JP2015003405A - Tank manufacturing method and fiber winding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress shift of fibers at the time of cutting fibers wound on a mandrel.SOLUTION: A tank manufacturing method includes: (a) a step of winding fibers on a tank container-shaped mandrel using a fiber holding device; (b) a step of fixing the fibers between an existing part wound on the mandrel and the fiber holding device; and (c) a step of cutting the fibers between a fixed part fixed in the step (b) and the existing part.

Description

  The present invention relates to the manufacture of tanks.

  In the fuel cell system, a high-pressure gas tank that stores fuel gas is used. The high-pressure gas tank is generally manufactured by a filament winding method (hereinafter referred to as “FW method”). In the FW method, fibers containing a thermosetting resin are supplied from a large number of bobbins to an apparatus for winding fibers (hereinafter referred to as “fiber winding apparatus”), and helical winding and hoop winding are performed by the fiber winding apparatus. The fiber is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel by the winding method. The fiber wound around the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel is cut between the mandrel and the fiber winding device, and the mandrel is separated and removed from the fiber winding device (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2013-887 A JP 2012-152911 A

  However, in the technique of cutting the fiber between the mandrel and the fiber winding device, the fixation of the fiber at the time of cutting is limited only to the tension between the end of the fiber wound around the mandrel and the fiber winding device. Therefore, there is a problem that the fibers are displaced during cutting. If the fibers are displaced during cutting, there may be a problem that it takes a long time to cut and the fibers cannot be cut at an accurate position. Furthermore, the end of the fiber after cutting spreads, and there is a problem that the equipment is faulty and the quality of the tank deteriorates due to the surrounding equipment and the fibers already wound around the mandrel. These problems are not limited to high-pressure gas tanks for fuel cell systems, but are common to tanks used for arbitrary applications and tanks for storing arbitrary fluids. In addition, in the conventional tank manufacturing method, improvement in manufacturing efficiency of the tank, cost reduction, power saving, ease of manufacturing, improvement in operability, and the like have been desired.

  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.

(1) According to one form of this invention, the manufacturing method of a tank is provided. The tank manufacturing method includes: (a) a step of winding a fiber around a tank container-shaped mandrel using a fiber winding device; and (b) an existing portion wound around the mandrel and the fiber winding device. And (c) cutting the fiber between the fixed portion fixed in the step (b) and the existing portion. According to the tank manufacturing method of this aspect, the fiber can be cut after being fixed between the existing portion and the fiber winding device. For this reason, since it can suppress that a fiber shifts | deviates in the case of a cutting | disconnection, while cutting a fiber can be completed in a short time, a fiber can be cut | disconnected in an exact position. In addition, since the spread of the fibers after cutting can be suppressed, it is possible to suppress the fibers (end portions of the fibers) after cutting from being entangled with the fibers already wound around the equipment and mandrels located in the periphery. For this reason, the failure of the equipment located in the periphery and the quality deterioration of a tank can be suppressed.

(2) In the tank manufacturing method, the step (a) includes: (a1) a step of arranging the fiber winding device so as to surround an outer periphery of the mandrel; and (a2) a plurality of the fiber winding devices from the fiber winding device. A step of unwinding and winding the fiber around the mandrel, wherein the step (b) uses a fiber fixing device to fix the plurality of fibers between the existing portion and the fiber winding device. And the fiber fixing device has an annular inner chuck portion having a center on a central axis of the mandrel and in which first concave portions and first convex portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction; An outer chuck portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the inner chuck portion, having a center on a central axis of the mandrel, wherein second concave portions and second convex portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction. With an annular outer chuck And (b1) disposing the plurality of fibers across the first concave portion of the inner chuck portion and the second concave portion of the outer chuck portion, respectively, b2) a step of rotating at least one of the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion along the circumferential direction with the center as an axis. According to the method of manufacturing a tank of this aspect, since the fiber is arranged across the first concave portion and the second concave portion using the fiber fixing device having the annular inner chuck portion and the annular outer chuck portion, the fiber The fiber that is fed out from the winding device and extends toward the mandrel can be reliably fixed. In addition, since the fiber is fixed by rotating at least one of the inner chuck part and the outer chuck part along the circumferential direction with the center as an axis, it is easy to switch between fixing and releasing the fiber. It can be carried out. In addition, the amount of fiber used for fixing can be reduced as compared with a technique of winding and fixing a fiber a plurality of times. For this reason, the amount of fibers deteriorated by the use for fixing can be reduced.

(3) In the tank manufacturing method, (d) a step of releasing the fixation of the fiber between the existing part and the fiber winding device; and (e) a cut end of the fiber and the fiber winding. And a step of winding the fibers that are present between the devices and released from being fixed. According to the method of manufacturing a tank of this aspect, since the fiber that is present between the cutting end and the fiber winding device and is released from the fixed state is wound up, the fiber in the part spreads to the surrounding facilities and mandrels. It can suppress entanglement with the already wound fiber. In addition, since the fiber of the said part is wound up, even when a fiber is cut | disconnected in the position close | similar to a mandrel, the spreading of the remaining fiber can be suppressed. Therefore, since it becomes possible to cut the fiber at a position close to the mandrel, it is possible to suppress degradation of the tank quality due to the end of the fiber on the mandrel side after cutting being entangled with the fiber already wound around the mandrel. .

