Composite material automatic laying tow tension control device

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic composite material tow laying tension control device, relates to the technical field of composite material tow laying, and mainly aims to ensure that the tow laying tension meets the laying process parameter requirements so as to improve the laying quality. According to the main technical scheme, the tension control device for the automatic laying tows of the composite material comprises a tow guide mechanism and a tension reducing mechanism; the filament guiding mechanism is used for stripping lining paper of the filament bundle material roll, adjusting the tension of the filament bundle and then conveying the filament bundle to the tension reducing mechanism, so that the tension reducing mechanism performs tension reducing treatment on the filament bundle; the tension reducing mechanism comprises a first wire feeding part, a first tension control part and a second wire feeding part; the first tension control part is arranged between the first wire feeding part and the second wire feeding part and is used for adjusting the tension of the wire bundle; the first wire feeding part is used for clamping tows discharged from the wire guiding mechanism and conveying the tows to the first tension control part; and the second wire feeding part is used for clamping the tows passing through the first tension control part and outputting the tows out of the tension reducing mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of composite material filament laying technology, and more specifically, to a composite material automatic filament laying tension control device. Background Technology

[0002] Automatic fiber placement technology has become a typical representative of automated composite material molding technology. The automatic fiber placement process has better adaptability and can be used to manufacture composite material parts with complex curved surfaces, etc.

[0003] In actual production, the tension requirements for prepreg tow vary due to factors such as the characteristics of the laid-up material, the transmission precision of the equipment, the lay-up process parameters, and the environment. The tension of the lay-up system differs from the tension on the tow during optimal lay-up. If the tension is too high during lay-up, the material will rebound significantly after lay-up, leading to excessive dimensional deviations, reduced interlayer bonding, and defects such as wrinkling and deformation. If the tension is too low, loosening can easily occur, resulting in wrinkles, overlaps, and gaps and air bubbles due to poor material adhesion. Therefore, appropriate lay-up tow tension is crucial for ensuring lay-up quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic composite material layup filament tension control device, the main purpose of which is to ensure that the tension of the laidup filaments meets the requirements of the layup process parameters, thereby improving the layup quality.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention mainly provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] This invention provides an automatic composite material fiber layup tension control device, comprising:

[0007] Guide wire mechanism and tension reduction mechanism;

[0008] The guide wire mechanism is used to peel off the backing paper of the filament roll and adjust the tension of the filament roll before conveying the filament roll to the tension reduction mechanism so that the tension reduction mechanism can reduce the tension of the filament roll.

[0009] The tension reduction mechanism includes a first yarn feeding section, a first tension control section, and a second yarn feeding section; the first tension control section is disposed between the first yarn feeding section and the second yarn feeding section and is used to adjust the tension of the yarn bundle; the first yarn feeding section is used to clamp the yarn bundle coming out of the yarn guiding mechanism and transport the yarn bundle to the first tension control section; the second yarn feeding section is used to clamp the yarn bundle passing through the first tension control section and output the yarn bundle from the tension reduction mechanism.

[0010] Optionally, the first tension control unit includes:

[0011] A first guide rail assembly, the first guide rail assembly including a first guide rail and a first slider slidably connected to the first guide rail;

[0012] A first elastic element is connected between the first guide rail and the first slider;

[0013] The first floating roller is connected to the first slider. The first floating roller is used to slide along the first guide rail via the first slider and stretch the first elastic member. The filament bundle is used to be wound around the outside of the first floating roller.

[0014] Optionally, the first tension control unit further includes a first displacement sensor, which is disposed on the first guide rail and is used to measure the amount of stretching of the first elastic element.

[0015] Optionally, the number of the first guide rail assemblies is two;

[0016] One end of the first floating roller is connected to the first slider of one of the first guide rail assemblies, and the other end of the first floating roller is connected to the first slider of another of the first guide rail assemblies.

[0017] There are two first elastic elements, and the first elastic elements are connected between the first guide rail and the first slider of the corresponding first guide rail assembly.

[0018] Optionally, the first wire feeding section is located at the inlet end of the tension reduction mechanism. The first wire feeding section includes a tension reduction wheel and a first driven wheel that mesh with each other. The tension reduction wheel is used to drive the first driven wheel to rotate synchronously to clamp the wire bundle coming out of the wire guiding mechanism and to transport the wire bundle to the first tension control section.

