A prepreg positioning and conveying and thermal bonding apparatus

Abstract

This application discloses a prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device, including a positioning conveying unit and a thermal bonding unit. The positioning conveying unit includes a drive assembly, a cutting and feeding bracket, a gripping bracket, a connecting plate, and a needle-punching suction cup assembly. The thermal bonding unit includes a support frame, a table frame, and a thermal bonding assembly. The needle-punching suction cup assembly moves with the connecting plate to grip new prepreg. The gripping bracket drives the connecting plate to move the new prepreg to the thermal bonding station, so that the beginning of the new prepreg overlaps with the end of the old prepreg for thermal bonding by the thermal bonding assembly. The needles of the needle-punching suction cup assembly extend pneumatically to grip the workpiece. The bottom of the needle box of the needle-punching suction cup assembly has a flat contact surface with the prepreg and is coated with an anti-stick Teflon coating. After gripping, the needle retracts into the needle box, and the bottom of the needle box blocks the material strip, preventing the needle-punching suction cup assembly from sticking to the prepreg. Furthermore, when gripping the prepreg with the needles, it is less likely for the material strip at the needle tip to form pits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of conveying equipment technology, specifically relating to a prepreg positioning conveying and thermal bonding device. Background Technology

[0002] Prepreg is a composition of resin matrix and reinforcement made by impregnating continuous fibers or fabrics with a resin matrix under strictly controlled conditions. Prepreg is an intermediate material in advanced composite materials. It is the basic unit of composite structure. The mechanical and chemical properties of composite materials depend to a large extent on the intrinsic quality of the prepreg, and the molding processability of composite materials is also closely related to the state of the prepreg.

[0003] In the prior art, the series of processes after the prepreg is beveled includes: fixing the material strip, conveying it to the next process, thermal bonding, and subsequent winding. The prepreg is mainly conveyed to the next process using a vacuum suction cup for gripping, and the material strip is conveyed to the designated position by using a linear axis to translate it. Since the prepreg has a mesh structure that has undergone surface impregnation, it is easy for the material to stick to the suction cup when gripped by a vacuum suction cup, and the material strip at the suction cup is prone to forming pits, which is not conducive to the operation of the next thermal bonding and winding process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the technical problems in existing technologies where vacuum suction cups easily cause material to stick to the suction cups and pits to form on the material at the suction cups, which are detrimental to the operation of subsequent thermal bonding and winding processes, this application provides a prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device.

[0005] This application provides a prepreg positioning, conveying and thermal bonding device, including a positioning and conveying unit and a thermal bonding unit;

[0006] The positioning and conveying unit includes a drive assembly, a cutting and feeding bracket, a gripping bracket, a connecting plate, and a needle-punching suction cup assembly. The gripping bracket is mounted on the cutting and feeding bracket and is driven by the drive assembly. The connecting plate is slidably mounted on the gripping bracket and can move in the vertical direction. The needle-punching suction cup assembly is connected to the connecting plate and is used to grip the prepreg. The bottom of the needle box of the needle-punching suction cup assembly has a flat contact surface with the prepreg and is coated with an anti-stick Teflon coating.

[0007] The thermal bonding unit includes a support frame, a table frame, and a thermal bonding component. The table frame is mounted on the support frame, and a thermal bonding station is provided on the table frame at the discharge end of the positioning and conveying unit. The thermal bonding component is located at the thermal bonding station.

[0008] Wherein: the needle suction cup assembly moves with the connecting plate to grab the new prepreg, and the material grabbing bracket drives the connecting plate to move the new prepreg to a position where the first end overlaps with the tail end of the old prepreg on the thermal bonding station, so as to perform thermal bonding through the thermal bonding assembly.

[0009] In some optional embodiments, the thermal bonding assembly further includes a first heating assembly and a second heating assembly located on the upper and lower sides of the thermal bonding station, respectively.

[0010] The first heating component includes a first lifting cylinder and a first heating module. The first lifting cylinder is mounted on the support frame and is connected to the first heating module to drive the first heating module to move in the vertical direction.

[0011] The second heating component includes a second lifting cylinder and a second heating module. The second lifting cylinder is installed inside the table frame and is connected to the second heating module to drive the second heating module to move in the vertical direction.

[0012] The first heating module and the second heating module descend and rise respectively, clamping the first end of the new prepreg with the tail end of the old prepreg and heating them to achieve thermal bonding.

