Composite preform manufacturing apparatus and method

Abstract

The application discloses a composite material preform manufacturing device and method, and relates to the technical field of carbon fiber composite material processing. The device comprises a male mold, a vacuum pump, carbon fiber cloth, a lower limiting block, an upper limiting block and a support frame. The material of the male mold is wood or plastic. The upper surface of the male mold is provided with an R angle. The upper surface of the upper limiting block is fixedly connected with a first hydraulic cylinder. The output end of the first hydraulic cylinder is fixedly connected with the lower limiting block through the upper limiting block. The inner wall of the support frame is rotatably connected with a threaded rod. The surface of the lower limiting block is embedded with a threaded pipe. The inner wall of the threaded pipe is threadedly connected with the threaded rod. The application is mainly aimed at the rib and long beam structure, and the male mold is made of wood or plastic for the manufacturing of the preform. The application can solve the problems that the R angle of the preform formed by the female mold is wrinkled and cannot be compacted, and the preform of the narrow cavity structure is difficult to manufacture. Meanwhile, the method does not need auxiliary materials such as vacuum bags and putty strips, and the cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of carbon fiber composite material processing technology, and in particular to equipment and methods for manufacturing composite material preforms. Background Technology

[0002] Carbon fiber composites have advantages such as high impact resistance, high toughness, short molding time, and recyclability, and are therefore widely used in cutting-edge technologies such as military and aerospace. In the production and manufacturing process of carbon fiber composites, preforms are usually made in advance, which can greatly reduce the laying time.

[0003] To ensure the thickness of composite parts, the method of female mold forming is often used. However, for U-shaped rib structural parts, when using female mold forming to directly lay up the preform in the female mold, wrinkles are easily generated at the root R-corner of the part, and there are gaps between the carbon cloth, making it difficult to compact. This results in cavities in the finished product, which leads to scrap. For structural parts with even narrower cavities, it is even more difficult to use female mold to make preforms. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as the tendency for wrinkles to form at the root radius of parts during prefabrication using a negative mold, and the presence of gaps between carbon cloths that make compaction difficult, resulting in cavities in the finished product and rendering it unusable. Furthermore, the invention is particularly challenging for structural components with narrower cavities. The invention proposes a composite material prefabrication equipment and method.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the invention adopts the following technical solution: a composite material preform manufacturing equipment, including a male mold, a vacuum pump, carbon fiber cloth, a lower limit block, an upper limit block, and a support frame. The male mold is made of wood or plastic, and its upper surface has an R-angle. A first hydraulic cylinder is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the upper limit block, and the output end of the first hydraulic cylinder passes through the upper limit block and is fixedly connected to the lower limit block. A threaded rod is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the support frame. A threaded tube is embedded in the surface of the lower limit block, and the inner wall of the threaded tube is threadedly connected to the threaded rod. A motor is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the support frame, and the output end of the motor is fixedly connected to the threaded rod. A second hydraulic cylinder is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the support frame, and the output end of the second hydraulic cylinder passes through the support frame and is fixedly connected to a top cover plate. An air extraction hole is opened on the surface of the male mold, and an air extraction pipe is fixedly connected to the air extraction port of the vacuum pump. One end of the air extraction pipe is connected to the male mold.

[0006] Preferably, the surfaces of both the lower limit block and the upper limit block are inlaid with sliding sleeves, and the inner wall of the sliding sleeves is slidably connected to the support frame.

[0007] Preferably, the upper limit block has a through hole on its surface, and the position of the through hole is adapted to the threaded rod.

[0008] Preferably, a limiting rod is fixedly connected to the surface of the upper cover plate, and a limiting plate is fixedly connected to one end of the limiting rod.

[0009] Preferably, a limiting ring is embedded in the surface of the support frame, and the inner wall of the limiting ring is slidably connected to the limiting rod.

[0010] The method for fabricating composite preforms includes the following steps:

[0011] Step 1: The first hydraulic cylinder drives the lower limit block and the upper limit block to open to their limits;

[0012] Step 2: Turn on the motor and adjust the lower limit block to be at the same horizontal level as the upper surface of the male mold to form a laying platform;

[0013] Step 3: Lay the carbon fiber cloth flat on the platform, and the first hydraulic cylinder drives the upper limit block to move down to restrict the carbon fiber cloth;

[0014] Step 4: Turn on the vacuum pump and lower the lower limit block. When the lower limit block is below the R-angle, cover the carbon cloth with the upper cover plate and press it down. The preform is now complete.

[0015] Step 5: Transfer the preform into the female mold and allow it to solidify and form.

[0016] Preferably, the motor drives the threaded rod to rotate, causing the threaded tube to move up and down, thereby driving the lower limit block to move up and down.

[0017] Preferably, there are two lower limit blocks and two upper limit blocks, and the two lower limit blocks and the two upper limit blocks are symmetrically distributed.

[0018] Preferably, the second hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts to drive the upper cover plate to move up and down, and the shape of the upper cover plate is adapted to the male mold.

