Molding device and molding method

Abstract

To suitably shape a fiber sheet having a shape change part.SOLUTION: A molding device for shaping a fiber sheet into a shape having a shape change part includes: a mold that is provided on one side of the fiber sheet and is used as a mold material for molding the fiber sheet; a support member that is provided on the other side of the fiber sheet, is provided at a part of the fiber sheet separated from the mold where the shape change part is formed, and has higher rigidity than that of the fiber sheet; a deflection adjustment part for adjusting deflection in molding of the fiber sheet supported by the support member; a covering member covering the fiber sheet; and a pushing device for pushing the fiber sheet to the mold by the covering member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a molding apparatus and a molding method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system for minimizing wrinkles occurring during shaping of a composite material is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this system, the composite material is placed on a tool so as to cover an embossing rod assembly. The embossing rod assembly has an embossing rod that makes the composite material have a corrugated shape when a compressive pressure is applied to the composite material, and the embossing rod suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017-0312999 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when a composite material is molded into the shape of a mold, a vacuum is applied while the composite material is covered with a covering member such as a vacuum bag. At this time, a part of the composite material placed in the mold is separated from the mold, and this part may bend due to its own weight. When a composite material having a shape-changing part such as a corner is molded using a covering member, wrinkles may occur at the corner due to the bending due to its own weight, resulting in molding defects. In Patent Document 1, although the wrinkles in the composite material are smoothed out by a stamping rod, the composite material ends up becoming wavy.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a molding device and a molding method that can suitably shape a fiber sheet having a shape-changing portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The molding apparatus of the present disclosure is a molding apparatus that shapes a fiber sheet into a shape having a shape-changing portion, and includes a molding die that is provided on one side of the fiber sheet and serves as a mold for molding the fiber sheet, a support member that is provided on the other side of the fiber sheet and is provided in a portion of the fiber sheet away from the molding die where the shape-changing portion is formed, the support member having a higher rigidity than the fiber sheet, a deflection adjustment portion that adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet supported by the support member during molding, a covering member that covers the fiber sheet, and a pressing device that presses the fiber sheet against the molding die using the covering member.

[0007] The molding method disclosed herein is a molding method for shaping the fiber sheet into a shape having the shape-changing portion using the above-mentioned molding device, and includes the steps of: placing the fiber sheet against the molding mold; and, before or after the step of placing the fiber sheet, placing the support member on the opposite side of the molding mold across the fiber sheet, in a portion of the fiber sheet away from the molding mold where the shape-changing portion is to be formed; installing the deflection adjustment unit for adjusting the deflection of the fiber sheet during molding; placing the covering member to cover the fiber sheet; and pressing the fiber sheet against the molding mold with the covering member. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a fiber sheet having a shape-changing portion can be suitably shaped. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a molding apparatus according to the first embodiment before suction. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to the first embodiment after suction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of support members of the molding apparatus. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the fiber sheet according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a molding apparatus according to the second embodiment before suction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to the second embodiment after suction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another molding apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a molding apparatus according to the third embodiment before suction. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus after suction according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another molding apparatus according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the components described below can be appropriately combined, and when there are multiple embodiments, the respective embodiments can be combined.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] The molding device 10 according to the first embodiment is a device for molding a fiber sheet S having a shape-changing portion D. The shape-changing portion D is, for example, a bent portion, a curved portion, a step portion, etc., and is a portion that changes when the planar shape is deformed into a different shape. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the molded fiber sheet S is two-dimensionally deformed in a plane perpendicular to the length direction with a predetermined direction as the length direction. In the first embodiment, the shape-changing portion D is a portion whose shape is further changed in a plane along the length direction. That is, the shape-changing portion D is a portion that changes the two-dimensionally changing fiber sheet S three-dimensionally. Therefore, the molded fiber sheet S is three-dimensionally (stereoscopically) deformed. The shape-changing portion D is not particularly limited to the above, and may be any portion as long as it is a portion that changes in shape. The molding device 10 shapes the planar fiber sheet S into a shape having the shape-changing portion D. In the first embodiment, a sheet in which reinforcing fibers are impregnated with resin is applied as the fiber sheet S, for example, a prepreg is applied. In the first embodiment, a prepreg is applied as the fiber sheet S, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this configuration, and a dry reinforcing fiber sheet that does not contain resin may be applied. In the first embodiment, the fiber sheet S is a laminate in which multiple layers are laminated, but the fiber sheet S may be a single layer, and is not particularly limited.

