Movable Tension-Limiting Rollers for Fiber Application Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber application machines face issues with lengthy and tedious maintenance operations, fiber sticking during prolonged shutdowns, and belt wear in tension limiting systems, particularly when dealing with fragile or pre-impregnated fibers.
Innovation Solution
A tension limiting system with movable cylinders that separate in an inactive position to facilitate fiber passage and maintenance, featuring locking and tensioning mechanisms to prevent fiber contact with cylinders, and adjustable angular contact portions to adapt to different fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tension limiting system uses fixed cylinders with belts, then fiber tension is limited effectively, but maintenance operations become lengthy and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinders are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned in active or inactive locations. This dynamic positioning enables easy access for maintenance while maintaining effective fiber tension control when in the active location
Solution Approach 2:
The tension limiting system is divided into separate movable cylinders that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows individual cylinders to be accessed for maintenance without dismantling the entire system
2Reliability
If the tension limiting system uses fixed cylinders with belts, then fiber tension is limited effectively, but fiber sticking occurs during prolonged shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinders can be moved to an inactive location during shutdowns, separating them from the fiber path. This prevents fiber contact and sticking while maintaining tension control capability when moved back to the active location
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinders are extracted from the fixed position and moved away from the fiber path during inactive periods. This removes the source of potential fiber sticking while preserving the tension limiting function when needed
3Reliability
If the tension limiting system uses belts on cylinders, then fiber contact is mediated, but belt wear occurs particularly on first cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinders with belts can be moved to inactive locations, allowing easy replacement of worn belts without complex dismantling. The movable design simplifies access to belts on all cylinders, including the previously difficult-to-access first cylinders
4Reliability
If multiple cylinders are used in the tension limiting system, then fiber tension control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cylinder design simplifies the overall system structure compared to fixed multi-cylinder arrangements. The ability to position cylinders in inactive locations reduces the need for complex support structures and makes the system more manageable
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
Facilitates easy maintenance, prevents fiber sticking, and reduces premature wear by minimizing direct contact with cylinders, ensuring smooth operation and correct fiber positioning.
Implementation Method 1
Each belt is designed to adhere to a fiber and to be driven more or less by the cylinder depending on the pressure exerted by the fiber on the belt, this pressure being proportional to the initial tension on the fiber.
Implementation Method 2
during prolonged machine shutdowns, fibers can tend to stick to the cylinders, or to the belts if the cylinders are equipped with belts
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a fibre application machine comprising a fibre application head, storage means, routing means, a movement system, and a tension-limiting system (5) comprising at least one first cylinder (51a-c) and at least one second cylinder (52a-c) which are cantilever-mounted on a support structure (55) and drive means for rotating the cylinders. The first cylinder and/or the second cylinder are movably mounted on the support structure between at least one active position in which each fibre is capable of being partially wound around the cylinders and an inactive position in which the first cylinder and the second cylinder are spaced apart from one another.