Filament Winding Apparatus

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-172550, filed on Aug. 22, 2013, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an art of a filament winding apparatus configured to wind a fiber bundle supplied from a bobbin around an outer circumferential surface of a liner.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is publicly known a filament winding apparatus (hereinafter appropriately referred to as an “FW apparatus”) configured to form a reinforcement layer by winding fiber bundles around the outer circumferential surface of the liner. For example, in a case of helical winding, while introducing a plurality of the fiber bundles to the outer circumferential surface of the liner, the liner is rotated and thereby the plurality of fiber bundles are wound around the outer circumferential surface of the liner. At this time, a prescribed tension is applied to the fiber bundles.

The tension of the fiber bundles is controlled by a tension applying device or the like so as to be the prescribed tension, but the tension of the fiber bundles may be excessive (tension abnormality) in some cases during the winding of the fiber bundles. Such a tension abnormality occurs, for example, in a case where an unwinding defect occurs during the winding of the fiber bundles and then the fiber bundles become unlikely to be unwound from the bobbins.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-23481 discloses a filament winding apparatus configured to detect the tension of the fiber bundles between the bobbin and the tension applying device, to expect a yarn breakage by comparing the detection result with a preset tension value, and to stop the apparatus in a case of tension abnormality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, a speed of the filament winding apparatus has been improved recently, and a speed of the winding of the fiber bundles has also been improved. In a case where the winding speed of the fiber bundles is fast, even when a tension abnormality of the fiber bundles is detected and an action to immediately stop the apparatus is performed, immediately stopping the apparatus is difficult. For example, in a case of the helical winding, since the fiber bundles are wound at a high speed by the liner rotating at a high speed, even when the tension abnormality is detected and the action to immediately stop the liner is performed, the liner rotating at the high speed cannot be immediately stopped. A period of time is required until the liner is decelerated and completely stopped. In addition, a period of time after detecting the tension abnormality in the fiber bundles until the apparatus is completely stopped is likely to be longer as the speed of the filament winding apparatus is improved.

In other words, even when the tension abnormality of the fiber bundles is detected and the action to stop the apparatus is performed, since the winding speed of the fiber bundles is fast, a period of time is required until the apparatus is completely stopped. As the result, the winding of the fiber bundle is continued until the apparatus is completely stopped, and therefore the tension of the fiber bundles continues to further increase.

On the other hand, since the fiber bundle includes a carbon fiber and has a high strength property, even if the tension is excessive, the fiber bundle is not easily broken. The fiber bundle is thus not broken even with an abnormal high tension, and the FW apparatus itself may be damaged before the fiber bundle is broken.

The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a filament winding apparatus configured to prevent damage on the filament apparatus itself in a case where the tension of the fiber bundle is excessive.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are as mentioned above. Next, means for solving such problems will be described below.

One embodiment of the present invention is a filament winding apparatus configured to wind a fiber bundle supplied from a bobbin around an outer circumferential surface of a liner. The filament winding apparatus includes a tension detecting section, a cutting section and a gripping section. The tension detecting section is arranged on a path of the fiber bundle from the bobbin to the liner and is configured to detect tension of the fiber bundle between the bobbin and the liner. The cutting section is configured to cut the fiber bundle connected to the bobbin. The gripping section is arranged upstream with respect to the cutting section in a travelling direction of the fiber bundle and is configured to grip the fiber bundle cut by the cutting section. At this point, in a case where the tension of the fiber bundle detected by the tension detecting section is excessive, the cutting section cuts the fiber bundle, and the gripping section grips a yarn end of the fiber bundle connected to the bobbin.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle detected by the tension detecting section is excessive, after the cutting section cuts the fiber bundle, the gripping section grips the yarn end of the fiber bundle connected to the bobbin.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutting section includes a blade portion and a pedestal portion configured to receive a cutting edge of the blade portion, and the path of the fiber bundle is arranged between the blade portion and the pedestal portion.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the cutting section and the gripping section are configured in a unified manner and are operated by a common drive section.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the tension detecting section includes a movable roller configured to regulate the path of the fiber bundle and to move in accordance with the tension of the fiber bundle, and a sensor configured to detect a position of the movable roller. The tension detecting section is configured to detect a tension abnormality of the fiber bundle by the sensor detecting that the movable roller has moved to a prescribed position. The cutting section includes a blade portion configured to cross the path of the fiber bundle by the movable roller moving to the prescribed position and to cut the fiber bundle.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle detected by the tension detecting section is excessive, the winding of the fiber bundle is stopped.

