WO2002031242A1

WO2002031242A1 - Fluid flow tow spreading device, ultrasonic tow spreading device, and tow spreading system

Info

Publication number: WO2002031242A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/009016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroji Oishibashi; Toshiyuki Okuda
Original assignee: Obs Inc.
Priority date: 2000-10-13
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2002-04-18

Abstract

A tow spreading system capable of stably performing a rather large tow spreading for a variety of tows to be spread, comprising a ultrasonic tow spreading device as a preliminary tow spreading device (4) and a fluid flow tow spreading device (6) as a main tow spreading device; the ultrasonic tow spreading device, wherein a tow bundle flow-fed part allowing a tow bundle in the tensed state to flow-fed thereto in the form of a bent route while being brought into contact with the surfaces of a plurality of rollers (19) is provided in fluid and ultrasonic wave is propagated in the fluid for tow spreading; the fluid flow tow spreading device (6), wherein the tow bundle spread by the preliminary tow spreading device is flow-fed to a tow spreading part for spreading the preliminarily spread tow bundle while performing over-feedback control, and a fluid flow is applied to the flow-fed preliminarily spread tow bundle to release the tow bundle.

Description

Description Fluid flow type fiber spreading device, ultrasonic fiber spreading device and fiber spreading system

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fiber spreading device or a fiber spreading method for spreading a fiber bundle in which a plurality of filaments are gathered, and a flow spreading method or an ultrasonic method which is a typical fiber spreading method.摅 Related to fiber technology. Background art

The above-mentioned fluid-flow type fiber spreading method is as follows: PCT / JP / 0151 etc., a fiber bundle consisting of a plurality of filaments is fed to the fiber spreading section while controlling overfeed. And a blower (a type of fluid flow generating means) for generating an air flow for expanding the fiber bundle. There is disclosed a technique in which an air flow is crossed and a fiber bundle is bent in a downstream direction of a fluid flow, and the fiber bundle is separated in the fiber bundle width direction by the air flow.

This technology overcomes the problems of electrostatic spreading, press spreading, jet spreading, ultrasonic spreading, etc. Between the support positions, and between the support positions, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber bundle flow direction (in both the fiber bundle flow direction and the flat fiber bundle width direction). An airflow is caused to flow in the direction (perpendicular to the direction perpendicular to the fiber bundle), and a fluid force acts on each filament of the fiber bundle by the airflow. By adopting this technology, each filament can be stretched straight without any damage to each constituent filament of the fiber bundle, and the parallelism is high, and the filament density in the fiber bundle width direction is uniform. A good quality expanded fiber bundle can be obtained.

On the other hand, there is also a method called ultrasonic spreading.

As for those utilizing ultrasonic waves, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 4-71042 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. In the liquid tank A fiber bundle feeding section for feeding a fiber bundle to be spread is provided in the liquid tank, and the fiber is spread by ultrasonic waves in the feeding section.

[Issues on fluid flow type fiber spreading]

By this method, a relatively good expanded fiber bundle can be obtained. According to the studies by the inventors, for example, when the number of filaments is 12 When a fiber bundle with a width of 5.6 to 6.0 mm and a thickness of 0.13 to 0.16 mm is spread by a single-stage spreading operation, its spreading ability (how much the fiber bundle width can be expanded) Capacity), there was room for improvement.

Furthermore, if a fiber bundle with a predetermined width is to be spread to a thin fiber bundle with a certain width, it may not be possible to obtain a sufficiently expanded state with a single-stage spreading operation. appear. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to perform a plurality of stages of spreading operations on the same fiber bundle to bring it to a desired state.

On the other hand, as an application of the expanded fiber bundle, there is an expanded woven fabric in which a plurality of expanded fiber bundles are woven in a predetermined structure. However, in order to obtain such a woven fabric, at least a plurality of expanded fiber bundles are used. (Or a plurality of expanded yarns if such a sheet is viewed as a single filament).

As described above, in the case where the spreading operation is performed in multiple stages or the spreading operation is performed on a plurality of fiber bundles, respectively, in the above-described fluid flow type spreading technology, the airflow is generated in the spreading section. It was found that it was difficult to control the airflow in the spreading section and that excessive power was required to use the fiber.

More specifically, when airflow is used in fluid flow expansion, the flow in the expansion section is time-dependent and spatial due to the large expansion and contraction rate of the gas and little viscosity. It was found that the flow was difficult to be uniform, and as a result, the flow was likely to be unstable due to the disturbance caused by the spreading, and precise control was required, and the control was relatively difficult.

On the other hand, with respect to power, a blower or the like for forming an air flow will be provided, but also in this case, due to the characteristics of the gas, if an attempt is made to form a sufficient flow in the entire gas flow path, About 3.75 KW is required for one fiber bundle. This is excessive compared to the power required in the case of the present application described later. Therefore, The inventors have found a need for improvement in this respect also in fluid flow type spreading. The first object of the present application is to obtain an expanded fiber bundle that requires a small amount of power even when performing fiber expansion in multiple stages or a large number of fiber bundles, in addition to being excellent in fiber expansion ability. To obtain a fiber spreading device or a fiber spreading method.

[Ultrasonic fiber expansion issues]

As explained earlier, the degree of spreading required for fiber bundles is rapidly becoming higher today. For example, untwisted carbon fiber: PAN type: 0.8 g / m fineness, 1.2,000 bundles of 7 7m filaments = original width of about 6 mm, original thickness of about 0.13 to 0.16 In the final spread state, it may be required to spread the fiber to a width of 16 to 60 mm, less than the original thickness, and about 0.01 to 0.037 mm. .

These demands come from demands for further improvement in product quality, high productivity and cost reduction, and improvement in resin impregnation. Also, there is a demand for the use of a thermoplastic resin as the mating resin for the fiber bundle.

In such a highly spread state, the fiber is spread by the action of ultrasonic waves alone, or the fiber bundle is brought into contact with a roller surface whose surface is moderately roughened in a liquid tank in which ultrasonic waves are propagated. However, when the fiber is spread by the action of this roller surface (which can be included in the ultrasonic fiber spreading), a sufficient fiber spreading state is obtained in the liquid, but the fiber bundle is moved out of the liquid. It has been found that when it is derived, a case where a sufficient spread state cannot be maintained occurs.

Such deterioration of spreading is remarkable in today's situation where a high spreading state is required, and more appropriate countermeasures are required than before.

A second object of the present application is to maintain a good spread state in a state in which a fiber bundle is led out of a liquid in an ultrasonic type fiber spreading device that spreads a fiber bundle by applying ultrasonic waves in a liquid. An object of the present invention is to obtain an ultrasonic fiber spreading device.

[Expansion issues for a wide variety of spreading targets]

At present, fiber bundles to be expanded are related to the material type, number of filaments, filament diameter, number of twists, tensile strength, elongation, fiber bundle width, fiber bundle thickness, fiber bundle width / thickness ratio, etc. As a result, the degree of fiber expansion (width and thickness) required for products and the accuracy of fiber expansion (variation in the degree of fiber expansion in the length direction of the expanded fiber bundle), etc. It is various.

