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(11) EP 1 840 254 B1
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
(45) Date of publication and mention
of the grant of the patent:
04.01.2012 Bulletin 2012/01
(21) Application number: 07102917.7
(22) Date of filing: 22.02.2007
(51) Int Cl.:
D04B 27/26
(2006.01)
(54) Control device for thread-guide bars of flat warp knitting machines
Steuervorrichtung fr Fadenfhrerbarren von Flachkettenwirkmaschinen
Dispositif de contrle pour les barres de guide-fils des mtiers tricoter rectilignes mailles jetes
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI
SK TR
(30) Priority: 08.03.2006 IT BS20060056
(43) Date of publication of application:
03.10.2007 Bulletin 2007/40
(73) Proprietor: SANTONI S.p.A.
25135 Brescia (IT)
(72) Inventor: Lonati, Tiberio
25128 Brescia (IT)
(74) Representative: Galassi, Alessandro et al
Ponzellini Gioia e Associati S.R.L.
Via Mascheroni, 31
20145 Milano (IT)
(56) References cited:
US-A- 2 306 906 US-A- 5 067 332
US-A1- 2005 284 187
Remarks:
The file contains technical information submitted after
the application was filed and not included in this
specification
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Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a control device
for thread-guide bars of linear knitting machines such as
Raschel-type warp looms and the like.
[0002] As is known, linear knitting machines are pro-
vided with a plurality of bars designed to carry a plurality
of thread-holding elements commonly known as thread-
guides. Said bars should be handled so as to enable the
threads associated to said thread-guides to be correctly
fed onto the needles of the knitting machine for the for-
mation of new fabric with the well-known technique in
which the new thread enters the old loop and the old loop
is discharged and becomes part of the fabric being
formed.
[0003] In order to achieve its knitting task, the thread-
guide bar makes two basic movements simultaneously,
i.e. a first linear movement in front of the hook of each
needle, commonly known as "shog", and an oscillating
movement on the side of each needle for bringing the
threads alternatively before and behind the needle hook,
commonly known as "swing".
[0004] A first example of known control devices for
thread-guide bars on linear knitting machines are of me-
chanical type. These systems are disclosed for instance
in handbooks that are generally known in the textile field,
such as "Knitting Technology" by D.J. Spencer (Perga-
mon Press 1989 2nd edition) Figure 2 page 266, shown
in the accompanying drawings as Figure 1A, and "Warp
Knit Machine Elements" by C. Wilkens (U. Wilkens Ver-
lag, Heusenstamm Germany 1997) Figure 2.2.1 page 16
and Figure 7.1.2 page 55. Such systems generally in-
clude a drum with fixed cams (or in the form of a chain),
which turns around its axis and causes the shift of a lever
pivoting on another axis and connected in its turn to a
jointed system connected to the thread-guide bar. As a
result of the thrust of the cam, said lever pushes forward
a jointed rod which in its turn pushes forward the thread-
guide bar and enables the shift thereof required for the
"shog" movement. The "swing" movement of the thread-
guide bar is caused by a suitable lever which makes the
thread-guide support oscillate in accordance with the
"shog" movement.
[0005] The return of the thread-guide bar is achieved
by means of strong springs connected to the bar, which
take the bar back to its initial position so as to receive
another forward thrust by the following cam located on
the turning drum.
[0006] The rod pushing the bar forward should neces-
sarily be jointed so as to enable also the oscillating move-
ment imparted to the thread-guide bar by the support to
which it is anchored.
[0007] The drawback of such devices consist in that
they have a very large number of mechanical compo-
nents, which make the structure of the knitting machine
highly complex since the thread-guide bar should work
with an extremely high accuracy also because these
components are subject to external factors such as tem-
perature.
[0008] In a variant of the devices referred to above,
the drum is made up of a system including a control motor,
usually a brushless or stepping motor, so as to partially
solve the drawbacks pointed out, as shown in document
US 6,959,566, in particular in Figure 1.
[0009] Depending on the circumstances, said motor
can move a crank connected to its axis of rotation and
to a jointed rod (connecting rod), which is in turn con-
nected to the thread-guide bar.
[0010] Thus, the motor with its oscillating motion
makes a movement both of forward thrust and of back-
ward thrust of the jointed rod, and therefore there is no
need to use return springs.
[0011] Brushless motors were developed for making
complete rotations and, moreover, the maximum trans-
mitted torque occurs from a given number of revolutions,
typically from 2.000-3.000 revolutions. In the applications
on linear knitting machines for controlling the thread-
guide bars, conversely, limited portions of round angle
are used, generally of about 5-10. Each motor is
piloted in a sophisticated manner so as to make the an-
gular shifts of its axis correspond to linear shifts of the
thread-guide bar.
[0012] As a result of the factors herein pointed out, it
is evident that such devices do not have high accuracy
levels as far as movement is concerned, since the sys-
tems intrinsically tends to amplify the angular error of the
drive shaft, and they cannot work at the high speeds re-
quired by some types of linear knitting machines.
[0013] Moreover, the use of brushless motors for lim-
ited angular movements makes the performance of said
motors extremely low and gives rise to definitely high
consumption levels.
[0014] Also the use of stepping motors instead of
brushless motors gives rise to some problems that should
not be neglected. As a matter of fact, said motors can
make in one revolution a given number of angular posi-
tions, typically 200. Accordingly, the positions in which
the motor can be stopped are finite and depend on the
number of steps characterizing the motor.
[0015] Another known system for the movement of
thread-guide bars includes the use of a brushless motor
(or, if necessary, of another suitable type of motor) with
a pulley fitted thereon, around which is wound a steel
band (for instance a sheet or a toothed belt), which can
be connected to the thread-guide bar so as to pull the
bar. The return movement of the thread-guide bar can
be created by a return spring or by another similar system
associated to the opposite end portion of the bar. Such
solution is shown in Figures 1B, 1C and 1D.
[0016] The use of a double motor is penalizing both
from the point of view of costs and of the overall size of
the machine.
[0017] In a further variant of the control devices for
thread-guide bars disclosed, linear actuators are used
for converting the rotational movement of the motor into
a linear movement.
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[0018] Such devices are characterized by a brushless
or stepping motor onto whose transmission shaft is fitted
an actuator in the form of a screw along which is placed
a female thread connected directly and fastened to the
element to be moved. These devices are shown in detail
in Figure 7.1.4 of the handbook "Warp Knit Machine El-
ements" referred to above and in Figures 1, 3 and 4 of
document US 2004/0261464. The rotational movement
of the transmission shaft turns the screw, which goes
neither forward nor backward but pushes the female
thread, and therefore the thread-guide bar, forward or
backward.
[0019] The fitting system between the transmission
shaft and the screw can simply include a joint or a so-
phisticated reduction system, which after many revolu-
tions of the motor makes the screw partly rotate on its
axis.
[0020] The system is generally provided with a sensor
reading the position of the bar and transmitting it to the
electronic system controlling movement.
