JP6898392B2 - Improved interliner methods and equipment - Google Patents

Description

This application is entitled to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 639,297 filed April 27, 2012 and US Utility Model Patent Application No. 13 / 687,022 filed November 28, 2012. It is alleged and the full contents of both documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[Technical field]
The present application relates to improved methods and devices of interlie flyer materials between various continuous windings where it is not desirable to overlay one winding directly on another. Specifically, according to the teachings of the present application, a continuous film or strip of liner material is inserted between the continuous windings or layers of the first material, while around a spool, bobbin, or similar core element, especially in a film or strip form. Various materials can be wound at high speed. The device and method are particularly suitable for use in winding adhesive and / or fluid materials, especially prepreg materials, and especially slit tapes.

Numerous methods and devices for winding various materials around spools, bobbins, or similar core elements are known, widely available, and commercially practiced. Such windings typically have the shape of large rolls such as carpets and newspapers, flat coils such as bow ribbons and open reel recording tapes, or spiral or transverse windings such as binding ribbons, cords, prepreg slit tapes. Take. In the latter case, winding is often centered on a spool or bobbin, the length of which is many times the width of the winding material, and as the winding progresses, the material unwound from one end of the spindle. It moves back and forth to the other end, gradually forming a layer of winding material around the spool or bobbin.

The winding process described above is typically carried out by stacking one layer on top of another. However, not all materials are suitable or applicable for laminating winding. Specifically, a material consisting of a viscous, sticky or adhesive material, or a fluid material that flows slowly over time, especially above ambient temperature, is not applicable to continuous stacking and winding. They tend to join each other or deform each other. Winding without support can cause the wound or unwound material to break due to high tension in the winding and even unwinding processes, resulting in physical integrity or strength and / or bending of the wound material. There is also the problem of lack of sex or extensibility.

To address these challenges, it is common to use liner material that is inserted or inserted between continuous windings of winding material. In most cases, the composition and physical properties of these liner materials are selected to meet the needs of a particular winding process. For example, in the case of winding viscous, adhesive and / or adhesive materials, the composition is a non-adhesive material and / or the surface is treated with a release agent or a release agent is applied. It is most common to employ a liner that is a liner or acts as a release liner, and the liner, treatment, and coating properties prevent the adhesive material from adhering to the liner material itself. If the winding material requires structural support or strength, the liner may be a woven or non-woven fiber or fibrous material, or a high-strength polymer film.

Equipment for interlie flyer materials is also well known, widely distributed and commercially available. Generally speaking, an unwinding station with a free rotation axis and multiple alignment guide elements is incorporated into a standard winding device. The shaft is configured to hold a flat coil or spool of liner material, and the feeding and alignment guide elements combine the liner material with the winding material from the unwinding station while aligning the strips of liner material with the winding material. By directing to a winding station, the two layers are configured to overlap each other prior to contact with the spool or winding. As mentioned above, typically the shaft on which the liner spool is mounted is free to rotate, i.e., that rotation is caused by the pulling or pulling of the liner material as it is wound on the first material. Not driven by a motor. Given the speed at which any of these winding devices operate, the unwinding station is integrated with the shaft, means, element, or component that provides a slight resistance to the rotation of the shaft and / or the spool of liner material mounted therein. It is also common to make it or associate it. The resistance is so low that it allows unwinding of the liner material with minimal tension from the winding process, but even if the winding process suddenly stops, the shaft will continue to rotate freely with the accompanying unwinding of the liner material. Is prevented.

Notwithstanding the above, the advantage as a means of resistance presents new problems with the unwinding of the liner itself, as well as preventing unlimited unwinding in the event of a sudden shutdown of the device. Specifically, as the spool of the winding material grows and the spool of the liner contracts, the rotation speed of the shaft holding the liner material increases. Here, as the number of sources on the shaft decreases, the demand for the liner becomes more and more urgent, and the adverse effect is that the resistance further increases the tension of the liner. At a minimum, this results in the liner material stretching and / or twisting, narrowing the width of the liner material and / or making it difficult to properly align the liner material with the winding material. In the worst case, the liner material can break, forcing the process of resupplying the liner to the winding element to stop. Although this problem can be alleviated somewhat by slowing down the entire winding process, slowing down the winding process has an economic negative impact on the efficiency of the entire manufacturing process.

In addition, in certain interleaf winding processes, for example, if the winding material is structurally strong, stable, non-adhesive, non-adhesive, non-fluid, a liner of the same width as the winding material can be used. However, most interleaf or interlining processes must use a liner that is slightly wider than the winding material. This is a material in which the winding material is viscous, sticky, or sticky, or a fluid material or a material that creeps during winding, storage, handling, transportation, or use, especially including a spiral or transverse winding process. This is especially true of the winding process. For adhesive, viscous, or sticky materials, poor alignment between the edges of the wound material and the edges of the liner material in high speed winding processes or in situations where the liner is narrowed due to increased tension in the liner during feeding. Wide tapes are needed to deal with accuracy. If the winding material is floating or creeping, the wide liner prevents the material from passing through the edges of the liner and binding and / or deforming with the underlying layer and / or adjacent windings.

However, whether the process involves one or both of the above challenges, it will ultimately adversely affect the processing speed and usefulness of the final product. Specifically, having to adjust the winding speed to address defects in the entire winding process or to eliminate or reduce out-of-specification products has a negative impact on overall efficiency and cost. Similarly, if the material binds or deforms with the underlying layer or adjacent windings, the unwinding process is likely to vary widely or the winding itself is likely to be lost altogether. For example, if one layer or winding is combined or deformed with another layer or winding, it is likely that the bonded or deformed winding will be broken or simply unable to be unwound while the layer is unwound. In the former case, all or most of the wound material is wasted, and in the latter case, the inability to feed the wound material may lead to a complete stoppage of the manufacturing process in which the wound material is used. Of course, not all situations lead to the catastrophic scenarios mentioned above. However, the final product made from wound material can be resized or defective in the material that is unwound by seemingly trivial tears or snags caused by the slight binding of one winding to another. Trigger a sensor that monitors changes in material tension as if it were unwound, or could adversely affect the physical properties of the device, stopping the process for material inspection to ensure integrity and conformance properties. May cause you to.

Winding and unwinding processes have been improved and advanced, but there is still a need for an interface process that provides constant or substantially constant tension as the liner material is wound regardless of line speed.

