This patent application claims the benefit of and priority on German Patent Application No. 10 2016 003 326.6 having a filing date of 21 Mar. 2016.
Technical Field
The invention relates to a molding tool assembly, in particular for producing rotor blades for wind power plants, having a first mold shell and a second mold shell each for receiving one workpiece part, wherein the two mold shells in a proximal position face one another but do not bear on one another, having securing means for holding a workpiece part in at least one of the mold shells and having centering means for mutually centering the two mold shells in the proximal position or during convergence of the mold shells. The invention moreover relates to a method for producing a workpiece from two half-shell type workpiece parts, in particular for producing a rotor wing for wind power plants.
Prior Art
In the production of rotor blades for wind power plants, initially two half shells from a composite material are typically prefabricated in the respective mold shells that are provided therefor and are open towards the top. The mold shells having the half shells lying therein are subsequently positioned on top of one another in such a manner that a closed rotor-blade profile is created.
One of the mold shells is preferably disposed so as to be stationary, while the other mold shell is rotatable about 180° and in an overhead position is depositable on the aforementioned mold shell. To this end, the two mold shells can be interconnected by way of an articulation, the articulation line (pivot axis) of the latter running in the longitudinal direction of the mold shells.
Unintentional releasing of the half shells from the mold shells is to be avoided by way of the molding tool assembly according to the invention, in particular in an overhead position of one of the mold shells. Preferably, the two mold shells are to be precisely positionable in relation to one another and interconnectable so as to resist a tensile force. The half shells hereunder are referred to as workpiece parts.
The operation of the molding tool assembly in particular is to be possible in a simpler and safer manner.
In order for the object to be achieved, the molding tool assembly according to the invention is a molding tool assembly, in particular for producing rotor blades for wind power plants, having a first mold shell and a second mold shell each for receiving one workpiece part, wherein the two mold shells in a proximal position face one another but do not bear on one another, having securing means for holding a workpiece part in at least one of the mold shells and having centering means for mutually centering the two mold shells in the proximal position or during convergence of the mold shells, characterized in that the securing means and the centering means are mechanically intercoupled. The securing means hold the workpiece part in particular in the proximal position of the mold shells and/or during rotation. Said securing means are preferably mechanical securing means which are disposed on the periphery of the mold shell and impinge on a periphery of the workpiece part such that the workpiece cannot fall out of the respective mold shell. Due to the large extent of the mold shells for the production of rotor blades, many securing means can be disposed at defined mutual spacings along the mold shell periphery. Moreover, centering means are provided for mutually centering the two mold shells in the proximal position or during convergence of the mold shells. The centering means are preferably assigned to the securing means in spatial terms and/or provided in the same number. At the same time, the securing means and the centering means are mechanically intercoupled. This enables a simpler and safer operation of the assembly.
According to a further concept of the invention, the centering means and the securing means are intercoupled by common drive means. For example, the securing means and the centering means are embodied such that the former are to be rotated and moved in a linear manner. One common drive means performs the rotation and one further common drive means performs the linear movement. The drive means can also be combined so as to form a single drive installation.
According to a further concept of the invention, the centering means each include a centering head and a centering receptacle, wherein the centering head is assigned to the one mold shell and the centering receptacle is assigned to the other mold shell, and wherein the centering head and the centering receptacle are preferably configured so as to be conical and mutually matching. The centering head and the centering receptacle in terms of their shape are configured such that they can be converged and thereby mutually engage, even when they are not precisely aligned with one another. It is the conical configuration that specifically causes this type of self-centering. The centering head is preferably moved in the direction towards the centering receptacle, hereby moving into the centering receptacle, or vice versa. The conical shape herein can be restricted to a direction that is transverse to the direction of movement, such as in the case of a wedge.
According to a further concept of the invention, the centering means and the securing means are mechanically intercoupled in such a manner that in the case of a movement of the centering head or of the centering receptacle in the direction towards the respective other mold shell, the securing means or part of the latter is simultaneously moved in the direction towards the other mold shell. A common drive can be used by virtue of the coupling between the centering means and the securing means (or part of the latter).
