Testing device and method for optimizing splicing process parameters of prepreg tows

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a test device and method for optimizing prepreg tow splicing process parameters, the test device comprises a first tow splicing module, a second tow splicing module, a lifting module, a test module and an electrical and control system, the lifting module drives the first tow splicing module to move up and down along the vertical direction, and the test module drives the second tow splicing module to move up and down along the vertical direction; the second tow splicing module is located under the first tow splicing module, the testing modules are located on the two sides of the second tow splicing module, and the electrical and control system is electrically connected with all the modules. In the process parameter research, the highest splicing efficiency meeting the splicing quality is taken as an optimization target, the test tension is selected as a characterization parameter, and the splicing pressure, the splicing temperature, the splicing time and the splicing size are selected as factor variables to carry out optimization iteration until proper process parameters are obtained. Various process parameters of the test device provided by the invention are adjustable, a tension value can be tested after splicing is completed, and a detailed prepreg tow process parameter optimization process is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of, but is not limited to, the technical field of automatic prepreg production of composite materials, and in particular to a test device and method for optimizing prepreg bundle splicing process parameters. Background Art

[0002] Resin-based composite materials have the characteristics of high specific strength, high specific stiffness, unique designability and good processability. They are widely used in many fields such as aerospace, national defense and civil use. Among them, resin-based composite prepreg tows are widely used in composite winding and placement molding processes. The reinforcing fibers are woven according to rules to form a cloth-like fiber reinforcement and immersed in a resin matrix solvent. The content of the resin matrix in the reinforcing fibers is controlled through several processes. After drying, cutting and other processes, the resin-based composite prepreg tows are finally obtained. In the process of winding molding using an automatic wire placement machine, it takes thousands of meters of prepreg tape to complete a part, and the maximum length of prepreg tape that can be loaded by the current winding equipment is 300 meters. Therefore, the prepreg tows need to be spliced ​​and continued during the winding process to complete the winding molding process.

[0003] With the advancement of aerospace vehicle design and manufacturing technology, it is required to reduce the performance deviation of wound products as much as possible. The manual sewing method can no longer meet the quality and efficiency requirements of prepreg tow splicing.

[0004] The current mainstream trend is to use a device to complete the splicing of prepreg tows. During the splicing process, the process parameters that affect the splicing quality of prepreg tows mainly include splicing pressure, splicing temperature, splicing time, and splicing size. Therefore, in order to improve the splicing quality and efficiency of prepreg tows, and to achieve the highest splicing efficiency under satisfactory splicing quality as the optimization goal, an experimental device and method for studying the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing are designed. Summary of the invention

[0005] Purpose of the present invention: In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the embodiments of the present invention provide a test device and method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg bundle splicing, so as to solve the problem that the manual sewing method of prepreg bundles is difficult to meet the splicing quality and production efficiency of prepreg bundles.

[0006] Technical solution of the present invention: An embodiment of the present invention provides a test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing, comprising: a first tow splicing module 1, a second tow splicing module 2, a lifting module 3, a testing module 4, an electrical and control system 5 and a mobile cabinet 18;

[0007] The lower pressing block 10 of the second tow splicing module 2 is fixedly mounted on the table of the mobile cabinet 18 through the mounting base plate 20, the lifting module 3 is fixedly mounted on the mounting base plate 20, and the first tow splicing module 1 is mounted on the lifting mechanism of the lifting module 3 through its connecting plate 9;

[0008] The upper pressing block 6 fixedly connected below the connecting plate 9 in the first tow splicing module 1 is arranged opposite to the lower pressing block 10 installed on the upper end surface of the mounting base plate 20 in the second tow splicing module 2, and the boss arranged on the lower end surface of the upper pressing block 6 matches the groove arranged on the upper end surface of the lower pressing block 10, and is used to place the prepreg tow 19 to be spliced ​​between the lower pressing block 10 and the upper pressing block 6, and heating modules are respectively arranged in the upper pressing block 6 and the lower pressing block 10;

[0009] The upgrading mechanism of the lifting module 3, and the heating modules of the first tow splicing module 1 and the second tow splicing module 2 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5; the electrical and control system 5 is used to control the heating temperature and heating time of the upper pressing block 6 and the lower pressing block 10 by the heating module, and control the lifting module 3 to perform lifting movement to drive the first tow splicing module 1 to move up and down in the vertical direction, and control the lifting module 3 to move downward until the first tow splicing module 1 is tightly attached to the second tow splicing module 2 through the prepreg tow 19 and extrude the prepreg tow 19 according to the set splicing pressure;

[0010] The mounting base plate 20 is provided with test modules 4 at both ends of the lower pressing block 10, respectively, for clamping the two ends of the prepreg tow 19 placed on the lower pressing block 10 through the clamping heads 15 at the inner ends of the two test modules 4; the two test modules 4 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5;

[0011] The electrical and control system 5 is also used to control the two test modules 4 respectively clamping the two ends of the prepreg bundle 19 to move in opposite directions until the prepreg bundle 19 is broken, thereby testing the actual tensile force value of the prepreg bundle 19 after splicing.

