JP3339161B2 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing FRP tubular body - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) tubular body, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an FRP tubular body by a filament winding molding method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called filament winding molding method is used in which a reinforcing fiber bundle is impregnated with a resin in a resin impregnating bath, and the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle is wound around a rotating mandrel at a predetermined angle. Manufacturing methods are known. In this molding method, a guide roller (guide means) for guiding the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle is usually provided between the resin-impregnated bath and the mandrel, and immediately before the mandrel,
A feed roller for winding the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle at a predetermined angle at a predetermined position of the mandrel is provided. The guide roller is usually a (free) rotating roller, and the feed roller is usually a straight roll having flanges at both ends so that the reinforcing fiber bundle to be guided does not fall off the roller surface.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional apparatus has the following problems. First, a problem that occurs due to the use of a straight roll with a flange will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, when the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 102 is guided to the mandrel 103 by using a straight roll 101 with a flange as a feed roller, a yarn feeding position A of the feed roller 101 and a winding position around the mandrel 103. Since B differs in the z-axis direction, an upward force F acts due to the tension, and the reinforcing fiber bundle 102 is pushed to the end of the feed roller 101 and abuts against the flange 101a. As a result, the width of the reinforcing fiber bundle 102 may fluctuate or the reinforcing fiber bundle 102 may be wound around the feed roller 101, which causes quality and production problems.

[0004] Another problem that occurs when the guide roller is a rotating roller is that since the reinforcing fiber bundle to be guided is a resin bundle impregnated with a resin, the adhesive force to the roller surface is high, and the tension fluctuation and the tension fluctuation are increased. That is, it is easy to wind around the rotating roller due to speed fluctuation or the like. If winding around the rotating roller occurs, production cannot be continued.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional filament winding molding method and to reduce the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with a resin to a mandrel without causing a width variation or winding around a roller. The purpose is to provide stable guidance and ultimately to improve the quality of the FRP tubular body and stabilize production.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for manufacturing an FRP tubular body according to the present invention comprises a resin impregnating bath for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle with a resin, and a resin impregnating reinforcement from a resin impregnating bath. A guide means for guiding the fiber bundle, a feed roller for feeding the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the guide means onto the mandrel while reciprocating in a direction along the rotation axis of the mandrel, and a resin impregnation from the feed roller by rotating the mandrel In an apparatus for manufacturing an FRP tubular body having a mandrel rotation driving means for winding a reinforcing fiber bundle on a mandrel, the feed roller is rotatably supported by a bracket and arranged in a feed direction of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle. It consists of a pair of rollers, at least the roller on the mandrel side of the pair of rollers is formed in a drum shape,
In addition, the axis of the pair of rollers is
Same angle as the winding angle of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle on the drel
The bracket is fixed to a rotatably supported cylinder so as to make a sense.

In this apparatus for manufacturing an FRP tubular body,
, The guide means comprises resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle a plurality of guides arranged in the feeding direction of, and it is preferable that at least the mandrel side guide is made from the fixed guide.

[0008]

[0009]

The radius of curvature of the roller surface of the feed roller formed in a drum shape is 200 to 500 mm, preferably 30 to 500 mm.
It is desirable to be in the range of 0 to 400 mm.

The surface of the fixed guide is preferably subjected to a low friction coefficient treatment such as satin chrome plating, fluororesin coating or coating, or ceramic spraying.

By using the above-described apparatus, the F according to the present invention is used.
The method of manufacturing the RP tubular body is such that the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with the resin is guided by the guiding means, the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the guiding means is sent to the mandrel through the feed roller, and the resin impregnated on the mandrel. When winding the fiber bundle and manufacturing the FRP tubular body, as a mechanism including the feed roller, a pair of rollers rotatably supported by a bracket and arranged in the feeding direction of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle, At least the mandrel-side roller of the pair of rollers is formed as a drum-shaped roller, and
Using what the bracket is secured to the rotatably supported cylinder, while attracted to the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundles in the roller axis direction central portion of the hourglass-shaped rollers, the pair of B
The shaft on the mandrel with respect to the vertical axis.
Make the same angle as the winding angle of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle
And sending the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle to the mandrel.

