JP2010189812A - Fiber spreading device and high-pressure gas tank manufacturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fiber bundle spreading device for improving the spread rate of a fiber bundle while suppressing the damage of a simple fiber. <P>SOLUTION: This fiber spreading device for spreading a fiber bundle consisting of a plurality of single fibers is provided with: a spreader roller 10 having a contact surface to be brought into contact with a fiber bundle to spread a fiber bundle on the contact surface; and an injection part for injecting a gas to a direction different from a direction to which the fiber bundle is pressurized to the contact surface with respect to the fiber bundle on the contact surface. Thus, it is desired that the spreader roller is formed of porous metal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for expanding a fiber bundle.

  Various members are manufactured by winding a fiber bundle composed of very fine single fibers. For example, a high-pressure gas tank is manufactured by winding carbon fibers obtained by bundling tens of thousands of single fibers (filaments) having a fiber diameter of about 1 to 5 μm around a resin liner. Conventionally, for the purpose of suppressing fiber slip at the time of winding, the fiber bundle is pressed against a widening roller to widen the width in the fiber bundle conveyance path from the bobbin wound with the fiber bundle to the winding object. (Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-313697 A

  In the technique of widening a fiber bundle using a widening roller, sticking between single fibers or sticking between a single fiber and a widening roller occurs due to the pressing force, and it has been difficult to improve the widening rate. Moreover, when the force which presses a fiber bundle against a widening roller was strengthened in order to improve the widening rate, there was a possibility of damaging a single fiber.

  An object of this invention is to improve the widening rate of a fiber bundle, suppressing the damage of a single fiber.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1] A fiber widening device for spreading a fiber bundle composed of a plurality of single fibers, having a contact surface in contact with the fiber bundle, and a widening roller for spreading the fiber bundle on the contact surface, and the contact surface A fiber widening apparatus, comprising: an ejection unit that ejects gas in a direction different from a direction in which the fiber bundle is pressed against the contact surface with respect to the fiber bundle.

  In the fiber widening device of Application Example 1, gas is injected in a direction different from the direction in which the fiber bundle is pressed against the contact surface on the contact surface of the widening roller. Sticking and sticking of monofilaments to the widening roller can be suppressed. Therefore, the widening rate of the fiber bundle can be improved. Moreover, since the widening rate is improved by injecting gas, the force for pressing the fiber bundle against the widening roller can be weakened, and damage such as fiber bending and bending in the widening roller can be suppressed.

Application Example 2 In the fiber widening apparatus according to Application Example 1, the contact surface is an external surface of the widening roller, the widening roller has a hollow structure, and the inside of the widening roller and the contact surface The fiber widening device has a communication hole that communicates with the widening roller, and the jetting unit jets the gas through the communication hole by feeding the gas into the widening roller.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to inject gas in the direction opposite to the direction of the force pressing the fiber bundle against the widening roller. Therefore, the fiber bundle can be widened along the contact surface with the axis of the fiber bundle as the center, and the bias of the single fiber can be suppressed. Further, when arranging a plurality of fiber bundles on the widening roller, each fiber bundle can be evenly widened.

Application Example 3 The fiber widening apparatus according to Application Example 2, wherein the widening roller is made of a porous metal.

  With such a configuration, a large number of minute holes can be provided in the widening roller as communication holes.

Application Example 4 In the fiber widening apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, the fiber bundle includes a thermosetting resin, and the temperature of the gas is 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. Widening device.

  With such a configuration, the thermosetting resin contained in the fiber bundle can be heated and liquefied, and the sticking of single fibers and the sticking of the single fibers to the widening roller are compared to the case of blowing a lower temperature gas. Can be suppressed more.

[Application Example 5] A high-pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus including the fiber widening apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4.

  With such a configuration, when manufacturing a high-pressure gas tank, it is possible to improve the widening rate of the fiber bundle while suppressing damage to the single fiber.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the high pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus as one Example of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the widening roller 10 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the AA cross section in FIG. 2 typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows the BB cross section in FIG. 2 typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the high pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus of 2nd Example.

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a high-pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. The high-pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus 500 manufactures a high-pressure gas tank by winding carbon fibers around a substantially cylindrical resin liner 200 by a filament winding (FW) method. The manufactured high-pressure gas tank is used, for example, as a storage tank for hydrogen gas, which is fuel gas, in a fuel cell vehicle.

  The high-pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus 500 includes four fiber bobbins B1 to B4, four bobbin driving units M1 to M4, eight guide rollers r1 to r8, a tension adjusting unit 30, a widening mechanism 100, and a fiber feeding unit 40. And a guide shaft 42 and a fiber winding portion 50.