[0012] Optionally, in the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing as described above, the lifting module 3 includes: a guide rail 11, a lead screw 12, a slider 13, a servo motor 14 and a U-shaped mounting frame;

[0013] The mounting frame is mounted on the mounting base plate 20 of the first tow splicing module 1 with its U-shaped bottom end plate, a servo motor 14 is fixedly mounted on the top end plate of the U-shaped structure, a guide rail 11 is vertically fixedly mounted on the back plate of the mounting frame, a lead screw 12 is vertically arranged between the top end plate and the bottom end plate of the mounting frame, and the top end of the lead screw 12 is connected to the servo motor 14, a slider 13 is connected to the lead screw 12 through its internal thread, the slider 13 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 11 through its inner end surface, and the connecting plate 9 in the first tow splicing module 1 is fixedly mounted through its outer end surface;

[0014] The lifting module 3 is used to drive the screw 12 to rotate through the servo motor 14, converting the rotation of the screw 12 into the lifting movement of the slider 13, thereby driving the first tow splicing module 1 to move up and down at a set speed in the vertical direction, and loading the prepreg tow 19 placed on the lower pressing block 10 in the second tow splicing module 2 with a set splicing pressure.

[0015] Optionally, in the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing as described above, the first tow splicing module 1 includes: an upper pressing block 6, an upper heating module 7a, a pressure sensor 8 and a connecting plate 9;

[0016] The connecting plate 9 is configured as an L-shaped connecting plate, one side plate is fixedly mounted on the slider 13 of the lifting module 3, and the lower end surface of the other side plate is connected to the upper pressing block 6 by a plurality of screws, the pressure sensor 8 is arranged directly above the upper pressing block 6, and the upper and lower end surfaces of the pressure sensor 8 are respectively connected to the connecting plate 9 and the upper pressing block 6; the bottom end surface of the upper pressing block 6 is provided with a pressing block boss, the interior of the upper pressing block 6 is configured as a cavity structure, and the upper heating module 7a is installed in the cavity structure inside the upper pressing block 6;

[0017] The upper heating module 7a and the pressure sensor 8 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5, and are used to control the upper heating module 7a to heat the upper pressing block 6 through the electrical and control system 5, and transmit the pressure information collected by the pressure sensor 8 to the electrical and control system 5 in real time.

[0018] Optionally, in the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing as described above, the second tow splicing module 2 comprises: a lower pressing block 10, a lower heating module 7b;

[0019] The lower pressing block 10 is fixedly mounted on the mounting base plate 20, the upper end surface of the lower pressing block 10 is provided with a pressing block groove, the interior of the lower pressing block 10 is provided with a cavity structure, and the lower heating module 7b is installed in the cavity structure inside the lower pressing block 10;

[0020] The lower heating module 7 b is connected to the electrical and control system 5 , and is used to control the lower heating module 7 b to heat the lower pressing block 10 through the electrical and control system 5 .

[0021] Optionally, in the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing as described above, each of the test modules 4 comprises: a clamping head 15, a force sensor 16, and a moving mechanism 17;

[0022] Each of the test modules 4 is installed in a slide groove of the mounting base plate 20 through its moving mechanism 17, and two test modules 4 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the second tow splicing module 2;

[0023] In each of the test modules 4, a force sensor 16 is fixedly installed on the inner end surface of the moving mechanism 17, and the force sensor 16 is connected to the clamping head 15, and the clamping head 15 clamps one end of the spliced ​​prepreg tow 19;

[0024] The moving mechanisms 17 and the force sensors 16 in the two test modules 4 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5, and are used to control the two moving mechanisms 17 to move in opposite directions through the electrical and control system 5, so as to drive the force sensor 16 and the clamping head 15 to move in opposite directions until the prepreg yarn bundle 19 is broken, and the actual tensile force value of the prepreg yarn bundle 19 is tested by the force sensor 16, and the actual tensile force value is fed back to the electrical and control system 5.

[0025] Optionally, in the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing as described above, the electrical and control system 5 is installed as a whole inside the mobile cabinet 18;

[0026] The electrical and control system 5 is used to set test parameters for implementing splicing tests and tensile tests, control the coordinated movement of each module to execute the splicing of the prepreg bundle 19 according to the set test parameters, and obtain the actual tensile value by performing a tensile test on the prepreg bundle 19 after splicing, and collect test data in the test; wherein, the test parameters set by the electrical and control system 5 include splicing pressure, splicing temperature, and splicing time.

[0027] Optionally, in the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing as described above, the test device is configured with a plurality of sets of upper pressing blocks 6 and lower pressing blocks 10 arranged in pairs;

[0028] The specifications of the multiple groups of upper pressing blocks 6 and lower pressing blocks 10 are set according to the size of the prepreg tows to be spliced.

