extension in the width direction. Such bands can be procured inexpensively and can be reproducibly applied over the entire width extension of the sinker array. The width direction of the sinkers corresponds to the width direction of the sinker array. The width direction of the sinker array is approximately the same as the width at which the warp knitted fabric can be produced on the warp knitting machine. Warp knitting machines are usually between 1.28 meters and 7 meters wide, typically a few meters, for example about 4 meters wide. The knock-over band can span the entire machine width. It can also be made up of several parts across the width and then extend over the entire width. Preferably, the sinker array consists of several sub-arrangements of sinkers or modules with sinkers. The knock-over band can be made of a wear-resistant material, such as hardened steel, and/or can be provided with a wear-resistant coating. Preferably, the knock-over band has a smooth surface, preferably with radiused edges, so as not to affect the quality of the brushing pass of the warp knitted fabric .

The knock-over band can be positioned flush with or set back in the height direction relative to at least some of the knock-over edges of the sinkers. This allows the warp knitted fabric to be easily and reliably pulled onto the knock-over band when taken up.

The knock-over band can have an extension in the longitudinal direction at least as great as the support edge, so that the warp knitted fabric does not get caught at the transition to the support surface when sliding along the outer edge of the knock-over band. The support edge recedes relative to the outer peripheral edge of the knock-over band.

The knock-over band can cooperate with at least one retaining means of the hold-down edge of at least some of the sinkers for a releasable fixation to at least some of the sinkers. Advantageously, the knock-over band can have a connecting means which can be fastened to the knock-over edge, e.g. bonded thereto by adhesive. The connecting means can be releasably fixed to the retaining means of the hold-down edge, e.g. clipped. The connecting means can be, e.g., adhesively bonded to the knock-over band. The connecting means can also be fixed to the knock-over band in a manner other than by adhesive. The connecting means can also be integrated with the knock-over band. The connecting means can be a plastic profile. The connecting means can be clamped into a recess in the knock-over edge of the sinker. The recess can have at least in part a cross-section which corresponds to the cross-section of the connecting means or can receive the cross-section of the connecting means under tension. Regarding the function of the releasable fastener, all known possibilities can be used.

The connecting means may have at least one spacer for adjusting the widthwise distance between the sinkers at their front ends in the longitudinal direction. The arrangement of the sinkers may also be stabilized by the connecting means. The spacer may be of a regularly occurring height of the connecting means. Thus, it is possible to ensure uniformity in the sinker arrangement, and a holder for this purpose is not necessary. However, it is advantageous if the adjustment of the distance of the front ends of the sinkers is achieved in a known manner via a holder. Such a holder may be cast in a known manner. The holder may then pass through holes in the sinkers or through receiving projections on the sinkers.

The warp knitting machine according to the invention for producing a universal warp knitted fabric has at least the following features:
At least one sinker arrangement; a stitch formation area in which stitches are formed by knocking over at the knock-over edge or knock-over band of the sinker arrangement; and a fabric take-off means for taking off the warp knitted fabric from the stitch formation area. This warp knitting machine is characterized in that the fabric take-off means are arranged adjustable relative to the stitch formation area in such a way that in at least one first predefined adjustment means the warp knitted fabric can be taken off substantially horizontally forwards and in at least one second predefined adjustment means the warp knitted fabric can be taken off substantially vertically downwards. In a tricot machine, the warp knitted fabric is taken off substantially forwards. In a Raschel machine, the warp knitted fabric is taken off vertically downwards. The stitch formation area extends in a narrow strip across the entire width of the warp knitting machine and extends only to a very limited extent in the vertical direction of the warp knitting machine and in the horizontal direction to the front or rear of the warp knitting machine. In known warp knitting machines in which the knitting machine is driven via a central transmission (crankcase), stitch formation is only possible in a narrowly defined space, which is determined by a predefined operating sequence by the central transmission.

As a result of the configuration of the sinker arrangement and the possibility of adjusting the knitting take-off means, the warp knitting machine can be used universally to manufacture warp knitted fabrics which would otherwise have to be equipped with tricot and raschel machines. After adjusting or changing the knitting take-off means, completely different warp knitted fabrics can be produced without changing the knitting machine.

As is customary for warp knitting machines, the sinker array can be moved along an arcuate path. The arcuate path can include the horizontal direction forward of the warp knitting machine, which is the direction in which the warp knitting machine is normally operated and in which the tricot knitting fabric is taken off. The knock-out edge of the sinker array, i.e. the longitudinal direction of the sinker, can be arranged parallel to the horizontal direction of the warp knitting machine, at least temporarily, during stitch formation. Preferably, at least after the stitch has been knocked over, the knock-over edge is inclined by up to 10° towards the front if it is not parallel to the horizontal direction. The sinker array also prevents any movement during stitch formation. The needle arrangement can follow an arcuate path during stitch formation, as is customary for warp knitting machines. The arcuate path can include the vertical direction of the warp knitting machine. The elongated needle shank can be aligned approximately parallel to the vertical direction, at least temporarily, during stitch formation. The needle can be inclined by up to 10° from the vertical direction and then is preferably inclined backwards with its hook. The needles are preferably angled no further toward the vertical than the outer edge of the knockover band of the sinker arrangement.

At least one first roller of the knitting take-off means, which is arranged closest to the stitch formation area, can be configured to be drivable and reversible in its direction of rotation, so that the take-off angle can be adjusted in an optimal manner and the accessibility of the stitch formation area can be maintained.

