Knitting machines with air feed

Abstract

The knitting machine ( 1 ) according to the invention is provided with an air-conducting device ( 21 ) for conducting air into an air guidance space ( 18 ) that is embodied between the cam assembly ( 12 ) and the knitting cylinder ( 3 ). As a result of this air guidance space, cleaning air is supplied directly to the knitting tools ( 5 ), without requiring an outer casing around the cam assembly. In the same way, the air can also be guided between a dial and its associated cam assembly to corresponding dial needles or sinkers.

1 . A knitting machine ( 1 ) 
 with a needle bed ( 2 ) provided with a number of slots ( 4 ) for accommodating knitting tools ( 5 ),    with a number of knitting tools ( 5 ) which are arranged displaceable in longitudinal direction inside the slots ( 4 ) of the needle bed ( 2 ) and are provided with a working part ( 7 ),    with a cam assembly ( 12 ) for driving the knitting tools ( 5 ), which is arranged adjacent to the needle bed ( 2 ), so that at least one air guidance space ( 18 ) is defined between the needle bed ( 2 ) and the cam assembly ( 12 ), and    with an air-conducting device ( 21 ,  25 ,  37 ) that is connected to the air guidance space ( 18 ) for guiding an air stream through this space and onto the working part ( 7 ).    
   
   
       2 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the needle bed ( 2 ) is a knitting cylinder ( 3 ) of a circular knitting machine.  
   
   
       3 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the needle bed ( 2 ) is a dial of a circular knitting machine.  
   
   
       4 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the knitting tool ( 5 ) is a knitting needle ( 6 ).  
   
   
       5 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the knitting tool ( 5 ) is a sinker ( 33 ).  
   
   
       6 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the cam assembly ( 12 ) comprises cam segments ( 13 ), which are sealed against each other.  
   
   
       7 . The knitting machine according to  claim 6 , characterized in that a sealing means ( 29 ) is arranged between the cam segments ( 13 ).  
   
   
       8 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the air-conveying device ( 21 ,  35 ,  37 ) is a fan.  
   
   
       9 . The knitting machine according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the fan ( 37 ) is provided with a separate drive.  
   
   
       10 . The knitting machine according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the fan ( 35 ,  37 ) is embodied as a separate unit, which is connected to the knitting machine ( 1 ) via at least one air hose ( 36 ).  
   
   
       11 . The knitting machine according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the air-conducting device ( 20 ) comprises at least one air blade ( 21 ), which is connected to the knitting cylinder ( 3 ) of the knitting machine ( 1 ).  
   
   
       12 . The knitting machine according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the air-conducting device ( 20 ) comprises at least one air blade ( 21 ), which is connected to the dial ( 32 ) of the knitting machine ( 1 ).  
   
   
       13 . The knitting machine according to  claim 12 , characterized in that several air blades ( 21 ) are provided, which form an air blade ring.  
   
   
       14 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the air-conducting device ( 20 ) is connected to a suction channel ( 26 ) that extends through a portion of the knitting machine ( 1 ).  
   
   
       15 . The knitting machine according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the suction channel ( 26 ) is embodied below a cam base plate ( 10 ), which supports the cam assembly ( 12 ).  
   
   
       16 . The knitting machine according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the suction channel ( 26 ) extends in radial direction, relative to the knitting cylinder ( 3 ).  
   
   
       17 . The knitting machine according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the suction channel ( 26 ) is provided with a filter ( 27 ) at the intake opening.  
   
   
       18 . The knitting machine according to  claim 17 , characterized in that a cleaning device ( 39 ) is assigned to the filter ( 27 ).  
   
   
       19 . The knitting machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a lubricating device ( 40 ) is provided for adding lubricating agent to the air stream.  
   
   
       20 . The knitting machine according to  claim 11 , wherein several air blades ( 21 ) are provided, which form an air blade ring.