KR20240038221A - Composite pipe for home appliance and vacuum cleaner including same - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to a composite pipe for home appliances and a cleaner including the same.
A composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment may include prepreg laminated in a plurality of layers. Additionally, the prepreg laminated with the plurality of layers may be wrapped to form a cylindrical shape. The prepreg may include a base material and a reinforcing material.

Description

Composite pipe for home appliance and vacuum cleaner including same}

The disclosed invention relates to a composite pipe for home appliances and a cleaner including the same.

To increase consumer convenience, research on lightweighting home appliances is actively underway. In particular, in the case of vacuum cleaners, the lighter the product, the greater the convenience of use, so the more lightweight materials are used, the better the marketability.

Conventional vacuum cleaner pipes were made of aluminum with a specific gravity of about 2.7 and weighed 380 to 400 g. In order to achieve the effect of reducing the weight of the entire product, the weight of the pipe must be reduced by more than 30%. However, when considering physical properties such as durability, it may be difficult to achieve a weight reduction effect for the entire product by using the same material.

Therefore, new materials and new methods are needed to replace metal materials such as aluminum to reduce the overall weight of the product.

The purpose of the disclosed invention to solve the above problems is to provide a composite pipe for home appliances with reduced weight by utilizing a low specific gravity composite material made of epoxy prepreg and a cleaner including the same.

A composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment may include prepreg laminated in a plurality of layers. Additionally, the prepreg laminated with the plurality of layers may be wrapped to form a cylindrical shape. The prepreg may include a base material and a reinforcing material.

A method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment includes manufacturing a prepreg; Laminating the prepreg and then wrapping it; Wrapping and fixing the wrapped prepreg with a release film; A curing step of curing the fixed prepreg at a high temperature; And it may include the step of molding the cured prepreg.

A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment includes a main body; a suction motor provided in the main body and generating suction force for suctioning foreign substances; a suction head including a suction port through which the foreign substances are suctioned; It may include an extension pipe connecting the main body and the suction head. The extension pipe may include a composite pipe for home appliances. The composite pipe for home appliances may include prepreg laminated in multiple layers. Additionally, the prepreg laminated with the plurality of layers may be wrapped to form a cylindrical shape. The prepreg may include a base material and a reinforcing material.

According to one embodiment, a composite pipe for home appliances whose weight is reduced by using a low-specific gravity composite material that can replace metal such as aluminum and a vacuum cleaner including the same can be provided.

However, the effects that can be achieved by the composite pipe for home appliances and the cleaner containing the same according to the embodiments are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be found in the technology to which the present invention belongs from the description below. It will be clearly understandable to those with ordinary knowledge in the field.

Figure 1 is an image showing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment.
Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the UD prepreg stacking method.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosed invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following examples are presented to sufficiently convey the spirit of the disclosed invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented herein and may be embodied in other forms. In order to clarify the present invention, the drawings may omit illustrations of parts unrelated to the description and may slightly exaggerate the sizes of components to aid understanding.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to “include” a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly makes an exception.

A composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment may include prepreg laminated in a plurality of layers. Additionally, the prepreg laminated with the plurality of layers may be wrapped to form a cylindrical shape.

Figure 1 is an image showing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a composite pipe for home appliances according to an example of the disclosed invention can be prepared in the form of a cylindrical pipe by stacking a plurality of prepregs and then wrapping them. The wrapping may be performed by rolling the prepreg laminated in the plurality of layers with a mandrel.

Figure 1 shows a composite pipe for home appliances made of five prepregs, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of prepregs stacked can be adjusted to achieve various thicknesses depending on the purpose and function.

The prepreg may include a base material and a reinforcing material.

The matrix may include an epoxy resin.

Epoxy resin can be expressed by Chemical Formula 1 below.

Formula 1:

Epoxy resin has good compatibility and excellent compatibility with reinforcing materials. Additionally, epoxy resin has a specific gravity of 1.1 to 1.3, so it is more effective in reducing weight than aluminum, which has a specific gravity of 2.7 to 2.8.

The reinforcing material may include at least one of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber. However, it is not limited to this, and may further include industrial fibers that can be used as reinforcing materials for epoxy resin.

Both UD prepreg or WV prepreg can be implemented using the glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber.

When using glass fiber, the strength of the composite pipe increases, which can be advantageous in creating a structural pipe shape. In addition, when glass fiber is used, it has excellent durability, so a thin composite pipe can be manufactured.

Carbon fiber has the highest flexural modulus, making it suitable for products that require strength and micro-deformation, and can also be effective in reducing weight.

