GB1214691A - Improvements in or relating to knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,214,691. Programme control of textile machines. WILDT MELLOR BROMLEY Ltd. March 27, 1969 [April 5, 1968; Dec.19, 1968], Nos.16558/68 and 60457/68. Heading G3N. [Also in Division D1] A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine comprises a pattern band and reading means providing pulses, in accordance with information spots on the bands, for moving selectors into butt-engaging position and pulses for moving the selectors out of butt-engaging position when not required. As shown, a pattern strip 12 carries transverse rows of holes, and each hole in a row is sensed by a photo-cell 17 responsive to the passage of a light-beam through a hole from a source 16. The strip is driven through sprocket holes by teeth on a drum driven in synchronism with a needle cylinder 1 of the knitting machine. The drum is longer than the width of the strip and the extension 14a is perforated with staggered rows of holes. The number of holes in each staggered row equals the number of needles in a group and each group of needles is allocated a perforation in a transverse row of holes in the strip. The multiple of the groups and the number of needles in a group is equal to the total number of needles in the cylinder 1. The holes in the drum extension are sensed by photo-cells 17n responsive to a light source 16n. Each photo-cell 17 is connected through a buffer stage 22 to a multiple input of a logic amplifier block 21 associated with a group of needle selectors 10. Each photo-cell 17n is connected through a trigger circuit 18, a monostable pulse generator 19 to a buffer stage 20 having multiple outputs, equal in number to the number of groups, feeding the blocks 21. One logic amplifier block 21 provides a positive-going pulse causing energization of a selector element 10 for rocking a selector 9 into the butt-engaging position, when pulses derived from photo-cells 17, 17n occur simultaneously and a negative-going pulse, causing retraction of a selector, when there is no pulse from 17 due to the absence of a programmed hole. By this means the selector elements 10 are cyclically pulsed. Each selector element 10 rocks a selector 9 cooperating with a selecting butt 8, on one of six levels, for a rocking presser 7 associated with a jack 4 for moving a needle 2 by a lifting cam 5. The light from each source 16, 16a is monitored by a photo-electric cell 17d and upon failure or incipient failure, a regulator 25 emits an alarm signal or switches off the machine. It is stated that the punched strip can be replaced by a magnetic tape which actuates reed switches.