Composite structure forming device

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of composite structure connecting technology, in particular to a composite structure forming device, which comprises a platform, a laser welding assembly and a pressing assembly; the platform comprises a machining position used for carrying a structure to be formed; the laser welding assembly comprises a laser used for emitting laser to the structure to be formed to realize laser welding; the pressing assembly comprises a pressing main body and a moving device connected with the pressing main body and used for driving the pressing main body to move, and the pressing main body applies pressing force to the welding position of the structure to be formed during movement. The application realizes non-contact welding of the structure to be formed through laser welding, and realizes mechanical pressing of the welded part through the pressing assembly. The technical scheme of the application realizes the forming mode combining welding and mechanical pressing, can enhance the mechanical anchoring and combining effect of the structure to be formed, can build the metallurgical combination of the mechanical interlocking effect at the connecting interface, and can effectively improve the mechanical properties of the composite structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of composite structure connection technology, and in particular to a composite structure forming device. Background Technology

[0002] Carbon fiber composites possess numerous superior properties such as low density, high specific strength, and high specific modulus, making them a key material for lightweight design. Taking aircraft as an example, carbon fiber composites have been successfully applied to critical components such as the vertical tail, cabin floor beams, and elevator cabin. In practical applications, carbon fiber composites often replace some metal materials; therefore, carbon fiber composites must form a complete composite structure with the metal frame.

[0003] The performance of carbon fiber composite materials combined with metals directly affects product quality. Currently, the main methods of joining carbon fiber composite materials and metals are bonding and mechanical connection. Bonding is low-cost, but it requires high-quality material surfaces, has a long curing time, and is sensitive to working environment conditions. Mechanical connection processes such as bolting and riveting involve manual steps, resulting in higher production cycles and costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address at least the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a composite structure forming device.

[0005] This invention provides a composite structure forming apparatus, including a platform, a laser welding assembly, and a pressing assembly; the platform includes a processing station for supporting the structure to be formed; the laser welding assembly includes a laser for emitting laser light onto the structure to be formed to achieve laser welding; the pressing assembly includes a pressing body and a moving device, the moving device being connected to the pressing body and used to drive the pressing body to move, and applying a pressing force to the welding position of the structure to be formed during the movement of the pressing body.

[0006] In some embodiments, the laser welding assembly further includes a laser galvanometer; the laser galvanometer is used to change the laser emitted by the laser to a set position.

[0007] In some embodiments, the laser welding assembly further includes a bracket, a first lifting structure, and a transition block; the bracket is vertically disposed on the platform and located on one side of the processing position, the first lifting structure is disposed on the bracket, the transition block is connected to the first lifting structure, and the laser galvanometer is disposed on the transition block; the first lifting structure is used to adjust the straight-line distance between the transition block and the laser galvanometer and the forming structure.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first lifting structure includes a linear screw and a drive component; the linear screw is arranged along the height direction of the bracket, and the adapter block is threadedly connected to the linear screw; the drive component is located at the end of the linear screw, and the drive component includes a manual turntable or a drive motor.

[0009] In some embodiments, the moving device includes a linear moving module, a first guide rail, and a connecting frame; the linear moving module and the first guide rail are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, the processing position is located between the linear moving module and the first guide rail, the two ends of the connecting frame are respectively connected to the linear moving module and the first guide rail, and move synchronously with the linear moving module, and the pressing body is connected to the connecting frame.

[0010] In some embodiments, the connecting frame includes an angled plate and a support plate. The angled plate includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate. The horizontal plate and the vertical plate are connected by the support plate. The pressing body is connected to the vertical plate. The linear movement module includes a first slider. A second slider is provided on the first guide rail. The two ends of the horizontal plate are fixedly connected to the first slider and the second slider, respectively.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pressing assembly further includes a second lifting structure; the pressing body is connected to the vertical plate through the second lifting structure, and the second lifting structure is used to adjust the pressing force between the pressing body and the structure to be formed.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second lifting structure includes a mounting plate, a lifting cylinder, a second guide rail, and a third slider; the mounting plate is connected to the vertical plate, the second guide rail is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the processing position, the third slider is slidably connected to the second guide rail, the pressing body is connected to the third slider, the lifting cylinder is disposed on the mounting plate, and the telescopic rod of the lifting cylinder is connected to the third slider.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pressing body includes an auxiliary support and a roller; the roller has a set width, the roller is rotatably connected to the auxiliary support, and the auxiliary support is connected to the third slider.

