Flexible Fiber-Routing Tubes to Prevent Fiber Turnover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber placement machines face limitations in applying fibers to small components or female molds due to cumbersome and heavy machinery, which restricts fiber application speed and allows fibers to turn over during robot displacements due to excess bending and friction in flexible tubes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating flexible tubes with longitudinal metal blades to prevent transverse bending and using fluidization and vibration means to stabilize fiber transport, along with a tension limiting system and multi-articulated robot displacement for efficient fiber placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If flexible tubes are used for fiber conveyance, then device complexity and space requirements are reduced, but fibers may turn over due to excess bending and friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying means complexityVSAvoidfiber conveyance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible tubes with rectangular cross-section to convey fibers, replacing complex rigid conveying mechanisms. The flexible nature of these tubes allows them to bend without restricting robot movement while maintaining fiber stability through their rectangular geometry that prevents fiber turnover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tubes are made of composite materials combining flexibility with structural integrity. The rectangular cross-section design works in conjunction with the flexible tube material to prevent fiber turnover while allowing sufficient bending for robot articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible tubes allow sufficient bending for robot movement, then adaptability is improved, but fiber turnover occurs due to excess bending and friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot displacement adaptabilityVSAvoidfiber placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tubes with rectangular cross-section provide the necessary adaptability for multi-axis robot movement while the rectangular geometry constrains the fiber to maintain its orientation, preventing turnover even during excessive bending operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The rectangular cross-section of the flexible tube adds a dimensional constraint that prevents fiber turnover. The rectangular geometry provides walls on all sides, creating a dimensional boundary that keeps the fiber oriented correctly during bending, unlike circular tubes that allow rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7819160B2Device for using fibers with flexible fiber-routing tubes

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 CORIOLIS GRP

AI summary

A fiber application machine, for making components out of composite materials, that includes a system for displacing a fiber application head, fiber storage means, and fiber conveying means for conveying fibers from said storage means to the application head. The conveying means include flexible tubes connecting the storage means to the application head, each flexible tube being fitted with at least one longitudinal flexible blade of rectangular transverse cross-section, said flexible blade being placed substantially parallel to the plane of transport of the fiber received in the inner passage of the flexible tube.