Painting nozzles and prepreg manufacturing equipment

JP7920019B2Active Publication Date: 2026-09-14THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022185591
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-11-21
Publication Date
2026-09-14
Estimated Expiration
2042-11-21

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

【0007】 前記一実施の形態によれば、シート状繊維基材へ樹脂粉体を均一(又は概ね均一)に付着させることができる塗装ノズル、及びプリプレグ製造装置を提供することができる。

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Abstract

To provide a coating nozzle which can uniformly (or almost uniformly) bond resin powder onto a sheet-like fiber base material, and a prepreg manufacturing device.SOLUTION: A coating nozzle used in a prepreg manufacturing device for bonding resin powder onto a sheet-like fiber base material, and manufacturing a prepreg includes: an air nozzle including a first resin powder discharge port which extends in a width direction of the sheet-like fiber base material and has a slit shape; a second resin powder discharge port which extends in the width direction of the sheet-like fiber base material and has a slit shape; a supply pipe for supplying air and resin powder which are jetted from the first resin powder discharge port and are jetted toward the sheet-like fiber base material from the second resin powder discharge port, to the second resin powder discharge port; and a plurality of piece mixers arranged in the supply pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a coating nozzle and a prepreg manufacturing apparatus capable of uniformly (or substantially uniformly) adhering resin powder to a sheet-like fibrous substrate. [Background technology]

[0002] A prepreg manufacturing apparatus is known that is configured to adhere charged resin powder to a sheet-like fibrous substrate by the Coulomb force caused by the electric field formed between an electrode (high-voltage plate) to which a high voltage is applied and a conveyed sheet-like fibrous substrate, and by the conveying force of air sprayed from an air nozzle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6121978 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the resin powder is sprayed unevenly (unevenly in the longitudinal direction of the slit) from the air nozzle (slit), which presents a problem in that it is difficult to uniformly (or generally uniformly) adhere the resin powder to the sheet-like fibrous substrate.

[0005] Other challenges and novel features will become apparent from the description and accompanying drawings in this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A coating nozzle according to one embodiment is a coating nozzle used in a prepreg manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a prepreg by adhering resin powder to a sheet-like fibrous substrate, and comprises an air nozzle including a slit-shaped first resin powder discharge port extending in the width direction of the sheet-like fibrous substrate, a slit-shaped second resin powder discharge port extending in the width direction of the sheet-like fibrous substrate, a supply pipe that supplies air and resin powder ejected from the first resin powder discharge port and ejected from the second resin powder discharge port toward the sheet-like fibrous substrate to the second resin powder discharge port, and a plurality of compost mixers arranged in the supply pipe, wherein the plurality of compost mixers are arranged so that the resin powder ejected from the first resin powder discharge port is finally made uniform or substantially uniform in the width direction of the sheet-like fibrous substrate by repeatedly colliding with the compost mixers, being separated by the collision, and merging after the separation within the supply pipe, and is ejected uniformly or substantially uniformly from the second resin powder discharge port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above embodiment, a coating nozzle and a prepreg manufacturing apparatus can be provided that can uniformly (or generally uniformly) adhere resin powder to a sheet-like fibrous substrate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing an overview of the configuration of a prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing an overview of the configuration of a prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a view along arrow AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates a manufacturing method for producing prepregs using a prepreg manufacturing apparatus as an example. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the paint nozzle 100. [Figure 6] (a) A view of the air nozzle 41 from the direction of arrow AR4 in Figure 5, and (b) A cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 6(a). [Figure 7] It is a view of the coating nozzle 100 as seen from the direction of arrow AR8 in Fig. 5. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged view extracting the rotary mixer rows 1 and 2 from Fig. 7. [Figure 9] (a) is a graph showing the distribution of resin powder injected from the air nozzle 41 (the first slit SL1) in Simulation 1, and (b) is a graph showing the results of Simulation 1 (the distribution of resin powder injected from the second slit SL2). [Figure 10] (a) is a graph showing the distribution of resin powder injected from the air nozzle 41 (the first slit SL1) in Simulation 2, and (b) is a graph showing the results of Simulation 2 (the distribution of resin powder injected from the second slit SL2). [Figure 11] (a) is a perspective view of the rotary mixer 110 used in Experiment 1, (b) is a perspective view of the rotary mixer 110 used in Experiment 1 with one half cut, (c) is a plan view of the rotary mixer 110a constituting the upper and middle rotary mixer rows, and (d) is a plan view of the rotary mixer 110b constituting the lower rotary mixer row. [Figure 12] It is a view of the coating nozzle 100 as seen from the direction of arrow AR8 in Fig. 5. [Figure 13] It is a graph showing the uniformity of resin adhesion in the width direction of the textile base material m1 (prepreg) prototyped as a result of Experiment 1. [Figure 14] (a) is an example of a rotary mixer swinging mechanism 160, (b) is a view showing a state where the rotary mixer 110 is swinging, and (c) is a view showing a state where the rotary mixer 110 is swinging. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart of a control example of the rotary mixer 110 (rotary mixer control process). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Reference Example A prepreg manufacturing apparatus according to a reference example will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0010] The prepreg manufacturing apparatus of the reference example is an apparatus for manufacturing a prepreg by adhering resin powder 30 to a sheet-like fiber base material 50 such as carbon fiber fabric or UD tape, and as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, mainly comprises two chambers 31 and 32 provided on the left and right with the sheet-like fiber base material 50 interposed therebetween, supply pipes 37 and 38 respectively provided in the chambers 31 and 32, flat air nozzles 41 and 42 respectively connected to ends of the supply pipes 37 and 38, and powdered resin charging parts 43 and 44 respectively provided on the supply pipes 37 and 38.

[0011] The chambers 31 and 32 have rectangular outer shells 31a and 32a, and inner shells 31b and 32b provided inside the outer shells 31a and 32a, the inner shells being substantially rectangular with rounded corners.

[0012] The sheet-like fiber base material 50 side of the outer shells 31a and 32a, that is, the position of the right end (front surface) of the left chamber 31 and the position of the left end (front surface) of the right chamber 32 are open, and the sheet-like fiber base material 50 to which the resin powder 30 adheres is disposed therebetween. In addition, discharge ports 35 and 36 are formed on the opposite side to the sheet-like fiber base material 50 side of the outer shells 31a and 32a, that is, at the position of the left end (rear surface) of the left chamber 31 and the position of the right end (rear surface) of the right chamber 32. Dust collectors 53 and 54 for collecting the resin powder 30 discharged from the discharge ports 35 and 36 are attached to the discharge ports 35 and 36.