(4) In the method for manufacturing a tank, the step (c) includes a step of rotating the cutting device disposed inside the inner chuck portion along the inner periphery of the inner chuck portion, thereby It may be a step of cutting the fiber between the fixed portion and the existing portion. According to the manufacturing method of the tank of this embodiment, the fiber can be cut at a position close to the fixed portion, that is, the portion of the fiber fixed by the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion. Can be further suppressed.

(5) According to the other form of this invention, the fiber winding apparatus for winding a fiber around a tank container-like mandrel is provided. The fiber winding device includes a fiber winding portion that winds a fiber around the mandrel, a fiber fixing portion that fixes the fiber between an existing portion wound around the mandrel and the fiber winding device, and the fiber. And a cutting portion for cutting between the fixed portion fixed by the fiber fixing portion and the existing portion. According to the fiber winding device of this embodiment, the fiber can be cut after being fixed between the existing portion and the fiber winding device. For this reason, since it can suppress that a fiber shifts | deviates in the case of a cutting | disconnection, while cutting a fiber can be completed in a short time, a fiber can be cut | disconnected in an exact position. In addition, since the spread of the fibers after cutting can be suppressed, it is possible to suppress the fibers (end portions of the fibers) after cutting from being entangled with the fibers already wound around the equipment and mandrels located in the periphery. For this reason, the failure of the equipment located in the periphery and the quality deterioration of a tank can be suppressed.

(6) In the fiber winding apparatus, the fiber winding part is disposed so as to surround an outer periphery of the mandrel, and a plurality of the fibers are drawn out and wound around the mandrel. The fiber fixing part is a central axis of the mandrel An annular inner chuck portion having a center on the top and having first concave portions and first convex portions arranged alternately along the circumferential direction, and an outer chuck portion having a larger outer diameter than the inner chuck portion. An annular outer chuck portion having a center on a central axis of the mandrel and in which second concave portions and second convex portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction, and the inner side The plurality of fibers disposed across the first concave portion of the chuck portion and the second concave portion of the outer chuck portion are arranged with at least one of the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion as a center. Circumferential direction as axis It may be fixed by rotating along. According to the fiber winding device of this embodiment, the fiber is arranged across the first concave portion and the second concave portion by the fiber fixing portion having the annular inner chuck portion and the annular outer chuck portion. It is possible to reliably fix the fiber that is drawn out from and extends toward the mandrel. In addition, since the fiber is fixed by rotating at least one of the inner chuck part and the outer chuck part along the circumferential direction with the center as an axis, it is easy to switch between fixing and releasing the fiber. It can be carried out. In addition, the amount of fiber used for fixing can be reduced as compared with a technique of winding and fixing a fiber a plurality of times. For this reason, the amount of fibers deteriorated by the use for fixing can be reduced.

(7) The fiber winding device further includes a fiber winding unit, and the fiber fixing unit fixes the fiber releasably between the existing unit and the fiber winding device, and the fiber winding unit. The take-up portion may exist between the cut end portion of the fiber and the fiber winding device, and may take up the fiber released from being fixed. According to the fiber winding device of this form, the fiber that exists between the cut end and the fiber winding device and is released from the fixed state is wound up, so that the fiber in the part spreads to the surrounding equipment and mandrels. It can suppress entanglement with the already wound fiber. In addition, since the fiber of the said part is wound up, even when a fiber is cut | disconnected in the position close | similar to a mandrel, the spreading of the remaining fiber can be suppressed. Therefore, since it becomes possible to cut the fiber at a position close to the mandrel, it is possible to prevent the end of the mandrel side fiber after cutting from being entangled with the fiber already wound around the mandrel and deteriorating the quality of the tank. .

(8) In the fiber winding apparatus, the cutting unit may be disposed inside the inner chuck unit and may cut the plurality of fibers by rotating along an inner periphery of the inner chuck unit. According to the fiber winding device of this aspect, the fiber can be cut at a position close to the fixed portion, that is, the portion of the fiber fixed by the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion. Can be further suppressed.

(9) In the fiber winding device, at least one of the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion includes a plurality of columnar members arranged at a predetermined interval along a circumferential direction. At least one of the first recess and the second recess may be constituted by a gap between two adjacent columnar members. According to the fiber winding device of this aspect, at least one of the first concave portion and the second concave portion is constituted by a gap between two adjacent columnar members, so that the first concave portion and the second concave portion It can suppress that the fiber arrange | positioned over remove | deviates (it pulls out).

(10) In the fiber winding device, at least one of the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion includes an annular support portion that supports each of the plurality of columnar members, and the plurality of columnar members. Are respectively located at one end in the longitudinal direction of the columnar member and connected to the support portion, a distal end portion located at an end opposite to the proximal end portion, and the proximal end portion. You may have a connection part which is located between the said front-end | tip parts and has a minimum diameter small compared with the maximum diameter of the said base end part, and the maximum diameter of the said front-end | tip part. According to the fiber winding device of this embodiment, when the connecting portions of two adjacent columnar members are arranged, a relatively large gap can be formed between these two connecting portions. For this reason, since many fibers can be accommodated in this space | gap, even when many fibers are wound around a mandrel with a fiber winding apparatus, almost all the fibers can be fixed by the fiber fixing part. In addition, since the maximum diameter of the distal end portion is larger than the minimum diameter of the connecting portion, even if the fixed fiber is displaced from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion, the distal end portion serves as a barrier. Can be prevented from coming off (disconnecting) from the fiber fixing portion.