[0012] (molding equipment) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to embodiment 1 before suction. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to embodiment 1 after suction. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the support members of the molding apparatus. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the fiber sheet according to embodiment 1. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the molding apparatus 10 includes a molding die 11, a support member 12, a covering member 13, a suction device 14, and an elastic member 15.

[0013] The mold 11 is disposed on a base 17 and serves as a mold material for forming the fiber sheet S. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the mold 11 is a male mold that is convex upward, is long in the depth direction (length direction), and is short in the width direction perpendicular to the depth direction. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the mold 11 has an upper surface portion 11a, a pair of side portions 11b provided on both sides of the upper surface portion 11a in the width direction, and a pair of bent portions 11c formed between the upper surface portion 11a and the pair of side portions 11b. The bent portions 11c are bent such that the angle formed between the upper surface portion 11a and each of the side portions 11b is, for example, a right angle. Note that the angle formed between the upper surface portion 11a and each of the side portions 11b of the bent portions 11c may be an angle other than a right angle.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 4, the forming die 11 has a pair of side surface portions 11b each having a step portion 21. The step portion 21 includes the side surface portion 11b on one side (the front side) in the depth direction, the side surface portion 11b on the other side (the back side) in the depth direction, and a slope portion 11d between the side surface portions 11b on both sides. The slope portion 11d is a slope that widens in the width direction from one side to the other side in the depth direction. In this manner, the forming die 11 has the bent portion 11c and the step portion 21, and the bent portion 11c and the step portion 21 are used to form the fiber sheet S by providing it with a shape change portion D.

[0015] The support member 12 is provided on the other side of the mold 11 with the fiber sheet S sandwiched therebetween. That is, the mold 11 is provided on one side of the fiber sheet S, and the support member 12 is provided on the other side of the fiber sheet S. The support member 12 has a higher rigidity than the fiber sheet S, and is made of, for example, a metal material, a film, or an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The support member 12 is provided between the fiber sheet S and the covering member 13, and is provided integrally with the fiber sheet S. Specifically, the support member 12 is attached to the fiber sheet S via an adhesive, thereby forming an integral part of the fiber sheet S. The adhesive may be omitted, and the support member 12 may be formed integrally with the fiber sheet S by a resin contained in the fiber sheet S.

[0016] The support members 12 are provided at locations where the shape-changing portions D of the fiber sheet S will be formed. Specifically, the support members 12 are provided at locations on both sides of the fiber sheet S in the width direction, which are locations of the fiber sheet S away from the forming mold 11, as shown in FIG.

[0017] 3 and 4, a plurality of support members 12 are arranged in the depth direction with respect to the shape change portion D of the fiber sheet S. Specifically, a plurality of support members 12 are arranged in the depth direction with respect to the portion facing a pair of side portions 11b of the fiber sheet S. The plurality of support members 12 are divided and arranged so as to follow the shape of the step portion 21 during shaping. Specifically, the plurality of support members 12 are arranged in the depth direction with respect to the side portion 11b on one side (front side) in the depth direction, the side portion 11b on the other side (rear side) in the depth direction, and the slope portion 11d between the side portions 11b on both sides. The position at which the support members 12 are arranged is not particularly limited to the above position, and may be arranged at any position as long as it is a portion where wrinkles are likely to occur.

[0018] The elastic member 15 is provided by connecting the support members 12 provided on both sides in the width direction. The elastic member 15 may be bonded to the support member 12 using an adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive, or may be mechanically connected to the support member 12 using a fastening member. The elastic member 15 adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet S supported by the support member 12 during molding. The elastic member 15 has an elastic modulus (particularly, tensile elastic modulus) between 2 MPa and 5000 MPa, and is made of an elastic material such as a resin film or rubber.