At least one second roller of the knitted fabric take-off means following the first roller can be configured to be adjustable in a first predetermined adjustment means for the knitted fabric take-off means below the first roller and in a second predetermined adjustment means for the knitted fabric take-off means above the first roller. Thus, adjustments or changes of the knitted fabric take-off means can be performed quickly. The wraparound required to reliably accommodate the knitted fabric take-off forces is sufficiently present in both adjustment means.

In warp knitting machines, the knitting tools are usually carried by bars and driven via a bar carrier with a lever shaft extending in the machine width direction. The lever shaft is usually attached to a machine frame consisting of several central walls arranged offset from one another in the machine width direction. The knitting tools used usually include hook needles, knitting yarn guide elements, such as guide needles or guide tubes, sliders and knitting sinkers, such as knock-over or hold-down sinkers. The knitting tools are usually carried by bars, which are driven in warp knitting machines by a lever shaft in each case so as to perform a mutually independent oscillating movement in the cross-section of the lever shaft during operation, i.e. in the machine height direction and in the machine depth direction. The bars carrying the knitting yarn guide elements are called guide bars and are further mounted and driven so as to perform an oscillatory displacement movement in the machine width direction in conjunction with the oscillating movement of the guide bars. One bar occupied by a hook needle, at least one bar occupied by a knitting sinker and at least one yarn guide bar occupied by a yarn guide element are each in a mutually functional relationship to produce a knitted layer of warp knitted fabric . Depending on the type of warp knitted fabric and warp knitting machine, additional bars and knitting tools can be functionally connected. Known designs of warp knitting machines are tricot machines, in which the produced warp knitted fabric is taken off approximately horizontally towards the front by the knitting take-off, and Raschel machines, in which the produced warp knitted fabric is taken off approximately vertically downwards from the machine by the knitting take-off. In this case, take-off forces act on the warp knitted fabric, which affect the properties of the produced warp knitted fabric.

The production of warp knitted fabrics having diverse compositions, i.e., for example, warp knitted fabrics consisting of different compositions of knitting yarn materials, different numbers of yarns per stitch, different knitting structures and/or different compositions of knitting structures, may require the use of a different number of guide bars or a different warp knitting machine, e.g., a Raschel machine instead of a Tricot machine.

It is known in the past to produce in different batches on a tricot machine both four-bar warp knits, which require four guide bars, and warp knits, which require four or less guide bars. However, in order to ensure the fastest possible, efficient and defect-free stitch formation, the optimal swinging movement of the yarn guide elements relative to the hook needles and the optimal swinging movement of the hook needles vary depending on the number of guide bars. The pivoting movement of the hook needles is designed so that the hook needles have an approximately vertical up-down movement during the knitting process. Thus, for example, in a warp knitting machine with four guide bars, both the swinging movement of the yarn guide elements and the swinging movement of the hook needles are longer than in a warp knitting machine with two guide bars. Currently, when producing two-bar warp knits on a warp knitting machine with four guide bars, the yarn guide elements and the hook needles have to cover a longer distance in their swinging movement compared to a warp knitting machine with only two guide bars, which results in a slower knitting speed. Also, an adaptation of the spatial profile of the swinging movement may be required to optimally adapt the knitting speed to the number of guide bars used. Thus, warp knitted fabrics , the production of which requires different numbers of guide bars, have hitherto usually been produced on different warp knitting machines at optimal knitting speeds. Furthermore, as a result of their construction, mainly as a result of their knitting structure and knitting structure combination, there are warp knitted fabrics which can only be produced on a Raschel machine or only on a Tricot machine. For example, warp knitted fabrics with a high proportion of fringes, i.e. warp knitted fabrics with a knitting structure in which one thread is inserted into the same hook needle in several rows of stitches, one after the other, and thus there is no connection between adjacent stitch wales, cannot be produced on a Tricot machine and require the use of a Raschel machine.

Particularly advantageous is a warp knitting machine which allows for the continuous production of batches of warp knitted fabrics of different compositions on one warp knitting machine. For this purpose, the relative position of the lever shaft, by which at least one guide bar can be driven, and the lever shaft, by which at least one further bar can be driven, can be adjusted in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction of the warp knitting machine. This relative position can be changed in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction, so that the composition of the knitted web produced can be changed.

When the number of guide bars is increased, the profile of the swinging movement of the yarn guide elements relative to the knitting movement of the hook needles can be adapted. For example, in a machine with four guide bars, the swinging movement of the yarn guide elements and the hook needles can be optimally matched to the number of guide bars. For example, in a warp knitting machine with two guide bars, the hook needles can have a shorter swinging movement, which allows for an increased knitting speed. By adjusting the relative position of the lever shaft of the guide bars in the machine height direction and/or the machine depth direction, the swinging movement of the yarn guide elements can be adapted to the changed swinging movement of the hook needles. Furthermore, for example, when converting a warp knitting machine from a tricot machine to a raschel machine, the relative position of the lever shaft driving the guide bars can be adjusted so that the swinging movement of the yarn guide elements at the height of the hook needles in the tricot machine is moved in the machine depth direction, while the directional components in the machine height and machine depth directions are relatively large in relation to the magnitude of the swinging movement of the yarn guide elements at the height of the hook needles.

