A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg lay-up

Abstract

This utility model discloses a tooling for rapid cold-extraction pre-compression of prepreg layers, including a support frame with a flexible layer one installed on the inner side of the support frame; it also includes a support with a flexible layer two installed in the middle of the top surface of the support, and air holes on the support located outside the flexible layer two, which are connected to an external air extraction system; the support frame is fastened to the support from top to bottom, forming a closed space between the support frame and the support, and the prepreg is placed in the closed space; during operation, the external air extraction system extracts air from the closed space through the air holes, causing the flexible layer one and the flexible layer two to adhere to each other and be compacted on both sides of the prepreg, thereby achieving pre-compression of the prepreg. The operation is simplified and convenient, can be reused repeatedly, eliminates the need for vacuum bags, improves efficiency, and has good practicality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of prepreg layup technology, and in particular to a tooling for rapid cold drawing and pre-compression of prepreg layup. Background Technology

[0002] To increase the interlayer bonding between prepreg layers, vacuum bag compression is usually used to remove air between layers and compact the prepreg, resulting in a smooth and uniform layup that avoids wrinkles, gaps, and other problems, which helps improve the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the product.

[0003] The existing vacuum bag pressing method has the following disadvantages: it requires the use of vacuum bags and putty strips of the right size, which cannot be recycled; vacuum bags are easily damaged and leak air, and replacing bags will cause waste of time and materials; each time the vacuum bag is used, personnel need to sort the bag to avoid problems such as bridging inside the bag, which is inefficient. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a rationally structured tooling for rapid cold-pressing prepreg layup, thereby achieving prepreg prepressing. The operation is simplified and convenient, and the tooling can be reused repeatedly, eliminating the need for vacuum bags, thus improving efficiency and practicality.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A tooling for rapid cold-pressing and pre-compression of prepreg layup includes a support frame with a flexible layer 1 installed on the inner side of the support frame; it also includes a support with a flexible layer 2 installed in the middle of the top surface of the support, and air holes are opened on the support located outside the flexible layer 2, which are connected to an external air extraction system; the support frame is fastened to the support from top to bottom, and a closed space is formed between the support frame and the support, in which the prepreg is placed.

[0007] As a further improvement to the above technical solution:

[0008] The flexible layer is located on the upper part of the inner side of the support frame. The inner side of the support frame is fitted around the circumference of the support. A sealing assembly of more than one ring is pressed between the inner side of the support frame and the outer side of the support.

[0009] The outer wall of the support is provided with a circumferential groove, and the sealing component is positioned and fitted in the circumferential groove.

[0010] The bottom edge of the outer wall of the support is provided with limiting plates at intervals along the circumference, and the bottom surface of the support frame abuts against the limiting plates.

[0011] The support has a through hole in the middle, and a second flexible layer is installed at the upper opening of the hole. A support plate is installed between the opening and the opposite wall surface below the second flexible layer.

[0012] A gap is provided between the top surface of the support plate and the bottom surface of the second flexible layer.

[0013] The support has a communication space inside that communicates with each air hole, and an air nozzle is installed on the bottom surface of the support, which communicates with the communication space.

[0014] The support includes an upper plate and a lower plate fitted together. The lower plate has a groove formed on the lower surface of its top layer. The upper plate is fitted onto the lower plate and covers the opening of the groove, forming a connecting space. The air hole is opened vertically through the upper plate and is located above the groove.

[0015] A sealing groove for a press-fit sealing element is provided on the contact surface of the upper and lower plates surrounding the groove; the upper and lower plates are fixed together as one unit after being attached to each other.

[0016] Both the first and second flexible layers are made of rubber with high elongation; the first flexible layer is made of transparent or semi-transparent rubber.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] In operation, the prepreg is placed on the support and the support frame is fastened and fitted, so that the prepreg is contained in the closed space. The external air extraction system extracts air from the closed space through the air holes, causing the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer to adhere to each other and be compacted on both sides of the prepreg, thereby achieving pre-compression of the prepreg. The operation is simple and convenient, and it can be reused repeatedly. It eliminates the need for vacuum bags, improves efficiency, and has good practicality. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the support of this utility model (flexible layer 2 omitted).