Even in the case where carbon fiber to be spread is taken as an example, various finishing agents (for example, sizing agents) are used depending on the manufacturer of the carbon fiber, and regarding the composition, Attempting to spread commercially available fiber bundles can be challenging to find the optimal spreading method because it is kept secret.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a fiber spreading system capable of stably performing relatively high fiber spreading on various fiber spreading targets. Disclosure of the invention

The characteristic configuration of the fluid flow type spreading device according to the present invention for achieving the first object is as described in claim 1,

The fluid flow is a liquid flow, a liquid tank in which the liquid flow is formed is provided, and the fiber bundle feeding section and the fiber spreading section are provided in the liquid tank; The passing part through which the liquid flow passes intersecting the fiber bundle in the flowing state is referred to as the spreading part.

In this device, a liquid flow is used instead of a gas flow as a fluid flow acting on the fiber bundle at the spread portion in comparison with the prior art. For this purpose, the apparatus is provided with a liquid tank, a feeding section through which the fiber bundle is fed in the liquid in the liquid tank, and a fiber spreading section. By the way, in this spread portion, the fiber bundle is given a radius to the liquid flow downstream side by the action of the liquid flow in the over-feeding flow state, and the spread action is also performed. The fiber is spread in the width direction.

In order to apply a fiber expansion force to each filament, a liquid with a significantly smaller body expansion rate than gas is used, so that the flow in the fiber expansion is stabilized and a uniform and strong fluid force is applied. it can. As a result, the fiber spreading ability can be more powerful than before.

Further, for example, in the case of performing multi-stage expansion in which the same fiber bundle is expanded over a plurality of stages, or a plurality of fiber expansions in which all of these are simultaneously expanded for a plurality of fiber bundles, for example, However, when air is used as the fluid and water is used, the power is about 1/20 to 1/37. The power required in this way is large Since the width can be reduced, the running cost such as the electricity cost required for spreading can be significantly reduced. Usually, expanded fiber bundles are produced in large quantities, so even if the width is small, the effect is high, but the effect of the present invention is remarkable. As a result, when performing multi-stage spreading or multiple spreading, less power is required, and a practical fluid flow type manufacturing apparatus with a small power source can be obtained.

Therefore, in this fluid flow type spreading device, as described in claim 7,

A liquid flow is used as a fluid flow, and a fiber bundle feeding section and the fiber spreading section are provided in the liquid, and the liquid flow intersects with the fiber bundle feeding section in the liquid. The fiber bundle is separated by using the passing portion as the spreading portion.

Now, also in the case of this structure, as described in claim 2, the fluid flow generating means may be configured to include a suction flow path for sucking the liquid in the spread portion. preferable.

By providing the suction flow path, the liquid flow in the fiber spreading section is sucked toward the suction flow path, and as a result, a negative pressure is provided from the upstream side of the fiber spreading section. As a result, the fiber bundle in the converged state can be easily dragged to the spread side, and the motion state of the fiber can be stabilized and a good spread state can be quickly reached.

In addition, in the present application, by using a liquid having a small volume expansion and contraction as a fluid, the flow is easily stabilized in a desired spread state, and a stable spread state in the longitudinal direction of the fiber bundle is obtained. Becomes possible.

Therefore, in this apparatus, as described in claim 8, in forming the liquid flow, the liquid in the fiber expanding section is sucked and the fibers in the fiber expanding section are sucked. Spreading of the bundle is performed by a suction flow.

Now, as described in claim 3, it is preferable that a rectification flow path forming body that rectifies a liquid flow reaching the fiber expansion section is provided above the fiber expansion section.

It is preferable that the flow in the fiber expanding section is as uniform as possible when viewed in the cross section of the liquid flow, and it is preferable that the flow is temporally stable, but a rectifying flow path is formed upstream of the fiber expanding section. The body is arranged, and the liquid is poured into the spreading section through this rectifying flow path, whereby the flow is regulated. Further, a temporally stable liquid flow in the flow is obtained, and the spreading is excellent. Can be done.

Therefore, in this device, as described in claim 9, a rectification flow path for rectifying a liquid flow reaching the fiber expansion part is provided upstream of the fiber expansion part, Fiber spreading is performed by the liquid flow in a rectified state.

Further, as described in claim 4, it is preferable that a liquid storage unit is provided adjacent to a downstream side of the suction channel provided for the fiber spreading unit.

The flow of the fiber expansion section becomes a suction flow, but if a liquid storage section is provided downstream of the suction flow, this liquid storage section functions as a damper in the flow, and the downstream of the liquid storage section The turbulence in the suction means provided on the side is absorbed in this portion, and stable suction can be performed in the suction flow path and, consequently, in the spreading portion.

Now, as described in claim 5, there is provided a squeezing roller mechanism for squeezing in a gas the spread fiber bundle expanded by the spread section in the liquid. It is preferable that the expanded fiber bundle is led out of the liquid into the gas by contacting one of the rollers constituting the drawing roller mechanism.

The fluid flow type fiber spreading device of the present invention is characterized in that the fiber spreading is performed in a liquid, and the fiber expanded fiber bundle expanded in the fiber spreading section is directly transferred from the liquid into the gas. When it is derived, the spread state may be disrupted (constricted) due to the surface tension of the liquid.

In order to avoid such a problem, in the present application, a squeezing roller mechanism for squeezing the expanded fiber bundle immersed in liquid in a gas is provided, and the squeezing port mechanism is formed. The expanded fiber bundle in the expanded state is brought out of the liquid into the gas by contacting one of the rollers. With this configuration, since the expanded fiber bundle is in contact with the surface of one of the rollers, the surface tension of the liquid is somewhat reduced, and the expanded state of the liquid can be suppressed from being significantly collapsed.

In this apparatus, as described in claim 10, when the expanded fiber bundle expanded by the expansion unit is led out from a liquid into a gas, the expansion is performed. The delicate fiber bundle is led out of the liquid into the gas while keeping it in contact with the solid surface.

In this case, when a predetermined pressing force is applied to the expanded fiber bundle by generating tension in the expanded fiber bundle in a contact state with one of the rollers, the expanded fiber is The spread state of the bundle can be almost completely eliminated. Now, as described in claim 6, when configuring the fluid-flow type fiber spreading device, a plurality of the fiber spreading parts are provided, and the fiber spreading can be performed simultaneously by the plural fiber spreading parts. It is preferable to adopt such a configuration.

In the present application, since a liquid is used as a fluid for spreading, the power can be greatly reduced, and even when a plurality of spreading portions are provided, low power can be used. Therefore, a fluid flow type fiber spreading device with high productivity can be obtained.

When this apparatus is employed, as described in claim 12, a plurality of the fiber spreading sections are provided, and the fiber spreading is performed simultaneously by the plurality of fiber spreading sections. In the case of producing a spread fiber bundle as described above, as described in Claim 11, the liquid includes a liquid between the liquid and the filament. It is preferable to carry out fiber spreading by mixing a surface active material exhibiting surface activity.

By mixing the surfactant material in the liquid, it becomes possible to realize a situation in which each filament is easily separated by the action of the surfactant material in the liquid, and as a result, the spreading ability can be further enhanced. it can.

For example, when the fiber bundle is a carbon fiber bundle and water is used as the liquid, alcohol or the like can be used as the surfactant material. Also in this case, the spreading ability is improved.

However, when alcohol is used, it is preferable that the liquid tank be of a substantially closed type and measures are taken to suppress the evaporation of alcohol.