[0013] In addition, openings 33 and 34 are formed at front positions of the inner shells 31b and 32b opposite to the sheet-like fiber base material 50, that is, at the position of the right end (front surface) of the inner shell 31b of the left chamber 31 and the position of the left end (front surface) of the inner shell 32b of the right chamber 32. High-voltage plates 51 and 52 are disposed around the openings 33 and 34 so as to surround the entire periphery thereof.

[0014] Furthermore, the inner shells 31b and 32b of the chambers 31 and 32 are provided separated from the outer shells 31a and 32a without intersecting, and flow paths (gaps) 45 and 46 are formed between the outer shells 31a and 32a and the inner shells 31b and 32b, such that the resin powder 30 that is discharged with air from the openings 33 and 34 in the upper, lower, left, and right directions and does not adhere is discharged to the outside of the chambers 31 and 32 from the outlets 35 and 36.

[0015] The supply pipes 37 and 38 are located at approximately the center height within the inner shells 31b and 32b of the two chambers 31 and 32, respectively, with one end extending approximately horizontally to the openings 33 and 34. Flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 are connected to the other ends of the supply pipes 37 and 38.

[0016] The flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 have main bodies 41a and 42a that extend in the width direction (front-back direction in Figure 2) of the two chambers 31 and 32. A long, elongated first slit SL1 (see Figure 4) is formed at the end of the main body 41a and 42a on the side facing the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50, extending in the width direction of the chambers 31 and 32, similar to the main body 41a and 42a. Air is ejected from the first slit SL1 in a curtain-like manner. The first slit SL1 is an example of the first resin powder discharge port of this disclosure.

[0017] The base ends of the main bodies 41a and 42a of the flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 are connected to the other ends of input pipes 47 and 48, each having an input port 47a and 48a at one end into which resin powder 30 is introduced. The other ends of the input pipes 47 and 48 are inserted into the inner shells 31b and 32b of the chambers 31 and 32, but one end of the input pipes 47 and 48 is located outside the chambers 31 and 32, and a fixed amount of resin powder 30 is continuously introduced through the input port 47a and 48a at that end by a quantitative feeder or the like.

[0018] Furthermore, compressors 39 and 40 are connected to the approximate center of the inlet pipes 47 and 48 via an air amplification device T. As a result, the compressed air sent from the compressors 39 and 40 has its flow velocity further increased by the air amplification device T and is mixed with the resin powder 30 supplied from the inlet ports 47a and 48a by a metering feeder or the like, and is then pushed into the flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 as a high-pressure solid-gas two-phase flow.

[0019] The powder resin charging units 43 and 44 are located approximately in the center of the supply pipes 37 and 38, and charge the resin powder 30 negatively (or positively) along with the air, thereby providing the resin powder 30 with a high amount of charge.

[0020] Generally, thermosetting resins are used as the resin powder 30, but thermoplastic resins or natural resins may also be used. Furthermore, the sheet-like fibrous base material 50 may consist of metal fibers other than carbon fibers, mineral fibers, glass fibers, or synthetic fibers.

[0021] Furthermore, the sheet-like fiber substrate 50 is connected to ground, and a high-voltage electric field is applied between it and the high-voltage plates 51 and 52 installed around the openings 33 and 34 formed in the inner shells 31b and 32b of the chambers 31 and 32.

[0022] A method for manufacturing prepregs using a prepreg manufacturing apparatus configured in this way will be described.

[0023] When a fixed amount of resin powder 30 is continuously fed in through the inlet ports 47a and 48a of the input pipes 47 and 48 by a quantitative feeder or the like, the resin powder 30 is mixed inside the input pipes 47 and 48 with high-pressure air whose flow velocity has been further increased by the air amplification device T, which is compressed air sent from the compressors 39 and 40, and then pushed into the flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42.

[0024] As a result, the air velocity is made uniform from the injection slits of the flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 into the supply pipes 37 and 38, and a solid-gas two-phase flow of resin powder 30 mixed with air is sent in an air curtain shape, and both the resin powder 30 and the air are negatively charged by the powder resin charging sections 43 and 44 provided in the supply pipes 37 and 38.

[0025] The two-phase solid-gas flow, which is a mixture of charged resin powder 30 and air, is discharged from the openings 33 and 34 of the chambers 31 and 32 (an example of the second resin powder discharge port in this disclosure; see Figure 4; hereinafter also referred to as the second slit SL2) and sprayed onto the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50. At this time, a high-voltage electric field is applied between the openings 33 and 34 and the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50, which is connected to ground, by high-voltage plates 51 and 52 installed around the openings 33 and 34. Additionally, a negative high voltage is applied to the openings 33 and 34. As a result, the negatively charged resin powder 30 is forcefully discharged from the openings 33 and 34 towards the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50 and adheres to the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50 with strong adhesive force, thereby manufacturing a prepreg.

[0026] Furthermore, when the resin powder 30 is positively charged by the powder resin charging sections 43 and 44, a positive high voltage is applied to the openings 33 and 34 by the high-voltage plates 51 and 52.

[0027] In this specification, prepreg includes semipreg.

[0028] Furthermore, any resin powder 30 that does not adhere to the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50 flows through the channels 45 and 46 formed between the outer shells 31a and 32a and the inner shells 31b and 32b of the two chambers 31 and 32 to the rear side of the outer shells 31a and 32a, and is discharged to the outside of the two chambers 31 and 32 from the outlets 35 and 36.

[0029] The discharged resin powder 30 is collected by dust collectors 53 and 54 connected to the discharge ports 35 and 36 and reused. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the resin powder 30 collected by the dust collectors 53 and 54 is again fed into the inlet ports 47a and 48a of the input pipes 47 and 48 via a quantitative feeder, and pushed into flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 along with air via compressors 39 and 40.

[0030] According to this configuration, chambers 31 and 32, each consisting of outer shells 31a and 32a and inner shells 31b and 32b, are provided on either side of a sheet-like fibrous substrate 50, and flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 are provided in the inner shells 31b and 32b of the chambers 31 and 32, respectively. As a result, the entire apparatus is made smaller and space-saving, and the resin powder 30 can be simultaneously attached to both sides of the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50.