[0019] A plurality of elastic members 15 are provided in accordance with the number of support members 12 arranged in the depth direction. The plurality of elastic members 15 have different elastic moduli. The elastic members 15 have a smaller elastic modulus corresponding to a portion of the fiber sheet S that is to be brought into contact with the mold 11 at an early stage, and a larger elastic modulus corresponding to a portion of the fiber sheet S that is to be brought into contact with the mold 11 at a later stage.

[0020] In the first embodiment, a plurality of elastic members 15 are provided, but this configuration is not particularly limited. Even when a plurality of support members 12 are provided, the support members 12 may be connected to each other by a single elastic member 15.

[0021] 1 and 2, the covering member 13 is provided to cover the fiber sheet S. The covering member 13 is a film made of, for example, silicone rubber or the like. The covering member 13 covers the molding die 11 and the fiber sheet S placed on the molding die 11, and a sealant 23 is provided between the covering member 13 and the base 17 on which the molding die 11 is placed, thereby hermetically sealing the inside.

[0022] The suction device 14 sucks the atmosphere inside between the mold 11 and the covering member 13, and presses the fiber sheet S against the mold 11 by the covering member 13. The suction device 14 is, for example, a vacuum pump. The suction device 14 vacuums the atmosphere inside the airtightly sealed covering member 13 through a suction port (not shown), and molds the fiber sheet S into a shape following the mold 11. The fiber sheet S is heated by a heating device (not shown) during molding to reduce the viscosity of the resin contained in the fiber sheet S and improve the formability, and after molding, the fiber sheet S is heated by a heating device (not shown) to harden the resin contained in the fiber sheet S. Although the suction device 14 is used in the first embodiment, any device may be used as long as it presses the fiber sheet S against the mold 11 by the covering member 13.

[0023] (Molding method) Next, a molding method using a molding device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. In this molding method, a flat fiber sheet S is molded along a molding die 11 to give it a shape having a shape change portion D.

[0024] In the molding method of the first embodiment, first, a plurality of support members 12 are arranged on a flat fiber sheet S in advance (step S1). In step S1, the plurality of support members 12 are attached to the fiber sheet S by an adhesive, thereby integrating the fiber sheet S and the plurality of support members 12. In step S1, the plurality of support members 12 are arranged on the portion of the fiber sheet S that is far from the mold 11. After this, in the molding method, the elastic members 15 are arranged so as to connect the support members 12 on both sides in the width direction, and the plurality of elastic members 15 are arranged according to the plurality of support members 12 in the depth direction (step S2). In step S2, the elastic modulus of the plurality of elastic members 15 is adjusted, thereby adjusting the order of the portions of the fiber sheet S that are brought into contact with the mold 11 in step S5 described later. In step S2, the support members 12 on both sides in the width direction of the fiber sheet S are connected to each other by the elastic members 15, thereby preventing the support members 12 from falling in step S5 described later.

[0025] Next, in the molding method of embodiment 1, the fiber sheet S, having the multiple support members 12 and the multiple elastic members 15 integrated therewith, is placed relative to the mold 11 (step S3). In step S3, the mold 11 is positioned on one side (lower side) of the fiber sheet S, and the support members 12 are positioned on the other side (upper side) of the fiber sheet S. Then, in step S3, the fiber sheet S is placed relative to the mold 11 such that the multiple support members 12 are positioned in the area of ​​the mold 11 that molds the shape-changing portion D.

