Filament Winding Mandrel Support with Segmented Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the manufacturing of elongated, hollow fiber-reinforced composite articles, the shrinkage of the metallic mandrel can cause unwanted engagement and damage to the cured article due to uncontrolled longitudinal movements, especially in articles with high length-to-diameter ratios.
Innovation Solution
A mandrel with axially spaced pins extending circumferentially around its surface is supported by a semicircular inner face support assembly, which contacts the pins to minimize deflection and stabilize the mandrel during the winding process, preventing damage and improving product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mandrel is used without additional support during the winding process, then the device complexity is low, but the mandrel deflection increases leading to poor manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is segmented into multiple discrete support rollers positioned at different locations along the mandrel. This segmentation allows the system to provide distributed support to reduce mandrel deflection without requiring a single complex support structure, thereby improving manufacturing precision while keeping device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Support rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the mandrel and the winding apparatus frame. These rollers act as mediators that provide necessary support to minimize mandrel deflection during the winding process, improving manufacturing precision without directly modifying the mandrel or the main winding mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mandrel is supported at multiple points, then the mandrel stability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional support components
Solution Approach 1:
The support rollers are designed to serve multiple functions: they support the mandrel to improve stability, allow rotational movement, and can be positioned to accommodate different mandrel lengths and diameters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby improving mandrel stability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly allows for adjustable positioning of rollers along the mandrel, enabling parameter changes in support location and spacing. This adjustability provides optimal support for different mandrel configurations, improving stability while using a standardized set of components rather than requiring unique support structures for each application.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention generally relates to an improved winding apparatus useful in the production of filament wound products and particularly wound tubular products having high length to diameter ratios. The improved winding apparatus comprises a support means for supporting a rotatable mandrel during the manufacture of wound products, the support means comprising a plurality of axially spaced pins extending circumferentially around the mandrel, and a support assembly having a semicircular inner face and an opening, wherein a portion of the plurality of pins is brought into contact with the inner face of the support assembly when the mandrel is rotated.