[0013] In this method of manufacturing the FRP tubular body
, The fixed guide used as a guide, it is preferable to send to the feed roller while squeezing the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle with the fixed guide.

[0014]

In the above-described apparatus and method for manufacturing an FRP tubular body according to the present invention, by forming the feed roller into a drum shape, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle guided on the feed roller has its own tension. As a result, it is guided while being moved toward the center in the roller axial direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a flange for preventing falling off at both ends. Since there is no collar, the width of the reinforcing fiber bundle does not fluctuate due to contact with the collar, and the product quality is stabilized. Furthermore, after
As clearly shown in the above-described embodiment, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle
A pair of feed rollers arranged in the feed direction
Rotatably supported by a pair of rollers and a pair of rollers.
At least the roller on the mandrel side is shaped like a drum
And the bracket is rotatably supported.
By using a mechanism fixed to the cylinder held
Of the mandrel with respect to the rotation axis and the vertical axis.
Adjust the inclination angle of the shaft of the feed roller to the tree position on the mandrel.
It is possible to set the same angle as the winding angle of the fiber impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle.
In this case, the running of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle on the feed roller is stable, the winding of the reinforcing fiber bundle around the roller is extremely unlikely to occur, and the production is stable.

Further, between the resin-impregnated bath and the feed roller, at least the guide on the mandrel side of the plurality of guides is a fixed guide (that is, a non-rotating guide). The reinforcing fiber bundle is squeezed. Therefore, excess resin is squeezed out of the reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with the resin, and is sent to the feed roller in an optimum resin-impregnated state. Since it is a fixed guide, winding of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle on the fixed guide does not basically occur. In addition, by performing a process of reducing the coefficient of friction on the surface of the fixed guide, generation of fluff on the guide is also prevented. Since excess resin is squeezed out and the resin is impregnated optimally, winding of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle around the rotating roller after the fixed guide, for example, the feed roller, is extremely unlikely to occur, and a stable production state is achieved. can get.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the apparatus and method for manufacturing an FRP tubular body according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an apparatus for manufacturing an FRP tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a creel stand on which a number of bobbins 2 wound with reinforcing fiber yarns (for example, carbon fiber yarns) are installed.
The reinforcing fiber yarns 3 drawn out from the respective bobbins 2 of the creel stand 1 are drawn into a predetermined number to form a reinforcing fiber bundle 4, which is sent to a separate roll 5. The reinforcing fibers are not limited to carbon fibers, and may be, for example, glass fibers, aramid fibers, or the like, and may be used in combination.

In the present embodiment, the separate roll 5 comprises a pair of free rotating rolls 6a extending substantially in the horizontal direction.
6b, and a pair of free rotating rolls 7a, 7b, which extend substantially vertically in the downstream side. The reinforcing fiber bundles 4 having a substantially predetermined cross-sectional shape by the separate rolls 5 are introduced into a resin impregnation bath 9 via guide rolls 8 composed of free-rotating rollers.

In the resin impregnated bath 9, an uncured resin 10 serving as a matrix resin of the FRP tubular body is accommodated. As the matrix resin, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, a polyimide resin, a vinyl ester resin, and an unsaturated polyester resin is used, but other resins, for example, thermoplastic resins such as polyamide, polycarbonate, and polyetherimide are used. It may be resin.

In the present embodiment, a roller 11 which is driven to rotate or is free to rotate is provided in a resin impregnated bath 9.
a, 11b, and 11c are provided. Reinforced fiber bundle 4
Are sequentially guided on the rotating rollers 11 a, 11 b and 11 c, and the reinforcing fiber bundle 4 is impregnated with the resin 10 in the bus 9.

The reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with the resin 10, that is, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12, is guided to the feed roller 14 by the guide means 13. The guide means 13
In the present embodiment, three guides 13a, 13b and 13c are provided, and the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 is guided on these guides 13a, 13b and 13c in order.

Of the plurality of guides 13a, 13b, 13c, in the present embodiment, two guides 13a, 13
b is configured as a rotatable roller, and the guide 13c on the downstream side (mandrel side) is configured as a fixed guide.
However, the guides 13a and 13b may also be configured as fixed guides.

