Method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic

By controlling the gate opening and pressurization method, and using a two-component epoxy resin and multiple resin storage sections, the problems of fiber floating and disordered arrangement in fiber-reinforced plastics were solved, thus achieving high-quality fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing.

CN116691040BActive Publication Date: 2026-03-20TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-12-29
Publication Date
2026-03-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing processes suffer from fiber floating and disordered arrangement, leading to unstable product quality.

Method used

By controlling the opening of the gate and the pressurization method during the resin supply process, it is ensured that the resin material is uniformly impregnated in the fiber layer. A two-component epoxy resin is used and the mixing time of the resin material is controlled. Multiple resin storage sections and pressurization mechanisms are used to reduce the impregnation deviation of the resin material.

Benefits of technology

It effectively suppresses the floating and disordered arrangement of fiber layers, improves the quality stability and uniformity of fiber-reinforced plastics, and ensures the full curing of resin materials and the compactness of the internal structure of the product.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of the present application includes: a mold closing step of disposing a base material using a fiber material in a base material housing portion inside a mold, and closing the mold; a resin accumulation step of supplying a resin material from a resin supply port of the closed mold, and accumulating the resin material in a resin accumulation portion provided in a resin supply path that communicates the resin supply port and the base material housing portion, wherein the resin material is accumulated in the resin accumulation portion in a state in which a gate portion provided in the resin supply path at a position closer to the base material housing portion than the resin accumulation portion and capable of adjusting an opening degree is in a fully closed state; and a filling step of supplying the resin material accumulated in the resin accumulation portion toward the base material housing portion by pressurizing the resin material in a state in which the gate portion is in a first opening degree decided in advance.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus of fiber-reinforced plastic. BACKGROUND

[0002] There is known a manufacturing method of fiber-reinforced plastic in which resin material accumulated in a resin accumulation portion is pressurized by a pressurizing device, and the resin material is supplied to a fiber layer of a prepreg via a sprue in a mold, to impregnate the fiber layer with the resin material (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-056415).

[0003] However, in the completed fiber-reinforced plastic, there are cases where lifting of the fiber, disorder of the arrangement, and the like occur. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure can be implemented as the following modes.

[0005] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a manufacturing method of fiber-reinforced plastic. The manufacturing method of fiber-reinforced plastic includes: a mold closing step of disposing a base material using a fiber material in a base material accommodating portion in the inside of a mold, and closing the mold; a resin accumulation step of supplying resin material from a resin supply port of the closed mold to a resin accumulation portion provided in a resin supply path that communicates the resin supply port and the base material accommodating portion, wherein the resin material is accumulated in the resin accumulation portion in a state where a gate portion provided in the resin supply path closer to the base material accommodating portion than the resin accumulation portion and capable of adjusting an opening degree becomes fully closed; and a filling step of pressurizing the resin material accumulated in the resin accumulation portion to supply the resin material to the base material accommodating portion in a state where the gate portion becomes a first opening degree decided in advance.

[0006] According to the manufacturing method of fiber-reinforced plastic of the embodiment, when the resin material is supplied to the base material accommodating portion, the fiber material of the base material can be inhibited or prevented from being lifted, and disorder of the arrangement and the like can be inhibited or prevented.

[0007] (2) It can also be configured that, on the basis of the manufacturing method of fiber-reinforced plastic of the above-described embodiment, there is further provided an impregnation step of pressurizing the resin material accumulated in the resin accumulation portion to impregnate the base material with the resin material in a state where the opening degree of the gate portion becomes a second opening degree smaller than the first opening degree after the filling step.

[0008] According to the method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of this aspect, by impregnating the fiber layer with the resin material while pressing the resin material, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of voids in the base.

[0009] (3) The method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of the above aspect can be configured such that the resin material is a two-liquid type epoxy resin. The method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of the above aspect can be configured such that the resin material is supplied by mixing and colliding a main agent and a curing agent in the resin storage step.

[0010] According to the method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of this aspect, it is easy to grasp the timing at which the resin material starts to cure, and it is easy to infer the timing at which the viscosity of the resin material increases.

[0011] (4) The method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of the above aspect can be configured such that the base includes a container for storing a fluid. The method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of the above aspect can be configured such that the filling step further includes a step of obtaining the internal pressure of the container and the pressure at which the resin material is pressed, and pressing the resin material such that the differential pressure between the obtained internal pressure of the container and the pressure at which the resin material is pressed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, thereby supplying the resin material to the base receiving portion.

[0012] According to the method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic of this aspect, when the resin material is supplied to the base receiving portion, it is possible to suppress or prevent adverse conditions such as deformation of the base caused by the pressure at which the resin material is supplied.

[0013] (5) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus. The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus includes a mold that is openable and closable, has a base receiving portion that can receive a base using a fiber material, a resin supply port for introducing a resin material into the interior of the mold, a resin supply path that communicates the resin supply port and the base receiving portion, and a resin storage portion provided in the resin supply path and used to store the resin material supplied, a resin supply portion that supplies the resin material from the resin supply port to the interior of the mold, a pressurizing portion that is used to pressurize the resin material stored in the resin storage portion to supply the resin material to the base receiving portion, a gate portion that is provided in the resin supply path at a position closer to the base receiving portion than the resin storage portion and can adjust the opening degree, and a control portion that can control the resin supply portion, the pressurizing portion, and the gate portion, the control portion supplying the resin material from the resin supply port while the gate portion is in a fully closed state, storing the resin material in the resin storage portion, and controlling the pressurizing portion to supply the resin material to the base receiving portion while the gate portion is in a first opening degree that is predetermined.

[0014] The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect can suppress or prevent the high-pressure resin material from colliding with the fiber layer of the base when the resin material is supplied to the base receiving portion, and thus can suppress or prevent the fiber material of the base from floating, the arrangement from being disordered, and the like.

[0015] (6) The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect can further include a control portion that controls the pressure applying portion to pressurize the resin material stored in the resin storage portion in a state where the gate portion has an opening degree smaller than the first opening degree after the gate portion is brought to the fully closed state and the resin material is supplied to the base receiving portion, and thus the resin material can be impregnated in the base.

[0016] The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect can suppress or prevent the high-pressure resin material from colliding with the fiber layer of the base when the resin material is supplied to the base receiving portion, and thus can suppress or prevent the fiber material of the base from floating, the arrangement from being disordered, and the like.

