Airtightness testing device for a bladder core mold for curing a composite material

Abstract

This invention provides an airtightness testing device for airbag core molds used in composite material curing, comprising a sealing clamping block, a rigid protective shell, a pressurization system, a water tank assembly, and a movable support frame. The sealing clamping block achieves core mold sealing through the cooperation of inner and outer clamping blocks; the rigid protective shell adopts a segmented staggered splicing structure to constrain core mold expansion and prevent splashing; the pressurization system can apply an actual working pressure of 0.7-0.9 MPa, with precise pressure control via a digital pressure gauge; the water tank assembly accommodates the core mold and protective shell, and after water injection, leak points are visually located through air bubbles; the upper acrylic plate serves both protective and visibility functions; the movable support frame allows for flexible movement of the device and fixation within the water tank. This device's testing environment closely matches actual working conditions, providing accurate and reliable results, comprehensive safety protection, adaptability to core molds of different lengths, and convenient and efficient operation, making it suitable for precise airtightness testing of airbag core molds.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of airtightness testing technology, and in particular to an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold used for composite material curing. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of aerospace composite parts, the airbag mandrel is a key component in the curing and molding process of composite materials. Its airtightness directly determines the molding accuracy, structural integrity, and reliability of the composite parts. Currently, the industry mainly relies on two conventional methods for airtightness testing of airbag mandrels: one is a combination of visual inspection and vacuum bag negative pressure testing, which judges whether there is a leak by monitoring the change in vacuum after negative pressure is applied. However, this method can only screen for leaks under low-pressure environments and cannot simulate the pressure conditions of the mandrel during actual operation. The test results are difficult to reflect the airtightness performance of the mandrel under real working conditions. The other method is the positive pressure testing method used by some manufacturers. This method confirms the leakage by introducing positive pressure gas into the airbag mandrel and observing whether the pressure gauge reaches the preset value. However, due to the lack of a dedicated protective and restraining structure, in order to avoid the risk of mandrel rupture, the applied test pressure is far lower than the actual operating pressure of the mandrel, which greatly reduces the accuracy and effectiveness of the test results.

[0003] In addition to the above, existing testing technologies have several prominent problems: during the testing process, if the mandrel bursts due to its own defects and cannot withstand the testing pressure, the resulting fragments can easily fly and cause safety accidents, leaving the personal safety of operators unprotected; most testing devices are designed with fixed structures, making it difficult to adapt to airbag mandrels of different lengths and specifications, resulting in insufficient flexibility and increased investment costs for testing equipment; at the same time, existing methods cannot directly locate the specific location of leaks, and once a leak is detected, a significant amount of time is required for troubleshooting, seriously affecting testing efficiency and production progress. Therefore, developing an airtightness testing device for airbag mandrel composite material curing that can achieve safe, intuitive, and flexible testing under actual working pressure has become an urgent need to solve the pain points of existing technologies and meet the requirements of aerospace composite material manufacturing processes. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold used for composite material curing, in order to solve the defects in the prior art.

[0005] This utility model provides an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold used for composite material curing, comprising: a sealing clamping block for sealing the open end of the airbag core mold to form a closed inner cavity; a rigid protective shell sleeved on the outside of the airbag core mold for constraining the expansion displacement of the airbag core mold; a pressurization system connected to the sealing clamping block for applying positive pressure to the closed inner cavity of the airbag core mold; a water tank assembly for accommodating the airbag core mold and the rigid protective shell, and liquid can be injected into the water tank assembly to observe leakage; a movable support frame on which the water tank assembly is mounted for supporting and fixing the water tank assembly; and an acrylic plate detachably mounted on top of the water tank assembly for protection and providing a field of view.

[0006] According to the present invention, an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold for composite material curing is provided. The sealing clamping block includes an inner support clamping block and two mating outer clamping blocks. The inner support clamping block is located on the inner side of the open end of the airbag core mold, and the outer clamping blocks are located on the outer side of the open end of the airbag core mold. The inner support clamping block and the outer clamping blocks are locked together by fastening bolts to achieve a seal.

[0007] According to the present invention, an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold for composite material curing is provided. The inner support clamping block and the outer clamping block are both made of stainless steel. The inner support clamping block is provided with an air inlet, which is connected to the pressurization system.