[0021] These systems are characterized by problems
of premature wear due to the high shifting speeds and
to the difficult lubrication of the movable elements.
[0022] A further example of known control devices for
thread-guide bars on linear knitting machines uses linear
motors characterized in that they can be fitted directly
onto the body to be moved without the need for interme-
diate elements for transmitting motion, and in that they
can make rapid and accurate shifts with extremely low
clearances, as shown in Figure 2.
[0023] These motors are characterized by the use of
magnets obtained by synthesis of the so-called rare
earths, mixed and combined together and then perma-
nently magnetized with suitable techniques.
[0024] In this case the thread-guide bar is moved for-
ward and backward for making the "shog" movement but
cannot oscillate, and therefore the combined movement
of lifting, oscillation between the thread-guides and de-
scent on the needle-bed is carried out by the needles.
As a consequence, the typical oscillation of the thread-
guide bar for making the "swing" movement was replaced
by the oscillation of the needles.
[0025] Such systems can also exploit the oleodynamic
technology so as to amplify the forces imparted by the
motor, however to the detriment of the movement exe-
cution speed. Thus, thread-guide bars with a length
above three meters, which would require the use of large-
sized and therefore expensive linear motors, are moved
by far smaller linear motors together with suitable hy-
draulic systems.
[0026] In these devices the linear motor makes a
movement both of forward thrust and backward thrust of
the thread-guide bar without the help of return springs.
[0027] These devices, however, have the drawback
consisting in that they require complex electronic and
mechanical systems in the machine, since the two basic
movements are carried out by two different components
and since the needle-guide bars are very strong and
heavy.
[0028] The state of the art also shows systems using
linear motors which make both the "shog" and the "swing"
movement. Such devices require a jointed connecting
rod between the motor and the thread-guide bar so as
to transmit the linear movement of forward and backward
translation and to enable the oscillating movement gen-
erally imparted by the support to which the bars are an-
chored. This type of known machines is shown in the
accompanying Figures 3A and 3B and in document DE
10026983.
[0029] Linear knitting machines have generally four to
eight thread-guide bars, spaced one from the other and
moving all together in oscillation and separately for for-
ward and backward movements. As a consequence, the
size of the machine is quite large since every thread-
guide bar is associated to a linear motor, to a hydraulic
amplification device, to a jointed connecting rod and to
a dampening system.
[0030] Moreover, the front size ratio between the
thread-guide bar and the motor is highly unbalanced
since motors placed side by side generally occupy a sur-
face that is approximately 10-15 times bigger than the
surface of bars, and therefore no jointed rod works lined
up with the thread-guide bar and the linear motor. When
the thread-guide bars oscillate, the rods pivoting on the
fixed motors describe each a different arc of circumfer-
ence due to their misalignment with the motor. Therefore,
every device should be adjusted so as to work accurately
in the narrow spaces defined by needle shed (i.e. by the
distance between the needles) so as to avoid the risk
that needles located above intercept threads that should
instead go through untouched, and form fabric when they
should not and conversely. This also explains the reason
why a motor should be associated to a single bar since
its shift depends on the position of the bar in the group
of bars.
[0031] The need for a complex calibration always re-
quires qualified personnel for any operation involving re-
placement or maintenance carried out on the machine.
[0032] Also these devices are extremely complex,
since the transmission of the two basic movements
makes use of various components such as hydraulic am-
plification systems, the rod and the joints to which said
rod is connected. As a consequence, it is difficult to move
the thread-guide bars accurately since they are quite long
(even above three meters) and should undergo very ac-
curate shifts in the presence of external disturbances
such as temperature changes.
[0033] Moreover, because of the large number of in-
ternal components, such knitting machines are quite
bulky and, thus, expensive and difficult to be carried and
placed inside the manufacturing layout of a plant.
[0034] It is also known from document US
2005/284187 a guide bar drive in a knitting machine with
a linear motor that has a stator and a rotor which can be
moved in a translational manner in the stator in the lon-
gitudinal direction.
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[0035] An aim of the present invention consists in solv-
ing the problems existing at the state of the art by pro-
posing a control device for thread-guide bars of linear
knitting machines that is not affected by the drawbacks
described above.
[0036] Therefore, an aim of the present invention con-
sists in proposing a control device for thread-guide bars
of linear knitting machines that is compact and has a
limited number of components so as to result in advan-
tages as far as costs and service life are concerned, and
to simplify the management of said machine. A further
aim of the present invention consists in disclosing a con-
trol device for thread-guide bars of linear knitting ma-
chines that is extremely accurate and in which the clear-
ances between the various components are minimized.
Still another aim of the present invention consists in
showing a control device for thread-guide bars of linear
knitting machines that allows the bar to make both basic
movements required for correctly feeding the thread onto
the needles for the formation of new fabric. A further aim
of the invention consists in providing a control device for
thread-guide bars of linear knitting machines that enables
high use speeds (high dynamics), that is simple to carry
out and with low costs. Eventually, an aim of the present
invention consists in proposing a control device for
thread-guide bars of linear knitting machines that enables
to obtain high-quality finished items and to minimize the
likelihood of positioning the thread outside the operating
area.
[0037] These and other aims that will be more apparent
from the following description are achieved in accord-
ance with the present invention by means of a control
device for thread-guide bars of linear knitting machines
according to the appended claims.
[0038] Further characteristics and advantages of the
invention will be more apparent from the description of a
preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device,
as shown to a merely indicative purpose in the following
drawings:
- Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2, 3A and 3B show examples
of known control devices for thread-guide bars of
linear knitting machines;
- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a control device
for thread-guide bars of linear knitting machines ac-
cording to the invention, in which the device is asso-
ciated to a first end portion of a thread-guide bar;
- Figure 5 shows a side view of the device of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 shows a front view of the device of Figure
4, in which the motors are in accordance with a first
execution variant;
- Figure 7A shows a section of the device of Figure 6
according to line VII-VII;
- Figure 7B shows the same device as in Figure 7A
associated to a second end portion of the thread-
guide bar;
- Figure 8 shows a section of the device of Figure 7A
according to line VIII-VIII;
- Figure 9A shows a support of a linear knitting ma-
chine according to the invention associated to a first
end portion of the thread-guide bars, in which the
motors are in accordance with a second execution
variant;
- Figure 9B shows a support of the linear knitting ma-
chine of Figure 9A associated to a second end por-
tion of the thread-guide bars;
- Figure 10 shows an axonometric front view of a linear
motor of the device of Figure 4 in its first execution
variant;
- Figure 11 shows an axonometric front view of an
interface plate associated to the linear motor of Fig-
ure 10;
- Figure 12 shows an axonometric front view of a linear
motor of the device of Figure 4 in its second execu-
tion variant.
[0039] With reference to the figures mentioned above,
a control device 1 for thread-guide bars 2 of linear knitting
machines according to the invention comprises a linear
motor 10 designed to impart a translational motion to the
thread-guide bar 2, means 40 for moving the thread-
guide bar 2 according to an oscillating motion basically
perpendicular to said translational motion, and transmis-
sion means 20 for transmitting to the thread-guide bar 2
the translational motion imparted by the linear motor 10,
enabling said bar 2 to move with an oscillating motion.
