JP7578682B2 - Warp knitting machine for producing warp knitted fabric - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a warp knitting machine for producing warp knitted fabric.

Warp knitting machines for producing warp knitted fabrics have been known in many embodiments for several decades. In general, warp knitting machines are driven by lever shafts, which extend in one machine width direction, via bar carriers, on which a number of knitting tools are carried by bars. The lever shafts are mounted on a machine frame, which comprises a number of central walls, most of which are arranged offset from one another in the machine width direction. The knitting tools used generally include hook needles, thread guide elements, such as guide needles or guide tubes, sliders and sinkers, such as knock-over hold-down sinkers, knock-over sinkers or hold-down sinkers. Usually, the knitting tools are held by bars, each driven by a lever shaft, and when driven, perform independent pivotal movements in a plane perpendicular to the lever shaft, i.e. in the machine height direction and in the machine depth direction. The bars holding the thread guide elements are called guide bars, which are further mounted and driven to perform pivotal displacement movements in the machine width direction in accordance with their pivotal movements. One bar occupied by a hook needle, at least one bar occupied by a sinker, and at least one guide bar occupied by a yarn guide element are in a functional relationship with each other to produce a knitted layer of a warp knitted product. Depending on the type of warp fabric and warp knitting machine, further bars and knitting tools can be involved in this functional connection. Known warp knitting machine designs are tricot machines, in which the produced warp knitted fabric is taken off by a knitting take-off device in a substantially horizontal direction forward, and Raschel machines, in which the produced warp knitted fabric is taken off by a knitting take-off device in a substantially vertical direction downward from the machine. In this case, take-off forces act on the warp knitting machine, which affect the properties of the produced warp knitted machine.

DE 103 49 417 B3 describes a warp knitting machine for producing a spacer fabric, in which the guide bar can be adjusted in its basic position transversely to the machine width direction, which corresponds to the machine depth direction. For this purpose, the guide bar is arranged on the machine frame via a carrier and can be positioned in the machine depth direction by a center drive. By reducing or increasing the distance between the two fabric web sheets of the spacer fabric, which is caused by the displacement of the hook needles in the machine depth direction, the position of the guide bar can be adjusted to the position of the hook needles, so that the thread guide elements can cooperate with the hook needles without any problems.

The former East German Economic Patent No. 120669 describes a device which is used to change the pivoting movement of the guide bar of a warp knitting machine. In this case, the guide bar is connected via two carriers to two lever shafts, which are driven by a drive tappet via a lever connection. The connection position of the drive tappet to the lever can be changed by screwing into an elongated hole. This allows the amplitude and speed of the pivoting movement to be adjusted simultaneously, without the profile of the pivoting movement in three-dimensional space changing. This should be advantageous, in particular when changing the number of guide bars or the fineness of the machine, in order to be able to set the maximum possible working speed of the warp knitting machine in each case. The guide bar is connected to the two lever shafts via a number of levers and carriers, and does not pivot about a fixed axis of rotation of the lever shafts, but about an instantaneous center of rotation which can be displaced during the pivoting movement due to the kinematics of the lever and carrier structure.

The production of warp knitted fabrics having a variety of different configurations, i.e., warp knitted fabrics including, for example, different combinations of yarn materials, different numbers of yarns per stitch, different knit constructions and/or different combinations of knit constructions, may require the use of a different number of guide bars or a different warp knitting machine, e.g., a Raschel machine instead of a Tricot machine.

So far, it is known to produce, in different batches of tricot machines, both four-bar warp knitted fabrics requiring four guide bars and warp knitted fabrics requiring four or less guide bars. However, the optimal pivoting movement of the thread guide elements relative to the hook needles and the optimal pivoting movement of the hook needles to ensure the fastest possible, efficient and defect-free stitch formation varies with the number of guide bars. The pivoting movement of the hook needles is designed so that the hook needles have an almost vertical up-down movement during the knitting process. Thus, for example, in a warp knitting machine with four guide bars, both the pivoting movement of the thread guide elements and the pivoting movement of the hook needles are longer than in a warp knitting machine with two guide bars. When producing a two-bar warp knitted fabric on a warp knitting machine with four guide bars, the thread guide elements and the hook needles have to pivot a longer distance than in a warp knitting machine with only two guide bars, resulting in a slower knitting speed. Also, an adaptation of the spatial profile of the pivoting movement is required in order to be able to optimally adapt the knitting speed to the number of guide bars used. Therefore, warp knitted fabrics that require a different number of guide bars for their production are usually produced on different warp knitting machines at optimal knitting speeds. Furthermore, as a result of their construction, mainly as a result of their knitting structure and combination of knitting structures, warp knitted fabrics can be produced only on Raschel machines or only on tricot machines. For example, warp knitted fabrics with a high proportion of fringes, i.e. knitted structures in which one thread is inserted into the same hook needle in several rows of stitches one after the other and does not connect with the adjacent stitch wales, cannot be produced on a tricot machine and require the use of a Raschel machine.

The object of the present invention is to provide a warp knitting machine that allows continuous production of batches of warp knitted fabrics having a variety of different configurations using a single warp knitting machine.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the preambles and characterizing parts of claims 1 to 12. The relative position of the lever shaft on which at least one guide bar can be driven and the lever shaft on which at least one further bar can be driven is adjustable in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction of the warp knitting machine. In order to vary the variety of configurations of the sheets of warp knitted fabric produced, this relative position can be varied in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction.

Increasing the number of guide bars allows the profile of the pivoting movement of the thread guide elements to be adapted to the knitting movement of the hook needles. For example, in a machine with four guide bars, the pivoting movement of the thread guide elements and the hook needles can be optimally adapted to the number of guide bars. If knitted articles that require the use of two guide bars are produced on the same machine, the pivoting movement of the thread guide elements and the hook needles cannot be optimally matched to the reduced number of guide bars on previous machines, for example, in a warp knitting machine with only two guide bars, the hook needles can perform a shorter pivoting movement and the knitting speed can be increased. Furthermore, it is possible to adapt the pivoting movement of the thread guide elements to the modified pivoting movement of the hook needles, for example, by adjusting the relative positions of the lever axes of the guide bars in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction. When converting a warp knitting machine from a tricot machine to a Raschel machine, the relative position of the lever shaft driving the guide bar can be adjusted so that the pivotal movement of the yarn guide element at the height of the hook needles is large in the machine depth direction, and the pivotal movement of the yarn guide element at the height of the hook needles in a tricot machine has relatively large directional components in the machine height and machine depth directions relative to its magnitude.

