Filament winding machine

Abstract

The filament winding device 100 includes a yarn feeding head 110 for supplying a fiber bundle F1 to a workpiece 10. The yarn feeding head 110 has a widening roller 122a and a damper mechanism 140a. The fiber bundle F1 is wound around the side of the widening roller 122a. The damper mechanism 140a moves the widening roller 122a in a direction that decreases the path length of the fiber bundle F1 as the tension of the fiber bundle F1 increases. The damper mechanism 140a also moves the widening roller 122a in a direction that increases the path length of the fiber bundle F1 as the tension of the fiber bundle F1 decreases.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a filament winding device.

Background Art

[0002] A filament winding device is a device that winds a fiber bundle formed by bundling a plurality of fibers around a workpiece. Specifically, while a delivery head moves relative to the workpiece along the axial direction of the workpiece, the fiber bundle is supplied to the workpiece. The fiber bundle is wound around the workpiece by hoop winding or helical winding, thereby forming a reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer imparts strength to the workpiece.

[0003] By the way, when winding the fiber bundle around the workpiece by helical winding, the delivery head decelerates when reaching the axial end of the workpiece, and then accelerates when changing the moving direction and heading towards the axial middle of the workpiece. Due to such a change in speed, the path length of the fiber bundle changes and the tension fluctuates. If the tension becomes excessively small due to the fluctuation, there is a concern that the fiber bundle may not be properly wound at the axial end of the workpiece.

[0004] The applicant of the present application has proposed a filament winding device that can impart sufficient strength to both the axial middle and the axial end of a workpiece in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-93045.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] There is a need for a filament winding device that, despite its simple configuration, can provide sufficient strength to both the axial middle and axial ends of a workpiece.

[0007] This disclosure aims to solve the problems described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Aspects of the present disclosure are filament winding devices for winding a fiber bundle of multiple fibers onto a workpiece, comprising: a delivery head that moves relative to the workpiece; and a yarn feeding head provided on the delivery head and rotatable relative to the delivery head, wherein the yarn feeding head has a side surface on which the fiber bundle is wound and a widening roller that spreads the fiber bundle on the side surface; and a damper mechanism that supports the widening roller and suppresses fluctuations in the tension of the fiber bundle supplied to the workpiece, wherein the damper mechanism moves the widening roller in a direction that decreases the path length of the fiber bundle as the tension of the fiber bundle increases, and moves the widening roller in a direction that increases the path length of the fiber bundle as the tension of the fiber bundle decreases. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, the fiber bundle can be tightly wrapped around the workpiece. Therefore, sufficient strength is imparted to the workpiece. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a filament winding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the liner, which is the workpiece, as seen from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the yarn feeding head. [Figure 4]Figures 4A to 4C are schematic front views of the damper mechanism, showing the state in which the arm member swings and the widening roller moves. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] In the following, the filament winding apparatus may be abbreviated as "FW apparatus." Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the workpiece 10 shown in Figure 1 is a resin or metal liner 20 will be described. In this case, the product is a high-pressure tank. However, the workpiece 10 is not limited to the liner 20, and the product is not limited to a high-pressure tank.

[0012] Furthermore, in the following, to facilitate the distinction between the widening roller 122a shown in Figure 3 and another widening roller 122b, the widening roller 122a will be referred to as "first widening roller 122a" and the other widening roller 122b as "second widening roller 122b". Similarly, to facilitate the distinction between the damper mechanism 140a and another damper mechanism 140b, the damper mechanism 140a will be referred to as "first damper mechanism 140a" and the other damper mechanism 140b as "second damper mechanism 140b". In addition, to facilitate the distinction between fiber bundle F1 and another fiber bundle F2, fiber bundle F1 will be referred to as "first fiber bundle F1" and the other fiber bundle F2 as "second fiber bundle F2".

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the FW device 100 according to this embodiment. The FW device 100 wraps a strip-shaped bundle FT, which is an aggregate of a first fiber bundle F1 (fiber bundle) and a second fiber bundle F2 (another fiber bundle), around a liner 20, which is a workpiece 10. This forms a reinforcing layer 40 on the outer surface of the liner 20, and a high-pressure tank is obtained as a product. Note that in Figure 1, the feeding direction of the strip-shaped bundle FT and the orientation of the liner 20 do not necessarily correspond to the feeding direction of the strip-shaped bundle FT and the orientation of the liner 20 when the FW device 100 is actually used.

