JP2011093276A - Filament winding system, system of manufacturing pressure vessel, and method of manufacturing pressure vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously feed out prepreg fibers having a stable fiber width. <P>SOLUTION: The plurality of prepreg fibers are conveyed in parallel to one another (S100), next, the fiber width of the fed out prepreg fibers is detected (S102), then, whether the fiber width is within a predetermined range is determined (S104), if necessary, the fiber width is adjusted to become larger or smaller (S106), then, the fibers are fed out to a liner. In the case of producing a pressure vessel, the prepreg fibers which have been adjusted to the predetermined fiber width are wound on the liner (S108), thereafter, the resin is cured (S110). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a filament winding system, a pressure vessel manufacturing system, and a pressure vessel manufacturing method.

  As a container for storing a large volume of gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, at normal temperature and pressure at a high density and a small capacity, a pressure container that is compressed by a predetermined pressure and stored as a liquid or gas is used. . Traditionally, pressure-resistant steel and other metal pressure vessels have been used, but in recent years, a technology has been developed for mounting pressure vessels that store natural gas, hydrogen gas, etc. on mobile vehicles and using them as fuel. As a performance required for the pressure vessel, the weight reduction of the vessel has become an important issue as well as the pressure resistance and durability capable of increasing the density.

  On the other hand, a pressure vessel using a fiber reinforced resin (FRP) such as a carbon fiber reinforced resin (CFRP) is known. Since the pressure vessel made of FRP is generally lighter than the metal pressure vessel, it is advantageous for mounting on a moving body such as a vehicle, and is a conventional steel vessel for use as a hydrogen pressure vessel. Since there are few concerns about hydrogen embrittlement and other concerns, it has attracted particular attention.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the configuration of a general FRP pressure vessel. The pressure vessel 200 shown in FIG. 5 is formed of, for example, a nylon resin such as 6-nylon (also referred to as nylon 6) or 6,6-nylon (also referred to as nylon 66), a thermoplastic resin such as a polyester resin or a polypropylene resin. A hollow liner 130 and a fiber reinforced resin layer (FRP layer) 132 that covers the outer periphery of the liner 130 are provided. The pressure vessel 200 also has at least one base 138. A valve (not shown) is connectable to the base 138, and the flow of the high-pressure fluid into and out of the pressure vessel 200 can be adjusted by operating the valve.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration of the AA ′ cross section shown in FIG. 6. In general, the fiber reinforced resin layer 132 is obtained by impregnating a long and continuous thread-like fiber bundle (filament) with a resin solution such as a thermosetting resin and winding a so-called prepreg fiber, which is dried as necessary, around the outer peripheral surface of the liner. Then, it is formed by curing the resin liquid. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the fiber reinforced resin layer 132 allows the resin 136 to pass through a slight gap formed between the fiber bundles 134 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the liner 130 a plurality of times and / or a plurality of times. It will have the structure which fills up. At this time, in addition to the material and / or thickness of the liner 130, for example, the design pressure of the pressure vessel 200 is controlled by adjusting the thickness and the number of turns of the fiber bundle 134 and adjusting the thickness of the fiber reinforced resin layer 132. be able to.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to sufficiently adhere a powdered thermoplastic resin to a bundle of a plurality of reinforcing fibers, the bundle of the reinforcing fibers are alternately bundled and opened while the thermoplastic resin is in the floor. Are described as being introduced continuously.

  Patent Document 2 describes that a resin impregnation apparatus for impregnating fibers with a resin detects insufficient impregnation of resin based on the amount of resin removed when adjusting the amount of resin impregnation.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-027208 JP 2007-210102 A

  By the way, in the so-called filament winding (FW) process in which a filament impregnated with a resin liquid is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the liner, the adhesion with the liner is improved and the performance of the pressure vessel is improved by winding the filament uniformly. For this reason, it is known to apply a prepreg fiber widened by applying a predetermined pressure. However, depending on external factors such as the state of the filament or prepreg fiber and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, a stable fiber width may not be ensured only by applying a predetermined pressure to the prepreg fiber. In addition, there may be a concern about securing a stable quality in the manufactured pressure vessel due to a gap generated between the prepreg fibers when wound around the liner.

  An object of the present invention is to continuously send out prepreg fibers having a stable fiber width in the production of a pressure vessel.

  Another object of the present invention is to produce a pressure vessel in which stable quality is ensured.

  The configuration of the present invention is as follows.