[0008] According to the present invention, an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold for composite material curing is provided. The rigid protective shell is a segmented structure made of hard aluminum alloy. The rigid protective shell includes upper and lower parts, which are spliced ​​together with a staggered joint of 1 / 2 unit length along the length direction of the airbag core mold. The lower half of the rigid protective shell is provided with a fork-shaped connecting plate, and the upper half of the rigid protective shell is connected to the fork-shaped connecting plate through a limiting pin to limit the displacement of the rigid protective shell in the expansion direction of the core mold.

[0009] According to the present invention, an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold for composite material curing is provided. The rigid protective shell is provided with a joint baffle at one end away from the sealing clamping block. The joint baffle is connected to the connecting angle seat of the rigid protective shell through a connecting screw to prevent the airbag core mold from breaking or the sealing clamping block from splashing.

[0010] According to the present invention, an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold for composite material curing is provided. The pressurization system includes an air source quick-connect connector, a filter, a pressure regulating valve, a ball valve, a digital pressure gauge and a threaded connector connected in series. The threaded connector is sealed to the air inlet of the sealing clamping block.

[0011] According to the present invention, an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold for composite material curing is provided. The water tank assembly is a segmented splicing structure made of stainless steel. The joint surfaces of each water tank unit are coated with sealant and are fastened together by bolts. The two ends of the water tank assembly are provided with end caps for sealing the ends of the water tank.

[0012] According to the present invention, an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold for composite material curing is provided, wherein the movable support frame is provided with casters and a clamping device is provided on the movable support frame, and the clamping device is used to fix the water tank assembly on the movable support frame.

[0013] This utility model provides an airtightness testing device for airbag core molds used in composite material curing. Through a scientifically designed structure, it effectively solves many defects in existing testing technologies, achieving significant technical results. Regarding the accuracy of the test results, the device adopts a positive pressure testing mode, stably applying a pressure of 0.7-0.9 MPa, consistent with the actual working pressure of the airbag core mold. This ensures the testing environment perfectly matches the actual usage scenario of the core mold, completely avoiding misjudgments caused by insufficient testing pressure. The accuracy and reliability of the test results are greatly improved, providing strong assurance for the molding quality of composite material parts. In terms of safety protection, the rigid protective shell effectively constrains the expansion displacement of the core mold. Combined with the buffering effect of the water pressure in the water tank, it can fully absorb the energy generated if the core mold bursts, preventing fragments from flying. Simultaneously, the acrylic plate above the water tank not only blocks potential splashes but also ensures visibility during the testing process, forming a comprehensive safety protection system that greatly enhances the safety of the testing process. For leak location, the core mold and rigid protective shell are placed together in a water-filled tank. When a leak occurs in the core mold, the leaking gas will form visible bubbles in the water. Operators can directly observe the location of the bubbles through an acrylic plate, quickly and accurately locating the leak, significantly shortening troubleshooting time and greatly improving detection efficiency. Regarding flexibility, both the rigid protective shell and the water tank assembly adopt a segmented structural design, allowing for assembly and combination as needed based on airbag core molds of different lengths. This eliminates the need for separately designed and manufactured detection devices for specific sizes, resulting in a wide range of compatibility and effectively reducing the investment and operating costs of detection equipment. In terms of ease of operation, the entire device is mounted on a movable support frame with casters, enabling flexible movement to adapt to different testing site requirements. The components are connected by bolts, pins, and other quick-connect structures, making assembly and disassembly simple and efficient. The pressurization system is equipped with a digital pressure gauge, providing intuitive and accurate pressure adjustment and numerical observation, eliminating the need for complex operating procedures, effectively reducing operator workload and improving overall detection efficiency. In terms of structural durability, the sealing clamping block is made of stainless steel, and the rigid protective shell is made of hard aluminum alloy, which not only ensures structural strength but also has good rust resistance. The water tank assembly is made of stainless steel, and the joints are sealed with sealant and fastened with bolts, making the structure stable and reliable. It can adapt to long-term repetitive testing scenarios and extend the service life of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this utility model 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 this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the airbag core mold structure provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing clamping block structure provided in an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rigid protective shell structure provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rigid protective shell connection provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the pressurization system provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the water tank assembly structure provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly of the device provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0016] Figure label: 1. Sealing clamping block; 2. Rigid protective shell; 3. Pressurization system; 4. Water tank assembly; 5. Movable support frame; 6. Inner support clamping block; 7. Outer clamping block; 8. Limit pin; 9. Fork lug connecting plate; 10. Clamping device; 11. Threaded joint; 12. Joint baffle; 13. Acrylic plate; 14. Air source quick-connect connector; 15. Ball valve; 16. Pressure regulating valve; 17. Digital pressure gauge; 18. Filter. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can typically be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0018] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "inner", "outer", "upper", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0021] This application provides an airtightness testing device for an airbag core mold used for composite material curing, comprising: a sealing clamping block 1 for sealing the open end of the airbag core mold to form a closed inner cavity; the sealing clamping block 1 includes an inner support clamping block 6 and two mating outer clamping blocks 7, the inner support clamping block 6 being disposed on the inner side of the open end of the airbag core mold, and the outer clamping blocks 7 being disposed on the outer side of the open end of the airbag core mold, the inner support clamping block 6 and the outer clamping blocks 7 being locked together by fastening bolts to achieve a seal. Both the inner support clamping block 6 and the outer clamping blocks 7 are made of stainless steel, and the inner support clamping block 6 is provided with an air inlet, which is connected to the pressurization system 3.