The invention can be applied to all types of warp knitting machines. However, it is advantageous to apply the invention to warp knitting machines that are only suitable for the production of a single knitted layer (e.g. not double-section Raschel machines or warp knitting machines suitable for the production of spacer knitting with two knitted layers). Usually, such machines have only one lever shaft that transmits torque, as it is connected to a bar carrying hook needles. The bar carrying the hook needles is hereinafter referred to as the needle bar. Advantageously, the different bars of such machines cooperate in the production of one knitted layer. On the other hand, in a double-section Raschel machine, two knitted layers and a spacer knitting are produced with these two knitted layers. A number of knitted webs that are produced simultaneously adjacent to each other in the machine width direction on a warp knitting machine correspond to one knitted layer in that all the hook needles involved in the knitting process are driven around the same axis of rotation by one lever shaft.

Further advantages are obtained if the angular range of the pivoting movement of the lever shaft driving at least one guide bar is adjustable. Mainly the position and the length of the pivoting movement on a circumscribed circle with a fixed pivot radius about the rotation axis of the lever shaft can be adapted to the angular range of the pivoting movement. It is thus particularly advantageous to adapt the angular range of the pivoting movement when the number of guide bars is changed. It is also advantageous to adapt the angular range of the pivoting movement when changing from tricot machine knitting to raschel machine knitting or vice versa, in that the pivoting movement of the raschel machine knitting at the height of the hook needles has a greater displacement in the machine depth direction, whereas the pivoting movement of the tricot machine knitting at the height of the hook needles has equal directional components in the machine depth and height direction. Such an adjustment can be made by means of a transmission means, such as coupling one or more gears. This also applies if no separate single drive means is assigned to this "guide shaft" and the required torque is transmitted, for example, from a central drive means or from a drive means for at least two shafts. The lever shafts assigned to the other bars can preferably also be varied in the angular range of their pivoting movement. In connection with all exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous if at least two drive means are provided. It is further advantageous if one of these drive means is assigned to at least one guide bar. The other drive means can preferably drive the remaining bars. However, the remaining bars can also be assigned several drive means, for example one drive means for each bar. As will be explained below, an advantageous manner of controlling several lever shaft drive means is by providing one or several control means for controlling the drive means.

Particularly advantageous is a warp knitting machine with a machine frame carrying a lever shaft and consisting of a machine upper part and a machine lower part, which are adjustable relative to one another in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction. Advantageously, the machine upper part consists of at least the lever shaft of the guide bar and the parts that can be driven thereby. For example, the lever shaft of the guide bar is supported by the machine upper part so that it can rotate about a rotation axis. An advantageous embodiment is when the lever shaft of the guide bar is supported by a mounting so that it can rotate about a rotation axis, and the machine upper part receives a mounting having at least two bearings.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is a warp knitting machine, the upper part of which consists of at least two upper central walls offset parallel to one another in the machine width direction, and the lower part of which consists of at least two lower central walls offset parallel to one another in the machine width direction. It is advantageous if the upper and lower central walls have bearings, and at least two bearings of the different central walls form at least one mounting for at least one lever shaft. It is further advantageous if each upper central wall is connected to each lower central wall in such a way that the relative positions of the central walls with respect to one another are adjustable. For example, each upper central wall can be connected to each lower central wall by a screw connection, the screw connection consisting of at least one screw and/or mating screw, at least one through hole or slot and at least one threaded hole. Instead of a mating screw, a screw connection by a screw functionally connected to at least one mating screw is advantageous. Such variable machines are advantageous in terms of manufacturing and maintenance costs for manufacturers of such machines, since they eliminate the need to manufacture multiple variants and require fewer parts to be able to manufacture different types of warp knitting machines.

Advantageous is a warp knitting machine that is provided with means for adjusting the relative position between the parts of the machine frame, for example the upper and lower machine parts. Particularly advantageous means for adjusting the relative position are spacer plates arranged between the parts of the machine frame. The thickness of the spacer plate extending in the machine height direction determines the relative position between the parts of the machine frame in the machine height direction. It is also advantageous to provide at least two spacer plates between the parts of the machine frame and adjust the relative position between the parts of the machine frame by the sum of the thicknesses of the at least two spacer plates. Thus, by combining at least two spacer plates, it is possible to adjust the distance between the upper and lower machine parts to a greater extent without the need for a spacer plate of a different thickness. A further advantageous means for adjusting the relative position between the upper and lower machine parts is a screw connection consisting of at least one screw, at least one slot with a longitudinal axis extending in the machine depth direction, and at least one threaded hole. For example, the lower machine part can comprise at least one threaded hole, and the upper machine part and the spacer plate can each comprise at least one slot for each threaded hole. By displacing the machine top in the longitudinal direction of the slot, i.e. in the machine depth direction, it is possible to adjust the relative position of the machine top to the machine bottom in the machine depth direction. It is particularly advantageous if the machine top and/or the machine bottom are made of a scaling in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction, allowing for an accurate and reproducible adjustment of the relative position. A further advantageous means for adjusting the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom is a rail connection. It is advantageous for the rail connection to be positive. Particularly advantageous are rail connections that are adjustable in the machine depth direction and/or in the machine height direction and that have no play in the machine depth direction. Also advantageous are rail connections that consist of a means for locking the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom. Also advantageous are warp knitting machines that have at least one electric motor that drives the adjustment of the machine top in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is a warp knitting machine, in which the machine top comprises at least one displacement drive means for driving at least one guide bar in an oscillatory displacement movement in the machine width direction. The advantage here is that the connection between the at least one displacement drive and the at least one guide bar does not need to be adjusted, since the adjustment of the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom does not change the position of the at least one displacement drive with respect to the at least one guide bar. This allows the set-up time for the adjustment of the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom to be reduced.