[0019] Optionally, the second wire feeding section is disposed at the outlet end of the tension reduction mechanism. The second wire feeding section includes a wire feeding wheel and a driven wheel that mesh with each other. The wire feeding wheel is used to drive the second driven wheel to rotate synchronously to clamp the wire bundle passing through the first tension control section and to transport the wire bundle to the outside of the tension reduction mechanism.

[0020] Optionally, the yarn guiding mechanism includes a yarn bundle reel, a liner paper recovery shaft, and a second tension control unit; the yarn bundle reel is used to mount the yarn bundle; the liner paper recovery shaft is disposed between the yarn bundle reel and the second tension control unit, and is used to recover the liner paper of the yarn bundle; the second tension control unit is used to adjust the tension of the yarn bundle.

[0021] The filaments on the filament roll are first passed through the liner paper recovery shaft to peel off the liner paper, and then enter the tension reduction mechanism after passing through the second tension control section.

[0022] Optionally, the second tension control unit includes:

[0023] The second guide rail assembly includes a second guide rail and a second slider that is slidably connected to the second guide rail;

[0024] The second elastic element is connected between the second guide rail and the second slider;

[0025] The second floating roller is connected to the second slider and is used to slide along the second guide rail via the second slider and stretch the second elastic element; the filament bundle is used to be wound around the outside of the second floating roller.

[0026] Optionally, the second tension control unit further includes a second displacement sensor, which is disposed on the second guide rail and is used to measure the amount of stretching of the second elastic element.

[0027] By employing the above technical solution, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0028] The composite material automatic layup filament tension control device provided in this invention includes a filament guiding mechanism and a tension reduction mechanism. The filament guiding mechanism guides and transmits the filament bundle, peels off the backing paper from the roll, and adjusts the tension of the filament bundle before conveying it to the tension reduction mechanism for tension reduction treatment. The tension reduction mechanism has a first filament feeding section for clamping the filament bundle exiting from the filament guiding mechanism and conveying it to a first tension control section for tension adjustment. A second filament feeding section clamps the filament bundle passing through the first tension control section and conveys it to the outside of the tension reduction mechanism. In other words, this application divides the filament tension of the filament layup device into two parts: the filament tension of the filament guiding mechanism and the filament tension of the tension reduction mechanism. The filament tension of the filament guiding mechanism ensures that the filament bundle does not detach from the guide wheels after multiple changes of direction during transmission through multiple guide wheels in the filament guiding mechanism. The tension reduction mechanism adjusts the tension of the filament bundle exiting from the filament guiding mechanism through the first tension control section, thereby ensuring that the tension of the filament bundle in the tension reduction mechanism meets the tension requirements of the layup process, thus improving the filament layup quality. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic composite material layup filament tension control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first tension control unit of the tension reduction mechanism in an automatic composite material layup filament tension control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the second tension control section of the guide wire mechanism in an automatic composite material layup filament tension control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an automatic composite material layup filament tension control device, including a filament guiding mechanism 1 and a tension reduction mechanism 2. The filament guiding mechanism 1 is used to peel off the backing paper of the filament roll and adjust the tension of the filament, and then transport the filament to the tension reduction mechanism 2 so that the tension reduction mechanism 2 can reduce the tension of the filament. The tension reduction mechanism 2 includes a first filament feeding part 21, a first tension control part 22 and a second filament feeding part 23. The first tension control part 22 is disposed between the first filament feeding part 21 and the second filament feeding part 23 and is used to adjust the tension of the filament. The first filament feeding part 21 is used to clamp the filament coming out of the filament guiding mechanism 1 and transport the filament to the first tension control part 22. The second filament feeding part 23 is used to clamp the filament passing through the first tension control part 22 and output the filament to the tension reduction mechanism 2 to lay up the filament. Figure 1 The designation "100" represents a filament bundle; Figure 1 The direction indicated by the middle arrow is the direction of the filament transport.

[0034] The filament bundles exiting from the guide mechanism 1 pass through a corresponding guide mechanism into the tension reduction mechanism 2. The filament bundles exiting from the tension reduction mechanism 2 are then laid out through a corresponding guide mechanism. The guide mechanism 1 is used to guide and transfer the filament bundles, peel off the backing paper from the roll, and adjust the tension of the filament bundles. This tension ensures that the filament bundles do not detach from the guide wheels of the guide mechanism. The first filament feeding part 21 of the tension reduction mechanism 2 is used to clamp the filament bundles exiting from the guide mechanism 1 to transport the filament bundles into the tension reduction mechanism 2, thereby separating the tension of the laying device system from the laying tension. Then, the first tension control part 22 of the tension reduction mechanism 2 adjusts the tension of the filament bundles to meet the laying process requirements before outputting the filament bundles, thus ensuring that the tension of the filament bundles output by the tension reduction mechanism 2 meets the tension requirements of the laying process.