[0013] In some alternative embodiments, the first heating assembly further includes a first translation cylinder mounted on the support frame and connected to the first lifting cylinder for driving the first lifting cylinder to move horizontally.

[0014] In some optional embodiments, the first heating assembly further includes a first heating mounting plate, a spring, and a stripping net, wherein the first heating mounting plate is connected to the first lifting cylinder, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the first heating mounting plate and the stripping net;

[0015] The thermal bonding unit also includes an air-cooling assembly located on one side of the thermal bonding station. The air-cooling assembly includes a cooler, an upper cold plate, a lower cold plate, and a third lifting cylinder. The lower cold plate is mounted on the table frame and is flush with the thermal bonding station. The third lifting cylinder is connected to the upper cold plate and is used to drive the upper cold plate to move vertically. The cooler is mounted on the table frame and is used to rapidly cool and harden the prepreg after thermal bonding.

[0016] In some optional embodiments, a tail material following assembly installed inside the table frame is also included. The tail material following assembly includes a first linear module, a mounting plate, a second translation cylinder, a clamping cylinder, a clamping arm, a rotating shaft, a support lug, an actuating arm, and a support plate. The first linear module is mounted on the table frame and connected to the mounting plate, and is used to drive the mounting plate to move horizontally. The second translation cylinder is mounted on the mounting plate and connected to the clamping cylinder, and is used to drive the clamping cylinder to move horizontally. The clamping cylinder is hinged to the actuating arm, and the actuating arm is connected to the clamping arm. The actuating arm is used to drive the clamping arm to rotate under the action of the clamping cylinder. The clamping arm is connected to the support plate. One end of the support lug is connected to the second translation cylinder, and the other end is hinged to the clamping arm through the rotating shaft.

[0017] In some alternative embodiments, a rotary cylinder and a pressure plate are also included. The rotary cylinder is installed inside the table frame and connected to the pressure plate to drive the pressure plate to rotate in order to compress the prepreg.

[0018] In some alternative embodiments, a receiving plate assembly is also included, comprising a metal substrate and a nylon pad, the metal substrate being mounted on the table frame, the surface of the metal substrate being coated with anti-stick Teflon, and the nylon pad being mounted on the metal substrate and located below the needle suction cup assembly.

[0019] In some optional embodiments, the drive assembly includes an adapter plate, a second linear module, and a third linear module. The adapter plate is vertically mounted on the cutting feed bracket, the second linear module is mounted on the adapter plate, and the third linear module is connected to both the second linear module and the material gripping bracket. The second linear module drives the third linear module to move horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the cutting feed bracket, and the third linear module drives the material gripping bracket to move horizontally in a direction parallel to the cutting feed bracket.

[0020] In some optional embodiments, the positioning and conveying unit further includes a drive cylinder, two linear bearings, and two guide shafts. The drive cylinder and the two linear bearings are mounted on the material gripping bracket. The output end of the drive cylinder is connected to the connecting plate. The two linear bearings are located on both sides of the drive cylinder. One end of the guide shaft is connected to the connecting plate, and the other end of the guide shaft is slidably mounted in the linear bearing.

[0021] In some optional embodiments, a cutting unit is also included, which includes a cylinder adapter plate, a three-axis cylinder, a fourth linear module, a tool holder mounting plate, a pressure block, a blade pressure plate, a tool holder, and a slitting blade. The cylinder adapter plate and the fourth linear module are mounted on the cutting feed bracket. The three-axis cylinder is mounted on the cylinder adapter plate and connected to the pressure block. The tool holder mounting plate is connected to the fourth linear module. The tool holder is mounted on the tool holder mounting plate. The slitting blade is located between the tool holder and the blade pressure plate. The blade pressure plate is used to mount the slitting blade on the tool holder.

[0022] A prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device according to one or more embodiments of this application has the following technical effects:

[0023] The prepreg is gripped by a needle suction cup assembly. The needles of the needle suction cup assembly extend pneumatically and at an appropriate angle to ensure reliable gripping of the workpiece. The bottom of the needle box of the needle suction cup assembly has a flat contact surface with the prepreg and is coated with an anti-stick Teflon coating. After the gripping process is completed, the needles retract into the needle box pneumatically, and the bottom of the needle box blocks the material strip. Therefore, the needle suction cup assembly will not stick to the prepreg. When the needles grip the prepreg and retract into the needle box, the bottom of the needle box blocks the material strip, so the material strip at the needle box is less likely to form pits, which will not affect the operation of the next heat bonding and winding process, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of winding. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the prepreg positioning, conveying and thermal bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application, viewed from the left.