Advantageously, each lever shaft is assigned a respective pivoting drive means for its respective pivoting movement, the pivoting drive means preferably consisting of an electric machine. The pivoting drive means causes the lever shaft to pivot about its axis of rotation. By assigning each lever shaft its own pivoting drive means, it is possible to omit a complex central transmission connecting all lever shafts to a central drive motor, thus reducing the manufacturing and maintenance costs and complexity of the warp knitting machine.

It is further advantageous if at least one of the oscillating drive means is constituted by a linear step motor. It is particularly advantageous if a slider crank mechanism connects the linear step motor output shaft to one of the lever shafts, the slider crank mechanism being constituted by a drive lever and a coupling eccentrically connected to the lever shaft. The slider crank mechanism converts the linear drive motion into a rotary motion about the axis of rotation of the lever shaft. The great advantage of the slider crank mechanism is that there is almost no play when changing the direction of movement, so that the drive motion can be transmitted without loss of the moving component.

It is also advantageous if at least one of the oscillating drive means is constituted by a rotary step motor. In particular, it is advantageous if the continuously variable transmission connects the rotary step motor output shaft to one of the lever shafts. For example, the lever shaft can be driven by a toothed belt from the rotary step motor, and a toothed belt pulley is arranged on the rotary step motor output shaft and the lever shaft, which are connected to mesh with the toothed belt. Because of this meshing connection, the drive motion is transmitted without slippage, and there is no loss of motion components.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is a warp knitting machine in which the machine top comprises at least one oscillating drive means for the lever shaft of at least one guide bar. This allows the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom to be adjusted without adapting the connection between the oscillating drive means and the lever shaft of the at least one guide bar, since the position of the at least one oscillating drive means relative to the lever shaft of the at least one guide bar does not change. In this way, the set-up time for adjusting the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom can be reduced. For example, if the oscillating drive means is connected to the lever shaft by a toothed belt, during the adjustment of the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom, when the oscillating drive means is not received in the machine top, the toothed belt has to be replaced by a toothed belt of an adapted length.

Furthermore, a warp knitting machine in which the oscillating drive means are composed of electric machines. These electric machines can preferably be controlled by electronic control means. The electronic control means can consist of means for generating and amplifying signals, storage means and power electronics. Usually, it must consist of a machine computer that supplies the control signals. It controls the appropriate power electronics, such as a frequency converter for controlling a normal electric machine, an amplifier circuit (motor driver) for controlling a step motor, etc. Finally, it supplies the electric machine with a current of a suitable strength, voltage, frequency and signal shape for the appropriate operating profile. In this way, the electronic control means controls the drive operation of the electric machine, and the warp knitting machine converts the drive operation of the electric machine into the knitting operation of the knitting machine, so that the knitting machine is driven by the electric machine.

Electronic control means are advantageous for controlling the electric machine to drive the knitting material driven by the electric machine with a predefined motion profile. Programmable motion profiles are particularly advantageous. It is further advantageous to group the motion profiles, each group consisting of one motion profile for each knitting machine of the warp knitting machine, the motion profiles being matched to each other such that the knitting machines perform corresponding knitting movements in the same time intervals. By specifying the motion profiles in this way, the knitting movement of the knitting machine can be specifically controlled. For example, during the adjustment of the relative positions of the upper and lower machine parts, it is possible to readjust the knitting movement of the yarn guide elements to the relative positions and knitting movements of the other knitting tools, so that the warp knitting machine can be adjusted more variably for the production of batches of warp knitted products with different and diverse compositions.

For the continuous production of batches of warp knitted fabrics with different compositions, a control method is advantageous in which at least two different oscillating drive means are used, of which a first oscillating drive means drives at least one guide bar and a second oscillating drive means drives at least one other bar, and the movement of these two oscillating drive means causes the yarn guide elements of the guide bar and the needles of the other bars to perform a mutually coincident knitting action. By using at least two different oscillating drive means, it is possible to control the oscillating movements of the different bars independently of each other, so that the knitting movements of the bars can be mutually coincident. If the relative positions of the lever shafts driving the guide bars have to be changed as a result of a change in the batch of warp knitted fabrics, the knitting actions of the knitting machine can be more variably coincident with each other.

It is particularly advantageous if the control of the at least two oscillating drive means is achieved on the basis of stored motion profiles which are individually adapted to the respective batch configuration, each motion profile being associated with a specific knitting motion of the knitting tool, and it is advantageous to predefine the motion profiles as input variables during the setup of the warp knitting machine and to select and program them depending on the warp knitted product to be produced.

The motion profiles of the knitting tools must be matched to one another depending on the selected composition of the warp knitted fabric to be produced, so that the knitting tools work together synchronously to produce the desired warp knitted fabric. For producing warp knitted fabrics with a specific composition, there exists a group of compatible motion profiles, consisting of exactly one motion profile per knitting machine. It is advantageous to store at least two compatible groups of motion profiles in the storage means and to use these depending on the selected composition of the warp knitted fabric to be produced. Thus, when setting up the warp knitting machine, it is possible to select the appropriate motion profile, without the need for reprogramming.

