An automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of acupuncture forming of preforms in the carbon fiber industry, and provides an automatic needle compensation mechanism for the production of carbon fiber preforms, which includes a frame, a fixed seat arranged on the frame, a plurality of needles arranged on the fixed seat, and a first driving member arranged on the frame for pushing the fixed seat to drive the needles to perform acupuncture on the carbon fiber preform, the carbon fiber preform is rotatably connected to the frame, the fixed seat is provided with an infrared distance sensor for measuring the distance between the carbon fiber preform and the fixed seat, the infrared distance sensor is electrically connected to a central control platform for processing data acquired by the infrared distance sensor, the fixed seat is provided with a controller electrically connected to the central control platform for executing instructions sent by the central control platform after processing the acquired data, and the controller is electrically connected to the first driving member. The present application has the beneficial effect of improving the quality of acupuncture forming of carbon fiber preforms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of needle punching of preforms in the carbon fiber industry, and in particular to an automatic needle alignment and compensation mechanism for the production of carbon fiber preforms. Background Art

[0002] Carbon / carbon composite crucibles are widely used in smelting metals, rare metals and non-metals. Carbon / carbon composite materials have become the first choice for thermal field materials due to their excellent thermal field quality. In the thermal field, carbon fiber crucibles have the characteristics of anti-tensile, anti-compression and super anti-interlayer shear compared to graphite crucibles, can withstand greater stress, do not deform at high temperatures, maintain the original shape, and have a long service life.

[0003] In the process of producing carbon fiber crucibles, the first thing to do is to produce a crucible preform. The crucible preform uses carbon fiber as raw material. During preparation, a needle punching process is required to increase the fiber density of the crucible.

[0004] At present, the automatic needle alignment used in the needle punching of carbon fiber preforms is pre-set by the program, and the entire needling process is carried out according to the program. However, in actual use, sometimes the distance between the carbon fiber preform and the needle will be different from the distance set in the program, resulting in uneven needling depth and uneven volume density, which affects the needling quality of the carbon fiber preform. In particular, when the thickening is too fast or the density is not enough, multiple adjustments and rework are required, which affects the efficiency. Therefore, further improvement is needed. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to improve the needle punching quality of a carbon fiber preform, the present application provides an automatic needle alignment and compensation mechanism for the production of a carbon fiber preform.

[0006] The present application provides an automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for the production of carbon fiber preforms comprises a frame, a fixed seat arranged on the frame, a plurality of needles arranged on the fixed seat, and a first driving member arranged on the frame for pushing the fixed seat to drive the needles to needle the carbon fiber preforms, the carbon fiber preforms are rotatably connected to the frame, the fixed seat is provided with an infrared distance sensor for measuring the distance between the carbon fiber preforms and the fixed seat, the infrared distance sensor is electrically connected to a central control platform for processing data acquired by the infrared distance sensor, the fixed seat is provided with a controller electrically connected to the central control platform for executing instructions sent by the central control platform after processing the acquired data, and the controller is electrically connected to the first driving member.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, after the infrared ranging sensor emits infrared light to the carbon fiber preform, the infrared ranging sensor then receives the reflected signal and transmits the acquired time and other data to the central control platform for processing. When there is a difference from the preset distance, the instruction and related movement data for changing the moving distance of the needle punching at this time are transmitted to the controller, and the first driving member is used by the controller to change the distance between the fixed seat and the carbon fiber preform, and the distance between the carbon fiber preform and the fixed seat is changed relatively in real time, so as to improve the uniformity of the needle punching depth, reduce the phenomenon of uneven volume density, and thus improve the needle punching molding quality of the carbon fiber preform. It can also reduce the number of adjustments and reworks required due to excessive thickening or insufficient density, and indirectly improve the needle punching molding efficiency of the carbon fiber preform.

[0009] Preferably, a plurality of infrared ranging sensors are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the fixing seat.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, a plurality of infrared ranging sensors are provided, and the data obtained by the plurality of infrared ranging sensors are averaged through the central control platform to improve the refinement of the movement data of the fixed seat, thereby improving the uniformity of the needling depth, thereby improving the needling forming quality of the carbon fiber preform.

[0011] Preferably, the needles are arranged in a plurality of rows at intervals along the width direction of the fixing seat, the needles in two adjacent rows are arranged alternately, and the infrared ranging sensor is arranged between two adjacent needles.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the needles are arranged in several rows along the width direction of the fixing seat, and the needles between two adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner. During the needling process, when the rotation path of the carbon fiber preform is a row of needles, a number of needles can be used appropriately during the needling process, so that the carbon fiber preform in the same height direction can be needled with higher intensity and density. The needles between two adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner, which can provide installation space for the infrared distance measuring sensor arranged between adjacent needles, and can also reduce the difficulty of installing too dense needles.

