An active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding device and method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of rotary preform winding technology, and particularly to an active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding device and method. In this technical solution, multiple synchronously movable lifting mechanisms and multiple synchronously movable rotating mechanisms are arranged circumferentially on a ring-shaped fixed base. Each weft winding shuttle is connected to at least two rotating mechanisms. Thus, the lifting mechanism, through the rotating mechanisms, drives the weft winding shuttle to suspend and lift, while the rotating mechanisms drive the weft winding shuttle to move circumferentially around the ring-shaped fixed base. This allows the weft winding shuttle to actively adapt to changes in the shed opening and precisely follow the changing height of the shed, ensuring that the weft winding shuttle is always aligned with the maximum shed gap. Simultaneously, a tensioner in the weft winding shuttle actively adjusts the weft yarn tension. This allows for real-time adjustment of the tensioner based on the values ​​from the tension sensor, thereby maintaining a constant and precisely controlled weft yarn tension.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rotating preform winding technology, and particularly to a suspension winding device and method with active tension stepless control. Background Technology

[0002] In aerospace, rail transportation and other fields, there is an increasing demand for high-performance composite rotating components (such as cylindrical shells and shaped tubes) with complex stress structures. 2.5D multilayer corner-bonded fabrics have become an ideal new type of reinforcement due to their superior interlayer performance compared to traditional laminates and their high design flexibility.

[0003] Currently, the circumferential (or weft) weaving process of rotary preforms faces two major technical bottlenecks: the contradiction between the opening and the passage. As the axial height of the preform increases, the shed height formed by the warp yarns is limited and varies layer by layer. Traditional weft winders are mostly fixed structures, making it difficult for them to pass smoothly in narrow and changing sheds, easily scratching the yarns or causing the mechanism to jam. Moreover, due to the lag in weft yarn tension control, tension fluctuations during the weft yarn winding process directly affect the density and uniformity of the finished product.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a new type of active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding device and method that can actively adapt to shed changes and precisely control weft tension.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding device, comprising: The annular fixed base is circumferentially provided with multiple lifting mechanisms and multiple rotating mechanisms that can move synchronously, and each of the lifting mechanisms is connected to at least one of the rotating mechanisms. At least one weft winding shuttle is used for forming a shed through warp yarns. Each weft winding shuttle is connected to at least two of the rotating mechanisms. The weft winding shuttle is provided with a weft yarn storage disk, a tension sensor, and a tensioner. The weft yarn storage disk is used to store the weft yarn to be wound. The tension sensor is used to monitor the tension of the weft yarn in real time. The tensioner is used to actively adjust the tension of the weft yarn. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the weft winding shuttle to levitate and lift through the rotating mechanisms. The rotating mechanisms are used to drive the weft winding shuttle to move circumferentially around the annular fixed base.

[0007] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide an active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding method, applied to the apparatus described in the above embodiments, comprising: Step S1: Based on the opening height of the first weft in the rotary precast body, the lifting mechanism is used to adjust the weft winding shuttle to the initial height; Step S2: Use the rotating mechanism to drive the weft winding shuttle to move circumferentially around the annular fixed seat so that the weft winding shuttle enters the shed formed by the warp yarn; Step S3: During the weft winding process, the tensioner is adjusted in real time based on the value of the tension sensor to keep the tension of the weft yarn constant; Step S4: After completing the winding of the current weft, use the lifting mechanism to adjust the winding shuttle to the height required for the next weft, and repeat steps S2 to S4.

[0008] This invention provides an active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding device and method. Multiple synchronously movable lifting mechanisms and multiple synchronously movable rotating mechanisms are arranged circumferentially on a ring-shaped fixed base. Each weft winding shuttle is connected to at least two rotating mechanisms. Thus, the lifting mechanism, through the rotating mechanisms, drives the weft winding shuttle to suspend and lift, while the rotating mechanisms drive the weft winding shuttle to move circumferentially around the ring-shaped fixed base. This allows the weft winding shuttle to actively adapt to changes in the shed opening and precisely follow the changing height of the shed, ensuring that the weft winding shuttle is always aligned with the maximum shed gap. Simultaneously, a tensioner in the weft winding shuttle actively adjusts the weft yarn tension. This allows for real-time adjustment of the tensioner based on the values ​​from the tension sensor, thereby maintaining a constant and precisely controlled weft yarn tension. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the active tension stepless control suspension weft winding device provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of the suspended weft winding device shown; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of the central transmission assembly and the weft winding shuttle; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the tensioner.

