JP5426909B2 - Tubular body - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tubular body made of a reinforced fiber resin, and more particularly to a tubular body used for a shaft for a golf club, a fishing rod for a fishing rod, or the like.

  Tubular bodies used for golf club shafts, fishing rods, etc. are made of thermosetting resin (for example, epoxy resin) by aligning high-strength and high-elasticity reinforcing fibers (for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber) in one direction. A prepreg impregnated with is wound around a mandrel (mold) and fired (heat-cured) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-355818 A

  In the tubular body, the prepreg is laminated and arranged by appropriately combining the orientation angles of the reinforcing fibers, and the strength and elasticity of the prepreg laminated on each layer (strength and elasticity of the reinforcing fibers) are appropriately changed to achieve the desired characteristics. Designed to be

  The characteristics of the tubular body are the adjustment of the bending rigidity by the straight layer in which the reinforcing fibers of the prepreg are arranged at an orientation angle of 0 degree (mandrel axial direction), and the hoop layer by which the orientation angle is arranged at 90 degrees (circumferential direction of the mandrel). It is determined by adjusting the crushing rigidity, adjusting the torsional rigidity by the bias layer arranged with the orientation angle exceeding 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and further by the position of the straight layer, hoop layer, and bias layer. And the tubular body by the laminated structure of a straight layer, a hoop layer, and a bias layer can be equipped with the rigidity corresponding to the characteristic of a tubular body in all directions of a bending, crushing, and twisting direction.

  By the way, recently, user demands for various products using a tubular body are becoming finer, and not only the performance but also the improvement in usability is required. For example, in the case of a golf club, it has a solid feel at impact and quick vibration absorption after hitting, and in the case of a fishing rod, it is the strength that can catch the pull of the fish with the bend of the fishing rod. It is a feeling of use that can be felt at hand.

  However, in the conventional tubular body design by changing the strength and elasticity of the laminated prepreg and the orientation angle of the reinforcing fiber of the prepreg, it is difficult to design to meet the user's requirements as described above.

  An object of the present invention is to deal with such a problem. That is, it is an object of the present invention to increase the degree of design freedom and facilitate the rigidity design.

  In order to achieve the object, the tubular body according to the present invention has at least the following configuration.

  In a tubular body obtained by firing a plurality of layers of reinforcing fiber prepregs, a plurality of reinforcing fibers are plain woven so that the axial direction of the reinforcing fibers is one direction and the direction perpendicular to the one direction, and impregnated with a thermosetting resin. A biaxial plain weave fiber layer in which biaxial plain weave prepregs are laminated, and a plurality of fiber rows in which a plurality of reinforcing fibers are arranged in parallel, the axial direction of the fiber rows is one direction and orthogonal to the one direction Are disposed in a direction that obliquely intersects with the axial direction of the reinforcing fibers in the two axial directions, and a direction that intersects with the axial direction of the reinforcing fibers in the three axial directions. A four-axis laminated fiber layer in which a four-axis laminated prepreg is laminated in the thickness direction of the tubular body with a gap between each fiber row and impregnated with a thermosetting resin. It is characterized by.

  The four-axis laminated fiber layer is laminated on the outermost layer of the tubular body.

  The tensile elastic modulus of some reinforcing fibers of the four-axis laminated fiber layer is different from the tensile elastic modulus of other reinforcing fibers.

  The tensile elastic modulus of the reinforcing fiber of the four-axis laminated fiber layer is different from each other.

  The angle of one reinforcing fiber that obliquely intersects the four-axis laminated fiber layer is different from the angle of the other reinforcing fiber.

  The four-axis laminated fiber layer is laminated on the entire length of the tubular body or a part of the tubular body.

The front view of the tubular body concerning the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line (2)-(2) in FIG. 1. The development view of each prepreg. An enlarged view of a biaxial plain weave prepreg. An enlarged view of a four-axis laminated prepreg.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form for implementing the tubular body which concerns on this invention is demonstrated based on drawing. In the present embodiment, the tubular body is described as a golf club shaft (hereinafter referred to as “shaft”).