The teaching according to the invention can be applied to all types of warp knitting machines. However, it appears to be advantageous to apply the teaching according to the invention to warp knitting machines that are only suitable for producing a single knitted layer (e.g. not double-section Raschel machines or warp knitting machines suitable for producing spacer fabrics with two knitted layers). Usually, such machines have only one lever shaft, which is operatively connected to a bar carrying hook needles, so that a torque can be transmitted to the hook needles. The bar carrying the hook needles is hereinafter called the needle bar. It is advantageous for the different bars of such machines to cooperate in the production of one knitted layer. On the other hand, in a double-section Raschel machine, two knitted layers and a spacer fabric are produced with these two knitted layers. Several fabric sheets that are produced simultaneously on a warp knitting machine, adjacent to each other in the machine width direction, can still correspond to one fabric layer, if all the hook needles involved in the knitting process are driven by one lever shaft about the same axis of rotation.

Further advantages are obtained if the angular range of the pivoting movement of the lever shaft, with which at least one guide bar is driven, is adjustable. Mainly the position and length of the pivoting movement on a circumscribed circle with a constant pivot radius about the rotation axis of the lever shaft can be adapted to the angular range of the pivoting movement. It is therefore particularly advantageous to adapt the angular range of the pivoting movement when the number of guide bars is changed. It is also advantageous to adapt the angular range of the pivoting movement when changing from a tricot knitting machine to a raschel knitting machine, or vice versa, so that the pivoting movement of the raschel knitting machine at the height of the hook needles moves more in the machine depth direction, whereas the pivoting movement of the knitting machine of a tricot machine at the height of the hook needles has an equivalent directional configuration in the machine height direction and in the machine depth direction. Such an adjustment is entirely possible by means of transmission means, such as connecting one or more gears. It also applies that even if this "guide shaft" is not assigned a separate single drive, the required torque is supplied, for example, from a central drive or a drive for at least two shafts. Advantageously, the lever shafts assigned to the other bars can also undergo a change in the angular range of their pivoting movement. In connection with all exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous if at least two drive means are provided. There is a further advantage if one of these drive means is assigned to at least one guide bar. The other drive means can advantageously drive the remaining bars. However, it is also possible to assign several drive means to the remaining bars, for example one drive means for each bar. As will be described below, an advantageous aspect of controlling several lever shaft drives is to provide one or more control devices which control the drive means.

Particularly advantageous is a warp knitting machine with a machine frame supporting the lever shaft and including a machine top and a machine bottom, which are adjustable relative to one another in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction. Advantageously, the machine top is composed of at least the lever shaft of the guide bar and the parts that can be driven thereby. For example, the lever shaft of the guide bar can be rotatably received by the machine top around its axis of rotation. An advantageous embodiment is when the lever shaft of the guide bar is rotatably carried out around its axis of rotation by a mounting, and the machine top receives a mounting that includes at least two bearings.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is a warp knitting machine, the upper part of which comprises at least two upper central walls offset parallel to each other in the machine width direction, and the lower part of which comprises at least two lower central walls offset parallel to each other in the machine width direction. Advantageously, the upper and lower central walls are constituted by bearings, and at least two bearings of the different central walls form at least one mounting for at least one lever shaft. Furthermore, it is advantageous if each upper central wall is connected to each lower central wall, and the relative position of the central walls with respect to each other is adjustable. For example, each upper central wall is screwed to each lower central wall, the screwing consisting of at least one screw and/or a screw thread, at least one through hole or elongated hole and at least one screw hole. Instead of a screw thread, a screw threaded by means of a screw functionally connected to at least one screw thread is advantageous. In this way, manufacturers of warp knitting machines gain advantages in terms of manufacturing and storage costs, as such variable machines eliminate the need to build multiple variations and reduce the number of different components required to be able to manufacture different types of warp knitting machines.

Advantageous is a warp knitting machine that is provided with means for adjusting the relative position between the parts of the machine frame, for example the upper and lower parts of the machine. Particularly advantageous means for adjusting the relative position are spacer plates arranged between the parts of the machine frame. Thereby, the thickness of the spacer plate extending in the machine height direction determines the relative position between the parts of the machine frame in the machine height direction. It is also advantageous to provide at least two spacer plates between the parts of the machine frame and adjust the relative position between the parts of the machine frame with the sum of the thicknesses of the at least two spacer plates. In this way, by combining at least two spacer plates, it is possible to adjust the distance between the upper and lower parts of the machine to a greater extent without the need for a spacer plate of a different thickness. A further advantageous means for adjusting the relative position between the upper and lower parts of the machine is a screw connection that includes at least one screw, at least one elongated hole whose longitudinal axis extends in the machine depth direction, and at least one threaded hole. For example, the lower part of the machine can constitute at least one threaded hole, and the upper part of the machine and the spacer plate can constitute at least one elongated hole for each threaded hole. In this way, by displacing the machine top in the longitudinal direction of the slot, i.e. in the machine depth direction, it is possible to adjust the relative position of the machine top and the machine bottom in the machine depth direction. It is particularly advantageous if the machine top and/or the machine bottom include a scaling in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction, which allows for an accurate and reproducible adjustment of the relative position. A further advantageous means for adjusting the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom is a rail connection. A positive fit rail connection is advantageous. Particularly advantageous are rail connections that are adjustable in the machine depth direction and/or in the machine height direction and that have no play in the machine depth direction. Also advantageous are rail connections that include a device for locking the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom. Also advantageous is a warp knitting machine that is provided with at least one electric motor that drives the machine top part in an adjustment movement in the machine height direction and/or in the machine depth direction.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is a warp knitting machine in which the machine top includes at least one displacement drive for driving at least one guide bar in a repetitive displacement movement in the machine width direction. The advantage here is that for adjustment of the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom, the position of the at least one displacement drive with respect to the at least one guide bar does not change, so there is no need to adjust the connection between the at least one displacement drive and the at least one guide bar. This allows to reduce the set-up time for adjustment of the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom.

Advantageously, each lever shaft is assigned a rotary drive for its respective pivotal movement, which preferably consists of an electric machine. The rotary drive serves to drive the lever shaft in a rotary movement about its axis of rotation. If each lever shaft is assigned its own rotary drive, a complex central transmission connecting all lever shafts to a central drive motor can be omitted. The construction and maintenance costs and complexity of the warp knitting machine can be reduced.

It is further advantageous if at least one of the rotary drives consists of a linear step motor. It is particularly advantageous if a slider crank mechanism connects the linear step motor output shaft to one of the lever shafts, the slider crank mechanism comprising a drive lever and an articulation eccentrically connected to the lever shaft. The slider crank mechanism converts the linear drive motion into a rotary motion about the axis of rotation of the lever shaft. A great advantage of the slider crank mechanism is that changes in the direction of movement can be performed with almost no play, so that the drive motion can be transmitted without damaging the moving components.