According to a further concept of the invention, a molding tool assembly is a molding tool assembly, in particular for producing rotor blades for wind power plants, having a first mold shell and a second mold shell each for receiving one workpiece part, wherein the two mold shells in a proximal position face one another but do not bear on one another, and having securing means for holding a workpiece part in at least one of the mold shells, characterized by locking means for a tensile-force-absorbing connection between the two mold shells. In particular, locking means for a tensile-force-absorbing connection between the two mold shells are provided. The locking means preferably act in a form-fitting manner and allow forces for moving the two mold shells in relation to one another to be applied.
According to a further concept of the invention, the securing means and the locking means are intercoupled by common drive means. For example, the securing means and the locking means are embodied such that the former are to be rotated and moved in a linear manner. One common drive means performs the rotation and one further common drive means performs the linear movement. The drive means can also be combined to form a single drive installation.
According to a further concept of the invention, the locking means in each case include a locking head and a locking receptacle, wherein the locking head is assigned to the one mold shell and the locking receptacle is assigned to the other mold shell, and wherein the locking head is connectable to the locking receptacle preferably by plug-fitting and rotating. In particular, the locking head and the locking receptacle have a protrusion and a groove, as in the case of a bayonet fitting.
According to a further concept of the invention, the securing means and the locking means are mechanically intercoupled in such a manner that in the case of a movement of the locking head or of the locking receptacle the securing means is simultaneously moved. By virtue of the mechanical coupling, a common drive suffices for the securing means and the locking means.
According to a further concept of the invention, the locking head is rotatable from an ingress position to a locking position, in particular from an initial position to the ingress position. The rotational capability preferably extends across approximately 270°.
According to a further concept of the invention, the locking head is moved in a range between the initial position and the ingress position when a holding arm of the securing means is moved from a securing position to a free position. The respective workpiece part is secured or held, respectively in the mold shell when the holding arm is located in the securing position. The workpiece part in the mold shell is not secured in the free position of the holding arm. In the ingress position, the locking head is movable into the locking receptacle. In a locking position, there is a tensile-force-absorbing connection between the locking head and the locking receptacle.
According to a further concept of the invention, the locking means is assigned a linear unit by way of which in particular a locking head is movable substantially in the direction that is perpendicular to an opening plane of the assigned mold shell. The linear unit in a simple manner enables a targeted direction of movement of the locking head.
According to a further concept of the invention, the mold shells by means of the linear unit are movable from the proximal position in the direction towards a contacting position in which the mold shells and/or workpiece parts that are lying in the mold shells are in mutual contact. The workpiece parts in the contacting position are interconnectable, in particular by adhesive bonding.
According to a further concept of the invention, the locking means is assigned a rotary unit by way of which a locking head is rotatable relative to a locking receptacle. Rotation is preferably performed about an axis that is parallel to the movement of a linear unit that is likewise provided. In particular, the rotation axis lies in the alignment of movement of the linear unit. The rotary unit and the linear unit can be parts of a displacement unit. Also, the rotary unit and the linear unit, independently of one another, can be provided with dedicated drives, or be mechanically intercoupled.
According to a further concept of the invention, a holding arm of the securing means is simultaneously pivotable by way of the rotary unit. In this embodiment, the rotary unit is the common drive for the locking head and the holding arm.
According to a further concept of the invention, the locking head is simultaneously a centering head, while the locking receptacle is simultaneously a centering receptacle. The combination of the two functions in each case in one component reduces the overall complexity of the assembly.
According to a further concept of the invention, a holding arm of the securing means is pivotable about a pivot axis and foldable about a folding axis that is perpendicular thereto. On account thereof, the holding arm can be moved such that an obstruction of other parts is avoided.
According to a further concept of the invention, the securing means, the centering means, and/or the locking means are part of a displacement unit, wherein a plurality of displacement units are provided at defined spacings along at least one of the two mold shells, specifically along the longitudinal sides thereof. The displacement units are preferably disposed on both sides of the mold shell, approximately every two meters. Accordingly, the respective other mold shell has means corresponding thereto every two meters.
