Interlocking Braided Composite Structures Without Secondary Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional braiding machines produce individual tubular braided structures that require secondary production processes like stitching or gluing to attach multiple structures, limiting the efficiency and complexity of creating interlocking composite assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A braiding machine with multiple interlocking braiding machine tracks and shared paths allows for the direct integration of multiple braided structures without the need for secondary production processes, enabling the creation of complex composite assemblies and three-dimensional structures like pi, I, or T shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional braiding machines produce individual tubular braided structures separately, then the manufacturing process is simple, but additional secondary production processes like stitching or gluing are required to attach multiple structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple braiding tracks into a single integrated braiding machine, allowing multiple tubular braided structures to be produced and interlocked simultaneously within one machine. This merging eliminates the need for separate production and attachment processes, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements preliminary interlocking of multiple tubular structures during the braiding process itself, before the structures are completed. The tows from different tracks are pre-integrated through shared paths, so that when the structures are formed, they are already interlocked and ready for use, eliminating subsequent attachment steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tubular braided structures are attached using secondary production processes, then the structures can be assembled, but the structural integrity and design flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the interlocking action preliminarily during the braiding process itself. Tows from multiple tracks are integrated through shared paths before the tubular structures are completed, creating inherent structural connections that maintain strength and flexibility throughout the entire structure rather than adding weak attachment points after fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite braided structures by integrating multiple tows from different tracks through shared paths. This composite approach allows different material properties to be combined within the interlocked structure, enhancing both structural integrity and design flexibility for composite assemblies.
3Device complexity
If conventional machines produce separate structures that require attachment, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the complexity of creating interlocking structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple braiding tracks and their associated tows into a unified manufacturing system with shared paths. This consolidation allows the production of complex interlocking structures to occur within a single integrated process rather than requiring multiple separate machines and assembly steps, improving productivity despite increased device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A composite structural component including a braided material embedded in a resin matrix, the braided material with multiple braided components formed of continuous tows and connected by one or more intersections are described. Each of the multiple braided components is formed by sets of tows. Each set of tows includes a respective plurality of tows, which are substantially adjacent and parallel to each other at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the braided material. Each set of tows is further composed of multiple subsets of tows. The subsets of tows separate at the intersections and combine with different subsets of tows in adjacent components of the multiple braided components.