Infrared welding forming equipment for the plastic liner of a hydrogen storage cylinder

Abstract

An infrared welding forming equipment for a hydrogen storage cylinder plastic liner is characterized by comprising a base, a first translation component, a second translation component, a first welding pressing cylinder, a second welding pressing cylinder, a first clamping component, a second clamping component, an infrared heating component, an upper side panel, and a supporting roller component. This equipment improves the uniformity of end-face heating during welding and shortens the switching time between heating and pressurization because the circular array of infrared lamps can rotate dynamically during heating and the required stroke for lamp placement and retraction is shortened. The adjustable stroke of the opening and closing control cylinder allows for adjustment of the radial heat source irradiation area of ​​the infrared lamps, enabling rapid adaptation to welding of liner sizes or those with dimensional deviations, reducing equipment costs and improving production efficiency. The elasticity of the retaining spring in the clamping component ensures tight contact between the retaining spring rubber pad and the plastic liner, achieving stable clamping of the plastic liner and uniformly transmitting welding pressure to the welding end face, thus improving welding quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a non-metallic material processing equipment, specifically to an infrared welding forming equipment for the plastic inner liner of a hydrogen storage cylinder. Background Technology

[0002] High-pressure Type IV hydrogen storage cylinders have become a crucial component in hydrogen energy research and application due to their advantages such as light weight, fatigue resistance, and high hydrogen storage density per unit mass. The efficient and precise molding of the plastic inner liner of the Type IV hydrogen storage cylinder is particularly critical. Injection molding-welding, as one of the important molding processes for the plastic inner liner, suffers from inefficient welding equipment and processes, resulting in low yields and limiting the high-efficiency and high-quality development of the inner liner.

[0003] Plastic liners need to operate under high pressure, therefore the welded areas (weld seams) require sufficient weld strength. The key to achieving good weld performance lies in uniformly distributing temperature and pressure across the weld surfaces during heating and pressure application. Infrared welding is a clean and efficient plastic welding technique suitable for products with high requirements for weld performance and minimal weld overflow. During infrared welding, an infrared light source radiates heat to the two weld surfaces, melting them. After the infrared light source is removed, external force is used to induce molecular chain transitions and fusion at the weld surfaces, followed by cooling and solidification to join the samples.

[0004] However, when applied to the production of inner liner welding, traditional infrared welding processes present several drawbacks, including issues with weld quality, weld uniformity, and welding efficiency. Firstly, infrared heaters are typically in the form of lamps, which have fixed interfaces during manufacturing and cannot be closed into a complete ring structure. When fixed in the center of two weldable ends, a heat radiation gap exists. Using multiple coaxial circumferential lamps of different diameters can easily lead to uneven temperature distribution in the radial direction of the inner liner. Using multiple parallel fixed lamps further exacerbates this unevenness. Furthermore, removing the lamps from the working area (inner liner welding position) after heating takes a considerable amount of time, and temperature control becomes increasingly difficult as the inner liner diameter increases. Secondly, when using infrared lamps larger than the outer diameter of the inner liner, the temperature distribution at the welding end decreases from the outer surface to the inner surface, hindering quality control. Thirdly, dimensional deviations in the inner liner components during injection and extrusion processes, coupled with fixed-diameter infrared lamps, can easily lead to batch-to-batch product quality variations, reducing the yield rate. Hydrogen storage cylinder liners often come in multiple sizes, and replacing the heat source lamp increases equipment costs and affects production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides an infrared welding and forming equipment for plastic liners of hydrogen storage cylinders. It provides uniform heat to the end face to be welded through dynamic rotational heating. By adjusting the radial heat source irradiation area, it can be applied to welding plastic liners with different diameters or size deviations. Furthermore, the rotating structure allows the infrared heat source to be quickly withdrawn from the working area after heating the end face, thereby improving heating efficiency and temperature controllability.

[0006] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solution: an infrared welding forming equipment for a plastic inner liner of a hydrogen storage cylinder, comprising a base, a first translation component, a second translation component, a first welding pressing cylinder, a second welding pressing cylinder, a first clamping component, a second clamping component, an infrared heating component, an upper side panel, and a support roller assembly. The support roller assembly is mounted on the base via bearing seats. The first and second translation components are mounted on the base via servo slides. The first clamping component is connected to the first translation component via the first welding pressing cylinder, and the second clamping component is connected to the second translation component via the second welding pressing cylinder. The plastic inner liner is fixedly clamped between the first and second clamping components. The infrared heating component is disposed between the first and second clamping components and supported by the support roller assembly.