There is also a need for an interface process that allows for high alignment accuracy between the liner and the winding material and high speed winding, especially when winding adhesive, viscous, adhesive and / or fluid materials.

Finally, a fast interleaved winding process is also desired in which the width of the liner can be equal to or substantially the same as the width of the wound material in the winding of fluid and / or adhesive, sticky, or viscous materials.

According to this teaching, it is an improved method of interleaf winding of material, which is abbreviated, if not constant, at the point where the liner material is bonded to the wound material throughout the winding process (the "bonding point"). An improved method is provided that has a step of maintaining tension on a constant liner material. Specifically, it is an improved interface winding method in which the tension change of the liner material and / or the speed at which the interface material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source and the interface material are adjusted. The step of detecting changes in the rate of winding in the winding process and, in response to that detection, the rate at which the liner material is withdrawn from the liner source at least temporarily to maintain tension on the liner material at the junction. An improved interface winding method is provided, including the step of adjusting. The change in speed can be determined by a switch or sensor that detects a change in liner length from the liner source to the coupling point, or by a sensor that detects a change in tension in the liner material itself. The increase or acceleration of the speed at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source may be passive, such as the reduction or elimination of interference or speed control associated with the liner source, or from the liner source. It may be as active as motor driven acceleration or acceleration of the liner supply. In a preferred embodiment, the source of the liner material is a spool of wound liner, the tension of the liner material is monitored by a sensor or trigger mechanism in the liner path, and the length of the liner between the source and the winding spool. Changes in tension and / or tension increase or temporarily accelerate the rotation of the spool of liner material. The rise or temporary acceleration is motor driven. In the latter case of tension change, the liner path includes a tensioning device between the liner source and the winding spool, and the liner slack caused by ascent or temporary acceleration is instantly wound up with the tensioning device. The liner tension in between with the winding spool is maintained.

According to a second aspect of the present application, there is an improved method of interleaf winding of the material, the improvement being substantially constant, if not constant, at the junction with the closed loop winding process and optionally throughout the winding operation. An improved method is provided that includes a step of adopting a double groove roller element that aligns the winding material with the liner while maintaining the tension of the liner material. With the adoption of double groove rollers, the process performs more accurate and faster winding, as evidenced by the fact that there are fewer out-of-specification products compared to products manufactured on the same system without double groove rollers. can do. Non-standard products are manifested by misalignment of either the liner or the winding material, or by bumps, overhangs, wrinkles, etc.

According to a third aspect of the present application, it is an improved method of interleaf winding of a material, the improvement exhibiting higher precision and faster winding with less liner demand, the improvement throughout the winding operation. The process of maintaining a substantially constant liner tension, if not constant at the coupling point, and the process of adopting a double groove roller element that aligns the winding material with the liner, and the same or substantially the same width as the winding material. It has a process of adopting a liner material having.

The present invention also provides an improved apparatus for the interleaf winding process with elements configured and aligned to maintain a constant tension of the liner material at the junction throughout the winding process. Specifically, in an interleaf winding device including a source of winding material, a source of liner material, and a winding element, it is associated with the liner path and is detected and detected between the liner source and the bond point. An adjustment system is provided and the detection and adjustment system detects changes in liner tension and / or the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source and the rate at which the liner material is taken up by the winding process. Then, depending on the detection, the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source is adjusted at least temporarily. The detection and adjustment system is a detection component such as (i) a switch or sensor that detects a change in liner length from the source to the coupling point, or (ii) a sensor that detects a change in tension of the liner material itself and an adjustment component. As (i) a motor associated with the liner supply from the liner source and capable of at least temporarily accelerating the speed at which the liner is drawn from the liner source, or (ii) the liner is supplied from the liner source. Alternatively, it comprises a controller that reduces or eliminates the effects of equipment employed to interfere with or add resistance to the drawn speed. In a preferred embodiment, the source of the liner material is a spool of wound liner, and the tension of the liner material is monitored by a sensor or trigger mechanism in the liner path, including the liner unwinding station itself, of the liner. Upon detection of changes in length and / or tension, the rotation of the spool of liner material is increased or temporarily accelerated, and the increase or temporary acceleration is motor driven. Most preferably, the device further comprises a tensioning device between the liner source and the winding spool, which instantly winds up the liner slack caused by ascent or temporary acceleration. The tension of the liner in the middle of and is maintained.

According to yet another aspect, the present application is a detector and a detector that detects changes in the rate at which the interleaf material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source and / or the rate at which the interleaf material is taken up by the winding process. The present invention relates to a detection and adjustment system used in an interface winding process, comprising a speed adjustment device that at least temporarily adjusts the speed at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source in response to. The interaction between the detector and the velocity detector maintains a substantially constant, if not constant, tension of the liner material at the point where the winding material and the liner are bonded for winding (again, the "bonding point"). be able to. In a preferred embodiment, the detection and adjustment system is (i) a plurality of rollers defining the liner path, two of which are relative to a third roller located between the two along the liner path. Fixed, the third roller is fixed with a first point that defines a liner path of operating length preset or user-determined between the two fixed rollers by moving from the other two rollers. Close to one or both of the rollers, between a first point of reciprocating motion and a second point that defines a liner path with a shorter, preset, or user-determined motion length than the associated length. Multiple rollers reciprocating, (ii) a detector or sensor that directly or indirectly detects movement of a third roller that indicates a shortening of the liner path between at least two fixed rollers or a change in tension in the liner material. iii) No. 1 associated with the detector or sensor, which can form part of the detector or sensor, or can be incorporated into the detector or sensor, and directly or indirectly instruct the motor associated with the supply of liner material. It comprises a response element, which at least temporarily accelerates the speed at which the liner is unwound from the liner source in response to the defined movement of the three rollers.

The response element may be a mechanical element, such as a lever associated with a detector, that operates the motor directly or indirectly in association with a source of liner material, or sends an electronic signal directly or indirectly to the motor. Or it may be an electronic device or system that triggers the operation of the motor when the circuit is associated with a detector or sensor and the movement of the third roller is disconnected or vice versa. As mentioned above, the third roller can reciprocate, preferably the slack that can occur in the liner material from an increase or acceleration in the supply rate of the liner material is taken up by the third roller and the tension of the liner material. Alternatively, tension is urged away from the fixed roller so that tension is maintained between the third roller and the next fixed roller. In addition, this reciprocating motion may be configured to stop the increase or acceleration of the feeding speed of the liner material. For example, when the third roller is retracted away from the fixed roller, the circuit can be appropriately cut or started at the time of starting the electric circuit to stop the operation of the previously triggered motor.

