A variable pressure automatic fiber placement roller suitable for fiber placement

Abstract

This invention discloses a variable pressure automatic yarn placement roller suitable for ribbed yarn placement, mainly comprising a roller shaft, a cam, two roller frames, a compression unit, and an irregularly shaped rubber sleeve. The cam is an irregular cam. This invention effectively avoids uneven pressure on the pre-impregnated yarn bundle, improving forming quality. Simultaneously, it reduces the positioning accuracy requirements of the automatic yarn placement system for ribbed structure placement, effectively lowering the overall manufacturing cost of the automatic yarn placement equipment. By moving the compression unit away from the center under the action of the cam, the outermost irregularly shaped rubber sleeve is compressed, causing deformation and achieving complete compaction of the pre-impregnated yarn bundle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automatic filament placement device, specifically to a variable pressure automatic filament placement roller suitable for rib placement. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber-reinforced composites are high-performance composite materials composed of reinforcing fibers and resin matrices. They possess numerous advantages, including high specific strength, high specific modulus, good fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance, and strong designability, making them widely used in aerospace and military fields. Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) is a highly automated digital manufacturing technology for composite materials, developed based on Automated Fiber Winding (AFW) and Automated Tap Laying (FTL) technologies. It not only possesses the strong adaptability to complex curved surfaces of traditional hand lay-up molding composite manufacturing technology and the high reliability, molding efficiency, and molding precision of digital manufacturing technology, but also effectively avoids the shortcomings of both, improving the consistency of large-scale composite material production and ensuring a high yield rate. The compression system, as a crucial component of the fiber placement equipment, is key to ensuring the placement accuracy and molding effect of the prepreg tow.

[0003] Automated fiber placement of composite materials has been widely used in the aerospace field, especially in the application of skin-reinforced structures. In existing automated fiber placement processes, the placement of reinforcing ribs typically involves using a pressure roller of a specific width to penetrate into the rib grooves. However, due to limitations in the positioning accuracy of the automated fiber placement equipment, the roller width is slightly narrower than the rib groove width, resulting in uneven pressure on the prepreg bundles. Current solutions to this problem involve improving the positioning accuracy of the automated fiber placement equipment and increasing the roller width. This not only significantly increases the manufacturing cost of the automated fiber placement equipment but also only alleviates the uneven pressure on the prepreg bundles, rather than completely solving the problem. Therefore, reducing the dependence of rib placement on the positioning accuracy of the automated fiber placement equipment and improving the applicability of the placement rollers are of great significance for improving the forming efficiency of skin-reinforced structural components and reducing manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the problems in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a variable pressure automatic yarn placement roller for rib laying, which can effectively avoid uneven pressure on the prepreg yarn and improve the forming quality. At the same time, it reduces the positioning accuracy requirements of the automatic yarn placement system for rib structure laying, effectively reducing the overall manufacturing cost of the automatic yarn placement equipment. By having the compression unit move away from the center under the action of the cam, the outermost irregularly shaped rubber sleeve is compressed, causing deformation and achieving complete compaction of the prepreg yarn.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] An automatic yarn-laying roller with variable pressure suitable for rib laying includes a roller shaft (10), a cam (30), two roller frames (20), several compression units (40), and a shaped rubber sleeve (50); wherein,

[0007] The cam (30) is fixed on the pressure roller shaft (10). Half of the edge of the cam (30) is a semi-circular edge, and the other half is a symmetrical arc edge. The arc edge and the semi-circular edge are smoothly transitioned. The distance from the middle of the arc edge to the axis is greater than the radius of the semi-circular edge.