[0007] The first clamping component and the second clamping component are respectively translated left and right through the first translation component and the second translation component.

[0008] The first clamping assembly and the second clamping assembly are welded and pressed together by the first welding and pressing cylinder and the second welding and pressing cylinder.

[0009] The infrared heating assembly includes a heating source rotation drive assembly, a rotation support ring, a lamp opening and closing control board, an opening and closing control cylinder, a lamp mounting fixture, an infrared lamp, a connecting rod, and an opening and closing connecting rod. The heating source rotation motor assembly is mounted on the upper side panel to provide power for dynamic rotational heating. The rotation support ring is supported by a support roller assembly. The connecting rod and the opening and closing connecting rod are arranged in a circular array and connected to the rotation support ring. The lamp mounting fixture is arranged in a circular array and connected to the connecting rod and the opening and closing connecting rod. The infrared lamp is arranged in a circular array and mounted on the lamp mounting fixture to ensure uniform heating of the end face. The lamp opening and closing control board is connected to the opening and closing connecting rod through a slotted fit. The cylinder body of the opening and closing control cylinder is mounted on the rotation support ring, and the push rod of the opening and closing control cylinder is connected to the lamp opening and closing control board.

[0010] The infrared heating component drives the lamp opening and closing control plate to rotate through the reciprocating operation of the opening and closing control cylinder. The lamp opening and closing control plate, in conjunction with a slot on the opening and closing connecting rod, drives the connecting rod to rotate, thereby causing the infrared lamp to rotate / twist, achieving rapid positioning and retraction of the infrared lamp. Simultaneously, the reciprocating distance of the opening and closing control cylinder can be controlled to adjust the lamp's angle of motion, thus changing the diameter of the circle formed by the lamp's centerline for welding inner tubes of different diameters.

[0011] The infrared heating component is characterized in that, by adjusting the working stroke of the opening and closing control cylinder, the rotation angle of the lamp opening and closing control plate can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the radial heat source irradiation area of ​​the infrared lamp, which can adapt to the welding of inner liner with different diameters or size deviations, and reduce equipment costs.

[0012] In the infrared heating assembly, the heating source rotation motor assembly is connected to the rotation support ring through gear engagement. The reciprocating rotation of the heating source rotation motor assembly drives the infrared heating lamp tube to reciprocate, providing uniform heat to the end face to be welded.

[0013] The first clamping assembly has the same structure as the second clamping assembly, including a clamp, a spring baffle, a clamp spring, a retaining ring pusher, a retaining ring, a retaining ring end cap, a rubber ring, and a retaining ring rubber pad. The clamp is mounted on the first welding and pressing cylinder. The retaining ring pusher is clearance-fitted with the inner hole of the clamp. The spring baffle is fixed to the left end face of the retaining ring pusher. The clamp spring is mounted on the retaining ring pusher and is limited by the spring baffle. The retaining ring is mounted in the countersunk hole at the right end of the clamp. The retaining ring end cap is fixed to the right end face of the clamp to limit the retaining ring. The rubber ring is installed between the retaining ring end cap and the retaining ring. The retaining ring rubber pad is fixed to the retaining ring.

[0014] The first clamping assembly and the second clamping assembly achieve stable clamping of the plastic inner liner through the elasticity of the retaining spring, and evenly transmit the pressure provided by the first welding and pressing cylinder and the second welding and pressing cylinder to the welding surface. The retaining spring rubber pad can avoid direct contact between the sharp structure of the retaining spring and the plastic inner liner, and eliminate the scratches that the retaining spring may cause to the surface of the plastic inner liner during clamping.

[0015] The first and second clamping components, by pressing the spring baffle, cause the inclined platform at the end of the retaining spring pusher to squeeze the retaining spring, causing the retaining spring to undergo elastic deformation. At this time, the plastic inner liner loses its clamping force and can be removed. When the pressure on the spring baffle is released, the retaining spring pusher resets under the action of the clamping spring. At this time, the inclined platform at the right end of the retaining spring pusher disengages from the retaining spring, and the retaining spring resets under its own elasticity and the action of the rubber ring, restoring the clamping force on the inner liner.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] The equipment of this invention can dynamically rotate during heating of the circumferential array infrared lamp tubes, and the required stroke for lamp tube positioning and retraction is shortened, which can improve the uniformity of end face heating during welding, shorten the switching time between heating and pressure, and improve welding quality.

[0018] The equipment of this invention, by adjusting the stroke of the opening and closing control cylinder, thereby adjusting the radial heat source irradiation area of ​​the infrared lamp tube, can quickly adapt to the welding of inner liner of different sizes or with dimensional deviations, reducing equipment costs and improving production efficiency.

