A tape unwinding device and method suitable for a full-automatic composite material tape laying equipment

Abstract

The application discloses a tape unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic tape laying equipment of a composite material, comprising a rack, a rotating roller structure arranged on the rack and used for mounting a tape roll, and a tape unwinding device driving assembly used for providing a driving force to drive the rotating roller structure to rotate. The application further provides a tape unwinding method. The device provided by the application can cooperate with subsequent processing mechanisms to ensure the stable dynamic control of the tension of the composite material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of high-end manufacturing technology, and in particular relates to a tape unwinding device and method suitable for fully automatic composite material tape laying equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Automated tape laying technology belongs to the field of automated tape laying and forming technology. This mature manufacturing technology has been widely recognized in the aerospace industry and serves as an important technical basis for the successful takeoff of domestically produced large aircraft. The rotary device of the tape laying head loading and unloading mechanism is the core part of the automated tape laying machine and the most basic part of the laying process, playing a crucial role in automated tape laying and forming technology.

[0003] Patent document CN114986938A discloses a tape laying head and tape laying method for horizontally mounted composite material molding, including a mounting plate. The mounting plate is equipped with a feeding shaft unit, two take-up shaft units, an encoder unit, a tension sensor unit, a cutting unit, a main pressure roller unit, and an auxiliary pressure roller unit. After the composite material prepreg tape is released from the feeding shaft unit, one take-up shaft unit recovers the upper backing tape. The composite material prepreg tape and the lower backing tape pass through the main pressure roller unit, which adheres the composite material prepreg tape to the workpiece surface. The other take-up shaft unit recovers the lower backing tape. The cutting unit is located before the main pressure roller unit and is used to cut the composite material prepreg tape.

[0004] Patent document CN212697851U discloses a reflective tape laying device, which includes: a reflective tape roll support; a pressure plate assembly, which includes a pressure plate lifting drive and a reflective tape pressure plate, wherein the portion of the reflective tape pressure plate away from the reflective tape roll support is provided with a feeding groove for feeding the reflective tape; a reflective tape feeding assembly, which is used to convey the reflective tape on the reflective tape roll support along the reflective tape pressure plate; a reflective tape cutting assembly, which is used to cut the reflective tape; and a reflective tape pulling assembly, which is used to pull the reflective tape cut by the reflective tape cutting assembly into the feeding groove and feed it out. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tape unwinding device and method suitable for fully automated tape laying equipment for composite materials. This device can work with subsequent processing mechanisms to ensure the dynamic control of the tension of composite materials.

[0006] To achieve the first objective of this invention, the following technical solution is provided: a material feeding mechanism rotary device, comprising a frame, a rotary roller structure mounted on the frame for mounting a material roll, and a material feeding device drive assembly that provides driving force to drive the rotary roller structure to rotate.

[0007] The rotary roller structure includes a rotating shaft with one end connected to the output end of the feeding device drive assembly. Multiple tension plates are arranged circumferentially around the rotating shaft. The multiple tension plates are fixed together circumferentially by tension O-rings to form the rotary roller structure. A tensioning device assembly is provided between the rotating shaft and the tension plates. The tensioning device assembly is used to lift the tension plates in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotating shaft to make an expansion movement, so as to fix the strip roll.

[0008] The tensioning device assembly includes a tensioning knob mounting rod disposed between the rotating shaft and the tensioning plate. A pair of tensioning pistons are slidably fitted on the tensioning knob mounting rod. A tensioning piston connecting sleeve is disposed between the two tensioning pistons. A tensioning piston thrust pin is disposed within the tensioning piston connecting sleeve, arranged vertically along its axis. A tensioning push tongue assembly drives the tensioning piston thrust pin to move outward. A clearance opening is provided on the circumference of the tensioning piston connecting sleeve to facilitate the extension of the tensioning piston thrust pin. A tensioning screw nut seat for driving the tensioning push tongue assembly is provided on the portion of the tensioning knob mounting rod located within the tensioning piston connecting sleeve.

[0009] This invention uses a specially designed rotary roller structure to fix the strip roll, thereby stabilizing the tension of the composite material during discharge.

[0010] Specifically, the unwinding device drive assembly includes an unwinding device drive motor and an unwinding device timing belt for transmitting driving force to the rotating shaft.

[0011] Specifically, the unwinding device drive motor also includes a sensor mounted on the frame and a control circuit for adjusting the motor output power. The sensor is used to collect the diameter change of the strip roll, and the control circuit adjusts the output power of the unwinding device drive motor according to the collected diameter change and the tension requirements in the process requirements.

[0012] Specifically, the sensor is a laser rangefinder.

[0013] Specifically, the rotary roller structure is also equipped with an unwinding device support frame, which is used to axially fix the strip roll on the rotary roller structure.

[0014] Specifically, there are multiple tensioning O-rings, which are arranged at equal intervals along the axis of the rotation shaft.

[0015] Specifically, the tensioning piston is provided with a tensioning limit stop pin, which extends through the gap between the two tensioning plates and, together with the tensioning O-ring, constrains the axial movement of the tensioning piston.