[0026] After that, in the molding method of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the covering member 13 is arranged so as to cover the fiber sheet S (step S4). In step S4, the supporting member 12 and the elastic member 15 are positioned between the covering member 13 and the fiber sheet S. Then, in step S4, the covering member 13 is provided, and the space between the covering member 13 and the mold 11 is airtightly sealed. Next, in the molding method, as shown in FIG. 2, the atmosphere between the mold 11 and the covering member 13 is sucked by the suction device 14 (step S5). In step S5, the atmosphere inside the airtightly sealed covering member 13 is evacuated, and the fiber sheet S is deformed to follow the mold 11 due to atmospheric pressure, so that the covering member 13 presses the fiber sheet S against the mold 11, and the fiber sheet S is molded into a fiber sheet S having a shape change portion D. In step S5, when the fiber sheet S is deformed to follow the mold 11, the elastic member 15 is pulled, and the supporting members 12 are attracted to each other. When the support members 12 are pulled toward each other and the fiber sheet S is pressed against the mold 11 by the cover member 13, both widthwise sides of the fiber sheet S come into contact with the mold 11 from the base end (the bent portion 11c side) of the fiber sheet S toward the tip end. At this time, the fiber sheet S comes into contact with the mold 11 from the portion of the fiber sheet S corresponding to the elastic member 15 with a small elastic modulus. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2, the fiber sheet S is molded into a fiber sheet S having a shape-changing portion D while suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the shape-changing portion D.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the support members 12 are provided on both widthwise sides of the fiber sheet S, which are the portions of the fiber sheet S remote from the mold 11, and the elastic members 15 are provided so as to connect the support members 12 on both widthwise sides. However, when the portion of the fiber sheet S remote from the mold 11 is only on one side in the width direction, the support members 12 may be provided on one widthwise side of the fiber sheet S, and the elastic members 15 may be provided so as to connect the fiber sheet S and the support members. In other words, the fiber sheet S may function as an engagement portion that engages the support members.

[0028] [Embodiment 2] Next, a molding apparatus 30 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. In the second embodiment, in order to avoid repetitive description, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the parts having the same configuration as the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to the second embodiment before suction. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to the second embodiment after suction. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of another molding apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0029] (molding equipment) The molding device 30 of the second embodiment is provided with a magnet 31 and a magnetic material 32 instead of the elastic member 15 of the molding device 10 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the molding device 30 includes the magnetic material 32 provided on the support member 12, the magnet 31 provided on the opposite side of the magnetic material 32 across the covering member 13, and a position adjustment unit 33 that positions the magnet 31 at a predetermined position. The magnetic material 32 may be any material that is magnetically attracted to the magnet 31, and is integrally joined to the support member 12 by an adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive. The support member 12 and the magnetic material 32 may be mechanically joined by a fastening member or the like. The magnet 31 is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, etc., and is provided on the outside of the covering member 13 and facing the magnetic material 32. The magnet 31 adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet S supported by the support member 12 during molding. The position adjustment unit 33 holds the magnet 31 and moves the magnet 31 to a predetermined position during molding of the fiber sheet S. The position adjustment unit 33 may hold the magnet 31 in a predetermined position when the fiber sheet S is being formed.

[0030] Furthermore, a plurality of magnets 31 and magnetic materials 32 are provided in accordance with a plurality of support members 12 arranged in the depth direction. The plurality of magnets 31 have different magnetic forces. The magnetic force of the magnets 31 corresponding to the portions of the fiber sheet S that are to be brought into contact with the forming mold 11 at an early stage is weakened, and the magnetic force of the magnets 31 corresponding to the portions of the fiber sheet S that are to be brought into contact with the forming mold 11 at a later stage is strengthened. In the second embodiment, the magnetic forces of the magnets 31 are made different to adjust the order of the portions of the fiber sheet S that are to be brought into contact with the forming mold 11.

[0031] In the second embodiment, the order of the portions of the fiber sheet S that are brought into contact with the forming mold 11 may be adjusted by moving the magnets 31 using the position adjustment unit 33. In this case, the magnetic force of the magnets 31 may be different or the magnetic force of the magnets 31 may be the same.

