JP2015516927A - Improved interliner method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for interleaf winding of materials, particularly adhesive, viscous, or tacky materials, the method maintaining the tension of the liner material at the point where the liner material is bonded to the wound material including. [Selection] Figure 6

Description

  This application claims the rights of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 639,297 filed on April 27, 2012 and US Utility Model Patent Application No. 13 / 687,022 filed on November 28, 2012. The entire contents of both documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[Technical field]
The present application relates to an improved method and apparatus for interleaved flyer material between various successive windings where it is not desirable to directly superimpose one winding onto another. Specifically, in accordance with the teachings of the present application, a continuous film or strip of liner material is inserted between successive windings or layers of a first material around a spool, bobbin, or similar core element, particularly in the form of a film or strip. Various materials can be wound at high speed. The apparatus and method are particularly suitable for use in winding adhesive and / or flowable materials, especially prepreg materials, and more particularly slit tape.

  Numerous methods and devices for winding various materials around spools, bobbins, or similar core elements are known, widely available, and commercially practiced. Such windings typically take the form of large rolls such as carpets and newspapers, flat coils such as bow ribbons and open reel recording tape, or spiral or transverse winding shapes such as binding ribbons, cords and prepreg slit tapes. Take. In the latter case, the winding is often performed around a spool or bobbin, the length of which is many times the width of the wound material, and as the winding proceeds, the material to be fed is fed from one end of the spindle. Move back and forth to the other end and gradually form a layer of wound material around the spool or bobbin.

  The winding process described above is typically performed by overlaying one layer on another. However, not all materials are suitable or applicable for laminated winding. Specifically, viscous, sticky or adhesive materials, or materials consisting of flowable materials that flow slowly over time, especially above ambient temperature, are not applicable to continuous lamination and winding, There is a tendency to bond to each other or to deform each other. Winding without support can cause the wound material to break due to high tension in the winding process and even in the unwinding process, so that the wound material is physically integrated or strength and / or bent. There is also a problem of lack of elasticity or extensibility.

  To address these challenges, it is common to use a liner material that is inserted or inserted between successive windings of the wound material. In most cases, the composition and physical properties of these liner materials are selected to meet the needs of a particular winding process. For example, in the case of winding viscous, tacky and / or adhesive materials, the composition is non-tacky material and / or the surface is treated with a release agent or a release agent is applied It is most common to employ a liner that is a liner or serves as a release liner, and the adhesive material prevents the adhesive material from adhering to the liner material itself due to the liner, processing and application characteristics. Where the wound material requires structural support or strength, the liner may be a woven or non-woven fiber or fibrous material, or a high strength polymer membrane.

  Equipment for interleaver material is also well known, widely distributed and used commercially. Generally speaking, an unwinding station having a free rotation axis and a plurality of alignment guide elements is incorporated into a standard winding device. The shaft is configured to hold a spool of flat coil or liner material, and the payout and alignment guide element is coupled with the winding material from the unwinding station while aligning the liner material strip with the winding material. By directing to a winding station, the two layers are configured to overlap each other at a point in time prior to the point of contact with the spool or winding. As discussed above, typically the shaft on which the liner spool is mounted is free to rotate, i.e., the rotation is caused by the tensioning or drawing of the liner material as it is wound on the original material, It is not a motor drive. Given the speed at which any of these winding devices operate, the unwinding station is integral with the shaft, means, elements, or components that provide a slight resistance to rotation of the shaft and / or the spool of liner material mounted thereon. It is also common to make or associate. The resistance is so small that it allows unwinding of the liner material with minimal tension from the winding process, but the shaft continues to rotate freely with the accompanying unwinding of the liner material even if the winding process stops suddenly Is prevented.

  Regardless of the above, the advantage as a resistance means prevents unlimited unwinding if the device suddenly stops and introduces new problems to the liner's own unwinding. Specifically, as the spool of winding material grows and the liner spool shrinks, the rotational speed of the shaft holding the liner material increases. Here, as the supply on the shaft decreases, the demand for the liner becomes more and more negative, with the adverse effect that resistance further increases the tension of the liner. At a minimum, this results in the liner material stretching and / or kinking, reducing the width of the liner material and / or making proper alignment between the liner material and the winding material difficult. In the worst case, the liner material can break and force the process to refeed the liner to the winding element. Although reducing the overall winding process speed can somewhat alleviate this problem, slowing the winding process has an economic negative impact on the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process.

  In addition, certain interleaf winding processes can use a liner with the same width as the wound material, for example, if the wound material is structurally strong, stable, non-adhesive, non-tacky, and non-flowable. However, most interleaf or interlining processes must use a liner that is slightly wider than the wound material. This is because the wrapping material is a viscous, sticky, or sticky material, or a flowable material or a material that causes creep during winding, storage, handling, transport, or prior to use, especially a material that includes a spiral or transverse winding process This is especially true for the winding process. For adhesive, viscous, or tacky materials, low alignment between the edges of the wrapping material and the liner material in a high speed winding process or in situations where the liner is narrowed due to increased tension of the liner during payout A wide tape is required to deal with accuracy. A wide liner prevents the material from passing through the edge of the liner and joining and / or deforming with the underlying layers and / or adjacent windings when the wound material is floated or creeped.

  However, whether the process involves one or both of the above issues, in any event, it will ultimately adversely affect the processing rate and usability of the final product. Specifically, if the winding speed must be adjusted to address defects in the overall winding process or to eliminate or reduce out-of-specification products, the overall efficiency and cost are adversely affected. Similarly, if the material is bonded or deformed with the underlying layer or adjacent winding, it is likely that the unwinding process will vary greatly or the winding itself will be lost entirely. For example, if a layer or winding is combined or deformed with another layer or winding, it is likely that the combined or deformed winding will break or simply fail to unwind while the layer is unrolled. In the former case, all or most of the wound material is wasted, and in the latter case, the unrolling may lead to a complete stop of the manufacturing process in which the wound material is used. Of course, not all situations lead to catastrophic scenarios as described above. However, the final product made from a wound material can change the size of the material that can be pulled out even if it appears to be a slight tear or hook caused by one winding slightly combined with another winding or cause defects. Trigger sensors that monitor changes in material tension as if they had been fed out and stop the process for material inspection to ensure integrity and standards-compliant properties There is a case to let you.

  Although the winding and unwinding processes have been improved and advanced, there is still a need for an interleaf process that provides a constant or nearly constant tension as the liner material is wound regardless of line speed.

  There is also a need for an interleaf process that provides high-speed winding with high alignment accuracy between the liner and the wound material, especially when winding adhesive, viscous, tacky and / or flowable materials.

  Finally, a high speed interleaf winding process is also desired that allows the width of the liner to be the same as or approximately the same as the width of the wound material in the flow and / or adhesive, tacky, or viscous material windings.

  In accordance with the present teachings, an improved method of interleaf winding of a material that is not constant, if not constant, at the point at which the liner material is combined with the winding material throughout the winding process ("bonding point"). An improved method is provided having the step of maintaining tension on a constant liner material. In particular, an improved interleaf winding method, which includes a change in tension of the liner material and / or the rate at which the interleaf material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source and the interleaf material. Detecting a change in speed wound in the winding process and, in response, detecting at least temporarily the speed at which the liner material is withdrawn from the liner source to maintain tension on the liner material at the point of attachment. And an improved interleaf winding method is provided. The change in velocity can be determined by a switch or sensor that detects a change in liner length from the liner source to the bond point, or a sensor that detects a change in the tension of the liner material itself. The increase or acceleration of the rate at which the liner material is supplied or drawn from the liner source may be passive, such as a reduction or elimination of interference or speed control associated with the liner source, and from the liner source. The liner supply may be active, such as motor driven acceleration or acceleration. In a preferred embodiment, the source of liner material is a wound liner spool, and the tension of the liner material is monitored by a sensor or trigger mechanism in the liner path and the length of the liner between the source and the winding spool. If there is a change in the tension and / or tension, the rotation of the spool of liner material is increased or temporarily accelerated. The rise or temporary acceleration is motor driven. In the case of the latter tension change, the liner path includes a tensioning device in between the liner supply and the winding spool so that liner slack caused by ascent or temporary acceleration is wound up instantaneously and the tensioning device A liner tension intermediate to the winding spool is maintained.