[Means for achieving the second purpose]

In order to achieve this object, the ultrasonic fiber spreading device according to the present invention is characterized in that, as described in claim 13, the spread fiber bundle is guided from the liquid to the outside of the liquid. It is provided with a spread state maintaining means for maintaining the spread state of the spread bundle when discharging, and a removing means for removing a liquid from the fiber bundle.

In this ultrasonic type fiber spreading device, the drawing section where the fiber bundle is drawn out of the liquid to the outside of the liquid is provided with a fiber spreading state maintaining means, and a portion outside the liquid is provided with a removing means, and the fiber bundle is provided with a removing means. While maintaining the spread state, the liquid is removed from the fiber bundle.

Therefore, in this configuration, the fiber bundle is introduced into the removing means in a state where the spread state is maintained by the spread state maintaining means, and the fiber bundle which is often a deterioration factor of the spread is formed. Since the adhered liquid is removed, a good spread state can be maintained, and the spread state can be prevented from being deteriorated by this liquid.

In other words, the expanded fiber bundle can be sent to the lower side in a state in which the expansion of the fiber is unlikely to occur, and the processing of the expanded fiber bundle on the lower side of the ultrasonic expansion device can be performed in a high expansion state. It can proceed smoothly while maintaining it.

Further, as described in claim 14, the spread state maintaining means and the removing means include a first squeezing roller and a first squeezing roller contacting the first squeezing roller. A squeezing roller mechanism having the first squeezing roller immersed in the liquid, and the expanded fiber bundle is drawn out of the liquid in contact with the first squeezing roller. In addition, the fiber bundle is preferably configured to be squeezable by the first squeezing roller and the second squeezing roller.

By employing a squeezing type squeezing roller mechanism as the spread state maintaining means and removing means, the liquid can be reliably removed at a predetermined position, and the first squeezing roller provided in the squeezing roller mechanism is in a semi-immersed state. By guiding the expanded fiber bundle out of the liquid while in contact with the roller in the semi-immersed state, the liquid immediately after the fiber bundle comes out of the liquid Fiber spreading deterioration can be suppressed, and by performing a squeezing operation in this state, the effect of the liquid can be reliably removed.

Now, in the configuration of the ultrasonic type fiber spreading device described so far, as described in claim 15, to configure the fiber bundle feeding section, the plurality of rollers The fiber bundle is fed in a bent path while contacting each roller surface, and as the plurality of rollers, a plurality of types of spreading rollers having different surface undulations with respect to the roller surface contacting the fiber bundle. It is preferable to provide a configuration provided with such a configuration.

In the case of using ultrasonic waves for spreading, while simultaneously ensuring the state of contact of the fiber bundle with a plurality of rollers, and sequentially trying to efficiently spread the fibers by the action of the rollers, The fibers are sequentially advanced with the contact with the rollers.

On the other hand, since ultrasonic waves are also used, the strength and weakness of the ultrasonic waves are likely to occur due to the relationship with the contact position of each roller.

Here, when expanding a fiber bundle consisting of a large number of filaments, each of which is much thinner, the relationship between the surface undulation of the roller and the acting force by ultrasonic waves If not, the arrangement of the fiber bundles is likely to be disturbed, and at the same time, the fiber bundles may be fluffed, the filament may be cut, or the fiber may be insufficiently spread.

Therefore, in an ultrasonic spreading device that includes a plurality of rollers and performs spreading by the action of ultrasonic waves, the surface unevenness of the rollers is changed depending on the position of the rollers, for example, It is preferable that an appropriate spread state can be maintained in relation to the spreadability by sound waves. That is, it is possible to perform appropriate fiber spreading by selecting the surface undulation state of the roller in accordance with the roller position, the difference in fiber spreading force due to ultrasonic waves, and the like.

Now, as described above, when a plurality of types of spreading rollers having different surface undulations are used, as described in claim 16, the undulation state of the roller surface is a large number of minute A plurality of types of rollers having different undulations on the surface of the mouth, a first-type spreading roller in which the protruding side of the protruding portion is sharpened, and a protruding portion of the protruding portion. It is preferable to provide a second-type spreading roller having a smooth side.

Here, the first-type spreading roller has a sharpened protruding side of the protruding portion, so that this opening acts like a comb tooth, and the fiber bundle is drawn from the relationship with the tension applied to the fiber bundle. It can work by combing, separating each filament, and adjusting the direction.

On the other hand, since the projecting side of the second type spreading roller has a smooth protruding side, each filament is allowed to freely move by the action of ultrasonic waves at the tip side of the protruding section, A further spread state can be realized.

By using a combination of rollers having different properties and functions, it is possible to use a device for spreading the fibers using ultrasonic waves, and to make the spreading suitable and high in spreading ability.

Further, as described in claim 17, in forming the fiber bundle feeding section, the fiber bundle is in contact with a plurality of rollers while being in contact with a surface of each roller and a bending path. In a configuration that is flowed out

Of the plurality of rollers, as a roller disposed at a position where the spreading action by the ultrasonic wave is strong, the undulating state of the roller surface is formed by a large number of minute projections, and It is preferable to provide a second type spreading roller having a smooth protruding side. The roller used in this section is equivalent to the type 2 spreading roller described in claim 16, and has a high degree of freedom of movement of the fiber bundle as described above. Even if the fiber is spread with strong ultrasonic waves, it is unlikely to cause any problems. Therefore, this type of roller (second type spreading roller) is arranged at a position where the ultrasonic wave is relatively strong, and it is possible to perform appropriate spreading based on the relationship between the ultrasonic wave and the tension of the fiber bundle. Wear.

By the way, in the structure of the ultrasonic fiber spreading device described so far, as described in claim 18,

In the configuration of the fiber bundle feeding section, the fiber bundle is fed to a plurality of rollers in a bent path while being in contact with the surface of each roller,

It is preferable that the contact surface with which the fiber bundle comes into contact is a curved contact surface that is curved in the width direction of the fiber bundle in the flowing state.

Such a curve of the roller is a state of the contact surface in the width direction of the fiber bundle. For example, in a case where the roller has a curved shape in which the roller swells outward in the width direction of the fiber bundle, the fiber An acting force can be exerted in the spreading direction (direction in which the bundle is spread in the width direction). On the other hand, when the roller is concave in the surface direction in the width direction of the fiber bundle, the acting force can be exerted in the convergence direction (direction of converging in the width direction) of the fiber bundle.

In other words, by bending the roller surface, it is possible to control the spread state of the fiber bundle by the curved state of the roller surface, and to spread the fiber by ultrasonic waves, the spread state by the roller surface state (rough surface state), and the like. In consideration of these factors, it is possible to appropriately control the spreading from the relationship with these balances.

Now, in the configuration described so far, as described in claim 19, a resonance that resonates with the ultrasonic waves for fiber expansion is performed in the liquid that performs fiber expansion using ultrasonic waves. Preferably, a mechanism is provided.

Ultrasonic waves for spreading are propagated in the liquid using an ultrasonic generator. If a resonance mechanism is provided in the liquid, less power is required by using the ultrasonic resonance. , Ultrasonic fiber spreading can be performed.