The tension or tension of the liner material is maintained using reciprocating or urging means associated with a third roller, which urges the second non-fixed roller in the absence of any other force. Equip to a point away from the fixed roller of 2. Illustrated urging means include, but are not limited to, tsurumaki springs, coil springs, pneumatic cylinders, counterweights, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the response element is associated with a shaft on which a spool of liner material is mounted. It is an electronic signal transmission means for operating a motor.

According to yet another embodiment of the improved device described above, the improved device further comprises at least one, preferably multiple roller elements, between the winding element and the reciprocating or third roller of the tensioning device. The roller is a double groove roller. Preferably, the improvement comprises using at least two double groove rollers between the second fixed roller and the winding roller of the tensioning system. Most preferably, double groove rollers are employed in winding systems with a closed loop structure. Through the use of double groove rollers, the elongation and / or liner of the winding material beyond the edge of the liner during the winding process by significantly improving the alignment and its consistency between the winding material and the liner material even at high operating speeds. Misalignment between the winding material and the liner, as indicated by material twist, has been found to be significantly reduced, if not eliminated, and with fewer defects, faster winding processes and faster manufacturing speeds. The quality can be improved. The use of double groove rollers also allows the use of liner material with the same or substantially the same width as the winding material in spiral or transverse winding, further improving the overall process, especially in terms of cost by relaxing liner requirements. ..

The devices and processes described herein are applicable to most winding processes in which liner or interliner materials are used. In particular, it is applicable to processes in which the winding material is a material that exhibits fluidity and / or adhesiveness, viscosity, or stickiness. Specifically, the device and process are particularly suitable for winding prepreg materials, especially materials with widths that must be wound in a spiral or transverse winding. The teachings are particularly applicable and useful for the slitting and winding of prepreg materials, especially thermosetting or thermoplastic impregnated fiber materials having longitudinally parallel fibers (along the axis of the tow).

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

As used herein and in the appended claims, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A "fluid material" is at a temperature that is likely to be added to the material during application / use, handling, storage, and / or transportation (except for temperatures that are intentionally added to cause hardening or fluidization). A solid that creeps, flows, or moves under pressure applied during application, handling, winding, storage, and / or transportation (again, except for temperatures that are intentionally applied to cause hardening or flow). , Semi-solid, gel-like, or putty-like material. Typically, the fluid material creeps, flows, or moves, and / or flows at temperatures below about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, more typically below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, without visible physical changes. A material that creeps, flows, or moves under its own weight in stock winding.

The term "interleaf winding" is used by the toe of a continuous length stock material, especially a thermosetting or prepreg stock material, combined with a continuous length liner or interliner material and wound around a spool, hub, spindle, etc. Refers to the process by which stock material is isolated or separated from pre-wound stock material by winding with liner material. Winding perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the winding represents two spirals, one representing the stock material and the other the liner material, each of which is sandwiched between continuous layers of the other material. Also, the terms liner and interliner used herein are used interchangeably.

The expressions "non-constant but substantially constant tension" and "constant tension" are sufficient tension or tension in the liner material at the junction to prevent lateral or axial sway and / or twisting of the liner material. It means that positive tension is applied. Although not preferred, it does not necessarily mean that the level of tension remains constant. It is desirable to maintain a constant or substantially constant level of tension in the lineat at or just before the junction, but it is not essential as long as the required tension or positive tension is maintained at that point. In this regard, as will be described later, the tension level of the liner tow is understood to be partly a function of the liner tension applying device according to the present teaching. Maintaining the tension of the liner material can minimize, if not prevent, the formation of uneven winding, slack, or unevenness and / or misalignment between the liner and the stock material. Generally speaking, the tension of the liner is determined by a function of the urging means associated with the liner tensioning device and the physical properties of the liner material as described below, and / or beyond a predetermined level that is a function. It doesn't become.

The teachings relate to improved methods and equipment for interleaf winding of materials, including incorporating a liner tensioning device in the path of the liner material before the point where the liner and winding material are combined (“bonding point”). The liner tensioning device is configured to maintain tension or positive tension in the liner material just prior to the bond and / or bond. Specifically, the tensioning device a) changes the tension of the liner material during coupling with the winding material, and / or b) the rate and interface with which the interleaf material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source. When a change in the rate at which the material is taken up by the winding process is detected and the detected change exceeds a predetermined or preset limit, the tensioning device pulls the liner material out of the liner material source and / or Adjustment of the rate of delivery to the junction, preferably temporary acceleration, is performed directly or indirectly.

The devices and methods of this teaching are applicable to any winding process that requires or desires a liner, but the material to be wound is a fluid and / or adhesive, viscous, or adhesive material and a sheet. It is particularly applicable to the winding process of materials in the form of strips, ropes and the like. Specifically, the apparatus and process are particularly suitable for winding prepreg materials, ie thermosetting resins such as woven and non-woven fiber materials or thermoplastic impregnated fiber materials. In particular, this teaching is a unidirectional fiber master roll (also known as a parent roll) of typically carbon fibers impregnated with curable resins such as, but not limited to, epoxy, cyanate, bismaleimide, phenol, polyimide. ) Is applicable to the slitting and winding process of prepreg materials with "continuous" mastersheets. Slit products are conventionally known as "slit tapes".

To better understand the teaching, note FIG. 1 showing an exemplary sliding and winding system 1 having four spool stations 10. For convenience, a slit tape, a prepreg material that is converted into a thin strip of prepreg material, is described. However, as mentioned above, the process and equipment are applicable to any material that is capable of slitting and winding, especially any material that requires an interliner. In addition, the equipment and processes describe the most important and basic elements, but those skilled in the art will appreciate additional rollers, guide elements, drive motors, and many other components necessary for proper operation. You will understand that the element exists in the actual system.