[0040] The device 1 according to the present invention
is characterized in that the transmission means 20 com-
prise a first transmission element 21 associated to and
integral with the linear motor 10, and a second transmis-
sion element 24 that can be associated integrally to the
thread-guide bar 2. The first transmission element 21 fur-
ther has a first guide 22 in which the second transmission
element 24 is movably engaged.
[0041] Advantageously, the first guide 22 has a basi-
cally curved shape so as to enable the oscillating motion
of the thread-guide bar 2. In particular, the first transmis-
sion element 21 is provided with an inner recess 23 hav-
ing at least a basically curved shape so as to represent
said guide 22 for the second transmission element 24,
as can be inferred from Figures 5, 7A, 7B and 8. Said
element 24 is provided in its turn with a first end portion
25 matching said recess 23 so as to oscillate therein and
enable the oscillating motion.
[0042] Preferably, said recess 23 is defined by two dis-
crete portions 21a of the first transmission element 21.
In a preferential execution variant of the device 1, said
recess 23 has a quadrilateral side section and a curved
front section, whereas the second transmission element
24 has a quadrilateral side section and a circular front
section so as to slide within the recess 23.
[0043] The transmission means 20 also comprise a
plurality of spheres 28 placed between the first 21 and
the second transmission element 24 in the recess 23
(Figure 5). Moreover, these means 20 comprise a plu-
rality of fastening elements 29 designed to increase the
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pressure between the first transmission element 21, the
second transmission element 24 and the spheres 28 in
the recess 23 (preloading) so as to minimize clearances
between the first 21 and the second transmission ele-
ment 24. In particular, the fastening elements 29 include
screws associated to the first transmission element 21
so as to have the middle axis basically parallel to the one
of the first element 21 and thus ensure the fastening of
said element 21 to the motor 10. As a result of the action
of the screws, the space between the first 21 and the
second element 24 in the recess 23 is minimized, but the
radial sliding between the two elements 21, 24 is ensured
by the action of the spheres 28.
[0044] According to the invention, the transmission
means 20 further include an interface plate 30 fastened
to the linear motor 10 and shown in detail in Figure 11.
The first transmission element 21 is thus associated to
the motor 10 by means of said interface plate 30 and also
the fastening elements 29 are associated to the interface
plate 30.
[0045] The second transmission element 24 is inte-
grally associated to the thread-guide bar 2 by means of
a second end portion 26 thereof (figure 5, 7A e 7B). Said
element 24 further has a middle axis 27 that is always
parallel to a direction of the translational motion, i.e. also
to the middle axis of the first transmission element 21
and to the one of the motor 10.
[0046] As is known, the linear motor 10 includes at
least one fixed part 11 and a movable part 12.
[0047] According to the invention, the fixed part 11
comprises coils designed to generate an electromagnetic
field when an electric current gets through them, and the
movable part 12 comprises magnets that are sensitive
to said electromagnetic field. As a consequence, the
movable part 12 is moved so as to generate the transla-
tional motion to be imparted to the thread-guide bar 2 as
a result of said electromagnetic field acting upon said
magnets.
[0048] Therefore, it is the movable part 12 of the motor
10 that transmits to the thread-guide bar 2 the transla-
tional motion through the transmission means 20. As a
matter of fact, the interface plate 30 or the first transmis-
sion element 21, if no interface plate 30 is present, are
fastened to an end portion 12a of the movable part 12 of
the motor 10. The end portion 12a of the movable part
12 of the motor 10 can therefore have any shape provided
that the latter enables the fastening to an interface plate
30 or, if desired, to the first transmission element 21.
[0049] In the linear motor 10 of the device 1 according
to the present invention, the coils can be associated to
the movable part 12 and the magnets to the fixed part
11. However, in this case the reciprocal movement of the
two parts would be more difficult since the electrical sup-
ply cables should be associated to the movable part 12
and would thus be subject to continuous shifts and vibra-
tions.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the device 1, the
motor 10 used is a iron-core horizontal linear motor pi-
loted with direct current at 540 V or with alternate current
at 110 V to 220 V, with fixed supply cables (since they
are associated to the fixed part 11 of the motor 10).
[0051] Advantageously, the motor 10 is characterized
in that its movable part 12 is basically T-shaped and is
placed between at least two fixed parts 11. It is thus pos-
sible to highly reduce the overall size of the motor 10,
especially in the area getting in contact with the thread-
guide bar 2, thus overcoming the severe limitation of
known devices due to the significant size difference be-
tween the movable part 12 of the motor 10 and the thread-
guide bar 2. Moreover, the motor 10 can be boosted by
increasing its length and, therefore, the longitudinal ex-
tension, both of the fixed part 11 and of the movable part
12, so as to be able to use the device 1 also for applica-
tions requiring a high power. In a preferred embodiment
of the device 1, the movable part 12 of the motor 10 is
basically shaped as a double T, and generally the hori-
zontal upper portion of the T has a larger front extension
than the lower portion, still in order to minimize the front
size of the motor 10 with respect to the thread-guide bar
2 (Figures 6, 10 and 11). In order to reduce the size dif-
ference between the motor 10 and the corresponding
thread-guide bar 2, the I shape of the movable part 12,
as shown in Figures 9A, 9B and 12, is as valid as the
previous one. More to the point, it should be pointed out
that the reduction of the front size difference between the
motor 10 and the corresponding thread-guide bar 2 en-
ables the motor 10 to operate in continuous alignment
with the corresponding bar 2.
[0052] According to the invention, the motor 10, what-
ever the shape of its movable part 12, comprises at least
one second sliding guide 13 for the movable part 12.
Advantageously, the motor 10 is equipped with at least
two of said sliding guides 13 placed between the fixed
part 11 and the movable part 12. Said guides 13 also
simplify the translational sliding of the movable part 12
with respect to the fixed one 11 and minimize the mutual
distance (known as air gap) and therefore the overall size
of the motor 10, preventing the movable part 12 from
swinging laterally with motor 10 on or off and, in extreme
cases, letting coils and magnets crash with one another.
Generally, the motor 10 is associated to very accurate
sliding guides 13 with spheres or rollers that are crossed
with migration and preloaded, opposed or the like. More-
over, as can be inferred from Figures 10 and 12, there
are basically three second sliding guides 13 in case of
motors 10 whose movable part 12 is T-shaped, and four
of them in case the movable part 12 is I-shaped.
[0053] Furthermore, the device 1 can include detection
means (not shown) acting upon the motor 10 so as to
drive and control the movement of the movable part 12
with respect to the fixed one 11. Advantageously, said
detection means comprise at least an accurate linear po-
sition transducer that can be magnetic, optical, with var-
iable reluctance etc.
[0054] The fixed part 11 of the motor 10 is generally
anchored to a containing body (case) acting as support-
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ing frame also for the other parts of the motor 10.
