T-shaped stringer preforming equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of composite material forming, in particular to T-shaped stringer pre-forming equipment which comprises a rack extending in the length direction and comprising fixed platforms arranged on the two sides and a lifting platform arranged in the middle. The side mold assemblies are arranged on the two fixed platforms, each of the two side mold assemblies comprises a side mold capable of relatively sliding in the width direction of the fixed platforms and a linear driving part, and clamping openings of the two side mold are arranged towards each other; the middle mold assembly is fixedly connected to the middle lifting platform, and the middle mold assembly comprises two middle molds with clamping openings deviating from each other and a first clamping driving piece used for driving the two middle molds to be opened or closed; according to the T-shaped stringer forming die, the two prepreg sheets are clamped through the side die assemblies and the middle die assembly at the same time, the two opposite L-shaped sheets are formed in the descending process of the middle die assembly, and then the T-shaped stringer is formed through relative close joint of the two side die assemblies, so that the forming quality and efficiency of the T-shaped stringer are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of composite material forming, in particular to a T-shaped long stringer preforming device. Background Art

[0002] In the lightweight load-bearing structures of aircraft and high-end equipment, long spars are longitudinal load-bearing members arranged along the span or chord direction of the structure. They are mainly used to withstand bending, torsion and local loads, and form an overall load-bearing frame through the connection of components such as skins and bulkheads. Traditional metal long spars, such as aluminum alloys and titanium alloys, although they have certain strength, have problems such as high density, low specific stiffness, and insufficient fatigue performance. With the development of composite material technology, carbon fiber reinforced resin-based composite materials have gradually become the mainstream material for long spars due to their high specific strength, high specific modulus, excellent corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance. Among them, T-type long spars are widely used in the main load-bearing structures of advanced aircraft due to the high matching degree between their geometric characteristics and mechanical properties.

[0003] In the prior art, for example, Chinese invention patent CN107415280A, published on December 1, 2017, discloses a mold and method for preforming a T-shaped long stringer. The method forms a U-shaped prepreg ply by laying the layers on a mold, then trimming the U-shaped prepreg ply at the center line to obtain two L-shaped prepreg plies. Subsequently, one of the two L-shaped prepreg plies is separated from the other and then flipped and aligned to form a T-shaped prepreg ply.

[0004] However, the processing equipment for the T-shaped long stringer described above may cause the prepreg plies to separate from the mold during the cutting and flipping process, thereby resulting in poor adhesion between the T-shaped long stringer and the mold during processing, affecting product quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of at least one of the above technical problems, the present invention provides a T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment, which improves the forming quality of the T-shaped long stringer by improving the equipment structure.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a T-shaped long stringer preforming device, comprising: A frame extending in a length direction and having fixed platforms arranged on both sides and a lifting platform arranged in the middle along its width direction, wherein the lifting platform can be raised and lowered in a vertical direction; A side mold assembly is provided on the two fixed platforms, each of the side mold assemblies comprising a side mold group that can slide relative to each other in the width direction of the fixed platform, and a first linear drive member having one end connected to the fixed platform and the other end connected to the side mold group, wherein the clamping openings of the two side mold groups are arranged to face each other; A middle mold assembly is fixedly connected to the middle lifting platform, the middle mold assembly includes two middle molds with clamping openings facing away from each other, and a first clamping driving member for driving the two middle molds to open or close; Among them, the lifting platform lifts the middle module to be opposite to the clamping openings of the side modules in the initial stage. After clamping the two sides of the two sheets respectively, the lifting platform drives the middle module to descend, so that the inner sides of the two sheets slide and fit respectively on the inner walls of the side modules to form two L-shaped sheets. After the lifting platform descends to the bottom of the side module assembly, the first linear drive member drives the two side modules to approach each other, so that the two L-shaped sheets are connected to form a T-shaped long beam.

[0007] Furthermore, the side mold assembly includes a lower mold mechanism, an upper mold mechanism rotatably connected to the side of the lower mold mechanism, and a second clamping drive component for driving the upper mold mechanism to open or close relative to the lower mold mechanism.

[0008] Furthermore, the lower mold mechanism includes a first heating plate and a first lower mold plate fixed on the first heating plate, and the outer edge of the first lower mold plate extends vertically downward.