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

The conversion center usually performs two operations, a splicing operation and a slitting operation, preferably in this order. As will be described later, the splicing operation is optional, but is particularly important for the manufacture of slit tape. In the process shown, when the prepreg material 21 is unwound from the master roll 5, it first faces the splicer 6. The splicer enables continuous operation and the production of spools of slit tape of a given length regardless of the length of the master roll by connecting its end to the start of another master roll when one master roll is exhausted. Is adopted to be. Splicers typically include heating and pressurizing elements (not shown) that simplify splicing. The splicing station preferably cleans the rear and / or front ends of each master roll, replaces the master roll with a new master roll of the same or different slitting material, or a liner material, polymer film, or non-woven polymer. Inserting a filling material roll such as a fiber sheet, cutting knives, cool lasers, microknives, etc. to complete the slitting and winding operation of the material to be threaded and wound while priming the device for further use. Means can also be incorporated. The last case is typically performed in preparation for shutting down the device. By priming the device, the path is already primed with the filling material, eliminating the need to manually supply the entire device with the new material when restarting the system with the new material. All that needs to be done is to connect a new roll of slitting material with the filling material to get the system working. Primer material guides new material to the winder through the system.

When not performing the splicing operation, the splicing station is merely a transit station, and the structure of the splicing station only assists in proper alignment of the sheet material as it enters the slitting station 7. Specifically, the elements of the splicing station associated with the splicing operation or process itself typically recede or withdraw from the path of the prepreg sheet material and move forward to contact the prepreg sheet material as splicing takes place. Only. The splicing technique and its associated elements and devices are well known and commercially available from multiple sources, so no further details or explanations are needed.

The second operation in which the prepreg materials face each other at the conversion center is the slitting operation. This is achieved by a slitter 7 that slits the prepreg material onto a predetermined number of toes of the slit tape 22. Slitting can be done using known methods suitable for the material to be slit, such as precision high strength blades, cool lasers, microknives, diamond knives, and for prepreg materials, the knife or blade system. It is preferable to use and cut. Such systems are well known and commercially available, so no further details or explanations are needed.

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

Conversely, for narrow slit tapes as shown in FIG. 1, the spool station or winding station is typically mounted on one or more vertical walls or support structures, winding on each wall or support structure. The stations are preferably coplanar. The coplanar relationship is particularly preferred because it allows for quick access and removal of the filling spool. Thus, the alignment element rearranges the slit tape toe from a substantially horizontal coplanar relationship leaving the slitter to a laminated or vertical relationship reaching the winding center. Further, although the spool station alignment shown in FIG. 1 is linear, it is understood that there are no restrictions on the alignment of the vertical wall or support spool station as long as one does not interfere with the operation of the other. For example, the spool stations may be stacked in multiple rows, or may be staggered on the top and bottom. In any case, as mentioned above, the system aligns the slit tape from the slitter to the spool station without damaging the slit tape or twisting the slit tape along the vertical axis. It has a number of alignment elements that serve to provide an efficient and unblocked path.

The key center of the sliding and winding system 1 related to this improvement is the winding center 3. The winding center has two main functions of winding the slit tape 22 of the spool 26 and inserting the liner material 24 between the windings of the slit tape 22. This process is typically accomplished by a plurality of spool stations 10, each mounted or supported on a vertical wall or support structure (not shown). Typically, each spool station mounts a spool, spindle, or bobbin and has a shaft around which slit tape is wrapped, which rotates directly or indirectly to or engages the drive motor as it rotates around the axis of rotation. Will be done.

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

As mentioned above, the main central element of the improved process and equipment of this teaching is the liner tensioning system. Virtually any number of well-known commercially available elements can be combined or modified to incorporate the combination into an existing interface winding system to change the tension of the liner material and / or to feed and / or roll the liner material. It serves to detect changes in take-up speed and, at least temporarily, change the speed at which the liner is supplied or withdrawn from the source, either directly or indirectly in response to the detection of a given parameter, winding material, common. Maintains tension or constant tension in the liner material until or just before binding to the slit tape. In the simplest iteration, the liner tensioning system comprises detector means, response means, and tensioning means.

The detector means detects a change in tension of the liner material at or in front of the coupling point and / or the rate at which the liner material is fed or drawn from the liner source relative to the rate at which the liner is unwound by the winding spool. It is configured to detect changes. Preferably, the detector means signals a response means that comprises, or is associated with, a predetermined parameter, limit, or trigger that directly or indirectly initiates the response means when they are met. , Or instruct the response means to at least temporarily accelerate the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source, as described below. Most preferably, once a second preset parameter or trigger is detected by the detector means or parameter, or the trigger that triggers the response means no longer exists, i.e. is corrected by accelerated supply of liner material. The detector means and the response means are interconnected so as to stop accelerating the feeding or pulling speed of the liner material. Usually, the detector means include a particular interface winding system in which the detector means is incorporated, and one or more switches, sensors, etc., depending on the specific design and elements of the tensioning device.

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

Electronic and mechanical switches, especially electronic eyes, electrodes, or electrical contacts are also suitable for this application. In these embodiments, the tensioning device has one or more fixed elements and one or more, preferably only one non-fixed element. These elements can take the form of rollers, guides, and pins (those that can be passed through, preferably without catching the liner, while maintaining orientation). The fixed element comprises or includes at least one switch element, defining the limits of the non-fixed element and, if there are two, the limits of the non-fixed element. Specifically, the first fixed element, the main fixed element, is placed in an "advanced" position corresponding to the maximum liner tension / minimum liner length between the liner source and the coupling point. The second fixed element, the sub-fixed element, is placed in a "retracted" position corresponding to the minimum liner tension / maximum liner length between the liner source and the coupling point, if any. The retreat position is typically a position that corresponds to a system in hibernation mode, i.e. in non-operation mode. Alternatively, most commonly, the receding position coincides with the system in operating mode (which may be hibernation mode) in which the liner length between the liner source and the coupling point is the maximum inoperable length. The non-fixed element is associated with the tension and / or length of the liner material, is urged towards the retracted position, and may or may not have a portion of the switch or sensor. When the tension is low, or when the liner material length between the liner source and the coupling point is at or near the minimum length, the non-fixed element is located at or near the sub-fixed element and retracts in the absence of the sub-fixed element. Placed in position. Conversely, if the liner tension is high and the liner material length is short, the non-fixed element is located at or near the ascending position. However, generally speaking, it is difficult to match the liner feed rate with the take-up rate from the winding process, so the non-fixed element tends to move gradually towards the ascending position.