[0008] Two pressure roller frames (20) are rotatably connected to the pressure roller shaft (10), facing each other and screwed together; there is a circular cavity (21) between the two pressure roller frames (20) for accommodating the cam (30), and the two pressure roller frames (20) do not contact the cam (30); the periphery of the two pressure roller frames (20) is provided with several radial slide rails (22) that connect the circular cavity (21) to the outside world;

[0009] The compression unit (40) includes an upper pressure block (42), a lower pressure block (43), and a return spring (44). The upper pressure block (42) and the lower pressure block (43) are elastically connected by the return spring (44). Each compression unit (40) is located on the slide rail (22) of a pressure roller frame (20). The upper pressure block (42) and the return spring (44) are located in a circular cavity (21). The upper pressure block (42) is slidably connected to the edge of the cam (30). The return spring (44) One end of the compression unit (44) abuts against the upper pressure block (42), and the other end is fixed to the periphery of the pressure roller frame (20); the lower pressure block (43) is located outside the pressure roller frame (20), connected to the upper pressure block (42) through the slide rail (22), and can slide relative to the slide rail (22); when the compression unit (40) rotates with the pressure roller frame (20), when it is squeezed by the arc edge of the cam (30), its lower pressure block (43) pops out outside the periphery of the pressure roller frame (20);

[0010] The irregular rubber sleeve (50) is fitted around the periphery of the pressure roller skeleton (20) and encloses the lower pressure block (43) of the compression unit (40). The outer side of the irregular rubber sleeve (50) contains a groove (51) around the periphery.

[0011] Furthermore, the cam (30) is fixed to the pressure roller shaft (10) via a platform (13).

[0012] Furthermore, the two roller frames (20) are fixed to each other by countersunk screws (26), and each of the two roller frames (20) is slidably connected to the roller shaft (10) by a bearing (12).

[0013] Furthermore, the compression unit (40) also includes a sliding bearing (41) which is fixed to the upper pressure block (42) and the upper pressure block (42) is slidably connected to the edge of the cam (30) through the sliding bearing (41).

[0014] Furthermore, a rectangular groove (31) is provided around the edge of the cam (30), and the sliding bearing (41) of the compression unit (40) is located in the rectangular groove (31).

[0015] Furthermore, the upper pressure block (42) of the compression unit (40) includes a solid rod (42a), and a return spring (44) is sleeved on the solid rod (42a); the lower pressure block (43) includes an arc-shaped body (43a) and a hollow rod (43b), the hollow rod (43b) being vertically connected to the inner center of the arc-shaped body (43a); the hollow rod (43b) is located in the slide rail (22) of the pressure roller frame (20), and the end of the solid rod (42a) is slidably inserted into the hollow rod (43b).

[0016] Furthermore, the compression unit (40) also includes a protective spring (45) located inside the hollow rod (43b) of the lower pressure block (43), with one end abutting the bottom of the hollow rod (43b) and the other end abutting the end of the solid rod (42a).

[0017] Furthermore, the outer contour of the periphery of the two pressure roller frames (20) is circular and contains a receiving area (23) corresponding to the slide rail (22); when the pressing block (43) is not ejected, its arc-shaped body (43a) is located in the receiving area (23), and the outer side of the arc-shaped body (43a) is flush with the outer contour of the periphery of the pressure roller frame (20).

[0018] Furthermore, a spring abutment groove (24) is provided on the inner side of the slide rail (22) position on the periphery of the two pressure roller skeletons (20), and one end of the return spring (44) abuts in the spring abutment groove (24).

[0019] Furthermore, the inner side of the shaped rubber sleeve (50) contains a groove that surrounds the periphery of the pressure roller skeleton (20) and the arc-shaped body (43a) of the lower pressure block (43) of the compression unit (40).

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention are as follows:

[0021] 1. Pressure uniformity: Due to the irregular cam design, the pressure roller can automatically adjust the pressure of the lower pressure roller during rolling forward, ensuring uniform pressure distribution in the rib grooves of different widths. This avoids the problem of uneven compaction of the rib pre-impregnated filaments, which helps to improve the quality and performance of the products.

[0022] 2. Low positioning accuracy requirements: This invention reduces the positioning accuracy requirements of the automatic filament placement equipment because the difference in groove width can be compensated by the adaptive handling of the irregular cam and compression unit. This reduces the cost of manufacturing the automatic filament placement equipment and increases the versatility of the equipment.

[0023] 3. Protection mechanism: The protective spring in the compression unit can prevent excessive pressure from damaging the pressure roller and the die. This design improves the reliability and durability of the equipment and reduces maintenance and repair costs.