[0014] Referring to Figure 2, the liner 20 will be described in general terms. The liner 20 has a cylindrical portion 24, a first dome portion 22 connected to one axial end of the cylindrical portion 24, and a second dome portion 26 connected to the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 24. The axial direction of the liner 20 is in the direction of arrow A. A first nozzle 28 is provided on the first dome portion 22, and a second nozzle 30 is provided on the second dome portion 26. The liner 20 is supported by a support shaft 106 in a liner support portion (not shown). The support shaft 106 is located on a central axis C that passes through the diametrical center of the cylindrical portion 24 and extends along the axial direction of the liner 20.

[0015] In the liner support section, the liner 20 is rotatable integrally with the support shaft 106. The center of rotation of the liner 20 is the support shaft 106 (or the central axis C).

[0016] The FW device 100 forms a helical layer 42 on the first dome section 22, the cylindrical section 24, and the second dome section 26 by helical winding. The FW device 100 also forms a hoop layer 44 on the cylindrical section 24 by hoop winding. Therefore, the helical layer 42 and the hoop layer 44 are stacked on the cylindrical section 24 in no particular order. Thus, the reinforcing layer 40 includes the helical layer 42 and the hoop layer 44.

[0017] Next, with reference to Figure 1, the configuration of the FW device 100 will be briefly described. The FW device 100 comprises a plurality of bobbins 102, a delivery head 104, and a yarn feeding head 110.

[0018] Each of the multiple bobbins 102 is a source of small fiber bundles NF. The small fiber bundles NF wound on each bobbin 102 flow toward the yarn feeding head 110. A small fiber bundle NF is a bundle of multiple fibers. However, the fiber width of the small fiber bundle NF is smaller than the fiber width of the first fiber bundle F1 and the fiber width of the second fiber bundle F2. An example of a small fiber bundle NF is a bundle of multiple carbon fibers impregnated with resin.

[0019] The delivery head 104 is capable of relative movement with respect to the liner 20. In the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the liner 20 is supported by a support shaft 106 of a liner support portion (not shown), and the delivery head 104 moves along the axial direction (A direction) of the liner 20.

[0020] The yarn feeding head 110 is provided on the delivery head 104. Therefore, the yarn feeding head 110 can move integrally with the delivery head 104 along the axial direction of the liner 20. The yarn feeding head 110 is rotatably supported on the delivery head 104 via a rotating shaft (not shown). As the rotating shaft rotates with respect to the delivery head 104, the yarn feeding head 110 rotates with respect to the delivery head 104.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the yarn feeding head 110 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 3, the yarn feeding head 110 has a base portion 112. A plurality of rollers provided on this base portion 112 form a first fiber bundle F1 (fiber bundle) from a plurality of small fiber bundles NF, and form a second fiber bundle F2 (another fiber bundle) from another plurality of small fiber bundles NF. Further, one belt-like bundle FT is formed from the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2. The belt-like bundle FT is supplied to the liner 20. This will be described later.

[0022] In the yarn feeding head 110, a first conveyance path 114 for conveying the first fiber bundle F1, a second conveyance path 116 for conveying the second fiber bundle F2, and a third conveyance path 118 for conveying the belt-like bundle FT are formed. In the first conveyance path 114, a first gathering roller 120a, a first widening roller 122a (widening roller), and a first converging roller 124a are arranged from upstream to downstream in the flow direction of the first fiber bundle F1. In the second conveyance path 116, a second gathering roller 120b, a second widening roller 122b (another widening roller), and a second converging roller 124b are arranged from upstream to downstream in the flow direction of the second fiber bundle F2. The first gathering roller 120a and the second gathering roller 120b form a pair. Similarly, the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b form a pair, and the first converging roller 124a and the second converging roller 124b form a pair.

