JP7662411B2 - Fiber fine dispersion device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fiber fine dispersion device.

Conventionally, sheet molding compounds have been known in which chopped strands of carbon fiber or the like are impregnated with a resin composition. The sheet molding compounds are molded into a desired shape and then cured to be used in various industrial products.

To produce such a sheet molding compound, for example, chopped strands are dropped from above onto a resin composition that is being transported in a predetermined direction.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of sheet molding compounds using carbon fibers (CF-SMC) in parts and components that require high mechanical properties. In such parts and components, it is necessary to suppress the variation in the mechanical properties of the molded product. For this reason, the idea of dropping chopped strands into a resin composition after defibrating them is being considered.

As an example of a device for defibrating such chopped strands, a device has been proposed that includes a defibrating mechanism that includes a rotating shaft and multiple pins protruding from the rotating shaft (see Patent Document 1 below).

In such a fiber-disintegrating device, the falling chopped strands are struck by multiple pins that rotate together with the rotating shaft, causing them to be fiberized.

Patent No. 6469196

However, in the defibrating device described in Patent Document 1, the fiber bundles defibrated from the chopped strands are knocked up and scattered by multiple rotating pins, and then fall naturally into the resin composition. At this time, the scattering distance of the fiber bundles varies depending on the mass of the fiber bundles. Fiber bundles with a relatively large mass fall relatively close to the rotation axis, and fiber bundles with a relatively small mass fall relatively far from the rotation axis. Therefore, the defibrating device described in Patent Document 1 may not be able to uniformly disperse the fiber bundles in the resin composition.

The present invention provides a fiber fine dispersion device that can uniformly disperse defibrated fibers in a resin composition.

The present invention [1] relates to a fiber fine dispersion device disposed between a conveying device that conveys a resin composition and a cutting device that is disposed above the conveying device and cuts fibers that include at least carbon fibers, the fiber fine dispersion device comprising: a defibration device that defibrates fibers that drop from the cutting device; and a plurality of first partition plates that suppress scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibration device, the plurality of first partition plates being disposed at intervals from each other in a direction that intersects both the conveying direction of the resin composition by the conveying device and the up-down direction, each of the plurality of first partition plates including a fiber fine dispersion device extending in the conveying direction.

With this configuration, the multiple first partition plates can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator from scattering excessively in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the vertical direction. Therefore, the defibrated fibers can be uniformly dispersed in the resin composition conveyed by the conveying device.

The present invention [2] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in [1] above, in which the vertical length of the first partition plate is longer than the length of the first partition plate in the conveying direction, and the multiple first partition plates overlap the defibration device when viewed from the vertical direction.

With this configuration, the multiple first partition plates can stably suppress scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibration device. Furthermore, with this configuration, scattering of fibers can be effectively suppressed above the defibration device, so there is no need to place first partition plates on both sides of the defibration device in the conveying direction, and the device can be prevented from becoming large.

The present invention [3] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in [1] or [2] above, further comprising a second partition plate arranged at a distance from the defibration device in the conveying direction and extending in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the vertical direction.

With this configuration, the second partition plate can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator from scattering excessively in one direction of the conveying direction. This allows the defibrated fibers to be more uniformly dispersed in the resin composition.

The present invention [4] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in the above [3], further comprising a third partition plate located on the opposite side of the second partition plate with respect to the plurality of first partition plates in the conveying direction.

With this configuration, the third partition plate can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator from scattering excessively in the other direction of the conveying direction. This allows the defibrated fibers to be dispersed more uniformly in the resin composition.

The present invention [5] includes the fiber fine dispersion device described in any one of [1] to [4] above, further comprising a chute section that introduces the fibers that fall from the cutting device into the defibration device.

With this configuration, the chute section can guide the fibers that fall from the cutting device to the fiberizing device.

The fiber fine dispersion device of the present invention allows the defibrated fibers to be uniformly dispersed in the resin composition.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sheet molding compound manufacturing apparatus equipped with an embodiment of a fiber fine dispersion device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fiber fine dispersion device and the cutting device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the fiber fine dispersion device and the cutting device shown in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the second partition plate has been removed.