Furthermore, for example, a flow path for a fiber bundle is provided between a pair of resonance plates forming a resonance mechanism. In other words, regardless of the installation position of the ultrasonic generator, a region where ultrasonic waves are strong can be formed between the resonance plates, and spreading can be effectively performed. In this case, control of the ultrasonic wave is also facilitated. Furthermore, if the spreading roller of the present application is provided between the pair of resonance plates, the spreading by contact with the roller and the spreading by the resonated ultrasonic waves can be simultaneously performed at the specified position. The fiber spreading ability is enhanced, and its control is also facilitated.

[Means for achieving the third object of the present application]

The features of the fiber spreading system according to the present invention for achieving this object are as described in claim 20.

In a state in which the fiber bundle is tensioned, a fiber bundle feeding section is formed in the liquid to be fed in a bent path while being in contact with the surface of each roller with respect to the plurality of rollers. An ultrasonic fiber spreading device for spreading the fiber bundle of the fiber bundle feeding section by transmitting ultrasonic waves to the fiber bundle feeding device as a preliminary fiber spreading device;

A pre-expanded fiber bundle expanded by the pre-expanding device;

Means for feeding the pre-expanded fiber bundle to the expanding section for expanding the pre-expanded fiber bundle while controlling the over-feeding of the pre-expanded fiber bundle; And a fluid flow generating means for generating a fluid flow for expanding the pre-expanded fiber bundle, wherein the expanding section intersects the pre-expanded fiber bundle to be fed and passes the fluid flow. A fluid flow type fiber spreading device which bends the pre-expanded fiber bundle in the downstream direction of the fluid flow and separates the pre-expanded fiber bundle in the fiber bundle width direction by the fluid flow. is there.

On the other hand, regarding the fiber spreading system described in claim 21, the following structure is adopted, contrary to the configuration described in claim 20.

That is, a feeding unit that feeds and feeds the fiber bundle to the spreading unit that spreads the fiber bundle while performing overfeed control, and a fluid flow generating unit that generates a fluid flow that spreads the fiber bundle. Prepared,

The fiber expanding section intersects with the fiber bundle to be fed and allows the fluid flow to pass therethrough, deflects the fiber bundle in a downstream direction of the fluid flow, and causes the fiber bundle to be bent by the fluid flow. The flow spreading device that separates the fibers in the width direction of the fiber bundle is used as the preliminary spreading device. Be prepared

A pre-expanded fiber bundle expanded by the pre-expanding device;

In the fiber spreading device, the pre-expanded pre-expanded fiber bundle is tensioned, and the fiber bundle is fed while forming a bending path while contacting a plurality of rollers. And an ultrasonic type fiber spreading device for further expanding the pre-expanded fiber bundle of the fiber bundle feeding section by providing ultrasonic waves in the liquid while providing the fiber section in the liquid. . By the way, the ultrasonic type fiber spreading device referred to in the present application is designed to draw a bending path while contacting a fiber bundle to be spread with a plurality of roller surfaces in a tension-applied state, thereby providing a vibration effect applied by ultrasonic waves. This expansion can be said to be forced and mechanical expansion. Such spreading is suitable, for example, for initial spreading (relatively slow spreading) when a sizing agent having a relatively high adhesiveness is added.

On the other hand, a fluid flow type fiber spreading device supplies a fiber bundle to be spread in an over-feed state to a predetermined fiber spreading section by a flow-feeding means, and the fiber bundle in this state is supplied by a fluid generating means. The generated fluid flow (gas flow or liquid flow) is applied in an intersecting state, and at the same time, the fluid flow is passed between the filaments to spread the fiber bundle. A drag that can be obtained hydrodynamically Power based. In this case, the tension is not applied to each filament in an aggressive sense because each filament is maintained in an overfeed state. Therefore, this fiber spreading method is based on the premise that the separation of each filament has progressed to some extent and that each filament can move freely. For example, the adhesion of the sizing agent is low, and the amount of adhesion is relatively small. It is suitable for very few.

The above is the feature of each fiber spreading device employed in the fiber spreading system of the present application. The inventors performed predetermined fiber spreading on a large number of fiber bundles. This spread was almost the limit at the current technical level described above.

As a result, for the majority of the fiber bundles to be expanded, the expansion is performed in the order described in claim 20 (expansion by ultrasonic wave, and then expansion by fluid flow). Thus, in the present fiber spreading operation, the fiber spreading could be further advanced than the preliminary fiber spreading. This place In most cases, if the spreading order was reversed, the desired degree of spreading could not be achieved for about half. The inventors presume that in the case of performing the fiber spreading in this order, the fiber bundle required forcible fiber spreading with tension application in the preliminary fiber spreading stage. Furthermore, the reason that advanced spreading could not be performed by the ultrasonic method was that the filament was easily damaged by the application of tension due to relatively low elongation. I presume that the expression spreading method was preferred.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the remaining fiber bundles to be spread are subjected to spreading by a fluid flow from the pre-spreading stage, and after this pre-spreading, it is preferable to perform ultrasonic spreading as the main spread. there were.

Although this ratio is relatively low, it is preferable to use this method when the sizing amount is relatively small and the filament is relatively strong.

Furthermore, since the main spreading step is performed by using ultrasonic waves, it is possible to highly precisely control the spreading accuracy described above.

Therefore, as described in Claim 20 or 21, it is preferable to construct a system capable of performing both of the fiber spreading methods in order to perform advanced fiber spreading. The degree of fiber expansion targeted in the present application is higher than the degree of fiber expansion conventionally performed.

As a result, by adopting the system of the present invention, each of the constituent filaments of the fiber bundle is not damaged, each filament is straightened, and the parallelism is high, and the filament density in the fiber bundle width direction is uniform. It is possible to obtain high quality expanded fiber bundles (which can be called expanded fiber bundles).

With conventional fiber spreading devices (ultrasonic fiber spreading method, fluid flow type fiber spreading method), there are cases where it is difficult to perform with one stage of fiber spreading operation, and the effect of improving productivity is large.

Further, as described in claim 22, it is preferable that the fluid flow used for spreading in the fluid flow spreading device is a liquid flow.

In this case, in the fluid-flow-type fiber spreading device, a fluid flow is used to apply a fiber spreading force to each filament. In order to use a liquid whose body expansion coefficient is much smaller than gas, the fiber spreading is performed. The flow in the section is stabilized, and a uniform and strong fluid force can be applied. As a result, the fiber spreading ability can be more powerful than before. Further, for example, in the case of performing multi-stage expansion in which the same fiber bundle is expanded over a plurality of stages, or multiple expansion in which all of the fiber bundles are simultaneously expanded, For example, when air is used as the fluid and water is used, the power is significantly reduced. As a result, when performing multi-stage spreading or multi-stage spreading, less power is required, and a practical manufacturing apparatus can be obtained with a small power source. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing the overall structure of the fiber spreading system of the present application,

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the fiber spreading system of the present application,

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a yarn feed adjustment detecting section,

Fig. 4 is an illustration of the pre-spreading device,

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the fiber spreading device,

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the surface undulation state of the spreading roller,

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an external shape of the roller. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The fiber spreading system 1 of the present application is a system for simultaneously spreading a plurality of fiber bundles 2, so-called multifilaments F, individually and individually.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the fiber spreading system 1 of the present application, and shows a configuration for spreading three fiber bundles 2.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the main part of the system of the present invention, Fig. 3 shows the outline of the yarn feeding adjustment detecting section 9, and Fig. 4 shows the preliminary spreading in the present application system. FIG. 5 shows an outline of the pre-expansion device 4 provided with the liquid tank 3 for use, and an outline of the main expansion device 6 provided with a liquid tank 5 for main expansion for performing the main expansion.

