MODULAR BRAIDING MACHINE, A METHOD FOR CHANGING THE DIMENSIONS OF A BRAIDING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR BRAIDING A BRAIDING STRUCTURE

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for producing braided structures of variable size, comprising: - a braiding machine (1000) defining a first guide path (100) on which a plurality of spindles (3) are movable, which guide path is defined by an assembly of drive modules (30) and first spacer modules (10), a first spacer module (10) being inserted between two drive modules (30) so as to space them apart by a first angular spacing; and - second spacer modules (20) capable of being removably assembled with all or some of the drive modules (30) by inserting a second spacer module (20) between two drive modules (30) so as to define a second guide path (200) and so as to space two consecutive drive modules (30) apart by a second angular spacing, the assembly being configured to obtain a braiding machine (2000) having a second size.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Modular braiding assembly

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to braiding machines allowing the production of braided structures, and more particularly braided tubular structures.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] A braiding machine conventionally comprises a plate having circuits, called guide paths, which intersect each other and along which are moved yarn feed spindles connected to a draw point of the machine. These yarn feed spindles therefore intersect regularly to produce a braid. Generally speaking, the formation of the braid can be carried out on a form, called a shaping mandrel, which moves during the formation of said braid: this is then referred to as "over-braiding". The movement of the spindles along the guide paths is conventionally carried out by means of notched wheels driven in rotation and preferably arranged in one or more concentric circles. Such braiding machines are for example described in documents FR 2 804 133 and US 8 347 772.

[0007] If you want to create braided structures of different sizes, you will need several braiding machines of different sizes. However, this solution requires the use of several bulky braiding machines.

[0008] Statement of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a modular braiding assembly capable of adapting to the size of the braided structure to be produced. To this end, the invention proposes an assembly for the manufacture of braided structures of variable size, comprising:

[0010] - a braiding machine having a first size defining a first guide path on which a plurality of yarn feed spindles are movable so as to participate in the braiding, the first guide path being defined by an assembly of drive modules capable of circulating the feed spindles i on the first guide path and first removable spacing modules of the drive modules, a first spacing module being interposed between two consecutive drive modules so as to space them by a first angular spacing, and

[0011] - second spacing modules capable of being removably assembled with all or part of the drive modules by inserting a second spacing module between two consecutive drive modules so as to define a second guide path different from the first guide path on which the wire feed spindles are intended to be movable in order to participate in the braiding and so as to space two consecutive drive modules by a second angular spacing different from the first angular spacing, the assembly of the second spacing modules and the drive modules being configured to obtain a braiding machine having a second size different from the first size.

[0012] Thus, the proposed set makes it possible to produce at least two different sizes of braiding machine suitable for the production of braided structures of different sizes, with a very limited footprint. Indeed, when the size of the braiding machine is no longer suitable, it can be transformed and therefore does not take up space unnecessarily. The use of removable spacer modules makes it possible to easily assemble and disassemble the braiding machine.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the assembly further comprises a first shaping mandrel associated with the first guide path and a second shaping mandrel associated with the second guide path having a different size from the first shaping mandrel.

[0014] The presence of a shaping mandrel makes it easier to braid the structure, the shape of the shaping mandrel providing a support on and around which the threads can be braided with the desired section. In order to be able to produce braided structures of variable size, shaping mandrels of variable size adapted to the size of the braided structure to be produced are used. A shaping mandrel associated with a guide path refers to the shaping mandrel on which the braided threads coming from the spindles moving on the guide path rest.

[0015] According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the drive modules comprise an assembly portion on which a notched wheel is mounted, the notched wheels being configured to be driven in rotation in order to circulate the feed spindles along the first or second guide path.

[0016] The invention further relates to a method of modifying the size of a braiding machine implementing the assembly described above, comprising:

[0017] - dismantling the braiding machine so as to separate the drive modules from the first spacer modules,

[0018] - mounting all or part of the drive modules with the second spacer modules so as to define the second guide path and obtain a braiding machine of a different size.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method of braiding a braided structure comprising:

[0020] - modifying the size of a braiding machine by implementing the method described above, and

[0021] - braiding the braided structure with a plurality of movable yarn feed spindles along the second guide path of the braiding machine of different size.

[0022] Brief description of the drawings

[0023] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first braiding machine.