[0026] Figure 3 This invention illustrates a schematic diagram of the positioning and conveying unit of a prepreg positioning and conveying and thermal bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 This invention illustrates a schematic diagram of the cutting unit of a prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 This invention provides a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat bonding unit and related components of a prepreg positioning, conveying and heat bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application.

[0029] Figure 6This invention illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal bonding assembly of the thermal bonding unit of the prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the cooling assembly of the heat bonding unit of the prepreg positioning, conveying and heat bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application is shown.

[0031] Figure 8 This invention illustrates a schematic diagram of the tail material following assembly of a prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application;

[0032] Figure 9 This diagram shows a structural schematic of the tail material following assembly of a prepreg positioning, conveying and thermal bonding device according to one or more embodiments of this application, with the first linear module removed;

[0033] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the receiving plate assembly of a prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding apparatus according to one or more embodiments of this application is shown.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100-frame; 1-positioning conveyor unit; 11-drive assembly; 111-interchange plate; 112-second linear module; 113-third linear module; 12-cutting feed bracket; 13-gripping bracket; 14-connecting plate; 15-needle piercing suction cup assembly; 16-drive cylinder; 17-linear bearing; 18-guide shaft.

[0035] 2-Thermal bonding unit; 21-Support frame; 22-Tabletop frame; 23-Thermal bonding assembly; 231-First heating assembly; 2311-First lifting cylinder; 2312-First heating module; 2313-First translation cylinder; 2314-First heating mounting plate; 2315-Spring; 2316-Removal net; 2317-Linear guide rail; 232-Second heating assembly; 2321-Second lifting cylinder; 2322-Second heating module; 24-Isolation plate; 241-Heat transfer hole; 25-Air-cooled assembly; 251-Refrigerator; 252-Upper cold pressing plate; 253-Lower cold pressing plate; 254-Third lifting cylinder;

[0036] 3-Tail material following component, 31-First linear module, 32-Mounting plate, 33-Second translation cylinder, 34-Clamping cylinder, 35-Clamping arm, 36-Rotating shaft, 37-Support lug, 38-Actuating arm, 39-Panel;

[0037] 4-Pressure assembly, 41-Rotary cylinder, 42-Pressure plate;

[0038] 5-Receiving plate assembly, 51-Metal substrate, 52-Nylon pad;

[0039] 6-Cutting unit, 61-Cylinder adapter plate, 62-Three-axis cylinder, 63-Fourth linear module, 64-Tool holder mounting plate, 65-Pressure block, 66-Blade pressure plate, 67-Tool holder, 68-Slitting blade. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To enable those skilled in the art to more clearly understand this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] Reference Figures 1-10 As shown, this application embodiment provides a prepreg positioning conveying and thermal bonding device, including a positioning conveying unit 1 and a thermal bonding unit 2. The positioning conveying unit 1 is installed on the frame 100. The worktables of the two components are at the same height, with a gap of about 5mm in the middle, which ensures that the slitting blade 68 can pass through normally, while allowing the material belt pulled by the previous process to be smoothly positioned on the receiving plate assembly 5, in preparation for the cutting and lateral transport of the material belt.

[0042] The positioning and conveying unit 1 includes a drive assembly 11, a cutting and feeding bracket 12, a gripping bracket 13, a connecting plate 14, and a needle suction cup assembly 15. The gripping bracket 13 is mounted on the cutting and feeding bracket 12 and is driven by the drive assembly 11. The connecting plate 14 is slidably mounted on the gripping bracket 13 and can move in the vertical direction. The needle suction cup assembly 15 is connected to the connecting plate 14 and is used to grip the prepreg. The bottom of the needle box of the needle suction cup assembly 15 has a flat contact surface with the prepreg and is coated with an anti-stick Teflon coating.

[0043] The thermal bonding unit 2 includes a support frame 21, a table frame 22, and a thermal bonding component 23. The table frame 22 is mounted on the support frame 21. A thermal bonding station is provided on the table frame 22 at the discharge end of the positioning and conveying unit 1. The thermal bonding component 23 is located at the thermal bonding station.

