Patent Publication Number: US-2023138793-A1

Title: Textile Tool Part Pair and Method for Equipping a Textile Machine

Description:
The invention refers to a textile tool part pair consisting of two textile tool parts. The textile tool parts are configured for being inserted in respective seatings of a textile machine. Particularly the textile tool parts are used during loop formation, loop transfer or manipulation of a thread during textile production, e.g. knitting tool parts. The textile tool parts are inserted into a tool seating of a textile machine or, for example, in a groove-like guide channel of a knitting machine. The textile or knitting tool parts are arranged in a movably guided manner along a guide channel. The two textile tool parts of a common textile tool part pair can be a complete textile tool respectively or can together form a textile tool. The textile tool can be, for example, a sinker, a transfer part or transfer needle, a knitting needle, e.g. a latch needle, a warp knitting needle, a slider for a slider needle, a sewing needle or another textile tool used during loop formation or transfer of loops. 
     Textile tools for use during the loop formation in textile machines, particularly knitting needles, are known in many configurations. For example, WO 2009/095359 A1 describes a transfer needle for transfer of loops from the needle to an adjacent needle. 
     A textile tool for a flat bed knitting machine is described in EP 2 767 626 A1. The textile tool is formed of two flat parts that are connected with each other. 
     DE 10 2014 103 261 A1 proposes to manufacture a thread-guiding textile tool for knitting or warp knitting machines by stamping and bending. Thereby two webs of a textile tool are stamped and subsequently placed on top of one another or folded on top of one another. 
     The method according to DE 693 11 629 T2 provides to manufacture a textile tool, according to the example a sinker, by stamping from a metal strip having sections of different thickness. 
     A textile tool part with stepped thickness is known from EP 2 128 319 A1 in which two parts of uniform thickness and different contour are manufactured that are subsequently placed laterally against one another. 
     DE 10 2013 104 189 A1 describes a sinker pair in which the two sinkers of the sinker pair have a reduced thickness and are inserted together in a channel of a sinker cam. 
     DE 101 48 196 C1 discloses a textile tool and according to the example a knitting needle. The textile tool has parts that are movably supported on one another. The two parts are connected with each other by substance bond for simplifying the handling such that the connection is broken during the first use in the machine and a relative movement of the two parts is possible. 
     Starting from the prior art it can be considered as object of the present invention to improve the manufacturing and/or handling of a textile tool. 
     This object is solved by a textile tool part pair having the features of claim  1 . In addition, a method for equipping a textile machine according to the features of claim  12  is proposed, wherein the textile tool part pair according to the invention is used. 
     According to the invention a textile tool part pair consists of two textile tool parts. The two textile tool parts can be configured identically or can have identical contours or can be configured symmetrically with reference to a symmetry plane that extends at the connection location between the two textile tool parts. Each textile tool part preferably extends in a longitudinal direction between a front end and a back end. In addition, each textile tool part has a working section that is configured to get into contact with a thread during loop formation or during movement or transfer of loops or to comply with another task during textile production. The working section can directly adjoin the front end. The working section is arranged with distance to the back end. 
     The two textile tool parts of a common textile tool part pair are at or by means of their back ends connected with each other by a predetermined breaking connection that can be separated manually and without use of tools. The predetermined breaking connection is separated and, for example, broken by bending about a bending axis extending orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. After the separation of the two textile tool parts, they can be inserted and used in the textile machine separately or together. As long as the predetermined breaking connection is established, the two textile tool parts have a relative position or orientation that does not correspond to the required relative position or relative orientation during use in the textile machine. Particularly the insertion of the textile tool parts in the textile machine is impossible as long as the predetermined breaking connection is established. 
     The two textile tool parts can be manufactured together as integral component. This can be advantageous, especially for very small textile tool parts, because the handling during manufacturing of the totally longer part, i.e. the integral textile tool part pair, is simplified. In doing so, the efficiency during manufacturing can be increased, because two textile tool parts can be transferred to a processing station or processing center concurrently and can be received again therefrom. In addition, the accuracy of manufacturing of two textile tool parts that cooperate in a textile machine can be increased, because the relative position between the two textile tool parts during the processing during manufacturing is known and thus features of the textile tool part can be very precisely created with relation to the position of features of the respective other textile tool part. This can also result in an increased manufacturing accuracy and can reduce the post-processing requirement or adjustment requirement during use. 