[0029] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a test method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing, using a test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing as described in any one of the above items to perform a test method for optimizing the splicing process parameters of the prepreg tow 19, the test method comprising:

[0030] Step 1, select splicing pressure, splicing temperature, splicing time and splicing size as factor variables, and select test tension as the characterization parameter of the test;

[0031] Step 2, set the value range and initial value for each factor variable, and set the test tension F; wherein the value range and initial value of each factor variable are respectively: splicing pressure p: [p1, pn], pn; splicing temperature t: [t1, tn], tn; splicing time s: [s1, sn], s1; splicing size k: [k1, kn], k1; each factor variable is set with n test values ​​within its value range;

[0032] Step 3, splicing test and tension test of prepreg bundles, including: selecting the test value of each factor variable for splicing test, placing two prepreg bundles with the sticky surface side opposite to each other for splicing, the outer end of each prepreg bundle is respectively connected to the clamping head 15 at the inner end of the test module 4 at the corresponding position, the inner end of each prepreg bundle is overlapped with another prepreg bundle according to the initial value of the splicing size, and the two sides of the two prepreg bundles are kept aligned after splicing, the electrical and control system 5 controls the upgrade module 3 to drive the first bundle splicing module 1 to press down and rise after completing the splicing, and the electrical and control system 5 controls the two test modules 4 to automatically and synchronously move slowly to both sides until the two prepreg bundles are broken to obtain the measured tension value Fi; wherein, the initial value of each factor variable in the first test is selected as the test value of this test;

[0033] Step 4, iterative optimization of the splicing test and the tensile test, including: by comparing the measured tensile force value Fi obtained in this test with the set test tensile force F, after adjusting at least one factor variable, repeating the test process of step 3 to obtain the measured tensile force value Fi closest to the test tensile force F.

[0034] Optionally, in the above-mentioned automatic splicing method for composite prepreg tows, step 4 comprises:

[0035] If the test tensile force value Fi obtained in this test is less than F, the test in step 3 is repeatedly performed by successively increasing at least one of the factor variables of the splicing size and the splicing time until the test tensile force value Fi is greater than F, then the process parameters of the current test are determined as the optimal splicing process parameters that meet the conditions;

[0036] If the test tensile force value Fi obtained in this test is greater than F, the test in step 3 is repeated by successively decreasing at least one of the factor variables of the splicing pressure and the splicing temperature until the test tensile force value Fi is less than F, then the process parameters of the previous test are determined as the optimal splicing process parameters that meet the conditions.

[0037] Optionally, in the automatic splicing method for composite prepreg tows as described above, when the two ends of the prepreg tows to be spliced ​​do not overlap and are in the form of end-face splicing;

[0038] The k value of the splicing size is set to 0, and the splicing size is always 0 during the iterative optimization process of step 4.

[0039] Beneficial effects of the present invention: The embodiment of the present invention provides a test device and method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing. On the one hand, by controlling the heating temperature and heating time of the upper pressing block 6 and the lower pressing block 10 of the first tow splicing module 1 and the second tow splicing module 2 by the heating modules, precise control of the splicing temperature and splicing time is achieved; on the other hand, by controlling the lifting module 3 to perform lifting movement to drive the first tow splicing module 1 to move up and down in the vertical direction, and controlling the lifting module 3 to move downward until the first tow splicing module 1 is tightly attached to the second tow splicing module 2 through the prepreg tow and extrude the prepreg tow according to the set splicing pressure, precise control of the splicing pressure is achieved; on the other hand, through the matching boss and groove structure in the upper pressing block 6 and the lower pressing block 10, and the scale line on the lower pressing block 10, precise control of the splicing size of the prepreg tow is achieved during the test. Compared with the existing sewing method of prepreg tows, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0040] (1) A test device and method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein various process parameters (including splicing pressure, splicing temperature, splicing time and splicing size) in the splicing process can be accurately set respectively through the test device;

[0041] (2) In the test method for optimizing the prepreg bundle splicing process parameters provided in the embodiment of the present invention, a detailed iterative optimization process of the prepreg bundle splicing process parameters is provided to solve the balance between splicing efficiency and lap quality. The optimal splicing process parameters that meet the performance indicators and splicing efficiency can be found through iterative optimization.

[0042] (3) The test device and method for optimizing the splicing process parameters of prepreg bundles provided by the present invention can be applied to optimizing the splicing process parameters of prepreg bundles of different widths, sizes and specifications, and can also be applied to optimizing the splicing process parameters when the splicing size is 0, and has wide applicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the technical solution of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the technical solution of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a test device for optimizing prepreg tow splicing process parameters provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the combined structure of some modules in a test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided by the illustrated embodiment;

[0046] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an upper splicing module in a tow splicing module provided in the illustrated embodiment;

[0047] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a lower splicing module in a tow splicing module provided in the illustrated embodiment;

[0048] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the installation structure of another test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method for automatically splicing composite prepreg tows provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Description of reference numerals:

[0051] 1. First tow splicing module; 2. Second tow splicing module; 3. Lifting module; 4. Testing module; 5. Electrical and control system; 6. Upper pressure block; 7a. Upper heating module; 7b. Lower heating module; 8. Pressure sensor; 9. Connecting plate; 10. Lower pressure block; 11. Guide rail; 12. Lead screw; 13. Slider; 14. Servo motor; 15. Clamping head; 16. Force sensor; 17. Moving mechanism; 18. Moving cabinet; 19. Prepreg tow; 20. Mounting base plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clear, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other arbitrarily without conflict.