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the support frame of this utility model mounted on the support.

[0023] The components are: 1. Flexible layer one; 2. Support frame; 3. Flexible layer two; 4. Support; 5. Sealing assembly; 6. Limiting plate; 7. Air nozzle; 8. Support plate; 9. Circumferential groove;

[0024] 40. Vent; 41. Upper plate; 42. Lower plate; 43. Seal; 421. Groove. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, a tooling for rapid cold-extraction and pre-compression of prepreg layup in this embodiment includes a support frame 2, with a flexible layer 1 installed on the inner side of the support frame 2; it also includes a support 4, with a flexible layer 3 installed in the middle of the top surface of the support 4, and air holes 40 are opened on the support 4 located outside the flexible layer 3, which are connected to an external air extraction system; the support frame 2 is fastened to the support 4 from top to bottom, and a closed space is formed between the support frame 2 and the support 4, in which the prepreg is placed.

[0027] In this embodiment, during operation, the prepreg is placed on the support 4 and the support frame 2 is fastened and fitted, so that the prepreg is contained in the closed space. The external air extraction system extracts air from the closed space through the air hole 40, causing the flexible layer 1 and the flexible layer 3 to adhere to each other and be compacted on both sides of the prepreg, thereby achieving pre-compression of the prepreg.

[0028] The flexible layer 1 is installed on the upper part of the inner side of the support frame 2. The inner side of the support frame 2 is fitted around the support 4. A sealing component 5 is pressed between the inner side of the support frame 2 and the outer side of the support 4, thereby forming a closed space while effectively ensuring the sealing performance and helping to ensure the pre-pressure effect during air extraction.

[0029] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the outer wall of the support 4 has a circumferential groove 9, and the sealing component 5 is positioned and fitted in the circumferential groove 9.

[0030] In this embodiment, the sealing assembly 5 includes multiple parallel sealing rings, which are fitted and confined in the circumferential groove 9 of the support 4. When the support frame 2 is snapped down and fitted onto the support 4, the inner wall of the support frame 2 presses against the sealing rings to achieve sealing after fitting.

[0031] Limiting plates 6 are arranged circumferentially at intervals along the bottom edge of the outer wall of the support 4, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the bottom surface of the support frame 2 abuts against the limiting plate 6, and the limiting plate 6 provides a certain structural support for the support frame 2, while ensuring the consistency of the position of the support frame 2 mounted on the support 4.

[0032] The support 4 has a through hole in the middle, and a flexible layer 3 is installed at the upper opening of the hole. A support plate 8 is installed between the opening and the opposite wall surface below the flexible layer 3.

[0033] In this embodiment, the support plate 8 provides structural support to the upper flexible layer 3 when needed, preventing the flexible layer 3 from being stretched downwards without restriction due to the weight of the prepreg and other materials.

[0034] A gap is provided between the top surface of the support plate 8 and the bottom surface of the flexible layer 3 to provide a certain downward stretching space for the flexible layer 3.

[0035] The support 4 has a communicating space inside that communicates with each air hole 40, and an air nozzle 7 is installed on the bottom surface of the support 4, which communicates with the communicating space.

[0036] In this embodiment, the air nozzle 7 is connected to the external air extraction system via a pipeline. When the external air extraction system is working, it extracts air into the closed space through the pipeline, air nozzle 7, connecting space, and air hole 40.

[0037] By setting up a connecting space, synchronous air extraction from each of the vents 40 is achieved.

[0038] The support 4 includes an upper plate 41 and a lower plate 42 mounted on top and bottom respectively. The lower plate 42 forms a groove 421 on the lower surface of its top layer. The upper plate 41 is mounted to the lower plate 42 and covers the opening of the groove 421, forming a connecting space. An air hole 40 is opened vertically through the upper plate 41 and is located above the groove 421. An air nozzle 7 is installed through the bottom surface of the groove 421. Thus, the connection between the air hole 40, the connecting space and the air nozzle 7 is realized.

[0039] A sealing groove for a press-fit sealing element 43 is provided on the mating surface of the upper plate 41 and lower plate 42 surrounding the groove 421; the upper plate 41 and lower plate 42 are fixed together after being fitted together; this effectively ensures the structural reliability between the upper plate 41 and lower plate 42 and ensures the sealing of the space between them after they are assembled.