[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the device 1, the
means 40 for moving the thread-guide bar 2 with the os-
cillating movement are associated to and cooperate with
the transmission means 20. The means 40 for moving
and the transmission means 20 are furthermore advan-
tageously integrated with one another and placed be-
tween the motor 10 and the thread-guide bar 2.
[0056] According to the invention, the means 40 for
moving include a support 41 designed to move with an
oscillating motion around an axis of rotation 42, slidingly
associated to the second transmission element 24 on at
least one first engagement portion 43.
[0057] Said support 41 further has a second engage-
ment portion 44 slidingly associated still to the second
transmission element 24, so as to transmit stiffly the os-
cillating motion to the thread-guide bar 2.
[0058] Advantageously, the support 41 is engaged to
the second transmission element 24 on the first 43 and
on the second engagement portion 44 by means of sliding
sleeves 45 enabling the second transmission element 24
to move with a translational motion even if the support
41 is fixed with respect to the translation and makes only
an oscillating movement.
[0059] The second transmission element 24 can there-
fore be basically L- or T-shaped and be connected di-
rectly to the thread-guide bar 2 and to the support 41 on
said two engagement portions 43, 44.
[0060] Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the
device 1, the latter can comprise a supporting element
46 integrally connected to the thread-guide bar 2 and to
the second transmission element 24, on its second end
portion 26, preferably so that the middle axis of the sec-
ond transmission element 24 is basically parallel to the
one of the thread-guide bars 2 and that the middle axis
of the supporting element 46 is basically perpendicular
to both axes (Figures 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 9A and 9B). As a
result, the support 41 is connected to the supporting el-
ement 46 on the first engagement portion 43, by means
of a sleeve 45, and to the second transmission element
24, still by means of a sleeve 45, on the second engage-
ment portion 44. Preferably, the device 1 is provided with
a first sleeve 45 associated to the supporting element 46
on the first engagement portion 43 of the support 41, and
with a second sleeve 45 associated to said support 41
on the second engagement portion 44. Therefore, in this
case the two sleeves 45 are opposed to one another, as
can be seen in Figures 7A and 7B.
[0061] The engagement between the second trans-
mission element 24, and possibly between the supporting
element 46, and the support 41 is highly innovative. It
should thus be pointed out that the present invention also
protects a device 1 having a support 41 designed to move
with an oscillating motion and associated to a transmis-
sion element 24 on two engagement portion 43, 44, pref-
erably by means of sleeves 45, so as to transmit stiffly
to the thread-guide bars 2 an oscillating motion and en-
able the translational motion, wherein the transmission
element 24 is associated to a motor 10 by means of
known systems such as jointed rods.
[0062] The operation of the device 1 according to the
invention in an preferential execution variant can be sum-
marized as follows.
[0063] The linear motor 10, through its movable part
12, imparts a translational motion to the first transmission
element 21 by means of the interface plate 30. Such
translational motion is then transmitted to the second
transmission element 24, which is stiff and integral in
terms of translation with respect to the first transmission
element 21. In its turn, said second transmission element
24 transmits the translational motion to the thread-guide
bar 2 by means of the supporting element 46 to which
these two components 24, 46 are stiffly connected.
Thanks to the translational motion imparted by the motor
10, the thread-guide bar 2 can make the "shog" move-
ment, thus moving frontally with respect to the hook of
every needle.
[0064] Simultaneously to the "shog" movement, the
thread-guide bar 2 should also make the "swing" move-
ment so as to move laterally with respect to every needle
and allow a correct feeding of the thread associated to
each thread-guide. The "swing" movement is generated
by the oscillating movement of the support 41. Thanks
to the connection of said support 41 to the second trans-
mission element 24 and to the supporting element 46 on
the first 43 and on the second engagement portion 44,
said oscillating movement is stiffly transmitted from the
support 41 to the thread-guide bar 2. Moreover, the sec-
ond transmission element 24 and the supporting element
46 are connected to the support 41 on the two engage-
ment portions 43, 44 by means of sleeves 45 enabling
the thread-guide bar 2 to move stiffly with an oscillating
movement with respect to said support 41 and, at the
same time, enabling the second transmission element
24, the supporting element 46 and the bar 2 to move with
the translational movement imparted by the motor 10.
[0065] The inventive idea of the present invention also
includes a linear knitting machine characterized in that it
comprises at least one control device 1 for thread-guide
bars 2 as described above.
[0066] Advantageously, a linear knitting machine com-
prises a plurality of the control devices 1 as described
above, since each of said devices 1 is associated to a
thread-guide bar 2, conventionally being there more than
one of them, generally four to ten, in each knitting ma-
chine. According to the invention, in a linear knitting ma-
chine the motors 10 of every device 1 are arranged ra-
dially so as to describe basically an arc in a plane basi-
cally parallel to the oscillation plane of the thread-guide
bars 2 and allow the maximum closeness between each
of the motors 10 and the corresponding bar 2, as can be
inferred from Figures 4, 6, 9A and 9B.
[0067] Moreover, still in order to minimize the front size
difference between motor 10 and thread-guide bar 2 and
enable said bars 2 to work basically lined up with the
corresponding motor 10, a first group of devices 1 (Figure
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9A) is associated to one of the two end portions 2a of the
bars 2, whereas a second group of devices 1 (Figure 9B)
is associated to the opposite end portion 2a.
[0068] Preferably, the control devices 1 are alterna-
tively arranged on an end portion 2a of the bar and on
the opposite one, as can be inferred from Figures 9A and
9B.
[0069] As a result of the radial arrangement, the de-
vices 1 on a machine can have components, such as the
interface plate 30 or the first transmission element 21,
differing from one another since every device 1 should
have its thrust and oscillation center very close to the
axis of the movable part 12 of the linear motor 10 so as
to balance efforts.
[0070] The knitting machine includes at least a number
of supporting elements 46 matching the number of
thread-guide bars 2 and at least two supports 41 gener-
ating the oscillating motion. More to the point, each of
these two supports 41 is associated to each of the second
transmission elements 24 of the devices 1 and, if neces-
sary, also to each of the supporting elements 46, whereas
the other one is associated on an opposite end portion
2a of the thread-guide bar 2 with respect to the one to
which every device 1 is associated. Similarly, every
thread-guide bar 2 is associated to at least two supporting
elements 46 on each of the two end portions 2a and also
to a central supporting element 46 for an improved bal-
ancing of the knitting machine.
[0071] Preferably, the linear knitting machine accord-
ing to the present invention has a so-called "portal"
shape, and the motors 10 and the control devices 1 for
the thread-guide bars 2 are uniformly placed inside the
two shoulders of the machine.
[0072] The following description can apply for example
both to warp machines of the raschel or tricot and similar
types with thread-guide bars 2 having a length of about
one meter and suitable for manufacturing ribbons,
scarves etc., and to machines with bars 2 having a length
above 3 m used for knitting clothing (stockings, pieces
of cloth etc.).