[0017] (7) The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect can have an elongated shape along at least a portion of the outer edge of the base receiving portion.

[0018] The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect can disperse the pressure of the resin material when the resin material is supplied to the base receiving portion, and thus can more reliably suppress or prevent the high-pressure resin material from colliding with the fiber layer of the base.

[0019] (8) The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect can include a first resin storage portion and a second resin storage portion arranged along the length direction of the gate portion.

[0020] The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect can pressurize the resin material from each of the plurality of resin storage portions in the length direction of the base, and thus can reduce or prevent impregnation deviation of the resin material at each portion of the base.

[0021] The present disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than the fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing method and the fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus. For example, the present disclosure can be implemented as a fiber-reinforced resin layer forming method, a gas tank manufacturing method, a fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus control method, a computer program that implements the control method, a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing the structure of the gas tank.

[0024] Figure 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing the base.

[0025] Figure 3 is a brief sectional view showing the internal structure of the fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus.

[0026] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the brief structure of the lower mold in a top view.

[0027] Figure 5 is a process view showing the manufacturing method of the fiber-reinforced plastic according to the present embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6 is a process view showing the details of the resin accumulation process.

[0029] Figure 7 is an explanatory view showing the driving state of the pressure applying mechanism and the gate mechanism in the resin accumulation process.

[0030] Figure 8 is a process view showing the details of the filling process.

[0031] Figure 9 is an explanatory view showing the driving state of the pressure applying mechanism and the gate mechanism in the filling process.

[0032] Figure 10 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the internal pressure of the base and the internal pressure of the base housing portion in the filling process.

[0033] Figure 11 is a process view showing the details of the impregnation process.

[0034] Figure 12 is an explanatory view showing the driving state of the pressure applying mechanism and the gate mechanism in the impregnation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] A. 1st Embodiment:

[0036] Figure 1 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the gas tank 100. In the gas tank 100, a gas tank body 101 is formed by a blow molding process, and a valve 102 is attached to the gas tank body 101. Figure 1In the center of the gas tank 100, the outer appearance and cross-sectional view of the gas tank 100 are schematically shown with the center axis AX of the gas tank 100 as a boundary. The gas tank 100 is provided with a fiber reinforced resin layer 19 formed using a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP: Fiber Reinforced Plastics) as a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 and Figure 1 X, Y, and Z shown in each of the following drawings represent three spatial axes orthogonal to each other. In the present specification, the directions along these axes are also referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction.

[0037] The gas tank 100 is a storage container for containing a fluid at a high pressure of 10 to 70 MPa. The gas tank 100 can be formed in any shape, and in the example shown in the drawings, the gas tank 100 has an elongated approximately cylindrical outer appearance shape along the center axis AX. The axial direction of the gas tank 100 coincides with the Y-axis direction. Figure 1

[0038] In the present embodiment, the gas tank 100 is used, for example, to store hydrogen gas supplied to a fuel cell for a vehicle or a stationary fuel cell. The gas tank 100 is provided with an inner liner 10, joints 16 and 17 disposed at both ends of the inner liner 10, and a fiber reinforced resin layer 19 formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the inner liner 10 and the joints 16 and 17. The gas tank 100 can contain various fluids such as oxygen and natural gas in addition to hydrogen gas.

[0039] The inner liner 10 is a container having an internal space for sealing a fluid. The inner liner 10 is formed, for example, of a resin such as nylon, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyethylene, polypropylene, epoxy resin, polystyrene, or the like having gas barrier properties. The inner liner 10 is provided with one cylindrical trunk portion 12 and two dome portions 14 in the shape of a hemisphere disposed at both ends of the trunk portion 12 along the center axis AX. An opening is provided at the top of the dome portion 14. The inner liner 10 can also be formed of metal instead of a resin.

[0040] The joints 16 and 17 are fitted to the openings provided at the top of each dome portion 14 of the inner liner 10 in a manner that protrudes outward from both ends of the inner liner 10. The joint 16 is used, for example, for filling of gas into the gas tank 100 or release of gas from the gas tank 100. The joint 17 is sealed and used for centering during manufacturing or the like.

[0041] ​The fiber-reinforced resin layer 19 is a reinforcing layer for reinforcing the inner liner 10. The fiber-reinforced resin layer 19 is formed using a fiber-reinforced plastic manufactured by the manufacturing method of the fiber-reinforced plastic of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, a base material (also referred to as a "fiber prepreg") using a fiber material is disposed in a mold, and a resin is pressurized and filled into the mold by a so-called RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) method, and the resin is impregnated in the fiber material and cured, thereby forming the fiber-reinforced resin layer 19.

[0042] Figure 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing the base material 20. The base material 20 is formed by winding the fiber bundle 18 on the outer surfaces of the inner liner 10 and the joints 16, 17. Specifically, the base material 20 is formed by winding the fiber bundle 18 on the outer surfaces of the inner liner 10 and the joints 16, 17 in a state where the inner liner 10 and the joints 16, 17 are rotated via a shaft to which an unillustrated shaft is connected and centered. The layer in which the fiber bundle 18 formed on the outer surfaces of the inner liner 10 and the joints 16, 17 is wound is also referred to as a "fiber layer". In the present embodiment, as the fiber material, a carbon fiber is used. The fiber material can use, in addition to the carbon fiber, a glass fiber, an aramid fiber, a boron fiber, a high-strength polyethylene fiber, or the like, and can also combine a plurality of kinds of the fibers.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the fiber bundle 18 is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the trunk portion 12 by spiral winding, and is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion 14 by braided winding. The fiber bundle 18 is wound, for example, to the extent that a plurality of layers of about 10 to 20 layers can be formed. The spiral winding refers to a method in which, after winding the fiber bundle 18 on the entire outer peripheral surface of the trunk portion 12 at a predetermined winding angle θ1 with respect to the central axis AX of the inner liner 10, the fiber bundle 18 is further wound at a predetermined winding angle θ2 with respect to the central axis AX of the inner liner 10 in a crosswise manner. The braided winding refers to a method in which the fiber bundle 18 is wound in a manner of being interlaced with each other. In the present embodiment, the fiber bundle 18 is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the trunk portion 12 by spiral winding, and is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion 14 by braided winding. Figure 2 In the example of, the fiber bundle 18 is wound at the winding angle θ1 and the winding angle θ2 with respect to the central axis AX of the inner liner 10.

