Pneumatic Positioning Pins for Fiber Fabric Winding Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for controlling fiber fabric deformation during twist and winding processes in composite component manufacturing are inadequate, failing to accurately ensure that all positions of the fiber fabric meet design requirements, especially when tracer yarns do not align with laser projections, requiring manual adjustments that are not real-time.

Innovation Solution

A control method involving positioning pins on a forming mould that are adjusted by air pressure to protrude and retract, ensuring intersections of warp and weft tracer yarns are correctly positioned, followed by resin injection and solidification to achieve precise deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional laser projection and tracer yarn technology are used to control fiber fabric deformation, then the woven structure at tracer yarn positions can be ensured to match design requirements, but the deformation of other positions cannot be accurately controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber fabric deformation control precisionVSAvoiddeformation information at non-tracer yarn positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The forming mould surface is segmented into multiple adjustable regions through positioning pins distributed across the surface. Each positioning pin independently controls the deformation at its specific location, allowing localized adjustment of fiber fabric deformation without affecting other areas. This segmentation enables precise control of deformation at multiple positions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Positioning pins serve as intermediary elements between the forming mould and the fiber fabric. These pins transmit deformation control from the mould to the fabric at specific tracer yarn intersection points. The pins act as mediators that enable precise local deformation control while maintaining overall fabric integrity and enabling real-time adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual measurement and adjustment methods are used when tracer yarn does not match laser projection position, then deviation can be obtained, but real-time adjustment on current fiber fabric cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeviation measurement accuracyVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning pins are designed with adjustable heights that can be dynamically modified during the fiber fabric winding process. The air pressure control device enables real-time adjustment of pin heights, allowing the system to adapt to deviation conditions immediately rather than requiring manual measurement and subsequent rebinding operations. This dynamic adjustability eliminates time loss while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the position of tracer yarn intersections relative to laser projection lines is monitored, and this information feeds back to the air pressure control device which adjusts positioning pin heights accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time correction of deformation deviations without manual intervention, reducing adjustment time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If positioning pins are used with air pressure control to adjust heights, then fiber fabric deformation can be precisely controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber fabric positioning precisionVSAvoidforming mould system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning pin height adjustment mechanism utilizes pneumatic actuators controlled by an air pressure control device. This pneumatic system provides precise and smooth height adjustment of positioning pins without requiring complex mechanical linkages, motors, or electronic control systems. The pneumatic approach simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining high positioning precision through controlled air pressure application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Ensures that all fiber fabric deformations conform to design specifications by accurately controlling the positioning of tracer yarn intersections, enhancing the manufacturing precision of composite components.

Implementation Method 1

heights of the positioning pins are adjusted by air pressure to make the positioning pins protrude a set distance from the surface of the forming mould

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

injecting resin after vacuumizing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4190539B1Method for controlling winding deformation of fiber fabric and forming system thereof
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 AECC COMML AIRCRAFT ENGINE CO LTD
  • EP4190539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4190539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4190539B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the winding deformation of a fiber fabric and a forming mold thereof. The control method comprises step S 1: according to a design position of a fiber fabric wound on a forming mold, lifting several positioning pins disposed on a surface of the forming mold; step S2: winding the fiber fabric on the forming mold so that several intersecting points of a warp tracer yarn and a weft tracer yarn disposed on the fiber fabric correspondingly cover the positioning pins; step S3: retracting the lifted positioning pins; and step S4: covering the fiber fabric by using a fixed mold, and injecting a resin after vacuumizing. The present invention provides a method for controlling the winding deformation of a fiber fabric and a forming mold thereof to ensure that the fiber deformation of the fiber fabric at various places during a winding process meets design requirements.