Variable Thickness Mold for Textile Preform Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compaction methods for woven preforms with variable twisted torus require oversized molds to handle the maximum compaction effort, leading to inefficiencies and increased resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A compaction installation with a mold of variable thickness, adapted to the specific twist levels of the torus, allowing for localized pressure application to match the compaction effort with the mold thickness, thereby optimizing mold size and compaction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mold is sized to withstand the greatest compaction force regardless of twist level, then the mold can handle all strand configurations, but the mold becomes oversized and inefficient for lower twist angles
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is designed with variable thickness across different regions, where thicker sections correspond to areas requiring higher compaction forces (higher twist angles) and thinner sections correspond to areas with lower compaction forces (lower twist angles). This local differentiation allows each region of the mold to be optimally sized for its specific compaction requirements, eliminating the need for an oversized uniform mold.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold thickness is made adjustable or variable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt to different twist angles of the strands being compacted. This dynamic adaptation enables the mold to provide appropriate support and compaction force distribution for various strand configurations without being permanently oversized for any particular case.
2Device complexity
If a uniform thickness mold is used for all twist levels, then the mold structure is simple, but the compaction force cannot be optimized for different twist angles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a uniform mold, the invention implements a mold with locally differentiated thickness properties. Each region of the mold is designed with specific thickness corresponding to the twist angle requirements of the strands in that region, enabling optimized compaction force distribution while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through systematic variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold thickness parameter is varied across different regions of the mold rather than remaining constant. This parameter change allows the mold to provide appropriate compaction force distribution for different twist angles, optimizing the compaction process while managing structural complexity through controlled variation of a key dimension.
3Quantity of substance
If the mold thickness is reduced for lower twist angles, then resource consumption is reduced, but the mold cannot withstand high compaction forces for high twist angles
Solution Approach 1:
The mold employs local quality differentiation where thickness and corresponding strength properties are concentrated only in regions where high compaction forces are required (higher twist angle areas). Regions with lower twist angles use thinner, less material-intensive construction, thereby reducing overall material consumption while maintaining sufficient strength where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold is segmented into different regions with different thickness requirements, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for its specific compaction force requirements. This segmentation enables efficient material usage by allocating thicker, stronger sections only to high-stress areas while using thinner sections in low-stress areas.
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 enables efficient compaction of preforms with variable twist levels without oversizing the molds, reducing resource consumption and improving compaction efficiency by matching mold thickness and pressure application to the specific twist angles.
Implementation Method 1
the installation comprises a mold (210) for compacting the strands or the preform
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an installation (200) for compacting strands or a preform (220) comprising strands, the strands or the preform comprising at least a first portion (221) in which the strands are twisted at a first angle and a second portion (222) in which the strands are twisted at a second angle different from the first angle, the installation comprising a mould (210) which comprises the strands or the preform, and characterized in that the mould has at least a first part (211) in which the first portion of the strands or of the preform (221) is disposed, having a first thickness (El), and a second part (213) in which the second portion of the strands or of the preform (222) is disposed, having a second thickness (E3) different from the first thickness.