[0044] The winding angles θ1, θ2 can be arbitrarily set. For example, it is preferable to set the winding angles θ1, θ2 in consideration of stress applied to the inner liner 10. In the present embodiment, the winding angle θ1 is set, for example, at about 54.7 degrees, and the winding angle θ2 is set, for example, at about -54.7 degrees. Furthermore, the fiber bundle 18 is not limited to the above-described methods, and can be wound on the trunk portion 12 by braided winding and on the dome portion 14 by spiral winding. The fiber bundle 18 can be wound on the inner liner 10 using only either of spiral winding or braided winding.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 The structure of a fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus 200 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "manufacturing apparatus 200") according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus 200. Figure 4 is a plan view showing the schematic structure of the lower mold 52 in plan view. In Figure 3 , a state in which the base 20 is arranged is schematically shown, and in Figure 4 , a state in which the base 20 is not arranged is schematically shown. Further, Figure 3 the cross-sectional view shown is a cross section at the III-III position of Figure 4 .

[0046] The manufacturing apparatus 200 uses the RTM method to impregnate a resin material into the fiber layer of the base 20, and further to cure the impregnated resin material, thereby forming a fiber-reinforced plastic. The gas cylinder 100 is manufactured by forming the fiber-reinforced resin layer 19 using the fiber-reinforced plastic on the outer peripheral surface of the inner liner 10.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3 , the manufacturing apparatus 200 is provided with a control section 80, a mold 50, a resin supply section 40, a pressurizing mechanism 60, and a gate mechanism 70. The control section 80 is a microcomputer having a central arithmetic processing device (CPU) and a storage device. The storage device is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD). Various programs for realizing the functions provided in the present embodiment are stored in the HDD or the ROM, and the various programs read out from the HDD or the ROM are expanded on the RAM and executed by the CPU. The detection results of the above-described respective sensors are stored in the storage device. In addition, the control section 80 is provided with a timer not shown for counting elapsed time. The timer can also be constituted by either of hardware or software. The control section 80 uses the detection results of the respective sensors and the timing results of the timer to perform control of the resin supply section 40, the pressurizing mechanism 60, the gate mechanism 70, and a gas supply mechanism 90. The control section 80 can also acquire elapsed time from a time server instead of the timer.

[0048] The mold 50 is provided with an upper mold 51, a lower mold 52, and a base accommodating section 54 for accommodating the base 20. The mold 50 opens and closes the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52 by a drive device not shown based on control by the control section 80. In the present disclosure, the "mold" refers to a state in which the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52 are closed. Further, in the present embodiment, the base 20 in a state in which a shaft is attached is accommodated in the mold 50.

[0049] The upper die 51 has a resin supply port 510 and an upper base receiving portion 514. The resin supply port 510 is an inlet port of the resin material provided to the die 50. In the present embodiment, the resin supply port 510 is an opening provided to a surface of the upper die 51 that opposes the lower die 52. The resin supply portion 40 is attached to the resin supply port 510. The upper base receiving portion 514 is a recess provided to a surface of the upper die 51 that opposes the lower die 52.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the lower die 52 has a shaft receiving portion 521, 523, a lower base receiving portion 524, a resin storage portion 526, a second resin supply path 525, a third resin supply path 527, and a fourth resin supply path 528. The lower base receiving portion 524 is a recess provided to a surface of the lower die 52 that opposes the upper die 51. As shown in FIG. 1, in the die 50 in the die-closed state, the base receiving portion 54 is defined by an inner peripheral surface of the lower base receiving portion 524 and an inner peripheral surface of the upper base receiving portion 514. The base receiving portion 54 forms a space having a shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the base 20, and is capable of receiving the base 20. Figure 3 Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the lower die 52 has a shaft receiving portion 521, 523, a lower base receiving portion 524, a resin storage portion 526, a second resin supply path 525, a third resin supply path 527, and a fourth resin supply path 528. The lower base receiving portion 524 is a recess provided to a surface of the lower die 52 that opposes the upper die 51. As shown in FIG. 1, in the die 50 in the die-closed state, the base receiving portion 54 is defined by an inner peripheral surface of the lower base receiving portion 524 and an inner peripheral surface of the upper base receiving portion 514. The base receiving portion 54 forms a space having a shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the base 20, and is capable of receiving the base 20. Figure 3

[0051] When the base 20 is received in the base receiving portion 54, the shaft receiving portions 521, 523 receive the shafts connected to the joints 16, 17. The gas supply mechanism 90 is provided to the shaft receiving portion 523. The gas supply mechanism 90 supplies gas into the inner liner 10 of the base 20 via an inner space of the shaft connected to the joint 16, based on control by the control portion 80. As the supplied gas, for example, nitrogen gas can be used. The gas supply mechanism 90 has a pressure sensor 33 for detecting the internal pressure of the inner liner 10.

[0052] The resin storage portion 526 is a recess of a substantially cylindrical shape formed in the lower die 52. The pin 62 is received in the resin storage portion 526. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the resin storage portion 526 is formed with a plurality of resin storage portions 526A, 526B, 526C, 526D, and 526E having the same structure. In the present disclosure, in the case where the resin storage portions 526A to 526E are not distinguished, the resin storage portion 526 is referred to as "resin storage portion 526" and is described. The resin storage portion 526 is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and various shapes such as a prism shape, a polygonal shape, and the like can be adopted. Figure 4

[0053] ​​​The resin storage portions 526A to 526E are arranged along the Y-axis direction that is the length direction of the base 20. Specifically, the resin storage portions 526A to 526E are arranged at positions in the inner liner 10 that respectively correspond to the two dome portions 14 and the trunk portion 12 independently of each other. According to the manufacturing apparatus 200 thus configured, resin material can be pressure-fed from the plurality of resin storage portions 526 to each portion of the base 20 along the length direction, and therefore resin material can be sufficiently fed to each portion of the base 20 along the length direction, so that the deviation in impregnation of resin material at each portion of the base 20 can be reduced or prevented. However, the number of resin storage portions 526 is not limited to five, and any number of two or more can be provided, for example, one can be provided in a case where resin material can be sufficiently impregnated.