[0031] Furthermore, by employing flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42, the resin powder 30 is mixed with air and pushed in from the rear of the supply pipes 37 and 38 at high pressure and a uniform flow rate. As a result, the solid-gas two-phase flow consisting of the charged resin powder 30 and air within the supply pipes 37 and 38 is fast and uniform, eliminating the need for conventional flow straighteners and blowers. This also allows for miniaturization of the entire device.

[0032] In this reference example, the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50 is fixed between two chambers 31 and 32 to simultaneously adhere the resin powder 30 to both sides. However, by further providing a conveying device capable of continuously transporting the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50 itself in an upward or downward direction, the resin powder 30 can be adhered to both sides of the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50 over a wide area and continuously in a short time.

[0033] Furthermore, in this reference example, high-voltage plates 51 and 52 are installed around the openings 33 and 34 of the chambers 31 and 32 to ensure that the resin powder 30 adheres more firmly to the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50. However, the resin powder 30 can also be adhered to the sheet-like fibrous substrate 50 even without the high-voltage plates 51 and 52 and the powder resin charging sections 43 and 44.

[0034] Next, we will explain a manufacturing method for producing prepregs using the prepreg manufacturing apparatus shown in the above reference example.

[0035] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method for producing prepregs using a reference example prepreg manufacturing apparatus.

[0036] Hereafter, a woven fabric base material will be used as the sheet-like fibrous base material 50. A woven fabric base material refers to a sheet-like fibrous base material composed of fibers corresponding to the weft and warp threads. Hereafter, it will be referred to as the woven fabric base material m1. For the sake of simplicity, only the opening 33 (second slit SL2) is shown in Figure 4, and the opening 34 has been omitted. The following explanation will also focus on the operation of the second slit SL2 side, and the operation of the opening 34 side will be omitted.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the woven base material m1 is continuously drawn from a roll body M1 in which the woven base material m1 is wound into a roll, passed over driven rollers R1 and R2, and connected to a winding shaft A. The woven base material m1 is transported (in the direction indicated by arrows AR1 to AR3 in Figure 4) by the rotation of the winding shaft A by a motor (not shown), and passes through the second slit SL2 located between the driven rollers R1 and R2, the resin welding heater 60, and the film thickness gauge 80 (fixed point film thickness gauge) located downstream of the resin welding heater 60 in that order.

[0038] A high-voltage power supply 70 is electrically connected to the high-voltage plate 51 (electrode plate), and a high voltage V (for example, several tens of kV) is applied. As a result, corona discharge occurs from the high-voltage plate 51 toward the woven fabric substrate m1 which is grounded. Therefore, the resin powder sprayed from the second slit SL2 together with air is charged by ions generated by the corona discharge as it passes through the high-voltage plate 51. This charged resin powder adheres to the woven fabric substrate m1 (front or back surface) as it passes through the second slit SL2 due to the Coulomb force created by the electric field formed between the high-voltage plate 51 and the woven fabric substrate m1, and the transport force of the air sprayed from the second slit SL2 (principle of electrostatic powder coating). The air and resin powder sprayed toward the woven fabric substrate m1 from the second slit SL2 are supplied to the second slit SL2 by the supply pipe 37 and sprayed from the second slit SL2.

[0039] As described above, the woven fabric substrate m1 to which the resin powder is attached is heated by the resin welding heater 60 as it passes through the heater. This causes the resin powder attached to the woven fabric substrate m1 to weld to the substrate m1, and the prepreg m2 (see Figure 4) is manufactured.

[0040] As the manufactured prepreg m2 passes through the film thickness gauge 80, the film thickness is measured by the film thickness gauge 80. Then, the quantitative feeder 90 (the amount of resin powder supplied) is controlled (feedback control) so that the measured film thickness becomes the target film thickness.

[0041] The prepreg m2 manufactured in the manner described above is wound onto a winding shaft A, which is rotated by a motor (not shown), via a driven roller R2.

[0042] <Embodiment> First, we will explain the problems that the inventors have found in the manufacturing method for producing prepregs using the prepreg manufacturing apparatus described in the above reference example.

[0043] The inventors have found that in the above reference example, the resin powder is sprayed unevenly (unevenly in the longitudinal direction of the first slit SL1) from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1), and this unevenly sprayed resin powder is supplied to the second slit SL2 by the supply pipe 37 and sprayed unevenly (unevenly in the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) from the second slit SL2, making it difficult to uniformly (or generally uniformly) adhere the resin powder to the woven fabric base material m1.

[0044] Next, as an embodiment, an example in which a configuration example for solving the above problems is applied to the above reference example will be described.Hereafter, an example using a coma mixer (diffuser) will be described as a configuration example for solving the above problems.Note that the same reference numerals will be used for components similar to those in the above reference example, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.Note that since the flat-type air nozzles 41 and 42 have similar configurations and operations, in order to simplify the explanation, an example using the flat-type air nozzle 41 and supply pipe 37 will be described below as a representative example, and the example using the flat-type air nozzle 42 and supply pipe 38 will be omitted. <Painting nozzle 100> Figure 5 is a perspective view of the paint nozzle 100.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the air nozzle 41 and the supply pipe 37 constitute the paint nozzle 100. Multiple compressors 110 are located inside the supply pipe 37. The compressors 110 will be described in detail later. <Air nozzle 41> First, let's describe the air nozzle 41. This air nozzle 41 has the same configuration as the reference example above.

[0046] Figure 6(a) is a view of the air nozzle 41 from the direction of arrow AR4 in Figure 5, and Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 6(a).

[0047] As shown in Figure 6(b), the air nozzle 41 is a flat-type air nozzle comprising an air nozzle body 120 with a first slit SL1, and an input pipe 47 for supplying air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) to the air nozzle body 120. The air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) supplied to the air nozzle body 120 via the input pipe 47 pass through the internal space of the air nozzle body 120 and are ejected from the first slit SL1, as will be described later.

[0048] The configuration of the air nozzle 41 will be described in more detail below.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6(b), the air nozzle body 120 is a cylindrical body with a rectangular cross-section that extends in the width direction (left-right direction in Figure 6(a)) of the woven base material m1. The cross-sectional shape of the air nozzle body 120 may be other than rectangular (for example, hexagonal). Both ends of the air nozzle body 120 in the longitudinal direction are closed by walls 107 and 108, respectively (see Figures 5 and 6(a)).