[0073] The invention thus conceived can be subject to
several changes and variants, all of which fall into the
framework of the inventive idea.
[0074] In practice, any material or size can be choosed
depending on the requirements.
[0075] Moreover, all details can be replaced by other
technically equivalent elements.
[0076] The invention achieves important advantages.
[0077] Firstly, the control device for thread-guide bars
of linear knitting machines according to the present in-
vention is compact and has a significantly smaller
number of components than known devices having the
same function, since the motor and the thread-guide bar
are connected directly by means of the first and the sec-
ond transmission element and, if desired, by means of
the interface plate. This gives rise to advantages as far
as costs are concerned, increases the simplicity of the
machine and the service life of said components and re-
duces the likelihood of breaks and the overall size of the
machine.
[0078] Secondly, the radial arrangement of the linear
motors, some of them being in contact with an end portion
of the bar and the other ones in contact with the other
one, and the shape as a double T of the movable part of
the motor have allowed to further reduce the overall size
of the knitting machine and the front size unbalance be-
tween the motor and the thread-guide bar and to enhance
the balance of efforts in the machine. As a consequence,
the machine can operate at high speeds and failures are
less likely to occur. Moreover, the devices are structured
and arranged inside the machine so that the oscillation
and thrust centers for translation are basically lined up,
thus enhancing the balance of efforts and, therefore, also
the service life and the operation of said machine.
[0079] Furthermore, the devices disclosed above have
a high operating accuracy and eliminate the drawback
of positioning the thread out of the operating trajectory,
which often occurs with known devices, thus ensuring a
high-quality finished item. As a matter of fact, as was
already pointed out, transmission takes place only by
means of the two transmission elements operating with
axes that are always parallel to the one of the motor and
of the thread-guide bar, and clearances are minimized
both in the motor and in the transmission means (differ-
ently from known devices, see Figure 3B). The reduction
in the number of components and their particular recip-
rocal shape has further made the machine less sensitive
also to factors such as temperature.
[0080] A further advantage consists in that the various
components are uniformly distributed inside the ma-
chine, so as to exploit every space, reduce the overall
size and have a balanced and rational structure enhanc-
ing its performance and simplifying for instance mainte-
nance or modification operations.
[0081] Eventually, the particular shape of the motor
enables to minimize its front size keeping the power it
generated unchanged.
Claims
1. A control device (1) for thread-guide bars (2) of warp
linear knitting machines, comprising:
a linear motor (10) designed to impart a trans-
lational motion to said thread-guide bar (2),
means (40) for moving said thread-guide bar (2)
according to an oscillating motion basically per-
pendicular to said translational motion, and
transmission means (20) for transmitting to said
thread-guide bar (2) said translational motion
(10) of said linear motor (10), thus enabling said
oscillating motion;
said transmission means (20) including a first
transmission element (21) associated to and in-
tegral with said linear motor (10), and a second
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transmission element (24) that can be associat-
ed integrally to said thread-guide bar (2),
characterized in that said first transmission ele-
ment (21) has a first guide (22) in which said second
transmission element (24) is movably engaged.
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized
in that said first guide (22) has a basically curved
shape so as to enable said oscillating motion of said
thread-guide bar (2).
3. The device (1) according to claims 1 or 2, charac-
terized in that said first transmission element (21)
has an inner recess (23) having at least a basically
curved shape and defining said first guide (22), said
second transmission element (24) having a first end
portion (25) matching said recess (23) so as to os-
cillate inside said recess (23), in order to transmit
said translational motion to said thread-guide bar (2)
and to enable said oscillating motion.
4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized
in that said recess (23) is defined by two discrete
portions (21a) of said first transmission element (21)
designed to enclose said first end portion (25) of said
second transmission element (24).
5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that said second transmis-
sion element (24) has a second end portion (26),
said second end portion (26) being integrally asso-
ciated to said thread-guide bar (2).
6. The device (1) according to any one of the claims 3
to 5, characterized in that said transmission means
(20) further include a plurality of spheres (28) located
inside said recess (23) between said first (21) and
said second transmission element (24), and a plu-
rality of fastening elements (29) designed to increase
pressure between said first (21) and said second
transmission element (24) and said spheres (28) in
said recess (23) so as to minimize clearances be-
tween said first (21) and said second transmission
element (24).
7. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that said transmission
means (20) further include an interface plate (30)
associated to said linear motor (10), said first trans-
mission element (21) being fastened to said interface
plate (30).
8. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that said second transmis-
sion element (24) has a middle axis (27) that is al-
ways parallel to a direction of said translational mo-
tion.
9. The device (1) according to the preceding claim 7,
characterized in that said linear motor (10) has at
least one fixed part (11) and a movable part (12)
designed to transmit to said thread-guide bar (2) said
translational motion, said interface plate (30) or said
first transmission element (21) being fastened to an
end portion (12a) of said movable part (12).
10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized
in that said fixed part (11) includes coils designed
to generate an electromagnetic field when an electric
current goes through them, and in that said movable
part (12) includes magnets that are sensitive to said
electromagnetic field, said movable part (12) being
moved so as to generate said translational motion
as a result of said electromagnetic field acting upon
said magnets.
11. The device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, charac-
terized in that said movable part (12) of said linear
motor (10) is basically T-shaped so as to minimize
the space occupied by said motor (10), and it is
placed between at least two of said fixed parts (11).
12. The device (1) according to claim 11, characterized
in that said movable part (12) of said linear motor
(10) is basically shaped as a double T.
13. The device (1) according to claims 9 or 10, charac-
terized in that said movable part (12) of said linear
motor (10) is basically I-shaped so as to minimize
the space occupied by said motor (10), and it is
placed between at least two of said fixed parts (11).
14. The device (11) according to any one of the claims
9 to 13, characterized in that said motor (10) com-
prises at least one second sliding guide (13) for said
movable part (12) of said motor (10).
15. The device (1) according to claim 14, characterized
in that said motor (10) includes at least two of said
second sliding guides (13) placed between said fixed
part (11) and said movable part (12) so as to simplify
the translational sliding of said movable part (12) with
respect to said fixed part (11) and to minimize the
distance between said movable part (12) and said
fixed part (11) and the overall size of said motor (10).
16. The device according to any one of the claims 9 to
15, characterized in that it further includes detec-
tion means acting upon said motor (10) so as to drive
and control the movement of said movable part (12)
with respect to said fixed part (11).
17. The device according to any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that, said means (40) for
moving said thread-guide bar (2) according to said
oscillating motion are associated to and cooperate
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with said transmission means (20).
18. The device (1) according to claim 17, characterized
in that said means (40) for moving include a support
(41) designed to move according to said oscillating
motion around an axis (42) of rotation, slidingly as-
sociated to said second transmission element (24)
on at least one engagement portion (43).
19. The device (1) according to claim 18, characterized
in that said support (41) is further provided with a
second engagement portion (44) that is slidingly as-
sociated to said second transmission element (24)
for transmitting stiffly said oscillating motion and en-
abling said translational motion.