[0009] Furthermore, the lower mold mechanism also includes a first base plate connected to the first heating plate, and a sliding component is provided between the first base plate and the first heating plate. The sliding component is arranged along the length direction of the first heating plate, so that the first heating plate can be retracted relative to the length direction of the first base plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper mold mechanism includes a first top plate, a second heating plate and a first upper mold plate, the first upper mold plate is fitly connected to the second heating plate, and there is also a second linear drive member between the first top plate and the second heating plate. The second linear drive member is fixed to the first top plate, and the driving end is connected to the second heating plate, which is used to adjust the pressure between the upper mold mechanism and the lower mold mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the upper mold mechanism also includes a guide member, one end of which is fixed on the heating plate, and the other end of which passes through the top plate and is slidably arranged relative to the top plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the middle mold includes a bottom mold mechanism and a top mold mechanism, the top mold mechanism can be flipped relative to the bottom mold mechanism, and the first clamping drive component is rotatably connected to the top mold mechanisms on both sides to drive the top mold mechanisms on both sides to open or close.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom mold mechanism includes a second bottom plate, a third heating plate and a second lower mold plate, the second lower mold plate is fitted and connected to the third heating plate, and the sliding assembly is connected between the third heating plate and the second bottom plate; The top mold mechanism includes a second top plate, a fourth heating plate and a second upper mold plate. The second upper mold plate is fitted and connected to the fourth heating plate. The sliding assembly is connected between the fourth heating plate and the second top plate.

[0014] Furthermore, there are multiple racks arrayed along the length direction thereof, and both sides of the multiple racks in the width direction are further provided with support frames connected to the multiple racks.

[0015] Furthermore, both sides of each of the racks are slidably connected to the support frame in a vertical direction, and the support frame also has a lifting drive member connected to each of the racks for adjusting the height of each of the racks.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention simultaneously clamps two prepreg sheets through the side mold assembly and the middle mold assembly, forms two opposite L-shaped sheets during the descending process of the middle mold assembly, and then forms a T-shaped long stringer through the relative proximity and joining of the two side mold assemblies. Compared with the prior art, the prepreg sheets are not cut and rotated, but are only formed into L-shaped sheets by extrusion and then formed by docking, thereby improving the tightness of the fit between the sheet and the mold, thereby improving the quality of the product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the side structure of the T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the side mold assembly in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the middle mold assembly in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle mold assembly in the initial state according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the middle mold assembly when it descends in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the side mold assemblies when they are docked in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the side mold assembly from another perspective in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention Figure 7 AA cross-sectional structural diagram in FIG; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the middle mold assembly from another perspective in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals: 01, prepreg sheet; 1, frame; 11, fixed platform; 12, lifting platform; 2, side mold assembly; 21, side mold group; 211, lower mold mechanism; 211a, first heating plate; 211b, first lower mold plate; 211c, first bottom plate; 211d, sliding assembly; 212, upper mold mechanism; 212a, first top plate; 212b, second heating plate; 212c, first upper mold plate; 212d, second linear drive member ; 212e, guide member; 213, second clamping drive member; 22, first linear drive member; 3, middle mold assembly; 31, intermediate mold; 311, bottom mold mechanism; 311a, second bottom plate; 311b, third heating plate; 311c, second lower mold; 312, top mold mechanism; 312a, second top plate; 312b, fourth heating plate; 312c, second upper mold; 32, first clamping drive member; 4, support frame; 41, lifting drive member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0021] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 10 The T-shaped long truss preforming equipment shown includes a frame 1, a side mold assembly 2 and a middle mold assembly 3, as shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 3 As shown in, in an embodiment of the present invention, the frame 1 extends along the length direction, and the frame 1 has fixed platforms 11 arranged on both sides along its width direction and a lifting platform 12 arranged in the middle, and the lifting platform 12 can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction; in an embodiment of the present invention, the heights of the fixed platforms 11 on both sides are higher than the lifting platform 12 in the middle, so as to provide space for the lifting and lowering of the lifting platform 12; of course, it should be pointed out here that the lifting platform 12 has various lifting structures. For example, slide rails and sliders slidably connected to the slide rails can be provided on both sides of the lifting platform 12, the slide rails can be fixed to the inner side of the fixed platform 11, and the sliders can be fixed to both sides of the lifting platform 12. The lifting drive also has various structural forms, which can be hydraulic drive, pneumatic drive, or driven by a motor screw, etc.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present invention, the side mold assembly 2 is arranged on two fixed platforms 11, and the two side mold assemblies 2 include a side mold group 21 that can be relatively slidably arranged in the width direction of the fixed platform 11 and a first linear drive member 22 connected to the fixed platform 11 at one end and the side mold group 21 at the other end. The clamping openings of the two side mold groups 21 are set toward each other; in an embodiment of the present invention, the side mold group 21 is used to clamp the two sides of the material and fix the two sides of the material. During the entire molding process, the sides of the material are clamped in the side mold group 21 and do not move.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 In an embodiment of the present invention, the middle mold assembly 3 is fixed to the middle lifting platform 12. The middle mold assembly 3 includes two middle molds 31 with clamping openings facing away from each other, and a first clamping driving member 32 for driving the two middle molds 31 to open or close. It should be pointed out here that the two middle molds 31 are used to clamp the other side of the two sheets, and the middle mold assembly 3 is lowered to realize the sliding extrusion of the sheet from the original horizontal cross-section to an L-shaped structure.