[0050] The air nozzle body 120 has a first slit SL1 (see Figures 5, 6(a), and 6(b)). As shown in Figure 6(a), the first slit SL1 extends in the width direction of the woven base material m1 and has a length L SL1 × Slit width W SL1 It is a horizontally elongated rectangular slit. Length L SL1 For example, 400mm, slit width W SL1 For example, the diameter is 20 mm. The input pipe 47 is located on the opposite side of the first slit SL1 and in the center of the longitudinal direction of the air nozzle body 120 (see Figure 5). The input pipe 47 and the first slit SL1 are in communication with each other via the internal space of the air nozzle body 120. The internal space of the air nozzle body 120 is sealed except for the input pipe 47 and the first slit SL1. Although the arrangement of the input pipe 47 differs from the above reference example (see Figure 1), the function of the input pipe 47 is the same as in the above reference example.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6(b), a first diffuser plate 140 and a second diffuser plate 150 are arranged in the internal space of the air nozzle body 120. The first diffuser plate 140 and the second diffuser plate 150 divide the internal space of the air nozzle body 120 into first to fourth internal spaces S1 to S4.

[0052] Next, the configuration of the first diffuser plate 140 will be described.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6(b), the first diffusion plate 140 is composed of first to third plate-like portions 141 to 143. Each of the first to third plate-like portions 141 to 143 extends in the width direction (left-right direction in Figure 6(a)) of the woven base material m1. One end of each of the first to third plate-like portions 141 to 143 reaches the wall portion 107. A sealing material (not shown) is placed between one end of each of the first to third plate-like portions 141 to 143 and the wall portion 107. On the other hand, the other end of each of the first to third plate-like portions 141 to 143 reaches the wall portion 108. A sealing material (not shown) is placed between the other end of each of the first to third plate-like portions 141 to 143 and the wall portion 108.

[0054] The second plate-shaped portion 142 extends from one long side of the first plate-shaped portion 141 to the rear upper corner of the air nozzle body 120 (see Figure 6(b)). A sealing material (not shown) is placed between the second plate-shaped portion 142 and the rear upper corner. Similarly, the third plate-shaped portion 143 extends from the other long side of the first plate-shaped portion 141 to the rear lower corner of the air nozzle body 120 (see Figure 6(b)). A sealing material (not shown) is placed between the third plate-shaped portion 143 and the rear lower corner.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6(b), the second plate-like portion 142 has multiple through holes 142a. These through holes 142a are arranged in a row, for example, in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (see arrow AR5 in Figure 5). Similarly, the third plate-like portion 143 has multiple through holes 143a. These through holes 143a are arranged in a row, for example, in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (see arrow AR5 in Figure 5). The diameter of these through holes 142a and 143a is, for example, about 10 mm.

[0056] Next, the configuration of the second diffuser plate 150 will be described.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6(b), the second diffusion plate 150 is composed of fourth to sixth plate-like sections 151 to 153. Each of the fourth to sixth plate-like sections 151 to 153 extends in the width direction (left-right direction in Figure 6(a)) of the woven base material m1. One end of each of the fourth to sixth plate-like sections 151 to 153 reaches the wall section 107. A sealing material (not shown) is placed between one end of each of the fourth to sixth plate-like sections 151 to 153 and the wall section 107. On the other hand, the other end of each of the fourth to sixth plate-like sections 151 to 153 reaches the wall section 108. A sealing material (not shown) is placed between the other end of each of the fourth to sixth plate-like sections 151 to 153 and the wall section 108.

[0058] The fifth plate-shaped portion 152 extends from one long side of the fourth plate-shaped portion 151 to the front upper corner of the air nozzle body 120 (see Figure 6(b)). A sealing material (not shown) is placed between the fifth plate-shaped portion 152 and the front upper corner. Similarly, the sixth plate-shaped portion 153 extends from the other long side of the fourth plate-shaped portion 151 to the front lower corner of the air nozzle body 120. A sealing material (not shown) is placed between the sixth plate-shaped portion 153 and the front lower corner.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6(b), the fifth plate-like portion 152 has multiple through holes 152a. Similarly, the sixth plate-like portion 153 has multiple through holes 153a. These through holes 152a and 153a are arranged in a line, for example, in the width direction of the woven fabric base material m1 (see arrow AR5 in Figure 5). The diameters of these through holes 152a and 153a are smaller than the diameters of the through holes 142a and 143a formed in the second plate-like portion 142 and the third plate-like portion 143.

[0060] The first diffuser plate 140 (first plate-shaped portion 141) and the second diffuser plate 150 (fourth plate-shaped portion 151) in the above configuration are fixed together (for example, by screws).

[0061] In the air nozzle 41 configured as described above, the air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) supplied to the air nozzle body 120 via the input pipe 47 pass through the internal spaces S1 to S4 of the air nozzle body 120 and are ejected from the first slit SL1.

[0062] Specifically, the air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) supplied to the air nozzle body 120 via the input pipe 47 are first supplied to the internal space S1. The air and resin powder supplied to this internal space S1 are diffused in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (see arrow AR5 in Figure 5) and compressed within the internal space S1, and then supplied to the internal space S2 via the through holes 142a (multiple) formed in the first diffusion plate 140 (second plate-shaped portion 142), and also supplied to the internal space S3 via the through holes 143a (multiple) formed in the first diffusion plate 140 (third plate-shaped portion 143).

[0063] Next, the air and resin powder supplied to the internal space S2 are further compressed in the internal space S2 and then supplied to the internal space S4 through the through holes 152a (multiple) formed in the second diffusion plate 150 (fifth plate-shaped portion 152). Similarly, the air and resin powder supplied to the internal space S3 are further compressed in the internal space S3 and then supplied to the internal space S4 through the through holes 153a (multiple) formed in the second diffusion plate 150 (sixth plate-shaped portion 153).