It is also advantageous if at least one of the rotary drives includes a rotary step motor. The continuously variable transmission is particularly advantageous if the rotary step motor output shaft is connected to one of the lever shafts. For example, the lever shaft can be driven by a toothed belt from the rotary step motor, with toothed belt pulleys being arranged on the rotary step motor output shaft and on the lever shaft and connected to the toothed belt with a positive pole. Due to this positive pole connection, the drive motion is transmitted without slippage and, as a result, without damage to the moving components.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is a warp knitting machine in which the machine top is provided with at least one pivot drive for the lever shaft of at least one guide bar. It is therefore possible to adjust the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom without adapting the connection between the pivot drive and the lever shaft of the at least one guide bar, since the position of the at least one pivot drive relative to the lever shaft of the at least one guide bar does not change. In this way, the set-up time for adjusting the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom is reduced. For example, if the pivot drive is connected to the lever shaft by a toothed belt, at each adjustment of the relative position between the machine top and the machine bottom, when the pivot drive is not received in the machine top, the toothed belt must be replaced with a toothed belt of a correspondingly adapted length.

Furthermore advantageous is a warp knitting machine in which the rotary drives are constituted by electric machines. Advantageously, these electric machines can be controlled by an electronic control device. The electronic control device comprises means for generating and amplifying signals, a storage device and power electronics. It must usually consist of a machine computer which supplies the control signals. These control a frequency converter in the case of suitable power electronics such as an amplifier circuit (motor driver) suitable for controlling a normal electric machine or a step motor. Finally, the electric machine is supplied with a current of suitable strength, voltage, frequency and signal shape for a suitable operating profile. The electronic control device thus controls the drive operation of the electric machines and the warp knitting machine is driven by the electric machines by converting the drive operation of the electric machines into the knitting operation of the knitting tool.

Advantageously, the electronic control device is adapted to control the electric machine to drive the knitting tools driven by the electric machine according to the determined predetermined motion profile. Programmable motion profiles are particularly advantageous. It is further advantageous to group the motion profiles, each group consisting of one motion profile for each knitting tool of the warp knitting machine, the motion profiles being matched to one another such that the knitting machine performs compatible knitting operations in the same time intervals. Specifying the motion profiles in this way allows the knitting operation of the knitting tools to be specifically controlled. For example, during adjustment of the relative position of the machine top and machine bottom, the knitting operation of the yarn guide elements can be realigned to the relative positions and knitting operations of the other knitting tools, and the warp knitting machine can be more variably adjusted for the production of batches of warp knitted fabrics with different and diverse configurations.

For the continuous production of batches of warp knitted fabrics with different and varied configurations, it is advantageous to use at least two different pivot drives, of which a first drive drives at least one guide bar and a second drive drives at least one other bar, and the movement of these two pivot drives is controlled so that the yarn guide elements of the guide bar and the needles of the other bars perform a knitting movement that coincides with one another. By using at least two different pivot drives, the pivot movements of the different bars can be controlled independently of one another and thus the knitting movements of the bars can be matched with one another. If the relative positions of the lever axes driving the guide bars have to be changed as a result of a change in the batch of warp knitted fabric, it is possible to more variably match the knitting movements of the knitting tools with one another.

It is particularly advantageous if the control of the at least two pivot drives is carried out on the basis of stored operating profiles that are individually adapted to the respective batch configuration, with each operating profile corresponding to a specific knitting operation of the knitting tool. It is advantageous to predefine the operating profiles as input variables when setting up the warp knitting machine and to select and program them depending on the warp knitted fabric to be produced.

The motion profiles of the knitting tools must be matched to one another depending on the selected configuration of the warp knitted fabric to be produced so that the knitting tools synchronously produce the desired warp knitted fabric. Thus, for producing a warp knitted fabric with a specific configuration, there exists a group of compatible motion profiles, consisting of exactly one motion profile for each knitting tool. It is advantageous to store a group of at least two compatible motion profiles in the storage device and to use these depending on the selected configuration of the warp knitted fabric to be produced. Thus, when setting up the warp knitting machine, the appropriate motion profile can be selected without the need for reprogramming.

Advantageously, the warp knitting machine of the present invention includes a knit sinker, also called sinker for short hereinafter, for stitch formation that is universally suitable for both Raschel and Tricot knitting machines. Such a sinker is described below. Advantageously, a sinker for a warp knitting machine includes a knock-over edge, a hold-down edge and a throat edge, the knock-over edge extends in the width direction and at least part of the longitudinal direction of the sinker, the height direction of the sinker faces vertically upward from the surface of the knock-over edge, the hold-down edge is located opposite the knock-over edge at a distance in the height direction, the throat edge separates towards the rear and connects the knock-over edge and the hold-down edge in the longitudinal direction, at the transition point of the knock-over edge, the lay-on edge is adjacent to the knock-over edge, and at the transition point of the support edge, the support edge is adjacent to the lay-on edge, the support edge extends at least partially approximately in the longitudinal direction and is located in the height direction below the knock-over edge. Preferably, the supporting edge extends forward in the longitudinal direction from the transition point of the supporting edge and/or extends exclusively forward in the longitudinal direction from the transition point of the supporting edge. Particularly advantageous are sinkers in which the transition point of the supporting edge is at least four times as far away in the longitudinal direction from the transition point of the knock-out edge in the height direction. Advantageously, the knock-over edge is configured in a straight line, the knock-over edge extending entirely in the longitudinal direction. However, the knock-over edge can extend in a curved shape, in particular only partially in the longitudinal direction, possibly only in an infinitesimally small cross section. The longitudinal direction can then be determined by a tangent applied to the knock-over edge in the middle between the transition point of the knock-over edge and a point above the point where the hold-down edge ends forward. The sinker's width, length and height directions together form a Cartesian coordinate system that is "sinker fixed" and therefore the sinker can move with the possible movements of the sinker relative to the coordinate system of the warp knitting machine, which consists of the machine depth, machine height and machine width directions, and in particular can twist around the machine width axis. However, in all operating states of the warp knitting machine and the sinker, the sinker width direction corresponds to the machine width direction.

Sinkers with knock-over edges, hold-down edges and throat edges are commonly used on tricot machines. As a result of the additional arrangement of correspondingly designed lay-on and support edges adjacent to the knock-over edge, the sinker is adapted to knock-over (pillar) stitches when the take-off device of the warp knitting machine takes off vertically. Thus, warp knitted fabrics that are only produced on Raschel machines can be produced on sinkers. Changing a tricot knitting machine to a Raschel knitting machine can be done without changing the knitting tools (e.g. sinkers but also needles, etc.).

