FULLY AUTOMATIC METHOD FOR HANDLING FLAT KNITTING KNOTS IN CONTINUOUS KNITTING PROCESS

Abstract

A fully automatic method for handling knots in flat knitting continuous knitting process includes a knot alarm detecting knots and triggering an alarm. The machine automatically loads and runs a preset knot handling program; the machine pulls out the yarn segment containing the knot from the knitting area and secures the knot; the machine reinserts the subsequent yarn back into the knitting area, returning to the knitting position before the alarm; the machine cuts off the excess yarn segment containing the knot and continues knitting. The process method utilizes a knot alarm set on the flat knitting machine to automatically detect knots on the yarn in advance. Once a knot is detected, the yarn segment containing the knot is pulled out and cut off, thereby removing the knot while hiding the yarn breaks and preventing yarn ladder.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots, comprising the following steps: Step 1: the knot alarm detects the knots and emits a signal; Step 2: the machine automatically loads and runs a preset knot handling program; Step 3: the machine pulls the yarn segment containing the knot part out of the knitting area and fixes the knot part under the control of the knot handling program; Step 4: under the control of the knot handling program, the machine reinserts the subsequent yarn into the knitting area, restoring it to its original knitting position before the detection signal was triggered. Step 5: under the control of the knot handling program, the machine trims off the excess yarn that contain the knot portion and continues knitting until the fabric is fully formed.

10. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots according to claim 9, wherein: the knot handling program is associated with the knot alarm, and the knot handling program is automatically activated when the knot alarm is triggered.

11. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots according to claim 9, wherein: manually adjust the detection position of the knot alarm before knitting to identify and alarm knots that can affect the appearance of the fabric.

12. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots according to claim 9, wherein: the knot handling program is a compiled fixed process module set in the machine program.

13. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots according to claim 9, wherein: the actions controlled by the knot handling program also include the anti-ladder action when pulling out the yarn segment containing the knot portion from the knitting area and the anti-ladder action when reinserting the yarn into the knitting area.

14. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots according to claim 9, wherein: after completing the actions controlled by the knot handling program, the machine automatically switches to the previous knitting program, and then continues the subsequent knitting process following the steps before the alarm was triggered.

15. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots according to claim 13, wherein: the anti-ladder action during both the pulling out and reinsertion involves the alternating organization of floats and tucks, while the yarn segment is secured using a clip.

16. A flat knitting continuous knitting process method for automatic processing of knots according to claim 13, wherein: after the fabric is fully knitted and removed from the machine, excess yarn is manually cut off, and there is no need for further end hiding or anti-ladder processes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating of the process method of The present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of handling yarn with knots in The present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention is further described in details with accompanying drawings as follows. The same parts and components are designated with the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the terms front, back, left, right, top, and bottom used in the following description refer to the directions in Figures, and the terms bottom surface and top surface, inner and outer respectively refer to facing towards or away from specific components geometrically. Additionally, the terms first and second are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features designated as first and second may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description herein, the term multiple means two or more unless the direction of the center is specifically defined otherwise.

Embodiment 1

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a fully automatic method for handling flat knitting knots in continuous knitting process, comprises the following steps: [0028] 1. Set a knot alarm on the flat knitting machine and manually adjust its detection position before knitting. The knot alarm detects knots on the yarn to be knitted, specifically alarming knots that may affect the appearance of the fabric. Knots are formed due to uneven yarn thickness, breakage, or yarn bobbin replacements. The existence of knots can increase knitting difficulty and impact the fabric's surface appearance. Once the knot alarm detects knots, it emits a warning. [0029] 2. The machine automatically loads and executes a pre-set knot handling program. The knot handling program is associated with the knot alarm and is automatically activated upon the alarm being triggered. The knot handling program is a compiled and fixed process module integrated into the machine's program.