[0024] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the braiding machine of Figure 1.

[0025] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a partial schematic representation of the transformation of the first braiding machine of Figures 1 and 2 into a second braiding machine of a different size. Description of the embodiments

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an example of a first braiding machine 1000 having a first size, making it possible to produce braided structures having dimensions adapted to this first size. The first braiding machine 1000 comprises a first plate 1 and a plurality of yarn feed spindles 3. The first plate 1 is preferably horizontal, in order to facilitate its maintenance and that of the yarn feed spindles 3. However, it does not depart from the scope of the invention if the first plate 1 is vertical or inclined.

[0027] The first tray 1 comprises a guide path 100. The yarn feed spindles 3 movable along this guide path 100 participate in the braiding of the braided structure. The guide path 100 is therefore configured to be traveled in the clockwise direction by a first plurality of spindles 3, and in the counterclockwise direction by a second plurality of spindles 3. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide path 100 comprises two sub-guide paths 110 and 120 which regularly intersect, the first sub-guide path 110 being configured to be traveled by the first plurality of spindles 3 and the second sub-path 120 being configured to be traveled by the second plurality of spindles 3.It is of course not outside the scope of the invention if the first guide path comprises more than two sub-paths, for example if it is desired to produce a braided structure comprising several layers or having a complex binding weave, such as for example interlock braiding.

[0028] Each yarn feed spindle 3 carries a spool of braiding yarns and comprises a guide support capable of moving along the guide path 100. In a well-known manner, each spool of braiding yarns is connected to a yarn tension and return management system.

[0029] The braiding machine 1000 further comprises at least one drawing point located at a distance from the first plate 1, and to which the threads from the bobbins carried by the feed spindles 3 movable along the guide path 100 are connected. Preferably, the first braiding machine 1000 comprises a first shaping mandrel 5, which is a form on which the intertwined threads rest to form the tight braid. The braiding machine 1000 in this case makes it possible to carry out so-called “over-braiding” processes.

[0030] The guide path 100 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is formed by an assembly of drive modules 30 and first removable spacer modules 10, a first spacer module 10 being interposed between two consecutive drive modules 30 so as to space them by a first angular spacing. Thus, two consecutive drive modules 30 are separated by a first removable spacer module 10. Each first spacer module 10 may be located between two consecutive drive modules 30. The drive modules 30 and the first removable spacer modules 10 are arranged alternately along the guide path 100.

[0031] The drive modules 30 comprise grooves forming portions of the guide path 100. These grooves allow the passage of the guide supports of the feed spindles 3. These grooves are open towards the outside. These grooves have for example a substantially rectangular section open towards the outside. Each drive module 30 may comprise at least one groove forming a portion of the first sub-guide path 110 and at least one groove forming a portion of the second sub-guide path 120, said grooves not crossing.

[0032] Each drive module 30 comprises two opposite assembly edges, intended to allow the assembly of said drive module 30 with the first removable spacer modules 10. The assembly edges of the drive modules 30 cooperate with assembly edges of the spacer modules 10, for example by inserting a projecting element of an assembly edge into a housing defined in the opposite assembly edge.

[0033] Each drive module 30 also comprises a central assembly portion 31 allowing the mounting of a notched wheel 32. The notched wheels 32 of the drive modules 30 are configured to be driven in rotation in order to circulate the wire supply spindles 3 along the first guide path 100. The assembly portion 31 of the drive modules 30 may take the form of a through-hole allowing the passage of the axis of the notched wheel 32.

[0034] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each notched wheel 32 preferably comprises four notches. The notched wheels 32 are preferably rotated in a well-known manner by means of gear trains controlled by one or more motors.

[0035] Preferably, the drive modules 30 have a rectangular shape, in order to facilitate their assembly and disassembly.

[0036] The first removable spacer modules 10 comprise grooves forming portions of the guide path 100. These grooves allow the passage of the guide supports of the feed spindles 3. These grooves are open towards the outside. These grooves have for example a substantially rectangular section open towards the outside. Each first removable spacer module 10 may comprise at least one groove forming a portion of the first sub-guide path 110 and at least one groove forming a portion of the second sub-guide path 120, said grooves intersecting.The grooves of the first spacer modules 10 are configured such that when the spacer modules 10 are mounted with the drive modules 30, the ends of the grooves of the first removable spacer modules 10 forming portions of the guide path 100 open into the grooves of the adjacent drive modules 30 to form a continuous and closed guide path 100.