[0014] In some embodiments, the platform further includes a pad, a welding substrate, and a welding fixture; the pad is disposed on the platform, the processing position is located on the pad, the welding substrate is disposed on the pad, the welding substrate is used to support the structure to be formed, and the welding fixture is used to clamp and fix the structure to be formed on the welding substrate.

[0015] This invention provides a composite structure forming device that employs a combination of laser welding and mechanical pressing. Laser welding performs non-contact welding on the structure to be formed, and a pressing assembly mechanically presses the welded parts together to complete the forming process. This combined welding and mechanical forming method enhances the mechanical anchoring effect of the structure, creating a metallurgical bond with a mechanical interlocking effect at the connection interface, effectively improving the mechanical properties of the composite structure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, wherein:

[0017] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composite structure forming device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the other side of the composite structure forming device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pressing component in the composite structure molding apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a partial enlarged view of the pressing body in the composite structure molding device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting frame in the composite structure molding device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first guide rail side in the composite structure forming device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the composite structure forming device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 10: Platform; 20: Laser welding component; 30: Pressing component; 40: Structure to be formed;

[0027] 11: Machining station; 12: Backing plate; 13: Welding substrate; 14: Welding fixture;

[0028] 21: Laser galvanometer; 22: Support; 23: First lifting structure; 24: Adapter block;

[0029] 31: Pressing body; 311: Auxiliary support; 312: Roller; 32: Moving device; 321: Linear movement module; 3211: First slider; 3212: Servo motor; 322: First guide rail; 3221: Second slider; 323: Connecting frame; 3231: Angle plate; 3232: Support plate; 33: Second lifting structure; 331: Mounting plate; 332: Lifting cylinder; 333: Second guide rail; 334: Third slider;

[0030] 41: Metal structure; 42: Carbon fiber composite material. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0032] To address the technical problems existing in the current technology, laser welding can be used to form composite structures. As a non-contact, high-energy-density joining method, laser welding has advantages such as controllable capabilities and good accessibility. However, the performance of composite structures obtained by using only a single laser welding heat source does not reach the ideal state.

[0033] This invention provides a composite structure forming apparatus, including a platform, a laser welding assembly, and a pressing assembly. The laser welding assembly performs welding operations on the structure to be formed, and the pressing assembly mechanically presses the welded structure to be formed. The composite forming method of laser welding and mechanical pressing ensures the stability of the connection.

[0034] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, details the components, their positional relationships, and their connections within the composite structure molding apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, the platform 10 includes a processing station 11, which is used to support the structure 40 to be formed. For example, the platform 10 includes support legs to support the platform 10 at a certain height. For example, the platform 10 also includes a pad 12, a welding substrate 13, and a welding fixture 14; the pad 12 is disposed on the platform 10, the processing station 11 is located on the pad 12, the welding substrate 13 is disposed on the pad 12, the structure 40 to be formed is placed on the welding substrate 13, and then the welding fixture 14 is used to clamp and fix the structure 40 to be formed on the welding substrate 13.

[0036] The structure to be formed 40 can be formed between a composite structure and a metal structure, or it can be a connection between a non-metallic structure and a metal structure, a connection between metal structures, or a connection between non-metallic structures. For example, the non-metallic structure can be a carbon fiber composite material, a ceramic matrix composite material, or other non-metallic materials. In this embodiment of the invention, the connection and forming of a carbon fiber composite material 42 and a metal structure 41 will be described.

[0037] The structure to be formed 40 undergoes a composite forming operation of laser welding and mechanical pressing while in a clamped state. Before processing, the structure to be formed 40 requires pretreatment. Specifically, the surfaces of the carbon fiber composite material 42 and the metal structure 41 are pretreated to meet the requirements for connection and forming.