  According to a second aspect of the present application, there is an improved method of material interleaf winding, the improvement being substantially constant if not constant at the coupling point throughout the closed loop winding process and optionally throughout the winding operation. An improved method is provided that includes employing a double grooved roller element that aligns the winding material and liner while maintaining the tension of the liner material. With the adoption of double groove rollers, the process performs more accurate and faster winding, as evidenced by fewer off-spec products compared to products manufactured with the same system that does not use double groove rollers. can do. Out-of-specification products are manifested by misalignment of one of the liners or wound material, or by ridges, overhangs, wrinkles, etc.

  According to a third aspect of the present application, there is an improved method of material interleaf winding, which provides high speed winding with higher accuracy and less liner demand, the improvement throughout the entire winding operation. Maintaining a substantially constant, if not constant, liner tension at the point of attachment, employing a double groove roller element to align the winding material and liner, and the same or approximately the same width as the winding material Employing a liner material having

  The present invention also provides an improved apparatus for an interleaf winding process comprising elements configured and aligned to maintain a constant tension of the liner material at the point of attachment throughout the winding process. Specifically, in an interleaf winding apparatus comprising a source of winding material, a source of liner material, and a winding element, it is associated with the liner path and is detected and intermediate between the liner source and the coupling point. An adjustment system is provided and the detection and adjustment system detects changes in the tension of the liner and / or changes in the speed at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source and the speed at which the liner material is wound into the winding process. And at least temporarily adjusting the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source in response to the detection. The detection and adjustment system includes as detection components (i) a switch or sensor that detects a change in liner length from the source to the coupling point, or (ii) a sensor that detects a change in tension of the liner material itself, and the adjustment component. (I) a motor associated with the supply of the liner from the liner source and capable of at least temporarily accelerating the speed at which the liner is withdrawn from the liner source, or (ii) the liner is supplied from the liner source Or a controller that reduces or eliminates the effects of the device employed to obstruct or add resistance to the drawn speed. In a preferred embodiment, the source of liner material is a wound liner spool, and the tension of the liner material is monitored by a sensor or trigger mechanism in the liner path, including the liner unwinding station itself, Upon detection of a change in length and / or tension, the rotation of the liner material spool is raised or temporarily accelerated, the lift or temporary acceleration being motor driven. Most preferably, the apparatus further comprises a tensioning device intermediate the liner supply and the winding spool, and instantly winds up the liner slack caused by ascent or temporary acceleration, thereby providing a tensioning device and a winding spool. The liner tension in between is maintained.

  According to yet another aspect, the present application provides a detector for detecting a change in a rate at which interleaf material is supplied or withdrawn from a liner source and / or a rate at which the interleaf material is wound into a winding process; In response, to a detection and adjustment system used in an interleaf winding process comprising: a speed adjustment device that at least temporarily adjusts a speed at which liner material is supplied or drawn from a liner source. The interaction between the detector and the speed sensing device maintains a substantially constant, if not constant, tension in the liner material at the point where the winding material and liner are joined for winding (again, the “joining point”). be able to. In a preferred embodiment, the detection and adjustment system comprises (i) a plurality of rollers defining a liner path, two of which are relative to a third roller intermediate between the two along the liner path. A fixed, third roller is moved from the other two rollers to be fixed between a first point that defines a liner path of operating length that is preset or determined by the user between the two fixed rollers Between a second point that defines a liner path of an operating length that is near one or both of the rollers and that is shorter than a length associated with the first point of reciprocation, preset or determined by the user A plurality of reciprocating rollers; (ii) a direct or indirect movement of a third roller indicating a shortened liner path or a change in liner material tension between at least two fixed rollers (Iii) associated with the detector or sensor and forms part of the detector or sensor, or can be incorporated into the detector or sensor, directly to the motor associated with the supply of liner material Or indirectly, commanding a response element that at least temporarily accelerates the speed at which the liner is unwound from the liner supply in response to a defined movement of the third roller.

  The response element may be a mechanical element, such as a lever, associated with a detector that directly or indirectly operates the motor in association with a source of liner material, or transmits an electronic signal directly or indirectly to the motor. Or an electronic device or system that triggers the operation of the motor when a circuit is associated with the detector or sensor and the movement of the third roller is disconnected, or vice versa. As described above, the third roller can reciprocate, preferably slack that can occur in the liner material from an increase or acceleration in the liner material feed rate is taken up by the third roller and the tension of the liner material. Or it is biased away from the fixed roller so that tension is maintained between the third roller and the next fixed roller. This reciprocating motion may also be configured to stop the increase or acceleration of the liner material feed rate. For example, when the third roller moves backward away from the fixed roller, when the electric circuit is started, the circuit can be appropriately cut or started to stop the operation of the motor that has been previously triggered.

  The tension or tension of the liner material is maintained using a biasing means associated with the reciprocating or third roller, which biases the third non-fixed roller to the two second rollers when no other force is applied. Energize to a point away from the two fixed rollers. Exemplary biasing means include, but are not limited to, a string spring, a coil spring, a pneumatic cylinder, a counterweight, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the response element is associated with a shaft on which a spool of liner material is mounted. Electronic signal transmission means for operating the motor.

  According to yet another embodiment of the improved apparatus described above, the improved apparatus further comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of roller elements intermediate the winding element and the reciprocating or third roller of the tensioning device. The roller is a double groove roller. Preferably, the improvement includes the use of at least two double groove rollers intermediate the second fixed and winding rollers of the tensioning system. Most preferably, the double groove roller is employed in a winding system having a closed loop structure. Through the use of double groove rollers, the winding material stretches and / or liners beyond the edge of the liner during the winding process by greatly improving the alignment and consistency of the winding and liner material even at high operating speeds. It has been found that the misalignment between the wound material and the liner, as indicated by the material twist, is significantly reduced if not eliminated, and the winding process is accelerated with fewer defects, and the speed of production Quality can be improved. The use of double groove rollers also allows the use of a liner material having the same or substantially the same width as the wound material in spiral or transverse windings, further improving the overall process, especially in terms of cost due to relaxed liner requirements. .

  The apparatus and processes described herein are applicable to most winding processes in which a liner or interliner material is used. In particular, it is applicable to processes in which the wound material is a material that exhibits fluidity and / or adhesion, viscosity, or tackiness. In particular, the apparatus and process are particularly suitable for winding prepreg materials, particularly materials having a width that must be wound in a spiral or transverse winding. The present teachings are particularly applicable and useful for slitting and winding prepreg materials, particularly thermoset or thermoplastic impregnated fiber materials having fibers that are longitudinally parallel (along the tow axis).