  In addition, this invention can be implement | achieved in various aspects, for example, can be implement | achieved with forms, such as the method of winding a fiber around a tank, and a tank manufacturing apparatus.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the fiber winding apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the detailed structure of the fiber processing unit 400 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a chuck part 430 and a cutting part 440 shown in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the manufacturing method of the tank as one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the one part process of the manufacturing method of the tank in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fiber fb arrange | positioned at the chuck | zipper part 430 after step S115 is performed. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st structure of the chuck pin in a modification. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd structure of the chuck pin in a modification. It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd structure of the chuck pin in a modification. It is a perspective view which shows the 4th structure of the chuck pin in a modification. It is a perspective view which shows the 5th structure of the chuck pin in a modification.

A. Embodiment:
A1. Device configuration:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a fiber winding device as one embodiment of the present invention. The fiber winding device 10 is a device for winding fibers around the mandrel 20 by a filament winding method. In this embodiment, the fiber wound around the mandrel 20 is a carbon fiber (so-called prepreg) in which a large number (for example, 20,000) of single fibers having a diameter of about several micrometers are bundled and impregnated with a thermosetting resin. is there. In this embodiment, an epoxy resin is used as the thermosetting resin. In the present embodiment, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber is used as the carbon fiber. Note that any other prepreg such as rayon carbon fiber or pitch carbon fiber may be used instead of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber.

  In the present embodiment, the mandrel 20 is formed of a resin molded product. Instead of the resin molded product, a metal material such as a high-strength aluminum material or stainless material may be used. The mandrel 20 has a capsule-like appearance. Specifically, the mandrel 20 includes a body part formed in the center part of the mandrel 20 in the axis AX direction, and a dome part having a dome-like external shape formed continuously from both ends of the body part. Have. Of the two dome portions located at both ends of the mandrel 20, a cap portion (not shown) is formed at a circular top portion of at least one of the dome portions. In the present embodiment, a high-pressure gas tank is manufactured using a mandrel 20 around which carbon fibers (hereinafter simply referred to as “fibers”) are wound. This high-pressure gas tank is used, for example, as a storage tank for hydrogen gas, which is fuel gas, in fuel cell vehicles. The aforementioned base part is used for storing hydrogen gas in a tank and discharging hydrogen gas from the tank. In FIG. 1, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are clearly shown. The X axis is parallel to the axis AX direction of the mandrel 20. The Y axis is parallel to the vertical direction. The -Y direction corresponds to the vertically downward direction. The Z axis is parallel to the horizontal direction.

  The fiber winding device 10 includes a creel device 210, a base 300, a hoop winding device 100, a helical winding device 200, and a fiber processing unit 400.

  The creel device 210 includes a large number of bobbins 211 wound with fibers and a yarn supply guide 212, and supplies the fibers from each bobbin 211 to the helical winding device 200 via the yarn supply guide 212. As shown in FIG. 1, the creel device 210 is arranged in parallel with the base 300.

  The base 300 extends along the X axis, and includes a first rail 302, a second rail 304, a first support base 310, and a second support base 311. Each of the first rail 302 and the second rail 304 is a pair of grooves formed so as to be parallel to each other on the upper surface of the base 300, and the longitudinal direction of the base 300 (direction along the X axis). It is extended to. The second rail 304 is disposed so as to sandwich the first rail 302.

  The first support base 310 supports the fiber processing unit 400 and supports the mandrel 20 together with the second support base 311. The first support base 310 is disposed on the + X direction side with respect to the helical winding device 200 on the upper surface of the base 300. The first support base 310 is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) and can reciprocate on the first rail 302. The first support base 310 includes a base 312 and support arms 314. The base 312 is a plate-like member and is slidably disposed with respect to the first rail 302. The support arm 314 has a quadrangular prism-like appearance with the Y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction, one end connected to the base 312 and the other end connected to the fiber processing unit 400.

  The second support base 311 supports the attachment jig 315 and supports the mandrel 20 together with the first support base 310. The second support base 311 is arranged in the −X direction side with respect to the hoop winding device 100 and the first support stand 311 supports the attachment jig 315 in place of the fiber processing unit 400. Unlike the support base 310, the other configurations are the same as those of the first support base 310, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The attachment jig 315 is a rod-shaped member and is disposed in parallel with the X axis. The central axis of the mounting jig 315 coincides with the axis AX of the mandrel 20. One end of the mounting jig 315 is fixed to the support arm 314 of the second support base 311, and the other end supports the mandrel 20. The attachment jig 315 is rotated around an axis by a drive mechanism (not shown). For this reason, the mandrel 20 supported by the attachment jig 315 also rotates around the axis AX together with the attachment jig 315.

  The hoop winding device 100 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 300 and winds the fiber around the mandrel 20. The hoop winding device 100 includes a frame 102, a winding table 104, five holders 106, and five bobbins 107. The frame 102 is a housing that houses each member of the hoop winding device 100. The frame 102 is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) and can reciprocate on the second rail 304.