1. Overview of a Sheet Molding Compound Manufacturing Apparatus With reference to FIG. 1, an overview of a sheet molding compound manufacturing apparatus 5 (hereinafter, referred to as an SMC manufacturing apparatus 5) including an embodiment of a fiber fine dispersion device will be described.

The SMC manufacturing device 5 continuously produces sheet molding compound (hereinafter referred to as SMC) comprising fibers (described below) and a resin composition that is impregnated into the fibers, using a roll-to-roll method.

In FIG. 1, the top-bottom direction of the paper is the vertical direction, the top side of the paper is the top side in the vertical direction (hereafter simply referred to as the top side), and the bottom side of the paper is the bottom side in the vertical direction (hereafter simply referred to as the bottom side).

In addition, in FIG. 1, the left-right direction of the paper is a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and is an example of the conveying direction of the resin composition (hereinafter simply referred to as the conveying direction). The left side of the paper is the upstream side of the conveying direction, and the right side of the paper is the downstream side of the conveying direction.

In addition, in FIG. 1, the thickness direction of the paper is a second horizontal direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the first horizontal direction, and is an example of a width direction intersecting both the transport direction and the vertical direction. The front side of the paper is one side of the width direction, and the back side of the paper is the other side of the width direction. Specifically, the directions follow the directional arrows shown in each figure.

The SMC manufacturing device 5 includes a conveying device 2, a cutting device 3, a fiber fine dispersion device 1, a cover resin supply device 6, and a pressing unit 7.

The conveying device 2 continuously conveys the resin composition. The conveying device 2 includes a carrier film supply roll 21, a take-up roll 22, and a first doctor blade 24.

The carrier film supply roll 21 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and can rotate around its axis. The carrier film supply roll 21 can continuously deliver the carrier film 23.

The carrier film 23 is a flexible resin sheet. The carrier film 23 has a predetermined thickness and is in the form of a long, flat band extending in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The carrier film 23 is wound in a spiral shape around the peripheral surface of the carrier film supply roll 21.

The winding roll 22 can wind up the carrier film 23 supplied from the carrier film supply roll 21, and can wind up the SMC produced on the carrier film 23. The winding roll 22 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction with a gap relative to the carrier film supply roll 21. The winding roll 22 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction, and can rotate around its axis.

In the conveying device 2, the carrier film 23 is sent out from the carrier film supply roll 21, passes through multiple rolls, and is wound up onto the winding roll 22.

The first doctor blade 24 regulates the thickness of the resin composition supplied onto the carrier film 23 to form a resin composition layer on the carrier film 23. The first doctor blade 24 has a flat plate shape extending in the width direction. The first doctor blade 24 is positioned above the carrier film 23 with a gap therebetween.

The cutting device 3 cuts fibers that include at least carbon fibers. The fibers will be described in detail later. The cutting device 3 is disposed above and spaced apart from the conveying device 2. More specifically, the cutting device 3 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction from the first doctor blade 24, and above and spaced apart from the carrier film 23.

The fiber fine dispersion device 1, which will be described in detail later, defibrates and disperses the fibers that fall from the cutting device 3. The fiber fine dispersion device 1 is disposed vertically between the cutting device 3 and the conveying device 2. More specifically, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 is disposed downstream of the first doctor blade 24 in the conveying direction, and is disposed between the cutting device 3 and the carrier film 23.

The cover resin supplying device 6 supplies further resin composition to the resin composition into which the fibers from the cutting device 3 have fallen. The cover resin supplying device 6 is located downstream in the conveying direction (opposite the first doctor blade 24) relative to the fiber fine dispersion device 1.

The cover resin supply device 6 includes a cover film supply roll 61 and a second doctor blade 62.

The cover film supply roll 61 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and can rotate around its axis. The cover film supply roll 61 can continuously deliver the cover film 63.

