Spool Unwinding Control for Stable Filament Geometry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current filament winding systems fail to maintain the geometry of the unwinding strand due to twisting issues, particularly when using pre-impregnated filaments, leading to manufacturing defects and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A device for unwinding a wick from a spool that maintains a substantially constant axial position of the spool, using a platform with a reel holder, translational movement, and control means to prevent twisting, including a motor-driven belt and worm gear system for precise spool positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spool is located far from the dispensing head to avoid twisting, then the twisting of the filament is reduced, but the machine footprint increases and the filament geometry cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The spool support is made movable along the longitudinal axis through a motor-driven belt mechanism, allowing dynamic adjustment of the spool's axial position. This enables the system to optimize the distance between the spool and dispensing head during operation, maintaining filament geometry while managing machine footprint through controlled movement rather than fixed large spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects the axial position of the spool and provides feedback to the control system, which adjusts the motor-driven belt mechanism to maintain the spool at the optimal position. This closed-loop control ensures the filament geometry is maintained by continuously monitoring and adjusting the spool position relative to the dispensing head.
2Strength
If pre-impregnated filaments are used to improve material performance, then the mechanical properties of the composite are enhanced, but the filaments are more susceptible to twisting and geometry loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining the spool at a controlled axial position before filament dispensing begins. The motor-driven belt mechanism pre-positioned the spool and the control system pre-established the optimal geometry conditions, preventing twisting issues with pre-impregnated filaments before they occur during the winding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the axial position parameter of the spool dynamically during operation. By adjusting this parameter through the belt mechanism based on sensor feedback, the system optimizes the filament path geometry, reducing twisting susceptibility of pre-impregnated filaments while maintaining their enhanced mechanical properties.
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 effectively prevents twisting of the unwinding filament, ensuring consistent strand geometry and reducing manufacturing defects, especially with pre-impregnated materials.
Implementation Method 1
a motor whose output shaft is rotationally coupled by a belt to a worm gear that drives the connecting piece in translation
Implementation Method 2
a motor whose output shaft is rotationally coupled by a belt to a worm gear that drives the connecting piece in translation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The present document relates to a device (28) for unwinding a strand from a bobbin (31), comprising: a plate (30) supporting at least one bobbin holder (32), which extends along an axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the plate (30) and is intended to receive a bobbin (31) capable of rotating about the axis of the bobbin holder (32); means (34) for translationally moving the bobbin along the axis of the bobbin holder (32); means (41) for controlling the movement means (34) and configured so as to maintain the strand (37) leaving the bobbin (31) in a substantially constant position along the axis (A) of the bobbin holder (32).