Pads 15a and 15b made of, for example, rubber are provided on the rollers 13a and 13b, and the pads 15a and 15b are pressed with appropriate pressing force.
13b. These rollers 13a, 13b
Of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 passing between the surface and the pads 15a and 15b to squeeze out excess resin. However, the rollers 13a, 13b
The pad 15a, 15b is not always necessary when the excess resin can be sufficiently squeezed out by only the above.

The surface of the fixed guide 13c is preferably subjected to a treatment for reducing the coefficient of friction so that the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 passing therethrough is less likely to stick and fluff is less likely to occur. . As described above, examples of the low friction coefficient treatment include satin chrome plating, fluororesin coating or coating, and ceramic spraying.

The resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 from the guide means 13 is guided to a feed roller 14. In the present embodiment, the feed roller 14 is used for the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12.
And a pair of rollers 14a and 14b arranged in the feeding direction. The pair of rollers 14a and 14b are rotatably supported by the bracket 16,
Is fixed on a cylinder 18 rotatably supported by a carriage stand 17. Resin-impregnated reinforced fiber bundle 1
After being inserted through the hollow portion 18a of the cylinder 18, the roller 2 is fed onto the mandrel 19 via a pair of feed rollers 14a and 14b. The feed rollers 14a and 14b are reciprocated together with the cylinder 18 and the carriage stand 17 in a direction along the rotation axis 19a of the mandrel 19.

As shown in FIG. 2, at least the roller surface of the roller 14b on the mandrel 19 side of the pair of feed rollers 14a and 14b is formed in a drum shape. The radius of curvature R of the roller surface of the hourglass feed roller 14b
Is in the range of 200 to 500 mm, more preferably 300
It is set in a range of up to 400 mm. In FIG.
The y-axis indicates the direction of the rotation axis of the mandrel 19, and the z-axis indicates the direction of the vertical axis. θ is the winding angle of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 on the mandrel 19, and
4B shows the inclination of the line 4b with respect to the y axis.

The mandrel 19 is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotational speed by a mandrel rotational driving means 20. The mandrel rotation driving means 20 is composed of, for example, a motor or a combination of a motor and a speed reducer. By winding a predetermined number of layers at a predetermined angle on the mandrel 19, a resin-uncured FRP tubular body 21 is formed,
By curing the resin, a molded product of the FRP tubular body 21 is obtained.

In the embodiment apparatus constructed as described above, a plurality of reinforcing fiber yarns 3 sent out from the creel stand 1 are aligned to form a reinforcing fiber bundle 4. After passing through the separate roll 5, the reinforcing fiber bundle 4 is introduced into the resin impregnated bath 9 via the guide roll 8. In the resin impregnation bath 9, the reinforcing fiber bundle 4 is impregnated with the resin 10 while being guided on the rollers 11a, 11b, 11c.

The reinforcing fiber bundle 12 impregnated with the resin 10 is
Guides 13a, 13b, and 13c are sequentially guided,
First, by passing between the rollers 13a and 13b and the pads 15a and 15b, excess resin is squeezed out at this portion. Then, by passing over the fixed guide 13c, the excess resin is squeezed out at this portion and the excess resin is efficiently squeezed out. The squeezed resin is returned to the resin impregnation bath 9 below.

Since excess resin is squeezed out of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12, the adhesive force of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 is appropriately reduced, and the downstream feed rollers 14a, 14b
Winding around is prevented.

If the surface of the fixed guide 13c is subjected to a process of reducing the coefficient of friction, the generation of fluff and the like due to the above-mentioned ironing can be suppressed.