  The same carbon fiber is wound around the four fiber bobbins B1 to B4 in advance. The carbon fiber is a so-called prepreg in which a large number (for example, 20,000) of single fibers cf having a fiber diameter of about 1 μm are bundled, and an epoxy resin that is a thermosetting resin is impregnated in advance. As such carbon fiber, for example, rayon-based carbon fiber, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) -based carbon fiber, or pitch-based carbon fiber can be used. The cross section of the carbon fiber bundle is substantially circular. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the carbon fibers wound around the four fiber bobbins B1 to B4 are referred to as carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4, respectively.

  The bobbin driving unit M1 is connected to the fiber bobbin B1, and drives the fiber bobbin B1 to feed out the carbon fiber bundle f1. At this time, the bobbin driving unit M1 is interlocked with the fiber feeding unit 40 and feeds the carbon fiber bundle f1 from the fiber bobbin B1 according to the amount of the carbon fiber bundle f1 wound around the resin liner 200. Similarly, the bobbin driving unit M2 is connected to the fiber bobbin B2, the bobbin driving unit M3 is connected to the fiber bobbin B3, and the bobbin driving unit M4 is connected to the fiber bobbin B4. Pull out.

  The eight guide rollers r <b> 1 to r <b> 8 are rotatably arranged, and convey the carbon fiber bundles f <b> 1 to f <b> 4 fed from the four fiber bobbins B <b> 1 to B <b> 4 to the widening mechanism 100. At this time, the eight guide rollers r1 to r8 apply predetermined tension to the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4, respectively. As such guide rollers r <b> 1 to r <b> 8, for example, a member formed in a cylindrical shape with resin or metal can be employed. The tension adjusting unit 30 is connected to the guide roller r6, and adjusts the tension of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 being conveyed by displacing the guide roller r6.

  The widening mechanism 100 includes two guide rollers r9 and r10, a widening roller 10, an air compressor 20, and a pipe 15. The two guide rollers r9 and r10 have the same configuration as the eight guide rollers r1 to r8 described above. These guide rollers r <b> 9 and r <b> 10 are arranged with the widening roller 10 interposed therebetween, and work to press the carbon fiber bundles f <b> 1 to f <b> 4 against the widening roller 10.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the widening roller 10 shown in FIG. The widening roller 10 widens the width of the pressed carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction). The widening roller 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape inside. The widening roller 10 includes an outer shell portion 12 and a lid portion 11. The outer shell portion is configured to be rotatable in the conveying direction of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4. The outer shell 12 is made of porous metal (porous metal), and has a large number of minute holes 13. As a hole diameter of each hole 13, it can be about 1 mm, for example. The lid portion 11 is disposed on one end surface of the outer shell portion 12. The lid 11 is connected to the pipe 15 and sends the air supplied via the pipe 15 to the internal space of the outer shell 12.

  The air compressor 20 (FIG. 1) is connected to the widening roller 10 via the pipe 15 and feeds air into the widening roller 10. The air compressor 20 compresses and sends air to a pressure of 1 MPa or less. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the temperature of the air to be fed is normal temperature (about 25 ° C.).

  The fiber feeding unit 40 feeds the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 after being widened conveyed from the widening mechanism 100 and winds them around the resin liner 200 disposed in the fiber winding unit 50 described later. The fiber feeding portion 40 reciprocates along the guide shaft 42 and winds the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 around the front surface of the resin liner 200. The guide shaft 42 is disposed in parallel with the central axis CX of the resin liner 200. In addition, a hoop winding and a helical winding can be employ | adopted as a carbon fiber bundle f1-f4 winding method.

  The fiber winding unit 50 includes a base 51, a pair of support plates 53 and 54, and a rotation drive unit 52. The pair of support plates 53 and 54 are installed on the base 51 at a predetermined interval, and support the resin liner 200 rotatably. The rotation drive unit 52 is disposed outside the support plate 53 and rotates the resin liner 200 around the central axis CX of the resin liner 200. The resin liner 200 is made of nylon resin and has a hollow structure.

  The aforementioned widening mechanism 100 corresponds to the widening device in the claims. The air compressor 20 and the pipe 15 correspond to an injection unit in claims.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the AA cross section in FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 3, the carbon fiber bundle f1 is pressed against the outer surface of the widening roller 10 (outer shell portion 12). The hole 13 provided in the outer shell portion 12 is formed to extend along the thickness direction of the outer shell portion 12, and communicates the internal space of the widening roller 10 and the outer surface of the outer shell portion 12. Therefore, air blows out from the internal space of the widening roller 10 toward the carbon fiber bundle f1. At this time, the air injection direction is substantially opposite to the direction of the force pressing the carbon fiber bundle f1 against the widening roller 10. The other carbon fiber bundles f2 to f4 have the same configuration.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a BB cross section in FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 4, the portion with which the carbon fiber bundle f <b> 1 abuts is enlarged. The carbon fiber bundle f1 is pressed perpendicularly to the outer shell 12 by receiving pressing force from the two guide rollers r9 and r10 (FIG. 1). For this reason, the single fiber cf which comprises the carbon fiber bundle f1 moves so that it may spread along the outer surface of the outer shell part 12, and the cross-sectional shape of the carbon fiber bundle f1 becomes flat. As shown in FIG. 4, when the carbon fiber bundle f <b> 1 is widened, air is injected to the carbon fiber bundle f <b> 1 in a direction opposite to the direction of the pressing force.