20. The device (1) according to claim 19, characterized
in that said support (41) is engaged to said second
transmission element (24) on said first (43) and said
second engagement portion (44) by means of sliding
sleeves (45).
21. A linear knitting machine characterized in that it
comprises at least one control device (1) for thread-
guide bars (2) according to any one of the preceding
claims.
22. The machine according to claim 21, characterized
in that it comprises a plurality of control devices (1)
for thread-guide bars (2) according to any one of the
claims 1 to 20.
23. The machine according to claim 22, characterized
in that said motors (10) of said plurality of devices
(1) are arranged radially so as to describe basically
an arc in a plane basically parallel to an oscillation
plane of said thread-guide bars (2) so as to enable
the maximum closeness between each of said mo-
tors (10) and the corresponding thread-guide bar (2).
24. The machine according to claims 22 or 23, charac-
terized in that a first group of said devices (1) is
associated to one of the two end portions (2a) of said
thread-guide bars (2), whereas a second group of
said devices (1) is associated to another one of said
two end portions (2a) of said thread-guide bars (2)
so as to optimize the distance between each of said
motors (10) and the corresponding thread-guide bar
(2).
25. The machine according to any one of the claims 22
to 24, characterized in that said means (40) for
moving comprise two of said supports (41), one of
said supports (41) being associated to each of said
transmission elements (24) of said devices (1), and
another one of said supports (41) being associated
on an opposite end portion (2a) of said thread-guide
bar (2).
Patentansprche
1. Steuervorrichtung (1) fr Fadenfhrungsbgel (2)
von Flachkettenwirkmaschinen, umfassend
einen Linearmotor (10) zur bertragung einer Trans-
lationsbewegung zum benannten Fadenfhrungs-
bgel (2),
Mittel (40) zum Verstellen des benannten Fadenfh-
rungsbgels (2) gem einer Schwingbewegung
praktisch orthogonal zur benannten Translationsbe-
wegung, und
bertragungsmittel (20) zur bertragung zum be-
nannten Fadenfhrungsbgel (2) der benannten
Translationsbewegung (10) des benannten Linear-
motors (10), wodurch die benannte Schwingbewe-
gung ermglicht wird;
wobei die benannten bertragungsmittel (20) ein er-
stes bertragungselement (21), das dem benannten
Linearmotor (10) zugeordnet und einstckig damit
ist, und ein zweites bertragungselement (24), das
einstckig dem benannten Fadenfhrungsbgel (2)
zugeordnet werden kann, umfasst,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, da das erste bertra-
gungselement (21) eine erste Fhrung (22) besitzt,
in die das benannte zweite bertragungselement
(24) verschiebbar eingreift.
2. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekenn-
zeichnet, da die benannte erste Fhrung (22) eine
wesentlich gekrmmte Form besitzt, um die benann-
te Schwingbewegung des benannten Fadenfh-
rungsbgels (2) zu ermglichen.
3. Vorrichtung (1) nach den Ansprchen 1 oder 2, da-
durch gekennzeichnet, da das benannte erste
bertragungselement (21) eine Innenausnehmung
(23) mit mindestens einer wesentlich gekrmmter
Form besitzt, die die benannte erste Fhrung (22)
definiert, wobei das benannte zweite bertragungs-
element (24) einen ersten, der benannten Ausneh-
mung (23) entsprechenden Endabschnitt (25), um
in der benannten Ausnehmung (23) zu schwingen
und die Translationsbewegung zum benannten Fa-
denfhrungsbgel (2) zu bertragen und die be-
nannte Schwingbewegung zu ermglichen.
4. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekenn-
zeichnet, da die benannte Ausnehmung (23)
durch zwei getrennte Abschnitte (21a) des benann-
ten ersten bertragungselementes (21) definiert ist,
die zum Einfassen des benannten ersten Endab-
schnitts (25) des benannten zweiten bertragungs-
elementes (24) vorgesehen sind.
5. Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorherigen
Ansprche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da das be-
nannte zweite bertragungselement (24) einen
zweiten Endabschnitt (26) besitzt, wobei der be-
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nannte zweite Endabschnitt (26) dem benannten Fa-
denfhrungsbgel (2) einstckig zugeordnet ist.
6. Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprche 3
bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da die benann-
ten bertragungsmittel (20) eine Vielzahl von Ku-
geln (28), die in der benannten Ausnehmung (23)
zwischen dem benannten ersten (21) und dem be-
nannten zweiten bertragungselement (24) ange-
ordnet sind, und eine Vielzahl von Befestigungsele-
menten (29), die zur Drukkerhhung zwischen dem
benannten ersten (21) und zweiten bertragungs-
element (24) und den benannten Kugeln (28) in der
benannten Ausnehmung (23) vorgesehen sind, wei-
ter umfassen, um die Spiele zwischen dem benann-
ten ersten (21) und zweiten bertragungselement
(24) zu minimieren.
7. Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorherigen
Ansprche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da die be-
nannten bertragungsmittel (20) eine Schnittstel-
lenplatte (30), die dem benannten Linearmotor (10)
zugeordnet ist, weiter umfassen, wobei das benann-
te erste bertragungselement (21) an der benann-
ten Schnittstellenplatte (30) befestigt ist.
8. Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorherigen
Ansprche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da das be-
nannte zweite bertragungselement (24) eine Mit-
tenachse (27) besitzt, die immer parallel zu einer
Richtung der benannten Translationsbewegung ist.
9. Vorrichtung (1) nach dem vorherigen Anspruch 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, da der benannte Line-
armotor (10) mindestens einen festen Teil (11) und
einen beweglichen Teil (12) zur bertragung zum
benannten Fadenfhrungsbgel (2) der benannten
Translationsbewegung besitzt, wobei die benannte
Schnittstellenplatte (30) oder das benannte erste
bertragungselement (21) an einem Endabschnitt
(12a) des benannten beweglichen Teils (12) befe-
stigt ist.
10. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekenn-
zeichnet, da der benannte feste Teil (11) Spulen
umfasst, die zur Erzeugung eines elektromagneti-
schen Feldes vorgesehen sind, wenn ein elektri-
scher Strom durch sie durchfliet, und da der be-
nannte bewegliche Teil (12) Magnete umfasst, die
zum benannten elektromagnetischen Feld empfind-
lich sind, wobei der benannte bewegliche Teil (12)
so bewegt wird, um die benannte Translationsbewe-
gung als Folge der Wirkung des benannten elektro-
magnetischen Feldes auf die benannte Magnete zu
erzeugen.
11. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, da der benannte bewegliche
Teil (12) des benannten Linearmotors (10) wesent-
lich T-frmig ist, um den Bauraum des benannten
Motors (10) zu minimieren, und zwischen minde-
stens zwei der benannten festen Teile (11) angeord-
net ist.
12. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 11, dadurch ge-
kennzeichnet, da der benannte bewegliche Teil
(12) des benannten Linearmotors (10) wesentlich als
ein Doppel-T ausgestaltet ist.