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, should also be read. Like reference symbols refer to like parts in the various drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of four head prepreg tape slitting and winding devices incorporating an interleaf device of the present teachings. FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of a closed loop interleaf winding apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present teachings. 2B is a schematic elevational view of the closed loop interleaf winding apparatus of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of another alignment of a closed loop interleaf winding apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present teachings. 3B is a schematic elevational view of the closed loop interleaf winding apparatus of FIG. 3A. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a double groove roller employed in the apparatus of FIG. 2A. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a single groove roller employed in the apparatus of FIG. 3A. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a closed loop interleaf winding device according to a preferred embodiment of the present teachings. FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the closed-loop interleaf winding device of FIG. 6 in a first position. 8 is a schematic top view of the closed-loop interleaf winding device of FIG. 6 in a second position. FIG. 9A is a schematic view of the movement of the armature of the interleaf tensioning device. FIG. 9B is a schematic view of the movement of the armature of the interleaf tensioning device. FIG. 9C is a schematic view of the movement of the armature of the interleaf tensioning device. FIG. 9D is a schematic view of the movement of the armature of the interleaf tensioning device. FIG. 9E is a schematic view of the movement of the armature of the interleaf tensioning device. FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a string spring type interleaf tension applying armature. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an extension position of the string spring type interleaf tension applying armature of FIG. 10. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a retracted position of the string-wound spring system interleaf tension applying armature of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of a coil spring interleaf tension applying armature. 12A is a schematic rear side view of the coil spring interleaf tension applying armature of FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the armature coil spring tensioning device of FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of a pneumatic / hydraulic tensioning armature. 15 is a partial schematic rear view of the pneumatic / hydraulic tensioning armature of FIG. 16A is a schematic front view showing three operating points of the piston spring / pneumatic tensioning armature of FIG. 16B is a schematic front view showing three operating points of the piston spring / pneumatic tensioning armature of FIG. FIG. 16C is a schematic front view showing the three operating points of the piston spring / pneumatic tensioning armature of FIG. FIG. 17A is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating the tensioning armature moving from one end to the other end in a dual switch tensioning armature device. FIG. 17B is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating the tensioning armature moving from one end to the other end in a dual switch tensioning armature device. FIG. 17C is a schematic sequence diagram showing the tensioning armature moving from one end to the other end in a dual switch tensioning armature device. FIG. 17D is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating the tensioning armature moving from one end to the other end in a dual switch tensioning armature device. FIG. 17E is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating the tensioning armature moving from one end to the other end in a dual switch tensioning armature device. FIG. 18 is a view showing a “U” -shaped guide element.

  As used in this specification and the appended claims, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

  “Flowable materials” are those that are likely to be added to the material during application / use, handling, storage, and / or transportation (except those that are intentionally added to cause curing or flow). And / or solids that creep, flow, or move under pressure applied during application, handling, winding, storage, and / or transportation (again excluding temperatures intentionally applied to cause curing or flow) , Semi-solid, gel-like, or putty-like material. Typically, the flowable material creeps, flows or moves and / or flows without visible physical changes at temperatures below about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, more typically below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A material that creeps, flows or moves under its own weight in stock winding.

  The term “interleaf winding” means that a tow of continuous length stock material, especially a thermoset or prepreg stock material, is combined with a continuous length liner or interliner material and wound around a spool, hub, spindle, etc. , Refers to the process in which the stock material is isolated or separated from the pre-wound stock material by winding with the liner material. Winding perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the winding shows two spirals, one of which is stock material and the other is liner material, one of which is sandwiched between successive layers of the other material. Also, the terms liner and interliner used herein are used interchangeably.

  The expressions “non-constant but substantially constant tension” and “constant tension” refer to sufficient tension or tension on the liner material at the bond point to prevent lateral and cross-axis swinging and / or twisting of the liner material. It means that positive tension is applied. Although not preferred, it does not necessarily mean that the level of tension is kept constant. While it is desirable to maintain a constant or nearly constant level of tension on the liner tow at or just before the point of attachment, it is not essential as long as the required or positive tension is maintained at that point. In this regard, as described below, the liner tow tension level is understood in part to be a function of the liner tensioning device of the present teachings. Maintaining tension in the liner material can minimize, if not prevent, winding unevenness, slack, or irregularities and / or misalignment between the liner and stock material. Generally speaking, the tension of the liner is determined by a biasing means associated with the liner tensioning device and a function of the physical properties of the liner material, as described below, and / or beyond a predetermined level that is a function. Don't be.

  The present teachings relate to an improved method and apparatus for interleaf winding of a material, including incorporating a liner tensioning device in the path of the liner material before the point where the liner and wound material are joined ("join point"). The liner tensioning device is configured to maintain a tension or positive tension of the liner material immediately before and / or at the joining point. Specifically, the tensioning device includes: a) a change in the tension of the liner material while being combined with the wound material, and / or b) the rate at which the interleaf material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source and the interleaf. Detecting a change in the speed at which material is wound into the winding process, and if the detected change exceeds a predetermined or preset limit, the tensioning device may cause the liner material to be withdrawn from the liner material source and / or Adjustment of the speed at which it is fed to the coupling point, preferably temporary acceleration, is performed directly or indirectly.

  The apparatus and method of the present teachings can be applied to any winding process where a liner is required or desired, but the material to be rolled is a fluid and / or adhesive, viscous, or tacky material, and a sheet It is particularly applicable to the winding process of materials that take the form of strips, ropes and the like. In particular, the apparatus and process are particularly suitable for winding prepreg materials, ie thermosetting resins such as woven and non-woven fiber materials or thermoplastic impregnated fiber materials. In particular, the present teachings are typically master rolls of carbon fiber unidirectional fibers (also known as parent rolls) impregnated with curable resins such as, but not limited to, epoxies, cyanates, bismaleimides, phenols, polyimides, etc. Applicable to slitting and winding processes of prepreg material with a “continuous” master sheet. Slit products are conventionally known as “slit tape”.

  To better understand the present teachings, attention is directed to FIG. 1, which shows an exemplary slitting and winding system 1 having four spool stations 10. For convenience, the prepreg material is described as being converted into slit tape, ie, a thin strip of prepreg material. However, as described above, the process and apparatus is applicable to any material that can be slit and wound, particularly any material that requires an interliner. Further, although the apparatus and process describe the most important and basic elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many other components necessary for proper operation, such as additional rollers, guide elements, and drive motors, and You will understand that the elements are present in the actual system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the process is a continuous end-to-end process having two main operation centers, a conversion center 2 and a winding center 3. The entire process begins with a master roll 5 of prepreg material 21 and ends in this figure with four spools 26 of slit tape 22 having a continuous length of liner material 24 in the middle of each winding of the slit tape. Between these two ends are provided not only various operations and devices for converting the prepreg material 21 into the slit tape 22, but also a number of auxiliary elements such as rollers, tension controllers, guide elements as required. . Only a few of these elements are shown and there are many elements not shown, which are obvious to those skilled in the art.

  The conversion center normally performs two operations, preferably a splicing operation and a slitting operation, in this order. As will be described later, the splicing operation is optional, but is particularly important for the manufacture of slit tape. In the illustrated process, when the prepreg material 21 is unwound from the master roll 5, it first faces the splicer 6. A splicer can produce a slit tape spool of a specified length regardless of the length of a master roll by connecting the end of a master roll to the start of another master roll when it runs out Adopted to be. Splicers typically include heating and pressure elements (not shown) that simplify splicing. The splicing station preferably cleans the back and / or front end of each master roll, replaces the master roll with a new master roll of the same or different slitting material, or liner material, polymer membrane, or non-woven polymer. Cutting a knife, cool laser, microknife, etc. to insert a filling material roll such as a fiber sheet, to complete the slitting and winding operations of the material to be slitting and winding while priming the device for future use Means can also be incorporated. The last case is typically performed in preparation for equipment shutdown. By priming the device, there is no need to manually supply new material to the entire device when restarting the system with new material, since the path is already primed with the fill material. All that needs to be done is to connect the new roll of slitting material with the filling material and operate the system. The primer material guides the new material through the system to the winder.