[0044] Wherein: the needle-punching suction cup assembly 15 moves with the connecting plate 14 to grab the new prepreg, and the material-grabbing bracket 13 drives the connecting plate 14 to move to translate the new prepreg onto the thermal bonding station, so that the beginning of the new prepreg overlaps with the end of the old prepreg, so as to be thermally bonded by the thermal bonding assembly 23. The prepreg is conveyed in the form of a conveyor belt during the conveying process, and the following description will use the term conveyor belt.

[0045] The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device provided in this application embodiment grips the prepreg using a needle suction cup assembly. The needle of the needle suction cup assembly extends under pneumatic action and extends at an appropriate angle to ensure reliable gripping of the workpiece. After the gripping process is completed, the needle retracts under the force of spring 2315 or pneumatic action, preventing it from sticking to the prepreg. Furthermore, the material strip at the suction cup is less likely to form pits, thus not affecting the operation of the next thermal bonding and winding process, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of winding.

[0046] In some optional embodiments, the thermal bonding assembly 23 further includes a first heating assembly 231 and a second heating assembly 232 located on the upper and lower sides of the thermal bonding station, respectively.

[0047] The first heating component 231 includes a first lifting cylinder 2311 and a first heating module 2312. The first lifting cylinder 2311 is mounted on the support frame 21 and is connected to the first heating module 2312 for driving the first heating module 2312 to move in the vertical direction.

[0048] The second heating component 232 includes a second lifting cylinder 2321 and a second heating module 2322. The second lifting cylinder 2321 is installed inside the table frame 22 and is connected to the second heating module 2322 to drive the second heating module 2322 to move in the vertical direction.

[0049] The first heating module 2312 and the second heating module 2322 descend and rise respectively, clamping the first end of the new prepreg with the tail end of the old prepreg and heating them to achieve thermal bonding.

[0050] In this embodiment, the needle-punched suction cup assembly 15 moves vertically along the connecting plate 14 to grab the new prepreg. The gripping bracket 13 drives the connecting plate 14 to move the new prepreg so that its head overlaps with the tail of the old prepreg at the thermal bonding station. The first lifting cylinder 2311 drives the first heating module 2312 downward, and the second lifting cylinder 2321 drives the second heating module 2322 upward, so that the first heating module 2312 and the second heating module 2322 are brought into contact, clamping the head of the new prepreg with the tail of the old prepreg and heating it to achieve thermal bonding. The second heating module 2322 is lifted and lowered under the drive of the second lifting cylinder 2321, so that it does not come into contact with the support frame 21 for a long time, effectively preventing heat loss and burns to personnel.

[0051] In some optional embodiments, the first heating assembly 231 further includes a first translation cylinder 2313, which is mounted on the support frame 21 and connected to the first lifting cylinder 2311, for driving the first lifting cylinder 2311 to move horizontally. By using the first translation cylinder 2313 to drive the first lifting cylinder 2311 to move horizontally, the first heating module 2312 moves left and right, interleaving its operation with the positioning and conveying unit 1, thus avoiding collisions and improving the stability and reliability of the device.

[0052] In some optional embodiments, a stripping net 2316 driven by a spring 2315 can be designed below the first heating module 2312 to ensure that the first heating module 2312 is detached from the conveyor belt and does not stick to the material. Specifically, the first heating assembly 231 also includes a first heating mounting plate 2314, a spring 2315, and a stripping net 2316. The first heating mounting plate 2314 is connected to the first lifting cylinder 2311, and the two ends of the spring 2315 are respectively connected to the first heating mounting plate 2314 and the stripping net 2316. In the initial state, the spring 2315 is stretched, so that the first heating module 2312 is above the stripping net 2316. When the first lifting cylinder 2311 drives the first heating module 2312 downward, the stripping net 2316 contacts the material belt first, causing the spring 2315 to be compressed. The lower end face of the first heating module 2312 is flush with the stripping net 2316 and adheres to the second heating module 2322 for heating. After the adhesion is completed, the first lifting cylinder 2311 drives the first heating module 2312 upward. The rebound force of the spring 2315 keeps the stripping net 2316 in contact with the material belt for a period of time. The first heating module 2312 can move upward first, so that the first heating module 2312 does not stick to the material belt when it is separated from the material belt.