[0038] For example, based on the material properties of the metal structure 41, surface treatment methods such as mechanical grinding, sandpaper, and chemical cleaning are selected, while the carbon fiber composite material 42 is treated with methods such as ultrasonic cleaning with alcohol and drying in a drying oven; wherein, the carbon fiber composite material 42 can be a carbon fiber thermosetting composite material, a carbon fiber thermoplastic composite material, or other carbon fiber composite materials. Micro-nano textures of different morphologies and sizes are prepared in advance through surface treatment technology to improve the mechanical interlocking ability of the interface during the welding process.

[0039] For example, the structure to be formed 40 is formed by overlapping a metal structure 41 on top and a carbon fiber composite material 42 on the bottom. Materials such as resin can also be added between the carbon fiber composite material 42 and the metal structure 41 to enhance the chemical bonding at the interface after forming, further improving the stability of the connection.

[0040] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, when laser welding is used for forming operations: the laser welding assembly 20 includes a laser (not shown in the figure) and a laser galvanometer 21. The laser is used to generate a laser beam to the laser galvanometer 21, and the laser galvanometer 21 is used to change the laser emitted by the laser to a set position.

[0041] The laser galvanometer 21 adjusts the position of the laser beam according to the preset welding path, so that the laser beam can have a certain coverage area and can meet the welding operations in multiple positions.

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to using a laser galvanometer 21. For example, a laser head can also be used, in which the laser emitted from the laser reaches the welding position via the laser head to achieve the welding operation.

[0043] The laser welding assembly 20 also includes a bracket 22, a first lifting structure 23, and a transition block 24; the bracket 22 is vertically mounted on the platform 10 and located on one side of the processing position 11, the first lifting structure 23 is mounted on the bracket 22, the transition block 24 is connected to the first lifting structure 23, and the laser galvanometer 21 is mounted on the transition block 24; the first lifting structure 23 is used to adjust the straight-line distance between the transition block 24 and the laser galvanometer 21 and the structure to be formed 40.

[0044] For example, the distance between the laser galvanometer 21 and the structure to be formed 40 can be adjusted manually or electrically to meet the needs of different application scenarios. The first lifting structure 23 includes a linear screw and a drive component. The linear screw is set along the height direction of the bracket 22, and the adapter block 24 is threadedly connected to the linear screw. The drive component is located at the end of the linear screw and includes a manual turntable or a drive motor. The rotation of the linear screw is completed by the manual turntable or the drive motor. As the linear screw rotates in the forward or reverse direction, the lifting operation of the adapter block 24 is completed. For example, when the welding operation requires a large coverage area, the adapter block 24 can be appropriately raised.

[0045] Once the adapter block 24 is in place, the laser galvanometer 21 is used to emit a laser beam toward the structure to be formed 40 to achieve laser welding.

[0046] For example, an identification system can be configured at the front end of the laser galvanometer 21 to obtain image information of the welding position. Based on the weld information fed back from the image information, the laser emission position can be adjusted to achieve high-precision weld positioning.

[0047] The laser galvanometer 21 adjusts the laser emission angle in the same way as existing laser galvanometers. This embodiment of the invention does not limit the adjustment method of the laser galvanometer 21.

[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, reference continues to be made to... Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the pressing assembly 30 includes a pressing body 31 and a moving device 32. The moving device 32 is connected to the pressing body 31 and is used to drive the pressing body 31 to move. During the movement of the pressing body 31, a pressing force is applied to the welding position of the structure to be formed 40.

[0049] For example, the moving device 32 includes a linear moving module 321, a first guide rail 322, and a connecting frame 323; the linear moving module 321 and the first guide rail 322 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart, the processing position 11 is located between the linear moving module 321 and the first guide rail 322, the two ends of the connecting frame 323 are respectively connected to the linear moving module 321 and the first guide rail 322, and move synchronously with the linear moving module 321, and the pressing body 31 is connected to the connecting frame 323.