  When not performing a splicing operation, the splicing station is simply a passing station and the structure of the splicing station only assists in proper alignment of the sheet material as it enters the slitting station 7. Specifically, the elements of the splicing station associated with the splicing operation or the process itself typically retract or withdraw from the path of the prepreg sheet material and advance to contact the prepreg sheet material when splicing occurs. Only. Since splicing techniques and their associated elements and equipment are well known and commercially available from multiple sources, no further details and explanations are necessary.

  The second operation in which the prepreg material faces at the conversion center is a slitting operation. This is accomplished by the slitter 7 slitting the prepreg material into a predetermined number of tows of the slit tape 22. Slitting can be performed using known methods suitable for the material to be slitted, such as high precision high strength blades, cool lasers, microknives, diamond knives, etc. For prepreg materials, the knife or blade system can be It is preferable to use and cut. Since such systems are well known and commercially available, no further details and explanation are necessary.

  Between the conversion center 2 and the winding center 3, there are a plurality of alignment elements such as rollers, guide posts, guide elements, positioning elements, tension controllers, aligners, etc., all of which are known and used in conventional winding systems. It has been adopted. These alignment elements maintain a constant tension on the slit tape from the slitting station to the appropriate winding station, and finally the desired spool or spindle element, preferably throughout this path. It plays a role of directing. Not all systems employ these elements. For example, a system configured to wind a wide slit tape, i.e., a slit tape that is typically 3 inches wide or greater, wound in a flat coil, is a thin slit tape, i.e., wound across, as shown in FIG. There may be fewer of the above elements than a system that winds slit tape less than 3 inches wide. The wide tape is typically wound on a spool or reel mounted on a single axis facing the exit end of the slitter with minimal tape transfer.

  Conversely, in the case of a narrow slit tape as shown in FIG. 1, the spool station or winding station is typically mounted on one or more vertical walls or support structures, and the winding on each wall or support structure. The stations are preferably in the same plane. The coplanar relationship is particularly preferred because it allows quick access to and removal from the filling spool. Thus, the alignment element realigns the slit tape tows from a substantially horizontal coplanar relationship exiting the slitter to a stacked or vertical relationship reaching the winding center. Further, although the alignment of the spool station shown in FIG. 1 is linear, it will be understood that there is no restriction on the alignment of the vertical wall or support spool station unless one interferes with the operation of the other. For example, the spool stations may be stacked in a plurality of rows, or may be staggered on the upper side and the lower side. In any case, as mentioned above, the system aligns the slit tape and does not damage the slit tape or twist the slit tape along the longitudinal axis from the slitter to the spool station. It includes a number of alignment elements that serve to provide an efficient and unobstructed path.

  The key center of the slitting and winding system 1 related to this improvement is the winding center 3. The winding center has two main functions of winding the slit tape 22 of the spool 26 and inserting the liner material 24 between each winding of the slit tape 22. This process is typically accomplished by a plurality of spool stations 10 each mounted or supported on a vertical wall or support structure (not shown). Usually, each spool station is equipped with a spool, spindle, or bobbin, and has a shaft around which slit tape is wound, and the shaft rotates around the rotation axis so that it is directly or indirectly attached to or engaged with a drive motor. Is done.

  At each spool station, the slit tape is guided to the spool by a plurality of rollers, the positioning roller 16 supplies the slit tape to the coupling point, the alignment roller 18 aligns the slit tape with the liner, and the placement roller 20 Places the combined slit tape and liner on the spool. At the same time, liner device 13 provides liner material 24 from liner material source 12 and aligns the liner material and slit tape 22 for bonding. In accordance with the present teachings, the liner device further comprises a liner tensioning device 14. The particular liner tensioning device shown in FIG. 1 is more clearly shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B (discussed below). However, it should be understood that the liner tensioning device can take other forms and iterations than those taught herein.

  As mentioned above, the main central element of the improved process and apparatus of the present teachings is the liner tensioning system. By combining or retrofitting virtually any number of well-known commercially available elements and incorporating the combination into an existing interleaf winding system, changes in liner material tension and / or liner material feed rate and winding Winding material, commonly used to detect changes in take-up speed and at least temporarily change the speed at which the liner is supplied or withdrawn from the source, directly or indirectly in response to detection of a predetermined parameter In this case, the tension of the liner material or a constant tension is maintained at the time of coupling with the slit tape or just before that. In the simplest iteration, the liner tensioning system comprises detector means, response means and tensioning means.

  The detector means detects a change in the tension of the liner material at or before the coupling point, and / or the rate of liner feed out by the winding spool compared to the rate at which the liner material is fed or withdrawn from the liner source. Configured to detect changes. Preferably, the detector means is provided with or associated with a predetermined parameter, limit, or trigger, and when they are met, sends a signal to the response means that directly or indirectly triggers the response means Or instructing the responding means to at least temporarily accelerate the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source, as described below. Most preferably, once the second preset parameter or trigger is detected by the detector means or parameters, or there is no longer a trigger that triggers the response means, i.e. corrected by the supply acceleration of the liner material The detector means and the response means are interconnected to stop accelerating the delivery or withdrawal speed of the liner material. Typically, the detector means comprises a particular interleaf winding system in which the detector means is incorporated, and one or more switches, sensors, etc. depending on the specific design and elements of the tensioning device.

  Suitable sensors include transducer and load cell tension detectors that detect the tow tension of the liner material, single and triple roller tension transducers, strain gauge sensors, and the like. Alternatively, the sensor can be incorporated into an unwinding unit, such as a shaft to which a spool of liner material is fed, and configured to detect an increase in the withdrawal or pulling rate of the liner material. Such a sensor can also be incorporated into a spool winding motor or shaft to detect an increase in resistance of the winding process. However, this structure is less desirable because resistance can be a problem for the source of winding material.

  Electronic and mechanical switches, especially electronic eyes, electrodes or electrical contacts, are also suitable for this application. In these embodiments, the tensioning device has one or more securing elements and one or more, preferably only one non-fixing element. These elements can take the form of rollers, guides, pins (those that can be passed while maintaining the orientation, preferably without catching the liner). The fixed element comprises or includes at least one switch element and defines the limit of the non-fixed element and, if there are two, the multiple limits of the non-fixed element. Specifically, the primary fixation element, the first fixation element, is placed in an “advanced” position corresponding to the maximum liner tension / minimum liner length between the liner supply and the coupling point. The secondary fixation element, the secondary fixation element, if any, is placed in a “retracted” position corresponding to the minimum liner tension / maximum liner length between the liner source and the coupling point, if any. The retracted position is typically a position that corresponds to a system in rest mode, i.e., non-operating mode. Alternatively, most commonly, the retracted position is consistent with the system in an operating mode where the liner length between the liner source and the coupling point is the maximum inoperable length (which may be a sleep mode). The non-fixed element is associated with the tension and / or length of the liner material and is biased toward the retracted position and may or may not include a portion of the switch or sensor. When tension is low, or when the liner material length between the liner source and the bond point is at or near the minimum length, the non-fixed element is located at or near the secondary anchoring element and retracts when there is no secondary anchoring element Placed in position. Conversely, if the liner tension is high and the liner material length is short, the non-fixed element is located at or near the raised position. However, generally speaking, it is difficult to match the liner feed rate and the winding rate from the winding process, so the non-fixed elements tend to move gradually toward the raised position.

  During processing, when the non-fixed element passes through or comes into contact with the main fixed element, the response means accelerates the rate at which the liner is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source. This acceleration may be a predetermined period, which may be determined by the first fixed element or, if present, the second fixed element. In the former case, the response means may be pre-programmed to accelerate the supply of liner material during a set period or until a predetermined length of material is peeled off. In the latter case, if the trigger is an electrical eye, electrode, or electrical contact, the acceleration of the liner material delivery or withdrawal rate can be continued as long as there is interference with the electrical eye or electrical contact. As the additional liner material is peeled or supplied by biasing the non-fixed element to the retracted position, the non-fixed element retracts toward the retracted position, disconnecting contact with the electrode or electrical contact, or electrical The acceleration of the liner peeling speed is terminated by deviating from the "sight" of the eyes. Alternatively, if a secondary fastening element is present, the acceleration of liner material separation may continue until the non-fixed element passes through or contacts the secondary fastening element. This latter structure effectively provides separate on and off switches, but in each of the previous embodiments, the main fixed element comprises a single on / off switch.