[0032] (Molding method) In the molding method using the molding device 30 of the second embodiment, similarly to step S1 in the first embodiment, a plurality of support members 12 are placed on the covering member 13 in advance. Next, in the molding method, in step S2, a plurality of magnetic materials 32 are placed on the supporting members 12 instead of the elastic member 15 in the first embodiment. After that, in step S3 in the molding method, the fiber sheet S in which the plurality of support members 12 and the plurality of magnetic materials 32 are integrated is placed on the molding die 11 (step S3). Next, in the molding method, as shown in FIG. 5, the covering member 13 is placed so as to cover the fiber sheet S (step S4). Also, in step S4, after the covering member 13 is placed, the position adjustment unit 33 positions the plurality of magnets 31 at predetermined positions so as to face the plurality of magnetic materials 32, and the plurality of magnetic materials 32 are magnetically attached to the plurality of magnets 31. In step S4, the magnetic materials 32 are magnetically attached to the magnets 31, thereby suppressing the support member 12 from falling in step S5. In step S4, the magnetic forces of the magnets 31 are adjusted to adjust the order of the portions of the fiber sheet S that are brought into contact with the forming die 11 in step S5, which will be described later.

[0033] In the molding method using the molding device 30 of the second embodiment, in step S5, the atmosphere between the mold 11 and the covering member 13 is sucked by the suction device 14 (step S5). In step S5, the atmosphere inside the airtightly sealed covering member 13 is evacuated, and the fiber sheet S is deformed to conform to the mold 11 due to atmospheric pressure, so that the fiber sheet S is pressed against the mold 11 by the covering member 13 and molded into a fiber sheet S having a shape change portion D. In step S5, the magnet 31 is moved by the position adjustment unit 33 in accordance with the deformation of the fiber sheet S, so that both sides in the width direction of the fiber sheet S come into contact with the mold 11 from the base end side (bending portion 11c side) of the fiber sheet S toward the tip side. At this time, the fiber sheet S comes into contact with the mold 11 from the part of the fiber sheet S corresponding to the magnet 31 with the weakest magnetic force. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the fiber sheet S is molded into a fiber sheet S having a shape change portion D while suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the shape change portion D.

[0034] In the second embodiment, in step S5, the magnet 31 is moved by the position adjustment unit 33, but this is not particularly limited to the configuration. In step S5, the position of the magnet 31 is held by the position adjustment unit 33, and when the pressing force of the covering member 13 becomes greater than the magnetic force of the magnet 31, the magnetic material 32 and the support member 12 may be detached from the magnet 31 and come into contact with the molding die 11 from a portion of the fiber sheet corresponding to the detached support member 12.

[0035] In addition, in embodiment 2, the support member 12 and the magnetic material 32 are separate bodies, but as shown in FIG. 7, the support member 35 may be configured using the magnetic material 32, thereby making the support member 35 integral with the magnetic material 32.

[0036] [Embodiment 3] Next, a molding apparatus 40 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. In the third embodiment, in order to avoid repetitive description, only parts different from the first and second embodiments will be described, and parts having the same configuration as the first and second embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to the third embodiment before suction. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the molding apparatus according to the third embodiment after suction. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another molding apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[0037] (molding equipment) The molding device 40 of the third embodiment is provided with a heater 41 as a heat input section that inputs heat to the support member, instead of the elastic member 15 of the molding device 10 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the molding device 40 includes the heater 41 as a heat source provided inside the support member 12. The heater 41 adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet S supported by the support member 12 during molding. The heater 41 is provided on each of the support members 12 provided on both sides of the fiber sheet S in the width direction.

[0038] A plurality of heaters 41 are provided in accordance with the number of support members 12 arranged in the depth direction. The plurality of heaters 41 are capable of heating the support members 12 to different temperatures. The heaters 41 are configured to increase the heating temperature of the heaters 41 corresponding to the portions of the fiber sheet S that are to be brought into contact with the mold 11 at an early stage, and to decrease the heating temperature of the heaters 41 corresponding to the portions of the fiber sheet S that are to be brought into contact with the mold 11 at a later stage. In the third embodiment, the heating temperatures of the heaters 41 are made different to make the heat input to the fiber sheet S different, thereby adjusting the order of the portions of the fiber sheet S that are to be brought into contact with the mold 11.