To give an example of the multifilament F to which the present invention is applied, as such a fiber bundle 2, a multifilament F (non-combustible carbon fiber: 1,200 bundles of 7〃m filaments = original width of about 6 mm) , Original thickness of about 0.16 mm). Such a fiber bundle is spread to a width of about 7 to 9 mm and a thickness of about 0.08 mm by preliminary spreading by the present fiber spreading system 1, and a width of about 25 mm by the main spreading. Thickness 0. It can be expanded to about 0 2 mm. The sizing amount is about 0.2 to 3%. In the figure, 21 indicates a fiber bundle that has been subjected to the main fiber expansion.

The schematic configuration of the system of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a yarn feeding section 7, a pre-expanding device 4, a drawing roller mechanism 10a, It comprises a driving roller mechanism 8, a yarn feeding adjustment detecting section 9, a main spreading device 6, a squeezing roller mechanism 10b, a heating section 12, a driven roller mechanism 11, and a winding section 13. .

With this configuration, the fiber bundle 2 is pulled out from the yarn supplying bobbin 70 provided in the yarn supplying section 7 and subjected to a predetermined fiber spreading process. 30 rolls. Here, the releasing operation on the yarn supplying side and the winding operation on the winding side are performed by providing a known releasing and winding device.

The feeding control of the fiber bundle 2 between the yarn supplying section 7 and the winding section 13 is mainly controlled by the operation of the driving roller mechanism 8 and the driven roller mechanism 11 described above. This control is based on detection information from the yarn feeding adjustment detecting section 9. With respect to the pair of rollers constituting the drive roller mechanism 8, one of the rollers 8a is configured to be driven by a servo motor 8b, and is adjusted according to output information of the detection unit 9 described below. Speed control is possible.

As shown in FIG. 3, the yarn feeding adjustment detecting section 9 detects the weight 14 suspended from the fiber bundle 2 fed in and the suspended position of the weight 14 as shown in FIG. And a suspension position detecting mechanism 15.

The suspension position detection mechanism 15 includes a laser-type detection device 16 inside, and detects the weight 14 and thus the deflection amount h of the fiber bundle 2 at this position. In the structure of the present invention, the bending amount h of the fiber bundle 2 at this position is interlocked with the radius H of the spreading portion 17 provided in the main spreading device 6 described later. By detecting the radius h, it is possible to detect the radius H in the fibrous portion 17 and, consequently, the overfeed state of the fiber bundle 2 in the fibrous portion 17.

The detection information of the suspension position detection mechanism 15 is transmitted to a controller 8 c for a servo motor 8 b provided in the drive roller mechanism 8, which is useful for the flow control of the fiber bundle 2. I can Here, the control by the controller 8c is to control the overfeed state of the fiber bundle 2 so that the radius H in the spreading portion 17 becomes a desired amount. Accordingly, the role of the yarn feeding adjustment detecting section 9 is as follows: the fiber bundle 2 between the driving roller mechanism 8 and the driven roller mechanism 11 is operated in a state where a predetermined fiber bundle amount is interposed therebetween. The amount is adjusted, and the radius H of the fiber bundle 2 in the fiber spreading section 17 provided in the fiber spreading device 6 described in detail later is maintained in a desired state.

Therefore, the suspension position of the weight 14 is detected according to the state of supply of the fiber bundle 2 into the system (between the drive roller mechanism 8 and the driven roller mechanism 11). The feed rate in the mechanism 8 is controlled, and the amount of deflection H of the fiber spreading section 17 is adjusted. With the configuration described above, the system of the present application is provided with the transportation means referred to in the present application.

Good control is performed, and in a stable state, the amount of fiber bundle between the two mechanisms is kept constant, and the amount of deflection H of the fiber bundle 2 in the fiber spreading section 17 is kept constant. Dripping.

The above is the description of the fiber bundle feeding in the fiber spreading system 1 of the present application. The fiber spreading operation will be described below.

The pre-spreading device 4 is configured as an ultrasonic type spreader using ultrasonic waves. As shown in FIG. 4, the pre-spreading device 4 is provided in a pre-spreading liquid tank 3 having an ultrasonic generator 18. While guiding the fiber bundle 2, the fiber bundle 2 is brought into contact with a plurality of fiber spreading rollers 19 provided in the tank, and the fiber bundle 2 is flown while being bent. At the same time, ultrasonic waves are applied via the liquid in the tank to pre-expand the fiber bundle.

The configuration of this mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

First, an ultrasonic generator 18 for generating ultrasonic waves in the pre-spreading liquid tank is arranged at the bottom of the tank. As a resonance mechanism 30 for the ultrasonic waves generated by the generator 18, a pair of resonance plates 30 a and b whose lower end portions are immersed in the tank are provided.

The longitudinal directions of the resonance plates 30a and 30b are set so as to match the flow direction of the fiber bundle 2. The separation distance between the plates is set appropriately in relation to the ultrasonic frequency. This makes it possible to enhance ultrasonic waves between the pair of resonance plates 30a and 30b. As shown in the figure, a plurality of rollers 20a, 19a, b, c, d, and 20b are provided between the resonance plates 30a and 30b and between the resonance plates 30a and 30b and between the resonance plates 30a and 30b. The fiber bundle comes in contact with these rollers.

To explain this flow-in structure, the fiber bundle 2 is provided with an inlet guide 20a, four spreading outlets 19, and an outlet guide roller 20b in the flow direction of the fiber bundle 2.

The inlet guide roller 20a is for guiding the fiber bundle 2 into the liquid in the pre-expansion liquid tank.

The fiber spreading rollers 19 are arranged in a staggered manner in the tank, and the fiber bundle is flowed in a bent path while contacting a part of the surface of each of the rollers 19. It is configured to: The spreading of each fiber bundle 2 proceeds sequentially along this path.

The outlet guide roller 20b serves to guide the fiber bundle 2 to a throttle port roller mechanism 10a provided on the lower side of the roller.

By the way, in the present application, the above-described fiber spreading roller 19 has a unique configuration. The fiber spreading roller 19 in the present application employs two types of surface undulations. Further, some of the rollers have a surface in the axial direction of the roller (the fiber bundle in the flowing state). In the width direction).

Hereinafter, each of the features will be described.

The first spreading roller 19a, the second spreading roller 19b, the third spreading roller 19c, and the fourth spreading roller 19d are referred to in order from the upstream side with respect to the spreading roller 19. Regarding these rollers, the surface undulations of the first spreading roller 19a and the other spreading rollers 19b, c, d are different.

More specifically, the first spreading roller 19a has a surface that has been treated by blasting an alumina sphere. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the projection P protruding outward from the surface has a protruding side p that is sharp, and the projection bottom has a number of concave portions in which a smooth concave curved surface is formed. It has surface undulations. The spreading roller 19 having such a surface state is referred to as a first-type spreading roller in the present application. Meanwhile, the second spreading roller 1 9b, the third spreading roller 19c, and the fourth spreading roller 19d have roller surfaces that have been chemically polished. By performing such a treatment, the roller surface becomes sharp cracks formed along the crystal grain boundaries. The surface of the roller is such that, with respect to the protrusion P projecting outward from the surface, the projecting side p has a relatively large arc along the surface and has a smooth arcuate surface undulation. The spreading roller 19 having such a surface state is referred to as a second type spreading roller in the present application.