  (1) A filament winding system in which a fiber bundle impregnated with a resin liquid is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a liner, and transporting means for transporting a plurality of resin-impregnated fiber bundles in parallel, and transported from the transporting means A feeding fiber width adjusting means for adjusting and sending out a fiber width formed by a plurality of parallel resin-impregnated fiber bundles, and a sensor for detecting a fiber width sent from the sending fiber width adjusting means. A filament winding system that adjusts the width of a delivery fiber sent out from the delivery fiber width adjusting means in accordance with the detected fiber width of a resin-impregnated fiber bundle.

  (2) In the filament winding system according to the above (1), the delivery fiber width adjustment means includes a delivery fiber width adjustment roller through which a movable roller shaft is inserted, and the resin-impregnated fiber bundle detected by the sensor A filament winding system that adjusts a delivery fiber width by moving the roller shaft in accordance with a fiber width and adjusting a delivery angle of a resin-impregnated fiber constituting the resin-impregnated fiber bundle.

  (3) In the filament winding system according to (2), the movable roller shaft includes a pair of movable roller shafts each having a fixed end on an outer portion and a movable end on an inner portion, and the fixed end is A filament winding system that adjusts a feeding angle of the resin-impregnated fiber by swinging the movable roller shaft as a shaft.

  (4) A pressure vessel manufacturing system including a fiber reinforced resin layer covering the liner on the outer peripheral surface of a hollow liner, and a conveying unit that conveys a plurality of fiber bundles impregnated with a resin liquid in parallel. A sensor for detecting a fiber width formed by a plurality of parallel resin-impregnated fiber bundles, and a delivery fiber width adjusting means for adjusting a fiber width to be sent out according to the fiber width of the resin-impregnated fiber bundle detected by the sensor. Including a pressure vessel manufacturing system.

  (5) A method for manufacturing a pressure vessel including a fiber reinforced resin layer covering a liner on the outer peripheral surface of a hollow liner, wherein a plurality of the resin impregnated fiber bundles are transported in parallel. A method for manufacturing a pressure vessel, comprising: a detection step of detecting a fiber width formed by the resin-impregnated fiber bundle; and a delivery fiber width adjustment step of adjusting a fiber width to be sent out according to the detected fiber width.

  (6) In the method for manufacturing a pressure vessel according to (5), a filament winding step of winding a resin-impregnated fiber bundle with adjusted fiber width around the liner, and a resin liquid impregnated in the fiber bundle is cured to produce a fiber And a curing step for forming a reinforced resin layer.

  In producing the pressure vessel, prepreg fibers having a stable fiber width can be continuously sent out.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of the structure about an example of the manufacturing system of the pressure vessel in embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view which shows an example of the delivery fiber width adjustment part 18 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view for explaining an outline of a configuration of a main part of a delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a top view showing an example of a prepreg fiber delivery state by normal control of a delivery fiber width adjusting roller shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a top view showing an example of a prepreg fiber delivery state by fiber width expansion control of a delivery fiber width adjustment roller shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a top view showing an example of a prepreg fiber delivery state by fiber width convergence control of a delivery fiber width adjustment roller shown in FIG. 3. It is the flowchart shown about the manufacturing method of the pressure vessel in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of a structure of a pressure vessel. It is an enlarged view which shows the outline of a structure of the AA 'cross section shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, it explains in detail using a drawing.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a configuration of a filament winding system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A filament winding system 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a conveyance unit 14 that conveys resin-impregnated fiber bundles (prepreg fibers) 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d that are unwound from unwind bobbins 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d in parallel. Depending on the widths of the fiber-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d that are inserted into the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d and widened, And a delivery fiber width adjusting unit 18 that adjusts the fiber width to be sent out. The transport unit 14 may include a tension roller 20, an active dancer 22, a tension relief device such as an accumulator (not shown) and other transport assist mechanisms, and each device or mechanism may be disposed at an appropriate location as necessary. Can do.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an example of the delivery fiber width adjusting unit 18 shown in FIG. The delivery fiber width adjusting unit 18 shown in FIG. 2 adjusts the fiber width formed by the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d conveyed from the conveyance unit 14 shown in FIG. An adjustment roller 26 and sensors 24 and 25 that detect fiber widths formed by the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d fed from the delivery fiber width adjustment roller 26 are provided. The sending fiber width adjusting roller 26 sends out to the liner (see FIGS. 6 and 7) not shown here according to the sending fiber width of the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d detected by the sensors 24 and 25. The fiber width (delivery fiber width) of the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d can be adjusted.

