Device and Method for Thread Positive Feeding

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit for thread feeding devices, such as those associated with knitting machines and the like. The control unit generates pattern or switch data control signals based on a pattern memory, or otherwise, for the thread feeding devices. In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit adds to or subtracts from the pattern data any advance or lag angles as necessary to account for the structure of the machine and to thus assure effective thread feeding.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A control system for at least one thread feeding device of a thread processing machine comprising:
 a pattern interface having a data connection for receiving data defining a stitch pattern;   a position input that is connected to a position sensor of the machine to receive sensor signals specifying a current position of the machine;   a pattern memory;   a processing module to receive pattern data associated with the current machine position from the pattern memory and convert the received pattern data into control commands for the one or more thread feeding devices.   
   
   
       18 . The control system according to  claim 17 , wherein the processing module is communicably linked to a data memory containing machine data. 
   
   
       19 . The control system according to  claim 18 , wherein the machine data contains information representing at least one of an advance angle α v  and a lag angle α N  between events set by the pattern data and an associated change in thread requirements of the thread processing machine. 
   
   
       20 . The control system according to  claim 17 , wherein the processing module compares the current position of the machine with the at least one of the advance angle α v  and the lag angle α N  and outputs control commands to advance or lag respectively the one or more thread feeding devices. 
   
   
       21 . The control system according to  claim 17 , wherein the position sensor is an absolute value sensor. 
   
   
       22 . The control system according to  claim 20 , wherein the machine data is input through a user input system. 
   
   
       23 . The control system according to  claim 21 , wherein the user input system comprises a display device for displaying at least one input mask. 
   
   
       24 . The control system according to  claim 17 , wherein the processing module is communicably linked to a thread tension sensor for determining at least one of an advance angle α v  and a lag angle α N  between events set by the pattern data and an associated change in thread requirements of the thread processing machine. 
   
   
       25 . The control system according to  claim 17 , wherein the one or more thread feeding devices are positive feeding devices. 
   
   
       26 . The control system according to  claim 17 , wherein the thread processing machine is a knitting machine. 
   
   
       27 . The control system according to  claim 17 , wherein the pattern interface is connected to at least one of the pattern memory and a line carrying pattern switching signals. 
   
   
       28 . A method for positive thread feeding to a textile machine with time variable thread requirements comprising:
 determining the working position of the textile machine;   retrieving data according to the current working position of the textile machine, wherein the data is stored in a pattern memory and is used to control the textile machine;   linking the retrieved data with machine data to generate feeding control data; and   controlling at least one thread feeding device according to the feeding control data.   
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the step of linking comprises angle addition. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the machine data corresponds to at least one of an advance value and a lag value, and wherein the machine data is derived via thread tension measurement. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the data retrieved from the pattern memory is pattern data. 
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein retrieving data from the pattern memory comprises monitoring a line carrying pattern switching signals. 
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the line is a line sending the switching signals to a switching element. 
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the line originates from a sensor. 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the textile machine is a knitting machine