Aramid fiber has the lowest specific gravity, making it effective in manufacturing lightweight materials, and has relatively high impact strength, so it can be applied to products that require resistance to external shock.

The prepreg may include at least one of a UD (Unidirection) prepreg and a WV (Woven) prepreg.

UD prepreg is a prepreg in which fibers are arranged in one direction. WV prepreg is a prepreg using a twisted woven fabric such as plain weave, twill weave, or knitted weave.

In appearance, UD prepreg does not show any special patterns, but WV prepreg may show patterns depending on the twist condition. Therefore, considering design elements, UD prepreg or WV prepreg can be freely used.

The thickness of the UD prepreg may be 0.09 to 0.1 mm, and the thickness of the WV prepreg may be 0.18 to 0.2 mm. In addition, the basis weight of the UD prepreg may be 50 to 100 g/m ² , and the basis weight of the WV prepreg may be 100 to 200 g/m ² .

WV prepreg uses a twisted woven fabric and can have a thickness and basis weight about twice that of UD prepreg.

The prepreg laminated in multiple layers may include UD prepreg laminated in 5 to 11 layers or WV prepreg laminated in 2 to 5 layers.

The thickness of the composite pipe manufactured may vary depending on the number of prepregs to be stacked. If the number of prepregs to be laminated is small, the thickness of the composite pipe may be too thin and durability may be reduced. However, when the number of prepregs to be stacked is large, the thickness of the composite pipe may be too thick, which may reduce the usable internal space and increase the raw material cost.

Meanwhile, pipes for home appliances using conventional aluminum were manufactured using the extrusion method. Specifically, the aluminum billet was preheated, put into an extrusion mold, extruded into the desired shape, then cooled and heat treated to produce the final product. Therefore, it was very difficult to control the thickness of pipes for home appliances using conventional aluminum.

However, since the thickness of the composite pipe according to an example of the disclosed invention can be adjusted by controlling the number of prepregs to be stacked, it can be very easy to adjust the thickness compared to the prior art.

Meanwhile, when using UD prepreg, the number of UD prepregs to be stacked may be odd.

UD prepreg is a prepreg in which fibers are arranged unidirectionally. Therefore, when arranged in only one direction, the force acting in one direction may be concentrated, so the angle of arrangement can be adjusted to disperse the force.

When the number of stacked UD prepregs is odd, the UD prepregs of the first layer and the UD prepregs of the last layer may be arranged in the same direction. Therefore, the loss of flexural modulus due to arrangement can be minimized.

For example, when the number of stacked UD prepregs is an even number, the arrangement angles of the UD prepregs in the first layer and the UD prepregs in the last layer may be different. If it is parallel to the direction in which the flexural modulus is evaluated, it is considered that the fibers are not arranged, so the first or last layer cannot structurally receive force. Therefore, if the number of UD prepregs to be stacked is even, one layer may be damaged. Considering this, it may be advantageous for the number of UD prepregs to be stacked to be odd.

As described above, the composite pipe for home appliances manufactured by adjusting the number of stacked prepregs may have a thickness of 0.36 to 1.1 mm.

Next, a method for manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances according to another aspect of the disclosed invention will be described in detail.

A method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment includes manufacturing a prepreg; Laminating the prepreg and then wrapping it; Wrapping and fixing the wrapped prepreg with a release film; A curing step of curing the fixed prepreg at a high temperature; And it may include the step of molding the cured prepreg.

Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment.

Referring to Figure 2, the method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment includes a series of prepreg manufacturing (S100), wrapping (S200), fixing (S300), curing (S400), and forming (S500) steps. It can be included.

In the step (S100) of manufacturing a prepreg, a prepreg in the form of a film can be produced by mixing raw materials containing 20 to 40% by weight of epoxy resin and the remaining reinforcing material, and then rolling to a certain thickness. Conventional methods can be used to produce prepregs.

The wrapping step (S200) can be performed by stacking the plurality of prepregs and then wrapping them around a mandrel to form a cylindrical pipe.

When laminating the UD prepreg in the wrapping step (S200) after laminating the prepreg, the fiber directions of adjacent UD prepreg layers may be laminated so that they are perpendicular to each other.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the UD prepreg stacking method.

Referring to Figure 3, UD prepreg can be stacked so that the fiber directions of adjacent prepreg layers are perpendicular to each other. For example, assuming that the fiber direction of layers 1, 3, 5, and 7 in FIG. 3 is 0°, the fiber direction of layers 2, 4, and 6 may be 90°.

Meanwhile, Figure 3 shows that there are 7 layers of UD prepregs to be stacked, but this is not limited to this, and the number of UD prepregs to be stacked can be increased or decreased as needed.

