Fiber fine dispersion device

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for finely dispersing fiber capable of sufficiently dispersing fibrillated fiber into a resin composition.SOLUTION: An apparatus for finely dispersing fiber 1 comprises a fibrillation unit 11 for fibrillating fiber falling from a cutting unit 3, and a plurality of first partition plates 12 for suppressing scattering of fiber fibrillated by the fibrillation unit 11. The first partition plates 12 are disposed spaced apart from each other in the width direction. Each of the first partition plates 12 extends in the transport direction of a resin composition of a transport apparatus 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber fine dispersion device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a sheet molding compound is known in which chopped strands of carbon fiber or the like are impregnated with a resin composition. The sheet molding compound is molded into a predetermined shape and cured to be used in various industrial products.

[0003] To produce such a sheet molding compound, for example, chopped strands are dropped from above onto a resin composition that is conveyed in a predetermined direction.

[0004] In recent years, the number of cases where carbon fiber sheet molding compounds (CF-SMC) are used in parts and components that require high mechanical properties is increasing. In such parts and components, it is necessary to suppress the variation in the mechanical properties of the molded products. For this reason, it has been considered to drop chopped strands into a resin composition after defibrating them.

[0005] As an example of an defibrating device for such chopped strands, there has been proposed an defibrating device that includes an defibrating mechanism that includes a rotating shaft and a plurality of pins protruding from the rotating shaft (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0006] In such a fiberizing device, the falling chopped strands are struck by a number of pins that rotate together with a rotating shaft, thereby fiberizing the strands. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6469196 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the defibration device described in Patent Document 1, the fiber bundles defibrated from the chopped strands are knocked up and scattered by multiple rotating pins, and then fall naturally into the resin composition. At this time, the scattering distance of the fiber bundles varies depending on the mass of the fiber bundles. Fiber bundles with a relatively large mass fall relatively close to the rotation axis, and fiber bundles with a relatively small mass fall relatively far from the rotation axis. Therefore, the defibration device described in Patent Document 1 may not be able to uniformly disperse the fiber bundles in the resin composition.

[0009] The present invention provides a fiber fine dispersion device capable of uniformly dispersing defibrated fibers in a resin composition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention [1] provides a fiber fine dispersion device disposed between a conveying device for conveying a resin composition and a cutting device disposed above the conveying device for cutting fibers including at least carbon fibers, the fiber fine dispersion device comprising: a defibration device for defibrating fibers dropping from the cutting device; and a plurality of first partition plates for suppressing scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibration device, the plurality of first partition plates being disposed at intervals from each other in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction of the resin composition by the conveying device and the up-down direction, each of the plurality of first partition plates including a fiber fine dispersion device extending in the conveying direction.

[0011] With this configuration, the multiple first partition plates can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator from scattering excessively in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the up-down direction, so that the defibrated fibers can be uniformly dispersed in the resin composition conveyed by the conveying device.

[0012] The present invention [2] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in [1] above, in which the vertical length of the first partition plate is longer than the conveying direction length of the first partition plate, and the multiple first partition plates overlap the defibration device when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0013] With this configuration, the multiple first partition plates can stably suppress scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibration device. Furthermore, with this configuration, scattering of fibers can be effectively suppressed above the defibration device, so there is no need to place first partition plates on both sides of the defibration device in the transport direction, which prevents the device from becoming large.

[0014] The present invention [3] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in [1] or [2] above, further comprising a second partition plate arranged at a distance from the defibrating device in the conveying direction and extending in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the vertical direction.

[0015] With this configuration, the second partition plate can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator from scattering excessively in one direction in the conveyance direction, so the defibrated fibers can be more uniformly dispersed in the resin composition.

[0016] The present invention [4] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in [3] above, further comprising a third partition plate located on the opposite side of the second partition plate with respect to the plurality of first partition plates in the conveying direction.

[0017] With this configuration, the third partition plate can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator from scattering excessively in the other direction of the conveyance direction, so that the defibrated fibers can be dispersed more uniformly in the resin composition.

[0018] The present invention [5] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in any one of the above [1] to [4], further comprising a chute section that introduces the fibers dropping from the cutting device into the defibration device.