  Thus, by injecting air with respect to the carbon fiber bundle f1, in the carbon fiber bundle f1, the sticking of the single fibers cf and the sticking of the single fibers cf to the outer surface of the outer shell portion 12 are suppressed. Accordingly, the single fiber cf can move greatly, and the width of the carbon fiber bundle f1 is greatly expanded. The other carbon fiber bundles f2 to f4 have the same configuration.

  As described above, the high-pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus 500 according to the first embodiment expands the width of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 in the widening mechanism 100 with respect to the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4. Since air is jetted in a direction opposite to the direction in which ~ f4 is pressed, the single fibers cf constituting the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 are stuck to each other, and the single fibers cf are stuck to the widening roller 10 (outer shell portion 12). Can be suppressed. Therefore, the single fiber cf can be moved greatly to broaden the width of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4, and the widening rate can be improved. Moreover, since the single fiber cf can be moved greatly and the width of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 can be greatly expanded, the force for pressing the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 can be weakened. Therefore, damage such as bending or bending of the single fiber cf in the widening roller 10 can be suppressed. Moreover, since air is injected from the inside of the widening roller 10, air can be equally applied to the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4. Further, since air is jetted in the direction opposite to the direction in which the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 are pressed, each carbon fiber bundle f1 to f4 is symmetrical along the outer shell portion 12 (outer surface) with the axis of the fiber bundle as the center. And the bias of the single fiber cf can be suppressed.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the high-pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The high pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus 500a of the second embodiment differs from the high pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus 500 (FIG. 1) in the configuration of the widening mechanism, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Specifically, the widening mechanism 100a of the second embodiment includes a widening roller 10a instead of the widening roller 10, a point where the air compressor 20 is not connected to the widening roller 10a, and a carbon fiber bundle. Unlike the widening mechanism 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2), the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment in the direction of jetting air to f1 to f4.

  As with the guide rollers r1 to r10, the widening roller 10a is a member formed in a cylindrical shape with resin or metal. That is, unlike the widening roller 10 of the first embodiment, the widening roller 10a does not include the hole 13 and the internal space. In the second embodiment, the air compressor 20 injects air along the surface of the widening roller 10a. At this time, the air compressor 20 injects air to the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 pressed against the widening roller 10a along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4.

  The high pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus 500a of the second embodiment having such a configuration has the same effect as the high pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus 500 of the first embodiment.

C. Variation:
In addition, elements other than the elements claimed in the independent claims among the constituent elements in each of the above embodiments are additional elements and can be omitted as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

C1. Modification 1:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the temperature of the air injected to the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 in the widening mechanisms 100 and 100a is room temperature (for example, 25 ° C.), but instead, higher temperature air is injected. You can also. For example, in the first embodiment, a heating chamber in which a heating wire is disposed inside the air compressor 20 or between the air compressor 20 and the widening roller 10 is provided, and the temperature of the air is increased in this heating chamber and then the widening is performed. It can be supplied to the inside of the roller 10. Further, for example, a heating wire may be disposed inside the widening roller 10, and air may be injected into the carbon fiber bundles f <b> 1 to f <b> 4 after heating the air inside the widening roller 10. In general, a thermosetting resin has a characteristic that when heated, the viscosity once decreases and becomes almost liquid, and further, when the heating is continued, a crosslinking reaction proceeds to cure. Therefore, the thermosetting resin contained in the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 is softened by spraying high-temperature air, and the single fibers cf are adhered to each other, or the widening rollers 10 (outer shell portions 12) and 10a of the single fibers cf. Sticking to the surface can be further suppressed.

  Here, as the temperature of the air after the temperature rise, for example, a temperature in the range of 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. is preferable. This is because softening of the thermosetting resin can occur in the range of 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. In addition, it is not restricted to the range of the said 130 degreeC-180 degreeC, Air can also be heated up to high temperature.