With the present invention, in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle detected by the tension detecting section is excessive, the cutting section cuts the fiber bundle, and the gripping section grips the yarn end of the fiber bundle connected to the bobbin. Since the cutting section immediately cuts the fiber bundle in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle detected by the tension detecting section is excessive, without waiting for a period of time until the winding of the fiber bundle is completely stopped, the yarn end of the fiber bundle on a side of the liner can be released. Damage on the filament winding apparatus itself caused by abnormally high tension thus can be prevented. Furthermore, since the gripping section grips the yarn end on a side of the bobbin, a secondary abnormality such as a case where the cut fiber bundle on the side of the bobbin is improperly wound around the filament winding apparatus can be prevented from occurring.

Other features, elements, processes, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an FW apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a creel stand.

FIG. 3 is view illustrating an arrangement configuration of a tension detecting section, a cutting section and a gripping section all provided in a hoop winding device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hoop winding device.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are each a front view of the cutting section and the gripping section: FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which tension of a fiber bundle is normal; and FIG. 5B illustrates a state in which the tension of the fiber bundle is excessive.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are each a front view of a cutting section and a gripping section according to a second embodiment:

FIG. 6A illustrates a state in which the tension of the fiber bundle is normal; and FIG. 6B illustrates a state in which the tension of the fiber bundle is excessive.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an arrangement configuration of a tension detecting section, a cutting section, and a gripping section according to a third embodiment all provided in the hoop winding device.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are each a front view of the tension detecting section, the cutting section and the gripping section according to the third embodiment: FIG. 8A illustrates a state in which the tension of the fiber bundle is normal; and FIG. 8B illustrates a state in which the tension of the fiber bundle is excessive.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an arrangement configuration of the tension detecting section, the cutting section and the gripping section all provided in a helical winding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A filament winding apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as a “FW apparatus 100”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the FW apparatus 100 is configured to wind a plurality of fiber bundles F impregnated with resin around a liner 1 by repeatedly carrying out hoop winding by a hoop winding device 30 and helical winding by a helical winding device 40 alternately with respect to the liner 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the hoop winding device 30 is at a winding position.

Arrows A, B illustrated in FIG. 1 indicate a front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100 and a transfer direction of the liner 1 in the helical winding. In the helical winding, the liner 1 is reciprocated in the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100, and hence the liner 1 may be transferred in a direction of the arrow A or may be transferred in a direction of the arrow B. A direction in which the liner 1 is transferred is defined as a front side, and an opposite side of the front side is defined as a back side. Since the FW apparatus 100 reciprocates the liner 1 in the front-back direction, the front side and the back side are defined according to the transfer direction of the liner 1.

The liner 1 is a substantially cylindrical hollow container made of a high-strength aluminum material, polyamide resin, or the like, for example. Since a plurality of fiber layers are formed by winding a plurality of fiber bundles F around an outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1, a pressure resistance property of the liner 1 is improved. In other words, the liner 1 is a base member that forms a pressure resistant container. In the following description, the liner 1 indicates the liner 1 being in either a state before the fiber bundles F are wound therearound or a state in which the fiber bundles F are being wound therearound. For example, the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1 also indicates a surface of the wound fiber bundles F.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the FW apparatus 100 mainly includes a main base 10, a liner transfer device 20, a hoop winding device 30, a helical winding device 40, a creel stand 50 and a control section 90.