[0026] In the specific molding, such as Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the lifting platform 12 lifts the middle module to the clamping openings of the side modules 21, and then opens the middle module and the side modules 21, and places the two sides of the two sheets in the width direction in each set of the middle module and the side modules 21, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown in the figure, the middle mold 31 on the left side of the middle module cooperates with the side module 21 on the left side to clamp one of the prepreg sheets 01, and the middle mold 31 on the right side of the middle module cooperates with the side module 21 on the right side to clamp the other prepreg sheet 01. At this time, the cross-sections of the two prepreg sheets 01 are both in the shape of a straight line.

[0027] like Figure 5 As shown in , after clamping the two sides of the two sheets respectively, the lifting platform 12 drives the middle module to descend, so that the inner sides of the two sheets slide and fit respectively on the inner walls of the side modules 21 to form two L-shaped sheets. In the embodiment of the present invention, the clamping force of the middle module is less than the clamping force of the side modules 21, so that during the descent of the middle module, the side of the two prepreg sheets 01 clamped by the middle module slips in the middle module, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the inner sides of the two prepreg sheets 01 are simultaneously supported by the middle module and adhered to the inner wall of the middle module during the sliding process to form two symmetrical L-shaped structures.

[0028] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG, after the lifting platform 12 descends below the side mold assembly 2, the first linear drive 22 drives the two side molds 21 toward each other, so that the two L-shaped pieces are connected to form a T-shaped long stringer. The middle mold then continues to heat the connected T-shaped long stringers, causing them to solidify and form, ultimately forming the desired T-shaped long stringer structure.

[0029] In the above embodiment, two prepreg sheets 01 are clamped simultaneously by the side mold assembly 2 and the middle mold assembly, and two opposite L-shaped sheets are formed during the descending process of the middle mold assembly. Then, the two side mold assemblies 2 are relatively close to each other to form a T-shaped long stringer. Compared with the prior art, the prepreg sheets 01 are not cut or rotated, but are only formed into L-shaped sheets by extrusion and then formed by docking, thereby improving the tightness of the sheet and the mold, thereby improving the quality of the product.

[0030] Based on the above embodiments, Figure 7 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the side mold assembly 21 includes a lower mold mechanism 211, an upper mold mechanism 212 rotatably connected to the side of the lower mold mechanism 211, and a second clamping drive 213 for driving the upper mold mechanism 212 to open or close relative to the lower mold mechanism 211. Of course, it should be pointed out here that in the embodiment of the present invention, the second clamping drive 213 for opening or closing the upper mold mechanism 212 has various structural forms, which can be as follows: Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the upper mold mechanism 212 is flipped by a cylinder and a transmission rod, or the upper mold mechanism 212 can be directly driven by a motor to flip, and those skilled in the art can make a choice according to actual needs.