     The handling also during equipping of a textile machine can be remarkably simplified. Cooperating textile tool parts or textile tool parts that are always used in pairs, e.g. machine knitting needles with different foot position or non-symmetric needles used in pairs, as known for example from EP 3 124 664 A1, can be provided as textile tool part pair with predetermined breaking connection. In doing so, two textile tool parts that form a set can be commonly handled until just before the insertion in the textile machine. Errors due to insertion of non-matching textile tool parts can be avoided in this manner. 
     It is advantageous, if the predetermined breaking connection comprises at least one web that extends between the two back ends of the textile tool parts. The at least one web comprises a smaller cross-section area compared with the adjoining back ends of the textile tool parts, e.g. a smaller thickness in a transverse direction and/or a smaller height in a height direction. The height direction and the transverse direction are orientated orthogonal to the longitudinal direction respectively and orthogonal with regard to each other and form together with the longitudinal direction a Cartesian coordinate system. 
     Preferably the at least one web is integrally configured with the two textile tool parts. Thus, the at least one web consists of the same material as the two textile tool parts. Particularly the at least one web and the textile tool parts consist of a metal or a metal alloy, e.g. a steel alloy. The at least one web can be manufactured by a cutting process and/or by a non-cutting forming method. For example, the at least one web can be manufactured by stamping or another cutting method and/or by embossing. 
     In a preferred embodiment the at least one web extends between two end surfaces of the back ends that are facing each other. Preferably the end surfaces are substantially orientated orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. They can extend in a plane that is defined by the height direction and the transverse direction. 
     Preferably the textile tool parts extend opposite to each other originating from the predetermined breaking connection in a common longitudinal direction up to its respective front end. 
     The predetermined breaking connection can be configured to allow a bending of the textile tool parts about a bending axis that extends orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Preferably the bending axis extends in height direction. In addition, the predetermined breaking connection can be configured to impede a bending about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction and/or parallel to the transverse direction, such that a bending about the bending axis extending in height direction is exclusively allowed. The bending axis can extend, for example, parallel to the end surfaces of the two ends facing one another. 
     It is in addition advantageous, if each of the two textile tool parts comprises a base surface that extends along a common reference plane. The common reference plane is preferably defined by the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. Thus, the reference plane can be orientated orthogonal to the bending axis. 
     In a preferred embodiment the reference plane can be a contact plane that is brought into contact from below against the textile tool part pair until the base surfaces extend in the reference plane. In this condition no portions of the textile tool parts or the textile tool part pair extend through the reference plane. 
     The base surfaces of the two textile tool parts can be arranged with distance to one another in longitudinal direction. Each textile tool part comprises particularly exactly one base surface that is preferably configured continuously without interruptions in longitudinal direction. In some embodiments the base surface can be separated in sections that are distanced from one another in longitudinal direction. 
     The base surfaces can be used as support surfaces during the handling of the textile tool part pair during the manufacturing process or after the manufacturing during shipping. In doing so, the support of the textile tool part pair can be improved compared with individual textile tool parts. 
     In a preferred embodiment the two textile tool parts are configured to be placed against one another after separation of the predetermined breaking connection in order to form a common textile tool. For this each textile tool part can have an abutment surface. Prior to the separation of the predetermined breaking connection, the two abutment surfaces are arranged with distance to each other and extend preferably in a common plane. This common plane can be defined by the longitudinal direction and the height direction. The two textile tool parts can be sinker parts that commonly form a sinker after abutment against one another. 
     For equipping a textile machine it is proceeded as follows: 
     First, a textile tool part pair according to one of the embodiments described above is provided. Subsequently the two textile tool parts of the textile tool part pair are separated from one another at the predetermined breaking connection. The predetermined breaking connection is configured such that the separation can be carried out manually and without tools. After the separation of the textile tool parts from each other the textile tool parts are inserted in their operating position in the textile machine. In the operating position the two textile tool parts can abut against each other and can together form a textile tool, e.g. a sinker, a transfer part or another textile tool. The two textile tool parts can, however, also be inserted individually in different guide channels of a textile machine, particularly a knitting machine. 
     Preferably the separation of the two textile tool parts is carried out by bending about a bending axis. The bending axis can extend parallel to the back ends of the two textile tool parts, particularly parallel to the end surfaces of the two ends facing one another. 
     It is advantageous, if the textile tool parts can be inserted without further post-processing in the textile machine or in the respective guide channel or in the respective tool seating. Potentially present breaking parts or breaking surfaces at the back ends are not removed. They are uncritical for the use of the textile tool parts in the textile machine. 