[0011] Figure label: 1- Circular fixing seat; 2- Lifting mechanism; 21-First motor; 22 - First Gear; 23-Lead screw; 24-Top plate; 25-Spline shaft; 3- Rotating mechanism; 31-Second motor; 32 - Second gear; 33-Transmission components; 331-Concave wheel; 332 - Third gear; 34-Chain; 4-Weft-entwined shuttle; 41-Weft yarn storage tray; 42-Tension sensor; 43-Tensioner; 431 - Electric cylinder; 432 - Inner circle; 433 - Friction Plate; 434 - Outer ring; 44-Guide rail; 45-Rack; 46-Conical head; 47 - Opening tool. Detailed Implementation

[0012] 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 some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0013] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding device, comprising: The annular fixed base 1 is circumferentially provided with multiple lifting mechanisms 2 and multiple rotating mechanisms 3 that can move synchronously, and each lifting mechanism 2 is connected to at least one rotating mechanism 3. At least one weft winding shuttle 4 is used to form a shed through the warp yarn. Each weft winding shuttle 4 is connected to at least two rotating mechanisms 3. The weft winding shuttle 4 is provided with a weft yarn storage disk 41, a tension sensor 42 and a tensioner 43. The weft yarn storage disk 41 is used to store the weft yarn to be wound, the tension sensor 42 is used to monitor the tension of the weft yarn in real time, and the tensioner 43 is used to actively adjust the tension of the weft yarn. The lifting mechanism 2 is used to drive the weft winding shuttle 4 to suspend and lift through the rotating mechanism 3. The rotating mechanism 3 is used to drive the weft winding shuttle 4 to move circumferentially around the annular fixed base 1.

[0014] In this embodiment, multiple synchronously movable lifting mechanisms 2 and multiple synchronously movable rotating mechanisms 3 are arranged circumferentially on the annular fixed base 1. Each weft shuttle 4 is connected to at least two rotating mechanisms 3. In this way, the lifting mechanism 2 can drive the weft shuttle 4 to suspend and lift through the rotating mechanism 3, and the rotating mechanism 3 can drive the weft shuttle 4 to move circumferentially around the annular fixed base 1. This allows the weft shuttle 4 to actively adapt to changes in the shed opening and accurately follow the changes in the shed opening height to ensure that the weft shuttle 4 is always aligned with the maximum shed opening gap. At the same time, the tensioner 43 in the weft shuttle 4 is used to actively adjust the tension of the weft yarn. In this way, the tensioner 43 can be adjusted in real time based on the value of the tension sensor 42, so that the tension of the weft yarn is kept constant and the weft yarn tension is precisely controlled.

[0015] It should be noted that winding is a technology that uses dry fibers to create a three-dimensional preform through the synergy of textile technologies. Compared to weaving, it places greater emphasis on winding and weaving. In other words, winding is a forming process that combines winding and weaving, introducing continuous fibers or yarns into an interwoven yarn system and winding them along a mandrel or spatial path.

[0016] Understandably, during the molding process of 2.5D preforms, the vertical height of the warp opening (i.e., the shed) changes layer by layer as the number of layers increases. Traditional weft winding shuttles typically have a fixed axial height. To ensure the shuttle can pass through, either the opening height of each layer must be increased (which increases warp tension and may even lead to warp fatigue and breakage), or the shuttle will experience severe friction with the warp yarns during passage. Forcing passage results in warp fuzzing and breakage, disrupts equipment operation, and prevents the production of thick-walled, high-quality preforms. By using a suspendable and lifting weft winding shuttle 4, the shuttle can actively adapt to changes in the shed height, precisely following the shed's height variation to ensure that the shuttle 4 is always aligned with the maximum shed gap.

[0017] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the lifting mechanism 2 includes a first motor 21 fixed on an annular fixed seat 1, a first gear 22 connected to the first motor 21, a lead screw 23 connected to the first gear 22, a top plate 24 connected to the lead screw 23, and a plurality of spline shafts 25 disposed between the top plate 24 and the annular fixed seat 1. Each spline shaft 25 is connected to a rotating mechanism 3. The first motor 21 is used to drive the first gear 22 to rotate so that the lead screw 23 is raised or lowered relative to the annular fixed seat 1. The lead screw 23 is used to drive the plurality of spline shafts 25 to rise or fall through the top plate 24.