During processing, when the non-fixed element passes through the main fixed element or comes into contact with the non-fixed element, it accelerates the rate at which the liner is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source to the response means. This acceleration may be a predetermined period, which period may be determined by a first fixed element, or a second fixed element, if any. In the former case, the response means may be pre-programmed to accelerate the supply of liner material during a set period or until a predetermined length of material is stripped. In the latter case, if the trigger is an electrical eye, electrode, or electrical contact, acceleration of the liner material feeding or drawing speed can continue as long as there is interference with the electrical eye or electrical contact. As additional liner material is exfoliated or fed by urging the non-fixed element to the retracted position, the non-fixed element retracts towards the retracted position, breaking contact with the electrode or electrical contacts, or electrical. By getting out of the "field of view" of the eyes, the acceleration of the liner peeling speed is terminated. Alternatively, if a sub-fixing element is present, the acceleration of liner material peeling may continue until the non-fixing element passes through the sub-fixing element or comes into contact with the sub-fixing element. This latter structure effectively provides separate on-switches and off-switches, but in each of the previous embodiments, the main fixed element comprises a single on / off switch.

In yet another embodiment, the fixed element includes an electromechanical switch element, such as a toggle or slide switch, that is moved from one position to another when the non-fixed element passes through or touches the switch. But it may be. In this regard, the switch is physically moved or manipulated from the off position to the on position when only the main fixed element is present, but in this structure it is urged towards the off position. When contact occurs, the switch is moved to the on position and the liner is detached, the non-fixed element retracts away from the switch due to urging, and the switch element urges the fixed element to return the switch to the off position. Alternatively, the mechanical switch may include a slide switch, part of which is arranged as the main fixing element and another part of which is arranged as the sub-fixing element. When the non-fixed element passes through the main fixed element, it slides the switch to the on position and at the same time moves the switch element of the sub-fixed element. When the liner is peeled off, the non-fixed element retracts to the retracted position and contacts the switch element of the sub-fixed element to retract the switch element to the off position.

Finally, by making the switch a complete mechanical switch, it is conceivable to move a device such as a lever by moving the non-fixed element to accelerate the peeling of the liner. Once the non-fixed element retracts away from the lever, the lever is urged towards the non-operating position to stop accelerating the liner peeling speed.

The second essential element of the interliner tensioning device is the response means. The response means is an element that can and / or is configured to accelerate the stripping (ie, feeding or drawing) of the liner material from the liner source. Specific equipment depends in part on the nature of the liner material source. For example, if the liner source is an unbundled wrap of liner material, most typically an unbundled liner material pack in a bag, box, or barrel, the liner is typically pinched in multiple pinches. It is pulled out of the source by rollers, one of which is electric or connected to a motor to rotate. A pinch between the electric roller and the second roller pulls the liner out of the liner source. To ensure proper alignment and avoid ripping, pinch roller devices typically have small openings such as loop elements or eyebolt elements, or slits through which the liner is pulled out into the pinch roller. Has other similar elements provided. When the trigger or detector element described above is activated, the pinch roller accelerates the rotational speed and ejects an additional length of liner material.

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

In yet another embodiment, the spool or spindle of the liner material is mounted on a rotation-restricted shaft and requires some tensile tension in the liner to unwind the liner material. This is a passive liner dispenser in which the liner withdrawal from the source is the pure line tension of the liner material resulting from the winding process. Most typically, the restriction of shaft rotation is performed by providing a braking element or similar element that acts directly or indirectly on the rotation of the shaft. Specifically, drag or resistance is applied directly to the liner shaft or directly to the spool or spindle of the liner material to indirectly limit the rotation of the shaft on which the spool or spindle is mounted. In this case, when the detector means is started or started, the restrictions on the shaft are released or relaxed, that is, the braking is also relaxed or released, so that the tension of the tensioning means is already relaxed, as described below. Adds tensile force to the tense liner material to accelerate withdrawal from the spool. Once the release or relaxation stimulus is gone, the braking force is applied again.

The last and equally important element of the liner tensioning device is the tensioning means. The tensioning means provides an "additional" liner material that is stripped in response to an acceleration of the liner material supply or withdrawal rate while maintaining tension or positive tension in the liner material at or shortly before the bond point in the winding process. Any device configured or capable of winding up. The tensioning means is located in close proximity to the liner path between the liner source and the coupling point, most preferably the winding means, typically by a string spring, coil spring, counterweight, or pneumatic or hydraulic device. Being urged to increase the tension of the liner material. Many elements can be employed, but as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the tensioning means typically from a position corresponding to the long liner material length between the liner source and the bond point. Employ a dancer element or armature that reciprocates to a position corresponding to the short liner material length between the liner source and the coupling point. It can be understood that the tensioning means or a part thereof is associated with, or comprises or forms with, a part of the detector means, particularly the non-fixed element of the detector means.

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

During operation, the non-fixed guide element is located close to one or both fixed guide elements (the shortest liner path from the first fixed element to the second fixed element-corresponding to the ascending position as described above). It reciprocates between a position away from the fixed guide element (corresponding to the longer liner path-backward position from the first fixed element to the second fixed element). The non-fixed guide element, or the armature on which the non-fixed guide element is mounted, is urged to the latter position to ensure tension or positive tension in the liner material between the non-fixed element of the tensioning means and the coupling point. .. The movement of the non-fixed guide element and / or the arm or armature on which the non-fixed guide element is mounted forms part of the detector and directly or indirectly triggers or guides the activation of the response means. A suitable guide element is any element that can position and align the liner material along the set path. Typically, the guide element is an element of other shape, such as a roller through which the liner passes, an eyebolt-like element or a "J", "U", or "O" -like portion through which the liner passes, or a combination of the above. Is. Most preferably, it is a roller.

The liner tensioning system may be incorporated into the device or system used to wind the tape or strip of material, and the continuous winding must be isolated or isolated from the previous winding. This is particularly applicable to the winding of tapes and strips consisting of or comprising a fluid or adhesive, adhesive or viscous material, particularly a prepreg material. They may be incorporated into the manufacturing process, or they may be incorporated into conversion systems and equipment that convert the master rolls of sheet material into tapes or strips of material, especially slit tapes. The introduction and adoption of liner tensioning systems and equipment will improve both quality and quantity, enabling high speed winding processes with reduced or minimized defects in non-standard products.

Having outlined the new liner tensioning system and its operation, then with reference to the drawings, various specific embodiments and iterations of the liner tensioning system and their interactive winding system, specifically Incorporation into prepreg slitting and winding systems will be described. Although not shown in all drawings, the winding or spool station and liner tensioning system and assembly described and illustrated can be understood to be mounted on a support structure or wall.