    
    
     
       Preferred embodiments of the invention are derived from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In the following preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings show: 
         FIGS.  1 - 5    an embodiment of a textile tool part pair respectively having two textile tool parts that are connected with each other at a predetermined breaking connection, 
         FIGS.  6 - 8    different embodiments of a predetermined breaking connection in a top view on the textile tool part pair in schematic illustration respectively, 
         FIGS.  9  and  10    a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a predetermined breaking connection in a lateral view respectively, 
         FIG.  11    schematic basic illustration of the separation of the predetermined breaking connection by bending about a bending axis and 
         FIG.  12    a schematic view of a textile tool part in form of a sinker that consists of two separated textile tool parts and is inserted into a guide channel of a textile machine. 
     
    
    
       FIGS.  1 - 5    show different embodiments of a textile tool part pair  15  respectively consisting of exactly two textile tool parts  16 . The two textile tool parts  16  of a textile tool part pair  15  are either an individually usable textile tool  17  or form two textile tool parts  16  that fit together and that together form a textile tool  17 . In  FIGS.  1  and  2    textile tool part pairs  15  are illustrated respectively in which the two textile tool parts  16  together form one single functional textile tool  17  after insertion in a textile machine, e.g. a sinker  18  ( FIG.  1   ) or a transfer part  19  for transfer of loops. The sinker  18  formed of the two textile tool parts  16  is illustrated schematically in  FIG.  12    in top view. 
     Different to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the two textile tool parts  16  according to  FIGS.  3 - 5    already form an individual textile tool  17  respectively and according to the example, a machine knitting needle that is configured as latch needle  20  in the embodiments illustrated here. 
     The two textile tool parts  16  of each textile tool part pair  15  extend in a longitudinal direction L between a back end  21  and a front end  22 . Each textile tool part  16  comprises a working section  25  that gets into contact with a thread during use of the textile tool part  16  in a respective textile machine, particularly during a loop forming process or during transfer or manipulation of loops or a thread and thus contributes to the textile manufacturing and particularly to the loop formation. In the working section  25  the textile tool parts  16  comprise for the formation of the sinker  18  ( FIG.  1   ) a hold-down edge  26  and a knock-over edge  27  respectively that are arranged with distance to each other in a height direction H and substantially above each other. The hold-down edge  26  and the knock-over edge  27  extend substantially in longitudinal direction L and/or parallel with each other according to the example. The hold-down edge  26  and the knock-over edge  27  are facing each other. They limit a holding space  28  that is open in longitudinal direction toward the front end  22 . 
     The textile tool part  16  extends in height direction H in the working section  25  between a bottom edge  29  and a top edge  30  for forming the sinker  18 . The bottom edge  29  and the top edge  30  are orientated parallel to one another according to the example. The bottom edge  29  extends in longitudinal direction L and also comprises an extension in a transverse direction Q orthogonal to the height direction H and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L. The bottom edge  29  forms a base surface  31  of the textile tool part  16 . 
     As apparent from  FIG.  1   , the two base surfaces  31  of the textile tool parts  16  of the common textile tool part pair  15  extend in a common reference plane E that is defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q. Preferably no components of the textile tool part pair  15  extend through the reference plane E. The reference plane E is a contact plane according to the example that is brought into contact from below with the bottom edges  29  or base surfaces  31  until the bottom edges  29  or the base surfaces  31  extend in the reference plane E. This has the advantage that both bottom edges  29  or base surfaces  31  of the common textile tool part pair  15  can be used as common support surface during manufacturing of the two textile tool parts  16 , e.g. during transport of the parts or during arrangement in a machine tool. 
     As apparent from  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the working section  25  of each textile tool part  16  is arranged with distance to the back end  21  and is preferably located closer to the front end  22  as to the back end  21 . In some embodiments the working section  25  can directly adjoin the respective front end  22 , e.g. in the textile tool part  16  for forming the transfer parts  19  ( FIGS.  2  and  3   ) as well as in the latch needles  20  ( FIGS.  4  and  5   ). 
     In the working sections  25  of the textile tool parts  16  for forming the transfer parts  19  a loop holding recess  34  is present respectively that is open toward the top. The textile tool part  16  forms a transfer hook  35  for forming the transfer part  19  that tapers toward the front end  22  and that is curved, for example, below the loop holding recess  34  (with view in height direction H). 
     In the latch needles  20  shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5    a needle hook  36  is arranged in the working section  25  respectively at which the front end  22  of the textile tool part  16  is located. The hook inner region of the needle hook  36  can be opened by a latch  37  (as illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  5   ) or can be closed by pivoting the latch  37 . 