[0050] During the welding operation, the connecting frame 323 and the pressing body 31 are located on one side of the first guide rail 322 and the linear movement module 321, avoiding the welding position of the structure to be formed 40. After welding is completed, the pressing operation can be carried out. Alternatively, during the welding operation, the structure to be formed 40 that is close to the pressing body 31 is welded first. After the welding operation has been carried out for a certain distance, the pressing operation can be started, so that the welding operation and the pressing operation can be carried out simultaneously. Alternatively, the welding operation and the pressing operation can be carried out simultaneously, with welding first and pressing later, moving synchronously.

[0051] For example, the linear motion module 321 is a linear lead screw module. The lead screw is driven to rotate by the servo motor 3212, which drives one end of the connecting frame 323 to move. The other end of the connecting frame 323 moves synchronously on the first guide rail 322, thereby realizing the movement of the pressing body 31.

[0052] For example, the moving speed of the pressing body 31 ranges from 0.5 mm / s to 30 mm / s; or, for example, the pressing force of the pressing body 31 ranges from 0.1 N to 2200 N.

[0053] For example, the connecting frame 323 includes an angled plate 3231 and a support plate 3232. The angled plate 3231 includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate, which are connected by the support plate 3232. The pressing body 31 is connected to the vertical plate. The linear movement module 321 includes a first slider 3211, and a second slider 3221 is provided on the first guide rail 322. The two ends of the horizontal plate are fixedly connected to the first slider 3211 and the second slider 3221, respectively. For example, the first slider 3211 and the second slider 3221 are respectively connected to the horizontal plate through a fixing plate. A structurally stable connecting frame 323 can be formed by the angled plate 3231 and the support plate 3232, which can realize a smooth moving pressing operation on the pressing body 31.

[0054] For example, the pressing assembly 30 also includes a second lifting structure 33; the pressing body 31 is connected to the vertical plate through the second lifting structure 33, and the second lifting structure 33 is used to adjust the pressing force between the pressing body 31 and the structure to be formed 40. For example, the pressing force of the pressing body 31 is 0.1 N to 2200 N, and this pressing force is adjusted by the second lifting structure 33. If it is necessary to increase the pressing force, the second lifting structure 33 descends to increase the force between the pressing body 31 and the structure to be formed 40; if it is necessary to decrease the pressing force, the second lifting structure 33 rises in the opposite direction.

[0055] For example, the second lifting structure 33 includes a mounting plate 331, a lifting cylinder 332, a second guide rail 333, and a third slider 334; the mounting plate 331 is connected to the vertical plate, the second guide rail 333 is arranged along the direction of the vertical processing position 11, the third slider 334 is slidably connected to the second guide rail 333, the pressing body 31 is connected to the third slider 334, the lifting cylinder 332 is mounted on the mounting plate 331, and the telescopic rod of the lifting cylinder 332 is connected to the third slider 334.

[0056] The extension or retraction of the telescopic rod of the lifting cylinder 332 can adjust the height position of the second guide rail 333 on the second guide rail 333, thereby realizing the height adjustment of the pressing body 31, that is, the pressing force of the pressing body 31 on the structure 40 to be formed can be adjusted.

[0057] For example, the pressing body 31 includes an auxiliary support 311 and a roller 312; the roller 312 has a set width, is rotatably connected to the auxiliary support 311, and the auxiliary support 311 is connected to a third slider 334. During the pressing operation, friction is generated between the surface of the roller 312 and the structure 40 to be formed, and as the linear motion module 321 moves, it drives the pressing body 31 to roll on the surface of the structure 40 to be formed in the form of the roller 312 until the roller 312 rolls to cover the entire welding position. For example, the width of the roller 312 ranges from 2 mm to 100 mm, and the diameter of the roller 312 ranges from 30 mm to 100 mm.

[0058] Thus, the forming operation of the structure to be formed 40 is completed by laser welding and mechanical pressing. After the formed structure 40 cools to room temperature, the welding fixture 14 is removed and the formed structure can be taken out.

[0059] This invention provides a composite structure forming device that employs a combination of laser welding and mechanical pressing. Laser welding is used to perform non-contact welding on the structure 40 to be formed, and a pressing assembly 30 mechanically presses the welded portions to complete the forming of the structure 40. This technical solution, combining welding and mechanical pressing, enhances the mechanical anchoring effect of the structure 40, creating a metallurgical bond with a mechanical interlocking effect at the connection interface, effectively improving the mechanical properties of the composite structure.