The main base 10 forms a base of the FW apparatus 100. A rail 11 for the liner transfer device is provided at an upper part of the main base 10. The liner transfer device 20 is placed on the rail 11 for the liner transfer device. At the upper part of the main base 10, a rail 12 for the hoop winding device is provided parallel to the rail 11 for the liner transfer device. The hoop winding device 30 is placed on the rail 12 for the hoop winding device.

With such a configuration, the liner transfer device 20 and the hoop winding device 30 can be moved with respect to the main base 10. The helical winding device 40 is fixed to the main base 10.

The liner transfer device 20 is configured to transfer the liner 1 in a rotating manner. While rotating the liner 1 with the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100 as a center axis, the liner transfer device 20 transfers the liner 1 in the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100. The liner transfer device 20 is mainly formed of a base 21 and a liner supporting section 22. Drive of the liner transfer device 20 is controlled by the control section 90.

A pair of the liner supporting sections 22 is provided at an upper part of the base 21. The liner supporting section 22 is formed of a liner supporting frame 23 and a rotation shaft 24. The liner supporting frame 23 extends upward from the base 21. The rotation shaft 24 extends from the liner supporting frame 23 in the front-back direction. The liner 1 is mounted to the rotation shaft 24 and is rotated in one direction by a power mechanism.

With such a configuration, while rotating the liner 1 with the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100 as the center axis, the liner transfer device 20 is capable of transferring the liner 1 in the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100.

The hoop winding device 30 is configured to form fiber layers by simultaneously winding the plurality of fiber bundles F around the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1. The hoop winding device 30 performs so-called hoop winding in which a winding angle of the fiber bundles F is substantially perpendicular with respect to the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100. The hoop winding device 30 is mainly formed of a base 31, a power mechanism 32 and a hoop winding and hooking device 33. Drive of the hoop winding device 30 is controlled by a control section 90.

The base 31 is provided with the hoop winding and hooking device 33 rotated by the power mechanism 32. The hoop winding and hooking device 33 includes a winding and hooking table 34 serving as a fiber bundle head.

The winding and hooking table 34 is provided with a space where the liner 1 passes through a center thereof, and a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD are arranged around the space (see FIG. 4). The fiber bundle F is supplied from each of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD to the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1. The power mechanism 32 is configured to rotate the hoop winding and hooking device 33 about a center axis of the liner 1.

In the hoop winding, while a position of the liner 1 is fixed and the hoop winding device 30 is reciprocated along a center axis direction of the liner 1, the hoop winding and hooking device 33 is rotated about the center axis of the liner 1. In such a manner, the hoop winding is carried out. In other words, the hoop winding device 30 includes the winding and hooking table 34 serving as the fiber bundle head configured to cause the plurality of fiber bundles F supplied from the plurality of bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD to face the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1. By rotating the winding and hooking table 34 and the liner 1 relatively to each other with the axis of the liner 1 as a center, the plurality of fiber bundles F are simultaneously wound around the liner 1.

With such a configuration, the hoop winding device 30 performs the hoop winding with respect to the outer circumferential surface 1S, in which the winding angle of the fiber bundles F is substantially perpendicular with respect to the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100. A winding mode of the fiber bundles F can be freely changed by adjusting a movement speed of the hoop winding device 30 and a rotation speed of the winding and hooking table 34.

The helical winding device 40 is configured to form fiber layers by simultaneously winding the plurality of fiber bundles F around the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1. The helical winding device 40 performs so-called helical winding in which the winding angle of the fiber bundles F is a prescribed value (for example, 0 to 60 degrees) with respect to the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100. The helical winding device 40 is mainly formed of a base 41 and a helical winding and hooking device 42. Drive of the helical winding device 40 is controlled by the control section 90.

