VARIABLE STROKE DRIVE SYSTEM FOR TUFTING MACHINE

摘要

A variable stroke drive system for a tufting machine includes a series of drive assemblies mounted along the frame of the tufting machine. Primary drive shafts extend through the drive assemblies and are each driven by a drive motor. A series of first drive members are mounted to the primary drive shafts and are linked to associated second drive members such that the driving of the first drive members by the primary drive shafts in turn drives the second drive members. Cam arms are connected to the second drive members and to rocker arms to which push rods are mounted, the cam arms being vertically reciprocated by the rotational movement of the second drive members so as to drive the reciprocation of the push rods, and thus the needle bar(s) connected thereto along a desired stroke or reciprocating path of travel. Controlling the rate at which the primary drive shafts are driven enables control of the stroke of the needle bar(s).

主权项

1. A variable drive system for driving a needle bar of a tufting machine in a reciprocating motion, comprising:
a pair of motors each connected to a drive shaft; and a plurality of drive assemblies mounted in spaced series across the tufting machine frame, each drive assembly comprising:
a pair of first drive members each linked to one of the drive shafts of one of the motors such that each of the first drive members is driven by operation of one of the motors;a pair of second drive members each linked to an associated one of the first drive members so as to be driven thereby;a series of cam arms, each cam arm having a proximal end coupled to one of the second drive members and a distal end spaced therefrom;a rocker arm extending between the cam arms; anda push rod having a proximal end attached to the rocker arm at a location intermediate the ends of the rocker arm, the push rod linked to the needle bar of the tufting machine for moving the needle bar along a selected stroke;wherein as the motors drive the first drive members, the cam arms are moved in a substantially reciprocating motion for driving the push rods and the needle bar linked thereto along its stroke in a substantially reciprocating movement, and wherein the motors each are operable at varying rates to vary the movement of each cam arm of each of the drive assemblies so as to adjust the stroke of the needle bar.