Advantageously, the sinker can be press-formed from a steel strip in the same way as a normal sinker. The thickness direction of the steel strip is the width direction of the sinker. The sinker can be adapted to be moved longitudinally relative to the knock-over edge to form the stitch, as is the normal case for sinkers with a knock-over edge, a hold-down edge and a throat edge. The support edge can be arranged parallel to the knock-over edge. However, the support edge can be arranged at an angle of 0° to 25° to the knock-over edge. Preferably, the theoretical intersection of the support edge with the knock-over edge is located in the longitudinal direction in front of the sinker. The angle between the lay-on edge and the support edge is preferably 90°. Thus, a knock-over band with an advantageous rectangular cross section can be supported on the support edge. Furthermore, the knock-over band supported in this way can be arranged on the lay-on edge so that it is pressed against the lay-on edge by the take-off force acting on the warp knitted fabric. In a warp knitting machine, the take-off force acts downwards in its vertical direction. A distance between the support edge transition point and the knock-over edge transition point that is at least four times as large in the height direction as in the longitudinal direction results in the lay-on edge of the sinker or the outer surface of the sinker arrangement in the machine being located approximately in the vertical direction of the machine. The lay-on edge or the outer surface can be inclined by up to 25°, or for example 15°, 10° or 5°, relative to the vertical direction of the machine, such that the lower lying areas of the lay-on edge or the outer surface project horizontally forward more than the upper lying areas. In the following, vertical take-off is also understood as a take-off direction that is consequently offset by said angle from the vertical. The sinker can extend forward in the longitudinal direction starting from the transition point of the support edge. The support edge can extend forward or exclusively forward in the longitudinal direction compared to the section of the lay-on edge adjacent to the transition point of the knock-over edge. The transition point of the support edge can be located further forward compared to an imaginary line that lengthens the section of the lay-on edge adjacent to the transition point of the knock-over edge or the section of the lay-on edge adjacent to the transition point of the knock-over edge. As a result, for example, a knock-over band can be supported on the support edge, which is pressed against the lay-on edge by the take-off force of the warp knitted fabric. The sinker can have a surface coating. The sinker can have legs. The sinker can be designed without legs. The sinker can be adapted to move substantially parallel to its longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the sinker can extend significantly further in its longitudinal direction than in its height direction. The hold-down edge can extend parallel to the knock-over edge. At the transition point of the support edge, the lay-on edge can go over the support edge with a bend or with an angle, the included angle being preferably between 70° and 110°. The sinker preferably does not consist of a means suitable for guiding a circular comb of a knitting machine.

Advantageously, the transition point of the support edge is at a distance of 3 mm to 10 mm from the transition point of the knock-over edge in the height direction. This distance can have any value, for example 5 mm or 6.5 mm. Advantageously, the lay-on edge includes a retaining device, which is at least partially constituted by a recess and/or an elevation of the lay-on edge. The retaining device can have a portion that extends perpendicular to the lay-on edge or at a small angle to the perpendicular to the lay-on edge in order to allow the knock-over band to be clamped or attached. The retaining device can be designed for this purpose as a rectangle with rounded corners and/or undercuts, with small corners compared to the length of the sides. Increasing the distance between the transition point of the support edge and the transition point of the knock-over edge can provide more installation space for attaching the retaining device to the lay-on edge.

It is particularly advantageous if the support edge terminates at a maximum of 2 mm in the longitudinal direction forward from the transition point of the support edge. The support edge can have an extension in the longitudinal direction of a maximum of 2 mm, for example 0.7 mm or 1 mm. Any value up to 2 mm is advantageous. The front end region of the support edge is the element of the sinker at the maximum distance in the longitudinal direction forward from the transition point of the support edge.

Further advantages are obtained when the knock-over edge and lay-on edge encompass an angle of 90° to 115°. An angle of 95° to 110° is particularly preferred.

Advantageously, the knock-over edge projects forward in the longitudinal direction by a maximum of 2 mm beyond the hold-down edge. In the case of coarse-fine (machine pitch) or wide knitted fabrics, the knock-over edge can project forward in the longitudinal direction by a maximum of 5 mm beyond the hold-down edge. Particularly advantageously, the knock-over edge can project forward in the longitudinal direction by a value between 1 mm and 5 mm, or between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, for example 2 mm, 2.5 mm or 3 mm, beyond the hold-down edge. A knock-over edge that extends forward by no more than 2 mm beyond the hold-down edge allows the warp knitted fabric to be taken up vertically below the warp knitting machine without the sinker or sinker arrangement needing a large distance for stitch formation.

Advantageous embodiments of the warp knitting machine according to the invention include a sinker arrangement. Advantageously, it is a sinker arrangement comprising a plurality of the already described sinkers arranged in a row at a constant distance in the width direction, and at least one knock-over band abutting against the support edge and against the lay-on edge of at least one portion of the plurality of sinkers and filling the width-direction distance between at least two sinkers, the outer surface of the knock-over band being located opposite the surface where the knock-over band abuts against the lay-on surface of the sinker. The sinker arrangement is characterized in that in the height direction, the upper end of the outer surface of the knock-over band is at least four times the longitudinal distance from the lower end of the outer surface of the knock-over band.

In particular, the knock-over band can serve to knock over columnar stitches that slip between the sinkers. As a result of the height-based position of the knock-over band, the warp knitting machine can be taken off by passing outside the knock-over band and sliding down approximately vertically below the warp knitting machine. A take-off direction in the machine direction that is horizontal towards the front is of course also possible. In particular, in the case of a vertical take-off, the knock-over band is pressed by the warp knitted fabric against the support edge and the lay-on edge of the sinker. The knock-over band can therefore be connected to the sinker sufficiently securely by means of a removable fastener.

Advantageously, the knock-over band can have a substantially constant rectangular cross section in the width direction. Such a band can be procured inexpensively and can be reproducibly fitted in the width extension of the sinker array. The width direction of the sinkers corresponds to the width direction of the sinker array. The width direction of the sinker array is approximately the same as the width at which the warp knitting machine can produce warp knitted fabric. Warp knitting machines are usually 1.28 meters to 7 meters wide, usually a few meters, for example around 4 meters wide. The knock-over band can fill the entire width of the machine. It is also possible for the knock-over band to be made up of several parts across the width and then to extend entirely across the entire width. Preferably, the sinker array includes several partial arrays of sinkers or modules with sinkers. The knock-over band can be made of a wear-resistant material such as hardened steel and/or can be provided with a wear-resistant coating. Preferably, the knock-over band has a smooth surface, advantageously with rounded edges, so as not to affect the quality of the brushing pass of the warp knitted fabric.

Advantageously, the knock-out band can be arranged flush or set back in the height direction relative to the knock-out edge of at least one partial amount of the sinkers. In this way, it is ensured that the warp fabric can be easily pulled onto the knock-over band during take-off.