[0053] In some optional embodiments, a linear guide rail 2317 may also be provided, which is mounted on the support frame 21. The first lifting cylinder 2311 is slidably mounted on the linear guide rail 2317, and the linear guide rail 2317 is used to guide the movement of the first lifting cylinder 2311.

[0054] In some optional embodiments, an isolation plate 24 can be provided on the table frame 22. The isolation plate 24 is located above the second heating module 2322. The isolation plate 24 is provided with heat transfer holes 241. The heat transfer holes 241 are located at the heat bonding station. When the second heating module 2322 moves up and down, the material strip is separated from the second heating module 2322 by the isolation plate 24, making it easy to unload the material.

[0055] In some optional embodiments, the thermal bonding unit 2 further includes an air-cooling component 25 located on one side of the thermal bonding station. The air-cooling component 25 includes a cooler 251, an upper cold plate 252, a lower cold plate 253, and a third lifting cylinder 254. The lower cold plate 253 is mounted on the table frame 22 and is flush with the thermal bonding station. The third lifting cylinder 254 is connected to the upper cold plate 252 and is used to drive the upper cold plate 252 to move vertically. The cooler 251 is mounted on the table frame 22 and is used to rapidly cool and harden the prepreg after thermal bonding. When the material strip is delivered to the area where the air-cooled assembly 25 is located, the third lifting cylinder 254 drives the upper cold plate 252 to move vertically downward and fit against the lower cold plate to press the joint of the material strip, ensuring the reliability of the material strip bonding. The cooler 251 can quickly cool and harden the bonded material strip, thereby reducing its deformation under gravity traction and improving the bonding stability.

[0056] In some optional embodiments, the prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device further includes a tail material following assembly 3 installed inside the table frame 22. The tail material following assembly 3 includes a first linear module 31, a mounting plate 32, a second translation cylinder 33, a clamping cylinder 34, a clamping arm 35, a rotating shaft 36, a support lug 37, an actuating arm 38, and a support plate 39. The first linear module 31 is mounted on the table frame 22 and connected to the mounting plate 32, used to drive the mounting plate 32 to move horizontally. The second translation cylinder 34... Cylinder 33 is mounted on the mounting plate 32 and connected to the clamping cylinder 34, and is used to drive the clamping cylinder 34 to move horizontally; the clamping cylinder 34 is hinged to the actuating arm 38, the actuating arm 38 is connected to the clamping arm 35, and the actuating arm 38 is used to drive the clamping arm 35 to rotate under the action of the clamping cylinder 34; the clamping arm 35 is connected to the support plate 39; one end of the support lug 37 is connected to the second translation cylinder 33, and the other end is hinged to the clamping arm 35 through the rotating shaft 36.

[0057] In this embodiment, the second translation cylinder 33 moves the actuating arm 38 left and right. When the actuating arm 38 moves to the right, the material tail can be placed on the pallet 39. When the actuating arm 38 moves to the left, the clamping arm 35 moves above the pallet 39, and the clamping cylinder 34 is activated to clamp the material strip. The first linear module 31 is activated to move the material tail to a fixed length and enter the heat bonding area. Since the material strip head is pulled by gravity, the tension of the material strip can be kept constant and the deformation is small throughout the movement by adjusting the gravity. At the same time, the tail material located on the pallet 39 and in the clamped state is synchronously translated and fed by the first linear module 31 with servo motor control. This allows the tail material of the prepreg to be accurately translated to the position of the original old material strip tail in the heat bonding area, waiting for the head of the next new material strip to overlap and bond with it. This method effectively controls the overlap and misalignment of the new material strip head and the old material strip tail during heat bonding, avoiding inconsistent overlap lengths and misalignment, which would affect the subsequent winding quality of the material strip.

[0058] In some optional embodiments, the prepreg positioning, conveying, and heat-bonding device further includes a pressing assembly 4, which includes a rotary cylinder 41 and a pressing plate 42. The rotary cylinder 41 is installed inside the table frame 22 and is connected to the pressing plate 42 to drive the pressing plate 42 to rotate and press the prepreg. Initially, the pressing plate 42 is located on the side of the support plate 39. When the strip is pulled to the heat-bonding area, the rotary cylinder 41 drives the pressing plate 42 to rotate 90 degrees, pressing the end of the strip. After heat bonding is completed, the rotary cylinder 41 drives the pressing plate 42 to rotate 90 degrees back to the initial state, and the strip can be driven to the area of ​​the air-cooling assembly 25.