[0053] The above background technology has already explained the advantages of composite materials and their current widespread application, as well as the overlap requirements and existing overlap methods of existing prepreg tows in practical applications. Since prepreg tows are currently overlapped by hand sewing, the overlap efficiency is low; in addition, the sewing thread at the joint of the prepreg tow becomes an impurity in the winding process, and the pinholes generated on the prepreg tow during sewing form stress concentration points. The existence of these impurities and stress concentration points causes the actual performance of composite parts to deviate from the design performance, resulting in poor product consistency and increased manufacturing costs.

[0054] With the advancement of aviation composite manufacturing technology, there is a requirement to reduce the performance deviation of composite parts. To meet this requirement, an embodiment of the present invention provides a test device and method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing to achieve high-quality and rapid splicing of prepreg tows.

[0055] The present invention provides the following specific embodiments which can be combined with each other. The same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0056] Figure 1 The overall structural diagram of a test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the combined structure of some modules in the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided by the embodiment shown, Figure 2 Schematically shows the first tow splicing module 1, the second tow splicing module 2, the lifting module 3, the testing module 4 and the mounting base 20 in the test device. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the overall structure of the test device for optimizing the prepreg tow splicing process parameters provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first tow splicing module 1, a second tow splicing module 2, a lifting module 3, a testing module 4, an electrical and control system 5 and a mobile cabinet 18.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the overall structure of the test device shown, the second tow splicing module 2 is fixedly mounted on the table top of the mobile cabinet 18 via the mounting base 20, the lifting module 3 is fixedly mounted on the mounting base 20, and the first tow splicing module 1 is mounted on the lifting mechanism of the lifting module 3 via its connecting plate 9.

[0058] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the upper pressing block 6 fixedly connected below the connecting plate 9 in the first yarn bundle splicing module 1 is arranged opposite to the lower pressing block 10 arranged on the upper end surface of the mounting base plate 20 in the second yarn bundle splicing module 2, and the pressing block boss arranged on the lower end surface of the upper pressing block 6 matches the pressing block groove arranged on the upper end surface of the lower pressing block 10, which is used to place the prepreg yarn bundle 19 to be spliced ​​between the lower pressing block 10 and the upper pressing block 6.

[0059] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the upgrading mechanism of the lifting module 3, and the heating modules of the first tow splicing module 1 and the second tow splicing module 2 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5. The electrical and control system 5 in the embodiment of the present invention is used to control the heating temperature and heating time of the upper pressing block 6 and the lower pressing block 10 by the heating module, and control the lifting module 3 to perform lifting movement to drive the first tow splicing module 1 to move up and down in the vertical direction, and control the lifting module 3 to move downward until the first tow splicing module 1 is tightly attached to the second tow splicing module 2 through the prepreg tow 19 and extrude the prepreg tow 19 according to the set splicing pressure, thereby realizing the splicing operation of the prepreg tow 19.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present invention, the structures and sizes of the pressing block boss of the upper pressing block 6 in the first yarn bundle splicing module 1 and the pressing block groove of the lower pressing block 10 in the second yarn bundle splicing module 2 are matched, and both can cooperate with the heating module to realize the function of synchronously heating the upper and lower surfaces of the prepreg yarn bundle 19.

[0061] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the mounting base 20 is provided with test modules 4 at both ends of the lower pressing block 10, which are used to clamp the two ends of the prepreg bundle 19 placed on the lower pressing block 10 through the clamping heads 15 at the inner ends of the two test modules 4; the two test modules 4 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5.

[0062] Correspondingly, the electrical and control system 5 in the embodiment of the present invention is also used to control the two test modules 4 respectively clamping the two ends of the prepreg bundle 19 to move in opposite directions until the prepreg bundle 19 is broken, thereby testing the actual tensile force value of the prepreg bundle 19 after splicing.

[0063] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, a possible implementation structure of the lifting module is provided, such as Figure 3 As shown, Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment provides a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the first tow splicing module and the lifting module in the test device for optimizing the prepreg tow splicing process parameters. The lifting module 3 in this implementation includes: a guide rail 11, a lead screw 12, a slider 13, a servo motor 14 and a mounting frame.

[0064] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the mounting frame is installed on the mounting base 20 of the first tow splicing module 1 with its U-shaped bottom end plate, and a servo motor 14 is fixedly installed on the top end plate of the U-shaped structure. The guide rail 11 is vertically fixedly installed on the back plate of the mounting frame. The lead screw 12 is vertically arranged between the top end plate and the bottom end plate of the mounting frame, and the top end of the lead screw 12 is connected to the servo motor 14. The slider 13 is connected to the lead screw 12 through its internal thread, and the slider 13 is slidably installed on the guide rail 11 through its inner end face, and the connecting plate 9 in the first tow splicing module 1 is fixedly installed through its outer end face.

[0065] The lifting module 3 in this implementation method works as follows: the servo motor 14 drives the screw 12 to rotate, and the rotation of the screw 12 is converted into the lifting movement of the slider 13, thereby driving the first yarn bundle splicing module 1 to move up and down at a set speed in the vertical direction, and loading the prepreg yarn bundle placed on the lower pressing block 10 in the second yarn bundle splicing module 2 with a set splicing pressure.