[0054] The base accommodating portion 54 is provided with pressure sensors 32. In the present embodiment, three pressure sensors 32 are provided on the inner wall surface of the upper base accommodating portion 514. The pressure sensors 32 function as part of the inner wall of the base accommodating portion 54, and can detect the internal pressure of the resin material filled into the base accommodating portion 54. The internal pressure of the resin material corresponds to the external pressure of the resin material imparted to the outer periphery of the base 20 in a state where the base 20 is disposed in the base accommodating portion 54. In the present embodiment, the detection results of the pressure sensors 32 are treated as the pressure-feed pressure of the resin material pressure-fed from the resin storage portions 526 by the pins 62 described later. The detection results of the internal pressure of the base accommodating portion 54 detected by the pressure sensors 32 are transmitted to the control portion 80. Note that the number of pressure sensors 32 is not limited to three, and can be one or any number of two or more. The pressure sensors 32 can be provided on the inner wall surface of the lower base accommodating portion 524 instead of the inner wall surface of the upper base accommodating portion 514, or on the inner wall surface of the upper base accommodating portion 514 and the inner wall surface of the lower base accommodating portion 524. The pressure sensors 32 are not limited to being disposed in the base accommodating portion 54, and can be disposed at any position in the internal space of the mold 50, such as the resin supply path, the resin storage portions 526, and the like. Alternatively, the pressure sensors 32 can be omitted in a case where, for example, the pressurizing mechanism 60 is provided with a sensor for detecting the pressure-feed pressure of the resin material by the pins 62 against the resin material.

[0055] The second resin supply path 525, the third resin supply path 527, and the fourth resin supply path 528 are recessed grooves formed in the lower mold 52, and function as "resin supply paths" that communicate the resin supply port 510 with the base accommodating portion 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the second resin supply path 525, the third resin supply path 527, and the fourth resin supply path 528 are arranged along the Y-axis direction that is the length direction of the base 20. The second resin supply path 525, the third resin supply path 527, and the fourth resin supply path 528 are arranged at positions in the inner liner 10 that respectively correspond to the two dome portions 14 and the trunk portion 12 independently of each other. The second resin supply path 525, the third resin supply path 527, and the fourth resin supply path 528 are arranged in the lower mold 52 so as to be in communication with the resin storage portions 526A to 526E, respectively. Figure 4The second resin supply path 525 is a flow path connected to the first resin storage portion 526A. The second resin supply path 525 communicates the resin supply port 510 and the first resin storage portion 526A in the mold 50 in the clamped state. The third resin supply path 527 is a flow path connecting each of the resin storage portions 526A to 526E along the Y-axis direction. The fourth resin supply path 528 is a flow path of the resin material connecting each of the resin storage portions 526A to 526E and the base housing portion 54. Further, as will be described later, the fourth resin supply path 528 is provided with a gate portion 72 of the gate mechanism 70 at a position that becomes a boundary CP with the base housing portion 54. The boundary CP refers to an end portion of the fourth resin supply path 528 on the side closer to the base housing portion 54 than the resin storage portion 526. The gate portion 72 can also be provided at any position in the fourth resin supply path 528 closer to the base housing portion 54 than the resin storage portion 526.

[0056] The resin supply portion 40 supplies the resin material from the resin supply port 510 to the inside of the mold 50 based on the control by the control portion 80. In the present embodiment, a two-liquid type epoxy resin is used as the resin material. The epoxy resin can use, for example, any of a bisphenol A type epoxy resin, a bisphenol F type epoxy resin, a multifunctional epoxy resin, a flexible epoxy resin, a glycidyl ester type epoxy resin, a high molecular type epoxy resin, and a biphenyl type epoxy resin. As the curing agent, various curing agents such as an amine type, an acid anhydride type, and a latent curing agent type can be used. However, the resin material is not limited to the two-liquid type epoxy resin, and can be a one-liquid type epoxy resin. In the epoxy resin, a curing catalyst such as a tertiary amine, an imidazole type, a phosphorus compound, and a thermal base generator can be mixed in addition to the curing agent. The resin material is not limited to the epoxy resin, and a thermosetting resin such as a phenol resin, a melamine resin, an allophanate resin, a polyester resin, and a polyimide resin can be used. In the case where the fiber-reinforced plastic has sufficient strength, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyolefin, a polyamide, a polycarbonate, and a polyphenylene sulfide can be used instead of the thermosetting resin.

[0057] The resin supply part 40 has a main agent supply part 41 for supplying an epoxy resin as a main agent, a curing agent supply part 42 for supplying a curing agent, a main agent supply path 43, a curing agent supply path 44, and a collision mixing part 46. The main agent supply part 41 and the curing agent supply part 42 each have a pressure feeding device such as a pump, not shown, and each pressure feeds the main agent and the curing agent at a high speed and a high pressure. The main agent supply path 43 is a flow path of the main agent connecting the main agent supply part 41 and the collision mixing part 46, and the curing agent supply path 44 is a flow path of the curing agent connecting the curing agent supply part 42 and the collision mixing part 46. The collision mixing part 46 is a space formed at a position where the main agent supply path 43 and the curing agent supply path 44 are connected. The collision mixing part 46 is connected to the resin supply port 510 and functions as a first resin supply path that guides the resin material supplied from the resin supply part 40 into the mold 50. From the viewpoint of bringing the start timing of the curing of the resin material close to the timing of the introduction of the resin material into the mold 50, it is preferable that the length of the collision mixing part 46 be short. The main agent supplied from the main agent supply part 41 via the main agent supply path 43 and the curing agent supplied from the curing agent supply part 42 via the curing agent supply path 44 are mixed by so-called collision mixing in which they collide with each other at a high speed and a high pressure in the collision mixing part 46. Thus, the mixing time of the main agent and the curing agent is shortened, and the productivity is improved. The resin material collision-mixed in the collision mixing part 46 is guided from the resin supply port 510 to the inside of the mold 50, specifically, to the second resin supply path 525.

[0058] The pressurizing mechanism 60 pressurizes the resin material in the resin accumulation part 526 based on the control by the control part 80 and feeds the resin material into the base body accommodating part 54. The pressurizing mechanism 60 has a pin 62, a driving part 64, and a shaft part 66. The pin 62 is a so-called piston connected to the driving part 64 via the shaft part 66. The driving part 64 is a motor, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like.

