Cutter Module for Impregnated Fiber Tape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutter modules for fiber placement heads often deform or move the fiber tape during cutting, leading to inaccurate placement and increased space requirements, making them unsuitable for reliable cutting of matrix-impregnated fiber tapes.

Innovation Solution

A cutter module with a blade and a sacrificial face that move in translation along a cutting axis, allowing them to enter and exit the plane of tape passage without deforming the tape, ensuring precise cutting without altering the tape's shape or position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional cutter module is used, then cutting function is achieved, but the tape is deformed or moved during cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting reliabilityVSAvoidtape placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter module is segmented into two independent movable elements: a blade and a sacrificial face. This segmentation allows each element to move independently along the cutting axis, enabling the blade to cut the tape without the need to clamp or deform it, thus maintaining placement precision while achieving reliable cutting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fixing the tape and moving the blade through it (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having both the blade and sacrificial face move along the cutting axis. The tape remains stationary in terms of its path, eliminating deformation caused by tape movement during cutting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If a cutter module with rotating blade is used, then cutting is achieved, but large volume is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidcutter module volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional rotating blade mechanism with a linear translation system. The blade moves in translation along the cutting axis rather than rotating, which significantly reduces the volume required for the cutter module while maintaining effective cutting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutter module employs dynamic movement where both the blade and sacrificial face translate along the cutting axis. This dynamic linear motion system is more space-efficient compared to stationary or rotating mechanisms, allowing the cutter to fit within the compact placement head

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the blade moves in rotation, then cutting is achieved, but the tape path is modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting functionVSAvoidtape shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cutting action into a blade moving against a sacrificial face, both translating along the cutting axis, the tape is cut without being clamped or deformed. This segmented approach preserves the tape's original shape and path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the traditional cutting approach by having the blade and sacrificial face move together along the cutting axis rather than rotating. This inversion ensures the tape maintains its original path and shape throughout the cutting process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11007731B2Cutter module for a placement head for placing an impregnated fiber tape, a placement head, and a device for placing such a fiber tape

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 EUROCOPTER FRANCE SA

AI summary

A cutter module, the cutter module comprising a blade and a sacrificial face. The blade and the sacrificial face face each other along a cutting axis, the blade and the sacrificial face being arranged on either side of a plane of passage for a tape for cutting, and at a distance therefrom, the cutter assembly and the sacrificial face being movable in translation along the cutting axis and respectively in two opposite cutting directions in order to enter into contact in the plane of passage during a stage of cutting, the cutter assembly and the sacrificial face being movable in translation along the cutting axis and respectively in two opposite return directions in order to move away from the plane of passage after the cutting operation.