[0035] It should be noted that the tension of the wire guiding mechanism and the tension reducing mechanism can be automatically adjusted by electrical control or manually adjusted. The tension value can be set on the operating system and displayed on the screen in real time as required.

[0036] The composite material automatic layup filament tension control device provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a filament guiding mechanism 1 and a tension reduction mechanism 2. The filament guiding mechanism 1 is used to guide and transmit the filament bundle, peel off the backing paper of the roll and adjust the tension of the filament bundle, and then transport the filament bundle to the tension reduction mechanism 2 so that the tension reduction mechanism 2 can reduce the tension of the filament bundle. The first filament feeding part 21 of the tension reduction mechanism 2 is used to clamp the filament bundle coming out of the filament guiding mechanism 1 and transport the filament bundle to the first tension control part 22 to adjust the tension. The second filament feeding part 23 is used to clamp the filament bundle passing through the first tension control part 22 and transport the filament bundle to the outside of the tension reduction mechanism 2. In other words, this application divides the fiber bundle tension of the fiber laying device into two parts: the fiber bundle tension of the fiber guiding mechanism 1 and the fiber bundle tension of the tension reducing mechanism 2. The fiber bundle tension of the fiber guiding mechanism 1 is used to ensure that the fiber bundle will not fall out of the guide wheels after passing through multiple guide wheels and changing direction multiple times in the fiber guiding mechanism 1. The tension reducing mechanism 2 adjusts the fiber bundle tension coming out of the fiber guiding mechanism 1 through the first tension control unit 22, thereby ensuring that the tension of the fiber bundle in the tension reducing mechanism 2 can meet the tension requirements required by the laying process, thereby improving the fiber bundle laying quality.

[0037] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 The first tension control unit 22 may include a first guide rail assembly, which includes a first guide rail 221 and a first slider 222 slidably connected to the first guide rail 221; a first elastic member 223 connected between the first guide rail 221 and the first slider 222; a first floating roller 224 connected to the first slider 222, which is used to slide along the first guide rail 221 via the first slider 222 and stretch the first elastic member 223; and a filament bundle for winding around the outside of the first floating roller 224.

[0038] The first floating roller 224 can reciprocate along the first guide rail 221 via the first elastic element 223. By adjusting the tension of the first elastic element 223, the tension of the filament bundle in the tension-reducing mechanism 2 can be set, ensuring that the filament bundle meets the tension requirements of the laying process. Specifically, the first elastic element 223 can be a spring, such as a tension spring. The spring constant is known, and the tension of the spring can be measured using a tool, such as a displacement sensor. This allows us to obtain the spring force, which is equal to the tension of the filament bundle within the tension-reducing mechanism 2. Thus, the tension of the filament bundle within the tension-reducing mechanism 2 can be determined. When assembling this tension control device, the tension of the spring can be adjusted according to the tension required for the filament bundle to meet the laying process, thereby setting the tension of the filament bundle within the tension-reducing mechanism 2.

[0039] In some embodiments, see Figure 2The first tension control unit 22 may further include a first displacement sensor 225, which is disposed on the first guide rail 221 and is used to measure the amount of stretching of the first elastic member 223.

[0040] By setting a first displacement sensor 225 on the first guide rail 221, the first displacement sensor 225 can measure the stretching amount of the first elastic element 223 in real time during the sliding of the first floating roller 224 along the first guide rail 221, thus eliminating the need for manual measurement with additional tools, which is not only more convenient to use, but also improves the measurement accuracy.

[0041] In some embodiments, the number of first guide rail assemblies can be two; one end of the first floating roller 224 is connected to the first slider 222 of one first guide rail assembly, and the other end of the first floating roller 224 is connected to the first slider 222 of another first guide rail assembly; the number of first elastic members 223 can also be two, and the first elastic members 223 are connected between the first guide rail 221 and the first slider 222 of the corresponding first guide rail assembly.

[0042] First guide rail assemblies are provided at both ends of the first floating roller 224 in the tension reduction system, so that the first floating roller 224 can reciprocate stably along the two first guide rail assemblies, avoiding deformation of the first floating roller 224, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the measurement results of the first displacement sensor 225, and thus ensuring the accuracy of the yarn tension setting.

