Reinforcing Fiber Curve Shaping with Pre-Adjusted Side Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curve shaping apparatuses for reinforcing fiber materials using thermoplastic resin as a matrix material often result in uneven side edges and internal crushing during the shaping process, leading to suboptimal quality and strength of the curved material.
Innovation Solution
A curve shaping apparatus with a heating device, clamping mechanism, swing mechanism, shaping mechanism, and pulling-out mechanism, controlled by a drive control device, which adjusts the length of side edges before shaping to prevent internal crushing and ensure desired curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the reinforcing fiber material is shaped into a curved shape by passing it through a curved part while performing heating and pressurization, then the material can be formed into a curved shape, but the inner portion of the material will be crushed and the desired quality or strength cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the side edge lengths of the reinforcing fiber material before the shaping process. The longer side edge is prepared in advance to compensate for the crushing that will occur during curving, ensuring that after shaping, both side edges achieve equal and desired lengths, thereby maintaining material strength and quality.
2Shape
If the reinforcing fiber material is shaped into a curved shape by passing it through a curved part while performing heating and pressurization, then the material can be formed into a curved shape, but uneven side edges occur making it impossible to shape the material into a desired shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the side edge lengths before shaping. The reinforcing fiber material is prepared with unequal side edges (one longer than the other) to compensate for the differential compression that occurs during curving, ensuring uniform side edges in the final curved product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the length parameter of the side edges before the shaping process. By changing the side edge length parameter in advance, the material is prepared to achieve uniform dimensions after undergoing the compressive forces of curving.
3Shape
If a straight reinforcing fiber material with both side edges of the same length is shaped into a curved shape, then the material can be curved, but the inner portion will be crushed and the desired quality cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the reinforcing fiber material with adjusted side edge lengths before shaping. This pre-adjustment ensures that during the curving process, the material maintains structural integrity and achieves the desired quality without internal crushing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively shapes reinforcing fiber materials with consistent side edges and prevents internal crushing, resulting in high-quality, strong curved products.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device (12), upstream of the clamping mechanism (11), configured to heat the reinforcing fiber material (R2) to a temperature equal to or higher than a deformable temperature at which the reinforcing fiber material (R2) enters a deformable state
Data Source
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AI summary
A curve shaping apparatus (4) includes: a heating device (12) provided in a path and heats a reinforcing fiber material; a clamping mechanism (11) switches between a clamping state and a non-clamping state; a swing mechanism (14) including a gripping unit (40) that switches between a gripping state and a non-gripping state, the swing mechanism rotationally drives the gripping unit between an initial position and a rotation position; a shaping mechanism (13) including a shaping mold unit (40) that includes an upper mold (42), a lower mold (41), and a pair of side molds (43, 44) for shaping the reinforcing fiber material; a pulling-out mechanism (15) performs a pulling-out operation; and a drive control device (5) configured to control drive of each mechanism so that each process of a rotation process, a pulling-out process, and a shaping process is performed.