[0039] (Molding method) In the molding method using the molding apparatus 40 of the third embodiment, similarly to step S1 in the first embodiment, a plurality of supporting members 12 are arranged in advance relative to the covering member 13. At this time, the heater 41 is provided inside the supporting member 12, and therefore arranged together with the supporting member 12. For this reason, the molding method of the third embodiment omits step S2 in the first embodiment. Next, in step S3 in the molding method, the fiber sheet S, in which the plurality of supporting members 12 and the plurality of heaters 41 are integrated, is arranged relative to the molding die 11 (step S3). Next, in the molding method, the covering member 13 is arranged so as to cover the fiber sheet S, as shown in FIG. 8 (step S4).

[0040] In the molding method using the molding apparatus 40 of the third embodiment, in step S5, the atmosphere between the mold 11 and the covering member 13 is sucked by the suction device 14 (step S5). In step S5, the atmosphere inside the airtightly sealed covering member 13 is evacuated, and the fiber sheet S is deformed to conform to the mold 11 due to atmospheric pressure, so that the fiber sheet S is pressed against the mold 11 by the covering member 13 and molded into a fiber sheet S having a shape-changing portion D. Also, in step S5, the heating temperature by the heater 41 is adjusted so that the portion of the fiber sheet S with a higher heating temperature comes into contact with the mold 11 first. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the fiber sheet S is molded into a fiber sheet S having a shape-changing portion D while suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the shape-changing portion D.

[0041] In the third embodiment, the heater 41 serving as a heat source is used as the heat input section, but the configuration is not particularly limited to this. For example, a heat generating element that generates heat by an irradiated wave, or a heat transfer element that transfers heat by an irradiated wave may be used as the heat input section.

[0042] In addition, in the third embodiment, the support member 12 and the heater 41 are integrated, but as shown in FIG. 10, the heater 41 may be provided on the support member 12 so that the support member 12 and the heater 41 are separate bodies.

[0043] As described above, the molding apparatuses 10, 30, 40 and molding methods according to the present embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0044] The molding apparatus 10, 30, 40 of the first embodiment is a molding apparatus 10, 30, 40 that shapes a fiber sheet S into a shape having a shape-changing portion D, and includes a molding die 11 that is provided on one side of the fiber sheet S and serves as a mold material for molding the fiber sheet S, a support member 12 that is provided on the other side of the fiber sheet S and is provided in a portion of the fiber sheet S away from the molding die 11 where the shape-changing portion D is formed, and has a higher rigidity than the fiber sheet S, a deflection adjustment portion (elastic member 15, magnet 31 or heater 41) that adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet S supported by the support member 12 during molding, a covering member 13 that covers the fiber sheet S, and a pressing device (suction device 14) that presses the fiber sheet S against the molding die 11 by the covering member 13.

[0045] According to this configuration, the deflection adjustment section can prevent the portion of the fiber sheet S away from the forming mold 11 from deflecting due to its own weight, so that the fiber sheet S having the shape-changing section D can be suitably shaped.

[0046] In a second embodiment, the deflection adjustment portion has an elastic member 15 that connects the support member 12 and a locking portion that locks the support member 12.

[0047] According to this configuration, when the fibrous sheet S is formed, the elastic member 15 is pulled, and the supporting member 12 and the locking portion attract each other, so that the fibrous sheet S can be brought into contact with the forming mold 11 from the shape-changing portion D toward the tip side. As a result, the fibrous sheet S having the shape-changing portion D can be formed while suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the shape-changing portion D. In addition, because the supporting member 12 can be connected to the locking portion via the elastic member 15, the supporting member 12 can be prevented from falling off the fibrous sheet S due to its own weight.

[0048] In a third embodiment, the fiber sheet S is provided on both sides of the mold 11 at a portion away from the mold 11, the support members 12 are provided on both sides of the fiber sheet S across the mold 11, and the elastic member 15 connects the support member 12 on one side to the support member 12 on the other side which serves as the engagement portion.

[0049] According to this configuration, by connecting the support members 12 on both sides, the support member 12 on the other side can function as an anchoring portion, and the support member 12 can be prevented from falling off the fiber sheet S.

[0050] In a fourth embodiment, the elastic member 15 has an elastic modulus between 2 MPa and 5000 MPa.

[0051] According to this configuration, the application of tensile force by the elastic member 15 can be made appropriate.