C2. Modification 2:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the widening rollers 10 and 10a are disposed so as to be rotatable in the conveying direction of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4. However, the widening rollers 10 and 10a can be disposed without being rotated. Moreover, in each Example mentioned above, it can also be set as the structure which vibrates the widening rollers 10 and 10a. Specifically, in the widening mechanisms 100 and 100a, an actuator that ultrasonically vibrates the widening rollers 10 and 10a may be provided, and the widening rollers 10 and 10a may be vibrated by the actuator. As an actuator, for example, a vibrator that vibrates in response to a high-frequency signal output from an oscillator, an amplifying mechanism that amplifies the vibration of the vibrator, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the amplified vibration to the widening rollers 10 and 10a. It is possible to employ a configuration provided. With such a configuration, the widening rollers 10 and 10a can be vibrated to further suppress the sticking between the single fibers cf and the sticking of the single fibers cf to the widening rollers 10 and 10a.

C3. Modification 3:
In the first embodiment described above, the outer shell portion 12 is formed of porous metal, but instead, it is formed of a thin metal plate (plate of stainless steel or the like) provided with a number of holes or a metal mesh. You can also. In the case where the outer shell portion 12 is formed by a thin metal plate provided with a large number of holes, the hole can have a circular cross-sectional shape. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the hole may be a rectangle extending in the width direction of the outer shell portion 12, and the hole may be arranged in a slit shape.

C4. Modification 4:
In each Example mentioned above, although the gas injected to carbon fiber bundle f1-f4 was air, it can replace with this and arbitrary gases, such as nitrogen gas, can be used. Moreover, the direction in which air is injected to the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 is perpendicular to the direction in which the air is pressed (first embodiment) and the conveying direction of the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 along the widening roller 10a. It is not limited to the direction (second embodiment). For example, it can also be set as the direction shifted | deviated by arbitrary angles with respect to the conveyance direction of carbon fiber bundle f1-f4 along the widening roller 10a. Even in this case, the sticking of the single fibers cf and the sticking of the single fibers cf to the widening rollers 10 and 10a can be suppressed. That is, generally, the structure which injects gas along the direction different from the direction where a fiber bundle is pressed can be employ | adopted for the fiber widening apparatus and high pressure gas tank manufacturing apparatus of this invention.

C5. Modification 5:
In each Example mentioned above, although the thermosetting resin contained in carbon fiber bundle f1-f4 was an epoxy resin, arbitrary resin is not restricted to an epoxy resin. For example, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a melamine resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, or the like can be used. Further, the carbon fiber bundles f1 to f4 can be configured not to contain a thermosetting resin. In this case, the thermosetting resin can be impregnated in the middle of the fiber bundle conveyance path. Moreover, it can replace with carbon fiber and can also employ | adopt arbitrary fibers, such as glass fiber and an aramid fiber. Even in these configurations, by applying the present invention, it is possible to suppress the sticking between the single fibers cf and the sticking of the single fibers cf to the widening rollers 10 and 10a.

C6. Modification 6:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the widening mechanism 100, 100a is configured as a part of the functional unit of the high-pressure gas tank manufacturing device 500, 500a. Instead, the widening mechanism 100, 100a is configured as an independent device (widening device). You can also. In this case, the widening device of the present invention can be applied not only to a high-pressure tank manufacturing device but also to any device for winding fibers. For example, the present invention can be applied to a device that winds a fiber around a propeller shaft, a door frame, or the like used in a vehicle or an aircraft.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10a ... Widening roller 11 ... Cover part 12 ... Outer shell part 13 ... Hole 15 ... Pipe 20 ... Air compressor 30 ... Tension adjustment part 40 ... Fiber feeding part 42 ... Guide shaft 50 ... Fiber winding part 51 ... Base 52 ... Rotation drive part 53 ... Support plate 100, 100a ... Widening mechanism 200 ... Resin liner 500, 500a ... High-pressure gas tank manufacturing device cf ... Single fiber B1 to B4 ... Fiber bobbin M1 to M4 ... Bobbin drive part r1 to r10 ... Guide roller f1 ~ F4 ... carbon fiber bundle

Claims (5)

A fiber widening device for spreading a fiber bundle composed of a plurality of single fibers,
A widening roller having a contact surface in contact with the fiber bundle and expanding the fiber bundle on the contact surface;
In the contact surface, with respect to the fiber bundle, an injection unit that injects gas in a direction different from a direction in which the fiber bundle is pressed against the contact surface;
A fiber widening device comprising: In the fiber widening apparatus of Claim 1,
The contact surface is an external surface of the widening roller;
The widening roller has a hollow structure, and has a communication hole that communicates the inside of the widening roller and the contact surface;
The said injection part is a fiber widening apparatus which injects the said gas through the said communicating hole by sending the said gas into the inside of the said widening roller. In the fiber widening apparatus of Claim 2,
The said widening roller is a fiber widening apparatus currently formed with the porous metal. In the fiber widening apparatus in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The fiber bundle includes a thermosetting resin,
The fiber widening apparatus, wherein the temperature of the gas is 130 ° C to 180 ° C.   An apparatus for producing a high-pressure gas tank, comprising the fiber widening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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