A circumferential track yarn carrier for an automated three-dimensional braiding machine of composite material

Abstract

The application provides a circumferential track yarn carrying trolley scheme of an automatic three-dimensional braiding equipment of a composite material, a track sliding trolley provided with a yarn carrier is surrounded, a foldable telescopic guide rail for forward movement and automatic laying of the trolley is designed, a position detection switch and a start-stop control switch required for trolley work, and a guide pulley on the trolley body, through the above design, the track sliding trolley can stably shuttle along the track in a small space, the working process can be closed-loop controlled, the trolley carries the yarn carrier with active yarn winding and constant tension passive yarn unwinding functions, the braiding tension is stable, the yarn carrier part is also flattened, the overall shape of the trolley is flattened, the circumferential track and the track yarn carrying trolley can be multi-layer distributed on the mounting bottom plate, and effectively participate in automatic three-dimensional braiding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of composite material weaving technology, and in particular to a circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley for an automated three-dimensional composite material weaving device. Background Technology

[0002] Three-dimensional braided composite materials are completely monolithic structures with high specific strength and specific modulus, possessing excellent mechanical properties and functions. This makes it possible to use composite materials to manufacture main load-bearing structural components and special multi-functional parts. Three-dimensional braided composite materials, as functional structural materials, are already widely used in aerospace vehicles such as rockets, aircraft, and satellites. Examples include: rocket engine nozzles, sealing adjustment plates, satellite trusses, combustion chamber liners, missile nose cones, and aircraft engine fan blades—structural materials resistant to high temperatures, ablation, and high-speed erosion; and functional materials such as silicon nitride fiber-reinforced missile radome wave-transparent materials and wear-resistant brake pad materials.

[0003] The weaving processes for three-dimensional braided composite materials include two-step, four-step, multi-layer bonding, and multi-step methods, among which the four-step and two-step methods are currently the two most commonly used methods in this field. The four-step method can weave structures with many different cross-sections, such as plates, tubes, semi-cylindrical structures, and columns. The two-step method is suitable for weaving very thick structures and can weave plate-like and tubular structures. The main reasons hindering the widespread adoption of three-dimensional weaving technology include late research start, independent research and development of equipment, innovation in weaving technology, and issues related to automation and intelligent control technology. Addressing the current state of three-dimensional weaving processes for composite materials, a new weaving process involving circumferential winding of yarns within the interlaced yarns is proposed. Currently, this process is entirely manual, which suffers from cumbersome work, low efficiency, high labor requirements, and large footprint.

[0004] Therefore, a new technology is needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley scheme for an automated three-dimensional weaving equipment for composite materials, thereby automating the yarn threading process in three-dimensional weaving of composite materials, improving production efficiency, and reducing labor costs.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley includes a track sliding trolley, a yarn carrier, a foldable track assembly, and a track sliding trolley start / stop control assembly.

[0008] The track trolley includes a motor installed at one bottom end, a drive wheel connected to the motor, a magnet fixed to the bottom of the motor, a driven wheel at the other end, guide pulleys on both sides of the bottom, and a motor start switch on one side of the driven wheel. The upper part of the track trolley is connected to the yarn carrier.

[0009] The yarn carrier includes a yarn carrier body and a yarn tube, an active yarn take-up unit, a passive constant tension yarn release unit, a yarn guide and control unit, and a yarn release tension adjustment unit disposed on the yarn carrier body. The yarn tube is located at the upper part of the yarn carrier body; the active yarn take-up unit is located at the bottom of the yarn carrier body; the passive constant tension yarn release unit is located at the middle part of the yarn carrier body and is connected to the active yarn take-up unit; the yarn guide and control unit is located on one side of the yarn carrier body and is connected and fixed to the lower part of the yarn carrier body; the yarn release tension adjustment unit is located at the top of the yarn tube.

[0010] The foldable track assembly includes a turntable on a mounting base for laying the guide rail, a guide rail, a first cylinder connected to the guide rail, a cylinder base for fixing the first cylinder, a second cylinder for driving the guide rail, a third cylinder for pushing the cylinder base, and a first linear guide rail for supporting the movement of the cylinder base.

[0011] The track-mounted trolley start-stop control assembly includes a fourth cylinder for lifting the start-stop control assembly, a trolley main rail, a Hall switch installed at the bottom of the trolley main rail, a mounting plate for mounting the trolley main rail, a fifth cylinder for pushing the mounting plate, a sixth cylinder for controlling the start and stop of the trolley, and a second linear guide rail for carrying the movement of the trolley start-stop control assembly.