  The winding table 104 has a disk-like appearance, and is fixed to the frame 102 so that the thickness direction is parallel to the X axis. A central hole 105 that penetrates in the thickness direction is formed at the center of the winding table 104. The center of the central hole 105 is located on the axis AX, and an attachment jig 315 is passed through the central hole 105. The winding table 104 is provided with a first guide yarn supplying portion 108 and a second guide yarn supplying portion 109 in the vicinity of the central hole 105. The first guide yarn supplying unit 108 and the second guide yarn supplying unit 109 are disposed so as to protrude from the winding table 104 in the + X direction. The first guide yarn supplying unit 108 is located above (+ Y direction) with respect to the mandrel 20. The second guide yarn supplying unit 109 is located below (−Y direction) with respect to the mandrel 20. The first guide yarn supplying unit 108 and the second guide yarn supplying unit 109 feed out the fibers toward the mandrel 20.

  The five holders 106 are arranged in a ring on the winding table 104 so as to surround the central hole 105. Each holder 106 accommodates one bobbin 107. As with the bobbin 211, fibers are wound around the bobbin 107 in advance. Each holder 106 is rotationally driven by a driving mechanism (not shown), and feeds the fiber from the bobbin 107 to the first guide yarn supplying unit 108 and the second guide yarn supplying unit 109.

  The helical winding device 200 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 300 and helically winds the fiber around the mandrel 20. The helical winding device 200 includes a frame 202 and a yarn feeding ring 204. The frame 202 is a housing that houses the yarn feeding ring 204. The mandrel 20 is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) and can reciprocate in the yarn supplying ring 204.

  The yarn feeding ring 204 feeds the fiber supplied from the creel device 210 toward the mandrel 20. The yarn feeding ring 204 has a substantially cylindrical appearance whose thickness direction is parallel to the X axis. The axis of the yarn feeding ring 204 coincides with the axis AX of the mandrel 20. In the center of the yarn feeding ring 204, a central hole 206 that penetrates in the thickness direction is formed. In the center hole 206, the front end side (the side opposite to the side connected to the support arm 314) of the mandrel 20 or the fiber processing unit 400 may be disposed. A large number of fiber supply ports (not shown) for discharging fibers are provided on the inner wall of the yarn feeding ring 204 forming the central hole 206, and a large number of fibers (fiber bundles) from the fiber supply port toward the mandrel 20. Is paid out.

  The helical winding device 200 winds the fiber around the mandrel 20 rotating about the axis AX while crossing the fiber at a low angle with respect to the axis AX. In addition, the helical winding device 200 repeatedly winds the fiber in a spiral shape so as to hang the fibers around the dome portions at both ends of the mandrel 20.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the fiber processing unit 400 shown in FIG. The fiber processing unit 400 has a substantially cylindrical appearance having an axis that coincides with the axis AX. The fiber processing unit 400 includes an attachment part 480, a chuck part 430, a cutting part 440, a fiber winding part 450, a support part 460, and a drive part 470.

  The attachment portion 480 is a rod-shaped (columnar) member, and is disposed so that the central axis coincides with the axis AX. One end of the attachment portion 480 supports the mandrel 20. As with the attachment jig 315, the attachment portion 480 is rotated around the axis by a drive mechanism (not shown).

  The chuck part 430 fixes the fiber wound around the mandrel 20. The chuck part 430 includes an inner chuck part 431 and an outer chuck part 432. The inner chuck portion 431 has an annular external shape having a center on the axis AX. The outer chuck part 432 has an outer diameter larger than that of the inner chuck part 431, and has an annular external shape having a center on the axis AX.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the chuck portion 430 and the cutting portion 440 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner chuck portion 431 includes an annular support portion 45 and a plurality of chuck pins 441 arranged on the support portion 45 in a circumferential direction at predetermined intervals. Each chuck pin 441 has a columnar appearance and is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the axis AX. The tip end portion (the end portion in the −X direction) of the chuck pin 441 has a tapered shape in which the diameter becomes smaller toward the −X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the inner chuck portion 431, a gap 47 is provided between two adjacent chuck pins 441. For this reason, the inner side chuck | zipper part 431 has the cyclic | annular external appearance shape by which the recessed part (gap 47) and the convex part (chuck pin 441) are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction. The inner chuck portion 431 is configured to be rotatable along the circumferential direction around the center.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer chuck portion 432 has the same configuration as the inner chuck portion 431. That is, the outer chuck part 432 includes an annular support part (a support part 46 described later) and a plurality of chuck pins 442 arranged on the support part in a circumferential direction at a predetermined interval. Since the shape of each chuck pin 442 is the same as the shape of the chuck pin 441 of the inner chuck portion 431 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the outer chuck portion 432, a gap 48 is provided between two chuck pins 442 adjacent to each other. For this reason, the outer side chuck | zipper part 432 has the cyclic | annular external appearance shape by which the recessed part (gap 48) and the convex part (chuck pin 442) are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting portion 440 is disposed inside the inner chuck portion 431 and cuts the end portion of the fiber wound around the mandrel 20. The cutting part 440 is rotationally driven along the inner periphery of the inner chuck part 431 by a driving part (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fiber winding portion 450 has an annular appearance shape and is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the support portion 460. The fiber winding unit 450 winds the fiber after the fiber is cut. The support portion 460 includes a large number of columnar members extending along the X-axis direction and an annular member that supports these columnar members, and supports the chuck portion 430, the attachment portion 480, and the drive portion 470.