The cover film 63 has a configuration similar to that of the carrier film 23 described above. The cover film 63 is wound in a spiral shape around the circumferential surface of the cover film supply roll 61.

In the cover resin supply device 6, the cover film 63 is sent out from the cover film supply roll 61, passes through multiple rolls, and then makes a U-turn along the tension roll 75 described below, heading toward the take-up roll 22.

The second doctor blade 62 regulates the thickness of the resin composition supplied onto the cover film 63 to form a resin composition layer on the cover film 63. The second doctor blade 62 has a flat plate shape extending in the width direction. The second doctor blade 62 is positioned above the cover film 63 with a gap therebetween.

The pressing unit 7 is disposed between the fiber fine dispersion device 1 and the winding roll 22 in the conveying direction. The pressing unit 7 includes a first pressing unit 71 and a second pressing unit 72. The first pressing unit 71 and the second pressing unit 72 are disposed at a distance from each other in the vertical direction. A carrier film 23 carrying a fiber-containing resin composition passes between the first pressing unit 71 and the second pressing unit 72.

The first pressing unit 71 includes a tension roll 75, a drive roll 76, an endless belt 73, and multiple pressure rolls 74.

The tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76 are arranged at a distance from each other in the transport direction. Each of the tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and can rotate around its axis.

A driving force is input to the driving roll 76 from a driving source (not shown) such as a motor. When a driving force is input, the driving roll 76 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from one side in the width direction.

The endless belt 73 is wound around the tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76. The endless belt 73 is movable around the tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76.

The pressure rolls 74 are located inside the endless belt 73 and are spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction between the tension roll 75 and the drive roll 76. Each of the pressure rolls 74 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and is rotatable about its axis.

The second pressing unit 72 is disposed below the first pressing unit 71 and has a configuration that is linearly symmetrical to the first pressing unit 71 in the horizontal direction. When a driving force is input, the driving roll 76 of the second pressing unit 72 rotates in a clockwise direction when viewed from one side in the width direction.

In such an SMC manufacturing device 5, SMC is continuously manufactured. As will be described in detail later, after being cut by the cutting device 3, the fibers defibrated by the fiber fine dispersion device 1 fall onto the resin composition layer transported by the carrier film 23 of the transport device 2. The resin composition into which the fibers have fallen then continuously merges with the resin composition transported by the cover film 63. At this time, the fibers are sandwiched between the resin composition transported by the carrier film 23 and the resin composition transported by the cover film 63.

The resin composition containing the fibers is then transported to the carrier film 23 and pressed from both sides in the vertical direction as it passes between the first pressing unit 71 and the second pressing unit 72. This prepares an SMC that includes the fibers and the resin composition that is impregnated into the fibers. The SMC is then sequentially wound up on the winding roll 22.

2. Details of the Cutting Device Next, the cutting device 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The cutting device 3 includes a cutting roll 31 and a rubber roll 32.

The cutting roll 31 comprises a roll body 311 and multiple cutting blades 312.

The roll body 311 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and can rotate around its axis. A driving force is input to the roll body 311 from a driving source such as a motor (not shown). When a driving force is input, the roll body 311 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from one side in the width direction.

The multiple cutting blades 312 are arranged on the circumferential surface of the roll body 311. Each of the multiple cutting blades 312 protrudes radially outward from the circumferential surface of the roll body 311 and extends in the width direction. The multiple cutting blades 312 are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction of the roll body 311 so that the length of the fibers falls within the range described below.

The rubber roll 32 is positioned with a small gap between it and the roll body 311, and is in contact with the multiple cutting blades 312. The rubber roll 32 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction, and can rotate around its axis.

3. Details of the Fiber Fine Dispersion Device 1 Next, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes a defibration device 11, a plurality of first partition plates 12, a second partition plate 13, a third partition plate 14, and a chute section 15.

The defibration device 11 defibrates the fibers that fall from the cutting device 3. In this embodiment, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 is equipped with multiple (three) defibration devices 11. Below, the three defibration devices 11 are distinguished from one another as a first defibration device 11A, a second defibration device 11B, and a third defibration device 11C. The first defibration device 11A, the second defibration device 11B, and the third defibration device 11C are arranged at intervals from one another in the vertical direction.