The base 41 is provided with the helical winding and hooking device 42. The helical winding and hooking device 42 includes a first helical head 43 and a second helical head 44. A plurality of the fiber bundles F are supplied from a plurality of (one hundred and eighty in the present embodiment) bobbins B1, B2 . . . B180 supported by the creel stand 50 to the first helical head 43 and the second helical head 44, and then are guided to the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1. A plurality of (ninety each in the present embodiment) nozzles (not illustrated) are respectively provided to the first helical head 43 and the second helical head 44 in a radial manner toward the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1. The plurality of fiber bundles F are guided to the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1 by the plurality of nozzles, and the helical winding is carried out by the liner 1 passing in a rotating manner. In the helical winding, the helical winding device 40 is fixed, and the liner 1 is transferred in a direction of a rotation shaft thereof by the liner transfer device 20 while being rotated. In such a manner, the helical winding is carried out. In other words, the helical winding device 40 includes the first helical head 43 and the second helical head 44 both serving as a fiber bundle head configured to cause the plurality of fiber bundles F supplied from the plurality of bobbins B1, B2 . . . B180 to face the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1. By rotating the first helical head 43, the second helical head 44 and the liner 1 relatively to each other with the axis of the liner 1 as a center, the plurality of fiber bundles F are simultaneously wound around the liner 1.

With such a configuration, the helical winding device performs the helical winding with respect to the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1 in which the winding angle of the fiber bundles F is the prescribed value with respect to the front-back direction of the FW apparatus 100. The winding mode of the fiber bundles F can be freely changed by adjusting a transfer speed and a rotation speed of the liner 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the creel stand 50 supplies the plurality of (one hundred and eighty in the present embodiment) fiber bundles F to the plurality of (ninety each in the present embodiment) nozzles respectively provided in the first helical head 43 and the second helical head 44 of the helical winding device 40. The creel stand 50 is mainly formed of a rack 51, a bobbin holder shaft 52 and a guide 53.

A plurality of bobbin holder shafts 52 are mounted to the rack 51 in a parallel manner with one another. Each of the bobbins B1, B2, . . . B180 is rotatably supported by the bobbin holder shaft 52. The bobbins B1, B2, . . . B180 are rotated by the fiber bundles F being drawn, and the fiber bundles F are unwound. In a path of the fiber bundles F heading from each of the bobbins B1, B2, . . . B180 to the liner 1, a plurality of the guides 53 configured to guide the fiber bundles F are provided. The plurality of fiber bundles F that have been unwound from each of the bobbins B1, B2, . . . B180 are supplied to each nozzle of the corresponding helical winding device 40 via the plurality of guides 53.

With such a configuration, the creel stand 50 is capable of supplying the plurality of fiber bundles F to the plurality of nozzles that form the helical winding device 40. The FW apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of the creel stands 50, each of which is similar to the creel stand 50 illustrated in FIG. 2, and is configured to supply the plurality of fiber bundles F from each creel stand 50 to the helical winding device 40.

Next, a tension detecting section 110, a cutting section 120 and a gripping section 130, which are characteristic portions of the present embodiment, will be described. In the present embodiment, the tension detecting section 110, the cutting section 120 and the gripping section 130 that are provided in the hoop winding device 30 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, on the winding and hooking table 34, the tension detecting section 110, the cutting section 120 and the gripping section 130 are arranged in a path of the fiber bundles F from the plurality of bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD to the liner 1. In addition, a tension adjusting section 150 is provided on the winding and hooking table 34.

One tension adjusting section 150 is provided for the plurality of fiber bundles F that have been unwound from the plurality of bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD. The tension adjusting section 150 is configured to collectively adjust tension of the plurality of fiber bundles F. The tension adjusting section 150 is electrically connected to the control section 90, and drive of the tension adjusting section 150 is controlled by the control section 90.