[0059] The pin 62 is accommodated in the resin accumulation part 526. As shown in FIG. 6, the pin 62 has a substantially circular plate shape, and as shown in FIG. 7, has a circular shape substantially coinciding with the outer shape of the resin accumulation part 526 in plan view. In the present disclosure, “plan view” means a state in which an object is observed in the Z-axis direction. On the side surface of the pin 62, a sealing member for restricting the movement of the resin in the resin accumulation part 526 to the shaft part 66 side can be provided. Figure 3 Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 6, the pin 62 has a substantially circular plate shape, and as shown in FIG. 7, has a circular shape substantially coinciding with the outer shape of the resin accumulation part 526 in plan view. In the present disclosure, “plan view” means a state in which an object is observed in the Z-axis direction. On the side surface of the pin 62, a sealing member for restricting the movement of the resin in the resin accumulation part 526 to the shaft part 66 side can be provided.

[0060] The pin 62 is capable of reciprocating in the resin accumulation part 526 in a direction DP toward the upper mold 51, a direction DP1, and a direction DP2 away from the upper mold 51, by the driving of the shaft part 66 by the driving part 64, as shown in FIG. 8. Figure 3 Figure 3 ​​In the example, pin 62 is initially positioned at the end in direction DP2, abutting against the bottom surface of resin storage portion 526. Pin 62 functions as a pressure part for pressurizing resin material by moving within resin storage portion 526. The upper surface 62T of pin 62, opposite to upper mold 51, is the part that abuts against the resin material stored in resin storage portion 526 and transmits pressure to the resin material. By moving pin 62 along direction DP1, the upper surface 62T can be used to pressurize the resin material filling resin storage portion 526, thereby feeding the resin material into matrix receiving portion 54.

[0061] In this embodiment, the pressurizing mechanism 60 further includes a displacement sensor 34 for detecting the displacement of the pin 62 and a torque sensor 36 for detecting the output torque of the drive unit 64. The detection results of the displacement sensor 34 and the torque sensor 36 are output to the control unit 80. The control unit 80 uses the detection result of the torque sensor 36 to control the output torque of the drive unit 64, thereby adjusting the pressing pressure of the pin 62 on the resin material.

[0062] The displacement sensor 34 acquires the position information of the pin 62 in the direction DP. The position information of the pin 62 may include, for example, the position and coordinates of the pin 62, including the position of the shaft 66, the amount of movement, the driving time of the drive unit 64, the power consumption, the rotational speed, and the output torque, as well as other information that can detect the position or displacement of the pin 62.

[0063] The gating mechanism 70 adjusts the opening degree of the fourth resin supply passage 528 at the boundary CP between the fourth resin supply passage 528 and the substrate receiving portion 54 based on the control performed by the control unit 80. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the gating mechanism 70 includes a gating section 72, a drive section 74, and a shaft section 76. The gating section 72 is connected to the drive section 74 via the shaft section 76. The drive section 74 is, for example, a motor, a hydraulic cylinder, etc.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, the gate portion 72, viewed in cross-section, has an approximately flat plate shape and is accommodated within the gate receiving portion 78 of the lower mold 52. The gate portion 72 may also be located in the upper mold 51. Figure 4 As shown, the gate portion 72, viewed from above, has an elongated shape along at least a portion of the outer edge of the base receiving portion 54. In this embodiment, viewed from above, the gate portion 72 is elongated along the shorter side of the base receiving portion 54 (in... Figure 4 In this example, the gate portion 72 is provided along the outer edge of the base receiving portion 54 on one side (in the X-axis direction). In this embodiment, the gate portion 72 is provided along the length direction of the base receiving portion 54 when viewed from above (in the X-axis direction). Figure 4In the example, the gate portion 72 has a long, narrow shape (in the Y-axis direction). However, the gate portion 72 is not limited to a long, narrow shape. For example, multiple gate portions 72, such as cylinders, prisms, or polyhedra, can be independently provided at each of the multiple boundaries CP between the fourth resin supply path 528 and the substrate receiving portion 54. Furthermore, the gate portion 72 is not limited to being provided on one side in the short side direction of the substrate receiving portion 54; it can be provided on both sides, or it can be provided in a manner that surrounds the entire periphery of the substrate receiving portion 54. On the side of the gate portion 72, a sealing member can also be provided to restrict the movement of resin in the resin supply path towards the shaft portion 76.

[0065] The gate section 72 can be driven along the shaft section 76 by the drive section 74. Figure 3 The direction DG shown reciprocates within the gate receiving portion 78 in a direction DG1 toward the upper mold 51 and a direction DG2 separating from the upper mold 51. By moving the gate portion 72 along direction DG1, the opening of the fourth resin supply path 528 can be adjusted. Figure 3 In this example, the gate 72 is located at the end in direction DG2, so that the upper surface 72T of the gate 72 and the bottom surface of the fourth resin supply passage 528 are in a so-called fully open state, coplanar. Alternatively, by moving the gate 72 to the end in direction DG1, the upper surface 72T abuts against the lower surface of the upper mold 51, and the fourth resin supply passage 528 becomes fully closed. In this state, the supply of resin to the substrate receiving portion 54 is stopped. Even when the gate 72 is not fully closed, it also functions as a flow path for resin material connecting the multiple fourth resin supply passages 528.

[0066] In this embodiment, the gating mechanism 70 further includes a displacement sensor 37 for detecting the displacement of the gating section 72 and a torque sensor 38 for detecting the output torque of the drive unit 74. The detection results of the displacement sensor 37 and the torque sensor 38 are output to the control unit 80. The structures of the displacement sensor 37 and the torque sensor 38 are the same as those of the displacement sensor 34 and the torque sensor 36 of the pressurizing mechanism 60 described above, so their description is omitted.

[0067] As in Figure 3 As indicated by direction D1, the resin material supplied from the resin supply unit 40 flows in the collision mixing unit 46, which serves as the first resin supply path, and is supplied to the second resin supply path 525 via the resin supply port 510. Then, as indicated by direction D2, it is supplied to the first resin storage unit 526A via the second resin supply path 525. Figure 4The resin material stored in the first resin storage portion 526A is supplied to the second to fifth resin storage portions 526B to 526E via the third resin supply path 527 as indicated by the direction D3. The resin material stored in the resin storage portion 526 is supplied to the base material housing portion 54 in a state where the gate portion 72 is not fully closed as indicated by the direction D4. In a state where the gate portion 72 is not fully closed, the gate portion 72 functions as a flow path of the resin material connecting the plurality of fourth resin supply paths 528 and as a part of the resin supply path. In this case, the resin material flows on the upper surface 72T of the gate portion 72 as indicated by the direction D5.