The first defibration device 11A is disposed below and spaced from the cutting device 3. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the first defibration device 11A overlaps with the cutting device 3. The first defibration device 11A includes a shaft 111 and a number of pins 112.

The shaft 111 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction and can rotate around its axis. A driving force is input to the shaft 111 from a driving source (not shown) such as a motor. The shaft 111 rotates when a driving force is input.

The multiple pins 112 are arranged on the circumferential surface of the shaft 111 at intervals in the axial and circumferential directions. Each of the multiple pins 112 protrudes radially from the circumferential surface of the shaft 111. The pins 112 have a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the pins 112 is, for example, 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

The second defibration device 11B is located on the opposite side of the cutting device 3 from the first defibration device 11A. The second defibration device 11B is disposed below and spaced apart from the first defibration device 11A. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the second defibration device 11B overlaps with the first defibration device 11A.

The third defibration device 11C is located on the opposite side of the first defibration device 11A with respect to the second defibration device 11B. The third defibration device 11C is positioned below the second defibration device 11B with a gap therebetween. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the third defibration device 11C overlaps with the second defibration device 11B. The configurations of the second defibration device 11B and the third defibration device 11C are the same as the configuration of the first defibration device 11A. Therefore, a description of the second defibration device 11B and the third defibration device 11C will be omitted.

The multiple first partition plates 12 suppress scattering in the width direction of the fibers defibrated by the defibration device 11. In this embodiment, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 has multiple (three) sets of first partition plates consisting of multiple first partition plates 12. Hereinafter, the three sets of first partition plates are distinguished from one another as a first set 12A, a second set 12B, and a third set 12C.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first set 12A is disposed between the cutting device 3 and the first defibration device 11A in the vertical direction. The first set 12A is composed of a plurality of first partition plates 12 disposed at intervals from each other in the width direction. When viewed in the vertical direction, the plurality of first partition plates 12 overlap with the first defibration device 11A.

Each of the multiple first partition plates 12 extends in the vertical direction and in the conveying direction. In other words, the first partition plates 12 extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the defibration device 11. The upstream end of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction is connected to the second partition plate 13 (see FIG. 2). The downstream end of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction is connected to the third partition plate 14 (see FIG. 2).

The first partition plate 12 is disposed between the first plate 151 and the second plate 152 of the chute section 15 described below. Each of the first partition plates 12 has a generally trapezoidal shape when viewed in the width direction. More specifically, the first partition plate 12 has a generally trapezoidal shape with a long top side and a short bottom side. The upstream edge and downstream edge of each first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction are inclined so as to approach the defibration device 11 as they move from top to bottom.

The vertical length of each first partition plate 12 is longer than the length of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction. More specifically, the vertical length of each first partition plate 12 is longer than the length of the upper side of the inverted trapezoid of each first partition plate 12. The ratio of the vertical length of the first partition plate 12 to the conveying direction length of the first partition plate 12 is appropriately set according to the purpose and use. Usually, the vertical length of the first partition plate 12 is set so as to be longer than the height (vertical length) at which the fibers repelled by the pins 112 scatter.

In addition, as shown by the diagonal lines in Figure 2, the first partition plate 12 is not present within the height range of the circle drawn by the pin 112 due to the rotation of the defibration device 11.

In other words, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the conveying direction (depth direction of the paper in FIG. 3), the projection plane of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projection plane of the defibration device 11. In other words, there are no first partition plates 12 on either side of the defibration device 11 (including the pins 112) in the conveying direction.

In addition, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the width direction (left-right direction on the paper in FIG. 3), the projection plane of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projection plane of the defibration device 11. In other words, there are no first partition plates 12 on either side of the defibration device 11 (including the pins 112) in the width direction.

Of the multiple first partition plates 12, the distance between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the width direction is, for example, 10 mm or more, preferably 20 mm or more, and, for example, 500 mm or less, preferably 250 mm or less.