The tension detecting section 110 is provided downstream with respect to the tension adjusting section 150 in a travelling direction of the fiber bundles F. The tension detecting section 110 is provided for the plurality of fiber bundles F individually. The tension detecting section 110 is configured to individually detect the tension of the plurality of fiber bundles F between the tension adjusting section 150 and the liner 1. The tension detecting section 110 detects the tension of each fiber bundle F and transmits a detection signal to the control section 90.

In the present embodiment, the cutting section 120 and the gripping section 130 are provided downstream with respect to the tension adjusting section 150 and the tension detecting section 110 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundles F. The cutting section 120 is configured to individually cut the plurality of fiber bundles F between the tension detecting section 110 and the liner 1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cutting section 120 includes a blade portion 121 and a pedestal portion 122. The pedestal portion 122 is a member configured to receive a cutting edge of the blade portion 121. In the present embodiment, an anvil is employed as the pedestal portion 122. The blade portion 121 and the pedestal portion 122 are arranged with the path of the fiber bundle F therebetween. The blade portion 121 is mounted to a drive section 123. By the drive section 123, the blade portion 121 is operated in a direction in which the blade portion 121 is in or out of contact with the pedestal portion 122. A solenoid may be employed as the drive section 123, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, by causing the blade portion 121 to be in contact with the pedestal portion 122 while sandwiching the fiber bundle F, the fiber bundle F is cut.

Based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, the control section 90 controls drive of the cutting section 120. Specifically, based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, the control section 90 determines whether or not the tension of the fiber bundle F is normal or excessive. The determination is made by comparing a predetermined set value that corresponds to a normal tension of the fiber bundle F with the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110. In a case of having determined that the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, the control section 90 drives the drive section 123 of the cutting section 120 and cuts the fiber bundle F of which tension is excessive by the blade portion 121 and the pedestal portion 122.

The gripping section 130 is configured to grip a yarn end F1 of a fiber bundle F connected to a side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD out of the fiber bundles F that have been cut by the cutting section 120. The gripping section 130 is arranged upstream with respect to the cutting section 120 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F. In the present embodiment, the gripping section 130 is provided between the tension detecting section 110 and the cutting section 120 (see FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIG. 5, the gripping section 130 includes a first gripping member 131 and a second gripping member 132. The first gripping member 131 and the second gripping member 132 are configured to grip the fiber bundle F. The first gripping member 131 and the second gripping member 132 are arranged with the path of the fiber bundle F therebetween. The first gripping member 131 is mounted to a drive section 133. The first gripping member 131 is configured to be operated by the drive section 133 in a direction in which the first gripping member 131 is in or out of contact with the second gripping member 132. A solenoid may be employed as the drive section 133, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, by causing the first gripping member 131 to be in contact with the second gripping member 132 while sandwiching the fiber bundle F, the fiber bundle F is gripped.

Based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, the control section 90 controls drive of the gripping section 130. Specifically, based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, after the cutting section 120 cuts the fiber bundle F, the control section 90 drives the drive section 133 of the gripping section 130 and causes the first gripping member 131 and the second gripping member 132 to hold the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD.

Specific configurations of the winding and hooking table 34 of the hoop winding device 30 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the winding and hooking table 34 of the hoop winding device 30, bobbin supporting sections 50 respectively corresponding to the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD are each provided at four positions. Frames 80A, . . . 80D are respectively provided in proximity to the bobbin supporting sections 50. The bobbin supporting sections 50 and the frames 80A, . . . 80D provided respectively to the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD each have substantially the same configuration.

The winding and hooking table 34 is rotated in a direction of an arrow R in FIG. 4 by the power mechanism 32. The power mechanism 32 is connected to the control section 90, and rotation and stop thereof are controlled based on a signal from the control section 90. The fiber bundle F introduced from a fiber supply guide 75 to the liner 1 is wound around the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1 while being rotated in the arrow R direction. The fiber bundle F is supplied in a direction of an arrow FA by the rotation of the winding and hooking table 34.