  In yet another embodiment, the fixed element includes an electromechanical switch element, such as a toggle or slide switch, that is moved from one position to another when the non-fixed element passes the switch or contacts the switch. But you can. In this regard, if only the main fixing element is present, the switch is physically moved or operated from the off position to the on position, but in this configuration is biased towards the off position. When contact occurs and the switch is moved to the on position and the liner is peeled off, the non-fixed element is retracted away from the switch by biasing, and the switch is returned to the off position by biasing the switch element of the fixed element. Alternatively, the mechanical switch may include a slide switch in which one part is arranged as a main fixing element and another part is arranged as a sub-fixing element. When the non-fixed element passes through the main fixed element, the switch is slid to the ON position, and at the same time, the switch element of the sub-fixed element is moved. When the liner is peeled, the non-fixed element moves back to the retracted position, contacts the switch element of the sub-fixed element, and retracts the switch element to the off position.

  Finally, it is also conceivable to accelerate the peeling of the liner by moving the device such as a lever by moving the non-fixed element by making the switch a complete mechanical switch. Once the non-fixed element is retracted away from the lever, the lever is biased toward the inoperative position to stop accelerating the liner stripping speed.

  The second essential element of the interliner tensioning device is the response means. The responsive means is an element that can accelerate and / or be configured to accelerate the release (ie, delivery or withdrawal) of the liner material from the liner source. The specific apparatus depends in part on the nature of the liner material source. For example, if the liner source is an unbundled package of liner material, most typically an unbundled liner material pack in a bag, box, or barrel, the liner typically has multiple pinches. The roller is pulled out of the supply source, one of which is motorized or connected to a motor and rotated. A pinch between the motorized roller and the second roller pulls the liner from the liner supply. In order to ensure proper alignment and avoid cleaving, pinch roller devices typically have a small opening, such as a loop element or eyebolt element, or a slit through which the liner passes as it is pulled out of the pinch roller. With other similar elements with. When the trigger or detector element described above is triggered, the pinch roller accelerates the rotational speed and dispenses additional length of liner material.

  Preferably, the liner material is wound around the spool or spindle as either a flat coil or transverse winding, and the spool or spindle is mounted on a shaft that is connected directly or indirectly to the motor. The motor may be active or passive. In the former case, the motor assists in unwinding the liner material and is accelerated to increase the rotational speed of the shaft when started or initiated by the detector means. In this case, the liner material is usually drawn from the liner source by tension while being wound around the winding element by free rotation of the shaft. In the unlikely event that the winding process stops suddenly, the shaft can have a slight drag or resistance to free rotation, preferably in practice, to prevent unintentional peeling of the excess liner material. Have or be configured to have. The amount of drag or resistance is the minimum amount that can easily be overcome by the tension associated with normal winding of the liner material as the liner and slit tape are wound, which in passive systems is It is started by detector means, a motor, preferably a servo motor, which engage and accelerate the rotation of the shaft. The acceleration period may be predetermined, or may be set to operate until a predetermined period or a predetermined amount of liner material is peeled off. Alternatively, the period may be in response to a stimulus or indication of the detector means as will be described in detail later.

  In yet another embodiment, the spool or spindle of liner material is mounted on a shaft with limited rotation and requires some tensile tension on the liner to unwind the liner material. This is a passive liner dispenser where the withdrawal of the liner from the source is the pure line tension of the liner material resulting from the winding process. Most typically, limiting shaft rotation is performed by providing a braking element or similar element that directly or indirectly affects shaft rotation. Specifically, drag or resistance is applied directly to the liner shaft, or directly to the spool or spindle of liner material, to indirectly limit the rotation of the shaft on which the spool or spindle is mounted. In this case, when the detector means is started or started, the restriction on the shaft is released or relaxed, i.e. the tension is already relaxed or released together with the tensioning means as described below. Add tension to the tensioned liner material to accelerate withdrawal from the spool. Once the release or relaxation stimulus is gone, the braking force is applied again.

  The last equally important element of the liner tensioning device is the tensioning means. The tensioning means allows the “additional” liner material to be peeled in response to acceleration of the liner material feed rate or withdrawal rate while maintaining the tension or positive tension of the liner material at or just before the joining point in the winding process. Any device configured or capable of winding. The tensioning means is located in the middle of the liner path between the liner source and the coupling point, most preferably in close proximity to the winding means, typically by a string spring, coil spring, counterweight, or pneumatic or hydraulic device. Energized to increase the tension of the liner material. Many elements can be employed, but as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, typically the tensioning means is from a position corresponding to a long liner material length between the liner source and the coupling point. Employ a dancer element or armature that reciprocates to a position corresponding to the short liner material length between the liner source and the connection point. It can be understood that the tensioning means or part thereof is associated with, comprises or forms part of the detector means, in particular non-fixed elements of the detector means.

  Preferably, the tensioning means comprises two fixed guide elements and one non-fixed guide element intermediate the two fixed guide elements, most preferably the non-fixed element is mounted on a dancer arm or a reciprocating armature. The As mentioned above, the non-fixed guide element is preferably associated with a non-fixed element of the detector means. On the other hand, most typically the fixed guide element is separate from the fixed element of the detector means. Furthermore, it can be understood that the second fixed guide element serves as a connection point between the liner material and the slit tape.

  In operation, the non-fixed guide element is positioned adjacent to one or both fixed guide elements (the shortest liner path from the first fixed element to the second fixed element-corresponding to the raised position as described above); Reciprocate between a position away from the fixed guide element (longer liner path from the first fixed element to the second fixed element-corresponding to the retracted position). The non-fixed guide element, or the armature on which the non-fixed guide element is mounted, is biased to the latter position to ensure a tension or positive tension of the liner material between the non-fixed element of the tensioning means and the connection point . Movement of the non-fixed guide element and / or the arm or armature on which the non-fixed guide element is mounted forms part of the detector and directly or indirectly triggers or induces the activation of the response means. A suitable guide element is any element that can position and align the liner material along the set path. Typically, the guide element is a roller through which the liner passes, an eyebolt element or other shaped element having a “J”, “U”, or “O” shaped portion through which the liner passes, or combinations of the above It is. Most preferred is a roller.

  The liner tensioning system may be incorporated into an apparatus or system used for winding a tape or strip of material, and the continuous winding is or must be isolated from the previous winding. This is particularly applicable to the winding of tapes and strips made of or comprising a flowable material or adhesive, sticky or viscous material, in particular a prepreg material. They may be incorporated into the manufacturing process or incorporated into a conversion system and apparatus that converts a master roll of sheet material into a tape or strip of material, in particular slit tape. The introduction and adoption of liner tensioning systems and equipment improves both quality and quantity, enabling a high speed winding process with reduced or minimized defects in off-spec products.

  Having briefly described the novel liner tensioning system and its operation, now referring to the drawings, various specific embodiments and iterations of the liner tensioning system and its interleaf winding system, specifically Describes prepreg slitting and integration into winding systems. Although not shown in all drawings, the winding or spool station and liner tensioning system and assembly described and illustrated can be understood to be mounted on a support structure or wall.