[0066] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, a possible implementation structure of the first tow splicing module is provided, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first tow splicing module 1 in this implementation includes: an upper pressing block 6, an upper heating module 7a, a pressure sensor 8 and a connecting plate 9.

[0067] like Figure 3 As shown, the connecting plate 9 is set as an L-shaped connecting plate, one side plate is fixedly mounted on the slider 13 of the lifting module 3, and the lower end surface of the other side plate is connected to the upper pressing block 6 through a plurality of screws, and the pressure sensor 8 is arranged directly above the upper pressing block 6, and the upper and lower end surfaces of the pressure sensor 8 are respectively connected to the connecting plate 9 and the upper pressing block 6; the bottom end surface of the upper pressing block 6 is provided with a pressing block boss, the interior of the upper pressing block 6 is set as a cavity structure, and the upper heating module 7a is installed in the cavity structure inside the upper pressing block 6. In the specific implementation, the surface material of the pressing block boss is polytetrafluoroethylene, and the width of the pressing block boss is the same as the width of the tow.

[0068] In this implementation, the upper heating module 7a and the pressure sensor 8 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5, which are used to control the upper heating module 7a to heat the upper pressure block 6 through the electrical and control system 5, and transmit the pressure information collected by the pressure sensor 8 to the electrical and control system 5 in real time.

[0069] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, a possible implementation structure of the second tow splicing module is provided, such as Figure 4 As shown, Figure 2The second tow splicing module 2 in this implementation includes: a lower pressing block 10 and a lower heating module 7b.

[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower pressing block 10 is fixedly mounted on the mounting base plate 20, the upper end surface of the lower pressing block 10 is provided with a pressing block groove, the interior of the lower pressing block 10 is provided with a cavity structure, and the lower heating module 7b is installed in the cavity structure inside the lower pressing block 10. In a specific implementation, the inner surface material of the pressing block groove is polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0071] In this implementation, the lower heating module 7b is connected to the electrical and control system 5, and is used to control the lower heating module 7b to heat the lower pressing block 10 through the electrical and control system 5.

[0072] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, a possible implementation structure of the test module is provided, such as Figure 4 As shown, each test module 4 includes: a clamping head 15 , a force sensor 16 , and a moving mechanism 17 .

[0073] like Figure 4 As shown, each test module 4 is installed in the slide groove of the mounting base plate 20 through its moving mechanism 17, and two test modules 4 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the second tow splicing module 2. In each test module 4, a force sensor 16 is fixedly installed on the inner end surface of the moving mechanism 17, and is connected to the clamping head 15 through the force sensor 16, and one end of the prepreg tow 19 that has been spliced ​​is clamped by the clamping head 15.

[0074] In this implementation, the moving mechanisms 17 and the force sensors 16 in the two test modules 4 are respectively connected to the electrical and control system 5, and are used to control the two moving mechanisms 17 to move in opposite directions through the electrical and control system 5, which can drive the force sensor 16 and the clamping head 15 to move in opposite directions until the prepreg bundle 19 is broken, and the actual tensile force value of the prepreg bundle 19 is tested by the force sensor 16, and the measured tensile force value is fed back to the electrical and control system 5.

[0075] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, a possible implementation structure of the second tow splicing module is provided, such as Figure 1 As shown, the electrical and control system 5 is installed as a whole inside the mobile cabinet 18, and is electrically connected to the electrical components in the first wire bundle splicing module 1, the second wire bundle splicing module 2, the lifting module 3, and the testing module 4 respectively. The electrical components in each module that are specifically connected to the electrical and control system 5 have been described in the above embodiments.

[0076] In this implementation, the electrical and control system 5 is used to set the test parameters for implementing the splicing test and the tensile test, control the coordinated movement of each module to execute the splicing of the prepreg bundle 19 according to the set test parameters, and perform the tensile test on the prepreg bundle 19 after splicing to obtain the actual tensile value, and collect the test data in the test.

[0077] It should be noted that the test parameters set by the electrical and control system 5 include splicing pressure, splicing temperature, and splicing time; in addition, the test parameters also include the splicing size of the two prepreg tows 19 in the manual splicing operation.

[0078] In addition, it should be noted that in a preferred implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, the test device is usually configured with a plurality of sets of upper pressing blocks 6 and lower pressing blocks 10 arranged in pairs;

[0079] The specifications of the multiple groups of upper pressing blocks 6 and lower pressing blocks 10 are set according to the size of the prepreg bundles to be spliced; in the specific installation, the upper pressing blocks 6 are connected to the connecting plate 9 by screws, and the lower pressing blocks 10 are connected to the mounting base plate 20 by screws, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement.

[0080] Based on the test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided by the above embodiments of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention further provide a test method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing. The test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided by any of the above embodiments can be used to optimize the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing, such as Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a test method for optimizing prepreg tow splicing process parameters provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The test method may include the following steps:

[0081] Step 1, with the highest splicing efficiency under satisfactory splicing quality as the optimization goal, splicing pressure, splicing temperature, splicing time and splicing size are selected as factor variables, and test tension is selected as the characterization parameter of the test. The test tension is a fixed value F in a set of tests.