[0019] The equipment of this invention, due to the elasticity of the retaining spring in the clamping assembly, allows the retaining spring rubber pad to make close contact with the plastic inner liner, which can achieve stable clamping of the plastic inner liner and uniformly transmit welding pressure to the welding end face, thereby improving welding quality. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an infrared welding and forming equipment for a hydrogen storage bottle plastic liner according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the infrared heating component of an infrared welding and forming equipment for a hydrogen storage bottle plastic liner according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping component of an infrared welding forming equipment for a hydrogen storage bottle plastic liner according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional enlarged view of the clamping component of an infrared welding forming equipment for a hydrogen storage bottle plastic liner according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working positions of the infrared welding and forming equipment for the plastic inner liner of a hydrogen storage bottle according to the present invention. (a) is the working position when the equipment of the present invention heats the welding end face, (b) is the working position when the infrared lamp tube of the infrared heating component is removed, and (c) is the working position when the equipment of the present invention applies welding pressure.

[0025] In the diagram: 1-Base, 2-First translation component, 3-Second translation component, 4-First welding and pressing cylinder, 5-Second welding and pressing cylinder, 6-Plastic inner liner, 7-First clamping component, 8-Second clamping component, 9-Infrared heating component, 10-Upper side panel, 11-Support roller component, 901-Heating source rotation motor component, 902-Rotation support ring, 903-Lamp tube opening and closing control board, 904-Opening and closing control cylinder, 905-Lamp tube mounting fixture, 906-Infrared lamp tube, 907-Connecting rod, 908-Opening and closing connecting rod, 701-Clamping fixture, 702-Spring baffle, 703-Clamping spring, 704-Snap ring push cylinder, 705-Snap ring, 706-Snap ring end cap, 707-Rubber ring, 708-Snap ring rubber pad. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the uses, technical solutions, operation processes, and details of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other practical examples obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] The terms "front" and "back" in this article are relative to the actual operator. "Front" refers to the part relatively far from the operator, while "back" refers to the part relatively close to the operator. The terms "up," "down," "left," and "right" are used in conjunction with... Figure 1 The positions shown are for reference only, and "left" also means "front" and "right" also means "back". It should be noted that the directional terms mentioned above are defined for the convenience of describing this invention, but the application positions and directions of this invention are diverse, so the above directional terms are not absolute.

[0028] In this invention, the terms "connected," "joined," "fitted," and "installed" should be interpreted broadly. They can refer to direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. It should be noted that when "connected" or "joined" is preceded by a qualifier, it has the meaning defined by that qualifier, excluding only obviously excluded cases, but not other possible cases. For example, "detachably connected" refers to a detachable connection, excluding fixed connections and integral connections, but not excluding movable connections, direct connections, or indirect connections through an intermediate medium.

[0029] The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 The present invention discloses an infrared welding forming equipment for a plastic inner liner of a hydrogen storage cylinder, comprising a base 1, a first translation component 2 and a second translation component 3 mounted on the base 1 via a servo slide, a support roller assembly 11 mounted on the base 1 via a bearing seat, a first welding pressing cylinder 4 and a second welding pressing cylinder 5 respectively mounted on the first translation component 2 and the second translation component 3, a first clamping component 7 and a second clamping component 8 respectively mounted on the first welding pressing cylinder 4 and the second welding pressing cylinder 5, an infrared heating component 9 disposed between the first clamping component 7 and the second clamping component 8 and supported by the support roller assembly 11, and an upper side panel 10.

[0031] Furthermore, the first clamping assembly 7 and the second clamping assembly 8 are moved left and right through the first translation assembly 2 and the second translation assembly 3, and their left and right positions are adjustable. The first clamping assembly 7 and the second clamping assembly 8 are welded together through the first welding pressing cylinder 4 and the second welding pressing cylinder 5, and the welding pressure is adjustable.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 2 The infrared heating assembly 9 includes a heating source rotation motor assembly 901 mounted on the upper side panel 10, a rotation support ring 902 supported by a support roller assembly 11, connecting rods 907 and opening / closing connecting rods 908 arranged in a circular array on the rotation support ring 902, a lamp mounting fixture 905 arranged in a circular array and connected to the connecting rods 907 and opening / closing connecting rods 908, a lamp opening / closing control board 903 connected to the opening / closing connecting rods 908 through a slot, an opening / closing control cylinder 904 mounted on the rotation support ring 902, a push rod of the opening / closing control cylinder 904 connected to the lamp opening / closing control board 903, and infrared lamps 906 arranged in a circular array and mounted on the lamp mounting fixture 905.