[0023] On the third conveying path 118, an upstream guide roller 126, a detection roller 130 as a tension detection unit 128, and a downstream guide roller 132 (guide roller) are arranged. The upstream guide roller 126 is arranged downstream of the first aggregation roller 124a and the second aggregation roller 124b. The detection roller 130 is arranged downstream of the upstream guide roller 126, and the downstream guide roller 132 is arranged downstream of the detection roller 130. The downstream guide roller 132 is the roller located most downstream among all the rollers provided in the yarn feeding head 110.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the first aggregation roller 120a aggregates the small fiber bundles NF supplied from three of the plurality of bobbins 102 to form one first fiber bundle F1. Similarly, the second aggregation roller 120b aggregates the small fiber bundles NF supplied from another three of the plurality of bobbins 102 to form one second fiber bundle F2. However, the number of small fiber bundles NF aggregated by the first aggregation roller 120a and the second aggregation roller 120b may be other than three. Also, the number of small fiber bundles NF aggregated by the first aggregation roller 120a and the number of small fiber bundles NF aggregated by the second aggregation roller 120b may be different.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the first widthening roller 122a and the second widthening roller 122b are uneven rollers. In this case, each of the side surfaces of the first widthening roller 122a and the second widthening roller 122b is an uneven surface having uneven portions 123. However, it is not essential that each of the side surfaces of the first widthening roller 122a and the second widthening roller 122b has uneven portions 123. The first widthening roller 122a and the second widthening roller 122b may be smooth rollers having no unevenness on the side surface and a circular cross-section in the diameter direction.

[0026] In FIG. 3, the first aggregation roller 124a and the second aggregation roller 124b are also shown as uneven rollers. However, the first aggregation roller 124a and the second aggregation roller 124b may be smooth rollers defined as above.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the upstream guide roller 126, the detection roller 130, and the downstream guide roller 132 are preferably smooth rollers. However, the upstream guide roller 126, the detection roller 130, and the downstream guide roller 132 may be uneven rollers as defined above.

[0028] The detection roller 130 is an example of the tension detection unit 128. A strip-shaped bundle FT, stretched from the upstream guide roller 126 to the downstream guide roller 132, contacts the side surface of the detection roller 130. The detection roller 130 measures the tension of the strip-shaped bundle FT. The measured tension is displayed, for example, on a display (not shown). Note that the tension detection unit 128 is not limited to the detection roller 130. The tension detection unit 128 may be a known online tension sensor incorporated into a production line.

[0029] The yarn feeding head 110 has a first damper mechanism 140a (damper mechanism) and a second damper mechanism 140b (another damper mechanism). The first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b form a pair. In the above configuration, the first widening roller 122a is supported on the base 112 via the first damper mechanism 140a, and the second widening roller 122b is supported on the base 112 via the second damper mechanism 140b. A detailed explanation follows below.

[0030] In the illustrated example, the first damper mechanism 140a includes a first elastic deformation portion 142a and a first arm member 144a. Alternatively, the first damper mechanism 140a may be a spring.

[0031] An example of the first elastic deformation portion 142a is a first elastic bearing 150a having an insertion hole 152. As shown in Figure 4A, the first elastic bearing 150a has, for example, an outer cylinder 180, an inner cylinder 182 disposed inside the hollow interior of the outer cylinder 180, and a plurality of rubbers 184 inserted in the clearance between the inner surface of the outer cylinder 180 and the outer surface of the inner cylinder 182. In this case, the insertion hole 152 is provided in the inner cylinder 182. Note that the first elastic bearing 150a is not limited to the bearing shown in Figure 4A, and the first elastic deformation portion 142a is not limited to the first elastic bearing 150a.

[0032] The first elastic bearing 150a is sandwiched between the base 112 and the bracket 154. The bracket 154 is connected to the base 112 via bolts or the like, thereby holding the first elastic bearing 150a to the base 112.

[0033] The first arm member 144a has a pair of arm pieces 160. One end of each arm piece 160 in the longitudinal direction is a connecting end 162, and the other end of each arm piece 160 in the longitudinal direction is a support end 164. Each arm piece 160 has a through hole 166 in the connecting end 162. Each through hole 166 is superimposed on an insertion hole 152. Furthermore, a swing shaft 168 is passed through each through hole 166 and the insertion hole 152. The first arm member 144a and the swing shaft 168 can swing integrally with respect to the base 112. That is, the first arm member 144a does not swing relative to the swing shaft 168.