[0059] In some optional embodiments, the prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device further includes a receiving plate assembly 5, which includes a metal substrate 51 and a nylon pad 52. The metal substrate 51 is mounted on the table frame 22, and its surface is coated with anti-stick Teflon. The nylon pad 52 is mounted on the metal substrate 51 and is located below the needle suction cup assembly 15. The nylon pad 52 can be bonded to the metal substrate 51. Multiple nylon pads 52 are spaced apart and located directly below the needle suction cup assembly 15 to prevent the needles of the needle suction cup assembly 15 from directly colliding with the metal plate and breaking when it presses down to release material, thereby improving the service life and stability of the device. The anti-stick Teflon coating on the surface of the metal substrate 51 prevents the material strip from sticking to the metal substrate 51 when picking up material, thus improving the reliability of the device.

[0060] In some optional embodiments, the drive assembly 11 includes an adapter plate 111, a second linear module 112, and a third linear module 113. The adapter plate 111 is vertically mounted on the cutting and feeding bracket 12. The second linear module 112 is mounted on the adapter plate 111. The third linear module 113 is connected to the second linear module 112 and the material gripping bracket 13, respectively. The second linear module 112 is used to drive the third linear module 113 to move horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the cutting and feeding bracket 12. The third linear module 113 is used to drive the material gripping bracket 13 to move horizontally in a direction parallel to the cutting and feeding bracket 12.

[0061] In some further optional embodiments, the positioning and conveying unit 1 further includes a drive cylinder 16, two linear bearings 17 and two guide shafts 18. The drive cylinder 16 and the two linear bearings 17 are mounted on the material gripping bracket 13. The output end of the drive cylinder 16 is connected to the connecting plate 14. The two linear bearings 17 are located on both sides of the drive cylinder 16. One end of the guide shaft 18 is connected to the connecting plate 14, and the other end of the guide shaft 18 is slidably mounted in the linear bearing 17.

[0062] In this embodiment, the second linear module 112 drives the third linear module 113 to move horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the cutting and feeding bracket 12, and the third linear module 113 drives the gripping bracket 13 to move horizontally in a direction parallel to the cutting and feeding bracket 12. The second linear module 112 and the third linear module 113 transport the material strip to the tray 39 above the heat bonding station. The driving cylinder 16 moves downward, with the head end of the material strip located at the heat bonding station and the tail end located at the tray 39. The rotary cylinder 41 is activated, causing the pressure plate 42 to rotate 90° to press against the vicinity of the head end of the material strip. The second translation cylinder 33 is activated to move to the left, causing the clamping arm 35 to be located above the tail material. The clamping cylinder 34 is activated to cause the clamping arm 35 to press against the tail material.

[0063] In some optional embodiments, the prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device further includes a cutting unit 6, which includes a cylinder adapter plate 61111, a three-axis cylinder 62, a fourth linear module 63, a tool holder 67 mounting plate 6432, a pressure block 65, a blade pressure plate 66, a tool holder 67, and a slitting blade 68. The cylinder adapter plate 61111 and the fourth linear module 63 are mounted on the cutting and feeding bracket 12. The three-axis cylinder 62 is mounted on the cylinder adapter plate 61111 and connected to the pressure block 65. The pressure block 65 may be made of non-stick Teflon. The tool holder 67 mounting plate 6432 is connected to the fourth linear module 63. The tool holder 67 is mounted on the tool holder 67 mounting plate 6432. The slitting blade 68 is located between the tool holder 67 and the blade pressure plate 66. The blade pressure plate 66 is used to mount the slitting blade 68 onto the tool holder 67. The three-axis cylinder 62 moves downward to press the material strip, the drive cylinder 16 drives the needle suction cup assembly 15 to move downward to press the material strip, and the fourth linear module 63 drives the slitting blade 68 to move downward and return to quickly cut the material strip, thus completing the cutting operation.