The fixing step (S300) can be performed by wrapping the wrapped prepreg with a release film so that the pipe shape is fixed.

The curing step (S400) can be performed by heating the prepreg fixed with a release film at 100 to 140°C for 1 to 2 hours.

When the heating temperature is low or the performance time is short, it may be difficult for prepregs containing epoxy to adhere to each other. However, if the heating temperature is too high or the execution time is long, the process cost may increase.

The forming step (S500) may be performed by removing the mandrel and release film from the cured pipe-shaped prepreg and cutting it to suit the intended use.

The prepreg may include a base material and a reinforcing material.

The base material may include an epoxy resin, and the reinforcing material may include at least one of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber.

The prepreg may include at least one of UD prepreg and WV prepreg.

Next, a vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the disclosed invention will be described in detail.

A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment includes a main body; a suction motor provided in the main body and generating suction force for suctioning foreign substances; a suction head including a suction port through which the foreign substances are suctioned; It may include an extension pipe connecting the main body and the suction head.

The extension pipe may include a composite pipe for home appliances.

The composite pipe for home appliances may include prepreg laminated in multiple layers. Additionally, the prepreg laminated with the plurality of layers may be wrapped to form a cylindrical shape. The prepreg may include a base material and a reinforcing material.

The base material may include an epoxy resin.

The reinforcing material may include at least one of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber.

The prepreg may include at least one of a UD (Unidirection) prepreg and a WV (Woven) prepreg.

The prepreg laminated in multiple layers may include UD prepreg laminated in 5 to 11 layers or WV prepreg laminated in 2 to 5 layers.

The composite pipe for home appliances may have a thickness of 0.36 to 1.1 mm.

The description of the composite pipe for home appliances used in a vacuum cleaner is as described above, and the vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment will be described in detail below.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 may include a main body 10, a suction head 15, and an extension pipe 20 connecting the main body 10 and the suction head 15. The main body 10 can supply power to the suction force generating device 30 that generates suction force, the foreign matter collection chamber 40 that separates and collects foreign materials from the sucked air, the handle 50, and the suction force generating device 30. It may include a battery 60. The suction force generating device 30 may include a suction motor that converts electrical force into mechanical rotation force, and a suction fan that is connected to the suction motor and rotates.

The foreign matter collection chamber 40 can collect foreign substances through a cyclone method, which separates foreign substances using centrifugal force, or a dust bag method, which separates foreign substances by passing air through a filter bag. Air from which foreign substances have been removed through the foreign matter collection chamber 40 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 10.

The extension pipe 20 may include a composite pipe for home appliances. The extension pipe 20 can transmit the suction force generated by the suction force generating device 30 to the suction head 15 and guide air and foreign substances sucked through the suction head 15 to the main body 10. The suction head 15 is in close contact with the cleaning surface and can suck in air and foreign substances from the cleaning surface. The suction head 15 may be rotatably coupled to the extension tube 20.

Below, examples and comparative examples are described to aid understanding of the present invention. However, the following description is only an example of the content and effect of the disclosed invention, and the scope and effect of the disclosed invention are not necessarily limited thereto.

{Example}

Table 1 below shows the specifications, flexural modulus, and specific gravity of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber used as reinforcing materials.

Specifications refer to the specific type of reinforcing material used when manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment.

The flexural modulus was measured on a 6.4 mm thick reinforcement specimen at room temperature and at a test speed of 5 mm/min, based on the ASTM D790 standard.

Specific gravity means the density ratio when water is used as the standard substance.

glass fiber carbon fiber aramid fiber Specifications E-Glass 3K, 6K, 12K, 24K P-aramide Flexural modulus (GPa) 42 65 40 Tensile modulus (g/denier) 1130 873 550 importance 2.5 1.5 1.3

Referring to Table 1, glass fiber has the highest tensile modulus, so composite pipes using glass fiber showed high strength. Therefore, since thin composite pipes can be manufactured, a weight reduction effect appears even if the specific gravity is relatively high.

Carbon fiber has the highest flexural modulus and relatively high tensile modulus, making it easy to apply to products that require both strength and ease of microdeformation.

Aramid fibers have the lowest specific gravity, so the weight reduction effect of composite pipes using aramid fibers was the highest.

Table 2 below shows the flexural modulus and external impact tests of a composite pipe for home appliances according to an embodiment of the invention disclosed as an example and a pipe for home appliances using aluminum as a comparative example.

The flexural modulus of elasticity was measured for example and comparative examples at room temperature and at a test speed of 5 mm/min, based on the ASTM D790 standard.