[0037] Preferably, the first spacer modules 10 do not include notched wheels.

[0038] As illustrated in Figure 3, at least a portion of the drive modules 30 and the first removable spacer modules 10 of the braiding machine 1000 extend along a circle Ci of radius Ri around the axis A of the first braiding machine 1000. More specifically, at least a portion of the assembly portions 31 of the drive modules 30 are distributed over the circle Ci of radius Ri, that is to say that the centers of the notched wheels 32 are distributed over the circle Ci of radius Ri. The first braiding machine 1000 comprises Ni drive modules 30 and Ni first removable spacer modules 10 distributed over the circle Ci of radius Ri. For reasons of simplification and clarity of the figures, the number of modules and notched wheels shown in Figures 1 and 2 does not correspond to the number of modules and notched wheels shown in Figure 3.

[0039] The assembly portions 31 of two successive drive modules 30 are spaced apart by a fixed distance L, that is to say that the centers of two consecutive notched wheels 32 are spaced apart by a fixed distance L. This distance L between two consecutive notched wheels 32 is adapted to the dimension of said notched wheels 32, in order to allow and facilitate the passage of the supply spindles 3 from one drive module 30 to the next drive module 30. Indeed, the centers of two consecutive notched wheels 32 must be sufficiently distant in order to avoid collision between said two wheels, but must be sufficiently close to allow the passage of the spindles 3 from one drive module 30 to the next drive module 30.

[0040] For the same reasons, the distance between the assembly portion 31 of a drive module 30 and the intersection point of the grooves of a first adjacent spacer module 10 is preferably constant along the first guide path 100, i.e. the distance between the center of a notched wheel 32 of a drive module 30 and the intersection point of the grooves of a first spacer module 10 adjacent to said drive module 30 is preferably constant along the first guide path 100. Said distance is thus adapted to the dimension of the wheels 32 so as to avoid any collision between the wheels but to allow the passage of the spindles 3 from one drive module 30 to the next drive module 30.

[0041] The first braiding machine 1000 has a first size and can braid braided structures having dimensions adapted to this first size. However, when it is desired to produce braided structures having different dimensions, the first braiding machine 1000 can be adapted into a second braiding machine 2000 having a second size different from the first size.

[0042] For this purpose, the first braiding machine 1000 belongs to a set for the manufacture of braided structures of variable size further comprising at least second spacer modules 20.

[0043] In order to modify the size of the first braiding machine 1000, the first plate 1 of the first braiding machine 1000 is modified to obtain a second plate 2 corresponding to the second braiding machine 2000 to be obtained. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the second braiding machine 2000 has a smaller size and number of drive modules 30 than the first braiding machine 1000. It is of course not outside the scope of the invention if the second braiding machine 2000 has a larger size and number of drive modules 30 than the first braiding machine 1000.

[0044] The second plate 2 of the second braiding machine 2000 comprises a guide path 200. The yarn feed spindles 3 movable along this guide path 200 participate in the braiding of the braided structure. The guide path 200 is therefore configured to be traveled in the clockwise direction by a first plurality of spindles 3, and in the counterclockwise direction by a second plurality of spindles 3. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the guide path 200 comprises two sub-guide paths 210 and 220 which intersect regularly, the first sub-guide path 210 being configured to be traveled by the first plurality of spindles 3 and the second sub-path 220 being configured to be traveled by the second plurality of spindles 3.It is of course not outside the scope of the invention if the second guide path comprises more than two sub-paths, for example if it is desired to produce a braided structure comprising several layers or having a complex binding weave, such as for example interlock braiding.

[0045] The number of spindles 3 movable on the guide path 200 of the second braiding machine 2000 is different from the number of spindles 3 movable on the guide path 100 of the first braiding machine 1000, in order to adapt to the new dimensions of braided structures to be produced.

[0046] The second braiding machine 2000 further comprises at least one drawing point located at a distance from the second plate 2, and to which the threads from the bobbins carried by the feed spindles 3 movable along the guide path 200 are connected. Preferably, the second braiding machine 1000 comprises a second shaping mandrel having dimensions different from the first shaping mandrel 5 of the first braiding machine 1000, in order to adapt to the new dimensions of braided structures to be produced.