[0043] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 The first filament feeding part 21 is located at the inlet end of the tension reduction mechanism 2. The first filament feeding part 21 may include a tension reduction wheel 211 and a first driven wheel 212 that mesh with each other. The tension reduction wheel 211 is used to drive the first driven wheel 212 to rotate synchronously, so as to clamp the filament bundle coming out from the filament guiding mechanism 1 and transport the filament bundle to the first tension control part 22.

[0044] The tension-reducing wheel 211 can be driven by a tension-reducing motor or other drive unit to rotate, so that the tension-reducing wheel 211 drives the first driven wheel 212 meshing with it to rotate synchronously, so as to clamp the filament bundle coming out of the guide mechanism 1 and transport the filament bundle into the tension-reducing mechanism 2, thereby realizing the separation of the filament bundle tension of the laying device system from the filament bundle laying tension, and then the tension-reducing mechanism 2 obtains the filament bundle tension that meets the requirements of the laying process parameters, thereby improving the filament bundle laying quality.

[0045] In some embodiments, see Figure 1The second filament feeding part 23 is disposed at the outlet end of the tension reduction mechanism 2. The second filament feeding part 23 may include a filament feeding wheel 231 and a driven wheel 232 that mesh with each other. The filament feeding wheel 231 is used to drive the second driven wheel 232 to rotate synchronously, so as to clamp the filament bundle passing through the first tension control part 22 and transport the filament bundle to the outside of the tension reduction mechanism 2.

[0046] The wire feeding wheel 231 can be driven by a wire feeding motor or other drive unit to rotate, so that the wire feeding wheel 231 drives the second driven wheel 232 meshing with it to rotate synchronously, so as to clamp the wire bundle passing through the first tension control unit 22 and transport the wire bundle to the outside of the tension reduction mechanism 2, thereby realizing the output of the wire bundle that meets the requirements of the laying process parameters.

[0047] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 The yarn guiding mechanism 1 may include a yarn bundle spool 11, a liner paper recovery shaft 12, and a second tension control unit 13; the yarn bundle spool 11 is used to install the yarn bundle spool; the liner paper recovery shaft 12 is disposed between the yarn bundle spool 11 and the second tension control unit 13 and is used to recover the liner paper of the yarn bundle spool; the second tension control unit 13 is used to adjust the tension of the yarn bundle; the yarn bundle on the yarn bundle is used to first pass through the liner paper recovery shaft 12 to peel off the liner paper, and then pass through the second tension control unit 13 before entering the tension reduction mechanism 2.

[0048] The second tension control unit 13 is used to adjust the tension of the filament bundle in the filament guide mechanism 1. The tension level can ensure that the filament bundle will not fall off the guide wheel of the filament laying device, thereby ensuring that the filament bundle enters the tension reduction mechanism 2 smoothly.

[0049] The filament roll 11 is used to mount the filament roll. The filament roll can be fixed to the filament roll using pneumatic or mechanical clamping methods. The filament roll 11 can be driven to rotate by a drive unit such as an unwinding motor to achieve unwinding. The liner paper recycling shaft 12 can use a low-resistance bearing and can rotate flexibly to achieve the recycling of the filament protective liner paper.

[0050] In some embodiments, see Figure 3 The second tension control unit 13 may include a second guide rail assembly, which includes a second guide rail 131 and a second slider 132 slidably connected to the second guide rail 131; a second elastic member 133 connected between the second guide rail 131 and the second slider 132; a second floating roller 134 connected to the second slider 132, which is used to slide along the second guide rail 131 via the second slider 132 and stretch the second elastic member 133; and a filament bundle for winding around the outside of the second floating roller 134.

[0051] The second floating roller 134 can reciprocate along the second guide rail 131 via the second elastic element 133. By adjusting the tension of the second elastic element 133, the tension of the yarn bundle in the yarn guiding mechanism 1 can be set. This tension ensures that the yarn bundle will not detach from the guide wheel of the yarn laying device, thereby ensuring that the yarn bundle smoothly enters the tension reduction mechanism 2. Specifically, the second elastic element 133 can be a spring, such as a tension spring. The spring constant is a known quantity, and the tension of the spring can be measured using a tool, such as by measuring the tension of the spring through a displacement sensor. This allows us to obtain the spring force, which is equal to the tension of the yarn bundle in the yarn guiding mechanism 1. Thus, the tension of the yarn bundle in the yarn guiding mechanism 1 can be obtained. When assembling this tension control device, the tension of the spring can be adjusted according to the required tension to prevent the yarn bundle from detaching from the guide wheel and to ensure smooth delivery along the guide wheel, thereby setting the tension of the yarn bundle in the yarn guiding mechanism 1.