The bobbin supporting section 50 is supported in a rotatable manner with respect to the winding and hooking table 34 and is coupled to a hysteresis brake as a brake section. The hysteresis brake is configured to brake rotation of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD supported by each bobbin supporting section 50. With the fiber bundle F being drawn while the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD are supported by each bobbin supporting section 50, the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD are rotated and the fiber bundle F is drawn out.

The frames 80A, . . . 80D respectively support guide rollers 71 (71A, 71B, 71C), . . . guide rollers 74 (74A, 74B, 74C). The four fiber bundles F from the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD supported by the bobbin supporting sections 50 are integrated by the guide roller 74C while being guided by the guide rollers 71 (71B, 71C), . . . the guide rollers 74 (74A, 74B, 74C), and then guided to the fiber supply guide 75 via the guide roller 71A. The fiber supply guide 75 supplies the four fiber bundles F, which have been integrated, to the outer circumferential surface 1S of the liner 1.

The tension detecting section 110, the cutting section 120, the gripping section 130 and the tension adjusting section 150 are provided on a path of the fiber bundle F from the guide roller 71A to the fiber supply guide 75.

Next, operations of the tension detecting section 110, the cutting section 120 and the gripping section 130 in a case where the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive will be described.

For example, if the tension of the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA becomes excessive when the hoop winding is being performed by the hoop winding device 30, the tension detecting section 110 detects the tension of the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA and transmits a detection signal to the control section 90.

Based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, the control section 90 determines that the tension of the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA is excessive. After determining that the tension of the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA is excessive, the control section 90 drives the drive section 123 of the cutting section 120 and causes the blade portion 121 and the pedestal portion 122 to cut the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA of which tension is excessive (see FIG. 5B).

Based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, the control section 90 also controls the drive of the gripping section 130. Specifically, after the cutting section 120 cuts the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, the control section 90 drives the drive section 133 of the gripping section 130 and causes the first gripping member 131 and the second gripping member 132 to grip the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbin BA (see FIG. 5B). A yarn end F2 of the fiber bundle F on a side of the liner 1 is released and is wound around the liner 1.

In the present embodiment, in the case of having determined based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110 that the tension of the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA is excessive, the control section 90 stops the operation of the FW apparatus 100 to stop the hoop winding even when the tension of the fiber bundles F unwound from the bobbins BB, BC and BD is normal.

With the FW apparatus 100 according to the above-described present embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

With the FW apparatus 100, in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle F detected by the tension detecting section 110 is excessive, the cutting section 120 cuts the fiber bundle F and the gripping section 130 grips the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD. Since the cutting section 120 immediately cuts the fiber bundle F in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, the yarn end F2 of the fiber bundle F on the side of the liner 1 can be released without waiting for the period of time until the winding of the fiber bundle F is completely stopped. Damage on the FW apparatus 100 itself, which is caused by abnormal high tension of the fiber bundle F, thus can be prevented. Furthermore, since the gripping section 130 grips the yarn end F1 on the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD, a secondary abnormality such as a case where the cut fiber bundle F on the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD is improperly wound around the FW apparatus 100 can be prevented from occurring.

With the FW apparatus 100, in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle F detected by the tension detecting section 110 is excessive, after the cutting section 120 cuts the fiber bundle F, the gripping section 130 holds the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD. If the gripping section 130 grips the fiber bundle F before the fiber bundle F is cut, the fiber bundle F cannot travel to the side of the liner 1 and on the contrary the tension of the fiber bundle F may increase. Since the gripping section 130 holds the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD after the cutting section 120 cuts the fiber bundle F, the tension of the fiber bundle F can be prevented from increasing.

With the FW apparatus 100, the cutting section 120 includes the blade portion 121 and the pedestal portion 122 that receives the cutting edge of the blade portion 121. The path of the fiber bundle F is arranged between the blade portion 121 and the pedestal portion 122. Consequently, the fiber bundle F can be reliably cut while being held by the blade portion 121 and the pedestal portion 122.