[0013] Preferably, the frame is provided with a cleaning piece for cleaning the carbon fiber filaments adhered to the needles.

[0014] By adopting the above technical scheme, during the needling process of the carbon fiber preform, the needling process of the composite layer is a conventional method, and during the process of the needling body repeatedly piercing the carbon fiber, static electricity will be generated due to continuous friction, thereby causing the broken fiber filaments to be adsorbed on the surface of the needle. After a long period of accumulation, more fiber filaments are entangled on the needle, which will affect the normal needling work. Therefore, a cleaning piece is provided to clean the carbon fiber filaments adhered to the needle to reduce the impact of the subsequent needling work of the needle, thereby indirectly improving the needling forming quality of the carbon fiber preform.

[0015] Preferably, the cleaning member comprises a cleaning plate arranged on the moving path of the needle, the cleaning plate is penetrated along the thickness direction thereof with a first through hole for the needle to pass through and a second through hole for the infrared ranging sensor to pass through, and the cleaning plate is detachably connected to the frame.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the first through hole and the second through hole are provided on the cleaning plate to allow the needle and the infrared ranging sensor to pass through respectively. When the needle passes through the first through hole, the carbon fiber filaments adhered to the needle are temporarily attached to the surface of the cleaning plate away from the fixed seat to reduce the influence of the carbon fiber preform on the needling after adhering to the needle. After a certain period of time, the cleaning plate can be cleaned.

[0017] Preferably, the cleaning member further comprises a scraper abutting against the cleaning plate, a second driving member driving the scraper to move along the height direction of the cleaning plate, and a receiving groove arranged below the cleaning plate.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, after a certain period of time, the first driving member is temporarily paused, and the second driving member is started to drive the scraper to move along the height direction of the cleaning plate to clean the adhered carbon fiber fibers into the storage groove, thereby reducing the time spent on cleaning and reducing the work efficiency of acupuncture.

[0019] Preferably, the first through hole and the second through hole are provided with flared openings at one end close to the fixing seat.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution and opening the expanded opening, the alignment effect of the first through hole and the second through hole of the pricking needle and the infrared distance measuring sensor can be improved.

[0021] Preferably, the cleaning plate is a heat-conducting plate, and the cleaning member further comprises two delivery pipes respectively fixedly disposed on the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the cleaning plate, the delivery pipes being used to transport the cold medium, and a delivery channel connected to the delivery pipes is provided inside the cleaning plate.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, during the needling process, the needle repeatedly pierces the carbon fiber, and the needle will heat up due to continuous friction and heat generation, which may affect the subsequent needling work. The generated heat may be conducted to the infrared ranging sensor to affect the use of the infrared ranging sensor. The cold water medium is transported to the conveying channel through the conveying pipe to transfer the heat conducted on the cleaning plate to achieve a cooling effect and indirectly improve the needling forming quality of the carbon fiber preform.

[0023] Preferably, the frame is provided with a blow pipe for conveying cold air, the cold air carries negative ions, and the conveying direction of the blow pipe is arranged toward the direction of the needles.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, a blowing pipe is provided to blow cold air carrying negative ions onto the needles to eliminate static electricity generated by frictional heat and achieve a cooling effect on the needles.

[0025] In summary, the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1. An infrared ranging sensor is provided to collect and measure the distance between the carbon fiber preform and the fixing seat, and transmit the distance to the central control platform for processing, and transmit the corresponding instructions and data to the controller, so that the first driving member changes the distance between the fixing seat and the carbon fiber preform through the controller, and changes the distance between the carbon fiber preform and the fixing seat relatively in real time, so as to improve the uniformity of the needling depth, reduce the phenomenon of uneven volume density, and thus improve the needling forming quality of the carbon fiber preform.

[0027] 2. A cleaning piece is provided to clean the carbon fiber filaments adhering to the needles, so as to reduce the influence of subsequent needle punching work. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 1 of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing base in Example 1 of the present application;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cleaning member in Example 2 of the present application;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the cleaning plate in Example 2 of the present application;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the delivery channel in Example 2 of the present application;

[0033] Figure 6It is a structural diagram of Example 3 of the present application.

