End Effector Angular Bobbin Routing for Compact Fiber Laying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end effectors for laying fibers on laying molds are bulky, require significant installation space, and have complex fiber strand routing, leading to high weight and reduced positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The end effector design features a system-type bobbin arrangement where the rotational axes of first and second bobbins are angled, merging fiber strands over a deflection unit to guide them jointly into a center region and then to a pressure roller, reducing the need for multiple deflections and allowing for a compact, symmetrical construction that minimizes inertia and simplifies routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple deflection rollers are arranged between bobbins and pressure roller to guide fiber strands, then fiber routing is achieved, but the longitudinal extent and installation space of the end effector increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of bobbins and deflection rollers along the longitudinal axis to an angular/diagonal arrangement where bobbins are positioned at angles relative to the pressure roller. Fiber strands are routed diagonally across the end effector body rather than longitudinally, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions other than the primary longitudinal direction to reduce the device's length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary deflection elements directly integrated with the bobbin assemblies, allowing fiber strands to be pre-deflected at the source before entering the main routing path. This preliminary action reduces the need for multiple subsequent deflection rollers and minimizes the longitudinal space required for fiber routing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bobbins are arranged in pairs above one another with increased number of bobbins, then more fiber strands can be processed, but the longitudinal extent of the end effector becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging additional bobbins in the longitudinal direction (above one another in pairs), the patent positions bobbins angularly around the end effector body, utilizing radial and angular dimensions. This allows multiple bobbins to be accommodated without increasing the longitudinal extent, as they are distributed around the periphery at different angles rather than stacked along the length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple fiber strand routing paths into a common angular routing zone where strands from multiple bobbins converge at angled trajectories toward the pressure roller. This consolidation of routing paths allows multiple bobbins to share common structural support and routing infrastructure, increasing capacity without proportionally increasing longitudinal dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If complex fiber strand routing with multiple deflections is implemented, then fiber laying is achieved, but the weight of the end effector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate deflection rollers from the fiber routing path. By repositioning bobbins at angles and creating direct angular routing paths to the pressure roller, the design removes redundant deflection elements that would add weight, retaining only the essential routing components needed to achieve fiber laying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameters from multiple small-angle deflections through numerous rollers to fewer large-angle direct routing paths. This parameter change reduces the total number of deflection points and associated mechanical components, thereby reducing the overall weight while maintaining the capability to route multiple fiber strands effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector for laying down fibers on a laying mold, the end effector having at least one bobbin arrangement of a system type, the system type being defined by virtue of the fact that the bobbin arrangement has a first bobbin for providing a first fiber strand and a second bobbin for providing a second fiber strand, the rotational axes of the first and the second bobbin being arranged at an angle with respect to one another, the first fiber strand and the second fiber strand being merged over a deflection unit and being guided from a corner region of the end effector jointly into a center region of the end effector and further to a pressure roller.