[0012] The active yarn take-up unit in the yarn carrier includes a drive motor, a control switch for controlling the rotation of the drive motor, a power battery for providing power to the drive motor, and a ratchet assembly connected to the yarn tube and driving the yarn tube to rotate; the passive constant tension yarn release unit includes a spacer, a felt sheet attached to the spacer, a first spring connected to the spacer to provide stable pressure, a yarn tube shaft connected to the ratchet assembly, and a ball-head pin connecting the yarn tube and the yarn tube shaft and fixing the spacer and the felt sheet to the yarn tube shaft; the yarn guiding and control unit includes a float The system includes a movable pulley, a second spring connected to the floating pulley, a guide eye for guiding the yarn from the yarn tube, a guide wheel fixed at one end, and a guide eye located on the upper end of the guide wheel; the tension adjustment unit includes an adjusting nut fixed to the end of the yarn tube and a set screw; the ratchet assembly includes an outer ratchet tooth, an inner support wheel installed on the inner side of the outer ratchet and concentric with the outer ratchet, a pawl fixed on the inner support wheel, a pawl pin for fixing the pawl on the inner support wheel, and a pawl spring fixed on the inner side of the outer ratchet to limit the pawl.

[0013] A magnet at the bottom of the track-mounted trolley is used to trigger the Hall switch to control the start and stop of the trolley; the second, third, fourth, and fifth cylinders each have a corresponding magnetic switch to detect when the cylinder is extended into position; the first cylinder drives the guide rail to rotate 90° to unfold the guide rail; the mounting base plate has several turntables with the same structure to complete the laying of the guide rail.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0015] This invention provides a circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley solution. The circumferential track and yarn-carrying trolley are multi-layered on a mounting base. While enabling the movement of the yarn-carrying trolley, it also has the functions of taking in and releasing yarn. The yarn carrier combines active yarn taking in with constant tension passive yarn releasing to achieve dynamic balance of yarn release tension, ensuring stable weaving tension and effectively enabling automated three-dimensional weaving. Simultaneously, the track has a foldable and telescopic structure, effectively achieving spatial avoidance of the interlacing yarn's trajectory and maximizing space utilization. This solution enables automated circumferential yarn threading in composite material three-dimensional weaving equipment, improving weaving efficiency, reducing labor costs, requiring less space, and simplifying operation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom of the circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the yarn carrier structure in the circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the foldable track assembly structure in the circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting base plate of the circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the start / stop control component in the circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following specific embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. After reading the present invention, any modifications of the present invention in various equivalent forms by those skilled in the art will fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0023] This invention discloses a circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley for an automated three-dimensional weaving equipment for composite materials, including a track sliding trolley, a yarn carrier installed on the upper part of the trolley for loading and unloading yarn, a foldable track assembly for the trolley to circulate around, and a start-stop control assembly for controlling the movement and stopping of the trolley on the track.

[0024] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the track-mounted trolley 100 includes a motor 11, a drive wheel, guide pulleys 12, driven wheels 13, a motor start switch 14, a magnet 15, and a battery 16. A yarn carrier 200 is fixed to the upper end of the track-mounted trolley 100. The motor 11 is fixed to one end of the base plate of the track-mounted trolley 100 and connected to the drive wheel, providing power to the track-mounted trolley 100. The guide pulleys 12 are a pair located on both sides of the base plate of the track-mounted trolley 100, constraining the movement of the track-mounted trolley 100. The driven wheels 13 are fixed to the other end of the base plate of the track-mounted trolley 100, cooperating with the drive wheel to complete the movement of the track-mounted trolley 100. The motor start switch 14 is located on one side of the driven wheel 13 and is a semi-circular groove. The magnet 15 is located at the bottom of the motor 11. The battery 16 is installed on the upper part of the base plate of the track-mounted trolley 100, providing power to the motor 11.

[0025] Please see Figure 3 As shown, the yarn carrier 200 includes a yarn carrier body and a yarn tube 21, an active yarn take-up unit, a passive constant tension yarn release unit, a yarn guiding and control unit, and a yarn release tension adjustment unit disposed on the yarn carrier body. The active yarn take-up unit includes a drive motor 221 installed at the lower end of the yarn carrier body, a control switch 222 controlling the start and stop of the drive motor 221, a power battery 223 providing power to the drive motor 221, and a ratchet assembly 224 connected to and driving the yarn tube 21. The passive constant tension yarn release unit includes a spacer 231, a felt sheet 232 attached to the spacer 231, a first spring 233 connected to the spacer 231 to provide stable pressure, a yarn tube shaft 234 coupled to the ratchet assembly 224, and a ball pin 235 connecting the yarn tube 21 and the yarn tube shaft 234 and fixing the spacer 231 and the felt sheet 232 to the yarn tube shaft 234. The yarn guiding and control unit includes a floating pulley 241, a second spring 242 connected to the floating pulley 241, a guide eye 243 for guiding the yarn from the yarn tube 21, a guide wheel 244 fixed to one end of the yarn guiding and control unit, and a guide eye 245 located above the guide wheel 244. The tension adjusting unit 25 includes an adjusting nut 251 fixed to the top end of the yarn tube 21 and a set screw 252 for fixing the position of the adjusting nut.