[0068] Figure 5 is a process diagram indicating the manufacturing method of the fiber-reinforced plastic of the present embodiment. In the process S10, the base material 20 is prepared. Specifically, the base material 20 in which the fiber layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner liner 10 is prepared by winding the fiber bundle 18 on the outer peripheral surface of the inner liner 10 in a state where the shafts are attached to the joints 16, 17. In the process S20, the base material 20 is arranged in the base material housing portion 54 of the mold 50, and the clamping process of the mold 50 is performed. Specifically, the control portion 80 controls the not-shown driving device of the mold 50 to perform the closing of the upper mold 51, and further performs the clamping of the mold 50. The clamping of the mold 50 refers to a process of pressurizing the mold 50 in the direction in which the mold 50 is closed with a larger pressure than the pressure at the time of the closing of the mold 50 after the closing of the mold 50. However, only the closing of the mold 50 can be performed in the process S20. Further, in the present embodiment, the clamping is performed in a manner that the base material 20 in the state where the shafts are attached is housed in the base material housing portion 54.

[0069] In the process S30, the control portion 80 performs the resin storage process of supplying the resin material to the resin storage portions 526 inside the mold 50. In the present embodiment, the control portion 80 supplies the resin material in a state where the gate portion 72 is fully closed, and fills the resin material in all of the resin storage portions 526A to 526E.

[0070] Figure 6 is a process diagram indicating details of the resin storage process. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram indicating the driving states of the pressurizing mechanism 60 and the gate mechanism 70 in the resin storage process. In the process S302, the control portion 80 controls the driving portion 74 of the gate mechanism 70 so that the gate portion 72 becomes Figure 7The resin material is thereby stopped from being supplied to the base container 54. At this time, the control section 80 brings the pin 62 to the initial position by controlling the driving section 64 of the pressurizing mechanism 60. The pin 62 thereby comes into abutment with the bottom surface of the resin storage section 526. Further, in the case where the full-closed state of the gate section 72 is the state where the initial position is set, the process S302 can be omitted.

[0071] In the process S304, the control section 80 controls the resin supply section 40 to supply the resin material from the resin supply port 510 into the mold 50. More specifically, the control section 80 controls the main agent supply section 41 and the curing agent supply section 42 of the resin supply section 40 to eject the epoxy resin and the curing agent, to collide and mix them in the collision mixing section 46, and to supply them from the resin supply port 510 to the second resin supply path 525 inside the mold 50. The control section 80 starts counting at least at the timing when the resin material starts to be supplied from the resin supply section 40. The control section 80 supplies the resin material of a predetermined volume into the mold 50 for a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds. The resin material supplied to the second resin supply path 525 is also filled in the third resin supply path 527, the fourth resin supply path 528, the resin storage section 526, and the like in the mold 50, except for the base container 54.

[0072] Returning to Figure 5 In the process S40, a filling process is performed in which the control section 80 controls the pressurizing mechanism 60 and the gate mechanism 70 to send out the resin material filled in the resin storage section 526 and fill it into the base container 54. In the present embodiment, the control section 80 controls the pressurizing mechanism 60 to send out the resin material to the base container 54 by the pressurization of the pin 62 after controlling the gate mechanism 70 to bring the gate section 72 to the first opening degree. In the present embodiment, the first opening degree corresponds to bringing the opening degree of the gate section 72 to the full opening. However, the first opening degree is not limited to the full opening, and can be set to an arbitrary opening degree at which the resin material can be sent out to the base container 54. From the viewpoint of increasing the flow rate of the resin material, it is preferable that the first opening degree be large.

[0073] Figure 8 is a process chart showing details of the filling process. Figure 9 is an explanatory view showing the driving states of the pressurizing mechanism 60 and the gate mechanism 70 in the filling process. In the process S402, the control section 80 controls the driving section 74 to bring the gate section 72 to the Figure 9 full opening state shown in the drawing.

[0074] In the process S403, the control section 80 controls the gas supply mechanism 90 to start supplying nitrogen gas into the inner liner 10 of the base 20. In the process S404, the internal pressure of the base 20 is acquired from the pressure sensor 33. In the process S406, the driving section 64 of the pressurizing mechanism 60 is controlled so that the pin 62 starts moving in the direction DP1, thereby starting to pressurize the resin material of the resin accumulation section 526. In the present embodiment, the pins 62 of the plurality of resin accumulation sections 526 are moved synchronously with each other. However, it is also possible to control the pins 62 so as to move independently of each other without synchronizing the pins 62 of the plurality of resin accumulation sections 526. By so configuring, the pressure feed pressure of the resin material supplied to each portion of the base 20 can be adjusted for each portion of the base 20. In the process S408, the internal pressure of the base accommodating section 54 is acquired from the pressure sensor 32. Further, the processes S404 and S408 can be repeatedly executed at a predetermined unit time, such as every 0.1 seconds.

[0075] In the process S410, the control section 80 calculates the differential pressure between the internal pressure of the base 20 and the internal pressure of the base accommodating section 54 by subtracting the internal pressure of the base accommodating section 54 from the acquired internal pressure of the base 20. In the present embodiment, the control section 80 repeatedly calculates the differential pressure at a predetermined unit time, such as every 1 second. For example, the differential pressure can be calculated every time the internal pressure of the base 20 and the internal pressure of the base accommodating section 54 are acquired. The control section 80 maintains the state where the calculated differential pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, and moves the pin 62 in the direction DP1 to pressurize the resin material of the resin accumulation section 526. In the process S412, when the control section 80 determines, for example, that the pin 62 has reached the predetermined position by using the position information of the pin 62 acquired from the displacement sensor 34, the filling process is ended. However, it is not limited thereto, and the end condition of the filling process can be set using the volume of the resin material supplied into the base accommodating section 54, the internal pressure of the base accommodating section 54, the elapsed time from the start of the movement of the pin 62, or the like. Figure 9

[0076] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the internal pressure of the base 20 and the internal pressure of the base accommodating section 54 in the filling process. In Figure 10 is shown a graph G1 showing the change in the internal pressure of the base 20 obtained by the pressure sensor 33, a graph G2 showing the change in the internal pressure of the base accommodating section 54 obtained by the pressure sensor 32, and a graph G3 showing the change in the viscosity of the resin material. The horizontal axis of the graphs is the time axis, and the left vertical axis shows the pressure and the right vertical axis shows the viscosity.