[0030] The knot handling program calls the corresponding subprogram based on the alarm position of the knot alarm and the knitting direction of the knitting machine. The number of subprograms is determined by the type of fabric being knitted. In this embodiment, the knot handling program is divided into six subprograms based on the position of the knot occurrence: the knot alarm processing program when the carriage moves left and is positioned in the middle of the knitting area, the knot alarm processing program when the carriage moves left and is positioned at the left edge of the carriage, the knot alarm processing program when the carriage moves left and is positioned at the right edge of the carriage, the knot alarm processing program when the carriage moves right and is positioned in the middle of the knitting area, the knot alarm processing program when the carriage moves right and is positioned at the left edge of the carriage, and the knot alarm processing program when the carriage moves right and is positioned at the right edge of the carriage. The six subprograms of the knot handling program control the same machine actions, but the positions of the machine actions for handling knots are different. By setting the six subprograms, the machine can quickly determine the appropriate side edge of the knitting machine to handle the yarn segment containing the knot based on the knitting progress, thereby improving the speed of knot handling.

[0031] The actions controlled by the knot handling program include: The anti-ladder action when pulling out the yarn segment containing the knot from the knitting area, securing the yarn segment after pulling it out of the knitting area, the anti-ladder action when reinserting the yarn into the knitting area, and cutting off the excess yarn segment with scissors. The anti-ladder action during both the pulling out and reinsertion is the same, achieved by alternating the float and tuck of the yarn. The yarn segment is secured by clamping using a clip set on the machine, which is activated under program control. [0032] 3. The knot handling program controls the machine to pull the yarn segment containing the knot from the knitting area and secure the knot. When pulling out the yarn segment containing the knot from the knitting area. The anti-ladder action involves alternating the float with tuck organization. The yarn segment is secured by using an electronically controlled clip set on the machine to clamp the yarn near the knot. [0033] 4. After securing the yarn segment containing the knot, the knot handling program controls the machine to reinsert the subsequent yarn into the knitting area. When reinserting the yarn into the knitting area, the machine performs an anti-ladder action by alternating the float with tuck organization until the yarn is reinserted back to the knitting position before the alarm was triggered. [0034] 5. The knot handling program controls the machine to cut off the excess yarn segment containing the knot, resulting in two separate yarn ends hanging on the knitted fabric. After completing the knot handling actions, the machine automatically loads the program before knitting, Then, the process before the knot alarm continues to complete the subsequent knitting. After the knitting is completed, the excess yarn ends are manually cut off without the need for hiding the thread ends and anti-ladder processes.

[0035] Specific implementation process: To further illustrate the process of the method of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, taking the case where the knitting machine carriage moves left and detects knots in the middle of the knitting area as an example:

[0036] The knitting machine carriage moves left, and the knot alarm immediately triggers an alarm when it detects knots on the yarn to be used for knitting. Upon receiving the alarm, the machine automatically loads the knot handling program. The knot handling program analyzes that the carriage is moving left and the alarm position is in the middle of the knitting area. Subsequently, the subprogram of the knot handling program for the case when the carriage is moving left and in the middle of the knitting area is executed. The machine pulls the yarn to the right side, alternately it with tuck. After the yarn leaves the knitting area, a clip on the machine clamps the yarn near the knot. The machine then pulls the yarn back to the left side into the knitting area, again alternating it with tuck. Once the yarn is knitted back to the position where the alarm was triggered, the machine cuts the yarn containing the knot with scissors, resulting in two yarn ends. After completing the knitting process, the two exposed yarn ends are manually cut off.

[0037] In the embodiments disclosed in this invention, terms such as installation, connection, linking, and fixing should be interpreted in a broad sense. For example, connection can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Linking can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of these terms in the disclosed embodiments of this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] The specific embodiment described above is only an explanation of the present invention, and it is not intended to limit The present invention. Those skilled in the art can make modifications to the present embodiment without creative contribution as needed after reading this specification, but such modifications are protected by the patent law as long as they fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.