[0031] Please continue to refer to Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present application, the lower mold mechanism 211 comprises a first heating plate 211a and a first lower mold plate 211b fixed on the first heating plate 211a, and the first lower mold plate 211b is provided with a downward vertical extension at the outer side edge. As shown in Figure 7 The first lower mold plate 211b forms an inverted L-shaped structure through the downward extension of the outer side edge, and the top and side of the first heating plate 211a are both in contact with the first lower mold plate 211b. Through the arrangement of this structure, on the one hand, it provides support for the deformation of the prepreg 01 and can improve the consistency of the deformation of the prepreg 01, and on the other hand, it also saves the space of the heating plate and simultaneously heats the top and side of the first lower mold plate 211b through one heating plate. Of course, it should be pointed out here that in the embodiment of the present application, the heating plate can be realized in the form of electric heating, or a flow channel can be opened in the heating plate to realize heating through high-temperature flowing medium.

[0032] Please continue to refer to Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present application, the lower mold mechanism 211 further comprises a first bottom plate 211c connected with the first heating plate 211a, and a sliding assembly 211d is further arranged between the first bottom plate 211c and the first heating plate 211a, and the sliding assembly 211d is arranged along the length direction of the first heating plate 211a, so that the first heating plate 211a is arranged in an extendable manner relative to the length direction of the first bottom plate 211c. It should be pointed out here that since the heating plate will expand after being heated, in order to reduce the bending caused by such expansion, as shown in Figure 8 The sliding assembly 211d arranged between the first bottom plate 211c and the first heating plate 211a can provide a certain deformation displacement space when the first heating plate 211a deforms in the length direction when heated, thereby reducing the influence on the shape of the prepreg 01.

[0033] Please continue to refer to Figure 8In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper mold mechanism 212 includes a first top plate 212a, a second heating plate 212b, and a first upper mold plate 212c. The first upper mold plate 212c is bonded to the second heating plate 212b. A second linear drive member 212d is further provided between the first top plate 212a and the second heating plate 212b. The second linear drive member 212d is fixed to the first top plate 212a, and its driving end is connected to the second heating plate 212b, for adjusting the pressure between the upper mold mechanism 212 and the lower mold mechanism 211. It should be noted that the second linear drive member 212d can be a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or other linear drive mechanism. By providing the second linear drive member 212d, the pressure of the upper mold mechanism 212 on the prepreg sheet 01 can be adjusted, thereby ensuring the pressing effect on the prepreg sheet 01 and preventing the prepreg sheet 01 from slipping in the upper mold mechanism 212.

[0034] Please continue to refer to Figure 8 In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper mold mechanism 212 further includes a guide member 212e. One end of the guide member 212e is fixed to the heating plate, and the other end passes through the top plate and is slidably disposed relative to the top plate. The guide member 212e may be a combination of a guide post and a linear bearing. This structural arrangement ensures uniform pressure applied by the second linear drive member 212d, thereby ensuring consistent product quality.

[0035] like Figure 9 As shown in , in an embodiment of the present invention, the middle mold 31 includes a bottom mold mechanism 311 and a top mold mechanism 312. The top mold mechanism 312 can be flipped relative to the bottom mold mechanism 311. The first clamping drive member 32 is rotatably connected to the top mold mechanisms 312 on both sides to drive the top mold mechanisms 312 on both sides to open or close. Of course, it should be pointed out here that the first clamping drive member 32 can drive the flipping of the two top mold mechanisms 312 at the same time, or it can be driven separately. The specific driving form has been mentioned above and will not be repeated here. Please continue to refer to Figure 9 In an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom mold mechanism 311 includes a second bottom plate 311a, a third heating plate 311b, and a second lower mold plate 311c. The second lower mold plate 311c is bonded to the third heating plate 311b, and a sliding assembly 211d is connected between the third heating plate 311b and the second bottom plate 311a. The top mold mechanism 312 includes a second top plate 312a, a fourth heating plate 312b, and a second upper mold plate 312c. The second upper mold plate 312c is bonded to the fourth heating plate 312b, and a sliding assembly 211d is connected between the fourth heating plate 312b and the second top plate 312a. The structure and function of the sliding assembly 211d have been mentioned above and will not be repeated here. In an embodiment of the present invention, grooves can be provided on the heating plate or the top and bottom plates to fix the slide rails or sliders in the sliding assembly 211d to limit its movement distance.