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

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

Typically, the positioning and alignment roller is a standard roller 50 having a single groove 51 around the roller core 52 as shown in FIG. The arrangement roller 20 may have a groove, but is preferably a flat roller such as a rolling pin. However, most preferably, given the particular structure or alignment of the liner tensioning system and slit tape supply path of this embodiment, it is particularly desirable to use the double groove roller as the alignment roller 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the double groove roller 40 employs two overlapping recesses 41, that is, an upper circumferential groove or recess 44 that overlaps a narrow circumferential groove or recess 45 centered on the roller core 42. The depth of each groove depends in part on the thickness of the slit tape and liner material. Similarly, the width of each groove is adjusted so that the narrow groove is equal to or slightly wider than the width of the slit tape and the wide groove is equal to or slightly wider than the width of the liner. By controlling the width of the upper groove 55, especially by minimizing the difference between the widths of the two grooves, a liner material having a width equal to or substantially the same as the width of the slit tape can be used. The combination of this double groove roller with a liner tensioning system facilitates the use of narrower width liner material, i.e. overall liner material reduction, cost reduction and speedup. Specifically, this combination allows the slit tape and the liner material to be more accurately and stably aligned.

3A and 3B show another version of the closed loop winding station 10 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 3A is a side view and FIG. 3B is a vertical side view. Since this version is identical to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the same reference applies to the same element, except that the positioning or alignment of the liner tensioning device 27 and the slit tape path and the rotation of the spool 26 are reversed. Add a sign. Here, when the liner and the slit tape are combined, the slit tape is not located on the slit tape, but is located on the liner. Therefore, the spool 26 adapts to this structure by rotating clockwise as opposed to the counterclockwise rotation of the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

6-8 show a closed-loop transverse winding or spool station 60 that performs transverse winding of a liner / slit tape combination on a spindle spool element 76. Transverse winding is a winding process that provides spiral winding by simultaneously winding material in the circumferential and longitudinal directions along the length of the spindle spool, with one layer of winding material covering another in a transverse pattern. .. A continuous layer of winding is applied as the carriage assembly with the winding placement element reciprocates along the spool length until the desired length of material is wound.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As mentioned above, the carriage assembly is generally movably mounted on the worm shaft / shaft assembly 100. An important connection between the two is a slide element, but preferably a second connection is provided to prevent one from disconnecting from the other, especially during operation, and all force or weight of the carriage assembly is a slider. It should be understood that the worm element is not covered. Although not shown, those skilled in the art will preferably be provided with one or more holes through the carriage body 82, the axis of the holes parallel to the vertical axis of the worm element, through which the worm shaft / shaft assembly. You will understand that there are an equal number of rail elements associated with. These rails support all or at least most of the weight of the carriage assembly, but allow the carriage assembly to move smoothly and reciprocate along the rail length.

The second support guide bar 104 is also used to maintain the proper orientation of the positioning arm 63. This support may or may not be fixed and is located at the front end of the positioning arm close to the spool to counteract the tensile force of the spool assembly while the slit tape is wound and guides. When the bar is fixed, the positioning arm, particularly the placement roller 72 on the positioning arm, is arranged so as to be disengaged from the spool even after the winding is completed. Alternatively, the guide bar may be configured to move as winding on the spool progresses to maintain a constant distance between the placement rollers and the spool. This latter structure minimizes the possibility that the slit tape 99 and the liner 97 are separated from each other, separated from each other, and twisted. Here, the guide bar is associated with an electric transport means or lift that raises the guide bar, and thus the front end of the positioning arm, and when the slit tape is wound and returns to the starting position, the full spool is a new or empty spool. Will be exchanged for. In this structure, the positioning arm 63 is a separate element, preferably configured to swivel around a shaft 64.

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

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

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

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

In FIG. 9B, the non-fixed rollers are even closer to the fixed rollers due to the operating tension of the system resulting from the rotation of the spool element and the shortening of the liner path through the slit tape and liner winding and the associated liner tensioning device. The liner tension applying device is shown.

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

Finally, FIG. 9E shows a liner tensioning device that has been returned to normal operating state with positive tension, especially along the overall length of the liner path through the liner tensioning device.

As mentioned above, the tensioning armature is urged away from the fixed roller to maximize or extend the liner path through the liner tensioning device. This urging force can be generated by utilizing the structures of various means and components, and the position change of the tension applying armature and the facing fixed roller can be detected. Some devices and iterations are shown in FIGS. 10, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13, 14, 14, and 15.

FIG. 10 shows a reciprocating string spring type tensioning armature element 120 mounted on the support structure 124. The armature element comprises, or is mounted on, a support structure of a pancake winding system or a carriage of a wall or transverse winding system. The tensioning armature element consists of a tensioning armature 128, an urging arm 130, and an armature shaft 126 connecting the two and fixing the two, that is, the tensioning armature, armature shaft, and urging arm all rotate together. Or move back and forth. The armature shaft holds the tensioning armature and the tensioning arm in place while allowing reciprocating movement by passing through the non-interfering holes of the support structure 124. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, the tensioning armature and the urging arm are located on opposite sides of the support structure 124, one end of which is fixed to the opposite end of the armature shaft. At the opposite end of the tensioning armature 128 is provided a roller 134 and a non-fixed roller of a tensioning system mounted by a roller shaft or spindle 136. At or near the opposite end of the urging arm 30, a string spring 132 to which the opposite end 133 is attached to the support structure 124 is attached (best shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B).

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

12A and 12B show the coil spring tensioning armature element 140 mounted on the support structure 148. The armature element 140 comprises or is attached to a support structure or wall of a pancake winding system, or a carriage of a transverse winding system. The tensioning armature element has a roller 148 to which one end is attached by a roller shaft or a spindle 150, and is composed of a tensioning armature 142 fixed to the opposite end of the spring shaft 144, and the spring shaft is moved by the movement of the tensioning armature. 144 rotates. As shown in FIG. 13, which is a cross-sectional view of the support structure 146 along the line 13-13, the support structure is configured to include a coil spring 152, and the core end 154 of the coil spring is fixed to or fixed to the spring shaft 144. Mounted, the termination 156 is fixed or mounted on a coil spring base base 155 that includes a portion of the support structure 146 or a portion of the support structure 146. Thus, as the tensioning armature moves towards the fixed roller, the coil spring is compressed to increase the tension of the spring, and as the tensioning armature retracts away from the fixed roller, the coil expands to reduce tension. Will be done. Changes in the tension of these coil springs are detected by a sensor (not shown) and associated with the liner source to accelerate the rate of peeling of the liner material from the liner source in response to the set tension increase. Start the motor. This tension is relieved when the liner material is stripped and the tensioning armature returns to a position away from the fixed roller (see FIGS. 9A-9E).