Advantageously, the knock-over band can have at least one extension in the longitudinal direction, such as a support edge, so that when sliding along the outer edge of the knock-over band, the warp knitted fabric does not get caught at the transition to the support surface. Particularly advantageous are support edges that are spaced apart from the outer edge of the knock-over band.

Advantageously, the knock-over band can cooperate with at least one retaining device of the lay-on edge of the sinker of at least one partial quantity of the plurality of sinkers for its releasable fixation to at least one partial quantity of the plurality of sinkers. Advantageously, the knock-over band can have a connecting means fixed to the knock-over band and releasably fixed to the retaining device of the lay-on edge. For example, the connecting means can be glued to the knock-over band. For example, the connecting means can be clipped to the retainer of the lay-on edge. It is also possible for the connecting means to be fixed in a manner other than by gluing to the knock-over band. The connecting means can also be integrated with the knock-over band. The connecting means can be a plastic profile. The connecting means can be clamped into a recess in the knock-out edge of the sinker. The recess can have a cross-section that corresponds at least in cross-section to the cross-section of the connecting means or can receive the cross-section of the connecting means under tension. With regard to the function of the removable fastener, all known possibilities can be used.

Advantageously, the continuous means can include at its front end at least one spacer for adjusting the transverse distance between the sinkers in the longitudinal direction. The sinker arrangement can also be stabilized by a connecting means. The spacer or spacers can be a regularly occurring height of the connecting means. The spacer or spacers can be a suitably occurring bump of the connecting means. As a result, uniformity of the placement of the sinkers can be ensured and a holder for this purpose is not required. However, the adjustment of the distance of the front ends of the sinkers is advantageously achieved in a known manner via a holder. Such a holder can be cast in a known manner. And the holder can pass through holes in the sinkers or receive projections on the sinkers.

The warp knitting machine according to the invention advantageously has at least the following characteristics:
At least one sinker sequence;
a stitch forming region in which stitches are formed by knocking over at a knockover edge or knockover band of the sinker arrangement;
and a fabric take-off device for taking off the warp knitted fabric from the stitch formation area.
Further advantageous is a warp knitting machine in which the knitting take-off device is adjustably adapted to the stitch formation area so that in at least one first predefined adjustment the warp knitting can be taken off in a direction substantially directed forward and in at least one second predefined adjustment the warp knitting can be taken off in a direction substantially directed vertically. The horizontal direction forward corresponds approximately to the depth direction of the machine. The vertical direction corresponds to the height direction of the machine. In tricot machines the warp knitting is taken off substantially forward. In Raschel machines the warp knitting is taken off vertically downward. In known warp knitting machines in which the knitting machine is driven via a central transmission (crankcase), stitch formation is only possible in a narrow formation space. This is specified by a predefined operating sequence of the central transmission.

As a result of the configuration of the sinker arrangement and the adjustment of the knitting take-off device, the warp knitting machine can be universally used for the production of knitting fabrics that require different sinkers and sinker arrangements, such as automatic warp knitting machines and Raschel knitting machines, etc. After appropriate adjustment or conversion of the relative positions of the knitting take-off device and the machine top, completely different warp knitting fabrics can be produced, preferably without changing the knitting tool.

As is usual for warp knitting machines, the sinker array can be moved along an arcuate path in the sense of a pivoting movement. The arcuate path can include the horizontal direction, i.e. the machine depth direction towards the front of the warp knitting machine. Forward is the direction in which the warp knitting machine is usually operated and in which the fabric is removed from the tricot machine. The knock-out edge of the sinker array, and thus the longitudinal direction of the sinker, can be arranged at least temporarily parallel to the horizontal direction of the warp knitting machine during stitch formation. Preferably, at least after knocking over the stitch, the knock-over edge is inclined by a maximum of 10° towards the front if it is not parallel to the horizontal. Furthermore, the sinker array cannot make any movements during stitch formation. The needle array can follow an arcuate path in the sense of a pivoting movement during stitch formation, which is usually performed on warp knitting machines. The arcuate path can include the vertical direction of the warp knitting machine, i.e. the machine height direction. During stitch formation, the elongated needle shank can be aligned at least temporarily approximately parallel to the vertical direction. The needle can deviate from the vertical by up to 10° before preferably tilting its hook backwards. Preferably, the needle is not tilted much more to the vertical than the outer edge of the knockover band of the sinker arrangement.

It is also advantageous if at least one first roller of the knitting take-off device, which is located closest to the stitch-forming area, is adapted to be drivable and reversible in its direction of rotation, so that the take-off angle can be optimally adjusted and the accessibility of the stitch-forming area can be maintained.

Particularly advantageous is a warp knitting machine in which at least one second roller of the knitting take-off device, which follows the first roller, is adapted to be movable between a first predefined adjustment position of the knitting take-off device vertically below the first roller and a second predefined adjustment position of the knitting take-off device vertically above the first roller. Adjustments or conversions of the knitting take-off device can thus be made quickly. The necessary turnaround for a reliable introduction of the knitting take-off force is sufficiently present in both adjustments.

FIG. 1 shows a warp knitting machine 26 comprising a machine upper part 1 and a machine lower part 2 . Figure 2 shows the warp knitting machine 26 from figure 1 in a different view, in which the machine bed 14, the upper and lower central walls 12, 13 as well as the pivot drive 15 and the displacement drive 16 are shown. FIG. 3 shows a cross section AA through the warp knitting machine 26 in the area of two spacer plates 10 between the upper machine part 1 and the lower machine part 2 . FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the rotation drive unit 15 of the lever shafts 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 including the linear step motor 18 , the drive lever 20 and the joint portion 21 . FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the rotation drive unit 15 of the lever shafts 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 including the rotary step motor 22 and the continuously variable transmission 24 . FIG. 6 shows diagrammatically the position of the lever shaft 3 relative to the hook needles 27 and the thread guide elements 9 of a warp knitting machine 26 when operating according to the tricot machine principle. FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically the position of the lever shaft 3 relative to the hook needles 27 and the thread guide elements 9 of a warp knitting machine 26 when it is operating according to the Rachel machine principle. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the front end portion of the sinker 101 as viewed from the width direction B. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an example of two sinkers 101 of a sinker arrangement 110 having a knockover band 11, viewed diagonally from above and from the front. FIG. 10 is a symbolic perspective view of a portion of a knock-over band 111 with connecting means 113 and spacer elements 114 . FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the relevant parts of the warp knitting machine 26 in the width direction with the knitting take-off device 115 adjusted horizontally. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the relevant parts of the warp knitting machine 26 aligned in the width direction relative to the vertical direction of the knitting take-off device 115 . FIG. 13 is a joint view of FIGS. 6 and 11 and shows the arrangement of the above-mentioned elements in a construction according to the tricot machine principle. FIG. 14 is a joint view of FIGS. 7 and 12 and shows the arrangement of the above-mentioned elements in a construction according to the Raschel machine principle.