[0082] Step 2: Set the value range and initial value for each factor variable, and set the test tension F.

[0083] In this step, the value range and initial value of each factor variable are set as follows: splicing pressure p: [p1, pn], pn; splicing temperature t: [t1, tn], tn; splicing time s: [s1, sn], s1; splicing size k: [k1, kn], k1; each factor variable is set with n test values ​​within its value range.

[0084] It should be noted that, considering the average quality and splicing efficiency, the initial values ​​of the splicing pressure and splicing temperature are set to the maximum value in the value range, and the initial values ​​of the splicing time and splicing size are set to the minimum value in the value range; in addition, the intervals between adjacent test values ​​of the above factor variables can be equal intervals, such as Δp, Δt, Δs, Δk respectively; the intervals of different factor variables can also be set according to preset rules. Furthermore, the test tension F is determined by multiplying the actual tension value of the prepreg bundle during the laying process (i.e., the tension value of the automatic laying machine) by the safety factor.

[0085] Step 3, splicing test and tension test of prepreg bundles, including: selecting the test value of each factor variable for splicing test, placing two prepreg bundles with one side of the sticky surface opposite to each other for splicing, the outer end of each prepreg bundle is respectively connected to the clamping head 15 at the inner end of the test module 4 at the corresponding position, the inner end of each prepreg bundle is overlapped with another prepreg bundle according to the initial value of the splicing size, and the two side edges of the two prepreg bundles after splicing are kept aligned, the electrical and control system 5 controls the upgrade module 3 to drive the first bundle splicing module 1 to be pressed down and then raised after splicing, and the electrical and control system 5 controls the two test modules 4 to automatically and synchronously move slowly to both sides until the two prepreg bundles are broken to obtain the actual tensile force value Fi.

[0086] It should be noted in this step that in the first test of a set of optimization tests, the initial value of each factor variable is selected as the test value of this test.

[0087] Step 4, iterative optimization of the splicing test and the tensile test, including: by comparing the measured tensile force value Fi obtained in this test with the set test tensile force F, after adjusting at least one factor variable, repeating the test process of step 3 to obtain the measured tensile force value Fi closest to the test tensile force F.

[0088] In a specific implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, the iterative optimization process of step 4 specifically includes:

[0089] If the test tensile force value Fi obtained in this test is less than F, it means that the set of process parameters in this test cannot meet the requirements, and the test in step 3 is repeated by sequentially increasing at least one of the factor variables in the splicing size and the splicing time until the test tensile force value Fi>F, then the process parameters of the current test are determined as the optimal splicing process parameters that meet the conditions. It should be noted that the preferred solution for iterative optimization is to change only one of the factor variables in each test, and the two factor variables are increased in rotation.

[0090] If the test tensile force value Fi obtained in this test is greater than F, it means that the set of process parameters in this test can meet the requirements, but are not the parameters that meet the optimal work efficiency. The test in step 3 is repeated by successively decreasing at least one of the factor variables in the splicing pressure and the splicing temperature until the test tensile force value Fi is less than F. In this case, the process parameters of the previous test are determined as the optimal splicing process parameters that meet the conditions.

[0091] In one implementation of an embodiment of the present invention, when the two ends of the prepreg tows to be spliced ​​do not overlap and are in the form of end face splicing, for example, the cross-sections of the ends of the two prepreg tows are spliced, or the spliced ​​ends of the two prepreg tows form a complementary inclined structure, in the above case, the thickness of the splicing area of ​​the spliced ​​prepreg tows is the same as the thickness of a single prepreg tow.

[0092] The k value of the splicing size in this implementation is a fixed value and is not used as a factor variable. Alternatively, it is understood that the k value of the splicing size is set to 0, that is, k1, kn, and Δk are all 0, and the splicing size is always 0 during the iterative optimization process of step 4.

[0093] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present invention, the ranges of the splicing pressure, splicing temperature, splicing time, and splicing size can be determined according to actual needs and by referring to relevant literature.

[0094] The test device and method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided by the embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, by controlling the heating temperature and heating time of the upper pressing block 6 and the lower pressing block 10 of the first tow splicing module 1 and the second tow splicing module 2 by the heating modules, to achieve precise control of the splicing temperature and splicing time; on the other hand, by controlling the lifting module 3 to perform lifting movement, so as to drive the first tow splicing module 1 to move up and down in the vertical direction, and controlling the lifting module 3 to move downward until the first tow splicing module 1 is tightly attached to the second tow splicing module 2 through the prepreg tow and extrude the prepreg tow according to the set splicing pressure, to achieve precise control of the splicing pressure; on the other hand, through the matching boss and groove structure in the upper pressing block 6 and the lower pressing block 10, and the scale line on the lower pressing block 10, the precise control of the splicing size of the prepreg tow during the test is achieved. Compared with the existing sewing method of prepreg tows, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0095] (1) A test device and method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein various process parameters (including splicing pressure, splicing temperature, splicing time and splicing size) in the splicing process can be accurately set respectively through the test device;

[0096] (2) In the test method for optimizing the prepreg bundle splicing process parameters provided in the embodiment of the present invention, a detailed iterative optimization process of the prepreg bundle splicing process parameters is provided to solve the balance between splicing efficiency and lap quality. The optimal splicing process parameters that meet the performance indicators and splicing efficiency can be found through iterative optimization.