[0064] Next, the air and resin powder supplied to the internal space S4 as described above are further compressed within the internal space S4 and then ejected from the first slit SL1. At this time, the air is ejected uniformly (uniformly in the longitudinal direction of the first slit SL1) from the first slit SL1, but the resin powder is ejected non-uniformly (non-uniformly in the longitudinal direction of the first slit SL1) from the first slit SL1. <Supply pipe 37> Next, the supply pipe 37 will be described. This supply pipe 37 has the same configuration as the reference example above.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, the supply pipe 37 is a conduit with a rectangular cross-section constituted by plate-shaped portions 37a to 37d. The plate-shaped portions 37a and 37c are parallel to each other and arranged at a predetermined interval. Similarly, the plate-shaped portions 37b and 37d are parallel to each other and arranged at a predetermined interval. The height H of the supply pipe 37 37 is, for example, 20 mm, and the width W 37 is, for example, 400 mm, and the length L 37 is, for example, 500 mm. The base end portion 37e side (open end portion) of the supply pipe 37 is fixed to the air nozzle 41 in a state surrounding the first slit SL1. At this time, a sealing material (not shown) is disposed between the base end portion 37e side (open end portion) of the supply pipe 37 and the air nozzle 41. On the other hand, a second slit SL2 is disposed on the tip end portion 37f side of the supply pipe 37. As shown in FIG. 3, the second slit SL2 extends in the width direction of the textile base material m1, and is a horizontally elongated rectangular slit having a length L SL2 × slit width W SL2 . The length L SL2 is, for example, 400 mm, and the slit width W SL2 is, for example, 20 mm.

[0066] Air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) that are unevenly injected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) having the above configuration are supplied to the second slit SL2 through the supply pipe 37. At this time, the resin powder unevenly injected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) is homogenized (or substantially homogenized) in the width direction of the textile base material m1 (the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) by the plurality of coma mixers 110 disposed in the supply pipe 37. As a result, the resin powder is uniformly (or substantially uniformly) injected from the second slit SL2. <Coma mixer 110> Next, the coma mixer 110 will be described.

[0067] First, the principle of homogenizing (or substantially homogenizing) the resin powder unevenly injected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) in the width direction of the textile base material m1 (the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) by the plurality of coma mixers 110 will be described.

[0068] Figure 7 is a view of the paint nozzle 100 from the direction of arrow AR8 in Figure 5.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7, the supply pipe 37 has multiple rows of mixer columns 1 to N1 arranged in a staggered pattern. N1 can be any integer greater than or equal to 2. Each mixer column consists of N2 mixers 110 arranged in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2). N2 can be any integer greater than or equal to 2. Note that the mixers 110 at both ends of even-numbered rows of mixer columns are configured with one half cut off in relation to the plate-like sections 37b and 37d that make up the supply pipe 37.

[0070] The powder mixer 110 is configured in a cylindrical shape (see Figure 7). However, the powder mixer 110 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. In other words, a simple cylindrical powder mixer 110 was used here simply to explain the principle of homogenizing (or generally homogenizing) the resin powder that is unevenly sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1). Height H of the powder mixer 110 110 (See Figure 5) The height H of the supply pipe 37 is shown. 37 (See Figure 5) This is roughly equivalent. One end face of the komami mixer 110 is fixed to, for example, the plate-shaped portion 37a of the supply pipe 37, and the other end face is fixed to, for example, the plate-shaped portion 37c of the supply pipe 37.

[0071] The resin powder, which is unevenly sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) and supplied to the second slit SL2 by the supply pipe 37, is made uniform (or roughly uniform) in the width direction (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) of the woven base material m1 by the multiple komami mixers 110 configured and arranged as described above. This point will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram (enlarged view) of komami mixer rows 1 and 2 extracted from Figure 7.

[0072] In Figure 8, arrows ARa to ARf represent the air and resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) and impacting the compost mixers 110A to 110F. For example, arrow ARa represents the air and resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) and impacting the compost mixer 110A. The same applies to the other arrows ARb to ARf. In addition, the symbols A to F attached to arrows ARa to ARf in Figure 8 represent the mass of the resin powder impacting the compost mixers 110A to 110F. For example, symbol A represents the mass of the resin powder impacting the compost mixer 110A. The same applies to the other symbols B to F.

[0073] On the other hand, the arrows ARa1, ARa2 to ARf1, and ARf2 in Figure 8 represent the air and resin powder that have been divided equally by the aeration mixers 110A to 110F. For example, arrows ARa1 and ARa2 represent the air and resin powder indicated by arrow ARa in Figure 8 that collide with aeration mixer 110A and are divided equally by aeration mixer 110A. The same applies to the other arrows ARb1, ARb2 to ARf1, and ARf2. Also, the symbols A / 2 to F / 2 in Figure 8 represent the mass of the resin powder that has been divided equally by the aeration mixers 110A to 110F. For example, the symbol A / 2 represents the mass of the resin powder that has been divided equally by aeration mixer 110A. The same applies to the other symbols B / 2 to F / 2.

[0074] Furthermore, the arrows ARab to ARef in Figure 8 indicate the confluence of the air and resin powder that were separated as described above. For example, arrow ARab indicates the confluence of the separate flow (air and resin powder) indicated by arrow ARa2 in Figure 8 and the separate flow (air and resin powder) indicated by arrow ARb1 in Figure 8. The same applies to the other arrows ARbc to ARef. Also, the symbols (A / 2)+(B / 2)~(E / 2)+(F / 2) in Figure 8 represent the mass of the resin powder that was confluenced as described above. For example, the symbol (A / 2)+(B / 2) represents the mass of the resin powder indicated by arrow ARab in Figure 8 that was confluenced as described above. The same applies to the other symbols (B / 2)+(C / 2)~(E / 2)+(F / 2).

[0075] As described above, the resin powder, which is unevenly sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1), repeatedly collides with the compost mixer 110, is divided by the collision, and then rejoins as it passes through the compost mixer rows 1 to N1 of each stage. As a result, the resin powder, which is unevenly sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1), is ultimately homogenized (or generally homogenized) in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) within the supply pipe 37. Consequently, the resin powder is sprayed uniformly (or generally homogenized) from the second slit SL2. The inventors have confirmed this through simulations and experiments. The simulations and experiments conducted by the inventors will be described below. <Simulation 1> The conditions for Simulation 1 are as follows:

[0076] The arrangement of the compost mixers used in Simulation 1 was a staggered arrangement. Simulation 1 was performed simply using spreadsheet software. At that time, the shape and size of the compost mixers, the flow velocity of the air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1), etc. were not taken into consideration.

[0077] In Simulation 1, the distribution of resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) is as shown in Figure 9(a). Figure 9(a) is a graph showing the distribution of resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) in Simulation 1. In Figure 9(a), the vertical axis represents the amount of resin powder, while the horizontal axis represents the position in the width direction, i.e., the position in the longitudinal direction of the first slit SL1.