[0031] The resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12, further, calibration
Cylinder 1 rotatably supported on ridge stand 17
8 and fixed on the cylinder 18 through the hollow portion 18a.
The feed rollers 14a and 14b are rotatably supported by the bracket 16 and are fed onto the mandrel 19 from the feed rollers 14b. And as mentioned above,
At this time, as shown in FIG.
Perpendicular to the rotation axis direction (y-axis) of the mandrel
Axis of a pair of feed rollers in the axial direction (z axis)
The inclination angle (θ) of the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber on the mandrel.
The angle can be the same as the wrapping angle (θ) of the bundle.
The feed roller 14b has a drum shape as shown in FIG. 2, and has no flange at both ends. The resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 can move freely on the feed roller 14b in the direction of AA in FIG. 2 in a tensionless state, but actually, tension is generated due to winding on the mandrel 19. Therefore, it is brought to the center of the roller surface length direction (A-A direction) along the R shape of the surface of the hourglass roller. This force acts constantly and naturally during filament winding.

By the action of this force, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 always passes through the central portion in the axial direction of the roller on the feed roller 14b, and moves to the roller end even if there is some fluctuation. Never. Therefore,
Even if there is no flange at the end of the roller, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 does not fall off the roller 14b. Because there is no collar, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 does not hit the collar,
There is no accompanying fluctuation in the width of the reinforcing fiber bundle 12. Further, as described above, since the excess resin is squeezed out of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 and there is no fluctuation due to contact with the flange, the feed roller 14b
Winding around is extremely unlikely to occur.

Thus, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12
The winding on the guides 13a, 13b, 13c is prevented, the width fluctuation and the winding on the feed rollers 14a, 14b, especially on the feed roller 14b are prevented, and the production is stabilized and formed on the mandrel 19. FRP
The quality of the tubular body 21 is stabilized.

In the above-described filament winding molding, when the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 is wound around the mandrel 19, it is preferable to lower the temperature of the resin to increase its viscosity. If the viscosity of the resin is low, it is difficult to extrude entrained voids (bubbles), but by increasing the viscosity and applying pressure in the radial direction, the voids can be easily discharged to the outside, and the quality is improved.

That is, the thermosetting resin, when uncured, generally has the characteristics shown in FIG.
When the resin is cured for molding, the temperature is increased to increase the viscosity as indicated by arrow B, but in the above case, the temperature is temporarily decreased as indicated by arrow C for void discharge,
Increase the viscosity. In order to lower the temperature, cold air may be blown onto the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 immediately before winding on the mandrel. In addition, cooling by water injection is also possible.

In the filament winding molding method, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 is wound around a mandrel 19 having a predetermined diameter, so that the formed FRP tubular body 21 is molded according to the inner diameter rule. In practice, the FRP tubular body 21 is often required so that the finished diameter of the outer diameter becomes a predetermined diameter. To achieve this, a method as shown in FIG. 4 can be used.

That is, on the outer surface of the uncured FRP tubular body 21 formed on the mandrel 19, a combination roller composed of a plurality of rollers 30 (three in the illustrated example) is attached to the FRP tubular body 21. The FRP tubular body 21 is run in a direction along the rotation axis while being pressed radially on the surface of the FRP. At this time, since the mandrel 19 and the FRP tubular body 21 are rotating in the direction of the arrow, in the circumferential direction of the FRP tubular body 21, between the outer surface of the FRP tubular body 21 and the surface of each roller 30. Slips. Each roller 30 has an arc surface corresponding to a target forming outer diameter (a target finishing diameter) of the FRP tubular body 21 when viewed in a cross section including its own rotation axis.

By pressing the combination roller 30 in this manner, the resin of the uncured FRP tubular body 21 is squeezed, and by adjusting the pressing force and the number of times of running on the surface of the FRP tubular body 21, the outer diameter is reduced. The molding in accordance with the law becomes possible, and a target outer diameter finish dimension can be accurately obtained. In addition, the pressing of the roller 30 discharges the entrapped voids, and the strength of the molded FRP tubular body 21 is improved, thereby improving the quality.