  As described above, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a slit tape system incorporating the interleaf winding apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Specifically, FIGS. 2A and 2B show a portion of a closed loop interleaf winding or spool station 10 that incorporates a liner tensioning device 27. 2A is a side view and FIG. 2B is a high side view. The liner tension applying device includes three rollers, that is, two fixed rollers 29 and one non-fixed roller 31. The non-fixed roller is mounted on a reciprocating armature 28 that is connected to the hub 30 and rotates about the hub 30. The hub is mounted on a support structure along with the other elements described.

  The spool station introduces and feeds slit tape 22 at the first joining point of the two alignment rollers 18, passes the joined slit tape and liner through the second alignment roller to the placement roller, and finally the spool 26. A plurality of rollers and alignment elements including a positioning roller 16, an alignment roller 18 and a placement roller 20 are also provided for passing through. The spool in this figure is a pancake spool having side walls 34 to help maintain the pancake shape and align the next winding. The spool 26 is mounted on a spool shaft 32 that is driven or rotated by a motor (not shown). In this embodiment, the rotation of the shaft, and thus the spool, during the winding process is clockwise, so that the combined slit tape and liner can be reversed when placed on the spool. That is, the liner covers the slit tape when both are close to the spool, and the liner is under the slit tape when both are wound on the spool.

  Typically, the positioning and alignment roller is a standard roller 50 having a single groove 51 around a roller core 52 as shown in FIG. The arrangement roller 20 may have a groove, but is preferably a flat roller such as a rolling pin. Most preferably, however, it is particularly desirable to use a double groove roller as the alignment roller 18 given the specific structure or alignment of the liner tensioning system and slit tape supply path of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the double groove roller 40 employs two overlapping concave portions 41, that is, an upper circumferential groove or concave portion 44 that overlaps a thin circumferential groove or concave portion 45 around the roller core 42. The depth of each groove depends in part on the thickness of the slit tape and liner material. Similarly, the width of each groove is adjusted so that the narrow groove is the same or slightly wider than the slit tape and the wide groove is the same or slightly wider than the liner. By controlling the width of the upper groove 55, in particular by minimizing the difference between the widths of the two grooves, it is possible to use a liner material whose width is identical or substantially identical to the width of the slit tape. The combination of this double groove roller and liner tensioning system facilitates the use of a narrower width of the liner material, that is, reducing the overall liner material, reducing costs, and speeding up. Specifically, this combination allows the slit tape and liner material to be more accurately and stably aligned.

  3A and 3B show another version of the closed loop winding station 10 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. 3A is a side view and FIG. 3B is an elevational view. This version is identical to FIGS. 2A and 2B, so the same reference is made to the same elements except that the liner tensioning device 27 and slit tape path positioning or alignment and the rotation of the spool 26 are reversed. A sign is attached. Here, when the liner and the slit tape are coupled, the liner is not positioned on the slit tape, but the slit tape is positioned on the liner. Thus, the spool 26 rotates clockwise to accommodate this structure, as opposed to the counterclockwise rotation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

  FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a closed loop transverse winding or spool station 60 that performs transverse winding of a liner / slit tape combination with a spindle type spool element 76. Transverse winding is a winding process that provides helical winding by simultaneously winding material circumferentially and longitudinally along the length of the spindle spool, with one layer of wound material covering another layer in a transverse pattern . As the carriage assembly carrying the winding placement elements reciprocates along the spool length until the desired length of material is wound, successive layers of winding are applied.

  6 is a side view of the transverse winding spool station, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are top views. The transverse spool station comprises a plurality of assemblies and elements mounted on the superstructure or wall 61, such as a liner source assembly 92, a winding spool assembly 74, a liner tensioning assembly 84 and a slit tape / liner placement assembly 65. Mounted movable carriage assembly 67, motorized worm shaft / shaft assembly 100 and guide bar 104 on which the carriage is mounted when the device winds slit tape / liner material in a transverse pattern on the spool. FIG. 7 shows a carriage 67 at the start of the transverse winding, and FIG. 8 shows a carriage around two-thirds along the transverse winding path. FIG. 8 shows the movement of the carriage by arrows. With the exception of liner tensioning assembly 84, the remaining elements and alignment are all known and commercially employed. Thus, except for the description of the liner tensioning assembly, the following description of the transverse winding station is schematic.

  The liner source assembly 92 includes a spool 96 of liner material 97 mounted on a shaft 94, and the rotation of the shaft is performed or supplemented by a motor 98 opposite the superstructure 81.

  The winding spool assembly 74 includes a spindle type spool element 76 on which slit tape / liner material is wound. The spool is mounted on a spool shaft 75, and the rotation of the spool shaft is controlled by a motor 78.

  Transverse winding of the slit tape / liner combination is achieved by the carriage assembly 67 and the motorized worm shaft / shaft assembly 100 on which the carriage is mounted. The operation of the worm is controlled by a motor 102, which is connected directly or indirectly to the worm element (not shown) of the electric worm shaft / shaft assembly, for example by one or more gear elements. The worm element has a continuous cruciform groove on the outer peripheral surface that engages a non-rotating slide element associated with the carriage assembly so that as the worm rotates in response to operation of the motor 102, the slide element moves along the groove. Move and carry the carriage assembly together.

  The carriage assembly itself consists of structural and non-structural elements, the latter comprising a liner tensioning assembly 84, slit tape alignment, positioning and placement guides, rollers, etc., all mounted on the structural elements. The specific embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-8 employ a carriage body having a liner tensioning assembly support 82 on which individual elements of the liner tensioning assembly 84 are mounted, or the entire assembly alone. You may mount in a support part as a unit. The carriage body also includes a slit tape alignment and positioning arm 63 on which a plurality of rollers are mounted to align, position and position the slit tape 99 on the spool 76. Of course, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, other equivalent elements such as guide elements or posts can be used in place of the rollers. The alignment and positioning arm 83 corresponds to the proximal end corresponding to the delivery of the slit tape 99 from the source and the point where the combined slit tape and liner combination is transferred or placed on the spool. And a front end.

  The liner tensioning support 82 and the positioning arm 63 are each adjacent to the carriage body 62, and the carriage body rests on the worm of the electric worm shaft / shaft assembly 100 and is generally associated with the slide element responsible for the reciprocating motion of the carriage assembly. And most preferably directly connected to the slide element. Although these structural elements are each shown as individual elements in the drawings, it should be understood that two or all three of these support or structural elements can be readily formed as a single structure.

  As described above, the carriage assembly is generally movably mounted on the worm shaft / shaft assembly 100. The important connection between the two is a slide element, but preferably a second connection is provided to prevent one from detaching from the other, especially during operation, so that all the force or weight of the carriage assembly is It should be understood that it should not be applied to the worm element. Although not shown, those skilled in the art will preferably provide one or more holes through the carriage body 82, the axis of the holes being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the worm element, through which the worm shaft / shaft assembly. It will be appreciated that an equivalent number of rail elements associated with the These rails support all or at least most of the weight of the carriage assembly, but allow the carriage assembly to move and reciprocate smoothly along the rail length.

  The second support guide bar 104 is also used to maintain the proper orientation of the positioning arm 63. This support portion may or may not be fixed and is disposed at the front end of the positioning arm proximate to the spool so as to oppose the pulling force of the spool assembly while the slit tape is wound. When the bar is fixed, the positioning arm, particularly the positioning roller 72 on the positioning arm, is arranged so as to be detached from the spool even after the winding is finished. Alternatively, the guide bar may be configured to move as winding on the spool proceeds to maintain a constant distance between the placement roller and the spool. This latter structure minimizes the possibility that the slit tape 99 and the liner 97 will be separated from each other and separated from each other. Here, the guide bar is associated with an electric conveying means or lift for raising the guide bar, and consequently the front end of the positioning arm. When the slit tape is wound and returned to the start position, the full spool becomes a new or empty spool. To be exchanged. In this construction, the positioning arm 63 is a separate element and is preferably configured to pivot about the axis 64.