[0034] Explanation of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. carbon fiber preform; 2. frame; 21. drive motor; 22. positioning plate; 3. fixing seat; 4. needle; 5. first drive member; 6. infrared ranging sensor; 7. cleaning member; 71. cleaning plate; 711. first perforation; 712. second perforation; 713. flaring; 714. conveying channel; 72. scraper; 73. second drive member; 74. storage tank; 75. conveying pipe; 8. blowing pipe; 9. refrigeration component; 91. refrigeration box; 92. exhaust pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following is combined with Figure 1-6 , further details of this application are given.

[0036] The embodiment of the present application discloses an automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for producing a carbon fiber preform.

[0037] Embodiment 1:

[0038] An automatic needle compensation mechanism for the production of carbon fiber preforms, referring to Figure 1 , including a frame 2, a fixing seat 3 arranged on the frame 2, a plurality of needles 4 arranged on the fixing seat 3, and a first driving member 5 arranged on the frame 2 for pushing the fixing seat 3 to drive the needles 4 to perform acupuncture on the carbon fiber preform 1. The carbon fiber preform 1 is rotatably connected to the frame 2. Specifically, the frame 2 is fixedly connected to a driving motor 21, the output shaft of the driving motor 21 is parallel to the height direction of the frame 2, the output shaft of the driving motor 21 is rotatably penetrated in the frame 2, the output shaft of the driving motor 21 is fixedly connected to a positioning plate 22, and the carbon fiber preform 1 is embedded in the positioning plate 22.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 In this embodiment, the length direction of the fixing seat 3 is parallel to the height direction of the frame 2, the fixing seat 3 slides along the width direction of the frame 2, and is arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the carbon fiber preform 1, wherein the needles 4 are arranged in a plurality of rows along the width direction of the fixing seat 3, and the needles 4 of two adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner. Among them, the first driving member 5 can adopt a cylinder module or a hydraulic cylinder module or a crank connecting rod driving module. In this embodiment, the first driving member 5 adopts a cylinder mold, and the first driving member 5 is a first cylinder, which is fixedly connected to the side wall of the frame 2, and the piston rod of the first cylinder is rotatably penetrated through the frame 2 and fixedly connected to the fixing seat 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, an infrared distance sensor 6 for measuring the distance between the carbon fiber preform 1 and the fixing seat 3 is arranged on the fixing seat 3. A plurality of infrared distance sensors 6 are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the fixing seat 3, specifically three, and are arranged between two adjacent needles 4. The infrared distance sensor 6 is electrically connected to a central control platform (not shown in the figure) for processing the data acquired by the infrared distance sensor 6. The fixing seat 3 is provided with a controller (not shown in the figure) electrically connected to the central control platform to execute the instructions sent by the central control platform after processing the acquired data. The controller is electrically connected to the first cylinder.

[0041] The implementation principle of an automatic needle compensation mechanism for the production of a carbon fiber preform 1 in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: through the additional infrared ranging sensor 6, since three are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the fixing seat 3, after real-time measurement of the distance between the fixing seat 3 and the outer peripheral wall of the carbon fiber preform 1, the corresponding data is fed back to the central control platform, and calculated with the preset distance. When there is a difference, the instruction and related movement data for changing the moving distance of the needling at this time are transmitted to the controller, and the controller drives the moving distance of the piston rod of the first cylinder to change the distance between the fixing seat 3 and the carbon fiber preform 1. The change is made relatively real-time according to the distance between the carbon fiber preform 1 and the fixing seat 3, so as to improve the uniformity of the needling depth, reduce the phenomenon of uneven volume density, and thus improve the needling forming quality of the carbon fiber preform 1.

[0042] Embodiment 2:

[0043] Reference Figure 3 , which is different from the embodiment 1 in that static electricity is generated during the needling process due to continuous friction, so that the broken fiber filaments are adsorbed on the surface of the needle 4. After a long period of accumulation, more fiber filaments are entangled on the needle 4, which will affect the normal needling work. In this embodiment, a cleaning member 7 for cleaning the carbon fiber filaments adhered to the needle 4 is provided on the frame 2. The cleaning member 7 specifically includes a cleaning plate 71 provided on the moving path of the needle 4, a scraper 72 abutting against the cleaning plate 71, a second driving member 73 driving the scraper 72 to move along the height direction of the cleaning plate 71, a receiving groove 74 provided below the cleaning plate 71, and two conveying pipes 75 respectively fixedly penetrated through the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the cleaning plate 71.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4, wherein the cleaning plate 71 is arranged on the frame 2, the height direction of the cleaning plate 71 is arranged parallel to the height direction of the fixing seat 3, the cleaning plate 71 is provided with a first through hole 711 for the needle 4 to penetrate and a second through hole 712 for the infrared distance sensor 6 to penetrate along the thickness direction thereof, and a flaring 713 is provided at one end of the first through hole 711 and the second through hole 712 near the fixing seat 3. The second driving member 73 can adopt a cylinder module or a hydraulic cylinder module or a crank connecting rod driving module. In this embodiment, the second driving member 73 adopts a cylinder mold, and the second driving member 73 is a second cylinder, which is fixedly connected to the frame 2, and the piston rod of the second cylinder is rotatably penetrated in the frame 2 and fixedly connected to the scraper 72. The second cylinder is started to drive the scraper 72 to reciprocate along the height direction of the cleaning plate 71, so as to scrape the carbon fiber filaments cleaned from the cleaning plate 71 into the receiving groove 74 for collection.