[0097] (3) The test device and method for optimizing the splicing process parameters of prepreg bundles provided by the present invention can be applied to optimizing the splicing process parameters of prepreg bundles of different widths, sizes and specifications, and can also be applied to optimizing the splicing process parameters when the splicing size is 0, and has wide applicability.

[0098] Although the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are as above, the contents are only embodiments adopted for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician in the field to which the present invention belongs can make any modifications and changes in the form and details of implementation without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed in the present invention, but the patent protection scope of the present invention shall still be subject to the scope defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing, characterized in that: include: A first tow splicing module (1), a second tow splicing module (2), a lifting module (3), a testing module (4), an electrical and control system (5) and a mobile cabinet (18); The lower pressing block (10) of the second tow splicing module (2) is fixedly mounted on the table of the mobile cabinet (18) via a mounting base plate (20), the lifting module (3) is fixedly mounted on the mounting base plate (20), and the first tow splicing module (1) is mounted on the lifting mechanism of the lifting module (3) via its connecting plate (9); The upper pressing block (6) fixedly connected below the connecting plate (9) in the first tow splicing module (1) is arranged opposite to the lower pressing block (10) installed on the upper end surface of the mounting base plate (20) in the second tow splicing module (2), and the boss arranged on the lower end surface of the upper pressing block (6) matches the groove arranged on the upper end surface of the lower pressing block (10), so as to place the prepreg tow (19) to be spliced ​​between the lower pressing block (10) and the upper pressing block (6), and heating modules are respectively arranged in the upper pressing block (6) and the lower pressing block (10); The upgrading mechanism of the lifting module (3), and the heating modules of the first tow splicing module (1) and the second tow splicing module (2) are respectively connected to the electrical and control system (5); the electrical and control system (5) is used to control the heating temperature and heating time of the upper pressing block (6) and the lower pressing block (10) by the heating module, and control the lifting module (3) to perform lifting movement to drive the first tow splicing module (1) to move up and down in the vertical direction, and control the lifting module (3) to move downward until the first tow splicing module (1) is closely attached to the second tow splicing module (2) through the prepreg tow (19) and the prepreg tow (19) is squeezed according to the set splicing pressure; The mounting base plate (20) is provided with test modules (4) at the two ends of the lower pressing block (10), respectively, for clamping the two ends of the prepreg bundle (19) placed on the lower pressing block (10) through the clamping heads (15) at the inner ends of the two test modules (4); the two test modules (4) are respectively connected to the electrical and control system (5); The electrical and control system (5) is also used to control two test modules (4) respectively clamping the two ends of the prepreg bundle (19) to move in opposite directions until the prepreg bundle (19) is broken, thereby testing the actual tensile force value of the prepreg bundle (19) after splicing.

2. The test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting module (3) comprises: a guide rail (11), a lead screw (12), a slide block (13), a servo motor (14) and a U-shaped mounting frame; The mounting frame is mounted on the mounting base plate (20) of the first tow splicing module (1) with its U-shaped bottom end plate, a servo motor (14) is fixedly mounted on the top end plate of the U-shaped structure, the guide rail (11) is vertically fixedly mounted on the back plate of the mounting frame, the lead screw (12) is vertically arranged between the top end plate and the bottom end plate of the mounting frame, and the top end of the lead screw (12) is connected to the servo motor (14), the slider (13) is connected to the lead screw (12) through its internal thread, the slider (13) is slidably mounted on the guide rail (11) through its inner end surface, and is fixedly mounted on the connecting plate (9) in the first tow splicing module (1) through its outer end surface; The lifting module (3) is used to drive the lead screw (12) to rotate through a servo motor (14), converting the rotation of the lead screw (12) into the lifting movement of the slider (13), thereby driving the first tow splicing module (1) to move up and down at a set speed in the vertical direction, and loading the prepreg tow (19) placed on the lower pressing block (10) in the second tow splicing module (2) with a set splicing pressure.

3. The test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first tow splicing module (1) comprises: an upper pressing block (6), an upper heating module (7a), a pressure sensor (8) and a connecting plate (9); The connecting plate (9) is configured as an L-shaped connecting plate, one side plate is fixedly mounted on a slider (13) of the lifting module (3), the lower end surface of the other side plate is connected to the upper pressing block (6) via a plurality of screws, the pressure sensor (8) is arranged directly above the upper pressing block (6), and the upper and lower end surfaces of the pressure sensor (8) are respectively connected to the connecting plate (9) and the upper pressing block (6); the bottom end surface of the upper pressing block (6) is provided with a pressing block boss, the interior of the upper pressing block (6) is configured as a cavity structure, and the upper heating module (7a) is installed in the cavity structure inside the upper pressing block (6); The upper heating module (7a) and the pressure sensor (8) are respectively connected to the electrical and control system (5), and are used to control the upper heating module (7a) to heat the upper pressing block (6) through the electrical and control system (5), and transmit the pressure information collected by the pressure sensor (8) to the electrical and control system (5) in real time.