With the FW apparatus 100, in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle F detected by the tension detecting section 110 is excessive, the operation of the FW apparatus 100 is stopped to stop the winding of the fiber bundle F. Consequently, impact on products during manufacturing that occurs by the excessive tension of the fiber bundle F can be minimized.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a cutting section 220 and a gripping section 230 are configured in a unified manner and are operated by a common drive section 223. Since the other configurations are similar to configurations in the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cutting section 220 and the gripping section 230 are configured in a unified manner. The gripping section 230 is arranged upstream with respect to the cutting section 220 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cutting section 220 includes a blade portion 221. The gripping section 230 includes a first gripping member 231 and a second gripping member 232. The blade portion 221 is fixed to the first gripping member 231 of the gripping section 230. The first gripping member 231 and the second gripping member 232 are arranged facing each other with a path of the fiber bundle F therebetween. The blade portion 221 and the first gripping member 231 are mounted to the common drive section 223. The blade portion 221 and the first gripping member 231 are operated by the drive section 223 in a direction in which the blade portion 221 and the first gripping member 231 are in or out of contact with the second gripping member 232. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, since the fiber bundle F is sandwiched between the first gripping member 231 and the second gripping member 232, the fiber bundle F is fixed. Since the fiber bundle F is fixed by the first gripping member 231 and the second gripping member 232, the blade portion 221 can cut the fiber bundle F without a pedestal portion.

Based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110, the control section 90 controls the drive of the cutting section 220 and the gripping section 230. Specifically, the control section 90 determines based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 110 whether the tension of the fiber bundle F is normal or excessive. In the case of having determined that the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, the control section 90 drives the drive section 223 to sandwich the fiber bundle F with the first gripping member 231 and the second gripping member 232 and to cut the fiber bundle F by the blade portion 221. After cutting the fiber bundle F also, the first gripping member 231 and the second gripping member 232 grip the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD.

With the FW apparatus 100 according to the above-described second embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

With the FW apparatus 100, the cutting section 220 and the gripping section 230 are configured in a unified manner and are operated by the common drive section 223. The number of components thus can be prevented from increasing.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment differs from the first and the second embodiments in that instead of a high-cost tension sensor, a position sensor 317 is employed as the tension detecting section 310.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tension detecting section 310 and a cutting section 320 are provided downstream with respect to a gripping section 330 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F.

The tension detecting section 310 includes a first movable roller 311, a second movable roller 312, a fixed roller 313, a fixed roller 314, an arm 315, a supporting section 316 and the position sensor 317. The first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 are configured to regulate a path of the fiber bundle F and to move in accordance with tension of the fiber bundle F. The first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 are mounted to the arm 315 with an interval therebetween in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F. The fixed roller 313 is arranged upstream with respect to the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F. The fixed roller 314 is arranged downstream with respect to the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F. The fiber bundle F is hooked on the fixed roller 313, the first movable roller 311, the second movable roller 312 and the fixed roller 314 in this order.

The arm 315 is fixed to the supporting section 316. The supporting section 316 is urged by a spring 318, and the path of the fiber bundle F is protruded by the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312. A spring coefficient of the spring 318 is set such that a protruded amount of the protrusion increases or decreases in accordance with a change in the tension of the fiber bundle F and the position of the arm 315 changes. In proximity to the arm 315, the position sensor 317 configured to detect the position of the arm 315 is arranged. The position sensor 317 detects the position of the arm 315, that is, positions of the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 in a state where the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, and transmits a detection signal to the control section 90.