[0034] Each arm piece 160 has a support hole 170 at its support end 164. The first rotating shaft 172a of the first widening roller 122a passes through each support hole 170. As a result, the first widening roller 122a is supported by the base 112 via the first elastic bearing 150a and the first arm member 144a. Therefore, when the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 acts on the first widening roller 122a, the first elastic bearing 150a elastically deforms and the first arm member 144a swings, causing the first widening roller 122a to move relative to the base 112. The first widening roller 122a is rotatable around the first rotating shaft 172a relative to the first arm member 144a.

[0035] The second damper mechanism 140b is configured in the same way as the first damper mechanism 140a. That is, the second damper mechanism 140b includes, for example, a second elastic deformation part 142b and a second arm member 144b. Therefore, in Figure 3, the same reference numerals are used for the same components of the second elastic deformation part 142b as for the components of the first elastic deformation part 142a. Similarly, the same reference numerals are used for the same components of the second arm member 144b as for the components of the first arm member 144a. The second damper mechanism 140b may also be a spring.

[0036] When the tension of the second fiber bundle F2 acts on the second widening roller 122b, the second elastic bearing 150b elastically deforms and the second arm member 144b swings, causing the second widening roller 122b to move relative to the base 112. The second widening roller 122b is rotatable around the second rotating shaft 172b relative to the second arm member 144b.

[0037] In a direction intersecting the flow direction of the fiber bundle F1, the first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b are provided outside the first assembly roller 120a and the second assembly roller 120b. In the illustrated example, the first assembly roller 120a and the second assembly roller 120b are located between the connecting end 162 of the first arm member 144a in the first damper mechanism 140a and the connecting end 162 of the second arm member 144b in the second damper mechanism 140b.

[0038] Next, the operation of the FW device 100 when winding the strip-shaped bundle FT (an aggregate of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2) onto the liner 20 will be described.

[0039] A portion of the small fiber bundles NF supplied from some of the bobbins 102 shown in Figure 1 are supplied to the first assembly roller 120a of the yarn feeding head 110. The multiple small fiber bundles NF are assembled at the first assembly roller 120a to form the first fiber bundle F1.

[0040] Next, the first fiber bundle F1 is spread out by the first widening roller 122a shown in Figure 3. The direction in which the first fiber bundle F1 spreads is the width direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the first fiber bundle F1. In other words, the first fiber bundle F1 is appropriately widened by the first widening roller 122a.

[0041] Meanwhile, a portion of another small fiber bundle NF supplied from a different bobbin 102, as shown in Figure 1, is supplied to the second assembly roller 120b of the yarn feeding head 110. The second fiber bundle F2 is formed when multiple other small fiber bundles NF are assembled at the second assembly roller 120b.

[0042] The first fiber bundle F1, widened by the first widening roller 122a, flows toward the first consolidation roller 124a. The second fiber bundle F2, widened by the second widening roller 122b, flows toward the second consolidation roller 124b. Downstream of the first consolidation roller 124a and the second consolidation roller 124b, the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2 are consolidated to form a strip-shaped bundle FT. The strip-shaped bundle FT is supplied to the liner 20 via the upstream guide roller 126, the detection roller 130, and the downstream guide roller 132. The liner 20 is pre-rotated.

[0043] As the delivery head 104 moves linearly along the axial direction of the liner 20, and the yarn feeding head 110 rotates appropriately relative to the delivery head 104, the strip-shaped bundle FT is wound around the outer surface of the liner 20. As shown in Figure 2, when the strip-shaped bundle FT is wound around the liner 20 in a helical winding manner, a helical layer 42 is formed on the first dome portion 22, the cylindrical portion 24, and the second dome portion 26. When the strip-shaped bundle FT is wound around the liner 20 in a hoop winding manner, a hoop layer 44 is formed on the cylindrical portion 24. In this way, a reinforcing layer 40 is formed on the outer surface of the liner 20.

[0044] The detection roller 130 shown in Figure 3 allows for measurement of the tension of the strip bundle FT. The measurement is displayed on a screen. By monitoring the measurement, the operator can determine whether or not a reinforcing layer 40 with sufficient tension has been formed. A warning sound may be generated if the tension falls outside the specified range.