The surface finish of the roller 30 may be either a mirror finish or a satin finish, but a satin finish is more preferable in that it is difficult for cut yarn or the like to reach the roller surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a ring 40 having an inner diameter corresponding to the target finish diameter of the tubular body 21 made of FRP.
Can be run integrally with the carriage stand 17, for example. The resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 12 is wound around the mandrel 19 while maintaining a predetermined angle with the ring 40. Resin impregnated reinforced fiber bundle 12
Is wound while the resin is squeezed by the ring 40, and the entrainment of air is suppressed. Also,
When the outer diameter of the uncured FRP tubular body 21 being formed becomes close to the target diameter, even if a part that exceeds the target diameter occurs partially, the part is squeezed by the ring 40 and accommodated in the target diameter. Therefore, the outer diameter rule can be finally formed, and a target finish diameter can be accurately obtained.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle can be stably and properly impregnated with resin without causing width fluctuation and winding around the roller. It can be guided on the mandrel, stabilizing the production and improving the quality of the molded FRP tubular body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing an FRP tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view of the vicinity of a feed roller of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between temperature and viscosity of a thermosetting resin in an uncured state.

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a preferred method of forming an FRP tubular body on a mandrel.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic perspective view showing another preferred method of forming a tubular body made of FRP on a mandrel.

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic front view showing a forming state by a conventional feed roller with a flange.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Creel stand 2 Bobbin 3 Reinforcing fiber thread 4 Reinforcing fiber bundle (before resin impregnation) 5, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b Separate roll 8 Guide roll 9 Resin impregnating bath 10 Resin 11a, 11b, 11c Roller 12 Resin impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle 13 Guide Means 13a, 13b Guide 13c Fixed Guide 14, 14a, 14b Feed Roller 15a, 15b Pad 16 Bracket 17 Carriage Stand 18 Cylinder 18a Hollow Section 19 Mandrel 19a Mandrel Rotation Axis 20 Rotation Driving Means 21 FRP Tubular Body 30 Roller 40 ring

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-1-128826 (JP, A) JP-A-63-199631 (JP, A) JP-A-63-185626 (JP, A) JP-A-63-185626 98426 (JP, A) JP-A-62-119027 (JP, A) JP-A-55-57424 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Application No. 2-83467 (Japanese Utility Model Application No. 4-40925) (58) Field of investigation (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B29C 70/00-70/88 F16C 3/00-3/30

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A resin impregnated bath for impregnating a resin into a reinforcing fiber bundle, a guide means for guiding the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the resin impregnated bath, and a guide means while reciprocating in a direction along a rotation axis of a mandrel. Having a feed roller for feeding the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle onto the mandrel, and mandrel rotation driving means for rotating the mandrel and winding the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the feed roller onto the mandrel.
In the apparatus for manufacturing an RP tubular body, the feed roller is rotatably supported by a bracket and includes a pair of rollers arranged in a feed direction of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle, and at least a mandrel side of the pair of rollers. The rollers are formed in a drum shape, and the axis of the pair of rollers is
However, with respect to the vertical axis, the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber on the mandrel
An apparatus for manufacturing a tubular body made of FRP, characterized in that the bracket is fixed to a rotatably supported cylinder so as to form the same angle as the wrapping angle of the bundle . 2. The FRP product according to claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of guides arranged in a feeding direction of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle, and at least a guide on a mandrel side comprises a fixed guide. Equipment for manufacturing tubular bodies. 3. The apparatus for producing an FRP tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the roller surface of the hourglass-shaped feed roller is in the range of 200 to 500 mm. 4. The apparatus for producing a tubular body made of FRP according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the fixed guide is subjected to a friction reduction treatment. 5. A reinforcing fiber bundle impregnated with resin is guided by a guide means, the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle from the guiding means is sent to a mandrel via a feed roller, and the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle is wound on the mandrel. In taking the FRP tubular body, as a mechanism including the feed roller, a pair of rollers rotatably supported by a bracket and arranged in the feed direction of the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle,
At least the mandrel-side roller of the pair of rollers is formed as a drum-shaped roller, and the bracket is fixed to a rotatably supported cylinder. While moving the pair of rollers toward the center in the roller axial direction of the
Strengthening heart, with respect to the vertical axis, onto a mandrel resin containing immersion
Follow the wrapping angle of the fiber bundle to make the same angle
A method for producing an FRP tubular body, comprising sending a fat-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle to a mandrel. 6. The method for producing an FRP tubular body according to claim 5, wherein a fixed guide is used as the guide, and the resin-impregnated reinforcing fiber bundle is sent to a feed roller while being ironed by the fixed guide.