  As described above, the positioning arm carries a plurality of roller elements including the slit tape positioning rollers 64 and 68, the liner positioning roller 69, the slit tape / liner alignment roller 70, and the arrangement roller 72. Slit tape positioning rollers 64 and 68 and liner positioning roller 69 align and position the slit tape and liner for proper coupling at the coupling point, the first of the two alignment rollers 70. The alignment roller 70 aligns or centers the slit tape on the liner material (although it should be understood that the roller is reversed to place the liner on the slit tape). Most preferably, as shown in these figures, the alignment roller is a double groove roller as described above. Thereafter, the combined tow of the slit tape and the liner is sent to an arrangement roller 72 that arranges the winding on the spool 78.

  A novel feature for this winding system and an essential feature of the present teachings is a liner tensioning device 84. The liner tensioning device shown in FIGS. 6-8 is identical to the device shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, except that it is mounted on a carriage assembly, particularly the liner tensioning support structure 82. Specifically, the liner tension applying device 84 includes three rollers, that is, two fixed rollers 86 and one non-fixed roller 90. The non-fixed roller is connected to a hub 88 and mounted on a reciprocating armature 89 that rotates about the hub 88. The hub is mounted to the support structure along with the other elements described.

  The operation of the liner tension applying device similar to that shown in FIG. 8 is shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E. Specifically, FIG. 9A is mounted on two fixed rollers 112 and a reciprocating armature 118 that rotates or reciprocates around a hub 116 as indicated by a double arrow, and is biased away from the fixed rollers. A liner tensioning device 114 having an unfixed roller 117 is shown.

  FIG. 9A shows a resting system in which the reciprocating armature is fully extended and the non-fixed roller is away from the fixed roller. This corresponds to the situation where the liner path length through the liner tensioning device is maximum.

  FIG. 9B shows that the non-fixed roller is closer to the fixed roller due to the operating tension of the system resulting from the rotation of the spool element and the shortening of the liner path through the slit tape and liner winding and the associated liner tensioning device. 1 shows a liner tensioning device.

  FIG. 9C shows the point where the liner path through the tensioning device is minimal and triggers a response from the response means. In this case, the liner motor 98 (FIG. 6) is temporarily started or accelerated to discharge or peel the liner material. This separation is reflected in FIG. 9 where the slack of the liner 111 is shown. However, the slack is quickly wound by the biasing and movement of the reciprocating armature 118 in a short time. The nature of the biasing means associated with the reciprocating armature is that the liner toe slack in front of the non-fixed roller is not detected or realized, or in the liner tow between the non-fixed roller and the second fixed roller as shown in FIG. 9D. Be minimal.

  Finally, FIG. 9E shows the liner tensioning device returned to normal operating condition with positive tension, particularly along the entire length of the liner path through the liner tensioning device.

  As described above, the tensioning armature is biased away from the fixed roller to maximize or extend the liner path through the liner tensioning device. The biasing force can be generated by utilizing various means and the structure of the component, and the position change of the tension applying armature and the opposed fixed roller can be detected. Some devices and iterations are shown in FIGS. 10, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13, 14, and 15.

  FIG. 10 shows a reciprocating helical spring tensioning armature element 120 that is attached to the support structure 124. The armature element comprises or is attached to the support structure of the pancake winding system or the carriage of the wall or transverse winding system. The tensioning armature element consists of a tensioning armature 128, a biasing arm 130, and an armature shaft 126 connecting the two and fixing the two, ie, the tensioning armature, armature shaft, and biasing arm all rotate together. Or reciprocate. The armature shaft passes through the non-interfering holes in the support structure 124 to hold the tensioning armature and the tensioning arm in place while permitting reciprocal movement. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, the tensioning armature and the biasing arm are located on opposite sides of the support structure 124, and one end of each is secured to the opposite end of the armature shaft. The opposite end of the tensioning armature 128 is provided with a roller 134 and an unfixed roller of the tensioning system mounted by a roller shaft or spindle 136. Mounted at or near the opposite end of the biasing arm 30 is a string spring 132 with the opposite end 133 attached to the support structure 124 (best shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B).

  FIGS. 11A and 11B are front views of the coiled spring control tension applying armature element 120 of FIG. 10 as viewed from the rear. That is, the biasing arm is located in front of the support structure 124 and the tensioning armature is located behind the support structure. FIG. 11A shows a device in which the helical spring is fully extended, corresponding to the shortest liner path through the tensioning device. In this regard, the detector or sensor 38 mounted on the support structure is triggered by the movement of the tensioning armature to accelerate the release rate of the liner material from the liner source. On the other hand, FIG. 11B also shows a chord spring in a retracted state that coincides with a long liner path through the tensioning device, with the tensioning armature retracted away from the detector or sensor 138.

  12A and 12B show a coil spring tensioning armature element 140 that is attached to the support structure 148. The armature element 140 comprises or is attached to a support structure or wall of a pancake winding system or a carriage of a transverse winding system. The tensioning armature element has a roller 148 having one end mounted by a roller shaft or spindle 150, and is composed of a tensioning armature 142 fixed to the opposite end of the spring shaft 144. The tensioning armature moves to move the spring shaft. 144 rotates. As shown in FIG. 13, which is a cross-sectional view of support structure 146 along line 13-13, the support structure is configured to include a coil spring 152, and the core end 154 of the coil spring is fixed to or attached to spring shaft 144. Mounted, the end 156 is fixed or mounted to a coil spring base platform 155 within or including a portion of the support structure 146. Thus, as the tensioning armature moves toward the stationary roller, the coil spring is compressed to increase the tension of the spring, and as the tensioning armature retracts away from the stationary roller, the coil expands and reduces tension. Is done. Changes in the tension of these coil springs are detected by a sensor (not shown) and associated with the liner source to accelerate the release of the liner material from the liner source in response to a set tension increase. Start the motor. When the liner material is peeled off and the tensioning armature returns to a position away from the fixed roller (see FIGS. 9A-9E), this tension is relaxed.

  FIGS. 14, 15, 16A-16C illustrate yet another type of liner tensioning assembly, a pneumatic or hydraulic tensioning assembly 160 mounted on a support structure 162, which includes pancake winding. It comprises or is attached to the support structure or wall of the system or the carriage of the transverse winding system. In the previous iteration, the assembly comprises a tensioning armature 164 with a roller 168 secured to one end by a shaft or spindle 166 about which the roller rotates, and in this embodiment, the other end of the tensioning armature has an armature shaft Alternatively, the spindle 170 extends and a hole through which the tensioning armature rotates or reciprocates is provided. Also extending from the tensioning armature is a piston plate 172 that receives an impact from a piston 178 of a pneumatic or hydraulic piston mechanism 174 with a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 176. A pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 176 urges the tensioning armature 164 away from the fixed roller 180 by pressing the piston against the plate (FIG. 16A).

  As mentioned above, during the winding process, the rate at which the liner is peeled from the liner source is typically slower than the consumption rate. This shortens the liner path through the liner tensioning assembly so that the tensioning armature approaches the secondary roller (FIG. 16C). At the same time, the piston 178 increases the pressure in the cylinder by being pushed into the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 176. A sensor in or associated with the cylinder detects the pressure difference and once a predetermined pressure is obtained, starts the liner supply motor to temporarily accelerate the liner stripping rate. Due to the piston force applied to the piston plate, the tensioning armature returns away from the secondary roller (FIG. 16B). Thus, the pressure in the cylinder is reduced and returned to a second predetermined level associated with acceptable operation.