[0024] 4. Shaped rubber sleeve design: The shaped rubber sleeve is based on the inverted U-shaped cross-section design of its groove, which not only helps to adapt to the width of different rib grooves under the action of the compression unit, but also ensures that the shaped rubber sleeve is in complete contact with the pre-impregnated filament bundle to achieve the best compaction effect. This helps to ensure the uniformity and quality of the product.

[0025] 5. Sliding bearing connection: The present invention uses a sliding bearing to connect the compression unit and the cam, avoiding the problems of mutual friction and damage to the cam. This ensures smooth movement of the compression unit, thereby improving the consistency and stability of the wire laying.

[0026] 6. Improved production efficiency: This invention improves the efficiency of fiber laying, accelerates production speed, and reduces manufacturing costs through continuous prepreg compaction. This is especially important for the manufacturing process of reinforcing bars and similar parts made of composite materials. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a side view of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a top view of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a top sectional view of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a top internal view of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a top sectional view of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a side cross-sectional view of the variable pressure automatic yarn placement roller in the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 9-10 This is a structural diagram of the roller skeleton of the variable pressure automatic yarn placement roller in the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the compression unit of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0037] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the compression unit of the variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller in the embodiment.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0039] 10: Pressure roller shaft;

[0040] 11: Pin hole;

[0041] 12: Bearings;

[0042] 13: Platform;

[0043] 20: Pressure roller skeleton;

[0044] 21: Circular cavity;

[0045] 22: Slide rail;

[0046] 23: Accommodation area;

[0047] 24: Spring abutment groove;

[0048] 25: Screw hole;

[0049] 26: Countersunk screws;

[0050] 30: Cam;

[0051] 31: Rectangular groove;

[0052] 40: Compression unit;

[0053] 41: Sliding bearing;

[0054] 42: Upper pressure block;

[0055] 42a: Solid rod;

[0056] 43: Pressing block;

[0057] 43a: Curved main body;

[0058] 43b: Hollow rod;

[0059] 44: Returning spring;

[0060] 45: Protective spring;

[0061] 50: Irregularly shaped rubber sleeve;

[0062] 51: Groove;

[0063] 51a: Lifting part. Detailed Implementation

[0064] To make the various technical features, advantages, or effects of the present invention more apparent and understandable, a detailed description is provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0065] This embodiment specifically discloses a variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller (hereinafter referred to as the roller) suitable for yarn-laying, comprising a roller shaft 10, a cam 30, two roller frames 20, several compression units 40, and a shaped rubber sleeve 50. The roller shaft 10 is fixed to the automatic yarn-laying equipment through pin holes 11 at both ends. Each of the two roller frames 20 is slidably connected to the roller shaft 10 through a bearing 12. Figures 1 to 4 .

[0066] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, cam 30 is fixed to pressure roller shaft 10 via platform 13. Cam 30 is an irregular regular cam 30. Half of the edge of cam 30 is a semi-circular edge. The other half is a smooth arc-shaped edge that is symmetrical from left to right. The distance from the center of the arc-shaped edge to the axis is greater than the radius of the semi-circular edge. The outline of the arc-shaped edge can be determined by polynomial fitting to ensure that the compression unit 40 is in a springback state in the upper region and in an extended state in the lower region. The arc-shaped edge and the semi-circular edge transition smoothly. A rectangular groove 31 is provided around the edge of cam 30. The sliding bearing 41 of compression unit 40 is located in the rectangular groove 31 to constrain the sliding of compression unit 40.

[0067] like Figures 9 to 10 As shown, a circular cavity 21 is provided between the two pressure roller frames 20 to accommodate the cam 30, and the two pressure roller frames 20 do not contact the cam 30. Several radial slide rails 22 are provided around the periphery of the two pressure roller frames 20, connecting the circular cavity 21 to the outside. The outer contour of the periphery of the two pressure roller frames 20 is circular and contains accommodating areas 23 corresponding to the slide rails 22. The two pressure roller frames 20 are provided with screw holes 25 and are fixed together by countersunk screws 26.