4. The test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second tow splicing module (2) comprises: a lower pressing block (10) and a lower heating module (7b); The lower pressing block (10) is fixedly mounted on the mounting base plate (20), the upper end surface of the lower pressing block (10) is provided with a pressing block groove, the interior of the lower pressing block (10) is provided with a cavity structure, and the lower heating module (7b) is installed in the cavity structure inside the lower pressing block (10); The lower heating module (7b) is connected to the electrical and control system (5) and is used to control the lower heating module (7b) to heat the lower pressing block (10) through the electrical and control system (5).

5. The test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Each of the test modules (4) comprises: a clamping head (15), a force sensor (16), and a moving mechanism (17); Each of the test modules (4) is installed in a slide groove of the installation base plate (20) through its moving mechanism (17), and the two test modules (4) are symmetrically arranged at two ends of the second tow splicing module (2); In each of the test modules (4), a force sensor (16) is fixedly mounted on the inner end surface of the moving mechanism (17), and the force sensor (16) is connected to a clamping head (15), and one end of the prepreg bundle (19) that has been spliced ​​is clamped by the clamping head (15); The moving mechanisms (17) and the force sensors (16) in the two test modules (4) are respectively connected to the electrical and control system (5) and are used to control the two moving mechanisms (17) to move in opposite directions through the electrical and control system (5), so as to drive the force sensors (16) and the clamping head (15) to move in opposite directions until the prepreg bundle (19) is broken, and the actual tensile force value of the prepreg bundle (19) is tested by the force sensor (16), and the actual tensile force value is fed back to the electrical and control system (5).

6. The test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The electrical and control system (5) is installed as a whole inside the mobile cabinet (18); The electrical and control system (5) is used to set test parameters for implementing a splicing test and a tensile test, control the coordinated movement of each module to execute the splicing of the prepreg bundle (19) according to the set test parameters, and perform a tensile test on the prepreg bundle (19) after splicing to obtain a measured tensile value, and collect test data in the test; wherein the test parameters set by the electrical and control system (5) include splicing pressure, splicing temperature, and splicing time.

7. The test device for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The test device is equipped with a plurality of groups of upper pressing blocks (6) and lower pressing blocks (10) arranged in pairs; The specifications of the multiple groups of upper pressing blocks (6) and lower pressing blocks (10) are set according to the size of the prepreg bundles to be spliced.

8. A test method for optimizing the process parameters of prepreg tow splicing, characterized in that: A test method for optimizing the splicing process parameters of a prepreg tow (19) is performed using a test device for optimizing the splicing process parameters of a prepreg tow as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the test method comprising: Step 1, select splicing pressure, splicing temperature, splicing time and splicing size as factor variables, and select test tension as the characterization parameter of the test; Step 2, set the value range and initial value for each factor variable, and set the test tension F; wherein the value range and initial value of each factor variable are respectively: splicing pressure p: [p1, pn], pn; splicing temperature t: [t1, tn], tn; splicing time s: [s1, sn], s1; splicing size k: [k1, kn], k1; each factor variable is set with n test values ​​within its value range; Step 3, a splicing test and a tensile test of the prepreg bundles, comprising: selecting the test value of each factor variable for a splicing test, placing two prepreg bundles with the sticky surface side opposite to each other for splicing, the outer end of each prepreg bundle is respectively connected to the clamping head (15) at the inner end of the test module (4) at the corresponding position, the inner end of each prepreg bundle is overlapped with another prepreg bundle according to the initial value of the splicing size, and the two sides of the two prepreg bundles are kept aligned after splicing, the electrical and control system (5) controls the upgrading module (3) to drive the first bundle splicing module (1) to press down and rise after the splicing is completed, and the electrical and control system (5) controls the two test modules (4) to automatically and synchronously move slowly to both sides until the two prepreg bundles are broken to obtain the measured tensile value Fi; wherein, the initial value of each factor variable in the first test is selected as the test value of this test; Step 4, iterative optimization of the splicing test and the tensile test, including: by comparing the measured tensile force value Fi obtained in this test with the set test tensile force F, after adjusting at least one factor variable, repeating the test process of step 3 to obtain the measured tensile force value Fi closest to the test tensile force F.

9. The automatic splicing method for composite prepreg tows according to claim 8, characterized in that: The step 4 comprises: If the test tensile force value Fi obtained in this test is less than F, the test in step 3 is repeatedly performed by successively increasing at least one of the factor variables of the splicing size and the splicing time until the test tensile force value Fi is greater than F, then the process parameters of the current test are determined as the optimal splicing process parameters that meet the conditions; If the test tensile force value Fi obtained in this test is greater than F, the test in step 3 is repeated by successively decreasing at least one of the factor variables of the splicing pressure and the splicing temperature until the test tensile force value Fi is less than F, then the process parameters of the previous test are determined as the optimal splicing process parameters that meet the conditions.

10. The automatic splicing method for composite prepreg tows according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the two ends of the prepreg tows to be spliced ​​do not overlap and are in the form of end-face splicing; The k value of the splicing size is set to 0, and the splicing size is always 0 during the iterative optimization process of step 4.

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