The cutting section 320 includes a blade portion 321. The blade portion 321 is configured to cross the path of the fiber bundle F with the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 moving to prescribed positions, and to cut the fiber bundle F. The blade portion 321 is arranged between the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312. Since the position of the arm 315 changes with a change in the tension of the fiber bundle F, the fiber bundle F hooked on the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 is close to or away from the blade portion 321. In the state where the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, the blade portion 321 is set at a position where the blade portion 321 is in contact with the fiber bundle F hooked on the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 and cuts the fiber bundle F.

The gripping section 330 is arranged upstream with respect to the tension detecting section 310 and the cutting section 320 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F. A configuration of the gripping section 330 is similar to a configuration of the gripping section 130 in the first embodiment. The gripping section 330 includes a first gripping member 331, a second gripping member 332 and a drive section 333. The control section 90 controls drive of the gripping section 330 based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 310. Specifically, the control section 90 drives the drive section 333 of the gripping section 330 based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 310 and causes the first gripping member 331 and the second gripping member 332 to hold the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbins BA, BB, BC and BD.

Next, operations of the tension detecting section 310, the cutting section 320 and the gripping section 330 in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive will be described.

For example, if the tension of the fiber bundle F unwound from the bobbin BA is excessive when the hoop winding is being performed by the hoop winding device 30, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the position of the arm 315 is changed by the tension of the fiber bundle F. The position sensor 317 detects the position of the arm 315 in the state where the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, and transmits the detection signal to the control section 90.

At this time, since the fiber bundle F hooked on the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 makes contact with the blade portion 321, the fiber bundle F is cut.

Based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 310, the control section 90 controls the drive of the gripping section 330. Specifically, the control section drives the drive section 333 of the gripping section 330 based on the detection signal from the tension detecting section 310 and causes the first gripping member 331 and the second gripping member 332 to hold the yarn end F1 of the fiber bundle F connected to the side of the bobbin BA. The yarn end F2 of the fiber bundle F on the side of the liner 1 is released and wound around the liner 1.

With the FW apparatus 100 according to the above-described third embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

With the FW apparatus 100, since the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 are moved and thereby the excessive tension of the fiber bundle F is detected. Consequently, a high-cost detection sensor is not required. In addition, since the tension is excessive, the first movable roller 311 and the second movable roller 312 are moved and thereby the blade portion 321 crosses the path of the fiber bundle F and cuts the fiber bundle F. Consequently, in the case where the tension of the fiber bundle F is excessive, damage on the FW apparatus 100 can be immediately prevented.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various variations may be made.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to the hoop winding device 30, but the present invention may also be applied to the helical winding device 40. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a tension detecting section 410, a cutting section 420, a gripping section 430 and a tension adjusting section 450 are arranged on a yarn path from the plurality of bobbins B1, B2, . . . to the first helical head 43 and the second helical head 44. In this example, one hundred and eighty bobbins B1, B2, . . . B180 are divided into fifteen bobbin groups G1, G2, . . . G15, and every twelve bobbins B1, B2, . . . of the bobbin groups G1, G2, . . . , G15 is provided with the tension detecting section 410, the cutting section 420, the gripping section 430 and the tension adjusting section 450. Positions of the tension detecting section 410, the cutting section 420, the gripping section 430 and the tension adjusting section 450 may be arranged on the creel stand 50, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, but not limited thereto.

In addition, for example, in the first embodiment, the cutting section 120 and the gripping section 130 are arranged downstream with respect to the tension adjusting section 150 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F, but the arrangement position is not limited, and the cutting section 120 and the gripping section 130 may be arranged upstream with respect to the tension adjusting section 150 in the travelling direction of the fiber bundle F, for example.

Furthermore, for example, in the first embodiment, the gripping section 130 holds the fiber bundle F after the cutting section 120 cuts the fiber bundle F, but the timing is not limited thereto. For example, the gripping section 130 may hold the fiber bundle F simultaneously when the cutting section 120 cuts the fiber bundle F.

While the present invention has been described with respect to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than those specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, the appended claims cover all modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Filament Winding Apparatus

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Priority Claims (1)