[0022] A rigid protective shell 2 is fitted onto the outside of the airbag core mold to constrain its expansion displacement. The rigid protective shell 2 is a segmented structure made of hard aluminum alloy, comprising upper and lower parts joined together with a staggered joint of 1 / 2 unit length along the length of the airbag core mold. The lower half of the rigid protective shell 2 is provided with a fork-shaped connecting plate 9, and the upper half of the rigid protective shell 2 is connected to the fork-shaped connecting plate 9 via a limiting pin 8 to restrict the rigid protective shell 2 from displacing in the direction of core mold expansion. A joint baffle 12 is provided at the end of the rigid protective shell 2 away from the sealing clamping block 1. The joint baffle 12 is connected to the connecting angle seat of the rigid protective shell 2 via a connecting screw to prevent the airbag core mold from rupturing or the sealing clamping block 1 from splashing.

[0023] The pressurization system 3 is connected to the sealing clamping block 1 and is used to apply positive pressure to the closed inner cavity of the airbag core mold. The pressurization system 3 includes an air source quick-connect connector 14, a filter 18, a pressure regulating valve 16, a ball valve 15, a digital display pressure gauge 17, and a threaded connector 11 connected in series. The threaded connector 11 is sealed to the air inlet of the sealing clamping block 1.

[0024] The water tank assembly 4 is used to house the airbag core mold and the rigid protective shell 2, and liquid can be injected into the water tank assembly 4 to observe leaks; an acrylic plate 13 is detachably installed on the top of the water tank assembly 4, which is used for protection and to provide a field of view. The water tank assembly 4 is a segmented splicing structure made of stainless steel, and the joint surfaces of each water tank unit are coated with sealant and fastened together by bolts; end caps are provided at both ends of the water tank assembly 4 to seal the ends of the water tank.

[0025] A movable support frame 5 is provided, on which the sink assembly 4 is mounted to support and fix the sink assembly 4; the movable support frame 5 is provided with casters and a clamping device 10 is provided on the movable support frame 5 to fix the sink assembly 4 to the movable support frame 5.