[0060] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of those different embodiments or examples.

[0061] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0062] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included 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 composite structure forming apparatus characterized by comprising: The platform (10), the laser welding assembly (20) and the pressing assembly (30) are included. The platform (10) includes a processing position (11) for carrying a structure (40) to be formed. The laser welding assembly (20) includes a laser for emitting laser to the structure (40) to be formed to realize laser welding. The pressing assembly (30) includes a pressing body (31) and a moving device (32) connected with the pressing body (31) and used to drive the pressing body (31) to move, and the pressing body (31) applies pressing force to the welding position of the structure (40) to be formed during the movement. The moving device (32) includes a linear moving module (321), a first guide rail (322) and a connecting frame (323). The linear moving module (321) and the first guide rail (322) are arranged in parallel and are spaced apart. The processing position (11) is located between the linear moving module (321) and the first guide rail (322). The two ends of the connecting frame (323) are connected with the linear moving module (321) and the first guide rail (322) respectively and move synchronously with the linear moving module (321). The pressing body (31) is connected with the connecting frame (323). The connecting frame (323) includes an angle plate (3231) and a support plate (3232). The angle plate (3231) includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate. The horizontal plate and the vertical plate are connected through the support plate (3232). The pressing body (31) is connected with the vertical plate. The linear moving module (321) includes a first sliding block (3211). The first guide rail (322) is provided with a second sliding block (3221). The two ends of the horizontal plate are fixedly connected with the first sliding block (3211) and the second sliding block (3221) respectively. The pressing assembly (30) further includes a second lifting structure (33). The pressing body (31) is connected with the vertical plate through the second lifting structure (33). The second lifting structure (33) is used to adjust the pressing degree between the pressing body (31) and the structure (40) to be formed. The second lifting structure (33) includes a mounting plate (331), a lifting cylinder (332), a second guide rail (333) and a third sliding block (334). The mounting plate (331) is connected with the vertical plate. The second guide rail (333) is arranged along the direction perpendicular to the processing position (11). The third sliding block (334) is slidingly connected with the second guide rail (333). The pressing body (31) is connected with the third sliding block (334). The lifting cylinder (332) is arranged on the mounting plate (331). The telescopic rod of the lifting cylinder (332) is connected with the third sliding block (334).

2. The composite structure forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The laser welding assembly (20) further includes a laser galvanometer (21). The laser galvanometer (21) is used to change the laser emitted by the laser to a set position.

3. The composite structure forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The laser welding assembly (20) further comprises a support (22), a first lifting structure (23) and an adapter block (24); The support (22) is vertically arranged on the platform (10) and located at one side of the machining position (11), the first lifting structure (23) is arranged on the support (22), the adapter block (24) is connected with the first lifting structure (23), and the laser galvanometer (21) is arranged on the adapter block (24); The first lifting structure (23) is used for adjusting the linear distance between the adapter block (24) and the laser galvanometer (21) and the forming structure (40).

4. The composite structure forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The first lifting structure (23) comprises a linear lead screw and a driving member; The linear lead screw is arranged along the height direction of the support (22), and the adapter block (24) is threadedly connected with the linear lead screw; The driving member is arranged at the end of the linear lead screw, and the driving member comprises a manual rotary disc or a driving motor.

5. The composite structure forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The pressing main body (31) comprises an auxiliary support (311) and a roller (312); The roller (312) has a set width, the roller (312) is rotationally connected with the auxiliary support (311), and the auxiliary support (311) is connected with the third sliding block (334).

6. The composite structure molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by The platform (10) further comprises a backing plate (12), a welding base plate (13) and a welding clamp (14); The backing plate (12) is arranged on the platform (10), the machining position (11) is located on the backing plate (12), the welding base plate (13) is arranged on the backing plate (12), the welding base plate (13) is used for carrying the to-be-formed structure (40), and the welding clamp (14) is used for clamping and fixing the to-be-formed structure (40) on the welding base plate (13).

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