[0052] In some embodiments, see Figure 3 The second tension control unit 13 may also include a second displacement sensor 135, which is disposed on the second guide rail 131 and is used to measure the amount of stretching of the second elastic member 133.

[0053] By setting a second displacement sensor 135 on the second guide rail 131, the second displacement sensor 135 can measure the stretch of the second elastic element 133 in real time during the sliding of the second floating roller 134 along the second guide rail 131. This eliminates the need for manual measurement using additional tools, making it more convenient to use and improving measurement accuracy.

[0054] Understandably, where the structure of the tension control device allows, the second guide rail assembly can be provided at both ends of the second floating roller 134 in the wire guide mechanism 1, so that the second floating roller 134 can reciprocate stably along the two second guide rail assemblies, avoiding deformation of the second floating roller 134, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the measurement results of the second displacement sensor 135.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the tension of a tows in automated placement of composite materials, characterized in that, The device comprises: a guide wire mechanism and a tension reduction mechanism; the guide wire mechanism is used to strip the backing paper of a tows material roll and adjust the tension of the tows, and then deliver the tows to the tension reduction mechanism, so that the tension reduction mechanism can reduce the tension of the tows; the tension reduction mechanism comprises a first tows feeding part, a first tension control part and a second tows feeding part; the first tension control part is arranged between the first tows feeding part and the second tows feeding part, and is used to adjust the tension of the tows; the first tows feeding part is used to clamp the tows coming out of the guide wire mechanism, and deliver the tows to the first tension control part; the second tows feeding part is used to clamp the tows passing through the first tension control part, and output the tows out of the tension reduction mechanism.

2. The composite automated placement of tows tension control device of claim 1, wherein, The first tension control part comprises: a first guide rail assembly, which comprises a first guide rail and a first sliding block in sliding connection with the first guide rail; a first elastic member, which is connected between the first guide rail and the first sliding block; a first floating roller, which is connected with the first sliding block, and is used to slide along the first guide rail through the first sliding block and stretch the first elastic member; the tows are arranged around the outside of the first floating roller.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first tension control part further comprises a first displacement sensor, which is arranged on the first guide rail and is used to measure the stretching amount of the first elastic member.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the number of the first guide rail assemblies is two; one end of the first floating roller is connected with the first sliding block of one of the first guide rail assemblies, and the other end of the first floating roller is connected with the first sliding block of the other first guide rail assembly; the number of the first elastic members is two, and each of the first elastic members is connected between the first guide rail and the first sliding block of the corresponding first guide rail assembly.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first tows feeding part is arranged at the inlet end of the tension reduction mechanism, and comprises a tension reduction wheel and a first driven wheel in meshing connection with each other; the tension reduction wheel is used to drive the first driven wheel to rotate synchronously, so as to clamp the tows coming out of the guide wire mechanism and deliver the tows to the first tension control part.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second tows feeding part is arranged at the outlet end of the tension reduction mechanism, and comprises a tows feeding wheel and a second driven wheel in meshing connection with each other; the tows feeding wheel is used to drive the second driven wheel to rotate synchronously, so as to clamp the tows passing through the first tension control part and deliver the tows out of the tension reduction mechanism.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein The guide wire mechanism comprises a tow material roll shaft, a backing paper recovery shaft and a second tension control part; the tow material roll shaft is used for mounting a tow material roll; the backing paper recovery shaft is arranged between the tow material roll shaft and the second tension control part and is used for recovering backing paper of the tow material roll; The second tension control part is used for adjusting tension of the tow; The tow on the tow material roll is used for firstly passing through the backing paper recovery shaft to peel off the backing paper, then passing through the second tension control part and entering the tension reduction mechanism.

8. The composite automated placement of tows tension control device of claim 7, wherein, The second tension control part comprises: A second guide rail assembly, the second guide rail assembly comprises a second guide rail and a second sliding block in sliding connection with the second guide rail; A second elastic member, the second elastic member is connected between the second guide rail and the second sliding block; A second floating roller, the second floating roller is connected with the second sliding block, the second floating roller is used for sliding along the second guide rail through the second sliding block and stretching the second elastic member; the tow is used for winding around the outside of the second floating roller.

9. The composite automatic placement tow tension control device according to claim 8, wherein, The second tension control part further comprises a second displacement sensor, the second displacement sensor is arranged on the second guide rail and is used for measuring the stretching amount of the second elastic member.

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