  The drive unit 470 drives some constituent members among the constituent members of the fiber processing unit 400. For example, the drive unit 470 moves (rotates) the inner chuck portion 431 along the circumferential direction. The drive unit 470 moves the chuck unit 430 and the support unit 460 along the X-axis direction. Further, the drive unit 470 rotates the cutting unit 440 along the inner circumference of the inner chuck unit 431. The drive unit 470 rotates the attachment unit 480 around the axis.

  When the manufacturing method of the tank mentioned later is performed using the fiber winding apparatus 10 provided with the said structure, when cut | disconnecting a fiber after a fiber is wound around the mandrel 20, while being able to suppress a fiber shift, it cut | disconnects Later, the spread of the fiber can be suppressed.

  The helical winding device 200 described above corresponds to the fiber winding device and the fiber winding portion in the claims. Further, the chuck portion 430 is in the fiber fixing portion in the claims, the chuck pin 441 in the inner chuck portion 431 is in the columnar member and the first convex portion in the claims, and the gap 47 in the inner chuck portion 431 is in the first concave portion in the claims. The chuck pin 442 in the outer chuck portion 432 corresponds to the columnar member and the second convex portion in the claims, and the gap 48 in the outer chuck portion 432 corresponds to the second concave portion in the claims.

A2. Tank manufacturing:
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a tank manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The mandrel 20 is attached to the fiber winding device 10 (step S105). In the process of step S105, the mandrel 20 is supported by the fiber processing unit 400 (attachment portion 480) and the attachment jig 315. At this time, the attachment portion 480 is inserted into the base portion of the mandrel 20.

  The fiber is wound around the mandrel 20 by the hoop winding device 100 and the helical winding device 200 (step S110). In this embodiment, the fiber is first hoop-wound on the mandrel 20 by the hoop winding device 100, and then the fiber is helically wound on the fiber hoop-wound by the mandrel 20 by the helical winding device 200.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a part of the processing of the tank manufacturing method in the embodiment. In FIG. 5, the uppermost row schematically shows the process of step S110. In FIG. 5, the second step from the top is the processing of steps S115, S120, and S125 described later, the third step from the top is the processing of step S130, which will be described later, and the lowest step is the processing of steps S140 and S145, which will be described later. This is shown schematically. In FIG. 5, for convenience of illustration, only one dome portion 22 is clearly shown out of the two dome portions of the mandrel 20, and the other dome portion is omitted. Moreover, in FIG. 5, the attachment part 480 with which the fiber processing unit 400 is provided is abbreviate | omitted for convenience of illustration.

  As shown in the uppermost part of FIG. 5, the fiber is wound around the mandrel 20 after step S <b> 110 is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the chuck portion 430 moves (advances) in the −X direction (step S115). When this step S115 is executed, the chuck pins 441 and 442 pierce the fiber bundle extending radially from the helical winding device 200 toward the mandrel 20, and each fiber enters the gap 47 and the gap 48 in the chuck portion 430. Get in.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the fibers fb arranged in the chuck portion 430 after step S115 is executed. FIG. 6 shows a state when the chuck portion 430 and the mandrel 20 are viewed in the direction (+ X direction) from the second support base 311 toward the first support base 310. In FIG. 6, the helical winding device 200 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the chuck pins 442 of the outer chuck portion 432 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction in the annular support portion 46.

  As each chuck pin 441 and 442 pierces the fiber bundle, as shown in FIG. 6, each fiber fb fed out from the helical winding device 200 has a gap 47 in the inner chuck portion 431 and a gap 48 in the outer chuck portion 432. It will be arranged over.

  As shown in FIG. 4, after the chuck portion 430 moves forward, the fibers located between the helical winding device 200 and the mandrel 20 are fixed by the chuck portion 430 (step S120). In the present embodiment, as indicated by the black arrows in FIG. 6, the inner chuck 431 is rotated and moved by a predetermined angle d1 by the driving unit 470, whereby each fiber fb is moved between the inner chuck 431 and the outer chuck 432. Fix it with a pinch. The above-mentioned “fix” has a broad meaning including not only that the position of the fiber fb is not shifted but also that the position shift of the fiber fb is suppressed compared to before the execution of step S115.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fiber is wound around the support portion 460 by the helical winding device 200 (step S <b> 125). As shown in the second stage from the top in FIG. 5, the helical winding device 200 moves in the + X direction from the uppermost stage in FIG. 4, and the fiber fb is wound around the support portion 460. In addition, in the 2nd step | paragraph from the top of FIG. 5, although the winding amount of the fiber to the support part 460 is about 6 rounds, it can also be made into 2-3 rounds.

  Each fiber is cut by the cutting unit 440 (step S130). As described above, the cutting unit 440 cuts each fiber by rotating and moving along the inner circumference of the inner chuck portion 431. Therefore, the cutting position of each fiber includes a portion fixed by the chuck portion 430, and a mandrel. It is between the part already wound around 20.

  As shown in the third row from the top in FIG. 5, the cut fibers fb are fixed by the chuck portion 430, so that the ends of the cut fibers fb are prevented from spreading. For this reason, it is suppressed that each fb spreads and it becomes entangled with the surrounding equipment and the fiber wound around the mandrel 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, after each fiber is cut, the mandrel 20 is removed from the fiber winding device 10 (step S135). The inner chuck portion 431 is driven to rotate, and the fibers fixed by the chuck portion 430 are released (step S140). In step S140, the inner chuck portion 431 is rotationally driven in the opposite direction to step S120 by the same amount (angle) as the movement amount in step S120. The fiber that has been wound between the chuck portion 430 and the helical winding device 200 is wound by the fiber winding portion 450 (step S145).

