Composite Preform Shaping With Integrated Protective Film Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing production devices for fiber-reinforced composite preforms require separate protective films to prevent resin adhesion during heating and pressing, increasing manufacturing effort and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The protective film is integrated with the material layer during winding, extending along a straight line or plane, eliminating the need for separate protective films and simplifying the production process by integrating it into the device's design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate protective films are used to prevent resin adhesion during heating and pressing, then the reliability of the process is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional feed units and handling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of resin adhesionVSAvoidnumber of feed units
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film is merged with the material layer by integrating it onto the roll during winding. This combines the protective film function with the material layer handling, eliminating the need for separate protective film feed units and reducing device complexity while maintaining the reliability of preventing resin adhesion during heating and pressing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The roll serving as the supply unit is given multiple functions: it supplies the material layer and simultaneously provides the protective film through integration. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate protective film feed units, reducing device complexity while maintaining process reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate protective films are used to prevent resin adhesion, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing effort increases due to handling and disposal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of resin adhesionVSAvoidmanufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the protective film with the material layer on the roll, the handling operations are combined into a single process flow. The protective film is automatically supplied with the material layer without requiring separate handling, feeding, or disposal operations, thereby reducing manufacturing effort while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated protective film on the roll serves itself by being automatically supplied together with the material layer. The system handles the protective film without requiring additional manual or automated operations for separate feeding and disposal, reducing manufacturing effort while ensuring reliable adhesion prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If separate protective films are used, then the protection against resin adhesion is improved, but the productivity decreases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of resin adhesionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film supply is merged with the material layer supply from the same roll. This integration eliminates additional processing steps for separate protective film feeding and handling, allowing both materials to be supplied simultaneously in one operation, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated protective film on the roll enables continuous supply of both material layer and protective film without interruption or additional processing steps. This continuous action eliminates downtime associated with separate handling operations, maintaining reliable adhesion prevention while improving production speed and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This approach reduces the need for separate protective film handling and disposal, streamlining the production process and enhancing efficiency by integrating the protective film into the material layer's handling and forming steps.

Implementation Method 1

this easily prevents the adhesion of the resin to system components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier:

Data Source

PatentEP4021701B1Device and method for producing preforms
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 BROETJE AUTOMATION
  • EP4021701B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4021701B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for producing preforms (3) for aircraft structural parts (2), the device having a delivery unit (6) which is designed to deliver a layered structure (13) having at least one material ply (4) of a thermally activatable, flexible, fibre-reinforced composite material together with a protective foil (14) arranged on at least one outer side of the layered structure (13), the device having at least one shaping unit (7a, 7b) which is situated downstream of the delivery unit (6) in a conveying direction (F) and is designed to shape the delivered layered structure (13). According to the invention, the layered structure (13) together with the corresponding protective foil (14) can be supplied to the shaping unit (Ta) or to one of the shaping units (7a, 7b) with a cross-sectional profile with which the protective foil (14) or at least one of the protective foils (14) extends along a straight line (G).