[0018] In this embodiment, the weft winding shuttle 4 is mounted on a combined lifting mechanism 2 consisting of a lead screw 23 and a splined shaft 25. The lead screw 23 is used for coarse adjustment or setting of the reference height, while the splined shaft 25 enables the weft winding shuttle 4 to maintain circumferential transmission capability while having axial free sliding capability. During the weft winding process, the lead screw 23 is driven to rotate through a preset program or sensor feedback, causing the weft winding shuttle 4 to automatically "float" and rise and fall along the splined shaft 25, precisely following the changing height of the warp yarn opening and ensuring that the shuttle body is always aligned with the maximum opening gap.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating mechanism 3 includes a second motor 31 fixed on the annular fixed base 1, a second gear 32 connected to the second motor 31 and nested outside the spline shaft 25, and a transmission component 33 disposed at the end of the spline shaft 25. The transmission component 33 is connected to the weft winding shuttle 4. The second motor 31 is used to drive the second gear 32 to rotate so that the spline shaft 25 drives the transmission component 33 to rotate. The transmission component 33 is used to drive the weft winding shuttle 4 to move.

[0020] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission assembly 33 includes a concave wheel 331 rotatably disposed outside the spline shaft 25 and a third gear 332 fixedly sleeved outside the spline shaft 25. The weft winding shuttle 4 includes a guide rail 44 and a rack 45 disposed in the circumferential direction. The concave wheel 331 and the guide rail 44 are engaged, and the third gear 332 and the rack 45 are meshed. The third gear 332 is used to move the weft winding shuttle 4 by cooperating with the rack 45.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first motor 21 and the first gear 22, as well as the second motor 31 and the second gear 32, are all connected by a chain 34.

[0022] In this embodiment, the multiple third gears 332 arranged in a ring and the rack 45 on the weft winding shuttle 4 form a toothed meshing transmission pair to achieve precise positioning of the weft winding shuttle 4 in the circumferential direction and absolute synchronous movement between multiple shuttles (such as when multiple weft winding shuttles 4 are equipped to improve efficiency), thereby avoiding uneven weft yarn tension caused by accumulated errors.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, a chain 34 is connected between the second gears 32 of two adjacent rotating mechanisms 3.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, both ends of the weft-winding shuttle 4 are provided with conical heads 46, so that the shape of the leading edge of the shuttle and the entry angle can match the geometry of the warp opening, thereby reducing the resistance to passing through and avoiding weaving defects caused by snagging the warp.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, an opening device 47 is provided on the outside of the conical head 46 of the weft winding shuttle 4 along its direction of movement. The opening device 47 is used to further open and guide the warp yarn at the shed, so that the "opening space" (i.e. the shed) can be smoothly transferred to the weft winding shuttle 4 behind, allowing it to pass through smoothly without needing a larger opening.

[0026] like Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the tensioner 43 includes an electric cylinder 431, an inner ring 432, a friction plate 433, and an outer ring 434 arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside. The outer circumference of the outer ring 434 is used to wind the weft yarn. The outer ring 434 rotates relative to the inner ring 432. The electric cylinder 431 can change the friction between the inner ring 432 and the outer ring 434 by squeezing the friction plate 433, thereby changing the tension of the weft yarn.

[0027] In this embodiment, closed-loop control is mainly achieved by the tension sensor 42 monitoring the current tension value of the weft yarn in real time and feeding it back to the controller. The controller controls the electric cylinder 431 to precisely extend and retract according to a preset tension curve (which can be correlated with the weft winding speed and the shed position). The extension and retraction of the electric cylinder 431 changes the normal pressure of the friction plate 433 on the weft yarn, thereby actively changing the friction force and achieving stepless control of the weft yarn tension. Multi-level control is mainly achieved by connecting multiple tensioners in series along the weft yarn path to form multi-level tension gradient control, gradually stabilizing the yarn tension to the target value and avoiding damage to the yarn from severe friction at a single point.