FIG. 4 is a symbolic diagram showing the front end portion of the sinker according to the present invention as viewed from the width direction. For example, this is a schematic diagram showing two sinkers in a sinker arrangement having a knockover band as viewed diagonally from above and from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a knock-over band having a connecting means. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing relevant parts of a warp knitting machine in the width direction with the knitted fabric take-up adjusted horizontally; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing relevant parts of the warp knitting machine, and is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a state in which the knitted fabric take-up is adjusted up and down in the width direction. 1 is a diagram showing a warp knitting machine 126 consisting of an upper machine part 101 and a lower machine part 102. FIG. 6 from another angle, showing the machine bed 114, the upper central walls 112 and the lower central walls 113, as well as the oscillating drive means 115 and the displacement drive means 116. FIG. 2 shows a cross section AA through the warp knitting machine 126 in the area of the two spacer plates 110 between the upper machine part 101 and the lower machine part 102. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a swing drive means 115 for the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106, which is composed of a linear step motor 118, a drive lever 120, and a joint 121. 1 is a diagram showing a swing drive means 115 for the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106, which is composed of a rotary step motor 122 and a continuously variable transmission 124. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the position of the lever shaft 103 relative to the hook needles 127 and a number of yarn guide elements 109 when the warp knitting machine 126 operates according to the tricot machine principle. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the position of the lever shaft 103 relative to hook needles 127 and a number of yarn guide elements 109 of a warp knitting machine 126 when operating according to the Raschel machine principle. FIG. 12 is a combination of FIGS. 4 and 11, showing the arrangement of the aforementioned elements in a construction according to the tricot machine principle. FIG. 13 is a combination of FIGS. 5 and 12, showing the arrangement of the aforementioned elements in an arrangement according to the Raschel machine principle.

1 shows the front end of a sinker 1 according to the present invention as seen from the width direction B. The sinker 1 has a knock-over edge 2 that is configured to slope linearly toward the front (left in FIG. 1). The hold-down edge 3 faces the knock-over edge 2 with a gap in the height direction H. The throat edge 4 connects the knock-over edge 2 and the hold-down edge 3 and divides both edges toward the rear (right direction in FIG. 1). The knock-over edge is divided forward by a knock-over edge transition point 5, which is adjacent to a steep hold-down edge 6 that extends approximately in the height direction H. The hold-down edge 6 ends downward at a support edge transition point 7 that is adjacent to a support edge 8. The support edge 8 extends approximately parallel to the knock-over edge 2 and perpendicular to the hold-down edge 6. The sinker 1 is shown without its rear part (right side in FIG. 1), which is used for connection to further machine elements, such as a bar. The connection of the sinker 1 to further machine elements can be arbitrarily configured using conventional techniques.

2 is an exemplary view of two sinkers 1 of a sinker arrangement 10 with a knock-over band 11 as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. The sinkers 1 are designed in large part identically to the sinkers 1 of FIG. 1. The knock-over band 11 is provided on the support edge 8 and abuts against the hold-down edge 6. The hold-down edge 6 and the support edge 8 are therefore hidden by the knock-over band 11 in this view. The knock-over band 11 relays the distance in the width direction B between the sinkers 1, and the warp knitted fabric can be taken down in the height direction H over the upper edge of the knock-over band 11 and its outer surface 12 as required. However, the warp knitted fabric can also be taken up parallel to the longitudinal direction L parallel to the knock-over edge 2 towards the front. As in FIG. 1, only the front end of the sinker 1 is shown. In FIG. 2, only the knock-over band 11 and a part of the sinker arrangement 10 extending in the width direction B are shown.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a knockover band 11 with a connecting means 13. A spacer 14, which is an elevation of the connecting means 13, can be inserted between the sinkers of the sinker array, thus allowing the conveying distance at its front end to be precisely adjusted and stabilized. As shown in Figure 2, two sinkers 1 can be spaced apart by the spacer 14.

Figure 4 shows the relevant components of the warp knitting machine according to the invention, viewed in the width direction B, with the adjustment of the fabric take-off means 15 in a direction Hz directed horizontally from the stitch formation area towards the front of the warp knitting machine. Figure 4 shows the sinker arrangement 10 together with a slider needle arrangement of needles and sliders according to the art. The warp fabric, shown in a single solid line, is taken off approximately parallel to the knock-over edge 2. The warp threads are fed in height essentially from above, as is customary, and are also shown in solid lines. The fabric take-off means 15 is shown with a first predefined adjustment means 16. The first roller 18 of the fabric take-off means 15 rotates counterclockwise in this adjustment. The second roller 19 of the fabric take-off means 15 or its axis is arranged in a vertical direction V below the first roller 18 or its axis.