[0019] Preferably, the carbon fiber cloth is tightly attached to the male mold due to the negative pressure and the action of the upper cover plate.

[0020] The invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. Compared with existing technologies, the equipment and method for manufacturing composite preforms are mainly for rib and long beam structural components. It uses a positive mold instead of wood or plastic to make preforms, which can solve the problems of wrinkles in the R-angle of preforms formed by negative molds and the inability to compact them, as well as the difficulty in manufacturing preforms for narrow cavity structural components. At the same time, this method does not require auxiliary materials such as vacuum bags and putty strips, and the cost is low. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the composite material preform manufacturing equipment and method proposed in this invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of the lower limit block of the composite material preform manufacturing equipment and method proposed in this invention;

[0024] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the limiting ring for the composite material preform manufacturing equipment and method proposed in this invention;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the completed fabrication of the composite material preform fabrication equipment and method proposed in this invention.

[0026] Legend:

[0027] 1. Male mold; 2. Vacuum pump; 3. Carbon fiber cloth; 4. Lower limit block; 5. Upper limit block; 6. Support frame; 7. First hydraulic cylinder; 8. Motor; 9. Threaded pipe; 10. Through hole; 11. Sliding sleeve; 12. Second hydraulic cylinder; 13. Top cover plate; 14. Limiting rod; 15. Limiting plate; 16. Threaded rod; 17. Limiting ring; 18. Evacuation hole; 19. Evacuation pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0029] In the description of the invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the invention. The terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] Example:

[0031] Reference Figure 1-4 The invention provides a composite material preform manufacturing equipment, which includes a male mold 1, a vacuum pump 2, a carbon fiber cloth 3, a lower limit block 4, an upper limit block 5, and a support frame 6. The male mold 1 is made of wood or plastic and has an R-angle on its upper surface. A first hydraulic cylinder 7 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the upper limit block 5. Sliding sleeves 11 are embedded on the surfaces of both the lower limit block 4 and the upper limit block 5. The inner wall of the sliding sleeve 11 is slidably connected to the support frame 6. The first hydraulic cylinder 7 drives the upper limit block 5 to move up and down. The sliding sleeve 11 and the support frame 6 cooperate to limit the movement direction of the upper limit block 5, thereby making it less likely for the upper limit block 5 to deviate.

[0032] The output end of the first hydraulic cylinder 7 passes through the upper limit block 5 and is fixedly connected to the lower limit block 4. The inner wall of the support frame 6 is rotatably connected to the threaded rod 16. The surface of the lower limit block 4 is inlaid with a threaded tube 9. The inner wall of the threaded tube 9 is threadedly connected to the threaded rod 16. The upper surface of the support frame 6 is fixedly connected to the motor 8. The output end of the motor 8 is fixedly connected to the threaded rod 16. The motor 8 drives the threaded rod 16 to rotate, causing the threaded tube 9 to move up and down, thereby driving the lower limit block 4 to move up and down. The sliding sleeve 11 and the support frame 6 cooperate to limit the movement direction of the upper limit block 5, thereby making it difficult for the lower limit block 4 to deviate.

[0033] A second hydraulic cylinder 12 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the support frame 6. The output end of the second hydraulic cylinder 12 passes through the support frame 6 and is fixedly connected to the upper cover plate 13. A limit rod 14 is fixedly connected to the surface of the upper cover plate 13. A limit plate 15 is fixedly connected to one end of the limit rod 14. A limit ring 17 is embedded in the surface of the support frame 6. The inner wall of the limit ring 17 is slidably connected to the limit rod 14. The second hydraulic cylinder 12 extends and retracts to drive the upper cover plate 13 to move up and down. The limit ring 17 and the limit rod 14 cooperate to restrict the movement direction of the upper cover plate 13, so that the upper cover plate 13 is not easy to deviate.

[0034] The surface of the male mold 1 is provided with an air extraction hole 18. The air extraction port of the vacuum pump 2 is fixedly connected to an air extraction pipe 19. One end of the air extraction pipe 19 is connected to the male mold 1. The vacuum pump 2 draws the internal pressure of the male mold 1 into negative pressure through the air extraction pipe 19. Due to the negative pressure and the effect of the upper cover plate 13, the carbon fiber cloth 3 is tightly attached to the male mold 1.

[0035] The upper limit block 5 has a through hole 10 on its surface, and the position of the through hole 10 is adapted to the threaded rod 16.

[0036] The method for fabricating composite preforms includes the following steps:

[0037] Step 1: The first hydraulic cylinder 7 drives the lower limit block 4 and the upper limit block 5 to open to their limits, making it easier to lay the carbon fiber cloth 3.

[0038] Step 2: Turn on motor 8, adjust the lower limit block 4 to be at the same horizontal level as the upper surface of the male mold 1 to form a laying platform. There are two lower limit blocks 4 and two upper limit blocks 5, and the two lower limit blocks 4 and two upper limit blocks 5 are symmetrically distributed.