The spacing between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the width direction is set to a suitable range depending on the fiber length of the cut fibers. For example, the distance (spacing) between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the width direction is, for example, 1 time or more, preferably 2 times or more, and for example, 10 times or less, preferably 5 times or less, of the fiber length of the cut fibers.

The second set 12B is arranged between the first defibration device 11A and the second defibration device 11B in the vertical direction. The second set 12B consists of a plurality of first partition plates 12 arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction. The configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the second set 12B is the same as the configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the first set 12A, except for the vertical dimension. Therefore, a description of the first partition plates 12 of the second set 12B will be omitted.

The third set 12C is arranged between the second defibration device 11B and the third defibration device 11C in the vertical direction. The third set 12C consists of a plurality of first partition plates 12 arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction. The configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the third set 12C is the same as the configuration of the first partition plates 12 of the first set 12A, except for the vertical dimension. Therefore, a description of the first partition plates 12 of the third set 12C will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second partition plate 13 prevents the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 from scattering upstream in the conveying direction. The second partition plate 13 is disposed at a distance upstream in the conveying direction from the multiple (three) defibrators 11. The second partition plate 13 supports the multiple first partition plates 12.

The second partition plate 13 is made of a single plate and extends in the vertical direction and the width direction. The distance between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibrator 11A (the center of the shaft 111) in the conveying direction is, for example, 50 mm or more, preferably 100 mm or more, and, for example, 400 mm or less, preferably 300 mm or less.

The distance between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibration device 11A in the conveying direction is set to a suitable range depending on the outer diameter of the defibration device 11A (the sum of the outer diameter of the shaft 111 and the length of the pin 112). For example, the distance between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibration device 11A in the conveying direction is, for example, 1 time or more, preferably 2 times or more, and, for example, 10 times or less, preferably 5 times or less, the sum of the outer diameter of the shaft 111 and the length of the pin 112.

The third partition plate 14 prevents the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 from scattering downstream in the conveying direction. The third partition plate 14 is disposed at a distance downstream in the conveying direction from the first defibrator 11A. The third partition plate 14 is located on the opposite side of the second partition plate 13 in the conveying direction relative to the multiple first partition plates 12.

The third partition plate 14 supports a plurality of first partition plates 12. The third partition plate 14 is made of a single plate and extends in the vertical direction and in the width direction. The range of the distance between the third partition plate 14 and the first defibration device 11A in the conveying direction is, for example, the same as the range of the distance between the second partition plate 13 and the first defibration device 11A in the conveying direction.

The chute section 15 introduces the fibers that fall from the cutting device 3 into the defibration device 11. In this embodiment, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes multiple chute sections 15. Each of the multiple chute sections 15 is disposed between adjacent first partition plates 12. The chute section 15 includes a first plate 151 and a second plate 152.

The first plate 151 and the second plate 152 are arranged at a distance from each other in the conveying direction. The defibration device 11 is arranged between the first plate 151 and the second plate 152. Each of the first plate 151 and the second plate 152 is inclined so as to approach the defibration device 11 as it goes downward. The upper end of the first plate 151 is connected to the second partition plate 13. The upper end of the second plate 152 is connected to the third partition plate 14. The lower end of the first plate 151 and the lower end of the second plate 152 are arranged at a distance from each other. The defibration device 11 is located between the lower end of the first plate 151 and the lower end of the second plate 152 when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

A comb-tooth fork 153 is provided at the lower end of the first plate 151. The comb-tooth fork 153 is a thin plate extending along the surface direction of the first plate 151. The comb-tooth fork 153 has a concave cutout portion extending upward from the lower end edge. A plurality of cutout portions are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The multiple cutout portions are positioned so that the pins 112 and the comb-tooth fork 153 do not come into contact when the defibrator 11 rotates. In other words, the pins 112 pass through the cutout portions of the comb-tooth fork 153 when rotating.