14, 15, 16A-16C show yet another type of liner tensioning assembly, a pneumatic or hydraulic tensioning assembly 160 mounted on a support structure 162, which is a pancake winding. The support structure or wall of the system, or the carriage of the transverse winding system is provided or mounted on it. In the previous iteration, the assembly comprises a tensioning armor 164 with a roller 168 fixed at one end by a shaft or spindle 166 that rotates around the roller, and in the present embodiment, the other end of the tensioning armature has an armature shaft. Alternatively, the spindle 170 extends and is provided with a hole for the tensioning armature to rotate or reciprocate. From the tensioning armature also extends a piston plate 172 that is impacted by the piston 178 of the pneumatic or hydraulic piston mechanism 174 with the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 176. The pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 176 urges the tensioning armature 164 away from the fixed roller 180 by pressing the piston against the plate (FIG. 16A).

As mentioned above, during the winding process, the rate at which the liner is stripped from the liner source is typically slower than the rate of consumption. This shortens the liner path through the liner tensioning assembly, bringing the tensioning armature closer to the secondary roller (FIG. 16C). At the same time, the piston 178 increases the pressure in the cylinder by being pushed into the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 176. A sensor in or associated with the cylinder detects the pressure difference and, once a given pressure is obtained, activates the liner source motor to temporarily accelerate the liner peeling speed. The force of the piston applied to the piston plate causes the tensioning armature to move away from the secondary roller (FIG. 16B). Therefore, the pressure in the cylinder is reduced and returns to a second predetermined level associated with acceptable operation.

So far, we have focused on sensors or detectors that are associated with, incorporated into, or arranged to be performed by the movement of a tensioning armature. In these embodiments, the start or acceleration of the liner-supplied motor responds to the sensor and the acceleration period of the liner-supplied motor is predetermined. That is, once triggered, the liner material is stripped for a predetermined period or length, which is a function of the period of stimulation that triggers or initiates the sensor. That is, once the tensioning armature loses contact with the sensor or goes out of sight of the sensor, the spring tension or pressure in the cylinder is reduced. Alternatively, the liner tensioning system may employ multiple sensors or detectors, one of which triggers or initiates the acceleration of the liner feed motor and the other terminates the acceleration.

17A-17E are schematic views showing the operation of a system that employs two sensors, a first on-sensor 189 that starts accelerating the liner supply motor and a second stop sensor 187 that ends the acceleration of the liner supply motor. Is. For brevity, only some of the tensioning armatures 185 that interact with the sensor are shown. However, for ease of understanding, it can be understood that FIGS. 17A to 17E correspond to the positioning of the armature and the secondary roller shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E, respectively. Furthermore, it can be understood that this structure is applicable to any of the liner tensioning systems described herein.

FIG. 17A shows a tensioning system at the initial or starting position where the tensioning armature is in contact with the stop sensor 187. FIG. 17B shows how the tensioning armature 185 rises towards the on-sensor 189 during the operation of the winding system. FIG. 17C shows the ascendant point of the tensioning armature, which is in contact with or in front of the on-sensor 189. This initiates or initiates acceleration of the liner supply motor, accelerating the stripping of the liner material from the liner source. FIG. 17D shows the movement of the tensioning armature leaving the on-sensor and towards the stop sensor. Finally, FIG. 17E shows how the tensioning armature contacts the stop sensor or passes through the stop sensor to tell the liner supply motor to stop accelerating the feeding of the liner material. As shown, the stop sensor 187 and the on-sensor 189 can be electrical eyes, electronic contacts, or toggle-type switches. If the sensor is an electronic contact switch, the tensioning armature has corresponding electrical contacts to generate or disconnect electrical circuits as appropriate.

As mentioned above, the slitting and winding system shown in FIG. 1 may optionally include multiple guides, alignments, and positioning elements such as rollers, guide bars, posts, etc., but is not shown in the drawings for brevity. .. Such elements and their locations are self-evident to those skilled in the art and are currently used in commercially available systems. This is especially true for transverse winding systems where such elements are used to orient the slit tape on the carriage as the carriage reciprocates between the electric worm shaft / shaft assembly and its associated guide bar. Further, although the alignment and positioning elements in the embodiments and drawings have been identified as rollers, most of these elements, especially those associated with liner tensioning systems or devices, are replaced with guide elements as shown in FIG. be able to. Specifically, FIG. 18 shows a part of the liner tension applying device, and the tension applying armature 192 is equipped with a “U” -shaped guide element 194 composed of a rod, and a valley-shaped “U” 198 is attached. It serves the same purpose as the roller groove as described above.

Although the methods and devices herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments and drawings, the teachings are not limited thereto, and other embodiments utilizing the concepts presented herein are also outside the scope of the teachings. It should be understood that it is intended without. Thus, the true scope of this teaching is defined by the claimed elements and all modifications, modifications, or equivalents contained within the spirit and scope of the basic principles set forth herein.

Claims (20)