[0078] In Simulation 1, simulations were also performed for three different configurations: two rows of 12 coma mixers (N1=2), ten rows (N1=10), and fifty rows (N1=50).

[0079] Next, we will explain the results of Simulation 1, which was conducted under the above conditions.

[0080] Figure 9(b) is a graph showing the results of Simulation 1 (distribution of resin powder ejected from the second slit SL2). In Figure 9(b), the vertical axis represents the amount of resin powder, while the horizontal axis represents the position in the width direction, i.e., the position of the second slit SL2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0081] Referring to Figure 9(b), it can be seen that as the number of stages in the compost mixer row increases, the resin powder sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) is ultimately homogenized (or generally homogenized) in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) within the supply pipe 37. <Simulation 2> The conditions for Simulation 2 are as follows:

[0082] The compost mixers used in Simulation 2 were arranged in a staggered pattern. Simulation 2 was performed simply using spreadsheet software. In this simulation, the shape and size of the compost mixers, the flow velocity of the air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1), etc., were not taken into consideration.

[0083] In Simulation 2, the distribution of resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) is as shown in Figure 10(a). Figure 10(a) is a graph showing the distribution of resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) in Simulation 2. In Figure 10(a), the vertical axis represents the amount of resin powder, while the horizontal axis represents the position in the width direction, i.e., the position in the longitudinal direction of the first slit SL1.

[0084] In Simulation 2, simulations were also performed for three different configurations: two rows of 12 coma mixers (N1=2), ten rows (N1=10), and fifty rows (N1=50).

[0085] Next, we will explain the results of Simulation 2, which was conducted under the above conditions.

[0086] Figure 10(b) is a graph showing the results of Simulation 2 (distribution of resin powder ejected from the second slit SL2). In Figure 10(b), the vertical axis represents the amount of resin powder, while the horizontal axis represents the position in the width direction, i.e., the position of the second slit SL2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] Referring to Figure 10(b), it can be seen that as the number of stages in the combifer row increases, the resin powder sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) is ultimately homogenized (or generally homogenized) in the width direction (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) of the woven base material m1 within the supply pipe 37. <Experiment 1> The conditions for Experiment 1 are as follows:

[0088] Figure 11(a) is a perspective view of the compost mixer 110 used in Experiment 1.

[0089] As shown in Figure 11(a), the komami mixer 110 used in Experiment 1 includes an upstream portion 111 into which air and resin powder are ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) and a downstream portion 112 on the opposite side.

[0090] The upstream portion 111 is configured as a semi-cylindrical shape that is convex toward the upstream side in order to divide the air and resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) and impacting the komami mixer 110 (upstream portion 111) into two equal parts. On the other hand, the downstream portion 112 is configured as a triangular prism shape that tapers toward the downstream side in order to suppress the generation of vortices downstream of the komami mixer 110 when the air and resin powder ejected from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) impacts the komami mixer 110 (upstream portion 111). As described above, by configuring the upstream portion 111 of the komami mixer 110 as a convex semi-cylindrical shape toward the upstream side, and the downstream portion 112 as a tapered triangular prism shape toward the downstream side, that is, by configuring the komami mixer 110 as a teardrop shape overall, the flow of air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) will not separate from the wall surface of the komami mixer 110, thereby suppressing the generation of vortices downstream of the komami mixer 110. This will suppress the accumulation of resin powder downstream of the komami mixer 110. It is generally known that adopting a teardrop shape can suppress the generation of vortices downstream (see, for example, https: / / vis-tech.site / air-resistance / ).

[0091] Figure 12 is a view of the paint nozzle 100 from the direction of arrow AR8 in Figure 5.

[0092] As shown in Figure 12, the supply pipe 37 has multiple rows of mixers (three rows are shown as an example) arranged in a staggered pattern. The upper row of mixers consists of five mixers 110a arranged in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2). The mixers 110a at both ends of the upper row of mixers are configured with one half cut off in relation to the plate-like parts 37b and 37d that make up the supply pipe 37 (see Figure 11(b)). Figure 11(b) is a perspective view of the mixer 110a with one half cut off that was used in Experiment 1. Similarly, the middle row of mixers consists of four mixers 110a arranged in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2).

[0093] Figure 11(c) is a plan view of the coma mixer 110a that constitutes the upper and middle rows of coma mixers.

[0094] As shown in Figure 11(c), the upstream portion 111 of the coma mixer 110a that constitutes the upper and middle rows of coma mixers is part of a cylinder with radius D1. Radius D1 is, for example, 20 mm. The downstream portion 112 of the coma mixer 110a that constitutes the upper and middle rows of coma mixers is part of a triangular prism that tapers downstream, with a distance L1 from the center of the cylinder with radius D1 to the top of the triangular prism shape, and includes two sides that are tangent to the cylinder with radius D1. L1 is, for example, 50 mm.

[0095] On the other hand, the lower row of mixers consists of five mixers 110b arranged in the width direction of the woven base material m1 (the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) (see Figure 12). The mixers 110b at both ends of the lower row of mixers are configured with one half cut off in relation to the plate-shaped parts 37b and 37d that constitute the supply pipe 37.

[0096] Figure 11(d) is a plan view of the coma mixer 110b that makes up the lower row of coma mixers.

[0097] As shown in Figure 11(d), the upstream portion 111 of the coma mixer 110b that constitutes the lower row of coma mixers is part of a cylinder with radius D2. Radius D2 is, for example, 20 mm. The downstream portion 112 of the coma mixer 110b that constitutes the lower row of coma mixers is part of a triangular prism that tapers downstream, with a distance L2 from the center of the cylinder with radius D2 to the top of the triangular prism shape, and including two sides that are tangent to the cylinder with radius D2. L2 is, for example, 30 mm.

[0098] As shown in Figure 12, the distance between the upper row of compost mixers and the first slit SL1 is L3, the distance between the upper row of compost mixers and the middle row of compost mixers is L4, and the distance between the middle row of compost mixers and the lower row of compost mixers is L5. L3 is, for example, 20 mm, and L4 and L5 are, for example, 50 mm.

[0099] With respect to the width direction (left-right direction in Figure 12) of the woven base material m1, the distance between the kommixer in the upper row of kommixers and the kommixer in the middle row of kommixers is L6. L6 is, for example, 50 mm.