  In the embodiment, the delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 winds the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d adjusted to an appropriate delivery fiber width around appropriate portions of the liner (see FIGS. 6 and 7). For this purpose, the resin impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d that have been widened are held by a delivery direction control member 32 including frames 28 and 30 for adjusting the delivery direction. The delivery direction control member 32 is a member for continuously delivering the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d to appropriate portions on the liner surface by changing the relative position to the liner. , Sometimes referred to as “eye mouth” (Ikuchi).

  By arranging the sensors 24 and 25 on the downstream side of the delivery fiber width adjustment unit 18, that is, at a position closer to the liner, the adjustment accuracy of the fiber width delivered to the liner can be further improved. For this reason, the delivery accuracy of the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d by the delivery direction control member 32 is further increased, and tight filament winding with less winding unevenness can be performed on the liner.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of movable roller shafts 34 and 36 are inserted through the delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26. The movable roller shafts 34 and 36 are respectively supported by bearings 42 and 44, and are configured such that the delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 rotates when the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are conveyed. ing. On the other hand, the movable roller shafts 34 and 36 also have fixed portions 38 and 40 on the outer portions, and are configured to be swingable by a predetermined angle about the fixed portions 38 and 40 as axes.

  The delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 is disposed so as to cover the movable roller shafts 34 and 36. The sending fiber width adjusting roller 26 is an elastic material having both desired flexibility and rigidity so that the outer shape (outer shape) of the movable roller shafts 34 and 36 can be changed so as to vary. Can be configured. In the embodiment, for example, a rubber material such as urethane rubber can be applied as the elastic material constituting the delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26, but the elastic material is not limited thereto. What has both the flexibility to the extent that it deforms as it swings and the rigidity to allow the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d to be conveyed to be appropriately held and delivered at a desired delivery angle For example, the material and shape of the delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 are not limited.

  When it is determined that the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d do not need to be widened / converged based on the fiber widths detected by the sensors 24 and 25, the movable roller shafts 34 and 36 are substantially parallel straight lines. The delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 is not deformed (see FIG. 4A). At this time, the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d conveyed to the sending fiber width adjusting roller 26 are sent out to the liner side with the same fiber width.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d need to be widened, the swing control (widening control) for moving the inner portions of the movable roller shafts 34 and 36 to the liner side, respectively. ) And the delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 is also deformed (see FIG. 4B). As the delivery fiber width adjustment roller 26 is deformed, the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d conveyed to the delivery fiber width adjustment roller 26 change their delivery angles and are widened and delivered to the liner side. On the other hand, when it is determined that the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d need to be converged, the inner portions of the movable roller shafts 34 and 36 are respectively located upstream, that is, toward the conveyance unit 14 shown in FIG. Oscillation control (convergence control) is performed, and the delivery fiber width adjustment roller 26 is also deformed (see FIG. 4C). As the delivery fiber width adjustment roller 26 is deformed, the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d conveyed to the delivery fiber width adjustment roller 26 have their delivery angles changed, converged, and sent to the liner side.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the outline of the manufacturing method of the pressure vessel in embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. First, resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d (prepreg fibers) formed by impregnating a fiber bundle with a resin liquid are conveyed by the conveyance unit 14 in parallel (S100). Next, the sensor 24, 25 detects the fiber width of the sent resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d (S102). It is determined whether or not the detected fiber width is within a predetermined range (S104), and if necessary, the delivery fiber width adjustment roller 26 is controlled to adjust the fiber width to be widened or converged (see FIG. S106). The resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d adjusted to a predetermined fiber width are sent out from the delivery direction control member 32, wound around the liner (S108), and then wound around the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d. The contained resin is cured (S110) to produce a pressure vessel.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as the fibers constituting the fiber bundle that is a material of the resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d (prepreg fibers) shown in FIG. 1, for example, glass fiber, carbon fiber, Kevlar fiber, and the like In particular, carbon fibers are preferably used from the viewpoint of specific strength and specific rigidity. More specifically, T800 fiber (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.), Tenax IM600 (trade name) (manufactured by Toho Tenax Co., Ltd.) and the like can be mentioned, but are not limited thereto. Further, the mechanical strength of the fiber bundle is preferably about 100 to 300 GPa in tensile strength, but is not limited thereto.

  The width of the fiber bundle (fiber bundle width) can be appropriately selected according to the strength of the material used. Specifically, a material having a thickness of about 2 to 5 mm is preferably used, but is not limited thereto.