Here, as shown in the figure, the portion where the second type spreading roller is arranged is almost immediately above the ultrasonic generator 18 and is a portion where ultrasonic waves are relatively strong.

As described above, due to the relationship between the degree of spreading and the intensity of the ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave is relatively weak, and the first-type spreading roller is positioned at a position where the spreading starts substantially. By arranging a second-class spreading roller at a position where the spreading power is strong, the fiber is spread in the initial stage of spreading, so that the fiber bundle is not combed. The sound waves allow each filament to freely move in the vicinity of the protruding end of the projection, thereby exhibiting a strong spreading ability.

Now, each spreading roller 19 has the characteristic roller surface structure as described above, but at the same time, the following measures have been devised.

That is, in the second fiber spreading roller 19b of the present application, the roller surface over the entire width of the fiber bundle 2 in the width direction (axial direction of the roller) of the contact portion of the fiber bundle 2 of the roller. It is curved (in the case of the one shown in Fig. 4, it forms a drum shape with an upwardly convex curvature) (see Fig. 7). Also from this structure, the fiber bundle in contact with the roller 19b is subjected to a spreading operation.

More specifically, the roller diameter is set to an average of 100 to 100 mm, and the degree of curvature is about 100 R to 100 R corresponding to the roller diameter. . In this case, it is preferable to be about 400 R to 600 R.

It is natural that the combination of the spreading rollers of the types described above and the combination of the strip rollers having the surface curved as a whole, for example, are selected and adopted according to the yarn type and the like.

As described above, the first ^ ^ fourth fiber spreading rollers 19 a, b, c, d over the fiber By feeding the bundle, the fiber bundle can be sequentially expanded.

The expanded fiber bundle is introduced into the squeezing roller mechanism 10a by the exit guide roller 20.

The squeezing roller mechanism 100a includes a metal roller 100a partially immersed in liquid (this roller is referred to as a first squeezing roller in the present application) and a metal roller. It is composed of a rubber roller 100b (which is referred to as a second squeezing roller in the present application) that comes into contact with 100a from above, and a fiber bundle that has been pre-expanded between the two rollers. By passing, the adhering liquid is removed.

In the squeezing roller mechanism 100a, the pre-expanded fiber bundle 2 is guided from the liquid into the air while contacting the metal opening 100a with the metal opening 100a. By performing the squeezing operation in a relatively short time, poor spreading due to the surface tension of the liquid does not occur. The squeezing roller mechanism 10a functions as the spread state maintaining means and the removing means referred to in the present application.

Next, the present fiber spreading device 6 will be described.

The fiber spreading device 6 also expands the fiber bundle 2 in a liquid, and as shown in FIG. 5, includes the main fiber spreading liquid tank 5 and guides the fiber bundle 2 in the flowing direction. 20 c, d, e, a fiber spreading section 17 for performing the main fiber spreading using a liquid flow, a fiber bundle 2 which has been spread and obtained in the fiber spreading section 17 A drawing roller mechanism 10b is provided to draw 1 from the liquid into the gas and to perform a drawing operation of the spread fiber bundle 21.

In the fiber spreading device 6, first, second, and third guide rollers 20c, 20d, and 20e are provided inside and outside the liquid tank 5 for fiber spreading. The guide rollers 20 c serve to introduce the fiber bundle 2 into the liquid, and two pairs of second guides provided on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the spreading part 17. The roller 20 d serves as a support for giving a radius to the fiber bundle 2 in the spread portion 17. The third guide roller 200 e guides the spread fiber bundle 21 sent out from the spreading section 1 to one of the metal rollers 100 a forming the squeezing roller mechanism 10 b.

The fiber bundle 2 sent through a predetermined path undergoes the main spreading in the spreading section 17, and the structure of the spreading section 17 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, a circulation pump 22 for circulating the liquid in the tank for the fiber spreading liquid tank 5 through a predetermined circulation path is provided. That is, a suction flow path 23 is provided on the downstream side of the fiber spreading section 17 provided in the fiber spreading liquid tank 5, and a liquid storage section 24 is further provided on the downstream side thereof. The outlet side of 24 is connected to the fluid suction port 22 a of the circulation pump 22.

On the other hand, a fluid discharge port 22 b of the circulating pump 22 is connected to return the discharged fluid to the main fiber liquid tank 5.

Now, the structure in the vicinity of the fiber spreading part 17 will be described. A rectifying flow path forming body 25 is provided on the upstream side of the fiber spreading part 17, and a suction flow path forming body 26 is provided on the downstream side thereof. It is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, these formed bodies 25 and 26 retain the fluid cross-sectional shape (square shape) of the spreading portion 17 with respect to a single fiber bundle 2, It is configured to be maintained in the flow direction (actually, up and down direction), and the flow path is configured independently for each fiber bundle.

As shown in the figure, the inlet 25 a of the straightening channel forming body 25 is located at a position lower than the liquid level of the liquid tank 5 for fiber expansion. Liquid flows into channel 27. Further, the liquid that has flowed in this way is rectified in the rectification flow path 27, reaches the expansion section 17, further flows through the suction flow path 23, and then flows into the liquid storage section 24. The liquid storage part 24 is configured to provide a common single liquid storage space for the plurality of expanding parts 17, and absorbs a flow rate difference between the plurality of expanding parts. And the effect from the circulation pump 22 can be reduced.

Therefore, a fluid flow generating unit is configured with the above configuration.

In the spreading section 17 described above, the radius state described above occurs due to the relationship between the flow velocity of the liquid flow at this section and the overfeed state of the fiber bundle 2, Due to the hydrodynamic effect of the flow, the fiber bundle is spread well.

In this way, the fiber bundle expanded in the expansion unit 17 (which can be referred to as an expanded fiber bundle 21) is guided to the third guide roller 20e, and the squeezing roller mechanism 1 Introduced within 0 b.

As described above, the squeezing roller mechanism 10b is formed of gold partially immersed in liquid. A metal roller 100a and a rubber roller 100b that comes into contact with the metal roller 100a from above, and the spread fiber sheet passes between the rollers to form a spread fiber bundle 2 1 The liquid adhering to is removed.

Also in this squeezing roller mechanism 10b, the spread fiber bundle 21 is guided out of the liquid into the air while contacting the metal roller 100a with the metal roller 100a. By performing the squeezing operation in a relatively short time, there is no possibility of fiber spreading failure due to the surface tension of the liquid.

The expanded fiber bundle 21 after the drawing operation is guided by a roller 28 that is appropriately disposed, guided to the heating unit 12, and guided to the winding unit 13.

The heating section 12 is attached to a drying section 12a for removing the liquid remaining in the expanded fiber bundle 21 by drying, and to a filament forming the expanded fiber bundle 21 to adhere the filaments. And a re-heat treatment section 12b for softening and re-dispersing a sizing agent and the like that may be formed.