[0036] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 10 As shown in the figure, multiple racks 1 are arranged in an array along their length, and support frames 4 connected to the multiple racks 1 are provided on both sides of the multiple racks 1 in the width direction. Through this segmented structure, the number of racks 1 can be set as needed to meet the production requirements of T-shaped long beams of different lengths.

[0037] In the embodiment of the present invention, please continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 10 Each frame 1 is vertically slidably connected to a support frame 4 on both sides. The support frame 4 also has a lifting drive 41 connected to each frame 1 for adjusting the height of each frame 1. This structural arrangement allows the height of each frame 1 to be adjusted as needed, eliminating the need to transfer the T-shaped girder to a dedicated molding die for curing and forming to form a T-shaped girder with a certain curvature during processing. This structural arrangement in which each frame 1 can be lifted and lowered improves processing efficiency. Furthermore, since the T-shaped girder does not need to be transferred multiple times, the consistency of the product molding is also improved.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. The foregoing embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment, characterized in that: include: A frame extending in a length direction and having fixed platforms arranged on both sides and a lifting platform arranged in the middle along its width direction, wherein the lifting platform can be raised and lowered in a vertical direction; A side mold assembly is provided on the two fixed platforms, each of the side mold assemblies comprising a side mold group that can slide relative to each other in the width direction of the fixed platform, and a first linear drive member having one end connected to the fixed platform and the other end connected to the side mold group, wherein the clamping openings of the two side mold groups are arranged to face each other; A middle mold assembly is fixedly connected to the middle lifting platform, the middle mold assembly includes two middle molds with clamping openings facing away from each other, and a first clamping driving member for driving the two middle molds to open or close; Among them, the lifting platform lifts the middle module to be opposite to the clamping openings of the side modules. After clamping the two sides of the two sheets respectively, the lifting platform drives the middle module to descend, so that the inner sides of the two sheets slide and fit respectively against the inner walls of the side modules to form two L-shaped sheets. After the lifting platform descends to the bottom of the side module assembly, the first linear drive member drives the two side modules closer to each other, so that the two L-shaped sheets are connected to form a T-shaped long beam.

2. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side mold assembly includes a lower mold mechanism, an upper mold mechanism rotatably connected to the side of the lower mold mechanism, and a second clamping drive component for driving the upper mold mechanism to open or close relative to the lower mold mechanism.

3. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower mold mechanism includes a first heating plate and a first lower mold plate fixed on the first heating plate, and the outer edge of the first lower mold plate extends vertically downward.

4. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower mold mechanism also includes a first bottom plate connected to the first heating plate. A sliding component is also provided between the first bottom plate and the first heating plate. The sliding component is arranged along the length direction of the first heating plate, so that the first heating plate can be retracted relative to the length direction of the first bottom plate.

5. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper mold mechanism includes a first top plate, a second heating plate and a first upper mold plate. The first upper mold plate is fitted and connected to the second heating plate. There is also a second linear drive member between the first top plate and the second heating plate. The second linear drive member is fixed to the first top plate, and the driving end is connected to the second heating plate for adjusting the pressure between the upper mold mechanism and the lower mold mechanism.

6. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper mold mechanism further comprises a guide member, one end of which is fixed on the heating plate, and the other end of which passes through the top plate and is slidably arranged relative to the top plate.

7. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The middle mold includes a bottom mold mechanism and a top mold mechanism. The top mold mechanism can be flipped relative to the bottom mold mechanism. The first clamping drive component is rotatably connected to the top mold mechanisms on both sides to drive the top mold mechanisms on both sides to open or close.

8. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The bottom mold mechanism includes a second bottom plate, a third heating plate and a second lower mold plate, the second lower mold plate is fitted and connected to the third heating plate, and the sliding assembly is connected between the third heating plate and the second bottom plate; The top mold mechanism includes a second top plate, a fourth heating plate and a second upper mold plate. The second upper mold plate is fitted and connected to the fourth heating plate. The sliding assembly is connected between the fourth heating plate and the second top plate.

9. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are a plurality of racks arrayed along the length direction thereof, and both sides of the plurality of racks in the width direction are further provided with support racks connected to the plurality of racks.

10. The T-shaped long stringer preforming equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that: Both sides of each of the racks are connected to the support frame in a vertical direction so as to be relatively slidable. The support frame also has a lifting drive member connected to each of the racks for adjusting the height of each of the racks.

Images