[0064] The operation flow of the prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device is as follows:

[0065] Action Reset: In the strip cutting device, the three-axis cylinder 62 moves upward and opens, the needle suction cup assembly 15 in the transverse positioning conveyor is located directly above the receiving plate assembly 5, and the drive cylinder 16 moves upward and opens, the heat bonding assembly 23 in the heat bonding unit 2 moves to the left, the first heating module 2312 and the first heating module 2312 open, the clamping arm 35 in the tail material following assembly 3 opens, and the support plate 39 is located below the tail material stroke, the pressure plate 42 is in the initial position, and the upper and lower cold pressure plates 253 in the air cooling assembly 25 open;

[0066] According to the required strip width parameters, the previous process traction mechanism pushes the strip onto the receiving plate assembly 5. In the strip cutting device, the three-axis cylinder 62 moves down to press the strip, the drive cylinder 16 drives the needle suction cup assembly 15 to move down to press the strip, and the fourth linear module 63 drives the slitting blade 68 to quickly cut the strip.

[0067] Needle-punched suction cup assembly: 1525 needles extend relative to each other to grip material;

[0068] Drive cylinder 16 moves upward to grab the material belt;

[0069] The second linear module 112 moves the material strip above the heat bonding area tray 39;

[0070] Drive cylinder 16 downwards, so that the head end of the material strip is located in the heat bonding area and the tail end is located in the support plate 39. Start the rotary lifting cylinder to make the pressure plate 42 rotate 90° to press the area near the head end of the material strip. Start the second translation cylinder 33 to move to the left, so that the clamping arm 35 is located above the tail material. Start the clamping cylinder 34 to make the clamping arm 35 press the tail material.

[0071] The needle of the needle suction cup assembly 15 retracts into the needle box, drives upward, and causes the needle suction cup to detach from the material strip. The second linear module 112 drives the needle suction cup assembly 15 back to the initial position.

[0072] The first translation cylinder 2313 is activated, which moves the first heating module 2312 to directly above the second heating module 2322. At the same time, the first lifting cylinder 2311 is activated to move downward and the second lifting cylinder 2321 is activated to move upward, so that the first heating module 2312 and the second heating module 2322 are brought into contact, thereby thermally bonding the head of the material strip with the tail of the previous material strip.

[0073] The first lifting cylinder 2311 is activated to drive the first heating module 2312 upward, and the second lifting cylinder 2321 is activated to drive the second heating module 2322 downward. Since the material removal net 2316 below the first heating module 2312 is driven by the spring 2315, and the second heating module 2322 has an isolation plate 24 above it, the material can be removed smoothly.

[0074] Activate the first translation cylinder 2313 to reset the first heating module 2312;

[0075] Start the rotary lifting cylinder to reset the pressure plate 42, start the first linear module 31, and use gravity to pull the material belt to the area where the air-cooling component 25 is located. Start the third lifting cylinder 254 to make the upper cold pressure plate 252 move down and fit against the lower cold pressure plate 253 to clamp the material belt joint, and then release the material belt.

[0076] The first linear module 31 is started, which moves the tail of the material to a fixed length and enters the heat bonding station. Since the head end of the material strip is pulled by gravity, the tension of the material strip is constant throughout the movement process, the deformation is small, and the positioning accuracy is high, so that it has controllable overlap and misalignment.

[0077] The above cycle continues.