[0019] With this configuration, the chute section can guide the fibers dropping from the cutting device to the defibration device. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the fiber fine dispersion device of the present invention, defibrated fibers can be uniformly dispersed in a resin composition. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sheet molding compound manufacturing apparatus equipped with an embodiment of a fiber fine dispersion device of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fiber fine dispersion device and the cutting device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the fiber fine dispersion device and the cutting device shown in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the second partition plate has been removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] 1.Outline of the sheet molding compound manufacturing equipment With reference to FIG. 1, an outline of a sheet molding compound manufacturing apparatus 5 (hereinafter, referred to as an SMC manufacturing apparatus 5) equipped with an embodiment of a fiber fine dispersion device will be described.

[0023] The SMC production apparatus 5 continuously produces a sheet molding compound (hereinafter referred to as SMC) including fibers (to be described later) and a resin composition with which the fibers are impregnated, by a roll-to-roll system.

[0024] In FIG. 1, the up-down direction of the paper is the vertical direction, the upper side of the paper is the upper side in the vertical direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the upper side), and the lower side of the paper is the lower side in the vertical direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the lower side).

[0025] 1, the left-right direction of the paper is a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and is an example of a conveying direction of the resin composition (hereinafter, simply referred to as the conveying direction). The left side of the paper is the upstream side in the conveying direction, and the right side of the paper is the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0026] In addition, in Fig. 1, the thickness direction of the paper is a second horizontal direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the first horizontal direction, and is an example of a width direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the vertical direction. The front side of the paper is one side of the width direction, and the back side of the paper is the other side of the width direction. Specifically, the directions follow the directional arrows shown in each figure.

[0027] The SMC production apparatus 5 includes a conveying device 2, a cutting device 3, a fiber fine dispersion device 1, a cover resin supplying device 6, and a pressing unit .

[0028] The conveying device 2 continuously conveys the resin composition and includes a carrier film supply roll 21, a take-up roll 22, and a first doctor blade 24.

[0029] The carrier film supply roll 21 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and is rotatable about its axis. The carrier film supply roll 21 is capable of continuously delivering the carrier film 23.

[0030] The carrier film 23 is a flexible resin sheet. The carrier film 23 has a predetermined thickness and has a long, flat belt shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The carrier film 23 is wound in a spiral shape around the circumferential surface of the carrier film supply roll 21.

[0031] The winding roll 22 is capable of winding up the carrier film 23 supplied from the carrier film supply roll 21, and is capable of winding up the SMC produced on the carrier film 23. The winding roll 22 is disposed downstream in the transport direction with a gap therebetween from the carrier film supply roll 21. The winding roll 22 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction, and is rotatable about its axis.

[0032] In the conveying device 2 , the carrier film 23 is fed from a carrier film supply roll 21 , passes through a plurality of rolls, and is then wound up by a winding roll 22 .

[0033] The first doctor blade 24 regulates the thickness of the resin composition supplied onto the carrier film 23 to form a resin composition layer on the carrier film 23. The first doctor blade 24 has a flat plate shape extending in the width direction. The first doctor blade 24 is disposed above the carrier film 23 with a gap therebetween.

[0034] The cutting device 3 cuts fibers including at least carbon fibers. The fibers will be described in detail later. The cutting device 3 is disposed above the conveying device 2 with a gap therebetween. More specifically, the cutting device 3 is disposed downstream of the first doctor blade 24 in the conveying direction, and above the carrier film 23 with a gap therebetween.

[0035] The fiber fine dispersion device 1, which will be described in detail later, defibrates and disperses the fibers dropping from the cutting device 3. The fiber fine dispersion device 1 is disposed vertically between the cutting device 3 and the conveying device 2. More specifically, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 is disposed downstream of the first doctor blade 24 in the conveying direction, and is disposed between the cutting device 3 and the carrier film 23.

[0036] The cover resin supplying device 6 supplies further resin composition to the resin composition into which the fibers from the cutting device 3 have fallen. The cover resin supplying device 6 is located downstream of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the conveying direction (opposite side to the first doctor blade 24).

[0037] The cover resin supplying device 6 includes a cover film supply roll 61 and a second doctor blade 62 .