[0045] In this embodiment, the cleaning plate 71 is a heat-conducting plate, and the delivery pipe 75 is used to transport the cold medium. A delivery channel 714 connected to the delivery pipe 75 is opened inside the cleaning plate 71 to transfer the heat conducted on the cleaning plate 71 to achieve a cooling effect.

[0046] Embodiment 3:

[0047] Reference Figure 6 , which is different from Example 1, is that a blow pipe 8 for conveying cold air is provided on the frame 2, the cold air carries negative ions, the conveying direction of the conveying pipe 75 is set toward the direction of the needle 4, and a refrigeration component 9 for conveying cold air to the blow pipe 8 is provided on the frame 2. The refrigeration component 9 includes a refrigeration box 91 and an exhaust pump 92. The refrigeration box 91 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the frame 2 or placed on the ground, the air inlet pipe of the exhaust pump 92 is fixedly penetrated through the side wall of the refrigeration box 91, and the air outlet pipe of the exhaust pump 92 is fixedly connected to the air inlet end of the blow pipe 8.

[0048] It should be noted that the present embodiment can also replace the delivery tube 75 in the second embodiment to achieve a cooling effect on the needle 4 and the sensor.

[0049] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production, characterized in that: The invention comprises a frame (2), a fixing seat (3) arranged on the frame (2), a plurality of needles (4) arranged on the fixing seat (3), and a first driving member (5) arranged on the frame (2) and used for pushing the fixing seat (3) to drive the needles (4) to perform needle-piercing on a carbon fiber preform (1); the carbon fiber preform (1) is rotatably connected to the frame (2); the fixing seat (3) is provided with an infrared distance-measuring sensor (6) for measuring the distance between the carbon fiber preform (1) and the fixing seat (3); the infrared distance-measuring sensor (6) is electrically connected to a central control platform for processing data acquired by the infrared distance-measuring sensor (6); the fixing seat (3) is provided with a controller electrically connected to the central control platform for executing instructions sent by the central control platform after processing the acquired data; the controller is electrically connected to the first driving member (5).

2. The automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of infrared distance measuring sensors (6) are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the fixing seat (3).

3. The automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production according to claim 2, characterized in that: The needles (4) are arranged in a plurality of rows at intervals along the width direction of the fixing seat (3), the needles (4) in two adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner, and the infrared distance measuring sensor (6) is arranged between two adjacent needles (4).

4. The automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (2) is provided with a cleaning piece (7) for cleaning the carbon fiber filaments adhered to the needles (4).

5. The automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cleaning member (7) comprises a cleaning plate (71) arranged on the moving path of the pricking needle (4), the cleaning plate (71) being provided with a first through hole (711) for the pricking needle (4) to pass through and a second through hole (712) for the infrared distance measuring sensor (6) to pass through along the thickness direction thereof.

6. The automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cleaning member (7) further comprises a scraper (72) abutting against the cleaning plate (71), a second driving member (73) driving the scraper (72) to move along the height direction of the cleaning plate (71), and a receiving groove (74) arranged below the cleaning plate (71).

7. The automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production according to claim 5, characterized in that: An end of the first through hole (711) and the second through hole (712) close to the fixing seat (3) is provided with a flared opening (713).

8. The automatic needle alignment and compensation mechanism for producing a carbon fiber preform according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cleaning plate (71) is a heat-conducting plate. The cleaning member (7) further comprises two delivery pipes (75) respectively fixedly disposed through the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the cleaning plate (71). The delivery pipes (75) are used to transport a cold medium. A delivery channel (714) connected to the delivery pipes (75) is provided inside the cleaning plate (71).

9. The automatic needle alignment compensation mechanism for carbon fiber preform production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (2) is provided with a blowing pipe (8) for conveying cold air, the cold air carries negative ions, and the conveying direction of the blowing pipe (8) is arranged towards the direction of the puncture needle (4).

Images