Improved for interleaving and cross-winding strips or tapes of fluidable and / or viscous, adhesive or sticky material with the liner, thereby isolating the continuous winding of the wound material from each other by the liner. It ’s a device
The device, the source of the winding material, the liner supply, and, combined with the winding spool assembly (74) comprising a carriage assembly (67) adapted to be mounted on a motorized worm shaft / shaft assembly (100) Used ,
Before SL carriage assembly comprises: (a) coupling point (18,29,70), whereby one said winding material and said liner is coupled vertically overlies the other, the point of attachment (18,29,70 ) And
A (b) arranged assembly (65), proximal to the winding spool assembly disposed in the transverse winding pattern combinations of the material / liner onto the winding spool assembly (74), the arrangement assembly (65), Is installed,
The improvement is (c) a liner tensioning system mounted on the carriage assembly, at least one fixed element (29,86,117) and at least one non-fixed element (31,90,112,134, 148,168), equipped with a liner tensioning system,
The at least one fixed element is located between the liner source and the non-fixed element, and the fixed element and the non-fixed element define a path for the liner through the liner tensioning system.
The non-fixed element has one end corresponding to the longest path of the liner from the liner source to the coupling point and a second end corresponding to the shortest path of the liner from the liner source to the coupling point. Can move back and forth along the path to and from the end,
The liner tensioning system is configured such that the coupling point is located between the non-fixed element and the placement assembly.
The liner tensioning system is an improved device suitable for providing a substantially constant positive tension to the liner in that the liner is combined with the winding material. The improved liner tensioning system of claim 1, wherein the liner tensioning system comprises at least two fixed elements such that the non-fixed elements are arranged along the flow path of the liner so as to be intermediate between at least two fixed elements. Equipment. The liner tensioning system includes a dancer element or reciprocating armature device (28,89,118,120,128,142,148,164) on which the non-fixed element is mounted.
An urging means (132, 152, 174) that urges the non-fixed element toward the one terminal position corresponding to the longest path of the liner.
A detector or sensor element or means (138, 187, 189) for detecting a change in tension of the liner material and / or movement of the dancer element or reciprocating armature device, the detector or sensor element or means. With a detector or sensor element or means associated with a response element or means that at least temporarily directly or indirectly modifies or adjusts the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source.
The improved apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising. The improved device of claim 3, wherein the urging means is a string spring (132), a coil spring (152), or a pneumatic piston mechanism (174). The dancer element or reciprocating armature device comprises a shaft (126,144,170) or a rotating or swivel hub (30,88,116) and a swivel arm, one end of the swivel arm being fixed to the fixed element. The improved device according to claim 3, wherein the non-fixed element is mounted on the shaft or hub and the other end is mounted on the shaft or hub. The improved device of claim 5, wherein the urging means acts on the swivel arm. (I) The urging means acts on or is associated with the axis or hub, or (ii) the axis or hub is associated with the detector or sensor or both (iii). The improved device according to claim 5. 5. The urging arm (130) mounted on the shaft or hub (30), wherein the urging means acts on or is associated with the urging arm, claim 5. Improved equipment. The detector or sensor element or means is a triggered means, whereby the duration and / or degree of change or adjustment of the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source is preset. The improved device according to claim 3. For stripping or tape-sliding stocksheet materials that are fluid and / or viscous, adhesive or sticky, and for cross-winding a combination of slit strips or tape combined with liner material. It ’s an improved device,
The device is
(I) The source of the stock sheet material to be slit (5) and
(Ii) A source of liner material to be combined with the slit stock material (12) and
(Iii) A slitter (7) for slitting the sheet material into strips or tapes, and
(Iv) One or more vertical walls or support structures (61),
(V) A plurality of electric spool assemblies (74) mounted on the vertical wall or support structure and comprising a spindle or spool (76) and a motor (75) for rotating the spindle or spool.
(Vi) A plurality of transverse winding assemblies, each associated with an electric spool assembly, each transverse winding assembly.
(A) Electric worm shaft / shaft assembly (100),
(B) A carriage assembly (67) mounted on an electric worm shaft / shaft assembly.
(I) Bonding points (18, 29, 70) where the slit strip or tape is bonded to the liner material to form a winding, and (II) the winding on the spool or spindle of the spool assembly. A plurality of transverse winding assemblies comprising a carriage assembly, comprising an arrangement assembly (65) proximal to the spool or spindle of the electric spool assembly to be arranged in.
(Vii) With a plurality of alignment elements for directing each toe of the slit strip or tape from the slitter to its appropriate winding spindle or spool.
The improvement comprises a liner tensioning system mounted on the carriage assembly between the liner source and the placement assembly.
The liner tensioning system comprises at least one fixed element (29,86,117) and at least one non-fixed element (31,90,112,134,148,168).
The at least one fixed element is located between the liner source and the non-fixed element, and the fixed element and the non-fixed element define a path for the liner through the liner tensioning system. ,
The non-fixed element has one end corresponding to the longest path of the liner from the liner source to the coupling point and a second end corresponding to the shortest path of the liner from the liner source to the coupling point. Can move back and forth along the path to and from the end,
Thereby, the liner tension applying system is an improved device suitable for providing a substantially constant positive tension to the liner at the coupling point. The improved liner tensioning system of claim 10, wherein the liner tensioning system comprises at least two fixed elements such that the non-fixed elements are arranged along the flow path of the liner so as to be intermediate between at least two fixed elements. Equipment. The liner tensioning system includes a dancer element or reciprocating armature device (28,89,118,120,128,142,148,164) on which the non-fixed element is mounted.
An urging means (132, 152, 174) that urges the non-fixed element toward the one terminal position corresponding to the longest path of the liner.
A detector or sensor element or means (138, 187, 189) for detecting changes in tension of the liner material and / or movement of the dancer element or reciprocating armature device.
The detector or sensor element or means associated with the response element or means is also associated with the liner source, which causes the liner material to be supplied or withdrawn from the liner source at least temporarily. With a detector or sensor element or means that directly or indirectly modifies or adjusts
The improved apparatus according to claim 10 or 11. The improved device of claim 12, wherein the urging means is a string spring (132), a coil spring (152), or a pneumatic piston mechanism (174). The dancer element or reciprocating armature device comprises a shaft (126,144,170) or a rotating or swivel hub (30,88,116) and a swivel arm, one end of the swivel arm being fixed to the fixed element. 12. The improved device of claim 12, which is mounted on the shaft or hub and has the non-fixed element mounted on the other end. The improved device of claim 14, wherein the urging means acts on the swivel arm. (I) The urging means acts on or is associated with the axis or hub, or (ii) the axis or hub is associated with the detector or sensor or both (iii). The improved device according to claim 14. 14. The urging arm (130) mounted on the shaft or hub (30), wherein the urging means acts on or is associated with the urging arm, claim 14. Improved equipment. The detector or sensor element or means is a triggered means, whereby the duration and / or degree of change or adjustment of the rate at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source is preset. The device according to claim 12. 12. The response element comprises or is associated with a motor (98) that changes or adjusts the speed at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source, which is associated with the liner source. The device described in. The motor associated with the liner source affects the speed at which the liner material is supplied or withdrawn from the liner source, except when it is started in response to the detector or sensor element or means. The device of claim 19, which is a passive motor that does not reach.

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