5 shows the same relevant components of the warp knitting machine in a view in the width direction B, but with an adjustment of the knitting take-off means 15 in a vertical direction V, which is shown with a second predefined adjustment means 17. A first roller 18 of the knitting take -off means 15 rotates clockwise in this adjustment. A second roller 19 of the knitting take-off means 15 is arranged in the vertical direction V above the first roller 18. The warp knit is taken off via a knock-over band 11. Note that the rollers 18, 19 and their diameters are not shown to the same scale as in the knitting machine.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a warp knitting machine 126 in which the machine frame 125 is divided into an upper machine part 101 and a lower machine part 102, and the lower machine part 102 is placed on the machine base 114. The upper machine part 101 has a lever shaft 103 that is rotatably attached to the upper machine part 101 and connected to a bar carrier 107. A guide bar 108 is attached to the bar carrier 107 so that it can be displaced in the machine width direction z. For simplicity, the attachment state is not shown here. Furthermore, the warp knitting machine 126 has three lever shafts 104, 105, 106, all of which are rotatably attached to the lower machine part 102 and cooperate with the knitting tool to perform the knitting operation via the bar carrier and the bar. The bar carrier and the knitting tool are not shown. The upper machine part 101 and the lower machine part 102 are connected by screws 111, for which purpose the upper machine part 101 consists of an elongated hole with a longitudinal axis extending in the machine depth direction x for each screw 111, and the lower machine part 102 is provided with a threaded hole corresponding to the screw 111. However, other means for connecting the upper machine part 101 to the lower machine part 102 can also be advantageously implemented, for example a connection by a lockable rail. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper machine part 101 can be displaced in the machine depth direction x relative to the lower machine part 102 by an amount corresponding to the length of the elongated hole. Between the upper machine part 101 and the lower machine part 102, a spacer plate 110 is arranged, which allows the relative position of the upper machine part 101 and the lower machine part 102 in the machine height direction y to be adjusted.

Figure 7 shows the warp knitting machine 126 of Figure 6 rotated 90 degrees around the machine height direction y. The lower machine part 102 includes three lower central walls 113 connected to the machine bed 114 offset from one another in the machine width direction z. The upper machine part 101 is composed of three upper central walls 112, a lever shaft 103 capable of driving the guide bar 108, a swing drive means 115 for the lever shaft 103, and a displacement drive means 116 for the guide bar 108. The three spacer plates 110 and the upper machine part 101 are connected to the lower machine part 102 by a screw 111. The swing drive means 115 drives the lever shaft 103 capable of driving the guide bar 108, and performs a swing movement around the rotation axis of the lever shaft 103 not only in the guide bar 108 but also in the knitting yarn guide element 109. At the same time, the displacement drive means 116 drives the guide bar 108 and the knitting yarn guide element 109 to perform a swinging displacement motion in the machine width direction z. The swinging motion and the displacement motion work together to cause the knitting yarn guide element 109 to perform a three-dimensional stitch motion.

Figure 8 shows the cross section A-A in Figure 6. Three spacer plates 110 are shown in cross section. Each of the spacer plates 110 is provided with two slots 117 through which one screw 111 passes. The slots 117 of the spacer plates 110 allow adjustment of the relative position of the upper machine part 101 and the lower machine part 102 in the machine depth direction x.

Figure 9 shows the swing drive means 115 for the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106, which includes a linear step motor 118, a linear step motor output shaft 119, a drive lever 120, and a joint 121 eccentrically attached to one of the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106. The linear drive motion of the linear step motor output shaft 119 is converted into the rotational motion of the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106 by the drive lever 120 and the joint 121 eccentrically attached to the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106.

Figure 10 shows the swing drive means 115 for the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106, which is composed of a linear step motor 122, a rotary step motor output shaft 123, and a continuously variable transmission 124. Preferably, the continuously variable transmission 124 is composed of the rotary step motor output shaft 123 and a toothed belt that meshes with the toothed belt pulleys of the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106, and the speed and torque of the rotary step motor output shaft 123 are transmitted to the speed and torque of the lever shafts 103, 104, 105, and 106 without loss according to the number of teeth of the toothed belt pulley.

All four lever shafts 103, 104, 105, 106 of the exemplary embodiment are assigned a swinging drive means 115 controllable via a common electronic control means. The electronic control means consists of a storage means in which the motion profiles for the knitting tools are stored and define the knitting motions of the knitting tools. To produce a warp knitted fabric 20, all knitting tools have to perform compatible knitting movements. The stored motion profiles are therefore assigned for each knitting tool to a group of one motion profile which matches the other motion profiles of the group. The electronic control means can control the swinging drive means 115 by the selected group of motion profiles so that the knitting tools perform a compatible knitting movement. For warp knitted fabrics 20 with different and varied compositions, a corresponding group of different motion profiles can be stored, taking into account the adaptation of the knitting movement of the knitting machine to the composition of the warp knitted fabric 20. Thus, if the composition of the warp knitted fabric 20 is changed, the correct knitting movement can be set by selecting the correct group of motion profiles.

11 is a schematic diagram of the spatial arrangement of the lever shaft 103 relative to the yarn guide element 109 and the hook needle 127 when the warp knitting machine 126 operates according to the tricot machine principle. The figure is not to scale, in particular the pivot radius 133 is shown smaller compared to the other elements of the figure. The bar carrier 107 and the guide bar 108, not shown in FIG. 11, connect the yarn guide element 109 to the lever shaft 103 in the warp knitting machine 126. The yarn guide element 109 performs a swinging movement 128 on a circumscribed circle with a pivot radius 133 centered on the lever shaft 103, which swinging movement has directional components both in the machine depth direction x and in the machine height direction y. As a result of this swinging movement 128, the knitting yarn 130 is hooked on the hook needle 127, and the knitting yarn passes through the yarn guide opening 134 of the yarn guide element 109 and thus extends following the swinging movement 128. To achieve the desired profile of the oscillating motion 128, there is a depth offset 131 in the machine depth direction x and a height offset 132 in the machine height direction y between the lever shaft 103 and the hook needle 127, which can be matched to the knitting action of all knitting machines.