The external impact test was performed by observing whether there were marks on the surfaces of the examples and comparative examples when a 500g metal ball was dropped from a height of 1m. If a groove with a depth of 5.0 mm or more occurred on the surface of the specimen, it was considered to have a dent and was marked as NG. On the other hand, if a groove with a depth of less than 0.1 mm occurred on the surface of the specimen, it was considered that there was no mark and was marked as PASS.

Comparative example Example Flexural modulus of elasticity
(GPa) 60 60 External shock test NG PASS

Referring to Table 2, the flexural modulus of the composite pipe according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention was found to be the same as that of the pipe using aluminum. Therefore, it can be determined that the composite pipe for home appliances according to one embodiment can effectively replace the conventional pipe using aluminum.

In addition, looking at the results of the external impact test, the comparative example showed surface dents, but the example did not show surface dents. Therefore, the composite pipe for home appliances according to one embodiment can be considered to have excellent external impact resistance.

As such, according to an example of the disclosed invention, a composite pipe for home appliances with reduced weight by utilizing a low specific gravity composite material that can replace metal such as aluminum and a vacuum cleaner including the same can be provided.

Claims (20)

It includes a prepreg laminated in a plurality of layers,
Prepared in a cylindrical shape by wrapping the prepreg laminated in the plurality of layers,
The prepreg is,
Composite pipe for home appliances, including base material and reinforcement. According to paragraph 1,
The base material is,
Composite pipe for home appliances containing epoxy resin. According to paragraph 1,
The reinforcement material is,
A composite pipe for home appliances, comprising at least one of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber. According to paragraph 1,
The prepreg is,
A composite pipe for home appliances, comprising at least one of UD (Unidirection) prepreg and WV (Woven) prepreg. According to clause 4,
The thickness of UD prepreg is,
0.09 to 0.1 mm,
The thickness of WV prepreg is,
Composite pipe for home appliances, measuring 0.18 to 0.2 mm. According to clause 4,
The basis weight of UD prepreg is,
50 to 100 g/m ² ,
The basis weight of WV prepreg is,
100 to 200 g/m ² phosphorus, composite pipe for home appliances. According to clause 4,
The prepreg laminated with the plurality of layers,
A composite pipe for home appliances comprising UD prepreg laminated in 5 to 11 layers or WV prepreg laminated in 2 to 5 layers. According to paragraph 1,
Composite pipe for home appliances with a thickness of 0.36 to 1.1 mm. Preparing a prepreg;
Laminating the prepreg and then wrapping it;
Wrapping and fixing the wrapped prepreg with a release film;
A curing step of curing the fixed prepreg at a high temperature; and
A method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances, comprising the step of molding the cured prepreg. According to clause 9,
The prepreg is,
Method for manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances, including a base material and a reinforcing material. According to clause 10,
The base material is,
Contains epoxy resin,
The reinforcement material is,
A method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances, comprising at least one of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber. According to clause 9,
The prepreg is,
A method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances, comprising at least one of UD (Unidirection) prepreg and WV (Woven) prepreg. According to clause 12,
In the step of laminating and wrapping the prepreg,
When laminating the UD prepreg,
A method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances in which adjacent UD prepreg layers are laminated so that the fiber directions are perpendicular to each other. According to clause 9,
The curing step is,
A method of manufacturing a composite pipe for home appliances, which is performed by heating at 100 to 140 ° C. for 1 to 2 hours. main body;
a suction motor provided in the main body and generating suction force for suctioning foreign substances;
a suction head including a suction port through which the foreign substances are suctioned;
Includes an extension pipe connecting the main body and the suction head,
The extension pipe is,
Including composite pipes for home appliances,
The composite pipe for home appliances is,
It includes a prepreg laminated in multiple layers,
Prepared in a cylindrical shape by wrapping the prepreg laminated in the plurality of layers,
The prepreg is,
Cleaner, including base material and reinforcement. According to clause 15,
The base material is,
Cleaner containing epoxy resin. According to clause 15,
The reinforcement material is,
A cleaner comprising at least one of glass fibers, carbon fibers and aramid fibers. According to clause 15,
The prepreg is,
A cleaner comprising at least one of UD (Unidirection) prepreg and WV (Woven) prepreg. According to clause 18,
The prepreg laminated with the plurality of layers,
A cleaner comprising UD prepreg laminated in 5 to 11 layers or WV prepreg laminated in 2 to 5 layers. According to clause 15,
The composite pipe for home appliances is,
A vacuum cleaner having a thickness of 0.36 to 1.1 mm.