[0040] Both flexible layer 1 and flexible layer 2 are made of rubber with high elongation; flexible layer 1 is made of transparent or semi-transparent rubber.

[0041] In this embodiment, in actual use, rubber with an elongation at break of more than 850%, such as natural rubber with a high rubber content, can be selected to help reduce wrinkles during pre-compression.

[0042] In this embodiment, the flexible layer 1 is made of transparent or semi-transparent rubber material, which makes it convenient to observe the actual state during the pre-compression operation.

[0043] In this embodiment, the size of the prepreg is preferably smaller than the size of the second flexible layer 3. During pre-pressing, the prepreg is placed on the second flexible layer 3.

[0044] Of course, in actual operation, the prepreg can also be supported on the mold, and the mold spans across the flexible layer 2 3 and is supported on the support 4. After the support frame 2 is installed on the support 4, the prepreg on the mold can also be pre-pressed.

[0045] This invention enables pre-compression of prepreg materials, simplifying and facilitating operation. It allows for repeated use, eliminates the need for vacuum bags, improves efficiency, and is highly practical.

[0046] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0047] The above description is an explanation of the present utility model and not a limitation thereof. The scope of the present utility model is defined by the claims. Within the protection scope of the present utility model, any form of modification may be made.

Claims

1. A tooling for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg lay-up, characterized by: It includes a support frame (2), on the inner side of which a flexible layer (1) is installed; it also includes a support (4), on the middle of the top surface of the support (4) a flexible layer (3) is installed, and an air hole (40) is opened on the support (4) located outside the flexible layer (3), and the air hole (40) is connected to an external air extraction system; the support frame (2) is fastened to the support (4) from top to bottom, and a closed space is formed between the support frame (2) and the support (4), and the prepreg is placed in the closed space.

2. The tooling for rapid cold drawing and pre-compression of prepreg layup as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible layer (1) is installed on the upper part of the inner side of the support frame (2). The inner side of the support frame (2) is fitted around the support (4) in the circumferential direction. A sealing assembly (5) is pressed between the inner side of the support frame (2) and the outer side of the support (4) in the circumferential direction.

3. A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg layups as defined in claim 2, characterized in that: The outer wall of the support (4) is provided with a circumferential groove (9), and the sealing component (5) is positioned and fitted in the circumferential groove (9).

4. A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg plies as defined in claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom edge of the outer wall of the support (4) is provided with limiting plates (6) spaced circumferentially, and the bottom surface of the support frame (2) abuts against the limiting plates (6).

5. A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg plies as defined in claim 1, characterized in that: The support (4) has a through hole in the middle, and a flexible layer (3) is installed at the upper opening of the hole. A support plate (8) is installed between the opposite walls of the hole below the flexible layer (3).

6. The tooling for rapid cold drawing and pre-compression of prepreg layup as described in claim 5, characterized in that: A gap is provided between the top surface of the support plate (8) and the bottom surface of the flexible layer (3).

7. A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg plies as defined in claim 1, characterized in that: The support (4) has a communication space inside that communicates with each air hole (40), and an air nozzle (7) is installed on the bottom surface of the support (4), which communicates with the communication space.

8. A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg layups according to claim 7, wherein: The support (4) includes an upper plate (41) and a lower plate (42) mounted on the upper and lower sides. The lower plate (42) has a groove (421) formed on the lower surface of its top surface. The upper plate (41) is mounted on the lower plate (42) and covers the opening of the groove (421) to form a connecting space. The air hole (40) is opened vertically on the upper plate (41) and is located above the groove (421).

9. A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg layups as defined in claim 8, characterized by: A sealing groove for a press-fit sealing element (43) is provided on the contact surface of the upper plate (41) and lower plate (42) surrounding the groove (421); the upper plate (41) and lower plate (42) are fixed together as one piece after being attached to each other.

10. A tool for rapid cold draw pre-pressing of prepreg plies as defined in claim 1, characterized by: Both the first flexible layer (1) and the second flexible layer (3) are made of rubber with high elongation; the first flexible layer (1) is made of transparent or semi-transparent rubber.

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