[0045] Incidentally, as shown in Figure 2, when the delivery head 104 moves from the cylindrical section 24 to the first dome section 22 to form the helical layer 42 on the liner 20, the delivery head 104 is braked and decelerates. As a result, the feeding speed of the small fiber bundles NF from the bobbin 102 becomes greater than the winding speed of the strip bundles FT to the liner 20, causing the strip bundles FT to relax and the tension to decrease. In contrast, when the delivery head 104 changes direction and moves from the first dome section 22 to the cylindrical section 24, the delivery head 104 accelerates. This causes the feeding speed of the small fiber bundles NF from the bobbin 102 to become less than the winding speed of the strip bundles FT to the liner 20, causing the strip bundles FT to become taut and the tension to increase.

[0046] Similarly, when the delivery head 104 moves from the cylindrical section 24 to the second dome section 26, the tension of the strip bundle FT decreases. Also, when the delivery head 104, having changed direction of movement, moves from the second dome section 26 to the cylindrical section 24, the tension of the strip bundle FT increases. When the strip bundle FT is wound around the cylindrical section 24, the yarn feeding speed of the small fiber bundle NF and the winding speed of the strip bundle FT are approximately in equilibrium, and the tension is of an average magnitude (average tension).

[0047] The first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b suppress such tension fluctuations. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4A, in an unloaded state where the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 is not acting on the first widening roller 122a, the first arm member 144a maintains its initial tilt position without oscillating. The first widening roller 122a remains in its initial position before movement.

[0048] In contrast, when a hoop layer 44 is formed on the cylindrical portion 24, an average tension (average tension) acts from the first fiber bundle F1 to the first widening roller 122a. The first widening roller 122a is pulled by the first fiber bundle F1 due to the tension. As a result, the first arm member 144a is also pulled by the first fiber bundle F1.

[0049] In this way, when the first widening roller 122a is pulled by the first fiber bundle F1, the first elastic bearing 150a constituting the first elastic deformation section 142a undergoes elastic deformation. For example, some of the multiple rubbers 184 shown in Figures 4A and 4B are compressed, while other parts of the multiple rubbers 184 bulge out. As shown in Figure 4B, along with this elastic deformation, the first arm member 144a swings in the direction pulled by the first fiber bundle F1. That is, the first arm member 144a swings integrally with the swing shaft 168 in the direction approaching the second arm member 144b. As a result, the first widening roller 122a moves relative to the base 112. The first arm member 144a reaches the average inclination position, and the first widening roller 122a reaches the average movement position. That is, the first widening roller 122a moves in the direction in which the path length of the first fiber bundle F1 decreases.

[0050] For example, when the delivery head 104 (see Figures 1 and 2) moves from the first dome portion 22 to the cylindrical portion 24, the tension of the strip bundle FT increases. In this case, as shown in Figure 4C, the first elastic bearing 150a undergoes even greater elastic deformation. This elastic deformation allows the first arm member 144a to swing even further. The first arm member 144a swings further in the direction approaching the second arm member 144b. As the first arm member 144a reaches its maximum inclination position, the first widening roller 122a reaches its maximum movement position. In this case as well, the first arm member 144a swings integrally with the swing shaft 168, and the first widening roller 122a moves in a direction that reduces the path length of the first fiber bundle F1.

[0051] As described above, as the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 supplied to the liner 20 increases, the first widening roller 122a moves in a direction that reduces the path length of the first fiber bundle F1, with a displacement corresponding to the magnitude of the tension. This absorbs the tension of the first fiber bundle F1. Therefore, it is prevented that the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 becomes excessively large.

[0052] Furthermore, as the delivery head 104 moves from the cylindrical portion 24 to the second dome portion 26, the tension of the strip-shaped bundle FT decreases. In this case, the first elastic bearing 150a undergoes elastic deformation to return to its original shape. Along with this elastic deformation, the first arm member 144a swings, for example, to reach a position between the average inclination position and the initial inclination position. Consequently, the first widening roller 122a moves in a direction that increases the path length of the first fiber bundle F1.

[0053] Thus, as the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 supplied to the liner 20 decreases, the first widening roller 122a moves in the direction of increasing the path length of the first fiber bundle F1. This prevents the first fiber bundle F1 from becoming loose.