[0038] The cover film supply roll 61 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and is rotatable about its axis. The cover film supply roll 61 is capable of continuously delivering the cover film 63.

[0039] The cover film 63 has the same structure as the above-mentioned carrier film 23. The cover film 63 is wound around the circumferential surface of the cover film supply roll 61 in a spiral shape.

[0040] In the cover resin supplying device 6 , the cover film 63 is sent out from the cover film supply roll 61 , passes through a number of rolls, and then makes a U-turn along a tension roll 75 (described later) and heads toward the take-up roll 22 .

[0041] The second doctor blade 62 regulates the thickness of the resin composition supplied onto the cover film 63 to form a resin composition layer on the cover film 63. The second doctor blade 62 has a flat plate shape extending in the width direction. The second doctor blade 62 is disposed above the cover film 63 with a gap therebetween.

[0042] The pressing unit 7 is disposed between the fiber fine dispersion device 1 and the take-up roll 22 in the conveying direction. The pressing unit 7 includes a first pressing unit 71 and a second pressing unit 72. The first pressing unit 71 and the second pressing unit 72 are disposed at an interval from each other in the vertical direction. The carrier film 23 carrying the fiber-containing resin composition passes between the first pressing unit 71 and the second pressing unit 72.

[0043] The first pressing unit 71 includes a tension roll 75 , a driving roll 76 , an endless belt 73 , and a plurality of pressure rolls 74 .

[0044] The tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76 are disposed at an interval from each other in the transport direction. Each of the tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and is rotatable about its axis.

[0045] A driving force from a driving source (not shown) such as a motor is input to the driving roll 76. When the driving force is input, the driving roll 76 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from one side in the width direction.

[0046] The endless belt 73 is wound around a tension roll 75 and a drive roll 76. The endless belt 73 is movable around the tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76.

[0047] The multiple pressure rolls 74 are located inside the endless belt 73, and are disposed at intervals in the conveying direction between the tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76. Each of the multiple pressure rolls 74 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction, and is rotatable about its axis.

[0048] The second pressing unit 72 is disposed below the first pressing unit 71, and has a configuration that is line-symmetrical with the first pressing unit 71 in the horizontal direction. When a driving force is input, the driving roll 76 of the second pressing unit 72 rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed from one side in the width direction.

[0049] In such an SMC manufacturing apparatus 5, SMC is continuously manufactured. As will be described in detail later, after being cut by the cutting device 3, the fibers defibrated by the fiber fine dispersion device 1 drop onto the resin composition layer transported by the carrier film 23 of the transport device 2. The resin composition into which the fibers have dropped then continuously merges with the resin composition transported by the cover film 63. At this time, the fibers are sandwiched between the resin composition transported by the carrier film 23 and the resin composition transported by the cover film 63.

[0050] The resin composition containing the fibers is then conveyed onto the carrier film 23, and is pressed from both sides in the vertical direction as it passes between the first pressing unit 71 and the second pressing unit 72. This prepares an SMC including the fibers and the resin composition impregnated into the fibers. The SMC is then sequentially wound onto the winding roll 22.

[0051] 2. Cutting device details Next, the cutting device 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0052] The cutting device 3 includes a cutting roll 31 and a rubber roll 32 .

[0053] The cutting roll 31 includes a roll body 311 and a plurality of cutting blades 312 .

[0054] The roll body 311 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and is rotatable about its axis. A driving force from a driving source (not shown) such as a motor is input to the roll body 311. When the driving force is input, the roll body 311 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from one side in the width direction.

[0055] The multiple cutting blades 312 are disposed on the circumferential surface of the roll body 311. Each of the multiple cutting blades 312 protrudes radially outward from the circumferential surface of the roll body 311 and extends in the width direction. The multiple cutting blades 312 are disposed at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction of the roll body 311 so that the length of the fibers falls within a range described below.

[0056] The rubber roll 32 is disposed at a slight interval from the roll body 311, and is in contact with a plurality of cutting blades 312. The rubber roll 32 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction, and is rotatable about its axis.