12 is a schematic diagram of the spatial arrangement of the lever shaft 103 relative to the yarn guide element 109 and the hook needle 127 when a warp knitting machine 126 operates according to the Raschel principle. This figure shows approximately the same elements as in FIG. 11. However, the arrangement of the elements relative to one another is different as a result of the Raschel principle. The oscillating movement 129 of the yarn guide element 109 has a substantially smaller directional component in the machine height direction y compared to the oscillating movement 128 of a warp knitting machine operating according to the tricot machine principle. In the Raschel principle, the oscillating movement 129 of the yarn guide element 109 extends mainly in the machine depth direction y. To achieve this profile, the depth offset 131 between the lever shaft 103 and the hook needle 127 is substantially smaller compared to a warp knitting machine operating according to the tricot machine principle, or the lever shaft 103 and the hook needle 127 are arranged one on top of the other such that there is no depth offset 131 between them. If the pivot radius 133 does not change, then in the Raschel principle the height offset 132 must be larger than in warp knitting machines operating according to the tricot machine principle, so that the pivot movement of the yarn guide element 129 at the height of the hook needles 127 extends mainly in the machine depth direction x. For this purpose, in the Raschel principle the height offset 132 and the pivot radius 133 are approximately the same size.

The above-described warp knitting machine 126, in which the lever shaft 103 driving the guide bar can be adjusted in its relative position in the machine depth direction x and in the machine height direction y with respect to the other lever shafts 104, 105, 106, i.e. with respect to a knitting tool 127 of one of these lever shafts 104, 105, 106, can be operated by correctly adjusting both said relative positions according to the Raschel principle and the tricot machine principle. This applies in particular if, in addition, the knitting take-off means 21 and the knitting sinker 1 of the warp knitting machine 126 are suitable for this.

13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a warp knitting machine 126 according to the invention used for producing a warp knitted fabric 20 as a tricot machine knitted fabric. The knitted fabric take-off means 15 is located at a first predetermined adjustment means 16, and the produced warp knitted fabric 20 is largely taken off in the horizontal direction Hz. The relative offsets 131, 132 between the lever shaft 103 and the hook needles 127 are adjusted so that the knitting yarn guide elements 109 perform a tricot machine oscillating movement 128, i.e. move largely with equal directional components in the horizontal direction Hz and in the vertical direction V at the height of the hook needles 127, and the produced stitches are knocked over in the sinker arrangement 10 by contact with the knock-over edge 2 by the hook needles 127.

14 is a schematic diagram of a warp knitting machine in a configuration used for producing a warp knitted fabric 20 as a Raschel machine knitted fabric . The knitted fabric take-off means 15 is located in a second predefined adjustment 17, in which the produced warp knitted fabric 20 is largely taken off in the vertical direction V, and the relative offsets 131, 132 between the lever shaft and the hook needles are adjusted so that the knitting yarn guide elements 109 perform a Raschel machine oscillating movement 129, i.e. move largely in the horizontal direction Hz at the height of the hook needles 127. The produced stitches are knocked over in the sinker arrangement 10 by the contact of the hook needles 127 with the knock-over band 11 and the knock-over edge 2. This is a crucial difference from the configuration in FIG. 13.

1 sinker, 2 knock-over edge, 3 hold edge, 4 throat edge, 5 knock-over edge transition point, 6 hold-down edge, 7 support edge transition point, 8 support edge, 9 holding means, 10 sinker arrangement, 11 knock-over band, 12 outer surface of knock-over band (11), 13 connecting means, 14 spacer element, 15 fabric take-off means, 16 first predetermined adjustment means of fabric take-off means, 17 second predetermined adjustment means of fabric take-off means, 18 first roller of fabric take-off means, 19 second roller of fabric take-off means, 20 warp fabric, 21 fabric take-off direction, 22 needle bar, 23 slider, B width direction, H height direction, L longitudinal direction, Hz horizontal direction, V vertical direction, 101 machine upper part, 102 machine lower part, 103 guide bar lever shaft, 104 slider bar lever shaft, 105 Needle bar lever shaft, 106 knitting sinker bar lever shaft, 107 bar carrier, 108 guide bar, 109 knitting yarn guide element, 110 spacer plate, 111 screw, 112 upper central wall, 113 lower central wall, 114 machine bed, 115 swing drive means, 116 displacement drive means, 117 slot, 118 linear step motor, 119 linear step motor output shaft, 120 drive lever, 121 joint, 122 rotary step motor, 123 rotary step motor output shaft, 124 continuously variable transmission, 125 machine frame, 126 warp knitting machine, 127 hook needle, 128 swing movement of knitting yarn guide element (9) of tricot knitting machine, 129 swing movement of knitting yarn guide element (9) of Raschel machine, 130 knitting yarn, warp knitting yarn, 131 Relative offset between the lever shaft (3) and the hook needle (27) in the machine depth direction (x), 132 offset between the lever shaft (3) and the hook needle (27) in the machine height direction (y), 133 pivot radius, 134 yarn guide opening, x machine depth direction, y machine height direction, z machine width direction

Claims (16)

