Twist-Free Fiber Strip Width Change via Curved Guide Contours
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing fiber strips made of continuous fibers lack a reliable and straightforward way to achieve twist-free width change to a predefined useful width, affecting processability and uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A device with width change assemblies using geometric principles from optics, edge stops, and heating units to uniformly adjust fiber spacings within a tolerance band, allowing for twist-free width change of fiber strips, whether dry or impregnated, to ensure uniform fiber density and stress-free processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used for width change, then the fiber strip can be processed, but twist is introduced and uniformity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved guide contours with specifically designed radii to guide the fiber strip through the width change process. The first guide contour has a first radius and the second guide contour has a second radius, creating a smooth curved path that redistributes fiber spacing uniformly without introducing twist. This curvature-based approach allows the fiber strip to change width while maintaining fiber alignment and uniform density.
2Manufacturing precision
If fiber spacing is changed uniformly, then weight per unit area becomes uniform, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The width change process is divided into two distinct stages with separate guide contours. The first guide contour performs the initial width adjustment from the original width to an intermediate width, while the second guide contour completes the adjustment to the final desired width. This segmentation allows each guide contour to be optimized independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving uniform fiber distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in geometric parameters, specifically the radii of the guide contours, to control the fiber spacing transformation. By carefully selecting the first radius and second radius of the guide contours, the system achieves uniform fiber redistribution without requiring complex active control mechanisms. The parameter change approach transforms a potentially complex control problem into a geometric design problem.
3Productivity
If multiple width change assemblies are used, then spreading and joining ratios increase, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple width change functions into a single integrated device structure. The first and second guide contours are arranged in series within one device, allowing the fiber strip to undergo multiple width adjustment stages without requiring separate devices. This merging approach achieves high spreading and joining ratios while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent assemblies.
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 solution enables the production of fiber strips with uniform width and weight per unit area, improving processability and quality by maintaining fiber density and allowing for seamless integration and impregnation, especially beneficial for producing pre-pregs or tapes.
Implementation Method 1
heating units to uniformly adjust fiber spacings
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for the twist-free width change of a fiber strip (2) of continuous fibers (3) passing through the device (1) to a specified effective width (8). The device (1) comprises a transport unit (4) for transporting the fiber strip (2). The device (1) further comprises at least one width change assembly (5) configured such that the width change assembly (5) transfers an initial distance (a) of two adjacent fibers (3) of the fiber strip (2) to a target distance (b) of adjacent fibers (3) of the fiber strip (2). For a large part of the pairs of adjacent fibers (3), the ratio between the target distance (b) and the initial distance (a) matches within a tolerance range of 20%. This results in a reliable and economical device.