     Each textile tool part  16  comprises a drive section  40  between the working section  25  and the back end  29 . A foot  41  projecting in height direction H is provided in the drive section  40 , wherein the foot  41  is configured to cooperate with a cam in the textile machine in order to drive the textile tool, e.g. the sinker  18 , the transfer part  19  or the latch needle  20 , and to move it in longitudinal direction L along a guide channel  42 . The guide channel  42  is schematically and by way of example illustrated in  FIG.  12    for the sinker  18 . 
     The textile tool part pair  15  according to  FIG.  1    is arranged with distance to the reference plane E outside the bottom edge  29  or base surface  31  in the working section. The bottom edge  29  or the base surface  31  adjoins the front end  22  directly according to the example. Because the two textile tool parts  16  are handled as common textile tool part pair  15  during manufacturing, a support that is resistant against tilting can be achieved by means of the base surfaces  31 . 
     In all textile tool parts  16  of the textile tool part pair  15  according to  FIGS.  1 - 5    a reference plane E forming a contact surface is brought into abutment from below against the base surfaces  31  of the textile tool parts  16 , whereby no components of the respective textile tool part pair  15  extend through the reference plane E. 
     The base surfaces  31  can be continuous without interruptions in longitudinal direction L ( FIGS.  1 - 4   ) or can be separated into multiple sections by means of an interruption ( FIG.  5   ). In the embodiment according to  FIG.  1   , the base surfaces  31  are arranged close to the front end  22  or directly adjoining the front end  22  and comprise a larger distance to the respective back end  21  as to the front end  22 . In another embodiment the base surface  31  can be arranged closer to the back end  21  than to the front end  22  ( FIG.  3   ). In still other embodiments the base surface  31  can extend nearly completely from the front end  22  or at least from the working section  25  up to the back end  21  ( FIGS.  2  and  4   ). 
     At the back ends  21  facing each other, the two textile tool parts  16  of a common textile tool part pair  15  are connected with each other by means of a predetermined breaking connection  45 . The textile tool part pair  15  is thus a unit, whereby the two textile tool parts  16  of the textile tool part pair  15  are produced and transported during manufacturing together as one unit. The predetermined breaking connection  45  is separated only directly before the arrangement of the textile tool parts  16  in a textile machine. 
     Preferably the two textile tool parts  16  of a common textile tool part pair  15  can be configured symmetrically with reference to symmetry plane S. The symmetry plane can extend centrally between the two textile tool parts  16  and can be orientated orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L. 
     In the embodiment according to  FIG.  1    the bottom edges  29  of the textile tool part  16  have different lengths in order to be able to distinguish the textile tool part  16  after separation. Alternatively or additionally, also other geometric features and/or markings can be provided by means of which two textile tool parts  16  of a common textile tool part pair  15  can distinguish from each other. For example, a notch  44  or another marking can be introduced or arranged in a foot  41  or at another suitable location of one of the two textile tool parts  16 . 
     The predetermined breaking connection  45  is illustrated in  FIG.  6 - 11    by way of example. It is configured to be separated manually and without use of tools. Also a tool can be used for separation, however this is not necessary. 
     The predetermined breaking connection  45  is formed by at least one web  46  according to the example that extends between the back ends  21  of the two textile tool parts  16 . The at least one web  46  has a smaller dimension in transverse direction Q and/or in height direction H as the two directly adjoining back ends  21 . Thus, it forms a weakness that can be separated or broken. The dimensioning of the at least one web  46  is selected such that it can be separated or broken manually and without use of tools by an operating person during equipping of a textile machine. 
     According to the example, each back end  21  of a textile tool part  16  has an end surface  47 , whereby the at least one web  46  extends between the two end surfaces  47  facing each other. The end surfaces  47  extend, according to the example, parallel to the height direction H and can be orientated substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L ( FIGS.  7 ,  9  and  10   ) or can be orientated obliquely inclined with regard to the longitudinal direction L and/or the transverse direction Q, wherein the angle between the end surfaces  47  and the longitudinal direction L is preferably deviating from the right angle about at most 20° or at most 10°. 
     The at least one web  46  is preferably integrally configured with the two textile tool parts  16 . Thus, the at least one web  46  comprises no seam or joint location. Preferably the textile tool part pair  15  as a whole is configured integrally or manufactured integrally. The at least one predetermined breaking connection  45  that is formed by the at least one web  46  according to the example, can be created by a chip removing process and/or a stamping process and/or a forming process. Preferably the at least one web  46  is formed by a stamping process and/or a forming process (e.g. embossing) between the two back ends  21  or the two end surfaces  47 . 