[0026] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the foldable track assembly 300 includes a turntable 31, a guide rail 32, a first cylinder 33, a cylinder base 34, a second cylinder 35, a first magnetic switch 351, a third cylinder 36, a second magnetic switch 361, and a first linear guide rail 37. The turntables 31 are mounted on a mounting base plate. The first cylinder 33 is connected to the guide rail 32 and fixed to the cylinder base 34. The second cylinder 35 is located below the foldable track assembly 300 and can move the folded guide rail 32. The first magnetic switch 351 is located on the outer surface of the second cylinder 35 and is used to detect when the second cylinder 35 is fully extended. One end of the third cylinder 36 is fixed to the cylinder base 34 and can move the cylinder base 34, along with the first cylinder 33 and the guide rail 32, along the first linear guide rail 37 fixed above the foldable track assembly 300. The second magnetic switch 361 is located on the outer surface of the third cylinder 36 and is used to detect when the third cylinder 36 is fully extended.

[0027] Please see Figure 6 As shown, the track trolley start-stop control assembly 400 includes a fourth cylinder 41, a third magnetic switch 411, a trolley main rail 42, a Hall switch 43, a mounting plate, a fifth cylinder 45, a fourth magnetic switch 451, a sixth cylinder 46, and a second linear track 47. The fourth cylinder 41 is located below the track trolley start-stop control assembly 400 and is used to lift the assembly. The third magnetic switch 411 is located at the bottom of the fourth cylinder 41 and is used to detect when the cylinder is fully extended. The trolley main rail 42 is located at the bottom of the track trolley 100, the Hall switch 43 is located at the bottom of the main rail 42, and the mounting plate is located at the bottom of the main rail and fixed to one end of the track trolley start-stop control assembly 400. The fifth cylinder 45 is fixed to the other end of the assembly and can drive the mounting plate along with the main rail. The sixth cylinder 46 and the trolley main rail 42 move along the second linear track 47 fixed above the track sliding control assembly 400. The fourth magnetic switch 451 is located on the outer surface of the fifth cylinder 45 and is used to detect when the fifth cylinder 45 extends into position. The sixth cylinder 46 is located on one side of the mounting plate. When the sixth cylinder 46 extends, the motor start switch 14 can be pressed to turn off the motor 11 and stop the track sliding trolley 100. When the sixth cylinder 46 retracts, the motor start switch 14 connects the circuit, and the motor 11 is powered by the battery 16 to drive the track sliding trolley 100 to rotate.

[0028] Specifically, the working process of the circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley of the automated three-dimensional weaving equipment for composite materials described in this invention is as follows:

[0029] 1) After the turntable 31 on the mounting base plate rotates to the set position, the second cylinder 35 in the foldable track assembly 300 drives the foldable guide rail 32 to rise to the predetermined position. The first magnetic switch 351 detects that the second cylinder 35 has risen to the position. The third cylinder 36 pushes the cylinder base 34 together with the first cylinder 33 and the guide rail 32 to extend forward along the first linear guide rail 37. The second magnetic switch 361 detects that the third cylinder 36 has extended to the position. The first cylinder 33 drives the guide rail 32 to rotate 90° and unfold the guide rail 32.

[0030] 2) The fourth cylinder 41 lifts the start / stop control component 400 and the track sliding trolley 100. After the third magnetic switch 411 detects that the fourth cylinder 41 has extended to the correct position, the fifth cylinder 45 pushes the mounting plate, together with the sixth cylinder 46, the trolley main rail 42, and the Hall switch 43, to extend forward along the second linear guide rail 47. The fourth magnetic switch 451 detects that the fifth cylinder 45 has extended to the correct position, and the guide rail 32 is now fully extended.

[0031] 3) After the guide rail 32 is unfolded, the sixth cylinder 46 retracts, the start switch 14 at the bottom of the track sliding trolley 100 connects the circuit, the battery 16 supplies power to the motor 11, driving the drive wheel to rotate, and the track sliding trolley 100 begins to move along the guide rail 32 under the constraint of the guide pulley 12.

[0032] 4) When the magnet 15 at the bottom of the track trolley 100 triggers the Hall switch 43, the sixth cylinder 46 extends, the start switch 14 is pressed, the circuit is disconnected, the motor 11 is de-energized, the track trolley 100 stops, and a work process is completed.

[0033] After the track trolley 100 stops running, the foldable guide rail assembly 300 closes the guide rail 32 again, folds it, and lowers it; the start-stop control assembly 400 retracts the track trolley 100 and lowers it, and the system returns to the state before operation. The specific action process is the opposite of the process 1) to 4).