[0100] Furthermore, in Experiment 1, the flow velocity of the air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) is 4 m / min.

[0101] The powder mixer 110 is placed inside the supply pipe 37 for the purpose of dispersing the resin powder passing through the supply pipe 37. However, when the powder mixer 110 is placed inside the supply pipe 37, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path becomes smaller, and the air velocity inside the supply pipe 37 increases. When the air velocity is high, the impact force of the resin powder on the fabric substrate m1 increases, making it difficult for the resin powder to adhere to the fabric substrate m1. Therefore, in order to gradually reduce (return to) the air velocity before it reaches the fabric substrate m1 (in order to reduce the impact force of the resin powder on the fabric substrate m1), a large-sized powder mixer 110a is placed close to the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) (see the upper and middle rows of powder mixers in Figure 12), while a small-sized powder mixer 110b is placed farther away from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) (see the lower row of powder mixers in Figure 12). Furthermore, for a similar purpose, a space L7 (see Figure 12) is provided between the small-sized komami mixer 110b and the outlet of the supply pipe 37 (second slit SL2). Experiment 1 was carried out under the above conditions using the same method as the manufacturing method shown in Figure 4.

[0102] Next, we will explain the results of Experiment 1, which was conducted under the above conditions.

[0103] Figure 13 is a graph showing the results of Experiment 1 (uniformity of resin adhesion in the width direction of the prototype woven fabric base material m1 (prepreg)). In Figure 13, the vertical axis represents Vf, while the horizontal axis represents the position in the width direction, i.e., the position in the longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2. Vf represents the deposition content of the woven fabric base material m1. A small variation in Vf indicates a small variation in the amount of resin powder attached to the woven fabric base material m1. Also, in Figure 13, "No Komamikisa (1)" represents the results of Experiment 1 (1st time) conducted with no Komamikisa 110 placed in the supply pipe 37. Similarly, in Figure 13, "No Komamikisa (2)" represents the results of Experiment 1 (2nd time) conducted with no Komamikisa 110 placed in the supply pipe 37. On the other hand, in Figure 13, "With Komamikisa (1)" represents the results of Experiment 1 (1st time) conducted with Komamikisa 110a and 110b arranged inside the supply pipe 37 as shown in Figure 12. Similarly, in Figure 13, "With Komamikisa (2)" represents the results of Experiment 1 (2nd time) conducted with Komamikisa 110a and 110b arranged inside the supply pipe 37 as shown in Figure 12.

[0104] Based on the results shown in Figure 13, the coefficient of variation (standard deviation / mean) was calculated to be 6.8% for the case without the compost mixer (2), while it was 3.4% for the case with the compost mixer (2). A smaller coefficient of variation indicates that the resin powder is uniformly attached to the woven fabric base material m1 (prepreg). In other words, according to the results shown in Figure 13, the resin powder is more uniformly attached to the woven fabric base material m1 (prepreg) when the compost mixer is used, as indicated by the smaller coefficient of variation.

[0105] Furthermore, the conditions for the komaki mixer that homogenizes (or roughly homogenizes) the resin powder sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) in the width direction (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) of the woven base material m1 (for example, the number, shape, size, and arrangement of the komaki mixers) vary depending on, for example, the shape and size of the air nozzle 41 and the supply pipe 37, the flow velocity and flow rate of the air and resin powder (high-pressure air mixed with resin powder) supplied to the air nozzle 41 via the input pipe 47, and the type of resin powder (particle size, mass, shape, etc.). Therefore, it is difficult to express the conditions for the komaki mixer that homogenizes (or roughly homogenizes) the resin powder sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) in the width direction (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) of the woven base material m1 in specific numerical values.

[0106] However, by using data accumulated from test results such as Experiment 1 to change (adjust) at least one of the conditions of the Komami mixer, and checking the distribution of the resin powder sprayed from the second slit SL2 each time a change is made, it is possible to find the conditions of the Komami mixer that homogenize (or make generally homogenized) the resin powder sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) in the width direction (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) of the woven base material m1.

[0107] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a coating nozzle 100 that can uniformly (or generally uniformly) adhere resin powder to a sheet-like fibrous substrate (for example, a woven fabric substrate, a UD substrate), and a prepreg manufacturing apparatus using this coating nozzle 100.

[0108] Next, I will explain some variations.

[0109] <First variation> The following describes a first modified example: a spool mixer oscillating mechanism 160 added to the paint nozzle 100 of the above embodiment.

[0110] Figure 14(a) shows an example of the komakisa oscillation mechanism 160. Figures 14(b) and 14(c) show the komakisa 110 in oscillation. The komakisa rows shown in Figures 14(a) to 14(c) correspond to the komakisa rows extracted from Figure 12.

[0111] As shown in Figure 14(a), in the first modified example, the compost mixer 110 is supported so as to be able to swing around a pivot shaft 113. The pivot shaft 113 is fixed to the supply pipe 37 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 14(a).

[0112] The komakisa oscillating mechanism 160 includes guide pins 161 (multiple) inserted into guide holes 114 (or guide grooves) formed in the komakisa 110 constituting the komakisa row, a slide shaft 162 to which the guide pins 161 (multiple) are fixed, and an actuator 180 that moves the slide shaft 162 in the direction of arrow AR9 or AR10 in Figure 14(a). When the slide shaft 162 is moved in the direction of arrow AR9 in Figure 14(a), the komakisa 110 constituting the komakisa row oscillates as shown in Figure 14(b). On the other hand, when the slide shaft 162 is moved in the direction of arrow AR10 in Figure 14(a), the komakisa 110 constituting the komakisa row oscillates as shown in Figure 14(c).

[0113] Next, the control device 170 of this modified example will be described.

[0114] The control device 170, although not shown, includes a processor, RAM, etc. As shown in Figure 14(a), the actuator 180 and the storage unit 190 are electrically connected to the control device 170. The storage unit 190 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk drive or ROM. The program 191 is stored in the storage unit 190. The program 191 is a program executed by the control device 170 (processor).

[0115] The processor is, for example, a CPU. There may be one processor or multiple processors. For example, the processor functions as a control means for controlling the actuator 180 by executing a program 191 loaded from the memory unit 190 (for example, ROM) into RAM. The actuator 180 includes, for example, a motor (not shown) and a mechanism that converts the rotation of the motor into movement (reciprocating linear motion) of the slide shaft 162.