13. Vorrichtung (1) nach den Ansprche 9 oder 10, da-
durch gekennzeichnet, da der benannte beweg-
liche Teil (12) des benannten Linearmotors (10) we-
sentlich I-frmig ist, um den Bauraum des benannten
Motors (10) zu minimieren, und zwischen minde-
stens zwei der benannten festen Teile (11) angeord-
net ist.
14. Vorrichtung (11) nach irgendeinem der Ansprche
9 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da der be-
nannte Motor (10) mindestens eine zweite Gleitfh-
rung (13) fr den beweglichen Teil (12) des benann-
ten Motors (10) umfasst.
15. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 14, dadurch ge-
kennzeichnet, da der benannte Motor (10) min-
destens zwei der benannten zweiten Gleitfhrungen
(13) umfasst, die zwischen dem benannten festen
Teil (11) und dem benannten beweglichen Teil (12)
angeordnet sind, um das Translationsgleiten des be-
nannten beweglichen Teils (12) gegenber dem be-
nannten festen Teil (11) zu vereinfachen und den
Abstand zwischen dem benannten beweglichen Teil
(12) und dem benannten festen Teil (11) und den
Bauraum des benannten Motors (10) zu minimieren.
16. Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprche 9
bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da sie Erfas-
sungsmittel weiter umfasst, die auf den benannten
Motor (10) wirken, um die Bewegung des benannten
beweglichen Teils (12) gegenber dem benannten
festen Teil (11) anzutreiben und anzusteuern.
17. Vorrichtung (1) nach irgendeinem der vorherigen
Ansprche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da die be-
nannten Mittel (40) zum Verstellen des benannten
Fadenfhrungsbgels (2) gem der benannten
Schwingbewegung den benannten bertragungs-
mitteln (20) zugeordnet sind und damit zusammen-
wirken.
18. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 17, dadurch ge-
kennzeichnet, da die benannten Verstellmittel
(40) einen Trger (41) umfassen, der sich gem
der benannten Schwingbewegung um eine Dreh-
achse (42) bewegen soll und dem benannten zwei-
ten bertragungselement (24) an mindestens einem
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Eingriffabschnitt (43) gleitend zugeordnet ist.
19. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 18, dadurch ge-
kennzeichnet, da der benannte Trger (41) mit
einem zweiten Eingriffabschnitt (44) ausgestattet ist,
der dem benannten zweiten bertragungselement
(24) gleitend zugeordnet ist, um die benannte
Schwingbewegung steif zu bertragen und die be-
nannte Translationsbewegung zu ermglichen.
20. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 19, dadurch ge-
kennzeichnet, da der benannte Trger (41) mit
dem benannten zweiten bertragungselement (24)
am benannten ersten (43) und zweiten Eingriffab-
schnitt (44) durch Gleithlsen (45) eingreift.
21. Flachkettenwirkmaschine, dadurch gekennzeich-
net, da sie mindestens eine Steuervorrichtung (1)
fr Fadenfhrungsbgel (2) nach irgendeinem der
vorherigen Ansprche umfasst.
22. Maschine nach Anspruch 21, dadurch gekenn-
zeichnet, da sie eine Vielzahl von Steuervorrich-
tungen (1) fr Fadenfhrungsbgel (2) nach irgend-
einem der Ansprche 1 bis 20 umfasst.
23. Maschine nach Anspruch 22, dadurch gekenn-
zeichnet, da die benannten Motoren (10) der be-
nannten Vielzahl von Vorrichtungen (1) radial so an-
geordnet sind, um einen Bogen in einer Ebene we-
sentlich parallel zu einer Schwingungsebene der be-
nannten Fadenfhrungsbgel (2) wesentlich zu be-
schreiben, um die maximale Nhe zwischen jedem
der benannten Motoren (10) und dem entsprechen-
den Fadenfhrungsbgel (2) zu ermglichen.
24. Maschine nach den Ansprchen 22 oder 23, da-
durch gekennzeichnet, da eine erste Gruppe von
den benannten Vorrichtungen (1) einem der beiden
Endabschnitte (2a) der benannten Fadenfhrungs-
bgel (2) zugeordnet ist, whrend eine zweite Grup-
pe von den benannten Vorrichtungen (1) einem an-
deren der beiden Endabschnitte (2a) der benannten
Fadenfhrungsbgel (2) zugeordnet ist, um den Ab-
stand zwischen jedem der benannten Motoren (10)
und dem entsprechenden Fadenfhrungsbgel (2)
zu optimieren.
25. Maschine nach irgendeinem der Ansprche 22 bis
24, dadurch gekennzeichnet, da die Verstellmit-
tel (40) zwei der benannten Trger (41) umfassen,
wobei einer der benannten Trger (41) jedem der
benannten bertragungselemente (24) der benann-
ten Vorrichtungen (1) zugeordnet ist, und ein anderer
der benannten Trger (41) einem entgegengesetz-
ten Endabschnitt (2a) des benannten Fadenfh-
rungsbgels (2) zugeordnet ist.
Revendications
1. Dispositif de contrle (1) pour barres guide-fils (2)
de mtiers tricoter rectilignes mailles jetes, com-
prenant:
un moteur linaire (10) apte transmettre un
mouvement translationnel ladite barre guide-
fils (2),
moyens (40) pour dplacer ladite barre guide-
fils (2) selon un mouvement oscillatoire subs-
tantiellement perpendiculaire audit mouvement
translationnel, et
moyens de transmission (20) pour transmettre
ladite barre guide-fils (2) ledit mouvement
translationnel (10) dudit moteur linaire (10),
permettant ainsi ledit mouvement oscillatoire;
lesdits moyens de transmission (20) compre-
nant un premier lment de transmission (21)
associ et solidaire avec ledit moteur linaire
(10), et un deuxime lment de transmission
(24) pouvant tre associ solidairement ladite
barre guide-fils (2),
caractris en ce que ledit premier lment de
transmission (21) prsente un premier guide (22)
dans lequel ledit deuxime lment de transmission
(24) sengage de faon dplaable.
2. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1, caractris
en ce que ledit premier guide (22) a une forme subs-
tantiellement courbe afin de permettre ledit mou-
vement oscillatoire de ladite barre guide-fils (2).
3. Dispositif (1) selon les revendications 1 ou 2, carac-
tris en ce que ledit premier lment de transmis-
sion (21) prsente une cavit intrieure (23) ayant
au moins une forme substantiellement courbe et
dfinissant ledit premier guide (22), ledit deuxime
lment de transmission (24) ayant une premire
portion dextrmit (25) correspondant ladite cavit
(23) de sorte osciller lintrieur de ladite cavit
(23), afin de transmettre ledit mouvement transla-
tionnel ladite barre guide-fils (2) et de permettre
ledit mouvement oscillatoire.
4. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 3, caractris
en ce que ladite cavit (23) est dfinie par deux por-
tions distinctes (21a) dudit premier lment de trans-
mission (21) apte renfermer ladite premire portion
dextrmit (25) dudit deuxime lment de trans-
mission (24).