[0057] 3. Details of fiber fine dispersion device 1 Next, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes a defibrator 11, a plurality of first partition plates 12, a second partition plate 13, a third partition plate 14, and a chute section 15.

[0059] The defibration device 11 defibrates the fibers that drop from the cutting device 3. In this embodiment, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes multiple (three) defibration devices 11. Below, the three defibration devices 11 are distinguished from one another as a first defibration device 11A, a second defibration device 11B, and a third defibration device 11C. The first defibration device 11A, the second defibration device 11B, and the third defibration device 11C are arranged at intervals from one another in the vertical direction.

[0060] The first defibration device 11A is disposed below and spaced apart from the cutting device 3. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the first defibration device 11A overlaps with the cutting device 3. The first defibration device 11A comprises a shaft 111 and multiple pins 112.

[0061] The shaft 111 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and is rotatable about its axis. A driving force from a driving source (not shown) such as a motor is input to the shaft 111. The shaft 111 rotates when the driving force is input.

[0062] The multiple pins 112 are arranged at intervals in the axial and circumferential directions on the circumferential surface of the shaft 111. Each of the multiple pins 112 protrudes radially from the circumferential surface of the shaft 111. The pins 112 have a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the pins 112 is, for example, not less than 2 mm and not more than 10 mm.

[0063] The second defibration device 11B is located on the opposite side of the cutting device 3 from the first defibration device 11A. The second defibration device 11B is disposed below and spaced apart from the first defibration device 11A. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the second defibration device 11B overlaps with the first defibration device 11A.

[0064] The third defibration device 11C is located on the opposite side of the first defibration device 11A with respect to the second defibration device 11B. The third defibration device 11C is disposed below the second defibration device 11B with a gap therebetween. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the third defibration device 11C overlaps with the second defibration device 11B. The configurations of the second defibration device 11B and the third defibration device 11C are the same as the configuration of the first defibration device 11A. Therefore, explanations of the second defibration device 11B and the third defibration device 11C will be omitted.

[0065] The multiple first partition plates 12 suppress scattering in the width direction of the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11. In this embodiment, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes multiple (three) sets of first partition plates each consisting of a multiple number of first partition plates 12. Hereinafter, the three sets of first partition plates are distinguished from one another as a first set 12A, a second set 12B, and a third set 12C.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 3, the first set 12A is disposed between the cutting device 3 and the first defibration device 11A in the vertical direction. The first set 12A is composed of multiple first partition plates 12 disposed at intervals from each other in the width direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the multiple first partition plates 12 overlap with the first defibration device 11A.

[0067] Each of the multiple first partition plates 12 extends in the up-down direction and in the conveying direction. In other words, the first partition plates 12 extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the defibrator 11. An upstream end of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction is connected to the second partition plate 13 (see FIG. 2). A downstream end of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction is connected to the third partition plate 14 (see FIG. 2).

[0068] The first partition plate 12 is disposed between a first plate 151 and a second plate 152 of the chute section 15 described below. Each of the multiple first partition plates 12 has a generally trapezoidal shape when viewed in the width direction. More specifically, the first partition plate 12 has a generally trapezoidal shape with a long top side and a short bottom side. The upstream edge and downstream edge of each first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction are inclined so as to approach the defibration device 11 from top to bottom.

[0069] Moreover, the vertical length of each of the first partition plates 12 is longer than the length of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction. More specifically, the vertical length of each of the first partition plates 12 is longer than the length of the upper side of the inverted trapezoid of each of the first partition plates 12. The ratio of the conveying direction length of the first partition plate 12 to the vertical length of the first partition plate 12 is appropriately set according to the purpose and use. Usually, the vertical length of the first partition plate 12 is set so as to be longer than the height (vertical length) at which the fibers repelled by the pins 112 scatter.

[0070] Also, as indicated by the diagonal lines in FIG. 2, the first partition plate 12 is not present within the range in the height direction of the circle drawn by the pins 112 due to the rotation of the defibrator 11.

[0071] In other words, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the transport direction (depth direction of the paper in FIG. 3), the projected plane of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projected plane of the defibration device 11. That is, there are no first partition plates 12 on both sides of the defibration device 11 (including the pins 112) in the transport direction.