[0039] Motor 8 drives threaded rod 16 to rotate, causing threaded tube 9 to move up and down, thereby driving lower limit block 4 to move up and down;

[0040] Step 3: Lay the carbon fiber cloth 3 flat on the platform. The first hydraulic cylinder 7 drives the upper limit block 5 to move down to restrict the carbon fiber cloth 3. It should be noted that the carbon fiber cloth 3 should not be fixed. The carbon fiber cloth 3 should be able to be easily pulled out from the lower limit block 4 and the upper limit block 5 so that the carbon fiber cloth 3 is not prone to wrinkles.

[0041] The second hydraulic cylinder 12 extends and retracts to drive the upper cover plate 13 to move up and down, and the shape of the upper cover plate 13 is adapted to the male mold 1.

[0042] Step 4: Turn on vacuum pump 2 and lower limit block 4. When the lower limit block 4 is lower than the R angle, cover the carbon cloth with the upper cover plate 13 and press it down. Vacuum pump 2 draws negative pressure into the interior of male mold 1 through the air extraction pipe 19. Due to the negative pressure and the action of the upper cover plate 13, carbon fiber cloth 3 is tightly attached to male mold 1, and the preform is completed.

[0043] Step 5: Transfer the preform into the female mold and allow it to solidify and form.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the invention should be included within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A composite material preform fabrication equipment, comprising a male mold (1), a vacuum pump (2), carbon fiber cloth (3), a lower limit block (4), an upper limit block (5), and a support frame (6), characterized in that: The male mold (1) is made of wood or plastic. The upper surface of the male mold (1) has an R-angle. A first hydraulic cylinder (7) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the upper limit block (5). The output end of the first hydraulic cylinder (7) passes through the upper limit block (5) and is fixedly connected to the lower limit block (4). A threaded rod (16) is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the support frame (6). A threaded tube (9) is inlaid on the surface of the lower limit block (4). The inner wall of the threaded tube (9) is threadedly connected to the threaded rod (16). A motor (8) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the frame (6). The output end of the motor (8) is fixedly connected to the threaded rod (16). A second hydraulic cylinder (12) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the support frame (6). The output end of the second hydraulic cylinder (12) passes through the support frame (6) and is fixedly connected to the upper cover plate (13). An air extraction hole (18) is opened on the surface of the male mold (1). An air extraction pipe (19) is fixedly connected to the air extraction port of the vacuum pump (2). One end of the air extraction pipe (19) is connected to the male mold (1).

2. The composite material preform manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surfaces of the lower limit block (4) and the upper limit block (5) are both inlaid with sliding sleeves (11), and the inner wall of the sliding sleeves (11) is slidably connected to the support frame (6).

3. The composite material preform manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper limit block (5) has a through hole (10) on its surface, and the position of the through hole (10) is adapted to the threaded rod (16).

4. The composite material preform manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting rod (14) is fixedly connected to the surface of the upper cover plate (13), and a limiting plate (15) is fixedly connected to one end of the limiting rod (14).

5. The composite material preform manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The surface of the support frame (6) is inlaid with a limiting ring (17), and the inner wall of the limiting ring (17) is slidably connected to the limiting rod (14).

6. A method for manufacturing a composite material preform, characterized in that: The composite material preform manufacturing equipment according to claim 1 includes the following steps: Step 1: The first hydraulic cylinder (7) drives the lower limit block (4) and the upper limit block (5) to open to their limits; Step 2: Turn on the motor (8), adjust the lower limit block (4) and the upper surface of the male mold (1) to be at the same horizontal level to form a laying platform; Step 3: Lay the carbon fiber cloth (3) flat on the platform, and the first hydraulic cylinder (7) drives the upper limit block (5) to move down to restrict the carbon fiber cloth (3). Step 4: Turn on the vacuum pump (2) and lower the lower limit block (4). When the lower limit block (4) is lower than the R angle, cover the carbon cloth with the upper cover plate (13) and press it down. The preform is now complete. Step 5: Transfer the preform into the female mold and allow it to solidify and form.

7. The method for manufacturing a composite material preform according to claim 6, characterized in that: The motor (8) drives the threaded rod (16) to rotate, causing the threaded tube (9) to move up and down, thereby driving the lower limit block (4) to move up and down.

8. A method for manufacturing a composite material preform according to claim 6, characterized in that: There are two lower limit blocks (4) and two upper limit blocks (5), and the two lower limit blocks (4) and two upper limit blocks (5) are symmetrically distributed.

9. A method for manufacturing a composite material preform according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second hydraulic cylinder (12) extends and retracts to drive the upper cover plate (13) to move up and down, and the shape of the upper cover plate (13) is adapted to the male mold (1).

10. A method for manufacturing a composite material preform according to claim 6, characterized in that: The carbon fiber cloth (3) is tightly attached to the male mold (1) due to the negative pressure and the action of the upper cover plate (13).

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