  As shown in the lowermost stage of FIG. 5, the fibers fb fixed by the chuck portion 430 are released, and the fibers wound around the support portion 460 are taken up by the fiber winding portion 450. Therefore, after the fixing is released, the fibers arranged between the helical winding device 200 and the chuck portion 430 are restrained from being entangled with the equipment already positioned around and the fibers already wound around the mandrel 20. The

  The mandrel 20 removed from the fiber winding device 10 is heated (step S150). By this heating, the thermosetting resin impregnated in the fiber is cured, and the tank is completed. In addition, you may cut | disconnect the excess fiber which exists ahead of the nozzle | cap | die part 21 (+ X direction) between step S140 and step S150.

  As described above, according to the tank manufacturing method of the embodiment, each fiber fb is fixed between the portion already wound around the mandrel 20 and the helical winding device 200, and then fixed by the chuck portion 430. And the part already wound around the mandrel 20 is cut. Therefore, when the fibers fb are cut, the fibers fb can be prevented from shifting, so that the cutting of the fibers fb can be completed in a short time and the fibers can be cut at an accurate position. In addition, since each fiber fb immediately after cutting remains fixed by the chuck portion 430, each fiber fb after cutting spreads out and is prevented from being entangled with equipment located in the vicinity or fibers wound around the mandrel 20. it can. For this reason, the failure of the equipment located in the periphery and the quality deterioration of a tank can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the fiber winding device 10 of the embodiment, the chuck portion 430 includes the inner chuck portion 431 having a plurality of chuck pins 441 arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, and a predetermined amount in the circumferential direction. And the outer chuck portion 432 having a plurality of chuck pins 442 arranged side by side at intervals, so that the fibers fed out from the helical winding device 200 and radially arranged toward the mandrel 20 can be fixed securely.

  Further, since the chuck part 430 can fix and release each fiber fb by moving (rotating) the inner chuck part 431 by a predetermined angle, switching between fixing and releasing (opening) each fiber fb. Can be easily performed. In addition, the amount of fiber used for fixing can be reduced as compared with a technique of winding and fixing a fiber a plurality of times. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the amount of fibers that may deteriorate due to the use for fixing.

  Moreover, since the fiber released from the fixation is wound by the fiber winding unit 450, it is possible to suppress the fibers wound around the support unit 460 from being loosened and entangled with the fibers wound around the peripheral equipment and the mandrel 20. . In addition, since the fiber is wound by the fiber winding unit 450, even when the fiber is cut at a position close to the mandrel 20, the spread of the remaining fiber can be suppressed. Therefore, since the fiber can be cut at a position close to the mandrel 20, it is possible to prevent the quality of the tank from being deteriorated due to the cut fiber being wound around the mandrel 20.

  Further, the cutting part 440 is disposed inside the inner chuck part 431, and cuts the fiber fb by rotating along the inner periphery of the inner chuck part 431. Therefore, the fiber fb is located at a position near the fixed part. Can be cut. For this reason, the shift | offset | difference of the fiber fb at the time of a cutting | disconnection can be suppressed more.

  Further, the chuck pin 441 has a columnar appearance, and the fiber fb is disposed in the gap 47 between the two adjacent chuck pins 441, so that the fiber fb is detached from the chuck portion 430. Can be suppressed. The chuck pin 442 has the same effect.