[0016] To achieve the second objective of this invention, the following technical solution is provided: a tape unwinding method, applicable to the tape unwinding device of a fully automated composite material tape laying equipment, comprising the following steps:

[0017] Install the strip roll onto the rotary roller structure and rotate the tension knob mounting rod to expand the tension bar to tighten the strip roll;

[0018] The axial direction of the strip roll is fixed using the unwinding device support frame;

[0019] After obtaining the initial diameter of the tape roll through the sensor, the feeding device drive assembly is activated to perform the feeding task.

[0020] After the tape laying equipment finishes its operation, turn off the drive motor of the tape unwinding device and rotate the tension knob mounting rod in the opposite direction to retract the tension plate and remove the tape roll.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0022] The material cylinder is fixed by a tensioning structure set on the rotating shaft, and the output torque of the rotating shaft is adjusted by a sensor to obtain the winding diameter of the material roll. This achieves precise and stable tension control. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tape unwinding device provided in this embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding device drive assembly provided in this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the rotary roller structure provided in this embodiment;

[0026] In the diagram, 1. Unwinding device drive assembly; 2. Tensioning device assembly; 3. Rotary roller structure; 4. Unwinding device support frame; 5. Strip coil; 11. Unwinding device drive motor; 12. Unwinding device synchronous belt; 13. Mounting bracket; 14. Unwinding device outer spacer; 15. Unwinding device inner spacer; 16. Rotating shaft; 17. Unwinding device bearing; 18. Unwinding device shaft end cap; 31. Tensioning plate; 32. Tensioning limit stop pin; 33. Tensioning piston; 34. Tensioning O-ring; 35. Tensioning piston connecting sleeve; 36. Tensioning screw nut seat; 37. Tensioning push tongue assembly; 38. Tensioning piston wear ring; 39. Tensioning piston thrust pin. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the tape unwinding device provided in this embodiment includes a frame deployed on a fully automatic composite material tape laying equipment, a rotary roller structure 3 mounted on the frame for mounting the tape roll 5, and a unwinding device drive assembly 1 that provides driving force to drive the rotary roller to rotate.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the unwinding device drive assembly 1 provided in this embodiment specifically includes an unwinding device drive motor 11, an unwinding device synchronous belt 12, and a mounting bracket 13 for fixing the unwinding device drive motor 11 on the side of the frame. The first synchronous pulley on the output shaft of the unwinding device drive motor 11 forms a rotating pair through transitional engagement, and the second synchronous pulley forms a rotating pair through transitional engagement with the rotating shaft 16. The unwinding device synchronous belt 12 then performs belt drive. At the same time, the unwinding device bearing 17 is arranged at one end of the synchronous pulley. The unwinding device inner spacer 15 forms a rotating pair through transitional engagement with the rotating shaft 16. The unwinding device outer spacer 14 forms a rotating pair through clearance engagement with the unwinding device inner spacer 15. The unwinding device shaft end cap 18 is arranged at the other end of the rotating shaft 16 to support the unwinding device drive assembly 1.

[0030] like Figure 3 The figure shown is a partial cross-sectional view of the rotary roller structure provided in this embodiment. It includes a rotating shaft 16 with one end connected to the output end of the feeding device drive assembly. Multiple tension plates 31 are arranged circumferentially around the rotating shaft 16. The multiple tension plates 31 are fixed together circumferentially by tension O-rings 34 to form the rotary roller structure. A tensioning device assembly 2 is provided between the rotating shaft 16 and the tension plates 31. The tensioning device assembly 2 is used to push up the tension plates 31 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotating shaft 16 to make an expansion movement, so as to fix the strip roll 5.

[0031] The tensioning device assembly 2 includes a tensioning knob mounting rod disposed between the rotating shaft 16 and the tensioning plate 31. The tensioning knob mounting rod is provided with a pair of tensioning pistons 33 that are slidably engaged. A tensioning piston connecting sleeve 35 is disposed between the two tensioning pistons 33. The tensioning piston connecting sleeve 35 is provided with a tensioning piston thrust pin 35 arranged vertically along the axis, and a tensioning push tongue assembly 37 that drives the tensioning piston thrust pin 39 to move outward. The circumferential surface of the tensioning piston connecting sleeve 35 is provided with a clearance opening to facilitate the extension of the tensioning piston thrust pin 39. The tensioning knob mounting rod located inside the tensioning piston connecting sleeve 35 is provided with a tensioning screw nut seat 36 for driving the tensioning push tongue assembly 37.

[0032] In addition, a tension piston wear-resistant ring 38 is provided between the tension piston 33 and the tension knob mounting rod, and the tension piston 33 is provided with a tension limit stop pin 32. The tension limit stop pin 32 extends through the gap between the two tension plates and constrains the axial movement of the tension piston 33 with the tension O-ring 34.

[0033] The unwinding device drive motor 11 also includes a sensor mounted on the frame and a control circuit for adjusting the motor output power. The sensor is used to collect the diameter change of the strip roll, and the control circuit adjusts the output power of the unwinding device drive motor 11 according to the collected diameter change and the tension requirements in the process requirements.