[0034] The circumferential track yarn-carrying trolley solution described in this invention revolves around a track-sliding trolley equipped with a yarn carrier. It features a foldable, telescopic guide rail for the trolley's forward movement and automated laying, position detection switches and start / stop control switches required for trolley operation, and guide pulleys on the trolley body. This design enables the track-sliding trolley to smoothly navigate along the track in confined spaces, with closed-loop control throughout the operation. The trolley carries a yarn carrier with active yarn take-up and constant-tension passive yarn release functions, ensuring stable weaving tension. The yarn carrier section also features a flattened design, resulting in a flattened overall trolley shape. This allows for multi-layered distribution of the circumferential track and track-carrying trolley on the mounting base, effectively participating in automated three-dimensional weaving.

[0035] There are many methods and approaches to implement this technical solution, and the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. All components not explicitly stated in this embodiment can be implemented using existing technology.

Claims

1. A circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley, comprising a track sliding trolley, a yarn carrier, a foldable track assembly, and a track sliding trolley start / stop control assembly, characterized in that: The track sliding trolley includes a motor installed at one end of the bottom, a drive wheel connected to the motor, a magnet fixed to the bottom plate of the trolley, a driven wheel at the other end, guide pulleys on both sides of the bottom, a motor start switch on one side of the driven wheel, and the upper part of the track sliding trolley is connected to the yarn carrier. The yarn carrier includes a yarn carrier body and a yarn tube, an active yarn take-up unit, a passive constant tension yarn release unit, a yarn guiding and control unit, and a yarn release tension adjustment unit disposed on the yarn carrier body. The yarn tube is located at the upper part of the yarn carrier body; the active yarn take-up unit is located at the bottom of the yarn carrier body; the passive constant tension yarn release unit is located at the middle part of the yarn carrier body and is connected to the active yarn take-up unit; the yarn guiding and control unit is located on one side of the yarn carrier body and is connected and fixed to the lower part of the yarn carrier body; the yarn release tension adjustment unit is located at the top of the yarn tube. The foldable track assembly includes a turntable on a mounting base plate for laying the guide rail, a guide rail, a first cylinder connected to the guide rail, a cylinder base for fixing the first cylinder, a second cylinder for driving the guide rail to move, a third cylinder for pushing the cylinder base, and a first linear guide rail for supporting the movement of the cylinder base. The track-mounted trolley start-stop control assembly includes a fourth cylinder for lifting the start-stop control assembly, a trolley main rail, a Hall switch installed at the bottom of the trolley main rail, a mounting plate for mounting the trolley main rail, a fifth cylinder for pushing the mounting plate, a sixth cylinder for controlling the start and stop of the trolley, and a second linear guide rail for carrying the movement of the trolley start-stop control assembly.

2. The circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnet at the bottom of the track-mounted trolley is used to trigger the Hall switch to control the start and stop of the trolley.

3. The circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that: The active yarn take-up unit of the yarn carrier includes a drive motor, a control switch for controlling the rotation of the drive motor, a power battery for providing power to the drive motor, and a ratchet assembly connected to the yarn tube and driving the yarn tube to rotate.

4. A circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The ratchet assembly of the yarn carrier includes an outer ratchet tooth, an inner support wheel installed on the inner side of the outer ratchet and concentric with the outer ratchet, a pawl fixed on the inner support wheel, a pawl pin that fixes the pawl on the inner support wheel, and a pawl spring fixed on the inner side of the outer ratchet to limit the pawl.

5. A circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 4, characterized in that: The passive constant tension yarn feeding unit of the yarn carrier includes a spacer, a felt sheet that fits against the spacer, a first spring connected to the spacer to provide stable pressure, a yarn tube shaft that is coupled to the ratchet assembly, and a ball pin that connects the yarn tube and the yarn tube shaft and fixes the spacer and the felt sheet to the yarn tube shaft.

6. The circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that: The yarn guiding and control unit of the yarn carrier includes a floating pulley assembly, a second spring connected to the floating pulley assembly, a guide eye for guiding the yarn from the yarn tube, a guide wheel fixed at one end, and a guide eye located at the upper end of the guide wheel.

7. The circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tension adjustment unit of the yarn carrier includes an adjusting nut fixed to the end of the yarn tube and a set screw for fixing the position of the adjusting nut.

8. The circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that: The foldable track assembly and the track trolley start-stop control assembly include a second cylinder, a third cylinder, a fourth cylinder, and a fifth cylinder, each of which has a corresponding magnetic switch to detect when the cylinder extends into position.

9. A circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cylinder unfolds the guide rail by rotating it 90°.

10. A circumferential track sliding yarn-carrying trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting base plate includes several turntables with identical structures.

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