A sinker (1) for a warp knitting machine, comprising a knock-over edge (2), a hold edge (3) and a throat edge (4), wherein the knock-over edge (2) extends in a width direction (B) and at least a portion of it in a longitudinal direction (L), the height direction (H) of the sinker (1) extends vertically upward from the surface of the knock-over edge (2), the hold edge (3) is located on the opposite side to the knock-over edge (2) with a gap in the height direction (H), and the throat edge (4) is partitioned in the longitudinal direction (L) toward the rear and connects the knock-over edge (2) and the hold edge (3),
At the knock-over edge transition point (5), the hold-down edge (6) is adjacent to the knock-over edge (2), and at the support edge transition point (7), the support edge (8) is adjacent to the hold-down edge (6), the support edge (8) extending at least partially in the longitudinal direction (L) and positioned below the knock-over edge (2) in the height direction (H);
A sinker (1) characterized in that a support edge transition point (7) is at least four times as far away in a height direction (H) from the knock over edge transition point (5) as a longitudinal distance (L) from the knock over edge transition point ( 5 ). A sinker (1) according to claim 1,
The sinker (1) is characterized in that the support edge transition point (7) is located at a distance of 3 mm to 10 mm in the height direction (H) from the knock over edge transition point (5). A sinker (1) according to claim 1,
The sinker (1), characterized in that the hold-down edge (6) is provided with a retaining means (9) formed as a recess or protrusion of a part of the hold-down edge (6). A sinker (1) according to claim 1,
The sinker (1) is characterized in that the support edge (8) extends forward from the support edge transition point (7) in the longitudinal direction (L) by a maximum of 2 mm. A sinker (1) according to claim 1,
The sinker (1) is characterized in that the knock-over edge (2) and the hold-down edge (6) form an angle of 90° to 115°. A sinker (1) according to claim 1,
The sinker (1) is characterized in that the knock-over edge (2) protrudes forward from the hold edge (3) by a maximum of 5 mm in the longitudinal direction (L). A sinker arrangement (10) for a warp knitting machine comprising a plurality of sinkers (1) according to claim 1, the sinkers (1) being aligned in a row at regular intervals in the width direction (B) and comprising at least one knock-over band (11), the knock-over band (11) being adjacent to the support edges (8) and hold-down edges (6) of at least some of the sinkers (1) and relaying the distance in the width direction (B) between at least two sinkers (1), the outer surface (12) of the knock-over band (11) being provided on the opposite side to the surface where the knock-over band (11) abuts against the hold-down edges (6) of the sinkers (1),
A sinker arrangement (10) characterized in that an upper end of a height direction (H) of an outer surface (12) of the knock-over band (11) is at a distance in the height direction (H) from a lower end of the height direction (H) of the outer surface (12) of the knock-over band (11) that is at least four times the distance in the longitudinal direction (L) from the lower end of the height direction (H) of the outer surface (12) of the knock-over band (11). A sinker arrangement (10) according to claim 7,
The knockover band (11) is characterized in that it has a rectangular cross section that is constant along the extension of the width direction (B) of the sinker arrangement (10). A sinker arrangement (10) according to claim 7 or 8,
A sinker arrangement (10) characterized in that the knockout band (11) is arranged in the height direction (H) in a coplanar manner or spaced apart from at least some of the knockover edges (2) of the multiple sinkers (1). A sinker arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
A sinker arrangement (10), characterized in that the extension of the knock-over band (11) in the longitudinal direction (L) is the same as the extension of the support edge (8) in the longitudinal direction (L). A sinker arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
A sinker arrangement (11) characterized in that the knock-over band (11) cooperates with at least one retaining means (9) of the hold-down edge (6) of at least some of the sinkers (1) of a plurality of sinkers (1) for removably fixing the knock-over band (11) to at least some of the sinkers (1). A sinker arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
1. A sinker arrangement (10) characterized in that the knock-over band (11) has connecting means (13) fixed to the knock-over band (11) and releasably fixed to the retaining means (9) of the hold-down edge (6). A sinker arrangement (10) according to claim 12,
The sinker arrangement (10) is characterized in that the connecting means (13) has at least one spacer (14) for adjusting the distance in the width direction (B) between the sinkers (1) at their front ends. A warp knitting machine for producing a universal warp knitted fabric having at least the following characteristics:
at least one sinker arrangement (10) according to claim 7,
a stitch forming area in which stitches are formed by knock-overs at the knock-over edge or knock-over band of the sinker arrangement, and a knitted fabric take-off means (15) for taking off the warp knitted fabric from the stitch forming area.
The warp knitting machine is characterized in that the knitted fabric take-off means (15) is adjustably adapted to the stitch formation area so as to enable, in at least one predetermined first adjustment means (16), to take off the warp knitted fabric in a horizontal forward direction (Hz) and, in at least one predetermined second adjustment means (17), to take off the warp knitted fabric in a vertical downward direction (V). A warp knitting machine according to claim 14,
A warp knitting machine characterized in that at least one first roller (18) of the knitted fabric take-off means (15) arranged at a position closest to the stitch formation area is biased so that its rotation direction can be reversed. A warp knitting machine according to claim 15,
At least one second roller (19) of the knitting take-off means (15) following the first roller (18) is arranged on a first predetermined adjustment means (16) of the knitting take-off means vertically (V) below the first roller (18) and on a second predetermined adjustment means (17) of the knitting take-off means (15) vertically above the first roller (18).

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