[0072] Furthermore, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the width direction (left and right direction on the paper in FIG. 3), the projection plane of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projection plane of the defibration device 11. In other words, there are no first partition plates 12 on both sides in the width direction of the defibration device 11 (including the pins 112).

[0073] Of the multiple first partition plates 12, the distance between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the width direction is, for example, 10 mm or more, preferably 20 mm or more, and for example, 500 mm or less, preferably 250 mm or less.

[0074] The interval between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the width direction is set to a suitable range depending on the fiber length of the cut fibers. For example, the distance (interval) between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the width direction is, for example, 1 time or more, preferably 2 times or more, and for example, 10 times or less, preferably 5 times or less, the fiber length of the cut fibers.

[0075] The second set 12B is disposed between the first defibrator 11A and the second defibrator 11B in the up-down direction. The second set 12B is composed of multiple first partition plates 12 disposed at intervals from each other in the width direction. The configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the second set 12B is the same as the configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the first set 12A, except for the dimension in the up-down direction. Therefore, a description of the first partition plates 12 of the second set 12B will be omitted.

[0076] The third set 12C is disposed between the second defibrator 11B and the third defibrator 11C in the up-down direction. The third set 12C is composed of multiple first partition plates 12 disposed at intervals from each other in the width direction. The configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the third set 12C is the same as the configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the first set 12A, except for the dimension in the up-down direction. Therefore, a description of the first partition plates 12 of the third set 12C will be omitted.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 2, the second partition plate 13 suppresses scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibrators 11 upstream in the transport direction. The second partition plate 13 is disposed at an interval upstream in the transport direction relative to the multiple (three) defibrators 11. The second partition plate 13 supports the multiple first partition plates 12.

[0078] The second partition plate 13 is composed of a single plate and extends in the vertical direction and the width direction. The distance between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibrator 11A (the center of the shaft 111) in the conveying direction is, for example, 50 mm or more, preferably 100 mm or more, and for example, 400 mm or less, preferably 300 mm or less.

[0079] The distance between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibrator 11A in the conveying direction is set within a suitable range according to the outer diameter of the defibrator 11A (the sum of the outer diameter of the shaft 111 and the length of the pins 112). For example, the distance between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibrator 11A in the conveying direction is, for example, 1 time or more, preferably 2 times or more, and for example, 10 times or less, preferably 5 times or less, the sum of the outer diameter of the shaft 111 and the length of the pins 112.

[0080] The third partition plate 14 suppresses scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 downstream in the conveying direction. The third partition plate 14 is disposed at a distance downstream in the conveying direction from the first defibrator 11A. The third partition plate 14 is located on the opposite side of the second partition plate 13 with respect to the multiple first partition plates 12 in the conveying direction.

[0081] The third partition plate 14 supports multiple first partition plates 12. The third partition plate 14 is made of a single plate and extends in the vertical direction and the width direction. The range of the gap between the third partition plate 14 and the first defibration device 11A in the conveying direction is the same as, for example, the range of the gap between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibration device 11A in the conveying direction.

[0082] The chute section 15 introduces the fibers dropping from the cutting device 3 into the defibration device 11. In this embodiment, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes a plurality of chute sections 15. Each of the plurality of chute sections 15 is disposed between adjacent first partition plates 12. The chute section 15 includes a first plate 151 and a second plate 152.

[0083] The first plate 151 and the second plate 152 are disposed at a distance from each other in the conveying direction. The defibrator 11 is disposed between the first plate 151 and the second plate 152. The first plate 151 and the second plate 152 are each inclined so as to approach the defibrator 11 as they extend downward. The upper end of the first plate 151 is connected to the second partition plate 13. The upper end of the second plate 152 is connected to the third partition plate 14. The lower end of the first plate 151 and the lower end of the second plate 152 are disposed at a distance from each other. The defibrator 11 is located between the lower end of the first plate 151 and the lower end of the second plate 152 when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0084] A comb-tooth fork 153 is provided at the lower end of the first plate 151. The comb-tooth fork 153 is a thin plate extending along the surface direction of the first plate 151. The comb-tooth fork 153 has a concave cutout portion extending upward from the lower end edge. A plurality of cutout portions are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The plurality of cutout portions are positioned so that the pins 112 and the comb-tooth fork 153 do not come into contact with each other when the defibrator 11 rotates. In other words, the pins 112 pass through the cutout portions of the comb-tooth fork 153 when they rotate.