[0054] The same applies to the second fiber bundle F2 flowing through the second transport path 116. That is, the second arm member 144b swings integrally with the swing shaft 168 in a direction approaching the first arm member 144a. Therefore, the strip bundle FT, which is an aggregate of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2, can be firmly wrapped around the liner 20. As a result, even if the number of turns of the strip bundle FT is small, sufficient strength can be imparted to the liner 20. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the high-pressure tank, which is the product. It also makes it possible to improve the fracture strength of the high-pressure tank.

[0055] This embodiment provides the following effects.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the yarn feeding head 110 of the FW device 100 has a first widening roller 122a and a first damper mechanism 140a, and a second widening roller 122b and a second damper mechanism 140b. The first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b support the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b, respectively, and suppress fluctuations in the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2 supplied to the liner 20, which is the workpiece 10.

[0057] Specifically, as can be seen from Figures 4A to 4C, when the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2 increases, the first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b move the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b, respectively, in a direction that decreases the path length of the first fiber bundle F1 and the path length of the second fiber bundle F2. This absorbs the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 and the tension of the second fiber bundle F2. Conversely, as the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2 decreases, the first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b move the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b, respectively, in a direction that increases the path length of the first fiber bundle F1 and the path length of the second fiber bundle F2. This prevents the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2 from becoming loose.

[0058] Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the strip-shaped bundle FT, which is an aggregate of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2, can be firmly wrapped around the liner 20. As a result, even if the number of turns of the strip-shaped bundle FT is small, sufficient strength is imparted to the liner 20. Consequently, if the product is a high-pressure tank, the weight of the high-pressure tank can be reduced. Furthermore, the fracture strength of the high-pressure tank can be improved.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, the first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b each have a first arm member 144a and a second arm member 144b supported by a first elastic deformation section 142a and a second elastic deformation section 142b, respectively. The first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b are supported by the first arm member 144a and the second arm member 144b, respectively.

[0060] With this configuration, as the first elastic deformation section 142a and the second elastic deformation section 142b undergo elastic deformation, the first arm member 144a and the second arm member 144b swing, respectively. This swinging motion allows the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b to be easily moved.

[0061] The first elastic deformation portion 142a is a first elastic bearing 150a that supports the first arm member 144a. As the first elastic bearing 150a undergoes elastic deformation, the first arm member 144a can easily swing, and the first widening roller 122a can be easily moved. Similarly, since the second elastic deformation portion 142b is a second elastic bearing 150b that supports the second arm member 144b, the second arm member 144b can easily swing, and the second widening roller 122b can also be easily moved.

[0062] Furthermore, the first widening roller 122a is lighter than when it is a smooth roller. As a result, the inertial force of the first widening roller 122a is reduced, and the damping capacity of the first damper mechanism 140a increases. Consequently, fluctuations in the tension of the first fiber bundle F1 are reduced. The same applies to the second widening roller 122b.

[0063] The yarn feeding head 110 has a downstream guide roller 132 located downstream of the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b in the flow direction of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2. The downstream guide roller 132 is a smooth roller.

[0064] On the smooth roller's side surface, the contact resistance to the strip-shaped bundle FT is smaller compared to the uneven roller. Therefore, the strip-shaped bundle FT is less likely to slip toward the liner 20. As a result, the strip-shaped bundle FT can be reliably fed from the downstream guide roller 132 toward the liner 20.

[0065] The yarn feeding head 110 has a tension detection unit 128 located downstream of the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b in the flow direction of the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2. The tension detection unit 128 detects the tension of the strip-shaped bundle FT.

[0066] As described above, the strip-shaped bundle FT is formed from the first fiber bundle F1 and the second fiber bundle F2 that have passed through the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b, respectively, and is then fed toward the liner 20. The tension detection unit 128 can monitor whether the tension of the strip-shaped bundle FT wound around the liner 20 is appropriate.

[0067] The tension detection unit 128 is a detection roller 130. In this case, the detection roller 130 can be incorporated into the third transport path 118 and the strip bundle FT can be wound around the side surface of the detection roller 130. Therefore, the tension of the strip bundle FT wound around the liner 20 can be easily detected.