[0033] Furthermore, the overall opening and closing motion process of the infrared heating component 9 is as follows: the operation of the opening and closing control cylinder 904 drives the lamp opening and closing control plate 903 to rotate. The lamp opening and closing control plate 903 drives the opening and closing connecting rod 908 to rotate through the slot, thereby driving the infrared lamp 906 to move, realizing the rapid positioning and retraction of the infrared lamp 906. At the same time, the radial heat source irradiation area is adjusted according to the different moving strokes of the opening and closing control cylinder, which can adapt to the welding of inner liner with different diameters or size deviations.

[0034] Furthermore, the overall rotation process of the infrared heating component 9 is as follows: the heating source rotation motor component 901 is connected to the rotation support ring 902 through gear engagement. The reciprocating rotation of the heating source rotation motor component 901 drives the rotation support ring 902 to move, thereby realizing the reciprocating rotation of the infrared lamp tube 906. The rotation angle of the rotation support ring must be greater than 360° / the number of infrared lamp tubes in the array to ensure that the end face to be welded can receive uniform radiation and heat.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4The first clamping assembly 7 includes a clamp 701 mounted on the first welding and pressing cylinder 4, a retaining spring pusher 704 fitted with the inner hole of the clamp 701, a spring baffle 702 fixed to the left end face of the retaining spring pusher 704, a clamping spring 703 mounted on the retaining spring pusher 704 and limited by the spring baffle 702, a retaining spring 705 mounted in the countersunk hole at the right end of the clamp, a retaining spring end cap 706 fixed to the right end face of the clamp to limit the retaining spring 705, a rubber ring 707 mounted between the retaining spring end cap 706 and the retaining spring 705, and a retaining spring rubber pad 708 fixed on the retaining spring 705.

[0036] Furthermore, the clamping principle of the first clamping assembly 7 is as follows: In the initial state where the plastic inner liner 6 is not clamped, the retaining spring pusher 704 moves to the left under the elastic action of the clamping spring 703 until the vertical surface of the inclined platform of the retaining spring pusher 704 contacts and limits the contact with the countersunk hole of the clamp 701. At this time, the inclined surface of the inclined platform of the retaining spring pusher 704 does not contact the retaining spring 705, and the retaining spring 705 is in a relaxed state. When the spring baffle 702 is pressed, the clamping spring 703 is compressed, the retaining spring pusher 704 moves to the right, and the inclined surface of the inclined platform of the retaining spring pusher 704 contacts the retaining spring 705 and causes the retaining spring 705 to undergo elastic deformation until the diameter of the hole formed by the retaining spring 705 is larger than the diameter of the plastic inner liner 6, at which point the plastic inner liner can be installed into the first clamping assembly 7. When the pressure on the spring baffle 702 is released, the elastic potential energy of the clamping spring 703 is released, and the snap ring pusher 704 resets under the action of the clamping spring 703. At this time, the inclined surface of the right end of the snap ring pusher 704 disengages from the snap ring 705. The snap ring 705 rebounds under its own elasticity and the action of the rubber ring 707 until the snap ring rubber pad 708 contacts the surface of the plastic inner liner 6. Because the diameter of the hole formed by the snap ring 705 in the initial state is smaller than the outer diameter of the plastic inner liner 6, the snap ring 705 still has a certain elastic deformation, thus achieving the clamping of the plastic inner liner 6. After welding is completed, by pressing the spring baffle 702, the inclined surface of the right end of the snap ring pusher 704 squeezes the snap ring 705, causing the snap ring 705 to undergo elastic deformation. At this time, the plastic inner liner 6 loses the clamping force, and the plastic inner liner 6 can be removed.

[0037] Furthermore, the elastic deformation of the retaining spring 705 achieves stable clamping of the plastic inner liner 6, and the pressure provided by the first welding and pressing cylinder 4 is evenly transmitted to the welding surface. The retaining spring rubber pad 708 can eliminate the scratches that the retaining spring 705 may cause to the surface of the plastic inner liner 6 during clamping.

[0038] The second clamping component 8 has the same structure and working principle as the first clamping component 7.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 5 The specific implementation process is as follows:

[0040] The first clamping component 7 and the second clamping component 8 are moved to the first translation component 2 and the second translation component 3. Figure 1 Once the indicated positions are in place, the plastic inner liner 6 to be welded is installed and fixed on the first clamping assembly 7 and the second clamping assembly 8 respectively. The infrared heating assembly 9 enters the heating station and is positioned under the drive of the opening and closing control cylinder.