5. Dispositif (1) selon une quelconque des revendica-
tions prcdentes, caractris en ce que ledit
deuxime lment de transmission (24) prsente
une deuxime portion dextrmit (26), ladite deuxi-
me portion dextrmit (26) tant associe de faon
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solidaire ladite barre guide-fils (2).
6. Dispositif (1) selon une quelconque des revendica-
tions 3 5, caractris en ce que lesdits moyens
de transmission (20) comprennent en outre une plu-
ralit de sphres (28) places lintrieur de ladite
cavit (23) entre ledit premier (21) et ledit deuxime
lment de transmission (24), et une pluralit dl-
ments de fixation (29) aptes augmenter la pression
entre ledit premier (21) et deuxime lment de
transmission (24) et lesdites sphres (28) dans ladite
cavit (23) afin de minimiser les jeux entre ledit pre-
mier (21) et ledit deuxime lment de transmission
(24).
7. Dispositif (1) selon une quelconque des revendica-
tions prcdentes, caractris en ce que lesdits
moyens de transmission (20) comprennent en outre
une plaque dinterface (30) associe audit moteur
linaire (10), ledit premier lment de transmission
(21) tant fix ladite plaque dinterface (30).
8. Dispositif (1) selon une quelconque des revendica-
tions prcdentes, caractris en ce que ledit
deuxime lment de transmission (24) a un axe
mdian (27) toujours parallle une direction dudit
mouvement translationnel.
9. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 7 prcdente,
caractris en ce que ledit moteur linaire (10) a
au moins une partie fixe (11) et une partie mobile
(12) apte transmettre ladite barre guide-fils (2)
ledit mouvement translationnel, ladite plaque dinter-
face (30) ou ledit premier lment de transmission
(21) tant fix une portion dextrmit (12a) de la-
dite partie mobile (12).
10. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 9, caractris
en ce que ladite partie fixe (11) comprend des bo-
bines aptes gnrer un champ lectromagntique
lorsquelles sont traverses par un courant lectri-
que, et en ce que ladite partie mobile (12) comprend
des aimants sensibles audit champ lectromagnti-
que, ladite partie mobile (12) tant dplace de sorte
gnrer ledit mouvement translationnel comme r-
sultat dudit champ lectromagntique agissant sur
lesdits aimants.
11. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 9 ou 10, carac-
tris en ce que ladite partie mobile (12) dudit mo-
teur linaire (10) est substantiellement en forme de
T afin de minimiser lespace occup par ledit moteur
(10), et est range entre au moins deux desdites
parties fixes (11).
12. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 11, caractris
en ce que ladite partie mobile (12) dudit moteur li-
naire (10) est substantiellement en forme de double
T.
13. Dispositif (1) selon les revendications 9 ou 10, ca-
ractris en ce que ladite partie mobile (12) dudit
moteur linaire (10) est substantiellement en forme
de I afin de minimiser lespace occup par ledit mo-
teur (10), et est range entre au moins deux desdites
parties fixes (11).
14. Dispositif (11) selon une quelconque des revendica-
tions 9 13, caractris en ce que ledit moteur (10)
comprend au moins un deuxime guide coulissant
(13) pour ladite partie mobile (12) dudit moteur (10).
15. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 14, caractris
en ce que ledit moteur (10) comprend au moins deux
desdits guides coulissants (13) rangs entre ladite
partie fixe (11) et ladite partie mobile (12) afin de
simplifier le coulissement translationnel de ladite
partie mobile (12) par rapport ladite partie fixe (11)
et de minimiser la distance entre ladite partie mobile
(12) et ladite partie fixe (12) et lencombrement dudit
moteur (10).
16. Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications
9 15, caractris en ce que il comprend en outre
des moyens de dtection agissant sur ledit moteur
(10) afin dentraner et commander le mouvement
de ladite partie mobile (12) par rapport ladite partie
fixe (11).
17. Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications
prcdentes, caractris en ce que lesdits moyens
(40) pour dplacer ladite barre guide-fils (2) selon
ledit mouvement oscillatoire sont associs et coo-
prent avec lesdits moyens de transmission (20).
18. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 17, caractris
en ce que lesdits moyens de dplacement (40) com-
prennent un support (41) apte se dplacer selon
ledit mouvement oscillatoire autour dun axe (42) de
rotation, associ de faon coulissante audit deuxi-
me lment de transmission (24) sur au moins une
portion dengagement (43).
19. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 18, caractris
en ce que ledit support (41) est pourvu en outre
dune deuxime portion dengagement (44) asso-
cie de faon coulissante audit deuxime lment
de transmission (24) pour transmettre de faon rigide
ledit mouvement oscillatoire et permettre ledit mou-
vement translationnel.
20. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 19, caractris
en ce que ledit support (41) est engag audit deuxi-
me lment de transmission (24) sur ladite premire
(43) et ladite deuxime portion dengagement (44)
au moyen de manchons coulissants (45).
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21. Mtier tricoter rectiligne mailles jetes, caract-
ris en ce que il comprend au moins un dispositif
de contrle (1) pour barres guide-fils (2) selon une
quelconque des revendications prcdentes.
22. Mtier selon la revendication 21, caractris en ce
que il comprend une pluralit de dispositifs de con-
trle (1) pour barres guide-fils (2) selon une quelcon-
que des revendications 1 20.
23. Mtier selon la revendication 22, caractris en ce
que lesdits moteurs (10) de ladite pluralit de dispo-
sitifs (1) sont rangs radialement de sorte dcrire
substantiellement un arc dans un plan substantiel-
lement parallle un plane doscillation desdites bar-
res guide-fils (2), afin de permettre le maximum de
proximit entre chacun desdits moteurs (10) et la
barre guide-fils (2) correspondante.
24. Mtier selon les revendications 22 ou 23, caract-
ris en ce que un premier groupe desdits dispositifs
(1) est associ une des deux portions dextrmit
(2a) desdites barres guide-fils (2), tandis quun
deuxime groupe desdits dispositifs (1) est associ
une autre des deux portions dextrmit (2a) des-
dites barres guide-fils (2), afin doptimiser la distance
entre chacun desdits moteurs (10) et ladite barre gui-
de-fils (2) correspondante.
25. Mtier selon une quelconque des revendications 22
24, caractris en ce que lesdits moyens de d-
placement (40) comprennent deux desdits supports
(41), lun desdits supports (41) tant associ cha-
cun desdits lments de transmission (24) desdits
dispositifs (1), et un autre desdits supports (41) tant
associ une portion dextrmit (2a) oppose de
ladite barre guide-fils (2).
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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the readers convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description
US 6959566 B [0008]
US 20040261464 A [0018]
DE 10026983 [0028]
US 2005284187 A [0034]
Non-patent literature cited in the description
D.J. SPENCER. Knitting Technology. Pergamon
Press, 1989, 266 [0004]
C. WILKENS. Warp Knit Machine Elements. U.
Wilkens Verlag, 1997, 16, 55 [0004]