[0077] As Figure 10 ​As shown, the pressure difference GP between the internal pressure of the substrate 20 and the internal pressure of the substrate housing 54 is maintained at or above a predetermined threshold, and nitrogen gas is continuously supplied to the substrate 20, while the pin 62 moves in the direction DP1. In other words, the control unit 80 maintains that the external pressure supplied to the substrate housing 54 by the pressure delivery of the resin material does not exceed the internal pressure of the substrate 20, and moves the pin 62. In this embodiment, the supply of nitrogen gas to the substrate 20 and the movement of the pin 62 in the direction DP1 are controlled so that by the time T1 when the viscosity begins to rise, the internal pressure of the substrate 20 and the internal pressure of the substrate housing 54 reach target values ​​TG1 and TG2, respectively. The target values ​​TG1 and TG2 are, for example, the pressure delivery pressure of the resin material required for the impregnation process.

[0078] Return to Figure 5 In process S50, the control unit 80 performs an impregnation process to impregnate the fiber layer of the matrix 20 with resin material. In this embodiment, the control unit 80 pressurizes the resin material in the matrix receiving section 54 with the gate section 72 in a second opening state, thereby impregnating the resin material in the matrix 20. The second opening is an opening of the gate section 72 that is larger than fully closed and smaller than the first opening.

[0079] Figure 11 It is a process diagram showing the details of the impregnation process. Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram showing the driving status of the pressurizing mechanism 60 and the gate mechanism 70 in the impregnation process. In process S502, the control unit 80 controls the drive unit 74 to make the gate section 72... Figure 12 The second opening degree is shown. In this embodiment, the distance (opening area) L2 from the upper surface 72T of the gate 72 to the upper mold 51 under the second opening degree is set to ____. Figure 9 The distance (opening area) L1 from the upper surface 72T to the upper mold 51 is shown to be approximately one-quarter. However, the distance L2 is not limited to one-quarter of the distance L1, and can be set using any proportion such as one-fifth, one-half, one-third, two-thirds, etc.

[0080] In the process S504, the differential pressure GP between the internal pressure of the base 20 and the internal pressure of the base accommodating portion 54 is maintained at a state where it is equal to or higher than a threshold value decided in advance, and the pin 62 is further moved from the position at the end of the filling process in the direction DP1. In the present embodiment, the pressure-feed pressure of the resin material by the pin 62 in the impregnation process is set to be the same as the pressure-feed pressure of the resin material by the pin 62 at the end of the filling process. However, it is not limited thereto, and the pressure-feed pressure in the impregnation process can be set to be higher than the pressure-feed pressure in the filling process, and the filling process and the impregnation process can be controlled with different pressures. In the process S506, the impregnation process ends since the end condition is satisfied. As the end condition of the impregnation process, for example, there can be mentioned a case where it is determined using the detection result of the displacement sensor 34 that the pin 62 does not displace within a prescribed period, a case where the viscosity increase of the resin material is detected, a case where the time T1 at which the viscosity increase starts or any time after that is reached, a case where the internal pressure of the base accommodating portion 54 reaches a prescribed value, and the like. Figure 10

[0081] Returning to Figure 5 In the process S60, the resin material is cured. The resin material is cured by passing a prescribed time in the state where the mold 50 is clamped. In the present embodiment, the control portion 80 determines that the curing of the resin material is completed by passing a prescribed time from the timing at which the supply of the resin material into the mold 50 is started. The prescribed time is set, for example, to the time required for a two-liquid type epoxy resin to sufficiently cure. In the process S70, the control portion 80 drives the unillustrated drive device of the mold 50 to perform the mold opening process of opening the upper mold 51. The base 20 in the state of being impregnated with the resin material and cured is pushed out by a pusher or the like, for example, and thereby the base 20 is taken out of the mold 50 in the state of being opened. As a result, the gas tank 100 in which the reinforcing layer formed of the fiber reinforced plastic is formed is obtained.

[0082] ​As explained above, according to this embodiment, in the resin accumulation process, after filling the resin accumulation section 526 with the gate section 72 fully closed, the resin material accumulated in the resin accumulation section 526 is supplied to the matrix receiving section 54 through the filling process. In the resin accumulation process, the supply of resin material to the matrix receiving section 54 can be stopped, allowing the resin accumulation section 526 to complete the accumulation of resin material. Here, without using the gate section 72, high-speed, high-pressure resin material supplied by the resin supply section 40 is supplied to the matrix receiving section 54. Furthermore, without using the gate section 72, the timing of starting the supply of resin material to the matrix receiving section 54 becomes natural. Therefore, compared to the case where the gate section 72 is not used, by temporarily accumulating the resin material in the resin accumulation section 526 before starting the pressure delivery to the matrix receiving section 54, the timing of starting the supply of resin material can be adjusted. Furthermore, for example, conditions such as low speed and low pressure can be used to stabilize the supply of resin material to the matrix receiving portion 54. Therefore, for example, when supplying resin material to the matrix receiving portion 54, it is possible to suppress or prevent collisions between the high-pressure resin material and the fiber layer of the matrix 20, thereby suppressing or preventing problems such as disordered arrangement of the fiber material contained in the fiber layer and peeling of the fiber material from the liner 10.

[0083] According to this embodiment, the gate portion 72 is located in the shape of the base receiving portion 54, in the direction of the short side of the base receiving portion 54 (in... Figure 4 In the example, it is a single side along the X-axis direction, and has an elongated shape along the outer edge of the substrate receiving portion 54. The resin supply path at the boundary CP between the substrate receiving portion 54 and the fourth resin supply path 528 can be extended along the outer edge of the substrate receiving portion 54, making it easy to diffuse the pressure of the resin material at the boundary CP along the outer edge of the substrate receiving portion 54 during resin material feeding. Therefore, when supplying resin material to the substrate receiving portion 54, the pressure concentration of the resin material during feeding can be suppressed, thereby more reliably suppressing or preventing collisions between the high-pressure resin material and the fiber layer of the substrate 20.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the resin storage section 526 includes a first resin storage section 526A and a second resin storage section 526B arranged along the length direction of the substrate receiving section 54. By arranging the plurality of resin storage sections 526 along the length direction of the substrate receiving section 54, resin material can be pressurized from the plurality of resin storage sections 526 to multiple portions of the elongated substrate 20. Therefore, resin material can be adequately fed into each portion of the substrate 20 along the length direction, thereby reducing or preventing resin material impregnation deviation at each portion of the substrate 20.