[0116] Next, an example of controlling the komami mixer 110 with the above configuration (komami mixer control process) will be described.

[0117] Figure 15 is a flowchart of an example of the control of the komami mixer 110 (komami mixer control process).

[0118] First, when the timing for controlling the komakisa arrives (step S10: YES), the actuator 180 is controlled so that the slide shaft 162 moves by a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow AR9 or AR10 in Figure 14(a), thereby simultaneously controlling the oscillation direction and amount of each komakisa 110 constituting the komakisa row (step S11). Specifically, the oscillation direction and amount of each komakisa 110 constituting the komakisa row are controlled so that the resin powder sprayed from the air nozzle 41 (first slit SL1) is made uniform (or roughly uniform) in the width direction (longitudinal direction of the second slit SL2) of the woven base material m1. This is achieved by the control device 170 executing the program 191.

[0119] The comb mixer control timing is, for example, the timing when the variation (e.g., standard deviation) of the thickness distribution in the width direction of the woven substrate m1 exceeds a threshold. The thickness in the width direction of the woven substrate m1 can be measured, for example, using a scanning X-ray film thickness gauge described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-298387. Although not shown, the scanning X-ray film thickness gauge includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a moving means for moving the X-ray source and X-ray detector in the width direction of the woven substrate m1, which are provided on a movable part that can move in the width direction of the woven substrate m1. The scanning X-ray film thickness gauge is, for example, placed between the opening 33 and the resin welding heater 60 instead of the film thickness gauge 80 (see Figure 4).

[0120] The process in step S11 described above is repeated each time the coma mixer control timing arrives.

[0121] This modified version also provides a coating nozzle 100 and a prepreg manufacturing apparatus using this coating nozzle 100 that can uniformly (or generally uniformly) adhere resin powder to a sheet-like fibrous substrate (e.g., a woven fabric substrate, a UD substrate), similar to the embodiment described above.

[0122] In the above modified example, an example was described in which the oscillation direction and oscillation amount of multiple komami mixers 110 are controlled simultaneously, but this is not the only example. For example, the oscillation direction and oscillation amount of each komami mixer 110 may be controlled individually. Alternatively, the oscillation direction and oscillation amount of only some of the komami mixers 110 may be controlled instead of all of them.

[0123] Furthermore, while the above modification describes an example of controlling the oscillation direction and amount of the komamisu 110 using the komamisu oscillating mechanism 160, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the oscillation direction and amount of the komamisu 110 may be controlled by partition control using magnets.

[0124] Alternatively, instead of the komakisa oscillating mechanism 160, a komakisa position adjustment mechanism (not shown) that moves the komakisa 110 (for example, by translation) may be used. As the komakisa position adjustment mechanism, a mechanism including a motor may be used, for example.

[0125] Alternatively, the oscillation direction and amount of the swivel of the spool mixer 110 may be adjusted by manually moving the slide shaft 162, or the position of the spool mixer 110 may be adjusted by manually moving the spool mixer 110 (for example, by translating it).

[0126] The present inventors have described the invention in detail based on embodiments, but it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments already described, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0127] 11 Inlet 12 Accelerator 13 brushes 14 Compression section 15 Storage Box 16 tubes 17 Powder 18 holes 19 Chambers 20 Carbon fiber fabric 30 Resin powder 31, 32 chambers 31a,32a Outer shell 31b,32b inner shell 33,34 Opening (resin powder discharge outlet) 35,36 Outlet 37,38 Supply pipe 39,40 Compressors 41,42 Flat-type air nozzle 41a, 42a Main body 43,44 Powder resin charging part 45,46 channel 47,48 Inlet pipe 47a,48a Inlet 50 Sheet-like fiber base material 51, 52 High Voltage Plate 53, 54 Dust collector T Air Multiplier 60 Resin welding heater 70 High-voltage power supply 80 Film Thickness Gauge 90 Quantitative Feeder 100 paint nozzles 110, 110a, 110b Coma Mixer 120 Air Nozzle Body 130 Occlusion plate 140 First Diffuser 150 Second Diffuser 160 Compressor Oscillating Mechanism 170 Control device 180 Actuator 190 Storage section SL1 First Slit SL2 Second Slit

Claims

1. A coating nozzle used in a prepreg manufacturing apparatus that produces prepregs by adhering resin powder to a sheet-like fibrous substrate, An air nozzle including a slit-shaped first resin powder discharge port extending in the width direction of the sheet-like fibrous substrate, The sheet-like fibrous substrate has a slit-shaped second resin powder discharge port extending in the width direction of the sheet-like fibrous substrate, A supply pipe that supplies air and resin powder, which are ejected from the first resin powder discharge port and ejected from the second resin powder discharge port toward the sheet-like fibrous substrate, to the second resin powder discharge port, The system comprises a plurality of spool mixers located within the supply pipe and between the first resin powder discharge port and the second resin powder discharge port, Multiple foam mixers are arranged such that the resin powder ejected from the first resin powder discharge port repeatedly collides with the foam mixer, is divided as a result of the collision, and is rejoined after the division within the supply pipe, ultimately becoming uniform or generally uniform in the width direction of the sheet-like fibrous substrate, and is ejected uniformly or generally uniformly from the second resin powder discharge port.

2. The painting nozzle according to claim 1, wherein multiple rows of mixing units, each composed of a plurality of mixing units arranged in the width direction of the sheet-like fibrous substrate, are arranged in the supply pipe.

3. The painting nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of the aforementioned mixing units are arranged in a staggered pattern.

4. Each of the aforementioned komami mixers includes an upstream portion where the air and resin powder injected from the first resin powder discharge port collide, and a downstream portion on the opposite side. The painting nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the upstream portion is configured to divide the air and resin powder that are ejected from the first resin powder discharge port and collide with the upstream portion into two equal parts.

5. The painting nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the upstream portion is semi-cylindrical in shape.

6. The painting nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the downstream portion is configured such that when the air and resin powder ejected from the first resin powder discharge port collide with the upstream portion, vortices are less likely to be generated on the downstream side of the komaki mixer.

7. The painting nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the downstream portion is triangular prism-shaped.

8. The paint nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising a mixer oscillating mechanism for oscillating at least some of the plurality of mixers.

9. The paint nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising a mixer position adjustment mechanism for moving at least some of the plurality of mixers.

10. A prepreg manufacturing apparatus comprising a coating nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Citation Information

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