With the above configuration, drying and re-heat treatment are performed in the heating unit 12, and the expanded fiber bundle 21 is wound up in the winding unit 13, so that the expanded fiber wound on the winding bobbin 130 is wound. A fine fiber bundle 21 can be obtained.

[Example]

After preliminarily expanding using the above-described fiber spreading system, the main fiber spreading is performed, and a woven fabric is woven using the obtained expanded fiber bundle, and the woven fabric is then used. Table 1 shows the results of the preparation of the prepredder.

There were three examples.

Table 1 shows the average fiber diameter, the number of filaments, the thickness of the fiber bundle (shown as the original thickness t0), the fiber bundle for the fiber bundle before fiber expansion (though the preliminary fiber expansion has been completed). Of the fiber bundle (D0 / t0), fiber strength (MPa), and elastic modulus (GPa).

In addition, the fiber bundle thickness (shown as spread thickness tf), the number of filaments in the thickness direction, the fiber bundle width (shown as spread width Df), and the fiber bundle expansion The fiber width / expanded thickness (D f / tf) is shown, as well as the fiber strength (MPa) and elastic modulus (GPa) of the fiber bundle after fiber expansion. Further, with respect to the woven fabric obtained using the fiber bundle, the woven structure, the basis weight (g / m-) and the thickness (mm) are shown. However, in Example 2, no woven structure was formed, and the fiber bundles were used in a state where the fiber bundles were aligned in one direction (in Table 1, UD is shown at the site of the woven structure).

The basis weight (g / ms) _s resin content (%), flexural strength (MPa), flexural elasticity (GPa), and fiber content weight (%) of the obtained pre-preda are shown. Epoxy resin was used as the resin.

As the resin, any resin such as a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin can be used.Examples of the thermosetting resin include epoxy resin, vinyl ester, phenol, silicone, and acryl. it can. On the other hand, examples of the thermoplastic resin include PP, PS, ABS, PE, and PC.

table 1

1 2 3 Fiber bundle (before spreading)

Average filament diameter 5 6.4 / l Number of filaments 24K 12K 12K Original thickness tO (mm) 0.086 0.07 0.084 Original width DO (mm) 7 7 7 Width / thickness (DO / tO) 81.4 100 83.3 Fiber strength (MPa) 5560 4760 4350 Elastic modulus (GP 290 295 235 Fiber bundle (after fiber)

Spread thickness tf (mm) 0.02 0.019 0.024 Number of filaments 4 (3 5) 5 (3 6) 5 (3 7) Spread width Df (mm) 30 25 25 Width / thickness (D f / tf) 1500 1316 1042 Fiber Strength (MPa) 5730 4900 4850 Modulus (GPa) 290 290 235 Textile

Woven texture Flat UD Weight (g / m ² ) 54 27 64 Thickness (mm) 0.07 0.019 0.07 Pre-preg

Weight (g / m ² ) 90 47 107 Resin content (%) 42 43 42 Flexural strength (MPa) 1200 1570 1430 Flexural elasticity (GPa) 65 150 70 Thickness (mm) 0.1 0.035 0.09 Fiber content weight (%) 58 57 58 As can be seen from the table, in Examples 1, 2 and 3, the fiber strength before and after spreading was improved, and the orientation of each filament was further improved. Conceivable.

Furthermore, the obtained woven fabric and prepredder were lightweight and sufficiently satisfied practical strength conditions.

[Another embodiment]

(1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which water was used as the liquid for spreading, but in order to increase the spreading effect, an alcohol or surfactant was mixed with water to expand the spread. You may do fine.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the expanded fiber bundle is guided from the liquid to the outside of the liquid while being in contact with the predetermined roller, and the expanded state of the expanded fiber bundle is maintained. Thus, the spread state is maintained, but in the spread state, a structure in which the spread state is maintained by applying an air current or the like can be adopted.

(3) Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the liquid is squeezed and removed by performing a squeezing operation on the fiber bundle. , And it is also possible to use an airflow or the like as described above.

(4) In order to make the surface unevenness of the fiber spreading roller different, in the combination of the first type fiber spreading roller and the second type fiber spreading roller referred to in the present application, a fiber spreading structure using different types of rollers is obtained. However, for example, in addition to the different types, the first type and the second type may be employed, or a fiber spreading roller having a flat surface may be employed. When using a single-type spreading roller (for example, only the first-type spreading roller) as well as when using a combination of these spreading rollers, the height of the projections formed on the roller surface is increased. By changing the size or the like, a fiber spreading roller having a different surface undulation may be formed.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, a so-called drum-shaped one (a part protruding at the center in the roller axis direction) is used to configure the curved contact surface. The surface shape was used, but conversely, the width of the spread fiber bundle was adjusted as a conical shape (the center side in the roller axial direction was depressed) (for example, the spread of the fiber was more than sufficient by ultrasonic waves). When in the state, try to adjust the parallelism of each filament) It may be adopted for the purpose of.

(6) In the above embodiment, the multifilament is made of carbon fiber, but the multifilament is made of glass fiber, aramide fiber, PBO fiber, vinylon fiber, ceramic fiber, etc. The present application is applicable.

(7) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the fluid flow type spreading device is provided at the subsequent stage of the ultrasonic type spreading device has been described. However, depending on the fiber bundle, as described above, this order may be used. May be reversed.

(8) In the above-described embodiment, the bending of the fiber bundle in the fiber spreading section is estimated by detecting the radius of the fiber bundle in the separately provided yarn feeding adjustment detecting section, Although the amount of overfeed is adjusted, a structure for directly detecting the bending in the expanded portion may be employed.

Industrial applicability

As a fiber spreading technology for expanding a fiber bundle composed of a plurality of filaments, the fiber spreading ability is excellent in a fluid flow, and the fiber spreading is performed in multiple stages or for a large number of fiber bundles. In addition, it is possible to obtain an expanded fiber bundle that requires less power,

An ultrasonic fiber spreading device that spreads fiber by applying ultrasonic waves to the fiber bundle in liquid, and obtains an ultrasonic fiber spreading device that easily maintains a good fiber spreading state with the fiber bundle led out of the liquid. However, it was possible to obtain a fiber spreading system capable of stably performing relatively high fiber spreading for various fiber spreading targets.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A feeding means for feeding and feeding the fiber bundle while controlling the overfeed to a fiber expanding section for expanding a fiber bundle formed by gathering a plurality of filaments, and generating a fluid flow for expanding the fiber bundle. Fluid flow generating means for causing

In the fiber spreading section, the fluid flow is passed through the fiber bundle crossing the flowed fiber bundle, and the fiber bundle is bent in a downstream direction of the fluid flow. Is a fluid flow type fiber spreading device for separating the fibers in the width direction of the fiber bundle,

The fluid flow is a liquid flow, a liquid tank in which the liquid flow is formed is provided, and the fiber bundle feeding section and the fiber spreading section are provided in the liquid tank; A fluid flow type spreading device, wherein a passing portion through which a liquid flow passes while intersecting the fiber bundle in a flowing state is used as the spreading portion.

2. The fluid flow spreading device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid flow generating means includes a suction flow path for sucking the liquid in the spreading portion.

3. The fluid flow spreading device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a rectifying flow path forming body that rectifies a liquid flow reaching the spreading portion, upstream of the spreading portion.