[0041] The first clamping component 7 and the second clamping component 8 are moved to the first translation component 2 and the second translation component 3. Figure 5 At the position shown in (a), the distance between the end face of the plastic inner liner 6 and the infrared lamp 906 is the set heating distance. After all components are in place, the infrared lamp 906 begins to heat the end face of the plastic inner liner 6 until the temperature reaches the set value.

[0042] After the plastic inner liner 6 is heated, the array of infrared lamps 906 is quickly retracted under the action of the opening and closing control cylinder 904, as... Figure 5 As shown in (b). At this time, under the action of the first welding pressing cylinder 4 and the second welding pressing cylinder 5, the end faces of the plastic inner liner 6 to be welded are pressed together, and simultaneously cooled to form a weld, as shown in (b). Figure 5 As shown in (c).

[0043] After sufficient cooling and the formation of the weld, the plastic inner liner 6 can be removed, and then the various components can be assembled. Figure 1 The process of resetting as shown and repeating the above steps can achieve continuous automated welding and forming of the plastic inner liner 6.

Claims

1. An infrared welding forming equipment for the plastic inner liner of a hydrogen storage cylinder, characterized in that: The system includes a base, a first translation component, a second translation component, a first welding and pressing cylinder, a second welding and pressing cylinder, a first clamping component, a second clamping component, an infrared heating component, a top panel, and a support roller assembly. The support roller assembly is mounted on the base via bearing seats. The first and second translation components are mounted on the base via servo slides. The first clamping component is connected to the first translation component via the first welding and pressing cylinder, and the second clamping component is connected to the second translation component via the second welding and pressing cylinder. The plastic inner liner is fixedly clamped between the first clamping component and the second clamping assembly. In this assembly, the infrared heating component is positioned between the first clamping component and the second clamping component, and is supported by a supporting roller assembly; the first clamping component and the second clamping component are respectively moved left and right by a first translation component and a second translation component; the first clamping component and the second clamping component are welded together by a first welding pressing cylinder and a second welding pressing cylinder; the infrared heating component includes a heating source rotation motor assembly, a rotation support ring, a lamp opening and closing control board, an opening and closing control cylinder, a lamp mounting fixture, an infrared lamp, a connecting rod, and an opening and closing connecting rod; the heating source rotation motor assembly Mounted on the upper side panel, providing power for dynamic rotary heating, the rotating support ring is supported by a support roller assembly. The connecting rod and opening / closing connecting rod are arranged in a circumferential array and connected to the rotating support ring. The lamp mounting fixture is arranged in a circumferential array and connected to the connecting rod and opening / closing connecting rod. The infrared lamps are mounted in a circumferential array on the lamp mounting fixture to ensure uniform heating of the end face. The lamp opening / closing control board is connected to the opening / closing connecting rod through a slot fit. The cylinder body of the opening / closing control cylinder is mounted on the rotating support ring. The opening / closing control cylinder push rod is connected to the lamp opening / closing control board. The first clamping assembly... The component has the same structure as the second clamping assembly, including a clamp, a spring baffle, a clamp spring, a snap ring pusher, a snap ring, a snap ring end cap, a rubber ring, and a snap ring rubber pad. The clamp is mounted on the first welding and pressing cylinder. The snap ring pusher is clearance-fitted with the inner hole of the clamp. The spring baffle is fixed on the left end face of the snap ring pusher. The clamp spring is mounted on the snap ring pusher and is limited by the spring baffle. The snap ring is mounted in the countersunk hole at the right end of the clamp. The snap ring end cap is fixed on the right end face of the clamp to limit the snap ring. The rubber ring is mounted between the snap ring end cap and the snap ring. The snap ring rubber pad is fixed on the snap ring.

2. The infrared welding forming equipment for the plastic inner liner of a hydrogen storage cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared heating component drives the lamp opening and closing control plate to rotate through the reciprocating operation of the opening and closing control cylinder. The lamp opening and closing control plate, through its engagement with the slot of the opening and closing connecting rod, drives the opening and closing connecting rod to rotate, thereby causing the infrared lamp to rotate / twist, achieving rapid positioning and retraction of the infrared lamp; or, by controlling the reciprocating distance of the opening and closing control cylinder, the movement angle of the lamp is controlled to achieve the change in the diameter of the circle formed by the center line of the lamp, which is used for welding inner liner of different diameters.

3. The infrared welding forming equipment for the plastic inner liner of a hydrogen storage cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the infrared heating assembly, the heating source rotation motor assembly is connected to the rotation support ring through gear engagement. The reciprocating rotation of the heating source rotation motor assembly drives the infrared heating lamp tube to reciprocate, providing uniform heat to the end face to be welded.

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