Independently controlled rollers for take-down assembly of knitting machine

摘要

A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator.

主权项

1. A knitting machine configured for knitting a knitted component, the knitting machine comprising:
a knitting bed with a plurality of knitting needles that are arranged along a longitudinal direction, the plurality of knitting needles configured to knit the knitted component and grow the knitted component away from the knitting bed in a fabric growth direction; a feeder assembly that feeds a strand toward the knitting bed to be incorporated into the knitted component; and a take-down assembly that includes:
a plurality of first rollers, the first rollers being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, the first rollers configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to different areas of the knitted component;a plurality of second rollers, the second rollers being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of second rollers being disposed generally between the knitting bed and the plurality of first rollers in the fabric growth direction, the second rollers configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to different areas of the knitted component;a first biasing member configured to apply a variable first biasing load to one of the first rollers for biasing the one of the first rollers generally toward the knitted component;a second biasing member configured to apply a variable second biasing load to one of the second rollers for biasing the one of the second rollers generally toward the knitted component;a first actuator configured to actuate to selectively vary the first biasing load such that the plurality of first rollers apply different amounts of tension to the respective areas of the knitted component;a second actuator configured to actuate to selectively vary the second biasing load such that the plurality of second rollers apply different amounts of tension to the respective areas of the knitted component; anda controller configured to control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator to control the first biasing load and the second biasing load.