In the following description, the chute section 15 arranged between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the first set 12A will be referred to as the first chute section 15A, the chute section 15 arranged between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the second set 12B will be referred to as the second chute section 15B, and the chute section 15 arranged between adjacent first partition plates 12 in the third set 12C will be referred to as the third chute section 15C.

4. Operations of the Cutting Device 3 and the Fiber Fine Dispersion Device 1 Next, operations of the cutting device 3 and the fiber fine dispersion device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the cutting device 3, a driving force is input to the cutting roll 31, causing the cutting roll 31 to rotate, and the fibers are continuously supplied between the cutting roll 31 and the rubber roll 32.

The fibers include at least carbon fibers. As long as the fibers include carbon fibers, they may also include other fibers. Examples of other fibers include glass fibers, metal fibers, and ceramic fibers. The other fibers may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

The carbon fiber content in the fibers is, for example, 10% by mass or more, preferably 20% by mass or more, and for example, 100% by mass or less. More preferably, the fibers are made of carbon fibers.

Examples of fiber shapes include cloth, mat, strand, roving, nonwoven fabric, and paper, with roving being preferred.

When the fiber shape is roving-like, the cutting device 3 cuts the roving-like reinforcing fiber into chopped strands having a predetermined length.

This causes fibers (preferably chopped strands) of a predetermined length to fall continuously from the cutting device 3.

The length of the fiber is, for example, 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, and, for example, 100 mm or less, preferably 60 mm or less.

In addition, in the fiber fine dispersion device 1, a driving force is input to the multiple defibration devices 11, causing each of the multiple defibration devices 11 to rotate.

The rotation speed of the defibration device 11 is, for example, 100 rpm or more, preferably 500 rpm or more, and, for example, 10,000 rpm or less, preferably 5,000 rpm or less.

The fibers that fall from the cutting device 3 are first guided to the first chute section 15A and reach the rotating first defibration device 11A.

The fibers are then defibrated and dispersed by the rotating first defibrator 11A. At this time, the first partition plate 12, the second partition plate 13, and the third partition plate 14 prevent the fibers from scattering excessively. The fibers defibrated by the first defibrator 11A are then discharged from the gap between the pins 112 and the comb-tooth fork 153.

The discharged fibers then naturally fall to reach the second chute section 15B, are guided to the second chute section 15B, and come into contact with the rotating second defibration device 11B. The fibers defibrated by the second defibration device 11B then naturally fall to reach the third chute section 15C, are guided to the third chute section 15C, and come into contact with the rotating third defibration device 11C. This causes the fibers to be further defibrated and dispersed. The fibers then fall onto the resin composition layer transported by the transport device 2.

3, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes a plurality of first partition plates 12 arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction. Therefore, the plurality of first partition plates 12 can suppress the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 from scattering excessively in the width direction. Therefore, the defibrated fibers can be uniformly dispersed in the resin composition transported by the transport device 2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the multiple first partition plates 12 overlap with the defibration device 11 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Therefore, the multiple first partition plates 12 can stably suppress the scattering of the fibers defibrated by the defibration device 11.

The second partition plate 13 is also disposed at a distance from the defibrator 11 in the conveying direction. Therefore, the second partition plate 13 can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 from scattering excessively in one direction in the conveying direction. As a result, the defibrated fibers can be more uniformly dispersed in the resin composition.

The third partition plate 14 is located on the opposite side of the second partition plate 13 from the multiple first partition plates 12 in the conveying direction. Therefore, the third partition plate 14 can prevent the fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 from scattering excessively in the other direction of the conveying direction. As a result, the defibrated fibers can be dispersed more uniformly in the resin composition.

The fiber fine dispersion device 1 also includes a chute section 15. Therefore, the fibers that fall from the cutting device can be guided to the defibration device 11 by the chute section 15.

The fibers defibrated by the defibrator 11 are discharged from the gap between the pins 112 and the comb-tooth fork 153. At this time, the fibers may become frayed due to defibration. In such a case, if the first partition plate 12 is present within the height range of the circle drawn by the pins 112 due to the rotation of the defibrator 11, the fibers may become stuck between the pins 112 and the comb-tooth fork 153.