  In the following, a prepreg in which the orientation direction of the reinforcing fiber is a direction along the axis of the shaft is referred to as a straight prepreg, and a layer in which the straight prepreg is laminated is referred to as a straight layer. Further, a prepreg whose orientation direction of the reinforcing fiber is a direction along the circumferential direction of the shaft is a hoop prepreg, and a layer in which the hoop prepreg is laminated is a hoop layer. Further, a prepreg whose orientation direction of the reinforcing fibers is oblique to the axis of the shaft is referred to as a bias prepreg, and a layer in which the bias prepreg is laminated is referred to as a bias layer.

  Although the winding lamination form of each prepreg differs depending on the characteristics of the shaft, basically, prepregs having different fiber orientations are alternately wound and laminated. Various combinations using a straight layer, a hoop layer, a bias layer, a biaxial plain woven fiber layer, and a tetraaxial laminated fiber layer are adopted as a combination of prepregs to be wound and laminated. And a shaft is obtained by winding and laminating each said prepreg by a conventional method, and baking. In addition, the reinforcing fiber of this embodiment is a carbon fiber.

  Incidentally, the straight layer is related to the bending rigidity, and the hoop layer is related to the crushing rigidity in the circumferential direction. The bias layer is involved in the torsional rigidity in the circumferential direction. Further, the biaxial plain woven fiber layer is involved in bending rigidity and crushing rigidity, and the four-axis laminated fiber layer is involved in bending rigidity, crushing rigidity and torsional rigidity.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shaft 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a biaxial plain woven fiber layer 4 including a bias layer 2, a straight layer 3, and a biaxial plain woven prepreg 40, and a tetraaxial laminated prepreg 50. A four-layer structure with a four-axis laminated fiber layer 5 made of Each layer is formed by using each prepreg as one or more plies (number of turns).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bias layer 2 and the straight layer 3 are stacked as the tip reinforcing layer on the tip side of the shaft 1. In this embodiment, the number of layers constituting the shaft 1 with respect to the tip reinforcing layer. Don't count as. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 1 of the present embodiment includes a bias layer 2 as an innermost layer, a straight layer 3 as an outer layer of the bias layer 2, a biaxial plain woven fiber layer 4 as an outer layer of the straight layer 3, A biaxial laminated fiber layer 5 is laminated on the outer layer (outermost layer) of the biaxial plain weave fiber layer 4.

  Here, an example of the forming process of the shaft 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the bias prepreg 20 constituting the tip reinforcing layer is first wound around the tip side of a mandrel (not shown) by two-ply winding. To do. Next, a bias prepreg 20 having a length corresponding to the entire length of the shaft 1 and constituting the bias layer 2 serving as the innermost layer of the shaft 1 is wound around the mandrel by two plies. Next, two plies of the bias prepreg 20 constituting the tip reinforcing layer are wound around the tip side of the mandrel. These bias prepregs 20 are wound so that the bias direction is reversed every ply, and the rigidity against twisting in any direction in the circumferential direction is ensured.

  The orientation angle of the carbon fiber of the bias prepreg 20 of this embodiment is 45 degrees, but this orientation angle is not limited to 45 degrees, and may be an angle exceeding 45 degrees or an angle less than 45 degrees, or anyway. Various selections are made so that the shaft 1 can obtain rigidity corresponding to the target characteristics.

  Next, the straight layer 3 is formed on the outer layer of the bias prepreg 20, and the straight prepreg 30 having the same length in the axial direction as the bias prepreg 20 is wound by four plies. The straight prepregs 30 may all have the same strength, or may partially have different strengths. In any case, the rigidity of the shaft 1 corresponding to the target characteristics. Various choices to obtain. Further, the number of plies of the straight prepreg 30 is also increased or decreased so that the shaft 1 can obtain rigidity corresponding to the target characteristics.

  Next, the biaxial plain woven fiber layer 4 is formed on the outer layer of the straight prepreg 30, and the biaxial plain woven prepreg 40 having the same length as the straight prepreg 30 in the axial direction is wound by one ply. As shown in FIG. 4, the biaxial plain weave prepreg 40 uses a plurality of fiber bundles 7 in which a plurality of carbon fibers 6 having the same strength are bundled without twisting, and the fiber bundle 7 is plain woven in a straight direction and a hoop direction. And impregnated with a thermosetting resin. The biaxial plain weave fiber layer 4 by this biaxial plain weave prepreg 40 ensures the bending rigidity and the crushing rigidity involved in the bending rigidity in the same layer. In addition, since the biaxial plain weave prepreg 40 is a woven structure, peeling between the reinforcing fibers in the straight direction and the reinforcing fibers in the hoop direction in the biaxial plain weave fiber layer 4 is prevented.