1 is a schematic diagram of a warp knitting machine 26 in which the machine frame 25 is divided into two parts, the upper machine part 1 and the lower machine part 2, which are arranged on the machine bed 14. The upper machine part 1 includes a lever shaft 3 which is rotatably mounted on the upper machine part and connected to a bar carrier 7. A guide bar 8 is mounted on the bar carrier 7 so as to be displaceable in the width direction z of the machine. For the sake of simplicity, the mounting state is not shown here. Furthermore, the warp knitting machine 26 includes three lever shafts 4, 5, 6, which are all rotatably mounted on the lower machine part 2 and which provide a knitting action to the knitting tool via the bar carrier and the bar. The bar carrier and the knitting tool are not shown. The upper machine part 1 and the lower machine part 2 are connected to each other by screws 11, and for this purpose the upper machine part 1 includes an elongated hole with its longitudinal axis extending in the depth direction x of the machine for each screw 11, and the lower machine part 2 includes a threaded hole for each screw 11. However, other devices for connecting the upper machine 1 to the lower machine 2, for example a connection by a lockable rail, can also be advantageously realized. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper machine 1 is displaceable in the machine depth direction x relative to the lower machine 2 by an amount corresponding to the length of the slot. The spacer plate 10 is arranged between the upper machine 1 and the lower machine 2 by a height in the machine height direction y, and the relative position of the upper machine 1 and the lower machine 2 in the machine height direction y can be adjusted.

Figure 2 shows the warp knitting machine 26 of Figure 1 rotated 90 degrees with respect to the machine height direction y. The lower machine part 2 includes three lower central walls 13 that are offset from one another in the machine width direction z and are connected to the machine bed 14. The upper machine part 1 includes three upper central walls 12, a lever shaft 3 on which the guide bar 8 can be driven, a rotation drive 15 for the lever shaft 3, and a displacement drive 16 for the guide bar 8. The three spacer plates 10 and the upper machine part 1 are connected to the lower machine part 2 by screws 11. The rotation drive 15 drives the lever shaft 3 on which the guide bar 8 can be driven, so that not only the guide bar 8 but also the thread guide element 9 performs a rotational movement about the rotation axis of the lever shaft 3. At the same time, the displacement drive 16 performs a repetitive displacement movement of the guide bar 8 and the thread guide element 9 in the machine width direction z. By superimposing the rotational movement and the displacement movement, the thread guide element 9 performs a three-dimensional knitting movement.

Figure 3 shows section A of the position shown in Figure 1. Three spacer plates 10 are shown in cross section. Two slots 17, each for one screw 11, are shown in each of the spacer plates 10. The slots 17 in the spacer plates 10 allow adjustment of the relative position of the upper machine part 1 and the lower machine part 2 in the machine depth direction x.

Figure 4 shows the rotational drive 15 of the lever shafts 3, 4, 5, and 6, which includes a linear step motor 18, a linear step motor output shaft 19, a drive lever 20, and a joint portion 21 eccentrically attached to one of the lever shafts 3, 4, 5, and 6. The linear drive motion of the linear step motor output shaft 19 is converted into the rotational motion of the lever shafts 3, 4, 5, and 6 via the drive lever 20 and the joint portion 21 eccentrically attached to the lever shafts 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Figure 5 shows the rotary drive 15 for the lever shafts 3, 4, 5, 6, including the linear step motor 22, the rotary step motor output shaft 23, and the continuously variable transmission 24. Preferably, the continuously variable transmission 24 includes a toothed belt securely connected to the rotary step motor output shaft 23 and the toothed belt pulleys of the lever shafts 3, 4, 5, 6, and the speed and torque of the rotary step motor output shaft 23 are converted to the speed and torque of the lever shafts 3, 4, 5, 6 without slippage according to the number of teeth on the toothed belt pulley.

All four lever shafts 3, 4, 5, 6 of the exemplary embodiment are assigned a pivot drive 15, which can be controlled via a common electronic control device. The electronic control device includes a storage device in which the motion profiles of the knitting tools are stored and the knitting operation of the knitting machine is predefined. To produce the warp knitted fabric 120, all knitting tools must perform compatible knitting operations. The stored motion profiles are therefore allocated to groups, each of which for one knitting tool corresponds to the other motion profiles of the group. The electronic control device can control the pivot drive 15 according to the selected group of motion profiles, so that the knitting tool performs a compatible knitting operation. For warp knitted fabrics 120 with different and diverse configurations, it is possible to store a corresponding group of different motion profiles, which take into account the adaptation of the knitting operation of the knitting machine to the configuration of the warp knitted fabric 120. Thus, if the configuration of the warp knitted fabric 120 is changed, the correct knitting operation can be set by selecting the correct group of motion profiles.

6 is a schematic diagram showing the spatial arrangement of the lever shaft 3 relative to the thread guide element 9 and the hook needle 27 when the warp knitting machine 26 is operating according to the tricot machine principle. The figure is not to scale, and in particular the pivot radius 33 is shown smaller compared to the other elements of the figure. The bar carrier 7 and the guide bar 8, which are not shown in FIG. 6, connect the thread guide element 9 and the lever shaft 3 in the warp knitting machine 26. The thread guide element 9 performs a pivoting movement 28 on a circumscribed circle with a pivot radius 33 centered on the lever shaft 3, which has directional components both in the machine depth direction x and in the machine height direction y. As a result of this pivoting movement 28, the thread 30 is provided to the hook needle 27, which passes through the thread guide opening 34 of the thread guide element 9 and thus follows the pivoting movement 28. To achieve the desired profile of the pivoting movement 28, there is a depth offset 31 in the machine depth direction x and a height offset 32 in the machine height direction y between the lever shaft 3 and the hook needle 27 that is aligned with the knitting action of all knitting tools.

7 is a schematic diagram of the spatial arrangement of the lever shaft 3 relative to the thread guide element 9 and the hook needle 27 when the warp knitting machine 26 is operating according to the Raschel principle. This figure shows approximately the same elements as in FIG. 6. However, as a result of the Raschel principle, the arrangement of the elements relative to each other is different, and the pivoting movement 29 of the thread guide element 9 has a substantially smaller directional component in the machine height direction y compared to the pivoting movement 28 of a warp knitting machine operating according to the tricot machine principle. Thus, in the Raschel principle, the pivoting movement 29 of the thread guide element 9 moves in the machine depth direction y. To achieve this profile, the depth offset 31 between the lever shaft 3 and the hook needle 27 is substantially smaller than in a warp knitting machine operating according to the tricot machine principle, i.e. the lever shaft 3 and the hook needle 27 are arranged one above the other such that there is no depth offset 31 between them. If the pivot radius 33 remains unchanged, then in the Raschel principle the height offset 32 must be larger than in the case of a warp knitting machine operating according to the tricot machine principle, so that the pivoting movement 29 of the thread guide element at the level of the hook needles 27 moves mainly in the machine depth direction x. For this reason, in the Raschel principle the height offset 32 and the pivot radius 33 are approximately of the same size.