In contrast, in the above-mentioned fiber fine dispersion device 1, the first partition plate 12 does not exist within the height range of the circle drawn by the pins 112 due to the rotation of the defibration device 11. More specifically, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the width direction (left-right direction on the paper in Figure 3), the projection plane of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projection plane of the defibration device 11. In other words, the first partition plates 12 do not exist on both sides of the defibration device 11 (including the pins 112) in the width direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned fiber fine dispersion device 1 can prevent fiber clogging.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned fiber fine dispersion device 1, there are no partition plates on either side of the defibrator 11 in the conveying direction. More specifically, in a projection of the fiber fine dispersion device 1 in the conveying direction (the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 3), the projection plane of the multiple first partition plates 12 does not overlap with the projection plane of the defibrator 11. If there are no partition plates on either side of the defibrator 11 (including the pins 112) in the conveying direction, clogging of fibers between the partition plates and the pins 112 can be prevented.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned fiber fine dispersion device 1, the vertical length of each first partition plate 12 is longer than the length of the first partition plate 12 in the conveying direction. Therefore, with this configuration, scattering of fibers above the defibration device can be effectively suppressed. As a result, even if the first partition plates 12 are not present on both sides of the defibration device 11 (including the pins 112) in the conveying direction, excessive scattering of fibers can be suppressed and the fibers can be dispersed more uniformly. As a result, there is no need to place the first partition plates 12 on both sides of the defibration device 11 in the conveying direction, and the size of the device can be suppressed.

In particular, in the SMC manufacturing device 5, it is necessary to arrange the cover resin supply device 6 and the like in the conveying direction, and there is a concern that the device may become large in size in the conveying direction. However, in the above-mentioned fiber fine dispersion device 1, it is possible to reduce the size of the device in the conveying direction, thereby preventing the SMC manufacturing device 5 from becoming large.

In the above-described embodiment, the fiber fine dispersion device 1 includes a plurality of defibration devices 11, but the number of defibration devices 11 is not limited to this. The fiber fine dispersion device 1 may include only one defibration device 11.

In the above embodiment, the second partition plate 13 and the first plate 151 of the chute section 15 are separate bodies, but the second partition plate 13 and the first plate 151 of the chute section 15 may be integral.

In the above embodiment, the third partition plate 14 and the second plate 152 of the chute section 15 are separate bodies, but the third partition plate 14 and the second plate 152 of the chute section 15 may be integral.

These modifications can achieve the same effects as the above embodiment.

The above embodiments and variations can be combined as appropriate.

Reference Signs List 1 Fiber fine dispersion device 11 Defibration device 12 First partition plate 13 Second partition plate 14 Third partition plate 15 Chute section 2 Conveyor device 3 Cutting device

Claims (4)

A fiber fine dispersion device disposed between a conveying device that conveys a resin composition and a cutting device that is disposed above the conveying device and cuts fibers including at least carbon fibers,
a defibration device that defibrates the fibers dropping from the cutting device;
a plurality of first partition plates that suppress scattering of fibers defibrated by the defibration device, the plurality of first partition plates being arranged at intervals from each other in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction of the resin composition by the conveying device and the up-down direction,
Each of the plurality of first partition plates extends in the conveying direction ,
The length of the first partition plate in the up-down direction is longer than the length of the first partition plate in the conveying direction,
A fiber fine dispersion device , wherein the plurality of first partition plates overlap the defibration device when viewed from the top-bottom direction . 2. The fiber fine dispersion device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second partition plate arranged at a distance from the defibration device in the conveying direction, the second partition plate extending in a direction intersecting both the conveying direction and the up-down direction. The fiber fine dispersion device according to claim 2 , further comprising a third partition plate located on an opposite side of the second partition plate with respect to the plurality of first partition plates in the conveying direction. The fiber fine dispersion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a chute section that introduces fibers dropping from the cutting device into the defibration device.