     As apparent from  FIG.  9   , one single web  46  can be provided that extends between the two back ends  29  or the two end surfaces  47 . Alternatively thereto, it is also possible to provide multiple webs  46  that are arranged with distance to each other in height direction H. Preferably the predetermined breaking connection  45  does not comprise a multiplicity of webs  46  arranged adjacent to one another in transverse direction Q. If multiple webs  46  are provided, they are particularly exclusively arranged adjacent to one another in height direction H. 
     The shape of a recess or an embossment between the two back ends  21  or the two end surfaces  47  for forming of a web  46  that is thinner in transverse direction Q relative to the back ends  21  can vary, as schematically illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 8    by way of example. The recess or opening provided on opposite sides of the at least one web  46  in transverse direction Q can have a rounded shape with parallel or inclined legs extending obliquely with regard to each other (compare e.g.  FIG.  6   ). The depression can alternatively thereto also have a rectangular cross-section ( FIG.  7   ) or another polygonal cross-section, e.g. a trapezoidal cross-section ( FIG.  8   ). 
     In the preferred embodiment the predetermined breaking connection  45  is configured to define a bending axis A that extends in height direction H according to the embodiment. During bending of the two textile tool parts  16  around the bending axis A the at least one web  46  of the predetermined breaking connection  45  breaks, such that the two textile tool parts  16  are separated from each other. Preferably the predetermined breaking connection  45  or the at least one web  46  is configured such that a bending around an axis is impeded that is orientated parallel to the transverse direction Q or parallel to the longitudinal direction L. Preferably the total height of the at least one web  46 , that is of one single web  46  or of all of the present webs  46 , is higher than its dimension in longitudinal direction L and/or in transverse direction Q. 
     The bending of the two textile tool parts  16  of a common textile tool part pair  15  around the bending axis A is schematically illustrated in  FIG.  11   , wherein the bending axis A extends orthogonal to the drawing plane. 
     After the separation of the predetermined breaking connection  45 , a breaking part  48  or a breaking surface of the broken web  46  remains at each back end  21  or each end surface  47  of the two textile tool parts  16  ( FIGS.  11  and  12   ). The textile tool parts  16  are inserted into the textile machine or in the respective guide channel  42  without further post-processing, as illustrated in  FIG.  12   . The remaining breaking parts  48  or breaking surfaces at the back ends  21  are uncritical for the use of the textile tool parts  16  in the textile machine. They are distanced from the working section  25  and do not get into contact with the at least one thread during the textile production. They are also not in contact with the guiding surface of the guide channel  42  such that no increased wear is created by the breaking parts  48  or the breaking surfaces of the broken web  46 . 
     During equipping of a textile machine the at least one textile tool part pair  15  is taken from a stock, the two textile tool parts  16  are separated from each other by separating the predetermined breaking connection  45  and the two textile tool parts  16  can be inserted in the assigned guide channel  42  without further subsequent post-processing. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  12    the two textile tool parts  16  are at least in sections arranged in a common guide channel  42  and together form a sinker  18 . For this each textile tool part  16  comprises an abutment surface  49 , wherein the two abutment surfaces  49  abut against each other for forming the sinker  18  ( FIG.  12   ). In the embodiment the two abutment surfaces  49  extend at least along the drive section  40  of each textile tool part  16 . Each abutment surface  49  is orientated parallel to the longitudinal direction L and parallel to the height direction H. The abutment surfaces  49  can be particularly configured without openings and provide a two-dimensional contact between the two textile tool parts  16 . 
     Also in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2    the two textile tool parts  16  are configured to be brought into abutment against one another with their abutment surfaces  49  in order to form the transfer part  19 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           15  textile tool part pair 
           16  textile tool part 
           17  textile tool 
           18  sinker 
           19  transfer part 
           20  latch needle 
           21  back end 
           22  front end 
           25  working section 
           26  hold-down edge 
           27  knock-over edge 
           28  holding space 
           29  bottom edge 
           30  top edge 
           31  base surface 
           34  loop holding recess 
           35  transfer hook 
           36  needle hook 
           37  latch 
           40  drive section 
           41  foot 
           42  guide channel 
           44  notch 
           45  predetermined breaking connection 
           46  web 
           47  end surface 
           48  breaking part 
           49  abutment surface 
         A bend axis 
         E reference plane 
         H height direction 
         L longitudinal direction 
         Q transverse direction 
         S symmetry plane