The above-mentioned warp knitting machine 26, in which the lever shaft 3, on which the guide bar is driven, can be adjusted in its relative position in the machine depth direction x and in the machine height direction y with respect to the other lever shafts 4, 5, 6 and also with respect to the knitting tools 27, 101 of these lever shafts 4, 5, 6, can therefore be operated by precisely adjusting this relative position both according to the Raschel principle and according to the tricot machine principle. This applies in particular when, in addition, the knitting take-off device 121 and the knitting sinker 101 of the warp knitting machine 26 are suitable for this. Below, a knitting sinker 101, a sinker arrangement 110 and a knitting take-off device 115 suitable for this purpose are described.

8 is a schematic view of the front end of a sinker 101 according to the invention, seen from the width direction B. The sinker 101 includes a knock-over edge 102 that is configured to slope linearly forward (to the left in FIG. 8). The hold-down edge 103 is present in a manner that is spaced apart from the knock-over edge 102 in the height direction H. The throat edge 104 connects the knock-over edge 102 and the hold-down edge 103 and separates them toward the rear (to the right in FIG. 8). The knock-over edge is separated in front by a knock-over edge transition point 105 that is adjacent to a downwardly steep lay-on edge 106 that extends approximately in the height direction H. The lay-on edge 106 has a recess in its lower region that can function as a retaining device 109. The lay-on edge 106 ends downward at a support edge transition point 107 that is adjacent to a support edge 108. The support edge 108 extends substantially parallel to the knock-over edge 102 and perpendicular to the lay-on edge 106. The sinker 101 is shown without its rear (right in FIG. 8) part, which is used for connection to a further machine element, such as a bar. The connection of the sinker 101 to the further machine element can be configured in any way according to the prior art.

9 is a schematic view of two sinkers 101 of a sinker arrangement 110 with a knock-over band 111, for example, viewed obliquely from above and from the front. The sinkers 101 are for the most part identical in design to the sinkers 101 of FIG. 8. The knock-over band 111 rests on the support edge 108 and abuts against the lay-on edge 106. In this view, the lay-on edge 106 and the support edge 108 are therefore hidden by the knock-over band 111. The knock-over band 111, which spans the distance in the width direction B between the sinkers 101, can take up the warp knitted fabric 120 downward in the height direction H, if necessary, beyond the upper end of the knock-over band 111 and its outer side 112. However, the warp knitted fabric 120 can also be taken up parallel to the longitudinal direction L, which is parallel to the knock-out end 102, towards the front. As in FIG. 8, only the front end of the sinker 101 is shown. FIG. 9 shows only a portion of the extension of the knockover band 111 and the sinker array 110 in the width direction B.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic representation of a portion of the knock-over band 111 with the connecting means 113. A spacer 114, which serves as the mounting height of the connecting means 113, can be inserted between the sinkers of the sinker arrangement 110, thus allowing the conveying distance at its front end to be precisely adjusted and stabilized. Based on Figure 9, the two sinkers 101 can be spaced apart by the depicted spacer 114.

11 is a schematic view of the knitting take-off device 115, the sinker arrangement 110 and the hook needles 27 of the warp knitting machine 26, as viewed in the width direction B, with the knitting take-off device 115 adjusted in the horizontal direction Hz from the stitch formation area towards the front of the warp knitting machine. The hook needles 27 are received by the needle bar 122. The knitting sinker bar is not shown. FIG. 11 shows the sinker arrangement 110 as a slider needle arrangement including the hook needles 27 and the sliders 123 according to the state of the art, part of which is hidden by the hook needles 27. The warp knitted fabric 120, shown in a single line, is taken out approximately parallel to the knock-over edge 102. Also, the warp threads 30 or yarns 30 are usually fed substantially in the height direction from above, which is also shown in a schematic view in a single line. The knitting take-off device 115 is shown in a first predetermined adjustment position 116. In this adjustment position, the first roller 118 of the knitted fabric take-off device 116 rotates counterclockwise. The second roller 119 of the knitted fabric take-off device 115, i.e., the axis of the second roller 119, is disposed below the first roller 118, i.e., the axis of the first roller 118, in the vertical direction V.

Figure 12 shows the same components of the warp knitting machine in a schematic view in the width direction B, but with the knitting take-off device 115 adjusted in the vertical direction V. The knitting take-off device 115 is shown in a second predetermined adjustment position 117. In this adjustment, the first roller 118 of the knitting take-off device 115 rotates clockwise. The second roller 119 of the knitting take-off device 115 is disposed in the vertical direction V above the first roller 118. The warp knitted fabric 120 is taken off via the knock-over 7 band 111. The warp knitted fabric 120 is taken off at a small angle to the vertical direction V. Note that the rollers 118, 119 or their diameters are not shown to the same scale as the knitting tool.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a warp knitting machine 26 according to the invention in a configuration used for producing a warp knitted fabric 120 in a tricot knitting machine. The knitting take-off device 115 is located in a first predetermined adjustment position 116, and the produced warp knitted fabric 120 is largely taken off in the horizontal direction Hz. The relative offset 31, 32 between the lever shaft 3 and the hook needle 27 is adjusted so that the thread guide element 9 executes a pivoting movement 28 of the tricot machine, i.e. moves largely in the horizontal direction Hz and in the vertical direction V with equal directional components at the height of the hook needle 27. The produced stitch is knocked over at the sinker arrangement 110 by contact with the knock-over edge 102 by the hook needle 27.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a warp knitting machine in a configuration used for producing a warp knitted fabric 120 in Raschel machine knitting . The knitted fabric take-off device 115 is located in a second predetermined adjustment position 117, and the produced warp knitted fabric 120 is largely taken off in the vertical direction V. The relative offsets 31, 32 between the lever shaft and the hook needles are adjusted so that the thread guide element 9 performs a Raschel machine pivoting movement 29, i.e. moves mainly in the horizontal direction Hz at the height of the hook needles 27. The produced stitches are knocked over in the sinker arrangement 110 by the contact of the knock-over band 111 with the knock-over edge 102 by the hook needles 27. Herein lies the crucial difference from the configuration of Fig. 13.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper machine part 2 Lower machine part 3 Lever shaft of guide bar 4 Lever shaft of slider bar 5 Lever shaft of needle bar 6 Lever shaft of knit sinker bar 7 Bar carrier 8 Guide bar 9 Yarn guide element 10 Spacer plate 11 Screw 12 Upper central wall 13 Lower central wall 14 Machine bed 15 Pivot drive 16 Offset drive 17 Slot 18 Linear step motor 19 Linear step motor output shaft 20 Drive lever 21 Articulation 22 Rotary step motor 23 Rotary step motor output shaft 24 Infinitely variable transmission 25 Machine frame 26 Warp knitting machine 27 Hook needle 28 Pivot movement of yarn guide element (9) of tricot knitting machine 29 Pivot movement of yarn guide element (9) of Raschel machine 30 Yarn, warp thread 31 Relative offset between the lever shaft (3) and the hook needle (27) in the machine depth direction (x) 32 Relative offset between the lever shaft (3) and the hook needle (27) in the machine height direction (y) 33 Pivot radius 34 Yarn guide opening x Machine depth direction y Machine height direction z Machine width direction 101 Sinker 102 Knock-over edge 103 Hold-down edge 104 Throat edge 105 Knock-over edge transition point 106 Lay-on edge 107 Supporting edge transition point 108 Supporting edge 109 Holding device 110 Sinker arrangement 111 Knock-over band 112 Outer surface (111) of the knock-over band
113 Connection means 114 Spacer element 115 Fabric take-off device 116 First predetermined adjustment position of fabric take-off device 117 Second predetermined adjustment position of fabric take-off device 118 First roller of take-off device 119 Second roller of take-off device 120 Warp knitted fabric 121 Fabric take-off direction 122 Needle bar 123 Slider B Width direction H Height direction L Longitudinal direction Hz Horizontal direction V Vertical direction