  That is, the biaxial plain weave prepreg 40 is wound with a minimum number of plies (1 ply), and the biaxial plain weave fiber layer 4 in which the reinforcing fibers in the straight direction and the reinforcing fibers in the hoop direction are prevented from being separated from each other. Bending rigidity and crushing rigidity can be increased.

  The bending rigidity and crushing rigidity of the shaft are related to the shot feeling and the rapid vibration absorption performance after the shot. As a method for increasing the bending rigidity and crushing rigidity of the shaft, increasing the straight layer and the hoop layer is usually employed. However, the method of increasing the straight layer and the hoop layer greatly increases the weight and diameter of the shaft.

  As in this embodiment, when the biaxial plain weave prepreg 40 is wound by one ply, the bending rigidity and the shaft 1 can be increased without increasing the weight and the diameter by increasing the straight layer and the hoop layer. It can be expected to increase the crushing rigidity and obtain a solid shot feeling while being lightweight and thin, and to improve the rapid vibration absorption performance after hitting.

  Further, by laminating the biaxial plain woven fiber layer 4 wound with one ply of the biaxial plain prepreg 40, for example, even if the number of plies of the straight prepreg 30 is reduced by about 1 to 2 plies, the biaxial plain weave The fiber layer 4 is considered to provide the shaft 1 with the minimum required rigidity, and a reduction in the weight of the shaft 1 can be expected by reducing the number of plies of the straight prepreg 30 (not shown).

  Next, on the outer layer of the biaxial plain weave prepreg 40, a four-axis laminated prepreg 50 that has the same length in the axial direction as the biaxial plain weave prepreg 40 and constitutes the four-axis laminated fiber layer 5 that is the outermost layer of the shaft 1 is provided. Wind the ply. As shown in FIG. 5, the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 uses a plurality of fiber rows 8 in which a plurality of carbon fibers 6 having the same strength are arranged in parallel, and the fiber rows 8 are biased at 45 degrees from the inner layer side. Laminated in the thickness direction (diameter direction) of the shaft 1 and impregnated with a thermosetting resin so that the bias direction is 45 degrees opposite to the bias direction, the straight direction, and the hoop direction. It is. In addition, each fiber row 8 has a gap S between adjacent fiber rows 8 and is juxtaposed in each direction, and by securing the gap S, the weight of the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 laminated. Increase can be reduced. Further, since the pattern of the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 appears on the surface of the shaft 1, it can be visually confirmed that it has a beautifully finished appearance and has the four-axis laminated fiber layer 5.

  Further, since the four-axis laminated fiber layer 5 formed by the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 is involved in the bending rigidity, the crushing rigidity related to the bending rigidity, and the torsional rigidity in the same layer, the rigidity of the shaft 1 is slightly reduced. It can also be used to adjust.

  For example, in order to finely adjust the rigidity in the bending direction of the shaft 1, a four-axis laminated prepreg 50 in which the elastic modulus of the carbon fiber 6 in the fiber row 8 in the straight direction and / or the carbon fiber 6 in the fiber row 8 in the hoop direction is changed. (Not shown) or by using a four-axis laminated prepreg 50 in which the number of carbon fibers 6 is changed (not shown).

  Further, in order to finely adjust the rigidity of the shaft 1 in the twist direction, a four-axis laminated prepreg 50 in which the angle of the fiber row 8 in the bias direction is changed (not shown) or four carbon fibers 6 are changed in number. It can be performed by using a shaft laminated prepreg 50 (not shown). Further, the rigidity corresponding to the characteristics of the shaft 1 can be finely adjusted using the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 in which the angle of the fiber row 8 in one bias direction is changed (not shown).

  Since the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 is obtained by laminating the carbon fibers 6 in each direction without being woven or assembled, the formation is relatively easy. Therefore, the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 in which the elastic modulus of the fiber row 8 is changed and the four-axis laminated prepreg 50 in which the angle of the fiber row is changed can be easily formed.