[0026] Working Principle: This utility model's airtightness testing device for airbag core molds used in composite material curing achieves accurate airtightness testing of airbag core molds through the coordinated operation of various functional components. Its core working principle is as follows: First, the core mold is sealed and fixed. The inner support clamping block 6 is placed inside the open end of the airbag core mold to support its inner shape. Simultaneously, two opposing outer clamping blocks 7 are placed on the outer side of the open end of the core mold. The inner support clamping block 6 and the outer clamping block 7 are locked together with fastening bolts, forming a closed inner cavity for the airbag core mold and ensuring gas tightness during the testing process. Then, the segmented rigid protective shell 2 is spliced ​​along the length of the core mold. The upper and lower protective shells are made of 1 / 2... The staggered splicing of unit lengths ensures the structural strength at the splice. The lower half of the rigid protective shell 2 is connected to the upper half through the fork-shaped connecting plate 9. The upper and lower parts are connected and fixed by the limiting pin 8 to limit the displacement of the protective shell in the direction of core mold expansion. At the same time, a joint baffle 12 is set in the opposite direction of the core mold length and is connected to the connecting angle seat of the protective shell through the connecting screw to prevent the core mold from breaking or the clamping block from splashing in the direction of core mold length due to excessive pressure. Next, the water tank assembly 4 is assembled and placed. According to the length requirements of the airbag core mold, the corresponding number of water tank units are selected and spliced. After the joint surfaces of each water tank unit are coated with sealant, they are fastened with bolts to ensure the sealing of the water tank. The assembled water tank assembly 4 is placed on the movable support frame 5, and the water tank is fixed by the clamp 10 on the support frame to prevent the water tank from shifting during the test. Then, the sealed core mold and the rigid protective shell 2 are placed into the water tank as a whole, and clean water is poured into the water tank until the water level is above the upper surface of the rigid protective shell 2. Then, the acrylic plate 13 is placed on top of the water tank to achieve safety protection without affecting the observation field of view. Next, the pressurization system 3 is connected. The pressurization system 3 consists of components such as air source quick connector 14, filter, pressure regulating valve 16, ball valve 15, digital display pressure gauge 17, and threaded connector 11 connected in series through a seal. The threaded connector 11 is sealed and connected to the air inlet on the inner support clamping block 6. An external air source is connected through the air source quick connector 14 to complete the construction of the entire pressurization circuit. Finally, initiate the airtightness test procedure. Open the ball valve 15 switch and adjust the air source pressure through the pressure regulating valve 16. Simultaneously, observe the changes in the value of the digital pressure gauge 17 until the pressure reaches the required 0.7-0.9 MPa for the test. If the pressure cannot reach the set value, observe whether air bubbles are generated in the water tank through the acrylic plate 13. If air bubbles appear, it indicates that there is a leak in the airbag core mold, and the location where the air bubbles are generated is the leak point. If the pressure successfully reaches the set value, close the ball valve 15 switch to maintain the pressure. Continuously observe the changes in the value of the digital pressure gauge 17 and the air bubble situation in the water tank. If the pressure remains stable and no air bubbles are generated during the pressure maintenance process, it is determined that the airtightness of the airbag core mold meets the requirements. If the pressure drops or air bubbles appear, it is determined that the airtightness of the core mold is unqualified, thus completing the comprehensive airtightness test of the airbag core mold.

[0027] This utility model provides an airtightness testing device for airbag core molds used in composite material curing. Through a scientifically designed structure, it effectively solves many defects in existing testing technologies, achieving significant technical results. Regarding the accuracy of the test results, the device adopts a positive pressure testing mode, stably applying a pressure of 0.7-0.9 MPa, consistent with the actual working pressure of the airbag core mold. This ensures the testing environment perfectly matches the actual usage scenario of the core mold, completely avoiding misjudgments caused by insufficient testing pressure. The accuracy and reliability of the test results are greatly improved, providing strong assurance for the molding quality of composite material parts. In terms of safety protection, the rigid protective shell effectively constrains the expansion displacement of the core mold. Combined with the buffering effect of the water pressure in the water tank, it can fully absorb the energy generated if the core mold bursts, preventing fragments from flying. Simultaneously, the acrylic plate above the water tank not only blocks potential splashes but also ensures visibility during the testing process, forming a comprehensive safety protection system that greatly enhances the safety of the testing process. For leak location, the core mold and rigid protective shell are placed together in a water-filled tank. When a leak occurs in the core mold, the leaking gas will form visible bubbles in the water. Operators can directly observe the location of the bubbles through an acrylic plate, quickly and accurately locating the leak, significantly shortening troubleshooting time and greatly improving detection efficiency. Regarding flexibility, both the rigid protective shell and the water tank assembly adopt a segmented structural design, allowing for assembly and combination as needed based on airbag core molds of different lengths. This eliminates the need for separately designed and manufactured detection devices for specific sizes, resulting in a wide range of compatibility and effectively reducing the investment and operating costs of detection equipment. In terms of ease of operation, the entire device is mounted on a movable support frame with casters, enabling flexible movement to adapt to different testing site requirements. The components are connected by bolts, pins, and other quick-connect structures, making assembly and disassembly simple and efficient. The pressurization system is equipped with a digital pressure gauge, providing intuitive and accurate pressure adjustment and numerical observation, eliminating the need for complex operating procedures, effectively reducing operator workload and improving overall detection efficiency. In terms of structural durability, the sealing clamping block is made of stainless steel, and the rigid protective shell is made of hard aluminum alloy, which not only ensures structural strength but also has good rust resistance. The water tank assembly is made of stainless steel, and the joints are sealed with sealant and fastened with bolts, making the structure stable and reliable. It can adapt to long-term repetitive testing scenarios and extend the service life of the device.