Claims (15)

A warp knitting machine (26) for producing a warp knitted product (120), comprising:
a) a number of lever shafts (3, 4, 5, 6) whose axes extend in the machine width direction (z) and substantially parallel to one another;
b ) a plurality of bar carriers (7) that can be rotated by the lever shafts (3, 4, 5, 6) in a plane that spans the height direction (y) and the depth direction (x) of the machine;
c) at least one guide bar (8) carrying thread guide elements (9),
d) said at least one guide bar (8) is mounted and driven on said warp knitting machine (26) so as to perform, during operation, a repetitive displacement movement superimposed on a rotational movement in the machine width direction (z);
e) the relative position of the lever shaft (3) capable of driving the at least one guide bar (8) is adjustable in the machine height direction (y) and/or in the machine depth direction (x) with respect to the other lever shafts (4, 5, 6) each capable of driving a different bar,
The warp knitting machine (26) includes a machine frame (25) that holds a plurality of the lever shafts (3, 4, 5, 6),
the machine frame (25) comprises a machine upper part (1) and a machine lower part (2), the machine upper part (1) and the machine lower part (2) being adjustable relative to one another in a machine height direction (y) and/or in a machine depth direction (x);
1. A warp knitting machine, characterized in that the machine top (1) comprises the lever shaft (3) of at least the guide bar (8) and components that can be driven thereby . 2. Warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 1, characterized in that the angular range of the pivoting movement of the lever shaft (3) capable of driving the at least one guide bar (8) can be adjusted . 2. The warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper machine part (1) comprises at least two upper central walls (12) offset parallel to each other in the machine width direction (z) and/or the lower machine part comprises at least two lower central walls (13) offset parallel to each other in the machine width direction (z). The warp knitting machine (26)
a spacer plate (10) for adjusting the distance between two parts of the machine frame (25) in the machine height direction (y);
Mounting screws for adjusting the relative positions of the parts of the machine frame (25) in the machine depth direction (x), and screw holes and elongated holes (17) through which the mounting screws are inserted ;
a rail connection section that allows the rail to move between each part of the machine frame (25) in the machine height direction (y) and/or the machine depth direction (x);
2. The warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 1 , further comprising means for adjusting the relative positions between the parts of the machine frame (25), including at least one of: 2. The warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine top (1) comprises at least one displacement drive (16) for driving the at least one guide bar (8) in a repetitive displacement movement in the machine width direction (z). 6. A warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lever shafts (3, 4 , 5, 6) are each provided with a pivot drive (15) for the respective pivoting movement, the pivot drives (15) preferably consisting of electric machines. 7. The warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 6 , characterized in that the at least one rotary drive (15) comprises a linear step motor (18) and/or a rotary step motor (22). 8. Warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the machine top (1) comprises the pivot drive (15) of the lever shaft (3). A plurality of rotary drive units (15) are constituted by electric machines;
Warp knitting machine (26) according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , characterized in that these electric machines are controllable by an electronic control device. 10. Warp knitting machine (26) according to claim 9 , characterized in that the electronic control device is adapted to control the electric machine to drive a predetermined motion profile determined accordingly by the knitting tool to be driven. 1. A method for continuously producing batches of warp knitted fabrics (120) having a single knitted layer and a variety of different multi-layer configurations, comprising:
A step of supplying torque to a plurality of lever shafts (3, 4, 5, 6) whose shafts extend substantially parallel to each other;
driving a number of bar carriers (7) carrying the bars by means of lever shafts in a pivoting movement in a plane extending transversely to the axes of said lever shafts (3, 4, 5, 6);
at least one guide bar (8) with thread-guiding elements (9) is mounted and driven so as to perform, during operation, a repetitive displacement movement superimposed on a pivotal movement in the axial direction (z) of said lever shaft (3, 4, 5, 6),
The lever shaft (3) is rotatably attached to the upper part of the machine (1), and the lever shafts (4, 5, 6) are rotatably attached to the lower part of the machine (2),
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the relative position of the lever shaft (3) driving the guide bar (8) with respect to the lever shaft (4, 5, 6) on which at least one further bar is driven respectively is changed by adjusting the relative position of the upper machine part (1) and the lower machine part (2) in at least one of two spatial directions extending transversely to the axial extension of the lever shaft (3, 4, 5, 6) in order to change the configuration of the warp knitted fabric (120) to be produced. At least two different pivot drives (15) are used, of which a first drive drives at least said guide bar (8) and a second drive drives at least one other bar,
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the operation of these two pivot drives (15) is controlled so that the thread-guiding elements (9) of the guide bar (8) and the knitting tools of the other bar perform compatible knitting movements. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the control of the at least two pivot drives (15) is performed on the basis of stored motion profiles individually adapted to the configuration of the warp knitted fabric ( 120 ) of the respective batch. 14. The method according to claim 13 , characterized in that a group of at least two compatible motion profiles is stored in a storage device and is used after a change in the configuration of the warp knitted fabric (120) to be manufactured. 15. The method for producing a warp knitted fabric according to claim 14 , characterized in that the knitting take-off direction (121) is adjusted according to changes in the configuration of the warp knitted fabric (120) to be produced.

Images