[0047] The guide path 200, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is formed by an assembly of drive modules 30 and second removable spacer modules 20, a second spacer module 20 being interposed between two consecutive drive modules 30 so as to space them by a second angular spacing different from the first angular spacing. Thus, two consecutive drive modules 30 are separated by a second removable spacer module 20. Each second spacer module 20 may be located between two consecutive drive modules 30. The drive modules 30 and the second removable spacer modules 20 are arranged alternately along the second guide path 200.

[0048] The assembly edges of the drive modules 30 cooperate with assembly edges of the spacer modules 20, for example by inserting a projecting element of an assembly edge into a housing defined in the opposite assembly edge.

[0049] For mounting the second braiding machine 2000, at least some of the drive modules 30 of the first braiding machine 1000 can be used. The drive modules 30 of the second braiding machine 2000 are identical to the drive modules 30 of the first braiding machine 1000. The second braiding machine 2000 does not include first spacer modules 10. The removable second spacer modules 20 comprise grooves forming portions of the guide path 200. These grooves allow the passage of the guide supports of the feed spindles 3. These grooves are open towards the outside. These grooves have, for example, a substantially rectangular section open towards the outside.Each second removable spacer module 20 may comprise at least one groove forming a portion of the first sub-guide path 210 and at least one groove forming a portion of the second sub-guide path 220, said grooves intersecting. The grooves of the second spacer modules 20 are configured such that when the spacer modules 20 are mounted with the drive modules 30, the ends of the grooves of the second removable spacer modules 20 forming portions of the guide path 200 open onto the grooves of the adjacent drive modules 30 in order to form a continuous and closed guide path 200.

[0050] Preferably, the second spacer modules 20 do not include notched wheels.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 3, at least a portion of the drive modules 30 and the second removable spacer modules 20 of the second braiding machine 2000 extend along a circle C2 of radius R2 around the axis A of the second braiding machine 2000. More specifically, at least a portion of the assembly portions 31 of the drive modules 30 are distributed over the circle C2 of radius R2, that is to say that the centers of the notched wheels 32 are distributed over the circle C2 of radius R2. The second braiding machine 2000 comprises N2 drive modules 30 and N2 second removable spacer modules 20 distributed over the circle C2 of radius R2. The number N2 of drive modules 30 of the second braiding machine 2000 is different from the number Ni of drive modules 30 of the first braiding machine 1000, in order to adapt to the difference in dimensions of the braided structure to be produced.

[0052] Preferably, the assembly portions 31 of two successive drive modules 30 of the second braiding machine 2000 are spaced apart by a distance close to the spacing distance L between the assembly portions 31 of two successive drive modules 30 of the first braiding machine 1000. Thus, the centers of two consecutive notched wheels 32 of the second braiding machine 2000 may be spaced apart by a distance of between 90% and 110% of the spacing distance L between the centers of two consecutive notched wheels 32 of the first braiding machine 1000. Consequently, the notched wheels 32 used in the first braiding machine 1000 may be used in the second braiding machine 2000 while ensuring easy guidance of the spindles 3 between the drive modules 30.

[0053] For the same reasons, the distance between the assembly portion 31 of a drive module 30 and the intersection point of the grooves of a second adjacent spacer module 20 is preferably constant along the second guide path 200, i.e. the distance between the center of a notched wheel 32 of a drive module 30 and the intersection point of the grooves of a second spacer module 20 adjacent to said drive module 30 is preferably constant along the second guide path 100. Said distance is thus preferably close to the distance between the assembly portion 31 of a drive module 30 and the intersection point of the grooves of a first adjacent spacer module 10, i.e. close to the distance between the center of a notched wheel 32 of a drive module 30 and the intersection point of the grooves of a first module spacer 10 adjacent to said drive module 30.

[0054] In order to be able to easily reuse the notched wheels 32 of the first braiding machine 1000 in the second braiding machine 2000, the person skilled in the art can follow certain rules and approximations to design the second braiding machine 2000 from the first braiding machine 1000. Thus, from the first braiding machine 1000 mounted comprising a number Ni of drive modules 30 whose centers of the notched wheels 32 are mounted on a circle of radius R b and with the aim of assembling a second braiding machine 2000 comprising a number N2 of drive modules 30, a person skilled in the art will be able to estimate that the central assembly portions of said N2 drive modules 30 must be distributed over a circle of radius R2, the value of which is estimated by the expression: [Math. 1]

[0055] Thus, according to one example, the value of the radius R2 of the circle C2 on which the N2 drive modules 30 of the second braiding machine 2000 are distributed can correspond to between 90% and 110% of the value of the previous expression.