[0068] In the yarn feeding head 110, the first widening roller 122a and the second widening roller 122b are paired, and the first damper mechanism 140a and the second damper mechanism 140b are also paired. The FW device 100 collects the first fiber bundle F1 that has passed through the first widening roller 122a and the second fiber bundle F2 that has passed through the second widening roller 122b, and supplies them to the liner 20 as a strip bundle FT.

[0069] The strip-shaped bundle FT is wider than, for example, the first fiber bundle F1 or the second fiber bundle F2. Therefore, when the strip-shaped bundle FT is wound around the liner 20 once, the area covered by the liner 20 in one winding is wider compared to when only the first fiber bundle F1 or only the second fiber bundle F2 is wound around the liner 20 once. As a result, the reinforcing layer 40 can be formed efficiently.

[0070] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the above embodiments.

[0071] (Note 1) The filament winding apparatus (100) of the present disclosure is a filament winding apparatus for winding a fiber bundle (F1) of a plurality of fibers onto a workpiece (10), comprising: a delivery head (104) that moves relative to the workpiece; and a yarn feeding head (110) provided on the delivery head and rotatable relative to the delivery head, wherein the yarn feeding head has a side surface on which the fiber bundle is wound and a widening roller (122a) that spreads the fiber bundle on the side surface; and a damper mechanism (140a) that supports the widening roller and suppresses fluctuations in the tension of the fiber bundle supplied to the workpiece, wherein the damper mechanism moves the widening roller in a direction that decreases the path length of the fiber bundle as the tension of the fiber bundle increases, and moves the widening roller in a direction that increases the path length of the fiber bundle as the tension of the fiber bundle decreases.

[0072] As the widening roller moves in accordance with the tension of the fiber bundle, the tension is absorbed when it increases. On the other hand, when the tension of the fiber bundle decreases, slack in the fiber bundle is prevented. Therefore, the fiber bundle can be tightly wrapped around the workpiece.

[0073] Therefore, even with a small number of windings of the fiber bundle, sufficient strength can be imparted to the workpiece from the fiber bundle. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the product obtained by winding the fiber bundle around the workpiece. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the fracture strength of the product.

[0074] (Note 2) In the filament winding apparatus described in Appendix 1, the damper mechanism has an elastically deformable portion (142a) provided on the base portion (112) constituting the yarn feeding head, and the widening roller may move as the elastically deformable portion moves.

[0075] Based on the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable part, the widening roller moves easily. Furthermore, the widening roller can easily return to its original position.

[0076] (Note 3) In the filament winding apparatus described in Appendix 2, the damper mechanism has an arm member (144a) supported by the elastic deformation portion, the widening roller is supported by the arm member, and the arm member may swing as the elastic deformation portion is elastically deformed.

[0077] The elastic deformation part deforms elastically based on the swinging of the arm member, and the widening roller moves easily.

[0078] (Note 4) In the filament winding apparatus described in Appendix 3, the elastically deformable portion is an elastic bearing (150a), and the elastic bearing may support the arm member.

[0079] The elastic bearing undergoes elastic deformation, allowing the arm member to swing easily. Consequently, the widening roller can also move easily.

[0080] (Note 5) In the filament winding apparatus described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, the side surface of the widening roller may be an uneven surface having an uneven portion (123).

[0081] In this case, the fiber bundle is prevented from falling off the widening roller. Also, the widening roller is lighter than when it is a smooth roller. Therefore, the inertial force of the widening roller is reduced, and the damping capacity of the damper mechanism is increased. Consequently, fluctuations in the tension of the fiber bundle are reduced.

[0082] (Note 6) In the filament winding apparatus described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5, the yarn feeding head has a guide roller (132) provided downstream of the widening roller in the direction of fiber bundle flow, and the guide roller may be a smooth roller having no irregularities on its side surface and a circular cross-section along the diametrical direction.

[0083] In this case, it is easy to feed the fiber bundle towards the workpiece.

[0084] (Note 7) In the filament winding apparatus described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, the yarn feeding head may be provided upstream of the widening roller in the flow direction of the fiber bundle and may have a gathering roller (120a) for gathering a plurality of small fiber bundles (NF) to obtain the fiber bundle.