3. The fluid flow type fiber spreading device according to claim 2, further comprising a liquid storage part adjacent to a downstream side of the suction flow path provided for the fiber spreading part.

5. A squeezing port mechanism for squeezing the expanded fiber bundle expanded by the expanding section in the liquid in a gas is provided, and is contacted with one of the rollers constituting the squeezing roller mechanism. 5. The fluid flow type spreading device according to claim 1, wherein the expanded fiber bundle is led out of a liquid into a gas.

6. The fluid flow type fiber spreading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a plurality of the fiber spreading portions, wherein the fiber spreading can be performed simultaneously by the plurality of fiber spreading portions.

7. The fiber bundle is flow-supplied to the fiber-expanding portion that spreads the fiber bundle formed by gathering a plurality of filaments while controlling the fiber bundle in an overfeeding manner, and the fiber bundle is fed in a direction crossing the fiber bundle. A fluid flow type fiber spreading method in which a fluid is passed through the fiber spreading section, and the fiber bundle is deflected downstream of the fluid flow in the fiber spreading portion, and the fiber bundle is separated in the fiber bundle width direction by the action of the fluid flow. And A liquid flow is used as the fluid flow, and the fiber bundle feeding section and the fiber spreading section are provided in the liquid, and the liquid body intersects with the fiber bundle feeding section in the liquid. A fluid flow type fiber spreading method in which a flow is passed and the fiber bundle is separated by using the passing part as the fiber spreading part.

8. The fluid flow method according to claim 7, wherein, in forming the liquid flow, the liquid in the expansion unit is sucked, and the fiber bundle is expanded in the expansion unit by a suction flow. Spreading method.

9. A rectification flow path for rectifying a liquid flow reaching the fiber expansion part is provided upstream of the fiber expansion part, and fiber expansion is performed with the liquid flow in a rectified state. The fluid flow type spreading method as described in the above.

10 .In order to guide the expanded fiber bundle expanded in the expansion unit from the liquid to the gas, the expanded fiber bundle is moved from the liquid to the gas while keeping the expanded fiber bundle in contact with the solid surface. 10. The fluid flow spreading method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the request is derived.

11. The fluid flow according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein fiber spreading is performed by mixing a surface active material that exhibits surface activity between the liquid and the filament with the liquid. Formula spreading method.

12. The fluid flow type fiber spreading method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a plurality of the fiber spreading sections are provided, and the fiber spreading is performed simultaneously by the plurality of fiber spreading sections.

1 3. A fiber bundle in which a plurality of filaments are gathered is targeted for spreading, and the fiber bundle is provided in a liquid with a fiber bundle feeding section for flowing the fiber bundle in tension. An ultrasonic spreading device that propagates an ultrasonic wave to spread a fiber bundle of the fiber bundle feeding section,

When the expanded fiber bundle is led out of the liquid out of the liquid, an expanded state maintaining means for maintaining the expanded state of the fiber bundle is provided, and a removing means for removing the liquid from the fiber bundle is provided. Ultrasonic type fiber spreading device.

14. The spread state maintaining means and the removing means are a squeezing roller mechanism having a first squeezing roller and a second squeezing roller abutting on the first squeezing roller, wherein the first squeezing roller is in the liquid. The expanded fiber bundle is drawn out of the liquid in contact with the first squeezing roller, and the fiber bundle is moved forward. 14. The ultrasonic fiber spreading device according to claim 13, wherein the ultrasonic fiber spreading device is configured to be capable of being drawn by the first drawing port and the second drawing roller.

15. In configuring the fiber bundle feeding section, the fiber bundle is fed to a plurality of rollers while forming a bending path while contacting the surface of each roller,

15. The ultrasonic fiber spreading device according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of rollers include a plurality of types of fiber spreading rollers having different undulations on the roller surface with which the fiber bundle contacts.

16. The undulating state of the roller surface is formed by a large number of minute projections, and as a plurality of types of spreading rollers having different undulating states of the roller surface, the projecting side of the projection is sharpened. 16. The ultrasonic fiber spreading device according to claim 15, comprising a first-type spreading roller, and a second-type spreading roller in which the protruding side of the protrusion is smooth.

17. The fiber bundle feeding section is configured such that the fiber bundle is fed to a plurality of rollers in a bent path while being in contact with the surface of each roller.

Among the plurality of rollers, as an opening arranged at a position where the spreading action by the ultrasonic wave is strong, the undulating state of the roller surface is formed by a large number of minute projections, and the projections The ultrasonic fiber spreading device according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a second-type fiber spreading roller having a smooth projecting side.

18. To configure the fiber bundle feeding section, the fiber bundle is fed to a plurality of rollers in a bent path while contacting the surface of each roller,

The ultrasonic type according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the contact surface with which the fiber bundle contacts is a curved contact surface that is curved in the width direction of the fiber bundle in the flowing state. Spreading device.

19. The ultrasonic fiber spreading device according to any one of claims 13 to 18, further comprising a resonance mechanism that resonates with the ultrasonic waves for fiber spreading in the liquid.

20. This is a fiber spreading system for expanding a fiber bundle composed of a plurality of filaments,

In a state in which the fiber bundle is tensioned, a fiber bundle feeding section is formed in the liquid to be fed in a bent path while being in contact with the surface of each roller with respect to the plurality of rollers. Ultrasonic wave type which spreads the fiber bundle of the fiber bundle feeding part by transmitting ultrasonic waves to the fiber bundle A fiber device is provided as a preliminary fiber spreading device,

A pre-expanded fiber bundle expanded by the pre-expanding device;

Means for feeding the pre-expanded fiber bundle to the expanding section for expanding the pre-expanded fiber bundle while controlling the over-feeding of the pre-expanded fiber bundle; And a fluid flow generating means for generating a fluid flow for expanding the pre-expanded fiber bundle, wherein the expanding section intersects the pre-expanded fiber bundle to be fed and passes the fluid flow. A fiber flow expansion device that deflects the pre-expanded fiber bundle in the downstream direction of the fluid flow and separates the pre-expanded fiber bundle in the fiber bundle width direction by the fluid flow. system.

2 1. A fiber spreading system for expanding a fiber bundle composed of a plurality of filaments,

A feeding unit that feeds and feeds the fiber bundle to the spreading unit that spreads the fiber bundle while controlling the fiber bundle over-feed; and a fluid flow generating unit that generates a fluid flow that spreads the fiber bundle. With

The fiber expanding section intersects with the fiber bundle to be fed and allows the fluid flow to pass therethrough, deflects the fiber bundle in a downstream direction of the fluid flow, and causes the fiber bundle to be bent by the fluid flow. As a pre-spreading device, a fluid flow spreading device that separates the fibers in the width direction of the fiber bundle.

A pre-expanded fiber bundle expanded by the pre-expanding device;

A fiber bundle feeding unit configured to feed the pre-expanded pre-expanded fiber bundle in tension while applying tension to the pre-expanded fiber bundle; A fiber-spreading system, which is an ultrasonic fiber-spreading device, further comprising: a pre-spread fiber bundle of the fiber bundle feeding unit by transmitting ultrasonic waves into the liquid while providing the fiber bundle in the liquid.

22. The fiber spreading system according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the fluid flow used for spreading in the fluid flow type fiber spreading device is a liquid flow.