[0056] The transformation of the first braiding machine 1000 having a first size into a second braiding machine 2000 having a second size different from the first size is carried out by dismantling the first braiding machine 1000 so as to separate the drive modules 30 and the first spacer modules 10. The first spacer modules 10 are set aside. Then, all or part of the drive modules 30 are mounted with the second spacer modules 20 so as to define the second guide path 200 and obtain the second braiding machine 2000 of a different size. Additional drive modules 30 not belonging to the first braiding machine 1000 can be used for the production of the second braiding machine 2000 when the latter has a larger size.

[0057] It is of course not departing from the scope of the invention if the assembly for manufacturing braided structures of variable size also comprises third spacing modules capable of being assembled in a removable manner with all or part of the drive modules 30 by inserting a third spacing module between two consecutive drive modules 30 so as to define a third guide path different from the first and second guide paths 100 and 200 on which the yarn feed spindles 3 are movable in order to participate in the braiding, and so as to space two consecutive drive modules 30 by a third angular spacing different from the first and second angular spacings, the assembly of the third spacing modules and the drive modules 30 being configured to obtain a braiding machine having a third size different from the first and second braiding machine sizes.Similarly, the assembly for manufacturing braided structures of varying size may include other pluralities of spacer modules each allowing braiding machines of a different size to be produced.

[0058] The term "yarn" as used in this application may refer to a single yarn or a single fiber, but may also refer to a strand or a braid.

[0059] In particular, the threads may be carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, or a mixture of carbon fibers and ceramic fibers. The structure braided according to the method of the invention may be a fibrous structure, which may optionally be consolidated or densified by a matrix in order to form the fibrous reinforcement of a part made of composite material. The structure braided according to the method of the invention may thus form, for example, all or part of the fibrous reinforcement of a part made of composite material for the automotive, aeronautical or space industries. In particular, the braided structure obtained may form, for example, the fibrous reinforcement of a divergent or a rocket engine nozzle. The structure braided according to the method of the invention may also allow the formation of straps or ropes.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly for the manufacture of braided structures of variable size, comprising: - a braiding machine (1000) having a first size defining a first guide path (100) on which a plurality of yarn feed spindles (3) are movable so as to participate in the braiding, the first guide path (100) being defined by an assembly of drive modules (30) capable of circulating the feed spindles (3) on the first guide path (100) and first spacing modules (10) removable from the drive modules (30), a first spacing module (10) being interposed between two consecutive drive modules (30) so as to space them by a first angular spacing, and - second spacing modules (20) capable of being removably assembled with all or part of the drive modules (30) by inserting a second spacing module (20) between two consecutive drive modules (30) so as to define a second guide path (200) different from the first guide path (100) on which the yarn feed spindles (3) are intended to be movable in order to participate in the braiding and so as to space two consecutive drive modules (30) by a second angular spacing different from the first angular spacing, the assembly of the second spacing modules (20) and the drive modules (30) being configured to obtain a braiding machine (2000) having a second size different from the first size.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, said assembly comprising a first shaping mandrel (5) associated with the first guide path (100) and a second shaping mandrel associated with the second guide path (200) having a different size from the first shaping mandrel (5).

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive modules (30) comprise an assembly portion (31) on which a notched wheel (32) is mounted, the notched wheels (32) being configured to be rotated to circulate the feed spindles (3) along the first or second guide path (100, 200).

4. A method of changing the size of a braiding machine using the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: - disassembling the braiding machine (1000) so as to separate the drive modules (30) from the first spacer modules (10), - mounting all or part of the drive modules (30) with the second spacer modules (20) so as to define the second guide path (200) and obtain a braiding machine (2000) of different size.

5. A method of braiding a braided structure comprising: - modifying the size of a braiding machine by implementing the method according to claim 4, and - braiding the braided structure with a plurality of yarn feed spindles (3) moving along the second guide path (200) of the braiding machine (2000) of different size.