[0028] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model 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. Such 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 this utility model.

Claims

1. A device for testing the airtightness of a composite material curing airbag core mold, characterized in that, include: A sealing clamping block (1) is used to seal the open end of the airbag core mold to form a closed inner cavity; A rigid protective shell (2) is fitted on the outside of the airbag core mold to constrain the expansion displacement of the airbag core mold; a pressurization system (3) is connected to the sealing clamping block (1) to apply positive pressure to the closed inner cavity of the airbag core mold; a water tank assembly (4) is used to accommodate the airbag core mold and the rigid protective shell (2), and liquid can be injected into the water tank assembly (4) to observe leakage; a movable support frame (5) is provided on the movable support frame (5) to support and fix the water tank assembly (4); an acrylic plate (13) is detachably provided above the water tank assembly (4), and the acrylic plate (13) is used for protection and to provide an observation field of view.

2. The airtightness testing device for a composite material curing airbag core mold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing clamping block (1) includes an inner support clamping block (6) and two opposing outer clamping blocks (7). The inner support clamping block (6) is located on the inner side of the open end of the airbag core mold, and the outer clamping block (7) is located on the outer side of the open end of the airbag core mold. The inner support clamping block (6) and the outer clamping block (7) are locked together by fastening bolts to achieve sealing.

3. The airtightness testing device for a composite material curing airbag core mold according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the inner support clamping block (6) and the outer clamping block (7) are made of stainless steel. The inner support clamping block (6) is provided with an air inlet, which is connected to the pressurization system (3).

4. The airtightness testing device for a composite material curing airbag core mold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid protective shell (2) is a segmented structure made of hard aluminum alloy. The rigid protective shell (2) includes upper and lower parts, which are spliced ​​together with a staggered joint of 1 / 2 unit length along the length direction of the airbag core mold. The lower half of the rigid protective shell (2) is provided with a fork ear connecting plate (9), and the upper half of the rigid protective shell (2) is connected to the fork ear connecting plate (9) through a limiting pin (8) to limit the displacement of the rigid protective shell (2) in the direction of core mold expansion.

5. The airtightness testing device for a composite material curing airbag core mold according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rigid protective shell (2) has a joint baffle (12) at one end away from the sealing clamping block (1). The joint baffle (12) is connected to the connecting angle seat of the rigid protective shell (2) through a connecting screw to prevent the airbag core mold from breaking or the sealing clamping block (1) from splashing.

6. The airtightness testing device for a composite material curing airbag core mold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressurization system (3) includes a quick-connect air source connector (14), a filter, a pressure regulating valve (16), a ball valve (15), a digital pressure gauge (17), and a threaded connector (11) connected in series. The threaded connector (11) is sealed to the air inlet of the sealing clamping block (1).

7. The airtightness testing device for a composite material curing airbag core mold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water tank assembly (4) is a segmented splicing structure made of stainless steel. The joint surfaces of each water tank unit are coated with sealant and are fastened together by bolts. The two ends of the water tank assembly (4) are provided with end caps for sealing the ends of the water tank.

8. The airtightness testing device for a composite material curing airbag core mold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable support frame (5) is equipped with casters and a clamp (10) is provided on the movable support frame (5). The clamp (10) is used to fix the water tank assembly (4) on the movable support frame (5).

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