B. Variations:
B1. Modification 1:
Although the external shape of the chuck pins 441 and 442 in the above-described embodiment is a columnar shape with a tapered tip, the present invention is not limited to such a shape.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a first configuration of a chuck pin in a modified example. The chuck pin 44a shown in FIG. 7 includes a proximal end portion 41a, a connection portion 42a, and a distal end portion 43a. The base end portion 41 a has a cylindrical appearance and is connected to the support portion 45 or the support portion 46. The connecting portion 42a is located between the proximal end portion 41a and the distal end portion 43a. The connection part 42a has an external shape whose outer diameter becomes smaller (thinner) from the both ends toward the center along the longitudinal direction. The distal end portion 43a is located at the end opposite to the base end portion 41a and has a substantially conical appearance. According to the chuck pin 44a having such an external shape, a relatively large gap can be formed between the two adjacent connecting portions 42a in the two adjacent chuck pins 44a, so that a plurality of fibers can be accommodated in the gap. For this reason, even when the number of fibers fed out from the helical winding device 200 is large, each fiber can be reliably fixed. In addition, since the maximum diameter of the distal end portion 43a is larger than the minimum diameter of the connection portion 42a, the distal end portion 43a serves as a barrier, and the fibers accommodated between the two adjacent connection portions 42a come off (disengage) from the chuck portion 430. Can be suppressed.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a second configuration of the chuck pin in the modified example. The chuck pin 44b shown in FIG. 8 includes a proximal end portion 41b, a connection portion 42b, and a distal end portion 43b. The base end portion 41a has the same configuration as the base end portion 41a of the chuck pin 44a shown in FIG. Similarly, the tip portion 43b has the same configuration as the tip portion 43a of the chuck pin 44a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting portion 42b has a conical appearance shape whose diameter decreases (thinns) from the end portion on the base end portion 41b side toward the end portion on the tip end portion 43b side. The minimum diameter of the connection portion 42b (the diameter of the end portion on the distal end portion 43b side) is smaller than the maximum diameter of the distal end portion 43b (the diameter of the end portion on the connection portion 42b side) and the maximum diameter of the base end portion 41b. Such a chuck pin 44b has the same effect as the chuck pin 44a shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a third configuration of the chuck pin in the modified example. The chuck pin 44c shown in FIG. 9 includes a proximal end portion 41c, a connection portion 42c, and a distal end portion 43c. The base end portion 41c has the same configuration as the base end portion 41a of the chuck pin 44a shown in FIG. Similarly, the connection part 42c is the same as the connection part 42b of the chuck pin 44b shown in FIG. However, the connecting portion 42c is different from the connecting portion 42b of the chuck pin 44b shown in FIG. 8 in that chamfering is performed. As shown in FIG. 9, the distal end portion 43 c has a fishhook-like appearance. According to such a chuck pin 44c, the fiber fb can be reliably held at the boundary portion between the tip portion 43c and the connection portion 42c, and therefore, the fiber fb can be further prevented from being detached from the chuck portion 430. Also in the chuck pin 44c, the minimum diameter of the connecting portion 42c is smaller than the maximum diameter of the distal end portion 43b and the maximum diameter of the proximal end portion 41b.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fourth configuration of the chuck pin in the modified example. The chuck pin 44d shown in FIG. 10 includes a proximal end portion 41d, a connection portion 42d, and a distal end portion 43d. The base end portion 41d has the same configuration as the base end portion 41a of the chuck pin 44a shown in FIG. Similarly, the tip portion 43d has the same configuration as 43a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 42d has an external shape in which a part of the cylindrical surface is cut. Since the external shape is a shape that is deepened toward the distal end portion 43d, the diameter of the connection portion 42d becomes smaller toward the distal end portion 43d. Such a chuck pin 44d has the same effect as the chuck pins 44a to 44c. Also in the chuck pin 44d, the minimum diameter of the connecting portion 42d is smaller than the maximum diameter of the distal end portion 43d and the maximum diameter of the proximal end portion 41b.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fifth configuration of the chuck pin in the modified example. The chuck pin 44e shown in FIG. 11 includes a proximal end portion 42e and a distal end portion 43e. Unlike the other chuck pins 44a to 44d in the modified example, the chuck pin 44e has a thin plate-like appearance shape with a constant thickness. The base end part 42e has a rectangular external shape in plan view. The distal end portion 43e has an external shape that decreases in width from the end in contact with the base end 42e toward the opposite end in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the distal end portion 43e has an external shape that is trapezoidal in plan view. Such a chuck pin 44e has the same effect as the chuck pins 441 and 442 in the above-described embodiment.

  The chuck pins having the first to fifth configurations in the above-described modifications may be employed instead of at least one of the chuck pins 441 and the chuck pins 442 in the above-described embodiment.

B2. Modification 2:
In the embodiment described above, the resin impregnated in the fiber is an epoxy resin, but it is not limited to an epoxy resin, and any resin may be adopted. For example, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a melamine resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, or the like may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the fiber wound around the mandrel 20 is a carbon fiber impregnated with a thermosetting resin, but instead of or in addition to the carbon fiber, glass fiber or aramid. Arbitrary fibers such as fibers may be used. Even in such a configuration, after the fiber wound around the mandrel 20 is cut, the spread of the end of the fiber can be suppressed, and the looseness of the fiber wound around the mandrel 20 can be suppressed.

B3. Modification 3:
In the above-described embodiment, the fibers are cut by the cutting unit 440 included in the fiber winding device 10 (fiber processing unit 400) in step S130, but the fibers are cut by a cutting means different from the cutting unit 440. May be. Specifically, for example, a configuration in which fibers are cut using a cutting device (cutter) prepared separately from the fiber winding device 10 may be employed. According to this configuration, the fiber winding device 10 (fiber processing unit 400) can omit the cutting portion.

B4. Modification 4:
In the embodiment described above, the chuck portion 430 fixes the fiber fb by rotating only the inner chuck portion 431 of the inner chuck portion 431 and the outer chuck portion 432 by a predetermined angle. Instead of the part 431 or in addition to the inner chuck part 431, the outer chuck part 432 may be rotated to fix the fiber fb. That is, generally, a configuration in which at least one of the inner chuck portion 431 and the outer chuck portion 432 is rotationally moved to fix the fiber fb may be employed.

B5. Modification 5:
In the embodiment described above, the chuck portion 430 is configured by the inner chuck portion 431 and the outer chuck portion 432. However, instead of such a configuration, an arbitrary configuration capable of fixing the fiber may be employed. Even in such a configuration, before cutting each fiber fb, each fiber fb is fixed between the portion already wound around the mandrel 20 and the helical winding device 200, so that each fiber fb is cut. It is possible to prevent the fibers fb from being displaced.