[0034] This embodiment also provides a method for unwinding tape, which is implemented using the tape unwinding device provided in the above embodiment. The specific process is as follows:

[0035] First, the device is initialized and calibrated: the tooling components are measured by the tracker, and the position of the strip roll is adjusted reasonably (for material replenishment). The user tightens the tensioning device knob, which drives the tensioning knob mounting rod, tensioning screw nut seat, and tensioning piston assembly to move laterally, thereby causing the tensioning strip to tighten and fully contact the strip roll to fix it.

[0036] After obtaining the initial diameter of the tape roll via sensors, the unwinding device drive motor is activated. This motor drives the synchronous pulley set to rotate, which in turn rotates the bearing inner ring cover, bearing outer ring cover, bearing, bearing inner and outer spacers, support bearing seat, rotating mandrel, tensioning device, etc., ultimately rotating the tape roll shaft. The tape roll is then unwound and guided by the tape guide device to begin laying. During laying, the tape position is automatically monitored. After the laying operation is completed, the unwinding device drive motor is turned off, and the tensioning knob is loosened, causing the tensioning strips to retract, allowing the tape roll to be removed.

[0037] In summary, the tape unwinding device of this invention primarily controls the rotation of the unwinding shaft. The unwinding shaft rotates to wind up the tape, and the central shaft driving the prepreg rotation is servo-controlled and can perform interpolation movements with other shafts. The device measures the diameter of the unwinding shaft using a laser rangefinder sensor and dynamically controls the rotational torque of the unwinding shaft based on the diameter, achieving precise and stable tension control. The unwinding device also includes a tensioning function, allowing for rapid removal of the tape roll after tape laying. This approach increases laying efficiency, saves labor costs to some extent, and improves laying quality.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "front," and "rear" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative steps, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0039] Of course, the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made to the structure, features and principles described in the claims of the present invention should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely specific implementations of the present invention, used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit it. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that any person skilled in the art can still modify or easily conceive of changes to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications, changes, or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A tape unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic tape-laying equipment for composite materials, characterized in that, The application relates to a strip material unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic composite material strip laying equipment, which comprises a rack, a rotary roller structure arranged on the rack for mounting a strip material roll and a strip material unwinding device driving assembly for providing driving force to drive the rotary roller structure to rotate. The rotary roller structure comprises a rotating shaft connected with an output end of the strip material unwinding device driving assembly, a plurality of expansion plates arranged along the circumference of the rotating shaft, and a plurality of expansion O-shaped rings arranged between the expansion plates along the circumference of the rotating shaft to form the rotary roller structure. The expansion device assembly is arranged between the rotating shaft and the expansion plates and is used for lifting the expansion plates to expand in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotating shaft to fix the strip material roll. The expansion device assembly comprises an expansion knob mounting rod arranged between the rotating shaft and the expansion plates, a pair of expansion pistons slidably arranged on the expansion knob mounting rod, an expansion piston connecting sleeve arranged between the two expansion pistons, an expansion piston thrust pin arranged in the expansion piston connecting sleeve and arranged along a vertical axis, an expansion push tongue assembly for driving the expansion piston thrust pin to move outward, and an expansion screw nut seat arranged on the expansion knob mounting rod and used for driving the expansion push tongue assembly to work.

2. The tape unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic tape layer device of a composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expansion piston is provided with an expansion limiting stop pin which extends through the gap between the two expansion plates and restricts the axial movement of the expansion O-shaped ring.

3. The tape unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic tape- laying equipment of a composite material according to claim 2, characterized in that, The strip material unwinding device driving assembly comprises a strip material unwinding device driving motor and a strip material unwinding device synchronous belt for transmitting driving force to the rotating shaft.

4. The tape unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic tape layer device of a composite material according to claim 3, characterized in that, The strip material unwinding device driving motor further comprises a sensor arranged on the rack and a control circuit used for adjusting the output power of the motor, the sensor is used for collecting the diameter change of the strip material roll, and the control circuit adjusts the output power of the strip material unwinding device driving motor according to the collected diameter change and the tension requirement in the process requirement.

5. The tape unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic tape layering equipment for composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor is a laser ranging sensor.

6. The tape unwinding device suitable for a full-automatic tape layer device for composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotary roller structure is further provided with a strip material unwinding device support frame which is axially fixedly arranged on the rotary roller structure and used for fixing the strip material roll.

7. A method of unwinding a strip material, characterized by The expansion O-shaped ring is provided with a plurality of expansion O-shaped rings which are arranged at equal intervals along the axis of the rotating shaft. The strip material unwinding device suitable for the full-automatic composite material strip laying equipment is realized through the steps of the application. The strip material roll is mounted on the rotary roller structure, and the expansion knob mounting rod is rotated to expand the expansion plates to tightly press the strip material roll. The axial direction of the strip material roll is fixed by the strip material unwinding device support frame. After the initial diameter of the strip material roll is obtained by the sensor, the strip material unwinding device driving assembly is started to perform the strip material unwinding task. After the strip laying equipment operation is completed, the strip material unwinding device driving motor is turned off, the expansion knob mounting rod is reversely rotated, the expansion plates are contracted, and the strip material roll is removed.

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