[0028] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also provide an active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension winding method, applied to the apparatus mentioned in any of the above embodiments, comprising: Step S1: Based on the opening height of the first weft in the rotating precast body, use the lifting mechanism 2 to adjust the weft winding shuttle 4 to the initial height; Step S2: Use the rotating mechanism 3 to drive the weft winding shuttle 4 to move around the annular fixed seat 1 in a circumferential direction so that the weft winding shuttle 4 enters the shed formed by the warp yarn; Step S3: During the weft winding process, the tensioner 43 is adjusted in real time based on the value of the tension sensor 42 to keep the tension of the weft yarn constant. Step S4: After completing the winding of the current weft, use the lifting mechanism 2 to adjust the winding shuttle 4 to the height required for the next weft, and repeat steps S2 to S4.

[0029] It is understood that the method embodiments and apparatus embodiments provided by the present invention are based on the same inventive concept and have the same beneficial effects. The beneficial effects of the method embodiments will not be elaborated here.

[0030] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0031] 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. A suspension weft winding device with active tension stepless adjustment, characterized in that, include: The annular fixed base is circumferentially provided with multiple lifting mechanisms and multiple rotating mechanisms that can move synchronously, and each of the lifting mechanisms is connected to at least one of the rotating mechanisms. At least one weft winding shuttle is used for forming a shed through warp yarns. Each weft winding shuttle is connected to at least two of the rotating mechanisms. The weft winding shuttle is provided with a weft yarn storage disk, a tension sensor, and a tensioner. The weft yarn storage disk is used to store the weft yarn to be wound. The tension sensor is used to monitor the tension of the weft yarn in real time. The tensioner is used to actively adjust the tension of the weft yarn. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the weft winding shuttle to levitate and lift through the rotating mechanisms. The rotating mechanisms are used to drive the weft winding shuttle to move circumferentially around the annular fixed base.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a first motor fixed on the annular fixed base, a first gear connected to the first motor, a lead screw connected to the first gear, a top plate connected to the lead screw, and a plurality of splined shafts disposed between the top plate and the annular fixed base. Each splined shaft is connected to a rotating mechanism. The first motor is used to drive the first gear to rotate so that the lead screw is raised or lowered relative to the annular fixed base. The lead screw is used to drive the plurality of splined shafts to rise or fall through the top plate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating mechanism includes a second motor fixed on the annular fixed base, a second gear connected to the second motor and nested outside the spline shaft, and a transmission assembly disposed at the end of the spline shaft. The transmission assembly is connected to the weft winding shuttle. The second motor is used to drive the second gear to rotate so that the spline shaft drives the transmission assembly to rotate. The transmission assembly is used to drive the weft winding shuttle to move.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission assembly includes a concave wheel rotatably disposed outside the spline shaft and a third gear fixedly sleeved outside the spline shaft. The weft winding shuttle includes a guide rail and a rack arranged in a circumferential direction. The concave wheel and the guide rail are engaged, and the third gear and the rack are meshed. The third gear is used to move the weft winding shuttle by cooperating with the rack.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first motor and the first gear, as well as the second motor and the second gear, are all connected by a chain.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, A chain connects each of the second gears of two adjacent rotating mechanisms.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both ends of the weft-winding shuttle are provided with conical heads.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, An opening device is provided on the outside of the conical head of the weft-winding shuttle along its direction of movement. The opening device is used to further open and guide the warp yarns at the shed opening.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The tensioner includes an electric cylinder, an inner ring, a friction plate, and an outer ring arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside. The outer ring is used to wind the weft yarn around its outer periphery. The outer ring rotates relative to the inner ring. The electric cylinder can change the friction between the inner ring and the outer ring by squeezing the friction plate, thereby changing the tension of the weft yarn.

10. A method for active tension-infinitely-controlled suspension weft winding, characterized in that, The apparatus used in any one of claims 1-9 comprises: Step S1: Based on the opening height of the first weft in the rotary precast body, the lifting mechanism is used to adjust the weft winding shuttle to the initial height; Step S2: Use the rotating mechanism to drive the weft winding shuttle to move circumferentially around the annular fixed seat so that the weft winding shuttle enters the shed formed by the warp yarn; Step S3: During the weft winding process, the tensioner is adjusted in real time based on the value of the tension sensor to keep the tension of the weft yarn constant; Step S4: After completing the winding of the current weft, use the lifting mechanism to adjust the winding shuttle to the height required for the next weft, and repeat steps S2 to S4.

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