B6. Modification 6:
In the above-described embodiment, the high-pressure gas tank used in the fuel cell system is manufactured. However, instead of the high-pressure gas tank, a high-pressure gas tank used for any other application may be manufactured. Moreover, you may manufacture the tank which can store other arbitrary fluids, such as a liquid, not only a high pressure gas tank.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments and the modifications corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary section of the invention are to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or In order to achieve part or all of the effects, replacement or combination can be performed as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fiber winding apparatus 20 ... Mandrel 21 ... Base part 22 ... Dome part 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 42e ... Base end part 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d ... Connection part 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e ... Tip 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e ... chuck pin 45 ... support 46 ... support 47 ... gap 48 ... gap 100 ... hoop winding device 102 ... frame 104 ... winding table 105 ... center hole 106 ... holder 107 ... Bobbin 108 ... first guide yarn supplying portion 109 ... second guide yarn supplying portion 200 ... helical winding device 202 ... frame 204 ... yarn supplying ring 206 ... center hole 210 ... creel device 211 ... bobbin 212 ... yarn supplying guide 300 ... Base 302 ... First rail 304 ... Second rail 310 ... First support base 311 ... First 2 support base 312 ... base 314 ... support arm 315 ... mounting jig 400 ... fiber processing unit 430 ... chuck part 431 ... inner chuck part 432 ... outer chuck part 440 ... cutting part 441 ... chuck pin 442 ... chuck pin 450 ... fiber Winding portion 460 ... support portion 470 ... drive portion 480 ... mounting portion AX ... shaft fb ... fiber

Claims (10)

A tank manufacturing method comprising:
(A) using a fiber winding device, winding a fiber around a tank container-like mandrel;
(B) fixing the fiber between an existing portion wound around the mandrel and the fiber winding device;
(C) cutting the fiber between the fixed portion fixed in the step (b) and the existing portion;
A method for manufacturing a tank. In the manufacturing method of the tank in Claim 1,
The step (a)
(A1) arranging the fiber winding device so as to surround an outer periphery of the mandrel;
(A2) a step of unwinding a plurality of the fibers from the fiber winding device and winding the fibers around the mandrel;
With
The step (b) is a step of fixing the plurality of fibers between the existing portion and the fiber winding device using a fiber fixing device,
The fiber fixing device is:
An annular inner chuck portion having a center on the central axis of the mandrel and in which first concave portions and first convex portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction;
An outer chuck portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the inner chuck portion, having a center on a central axis of the mandrel, wherein second concave portions and second convex portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction. An annular outer chuck portion,
Have
The step (b)
(B1) disposing the plurality of fibers across the first concave portion of the inner chuck portion and the second concave portion of the outer chuck portion, respectively.
(B2) rotating at least one of the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion along the circumferential direction about the center;
A method for manufacturing a tank, comprising: In the manufacturing method of the tank according to claim 1 or 2, further,
(D) releasing the fixing of the fiber between the existing part and the fiber winding device;
(E) a step of winding the fiber that is present between the cut end portion of the fiber and the fiber winding device and is released from the fixation;
A method for manufacturing a tank. In the manufacturing method of the tank according to claim 2,
In the step (c), the cutting device disposed inside the inner chuck portion is rotated along the inner periphery of the inner chuck portion, whereby the plurality of fibers are moved into the fixed portion and the existing portion. Manufacturing method of a tank, which is a step of cutting between the two. A fiber winding device for winding a fiber around a tank container-like mandrel,
A fiber winding part for winding the fiber around the mandrel;
A fiber fixing part for fixing the fiber between an existing part wound around the mandrel and the fiber winding device;
A cutting portion for cutting the fiber between the fixed portion fixed by the fiber fixing portion and the existing portion;
A fiber winding apparatus comprising: In the fiber winding apparatus according to claim 5,
The fiber winding portion is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the mandrel, and a plurality of the fibers are drawn out and wound around the mandrel.
The fiber fixing part is
An annular inner chuck portion having a center on the central axis of the mandrel and in which first concave portions and first convex portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction;
An outer chuck portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the inner chuck portion, having a center on a central axis of the mandrel, wherein second concave portions and second convex portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction. An annular outer chuck portion,
The plurality of fibers disposed across the first recess of the inner chuck portion and the second recess of the outer chuck portion, and among the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion, A fiber winding apparatus that fixes at least one by rotating along the circumferential direction around the center. In the fiber winding apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
Furthermore, a fiber winding part is provided,
The fiber fixing part fixes the fiber releasably between the existing part and the fiber winding device,
The fiber winding unit is a fiber winding device that exists between the cut end portion of the fiber and the fiber winding device, and winds the fiber that has been released from being fixed. In the fiber winding apparatus according to claim 6,
The fiber winding device, wherein the cutting portion is disposed inside the inner chuck portion and cuts the plurality of fibers by rotating along an inner periphery of the inner chuck portion. In the fiber winding apparatus according to claim 6,
At least one of the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion has a plurality of columnar members arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction,
A fiber winding apparatus in which at least one of the first recess and the second recess is formed by a gap between two adjacent columnar members. In the fiber winding apparatus according to claim 9,
At least one of the inner chuck portion and the outer chuck portion has an annular support portion that supports each of the plurality of columnar members,
Each of the plurality of columnar members is
A base end located at one end in the longitudinal direction of the columnar member and connected to the support;
A distal end located at an end opposite to the proximal end;
A connecting portion located between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and having a minimum diameter smaller than a maximum diameter of the proximal end portion and a maximum diameter of the distal end portion;
A fiber winding device.

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