[0068] like Figures 11 to 12As shown, the compression unit 40 includes a sliding bearing 41, an upper pressure block 42, a lower pressure block 43, a return spring 44, and a protective spring 45. The sliding bearing 41 is fixed to the upper pressure block 42, and the upper pressure block 42 is slidably connected to the rectangular groove 31 of the cam 30 through the sliding bearing 41. The upper pressure block 42 includes a solid rod 42a, and the upper pressure block 42 and the return spring 44 are located in the circular cavity 21. The return spring 44 is sleeved on the solid rod 42a, with one end abutting against the upper pressure block 42 and the other end fixed in the spring abutment groove 24 on the periphery of the pressure roller frame 20. The lower pressure block 43 includes an arc-shaped body 43a and a hollow rod 43b, with the hollow rod 43b vertically connected to the inner center of the arc-shaped body 43a; the hollow rod 43b is located in the slide rail 22 of the pressure roller frame 20 and can slide relative to the slide rail 22, and the end of the solid rod 42a is slidably inserted into the hollow rod 43b. The protective spring 45 is located inside the hollow rod 43b of the lower pressure block 43, with one end abutting the bottom of the hollow rod 43b and the other end abutting the end of the solid rod 42a. The protective spring 45 is used to prevent damage to the pressure roller and the mold. The arc-shaped body 43a of the lower pressure block 43 is located outside the pressure roller frame 20. When the compression unit 40 is squeezed by the arc-shaped edge of the cam 30 during the rotation of the pressure roller frame 20, the lower pressure block 43 pops out outside the periphery of the pressure roller frame 20. When the lower pressure block 43 does not pop out, the arc-shaped body 43a is located within the receiving area 23 of the pressure roller frame 20, and the outer side of the arc-shaped body 43a is flush with the outer contour of the periphery of the pressure roller frame 20.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown, the inner side of the shaped rubber sleeve 50 contains a circumferential groove that wraps around the periphery of the pressure roller frame 20 and the arcuate body 43a of the lower pressure block 43 of the compression unit 40. The outer side of the shaped rubber sleeve 50 contains a circumferential groove 51 that becomes shallower and flattened when compressed by the lower pressure block 43. Figure 2 and Figure 8 The raised part 51a.

[0070] The working principle of this pressure roller is as follows:

[0071] 1) When the automatic filament laying equipment lays the rib groove, the pressure roller enters the rib groove and rolls forward. At this time, the pressure roller shaft 10 and the irregular cam 30 are fixed, the compression unit 40 is in the contracted state, and the return spring 44 is in the extended state.

[0072] 2) As the pressure roller continues to roll forward, the compression unit 40 gradually extends outward due to the action of the cam 30, the return spring 44 gradually compresses, and the irregular rubber sleeve 50 begins to deform under the action of the compression unit 40.

[0073] 3) The pressure roller continues to roll forward. When the compression unit 40 rotates directly below the pressure roller, the compression unit 40 extends outward to its maximum value due to the action of the cam 30, and the deformation of the compression unit 40 reaches its maximum. The return spring 44 reaches its maximum compression. At this time, the U-shaped cross-section of the shaped rubber sleeve 50 changes to a T-shaped cross-section due to compression, and widens in the width direction. At this time, the shaped rubber sleeve 50 is in complete contact with the pre-impregnated yarn, achieving the purpose of completely compacting the pre-impregnated yarn. If there is significant resistance at this time, the protective spring 45 between the upper pressure block 42 and the lower pressure block 43 will be compressed to prevent damage to the pressure roller and the mold.

[0074] 4) The pressure roller continues to roll forward. After the pre-impregnated filament bundle is pressed, the compression unit 40 moves upward and begins to rebound under the action of the return spring 44. The pressure roller continues to roll, and the compression unit 40, under the action of the return spring 44, returns to its initial state completely, completing the continuous pre-impregnated filament bundle compaction work. At this point, one cycle is completed, and the subsequent working principle follows the same pattern.