[0085] In the following, the chute section 15 arranged between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the first set 12A will be referred to as the first chute section 15A, the chute section 15 arranged between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the second set 12B will be referred to as the second chute section 15B, and the chute section 15 arranged between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the third set 12C will be referred to as the third chute section 15C.

[0086] 4. Operation of the cutting device 3 and the fiber fine dispersion device 1 Next, the operations of the cutting device 3 and the fiber fine dispersion device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 2, in the cutting device 3 , a driving force is input to the cutting roll 31 , and the cutting roll 31 rotates, and the fibers are continuously supplied between the cutting roll 31 and the rubber roll 32 .

[0088] The fibers include at least carbon fibers. As long as the fibers include carbon fibers, they may also include other fibers. Examples of the other fibers include glass fibers, metal fibers, and ceramic fibers. The other fibers may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0089] The content of carbon fiber in the fibers is, for example, 10 mass % or more, preferably 20 mass % or more, and for example, 100 mass % or less. More preferably, the fibers are made of carbon fiber.

[0090] Examples of the fiber shape include cloth, mat, strand, roving, nonwoven fabric, and paper, and preferably, roving.

[0091] When the fibers are in the form of a roving, the cutting device 3 cuts the roving-shaped reinforcing fibers into chopped strands having a predetermined length.

[0092] This causes fibers (preferably chopped strands) having a predetermined length to fall continuously from the cutting device 3.

[0093] The length of the fiber is, for example, 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, and for example, 100 mm or less, preferably 60 mm or less.

[0094] Furthermore, in the fiber fine dispersion device 1, a driving force is input to the multiple defibration devices 11, causing each of the multiple defibration devices 11 to rotate.

[0095] The rotation speed of the defibration device 11 is, for example, 100 rpm or more, preferably 500 rpm or more, and for example, 10,000 rpm or less, preferably 5,000 rpm or less.

[0096] Then, the fibers that drop from the cutting device 3 are first guided to the first chute section 15A and reach the rotating first defibrating device 11A.

[0097] The fibers are then defibrated and dispersed by the rotating first defibrator 11A. At this time, the fibers are prevented from scattering excessively by first partition plate 12, second partition plate 13, and third partition plate 14. The fibers defibrated by first defibrator 11A are then discharged from the gaps between pins 112 and comb tooth fork 153.

[0098] Next, the discharged fibers naturally fall to reach second chute section 15B, are guided to second chute section 15B, and come into contact with the rotating second defibration device 11B. After that, the fibers defibrated by second defibration device 11B naturally fall to reach third chute section 15C, are guided to third chute section 15C, and come into contact with the rotating third defibration device 11C. This causes the fibers to be further defibrated and dispersed. After that, the fibers fall onto the resin composition layer transported by the transport device 2.

[0099] 4. Effects 3, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes multiple first partition plates 12 arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction. Therefore, the multiple first partition plates 12 can suppress the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 from scattering excessively in the width direction. Therefore, the defibrated fibers can be uniformly dispersed in the resin composition transported by the transport device 2.

[0100] 2, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, the multiple first partition plates 12 overlap with the defibration device 11. Therefore, the multiple first partition plates 12 can stably suppress the scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibration device 11.

[0101] Additionally, the second partition plate 13 is disposed at a distance from the defibrator device 11 in the conveying direction. Therefore, the second partition plate 13 can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator device 11 from scattering excessively in one direction in the conveying direction. As a result, the defibrated fibers can be more uniformly dispersed in the resin composition.

[0102] Additionally, the third partition plate 14 is located on the opposite side of the second partition plate 13 with respect to the multiple first partition plates 12 in the conveying direction. Therefore, the third partition plate 14 can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 from scattering excessively in the other direction in the conveying direction. As a result, the defibrated fibers can be dispersed more uniformly in the resin composition.