  So far, the focus has been on sensors or detectors that are associated with or incorporated into the biasing means or that are arranged to be performed by movement of a tensioning armature. In these embodiments, the start or acceleration of the liner supply motor is responsive to the sensor and the acceleration period of the liner supply motor is predetermined. That is, once triggered, the liner material is peeled off for a predetermined period or length that is a function of the period of stimulation that triggers or triggers the sensor. That is, once the tensioning armature loses contact with the sensor or goes out of the sensor's field of view, the spring tension or cylinder pressure is reduced. Alternatively, the liner tensioning system can employ a plurality of sensors or detectors, one of which triggers or initiates the acceleration of the liner feed motor and the other terminates the acceleration.

  FIGS. 17A to 17E are schematic diagrams showing the operation of a system that employs two sensors, a first on sensor 189 for starting acceleration of the liner supply motor and a second stop sensor 187 for ending acceleration of the liner supply motor. It is. For simplicity, only a portion of the tensioning armature 185 that interacts with the sensor is shown. However, for ease of understanding, it can be understood that FIGS. 17A-17E correspond to the armature and sub-roller positioning shown in FIGS. 9A-9E, respectively. Further, it can be appreciated that this structure is applicable to any of the liner tensioning systems described herein.

  FIG. 17A shows the initial or starting position tensioning system, where the tensioning armature is in contact with the stop sensor 187. FIG. 17B shows the tensioning armature 185 rising towards the on-sensor 189 during operation of the winding system. FIG. 17C shows the rising point of the tensioning armature, where the armature contacts or passes in front of the on sensor 189. This initiates or initiates acceleration of the liner supply motor to accelerate the release of the liner material from the liner supply. FIG. 17D shows the movement of the tensioning armature away from the on sensor and toward the stop sensor. Finally, FIG. 17E shows how the tensioning armature contacts or passes through the stop sensor to tell the liner supply motor to stop accelerating the delivery of liner material. As shown, the stop sensor 187 and the on sensor 189 can be electric eyes, electronic contacts, or toggle type switches. If the sensor is an electronic contact switch, the tensioning armature has a corresponding electrical contact to create or shut off the electrical circuit as appropriate.

  As described above, the slitting and winding system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of guides such as rollers, guide bars, posts, etc., alignment and positioning elements as required, but is not shown in the drawing for simplicity. . Such elements and their positions are obvious to those skilled in the art and are currently employed in commercially available systems. This is especially true for transverse winding systems where such elements are employed to direct slit tape to the carriage as the carriage reciprocates the motorized worm shaft / shaft assembly and its associated guide bar. Further, although the alignment and positioning elements in the above embodiments and drawings have been identified as rollers, most of these elements, particularly those associated with liner tensioning systems or devices, replace guide elements as shown in FIG. be able to. Specifically, FIG. 18 shows a portion of a liner tensioning device, where a tensioning armature 192 is fitted with a “U” shaped guide element 194 made of a rod, and a valley-shaped “U” 198 is shown. It serves the same purpose as a roller groove as described above.

  Although the methods and apparatus herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments and drawings, the present teachings are not so limited, and other embodiments utilizing the concepts presented herein also depart from the scope of the present teachings. It should be understood that it is intended without. Accordingly, the true scope of the present teachings is defined by the claimed elements and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic principles described herein.

Claims (23)

  An improved method for interleaf winding of a material, wherein the improvement maintains a substantially constant tension on the liner material at the point of bonding where the liner material is bonded to the wound material throughout the winding process. Improved methods, including:   The improvement detects changes in tension of the liner material and / or changes in the speed at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from a liner source and the speed at which the liner material is wound up in the winding process. And at least temporarily adjusting the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source to maintain a substantially constant tension to the liner material at the point of attachment in response to the detection. The improved method of claim 1, comprising steps.   The rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source is controlled, and the adjustment of the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source can be adjusted, stopped, or temporarily controlled by the control. The improved method of claim 2, wherein the improved method is performed by stopping.   The control is performed by a resistance or braking mechanism that provides resistance to tension or withdrawal of the liner material from the liner source, and adjustment of the liner supply or withdrawal speed reduces the resistance or reduces the resistance. 4. The improved method of claim 3, wherein the improved method is performed by stopping or temporarily stopping.   A change in tension and / or a change in speed are also detected after an initial adjustment, so that the adjustment of the control is reversed or re-executed if the adjustment exceeds a certain limit. 3. The improved method according to 3.   The improved method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the liner material supply or withdrawal rate is performed by a mechanism that at least temporarily accelerates the supply or withdrawal of the liner material from the liner source.   7. The improved method of claim 6, wherein a change in tension of the liner material during the acceleration of the liner material supply or withdrawal is also detected, and the acceleration is terminated once the tension reaches a predetermined limit.   The improved method of claim 6, wherein the acceleration is performed during a preset period.   Using a tensioning device intermediate the liner source and the coupling point, wherein the tensioning device maintains substantially constant tension at the coupling point while maintaining the tension of the liner source and the tensioning point. 3. The improved method of claim 2, wherein the liner material tension change resulting from adjustment of its position relative to the application device is effectively decoupled.   The improved method of claim 1, wherein the winding material is a prepreg slit tape.   An improved process for making prepreg slit tape, including slitting prepreg sheet material into slit tape tows and individually winding each slit tape tow while simultaneously inserting liner material between each successive winding. Wherein the improvement comprises maintaining a substantially constant tension on the liner material throughout the winding process at a bond point where the liner material is bonded to the winding material.   The improvement detects changes in tension of the liner material and / or changes in the speed at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from a liner source and the speed at which the liner material is wound up in the winding process. And at least temporarily adjusting the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source to maintain a substantially constant tension to the liner material at the point of attachment in response to the detection. The improved process of claim 11, comprising steps.   An apparatus constructed and arranged to maintain a constant tension of the liner material at the point of connection between the liner material and the wound material for use in an interleaf winding process, the apparatus comprising: a) the liner A detector or sensor element or means for detecting changes in material tension and / or changes in the speed at which the liner material is supplied or drawn from a liner source and the speed at which the liner material is wound in the winding process And b) a response element or means for at least temporarily directly or indirectly changing or adjusting the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source.   The detector or sensor element or means includes (i) a switch or sensor that detects a change in liner length from the source to the coupling point, or (ii) a sensor that detects a change in tension of the liner material itself. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, comprising:   14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the detectors or sensor elements or means and each of the response elements or means is independently a mechanical device or element or an electronic device or system.   The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the response element includes or is associated with a motor that directly or indirectly affects a change in speed at which the liner is supplied or drawn from the liner source.   The detector or sensor element or means is a trigger-type means whereby the duration and / or degree of speed change or adjustment at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source is preset. The apparatus of claim 13.   The detector or sensor element or means is an on / off type means, whereby the adjustment starts when it is turned on and ends when it is turned off, and the on / off event is the tension of the liner material 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is directly related to a change in a speed at which the liner material is drawn or supplied from the liner source and a speed at which the liner material is wound into winding.   In combination with the detector and response element or means, a liner tensioning device capable of maintaining the liner material at the coupling point even when the speed at which the liner is fed or withdrawn from the liner source is accelerated, or The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means.   The tensioning device or means comprises at least one fixing element and at least one non-fixing element for insertion into an intermediate winding process between the liner source and the coupling point, the at least one fixing element comprising: Located between the liner source and the non-fixed element, the non-fixed element has one end corresponding to the longest path from the liner source to the coupling point, and from the liner source to the coupling point. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is capable of reciprocating along a path between a second end corresponding to the shortest path to.   21. The tensioning device comprises two fixing elements and one non-fixing element, the non-fixing element being located intermediate the other two fixing elements along the path of the liner material. Equipment.   20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second end corresponds to or near a point at which adjustment of the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source is performed.   23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein movement of the non-fixed element is detected by the detector or sensor element.

Images