  Finally, the straight prepreg 30 constituting the tip reinforcing layer is wound by two plies, and the mandrel is baked (heat cured) to form the shaft 1.

  According to the shaft 1 of the present embodiment, by using the four-axis laminated prepreg 50, the degree of freedom in design can be expanded, the rigidity design can be facilitated, and the four-axis laminated fiber layer 5 can be made. The design can be improved by visually confirming the pattern from the outside, and the products can be differentiated by confirming the presence of the four-axis laminated fiber layer 5. Further, the use of the biaxial plain weave prepreg 40 can be expected to improve bending rigidity and crushing rigidity while suppressing an increase in the weight and diameter of the shaft 1. Therefore, it is possible to meet various requests of users.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and can be implemented with configurations within a range that does not deviate from the contents described in the respective claims. For example, the lamination position of the biaxial plain woven fiber layer and the tetraaxial laminated fiber layer can improve the design by visually confirming the pattern of the tetraaxial laminated fiber layer from the outside, and the presence of the tetraaxial laminated fiber layer can be confirmed. Unless consideration is given to product differentiation, the positions are not limited to those illustrated in the above embodiment. By changing the lamination position of the biaxial plain woven fiber layer and the tetraaxial laminated fiber layer, a shaft having characteristics different from the characteristics of the shaft exemplified in the above embodiment can be expected (not shown). Further, the four-axis laminated fiber layer is not limited to the form laminated over the entire length of the shaft as exemplified in the above embodiment, but a part of the shaft, for example, the tip side, the grip side, and between the tip side and the grip side. It is good also as a form laminated | stacked partially etc., for example. By laminating a four-axis laminated fiber layer on a part of this shaft, it is possible to obtain a shaft having characteristics with partially improved rigidity (not shown).

  The shaft in the above embodiment can be used as a golf club shaft of wood, iron, or putter. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although carbon fiber is mentioned as an example of a reinforced fiber, you may use glass fiber for a part or all of a reinforced fiber in this invention. The tubular body of the present invention is not limited to the golf club shaft exemplified in the above embodiment, and can be implemented for a wide range of products such as fishing rods, baseball bats, and tennis racket frames.

1: Shaft (tubular body)
2: Bias layer 3: Straight layer 4: Biaxial plain woven fiber layer 5: Tetraaxial laminated fiber layer 6: Carbon fiber (reinforced fiber)
7: Fiber bundle 8: Fiber array 20: Bias prepreg 30: Straight prepreg 40: Biaxial plain weave prepreg 50: Four-axis laminated prepreg S: Gap

Claims (6)

In the tubular body obtained by firing multiple layers of reinforcing fiber prepreg,
A biaxial plain woven fiber layer in which a plurality of reinforcing fibers are plain woven so that the axial direction of the reinforcing fibers is one direction and a direction perpendicular to the one direction, and a biaxial plain woven prepreg formed by impregnating a thermosetting resin is laminated. When,
A plurality of fiber rows in which a plurality of reinforcing fibers are arranged in parallel are arranged such that the axial direction of the fiber rows is one direction, the direction orthogonal to the one direction, and the axial direction of the reinforcing fibers in these two axial directions. And in the direction intersecting with the axial direction of the reinforcing fibers in the three axial directions, and in the thickness direction of the tubular body with a gap between the fiber rows having the same axial direction. And a four-axis laminated fiber layer in which a four-axis laminated prepreg formed by impregnating a thermosetting resin is laminated,
A tubular body characterized by comprising:   The tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the four-axis laminated fiber layer is laminated on the outermost layer of the tubular body.   The tubular body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a tensile elastic modulus of some reinforcing fibers of the four-axis laminated fiber layer is different from a tensile elastic modulus of other reinforcing fibers.   The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tensile elastic modulus of the reinforcing fiber of the four-axis laminated fiber layer is different from each other.   The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an angle of one reinforcing fiber obliquely intersecting the four-axis laminated fiber layer is different from an angle of the other reinforcing fiber.   The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the four-axis laminated fiber layer is laminated on a full length of the tubular body or a part of the tubular body.

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