  On the other hand, as the resin liquid impregnated in the fiber bundle, for example, a liquid thermosetting resin can be used, and can be appropriately selected according to required performance. As such a thermosetting resin, for example, an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto. In addition, as a method for producing a prepreg fiber by impregnating a fiber bundle with a resin solution, for example, any known method other than the dipping method and the spray method can be applied, and the dipping method is more preferable.

  Further, the fiber width of the prepreg fiber adjusted using the delivery fiber width adjusting roller 26 is such that a gap between adjacent prepreg fibers is not generated and winding unevenness such as excessive overlapping does not occur. It can set suitably according to thickness and the number of bundles. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the four resin-impregnated fiber bundles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are exemplified as a structure that is conveyed in parallel, but a structure that conveys a plurality of prepreg fibers in parallel. If it is, it will not be limited to this, For example, 2 bundles or 5 bundles or more may be sufficient.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an FRP pressure vessel manufactured by winding a prepreg fiber.

  10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Resin-impregnated fiber bundle, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Bobbin, 14 Conveying unit, 16, 17 Widening roller, 18 Delivery fiber width adjusting unit, 20 Tension roller, 22 Active dancer, 24, 25 Sensor , 26 Delivery fiber width adjusting roller, 28, 30 frame, 32 Delivery direction control member, 34, 36 Movable roller shaft, 38, 40 Fixed part, 42, 44 Bearing, 100 Filament winding system, 130 liner, 132 Fiber reinforced resin layer 134 Fiber bundle, 136 resin, 138 base, 200 pressure vessel.

Claims (6)

A filament winding system in which a fiber bundle impregnated with a resin liquid is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a liner,
Conveying means for conveying a plurality of resin-impregnated fiber bundles in parallel;
Sending fiber width adjusting means that adjusts and sends out the fiber width formed by a plurality of parallel resin-impregnated fiber bundles conveyed from the conveying means;
A sensor for detecting the fiber width sent from the sending fiber width adjusting means;
With
A filament winding system characterized by adjusting a delivery fiber width fed from the delivery fiber width adjusting means in accordance with a fiber width of a resin-impregnated fiber bundle detected by the sensor. The filament winding system according to claim 1, wherein
The delivery fiber width adjusting means includes a delivery fiber width adjusting roller through which a movable roller shaft is inserted,
Adjusting the delivery fiber width by moving the roller shaft in accordance with the fiber width of the resin-impregnated fiber bundle detected by the sensor and adjusting the delivery angle of the resin-impregnated fiber constituting the resin-impregnated fiber bundle. Characteristic filament winding system. The filament winding system according to claim 2,
The movable roller shaft includes a pair of movable roller shafts each having a fixed end on an outer portion and a movable end on an inner portion;
A filament winding system, wherein the movable roller shaft is swung about the fixed end to adjust the feeding angle of the resin-impregnated fiber. A pressure vessel manufacturing system comprising a fiber reinforced resin layer covering a liner on the outer peripheral surface of a hollow liner,
Conveying means for conveying a plurality of fiber bundles impregnated with a resin liquid in parallel;
Sending fiber width adjusting means that adjusts and sends out the fiber width formed by a plurality of parallel resin-impregnated fiber bundles conveyed from the conveying means;
A sensor for detecting the fiber width sent from the sending fiber width adjusting means;
With
The pressure vessel manufacturing system, wherein the delivery fiber width fed from the delivery fiber width adjusting means is adjusted according to the fiber width of the resin-impregnated fiber bundle detected by the sensor. A method of manufacturing a pressure vessel comprising a fiber reinforced resin layer covering the liner on the outer peripheral surface of a hollow liner,
A conveying step of conveying a plurality of resin-impregnated fiber bundles in parallel;
A delivery fiber width adjustment step of adjusting and sending out the fiber width formed by the plurality of parallel resin-impregnated fiber bundles conveyed,
A detection step of detecting the sent fiber width;
Including
The method for producing a pressure vessel, wherein the sending fiber width adjusting step is a step of adjusting the sending fiber width sent to the liner side according to the detected fiber width of the resin-impregnated fiber bundle. In the manufacturing method of the pressure vessel according to claim 5,
A filament winding step of winding a resin-impregnated fiber bundle having an adjusted delivery fiber width around the liner;
A curing step of curing the resin to form a fiber reinforced resin layer;
A method for producing a pressure vessel, further comprising:

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