[0085] The bundling roller allows multiple small fiber bundles to be integrated to obtain a wide fiber bundle.

[0086] (Note 8) In the filament winding apparatus described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7, the yarn feeding head may be provided downstream of the widening roller in the flow direction of the fiber bundle and may have a tension sensing unit (128) for detecting the tension of the fiber bundle.

[0087] By monitoring with the tension detection unit, the operator can determine whether the tension of the fiber bundle being sent to the workpiece is appropriate.

[0088] (Note 9) In the filament winding apparatus described in Appendix 8, the tension sensing unit may be a sensing roller (130) on which the fiber bundle is wound.

[0089] In this case, the tension of the fiber bundle can be detected while continuing to supply the fiber bundle to the workpiece.

[0090] (Note 10) In the filament winding apparatus described in any one of the appendices 1 to 9, the yarn feeding head has another widening roller (122b) paired with the widening roller, and another damper mechanism (140b) paired with the damper mechanism, and another fiber bundle (F2) is wound around the side surface of the other widening roller, and the fiber bundle that has passed through the widening roller and the other fiber bundle that has passed through the other widening roller are aggregated and supplied to the workpiece.

[0091] This allows for efficient winding of the fiber bundle around the workpiece.

[0092] While this disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, partially deleted, etc., in any way that does not depart from the gist of this disclosure or from the intent of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 10...Work 20...Liner 100…Filament winding machine 104…Delivery head 110... Yarn feeding head 122a... First widening roller 122b...Second widening roller 123...Uneven section 128...Tension detection unit 130...Detection roller 132…Downstream guide roller 140a…First damper mechanism 140b...Second damper mechanism 142a...First elastic deformation section 142b...Second elastic deformation section 144a...First arm member 144b...Second arm member 150a...First elastic bearing 150b...Second elastic bearing F1...First fiber bundle F2...Second fiber bundle NF...Small fiber bundle

Claims

1. A filament winding device that winds a fiber bundle, which is made by bundling multiple fibers together, onto a workpiece, A delivery head that moves relative to the workpiece, A yarn feeding head provided on the delivery head and rotatable relative to the delivery head, Equipped with, The aforementioned yarn feeding head is A widening roller having a side surface around which the fiber bundle is wound, and which spreads the fiber bundle on the side surface, A damper mechanism that supports the widening roller and suppresses fluctuations in the tension of the fiber bundle supplied to the workpiece, It has, The damper mechanism moves the widening roller in a direction that decreases the path length of the fiber bundle as the tension of the fiber bundle increases, while moving the widening roller in a direction that increases the path length of the fiber bundle as the tension of the fiber bundle decreases, in a filament winding apparatus.

2. In the filament winding apparatus according to claim 1, the damper mechanism has an elastically deformable portion provided at the base of the yarn feeding head and capable of elastic deformation, A filament winding device in which the widening roller moves as the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion.

3. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side surface of the widening roller is an uneven surface having an uneven portion.

4. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the yarn feeding head has a guide roller provided downstream of the widening roller in the flow direction of the fiber bundle, and the guide roller is a smooth roller having no irregularities on its side surface and a circular cross-section along the diametrical direction.

5. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the yarn feeding head is provided upstream of the widening roller in the flow direction of the fiber bundle and has a gathering roller for gathering a plurality of small fiber bundles to obtain the fiber bundle.

6. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the yarn feeding head is provided downstream of the widening roller in the flow direction of the fiber bundle and has a tension sensing unit for detecting the tension of the fiber bundle.

7. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the tension sensing unit is a sensing roller on which the fiber bundle is wound.

8. In the filament winding apparatus according to claim 2, the damper mechanism has an arm member supported by the elastic deformation portion, and the widening roller is supported by the arm member, A filament winding device in which the arm member swings as the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable part occurs.

9. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the elastically deformable portion is an elastic bearing, and the elastic bearing supports the arm member.

10. In the filament winding apparatus according to claim 1, the yarn feeding head has another widening roller paired with the widening roller, and another damper mechanism paired with the damper mechanism, and another fiber bundle is wound on the side surface of the other widening roller. A filament winding device that aggregates the fiber bundle that has passed through the widening roller and the other fiber bundle that has passed through the other widening roller and supplies them to the workpiece.

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