[0075] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Appropriate modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller suitable for rib laying, characterized in that, It includes a pressure roller shaft (10), a cam (30), two pressure roller frames (20), several compression units (40), and a shaped rubber sleeve (50); wherein, The cam (30) is fixed on the pressure roller shaft (10). Half of the edge of the cam (30) is a semi-circular edge, and the other half is a symmetrical arc edge. The arc edge and the semi-circular edge are smoothly transitioned. The distance from the middle of the arc edge to the axis is greater than the radius of the semi-circular edge. Two pressure roller frames (20) are rotatably connected to the pressure roller shaft (10), facing each other and screwed together; there is a circular cavity (21) between the two pressure roller frames (20) for accommodating the cam (30), and the two pressure roller frames (20) do not contact the cam (30); the periphery of the two pressure roller frames (20) is provided with several radial slide rails (22) that connect the circular cavity (21) to the outside. The compression unit (40) includes an upper pressure block (42), a lower pressure block (43), and a return spring (44). The upper pressure block (42) and the lower pressure block (43) are elastically connected by the return spring (44). Each compression unit (40) is located on the slide rail (22) of a pressure roller frame (20). The upper pressure block (42) and the return spring (44) are located in a circular cavity (21). The upper pressure block (42) is slidably connected to the edge of the cam (30). The return spring (44) One end of the compression unit (44) abuts against the upper pressure block (42), and the other end is fixed to the periphery of the pressure roller frame (20); the lower pressure block (43) is located outside the pressure roller frame (20), connected to the upper pressure block (42) through the slide rail (22), and can slide relative to the slide rail (22); when the compression unit (40) rotates with the pressure roller frame (20), when it is squeezed by the arc edge of the cam (30), its lower pressure block (43) pops out outside the periphery of the pressure roller frame (20); The shaped rubber sleeve (50) is fitted around the periphery of the pressure roller skeleton (20) and encloses the lower pressure block (43) of the compression unit (40). The outer side of the shaped rubber sleeve (50) contains a groove (51) around the periphery. The compression unit (40) is extended outward by the action of the cam (30), and the shaped rubber sleeve (50) widens in the width direction. At this time, the shaped rubber sleeve (50) is in complete contact with the prepreg bundle.

2. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller suitable for rib laying as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cam (30) is fixed to the pressure roller shaft (10) via a platform (13).

3. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller suitable for rib laying as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two pressure roller frames (20) are fixed to each other by countersunk screws (26), and each of the two pressure roller frames (20) is slidably connected to the pressure roller shaft (10) by a bearing (12).

4. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller suitable for rib laying as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The compression unit (40) also includes a sliding bearing (41) which is fixed to the upper pressure block (42) and the upper pressure block (42) is slidably connected to the edge of the cam (30) through the sliding bearing (41).

5. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller suitable for rib laying as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The edge of the cam (30) is provided with a rectangular groove (31) that surrounds the cam, and the sliding bearing (41) of the compression unit (40) is located in the rectangular groove (31).

6. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller suitable for rib laying as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The upper pressure block (42) of the compression unit (40) includes a solid rod (42a), and a return spring (44) is sleeved on the solid rod (42a); the lower pressure block (43) includes an arc-shaped body (43a) and a hollow rod (43b), the hollow rod (43b) is vertically connected to the inner center of the arc-shaped body (43a); the hollow rod (43b) is located in the slide rail (22) of the pressure roller frame (20), and the end of the solid rod (42a) is slidably inserted into the hollow rod (43b).

7. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller for rib laying as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The compression unit (40) also includes a protective spring (45) located inside the hollow rod (43b) of the lower pressure block (43), with one end abutting the bottom of the hollow rod (43b) and the other end abutting the end of the solid rod (42a).

8. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller for rib laying as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The outer contour of the two pressure roller frames (20) is circular and contains a receiving area (23) corresponding to the slide rail (22); when the pressure block (43) is not ejected, its arc-shaped body (43a) is located in the receiving area (23), and the outer side of the arc-shaped body (43a) is flush with the outer contour of the pressure roller frame (20).

9. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller for rib laying as described in claim 6, characterized in that, A spring abutment groove (24) is provided on the inner side of the slide rail (22) on the periphery of the two pressure roller skeletons (20), and one end of the return spring (44) abuts in the spring abutment groove (24).

10. The variable pressure automatic yarn-laying roller for rib laying as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The inner side of the irregular rubber sleeve (50) contains a groove around the perimeter, which is used to wrap around the periphery of the pressure roller skeleton (20) and the arc-shaped body (43a) of the lower pressure block (43) of the compression unit (40).

Images