[0103] In addition, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 is equipped with a chute section 15. Therefore, the fibers dropping from the cutting device can be guided to the defibration device 11 by the chute section 15.

[0104] The fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 are discharged from the gap between the pins 112 and the comb-tooth fork 153. At this time, the fibers may become frayed due to defibration. In such a case, if the first partition plate 12 is present within the range in the height direction of the circle drawn by the pins 112 due to the rotation of the defibrator 11, the fibers may become stuck between the pins 112 and the comb-tooth fork 153.

[0105] In contrast, in the above fiber fine dispersion device 1, the first partition plates 12 are not present within the range in the height direction of the circle drawn by the pins 112 due to the rotation of the defibration device 11. More specifically, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 projected in the width direction (left-right direction on the paper in FIG. 3), the projection plane of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projection plane of the defibration device 11. In other words, the first partition plates 12 are not present on both sides in the width direction of the defibration device 11 (including the pins 112). Therefore, the above fiber fine dispersion device 1 can prevent clogging of fibers.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above fiber fine dispersion device 1, there are no partition plates on either side in the transport direction of the defibrator 11. More specifically, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the transport direction (depth direction on the paper in FIG. 3), the projected surface of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projected surface of the defibrator 11. If there are no partition plates on either side in the transport direction of the defibrator 11 (including the pins 112), clogging of fibers between the partition plates and the pins 112 can be prevented.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned fiber fine dispersion device 1, the vertical length of each first partition plate 12 is longer than the length of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction. Therefore, with this configuration, scattering of fibers above the defibrator can be effectively suppressed. As a result, even if the first partition plates 12 are not present on both sides of the defibrator 11 (including the pins 112) in the conveying direction, excessive scattering of fibers can be suppressed and the fibers can be dispersed more uniformly. As a result, there is no need to place the first partition plates 12 on both sides of the defibrator 11 in the conveying direction, and the size of the device can be suppressed.

[0108] In particular, in the SMC manufacturing apparatus 5, it is necessary to arrange the cover resin supplying device 6 and the like in the conveying direction, which raises concerns about the increase in size of the apparatus in the conveying direction. However, in the above-described fiber fine dispersion device 1, the apparatus can be made smaller in size in the conveying direction, so that the increase in size of the SMC manufacturing apparatus 5 can be suppressed.

[0109] 5. Variations In the embodiment described above, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes a plurality of defibration devices 11, but the number of defibration devices 11 is not limited to this. The fiber fine dispersion device 1 may include only one defibration device 11.

[0110] In the embodiment described above, second partition plate 13 and first plate 151 of chute portion 15 are separate bodies, but second partition plate 13 and first plate 151 of chute portion 15 may be integrated.

[0111] In the embodiment described above, third partition plate 14 and second plate 152 of chute portion 15 are separate bodies, but third partition plate 14 and second plate 152 of chute portion 15 may be integral with each other.

[0112] These modifications can also provide the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0113] The above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1 Fiber fine dispersion device 11 Defibration equipment 12 First partition plate 13 Second partition plate 14 Third partition plate 15 Shooting Section 2. Conveyor device 3 Cutting device

Claims

1. A fiber fine dispersion device disposed between a conveying device that conveys a resin composition and a cutting device that is disposed above the conveying device and cuts fibers including at least carbon fibers, a defibration device that defibrates the fibers dropping from the cutting device; a plurality of first partition plates that suppress scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibration device, the plurality of first partition plates being arranged at intervals from each other in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction of the resin composition by the conveying device and the up-down direction, Each of the plurality of first partition plates extends in the conveying direction, The length of the first partition plate in the up-down direction is longer than the length of the first partition plate in the conveying direction, A fiber fine dispersion device, wherein the plurality of first partition plates overlap with the defibration device when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

2. 2. The fiber fine dispersion device according to claim 1, further comprising a second partition plate arranged at a distance from the defibration device in the conveying direction, the second partition plate extending in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the up-down direction.

3. The fiber fine dispersion device according to claim 2 , further comprising a third partition plate located on an opposite side of the second partition plate with respect to the plurality of first partition plates in the conveying direction.

4. The fiber fine dispersion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a chute section that introduces fibers dropping from the cutting device into the defibration device.

Images