[0052] As a fifth aspect, the support members 12 are provided in plurality for the shape-changing portion D, the elastic members 15 are provided in plurality corresponding to the support members 12, and the elastic members 15 have different elastic moduli.

[0053] According to this configuration, by varying the elastic modulus of the elastic members 15, the order of the portions of the fiber sheet S that are brought into contact with the forming die 11 can be adjusted.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, the support member 12 includes a magnetic material 32, and the deflection adjustment portion has a magnet 31 that is magnetically attached to the support member 12.

[0055] According to this configuration, when the fiber sheet S is formed, the magnetic material 32 is magnetically attached by the magnet 31, so that the fiber sheet S can be brought into contact with the forming die 11 from the shape-changing portion D toward the tip. This makes it possible to form a fiber sheet S having a shape-changing portion D while suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the shape-changing portion D. In addition, because the support member 12 can be magnetically attached to the magnet 31 via the magnetic material 32, it is possible to prevent the support member 12 from falling off the fiber sheet S due to its own weight.

[0056] As a seventh aspect, a position adjustment unit 33 for positioning the magnet 31 at a predetermined position is further provided.

[0057] According to this configuration, when the fiber sheet S is formed, the order of the parts of the fiber sheet S that are brought into contact with the forming mold 11 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the magnet 31 with the position adjustment section 33.

[0058] As an eighth aspect, a plurality of the support members 12 are provided for the shape-changing portion D, a plurality of the magnets 31 are provided corresponding to the plurality of the support members 12, and the plurality of the magnets 31 have different magnetic forces.

[0059] According to this configuration, when the fiber sheet S is formed, the order of the portions of the fiber sheet S that are brought into contact with the forming mold 11 can be adjusted by varying the magnetic force of the magnets 31.

[0060] As a ninth aspect, the deflection adjustment portion has a heat input portion that inputs heat to the support member 12.

[0061] According to this configuration, when molding the fiber sheet S, the deflection of the portion of the fiber sheet S away from the molding die 11 can be adjusted by inputting heat to the fiber sheet S from the heat input portion, so that the fiber sheet S having the shape-changing portion D can be suitably shaped.

[0062] In a tenth aspect, the heat input portion is a heat source that generates heat, a heating element that generates heat by irradiation waves, or a heat conductor that transfers heat generated by irradiation waves.

[0063] According to this configuration, the versatility of the heat input part can be improved.

[0064] As an eleventh aspect, the support members 12 are provided in plurality for the shape-changing portion D, the heat input portions are provided in plurality corresponding to the support members 12, and the heat input portions have different amounts of heat input.

[0065] According to this configuration, when the fiber sheet S is formed, the order of the parts of the fiber sheet S that are brought into contact with the forming mold 11 can be adjusted by varying the amount of heat input from the heat input parts.

[0066] The molding method of the twelfth aspect is a molding method for shaping the fiber sheet S into a shape having the shape-changing portion D using the above-mentioned molding apparatus 10, 30, 40, and includes the steps of: step S3 of placing the fiber sheet S on the molding die 11; and before or after step S3 of placing the fiber sheet S, step S1 of placing the support member 12 on the opposite side of the molding die 11 across the fiber sheet S, in a portion of the fiber sheet S away from the molding die 11 and corresponding to the portion where the shape-changing portion D is to be formed; step S2 of installing the deflection adjustment unit for adjusting the deflection of the fiber sheet S during molding; step S4 of placing the covering member 13 to cover the fiber sheet S; and step S5 of pressing the fiber sheet S against the molding die 11 with the covering member 13.