[0078] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0079] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0080] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0081] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0082] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device, characterized in that, Includes a positioning and conveying unit and a thermal bonding unit; The positioning and conveying unit includes a drive assembly, a cutting and feeding bracket, a gripping bracket, a connecting plate, and a needle-punching suction cup assembly. The gripping bracket is mounted on the cutting and feeding bracket and is driven by the drive assembly. The connecting plate is slidably mounted on the gripping bracket and can move in the vertical direction. The needle-punching suction cup assembly is connected to the connecting plate and is used to grip the prepreg. The bottom of the needle box of the needle-punching suction cup assembly has a flat contact surface with the prepreg and is coated with an anti-stick Teflon coating. The thermal bonding unit includes a support frame, a table frame, and a thermal bonding component. The table frame is mounted on the support frame, and a thermal bonding station is provided on the table frame at the discharge end of the positioning and conveying unit. The thermal bonding component is located at the thermal bonding station. Wherein: the needle suction cup assembly moves with the connecting plate to grab the new prepreg, and the material grabbing bracket drives the connecting plate to move the new prepreg to the thermal bonding station, so that the first end of the new prepreg overlaps with the tail end of the old prepreg, so as to perform thermal bonding through the thermal bonding assembly. The thermal bonding assembly further includes a first heating assembly and a second heating assembly located on the upper and lower sides of the thermal bonding station, respectively; the first heating assembly includes a first lifting cylinder and a first heating module; The first heating assembly further includes a first heating mounting plate, a spring, and a stripping net. The first heating mounting plate is connected to the first lifting cylinder, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the first heating mounting plate and the stripping net. The thermal bonding unit also includes an air-cooling assembly located on one side of the thermal bonding station. The air-cooling assembly includes a cooler, an upper cold plate, a lower cold plate, and a third lifting cylinder. The lower cold plate is mounted on the table frame and is flush with the thermal bonding station. The third lifting cylinder is connected to the upper cold plate and is used to drive the upper cold plate to move in the vertical direction. The cooler is mounted on the table frame and is used to rapidly cool and harden the prepreg after thermal bonding. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device further includes a tail material following assembly installed inside the table frame. The tail material following assembly includes a first linear module, a mounting plate, a second translation cylinder, a clamping cylinder, a clamping arm, a rotating shaft, a support lug, an actuating arm, and a support plate. The first linear module is mounted on the table frame and connected to the mounting plate, and is used to drive the mounting plate to move horizontally. The second translation cylinder is mounted on the mounting plate and connected to the clamping cylinder, and is used to drive the clamping cylinder to move horizontally. The clamping cylinder is hinged to the actuating arm, and the actuating arm is connected to the clamping arm. The actuating arm is used to drive the clamping arm to rotate under the action of the clamping cylinder. The clamping arm is connected to the support plate. One end of the support lug is connected to the second translation cylinder, and the other end is hinged to the clamping arm through the rotating shaft.

2. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first lifting cylinder is mounted on the support frame and is connected to the first heating module to drive the first heating module to move in the vertical direction. The second heating component includes a second lifting cylinder and a second heating module. The second lifting cylinder is installed inside the table frame and is connected to the second heating module to drive the second heating module to move in the vertical direction. The first heating module and the second heating module descend and rise respectively, clamping the first end of the new prepreg with the tail end of the old prepreg and heating them to achieve thermal bonding.

3. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first heating component further includes a first translation cylinder, which is mounted on the support frame and connected to the first lifting cylinder for driving the first lifting cylinder to move in the horizontal direction.

4. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a rotary cylinder and a pressure plate. The rotary cylinder is installed inside the table frame and is connected to the pressure plate to drive the pressure plate to rotate in order to compress the prepreg.

5. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a receiving plate assembly, which includes a metal substrate and a nylon pad. The metal substrate is mounted on the table frame, and the surface of the metal substrate is coated with anti-stick Teflon. The nylon pad is mounted on the metal substrate and is located below the needle suction cup assembly.

6. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes an adapter plate, a second linear module, and a third linear module. The adapter plate is vertically mounted on the cutting and feeding bracket. The second linear module is mounted on the adapter plate. The third linear module is connected to both the second linear module and the material gripping bracket. The second linear module drives the third linear module to move horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the cutting and feeding bracket. The third linear module drives the material gripping bracket to move horizontally in a direction parallel to the cutting and feeding bracket.

7. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The positioning and conveying unit also includes a drive cylinder, two linear bearings and two guide shafts. The drive cylinder and the two linear bearings are mounted on the material gripping bracket. The output end of the drive cylinder is connected to the connecting plate. The two linear bearings are located on both sides of the drive cylinder. One end of the guide shaft is connected to the connecting plate, and the other end of the guide shaft is slidably mounted in the linear bearing.

8. The prepreg positioning, conveying, and thermal bonding apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, It also includes a cutting unit, which comprises a cylinder adapter plate, a three-axis cylinder, a fourth linear module, a tool holder mounting plate, a pressure block, a blade pressure plate, a tool holder, and a slitting blade. The cylinder adapter plate and the fourth linear module are mounted on the cutting feed bracket. The three-axis cylinder is mounted on the cylinder adapter plate and connected to the pressure block. The tool holder mounting plate is connected to the fourth linear module. The tool holder is mounted on the tool holder mounting plate. The slitting blade is located between the tool holder and the blade pressure plate. The blade pressure plate is used to mount the slitting blade on the tool holder.

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