[0085] According to the present embodiment, further, in the impregnation process after the filling process, the resin material stored in the resin storage portion 526 is pressurized in a state where the opening degree of the gate portion 72 is a second opening degree smaller than the first opening degree, to impregnate the resin material in the base 20. By impregnating the resin material in the base 20 in a state where the gate portion 72 is open, the pressure of the resin material pressurized by the pin 62 can be transmitted to the resin material in the base receiving portion 54 during impregnation. Thus, by pressurizing the resin material while impregnating the resin material in the fiber layer of the base 20, generation of voids in the fiber layer of the base 20 can be suppressed or prevented. Further, by performing the impregnation process in a state where the opening degree of the gate portion 72 is smaller than when fully open, backflow of the resin material in the base receiving portion 54 with respect to the space from the upper surface 72T of the gate portion 72 to the upper mold 51, i.e., the fourth resin supply path 528, can be suppressed. Thus, adverse conditions such as peeling of the fiber material included in the fiber layer of the base 20 from the inner liner 10 due to backflow of the resin material can be suppressed or prevented. Further, since the gate portion 72 is not fully closed, adverse conditions such as pinching of the fiber material between the gate portion 72 and the upper mold 51 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0086] According to the present embodiment, the resin material uses a two-liquid type epoxy resin. Thus, the timing of the start of curing of the resin material can be easily grasped, and the timing of the increase in the viscosity of the resin material can be easily inferred. Further, in the present embodiment, the main agent and the curing agent are mixed by collision and supplied in the resin storage process. By increasing the mixing speed of the main agent and the curing agent, the productivity of the fiber-reinforced plastic can be increased.

[0087] According to the present embodiment, the base 20 includes the inner liner 10 capable of storing a fluid. In the filling process, the internal pressure of the inner liner 10 is acquired by the pressure sensor 33, the pressure of the resin material pressurized by the pin 62 is acquired by the pressure sensor 32, and the resin material stored in the resin storage portion 526 is pressurized in such a manner that the differential pressure GP between the acquired internal pressure of the inner liner 10 and the pressure of the resin material pressurized by the pin 62 is equal to or greater than a threshold value determined in advance. Thus, when the resin material is supplied to the base receiving portion 54, adverse conditions such as deformation of the base 20 caused by the pressure of the resin material can be suppressed.

[0088] B. Other Embodiments

[0089] The control section and the method thereof according to the present disclosure can also be realized by a special-purpose computer provided by a processor and a memory programmed in a manner to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the control section and the method thereof according to the present disclosure can also be realized by a special-purpose computer provided by a processor composed of one or more special-purpose hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control section and the method thereof according to the present disclosure can also be realized by one or more special-purpose computers composed of a processor programmed in a manner to execute one or more functions and a processor composed of one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program can be stored as instructions executed by a computer in a non-transitory tangible recording medium readable by the computer.

[0090] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be realized in various structures without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or in order to achieve part or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the modes recited in the summary of the application can be appropriately replaced, combined, or deleted, provided that the technical features are not described as essential in the specification.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein, The method for manufacturing the fiber-reinforced plastic comprises: In the mold closing process, a matrix made of fiber material is placed in the matrix receiving part inside the mold, and the mold is closed. In the resin accumulation process, resin material is supplied from the resin supply port of the closed mold, and the resin material is accumulated in a resin accumulation section provided in the resin supply path connecting the resin supply port and the substrate receiving part. The resin material is accumulated in the resin accumulation section while the gate part, which is located in the resin supply path closer to the substrate receiving part than the resin accumulation section and whose opening can be adjusted, is fully closed. In the filling process, with the gate portion at a predetermined first opening, the resin material stored in the resin storage portion is pressurized to supply the resin material to the matrix receiving portion. as well as In the impregnation process, after the filling process, with the opening of the gate portion at a second opening smaller than the first opening, pressure is applied to the resin material stored in the resin storage portion to impregnate the resin material into the matrix.

2. The method for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic according to claim 1, wherein, The resin material is a two-component epoxy resin. In the resin storage process, the main agent and the curing agent are mixed by collision and supplied.

3. The method for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The matrix includes a container for storing fluid. The filling process also includes the following steps: The internal pressure of the container and the pressure applied to the resin material are obtained. The resin material is pressurized such that the pressure difference between the internal pressure of the container and the pressure applied to the resin material is above a predetermined threshold, thereby supplying the resin material to the matrix housing.

4. An apparatus for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastics, wherein, The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus includes: A mold that can be opened and closed has a matrix receiving portion for accommodating a matrix made of fibrous material, a resin supply port for introducing resin material into the interior of the mold, a resin supply path connecting the resin supply port and the matrix receiving portion, and a resin storage portion disposed in the resin supply path for storing the supplied resin material. A resin supply section that supplies resin material into the interior of the mold from the resin supply port; A pressurizing section is used to pressurize the resin material stored in the resin storage section to supply the resin material to the matrix receiving section. A gate portion, which is disposed in the resin supply path closer to the matrix receiving portion than the resin storage portion, and whose opening degree is adjustable; and The control unit is capable of controlling the resin supply unit, the pressurization unit, and the gate unit. The control unit, with the gate section fully closed, supplies resin material from the resin supply port and stores the resin material in the resin storage section. With the gate portion at a predetermined first opening, the pressurizing section is controlled to supply the resin material to the matrix receiving section. After the control unit sets the gate to the first opening and supplies the resin material to the matrix receiving portion, it further controls the pressurizing unit to pressurize the resin material stored in the resin storage portion by setting the gate to the second opening, which is smaller than the first opening, so that the resin material is impregnated in the matrix.

5. The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The gate portion has an elongated shape along at least a portion of the outer edge of the base receiving portion.

6. The fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The resin storage section includes a first resin storage section and a second resin storage section arranged along the length direction of the gate section.

Citation Information

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