[0067] According to this configuration, the deflection adjustment section can prevent the portion of the fiber sheet S away from the forming mold 11 from deflecting due to its own weight, so that the fiber sheet S having the shape-changing section D can be suitably shaped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10 Molding equipment 11 Molding mold 11a Top part 11b Side part 11c Bend part 11d Slope 12 Support member 13 Covering materials 14 Suction device 15 Elastic member 17 Foundation 21 Step 23 Sealing material 30 Molding device (embodiment 2) 31 Magnet 32 Magnetic materials 33 Position adjustment section 40 Molding device (embodiment 3) 41 Heater S Fiber Sheet D Shape change section

Claims

1. A molding device for forming a fiber sheet into a shape having a shape changing portion, a molding die provided on one side of the fiber sheet and serving as a mold material for molding the fiber sheet; a support member provided on the other side of the fiber sheet, in a portion of the fiber sheet that is away from the molding die and where the shape change portion is to be formed, the support member having a higher rigidity than the fiber sheet; a deflection adjusting unit that adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet supported by the support member during molding; A covering member for covering the fiber sheet; a pressing device that presses the fiber sheet against the molding die by the covering member, the deflection adjustment portion has an elastic member that connects the support member and a locking portion that locks the support member, The elastic member has a smaller elastic modulus corresponding to the portion of the fiber sheet that is brought into contact with the molding die at an early stage, and a larger elastic modulus corresponding to the portion of the fiber sheet that is brought into contact with the molding die at a later stage.

2. The fiber sheet has a portion separated from the mold on both sides of the mold, The support members are provided on both sides of the fiber sheet with the mold in between, The molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic member connects the support member on one side to the support member on the other side that serves as the locking portion.

3. 3. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has an elastic modulus between 2 MPa and 5000 MPa.

4. The support member is provided in plurality for the shape-changing portion, The elastic member is provided in a plurality of members corresponding to the plurality of support members, The molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elastic members have different elastic moduli.

5. the support member includes a magnetic material; The molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection adjustment section has a magnet that is magnetically attached to the support member.

6. A molding device for forming a fiber sheet into a shape having a shape changing portion, a molding die provided on one side of the fiber sheet and serving as a mold material for molding the fiber sheet; a support member provided on the other side of the fiber sheet, in a portion of the fiber sheet that is away from the molding die and where the shape change portion is to be formed, the support member having a higher rigidity than the fiber sheet; a deflection adjusting unit that adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet supported by the support member during molding; A covering member for covering the fiber sheet; a pressing device that presses the fiber sheet against the molding die by the covering member, the support member includes a magnetic material; The deflection adjustment unit is a molding apparatus having a magnet that is magnetically attached to the support member.

7. The molding apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a position adjustment unit that positions the magnet at a predetermined position.

8. The support member is provided in plurality for the shape-changing portion, The magnets are provided in a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of support members, 8. The molding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the magnets have different magnetic forces.

9. The molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection adjustment section has a heat input section that inputs heat to the support member.

10. A molding device for forming a fiber sheet into a shape having a shape changing portion, a molding die provided on one side of the fiber sheet and serving as a mold material for molding the fiber sheet; a support member provided on the other side of the fiber sheet, in a portion of the fiber sheet that is away from the molding die and where the shape change portion is to be formed, the support member having a higher rigidity than the fiber sheet; a deflection adjusting unit that adjusts the deflection of the fiber sheet supported by the support member during molding; A covering member for covering the fiber sheet; a pressing device that presses the fiber sheet against the molding die by the covering member, The deflection adjustment unit is a molding device having a heat input unit that inputs heat to the support member.

11. The molding apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the heat input section is a heat source that generates heat, a heating element that generates heat by irradiation waves, or a heat transfer element that transfers heat generated by irradiation waves.

12. The support member is provided in plurality for the shape-changing portion, The heat input portion is provided in a plurality of portions corresponding to the plurality of support members, The molding apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the heat input portions have different heat input amounts.

13. A molding method for forming the fiber sheet into a shape having the shape change portion by using the molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, placing the fiber sheet against the mold; a step of arranging the support member on the opposite side of the mold across the fiber sheet, the support member being located at a portion of the fiber sheet away from the mold and corresponding to a portion where the shape change portion is to be formed, the support member being located before or after the step of arranging the fiber sheet; providing the deflection adjusting unit for adjusting the deflection of the fiber sheet during molding; disposing the covering member so as to cover the fiber sheet; and pressing the fiber sheet against the mold with the covering member.

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