According to a further concept of the invention, a molding tool assembly is a molding tool assembly, in particular for producing rotor blades for wind power plants, having a first mold shell and a second mold shell each for receiving one workpiece part, wherein the two mold shells in a proximal position face one another but do not bear on one another, and wherein centering means are provided for mutually centering the two mold shells in the proximal position, characterized in that the centering means are assigned locking means in such a manner that, by way of the centering means and the locking means, a connection is establishable between the two mold shells, wherein the connection also absorbs tensile forces. A first mold shell and a second mold shell each for receiving one workpiece part are provided in particular, wherein the two mold shells in a proximal position face one another but do not bear on one another, and wherein centering means are provided for mutually centering the two mold shells in the proximal position, in particular in conjunction with further features as stated above. Herein, the centering means are assigned locking means in such a manner that, by way of the centering means and the locking means, a connection is establishable between the two mold shells, wherein the connection also absorbs tensile forces. The connection is in particular form-fitting. The connection preferably also absorbs compressive forces.
According to a further concept of the invention, the centering means act in a centering manner at least in one direction, in particular transversely to a longitudinal direction of the mold shells. The longitudinal direction of the mold shells herein corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the finished rotor blades. The centering means advantageously act in a centering manner in all directions that are parallel to an opening plane of the mold shell.
According to a further concept of the invention, the centering means are adjustable in a manner parallel to an opening plane of the mold shell, in particular transversely to a longitudinal direction of the mold shell. In order for centering to be finely tuned, the centering head and/or the receptacle can be adjusted by way of suitable adjustment members, for example.
According to a further concept of the invention, the locking means, for moving the two mold shells from the proximal position to an even more proximal position and vice versa, are connected to a drive unit. In this case, the drive unit is preferably a linear unit and part of a displacement unit to which locking means are assigned.
The method according to the invention is a method for producing a workpiece from two half-shell type workpiece parts, in particular for producing a rotor wing for wind power plants, using a molding tool assembly according to the invention. Said method relates to the production of a workpiece from two half-shell type workpiece parts, in particular of a rotor wing for wind power plants, using the molding tool assembly according to the invention. Preferably, a first workpiece part that is lying in an mold shell that is open towards the top is connected to a second workpiece part that is lying in a second mold shell that is open towards the top, and to this end the first mold shell is rotated about 180° and moved towards the second mold shell. The first workpiece part on the peripheries is initially secured by securing means in the first mold shell. The first mold shell is then rotated about 180° and moved to a proximal position above the second mold shell. The first mold shell herein can be permanently or merely temporarily held in an articulation system. Thereafter, the securing means, and preferably also the articulation system, are released. The two mold shells are subsequently interconnected by way of a plurality of tensile-force-absorbing connections. The first mold shell is finally lowered further until the workpiece parts are in contact. To this end, the first mold shell is actively pulled against the second mold shell in particular. After the two workpiece parts have been connected, the first mold shell is actively released, in particularly lifted, from the second mold shell. The workpiece is thereby released from the first mold shell.
Further features of the invention can be derived from the remaining part of the description and from the claims. Advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail hereunder by means of drawings. In the drawings:
A molding tool assembly has a stationary mold shell 20 on a frame 21, see
A displacement unit 24 for a locking means is assigned to the mold shell 22 and provided on the frame 23. The displacement unit 24 here has a linear unit 25 and a rotary unit 26. By means of the linear unit 25 a locking head 27 of the locking means is movable in the direction that is perpendicular to an opening plane 28 of the mold shell 22, see double arrow 29. The rotary unit 26 enables rotation of the locking head 27 about an axis that is perpendicular to the opening plane 28, see rotation arrow 30.
Fibrous material (not shown) is laid up in the two mold shells 20, 22 and is soaked with artificial resin. The fibrous mats herein by way of pinch edges 31, 32 reach up to the mold peripheries 33, 34. After the casting resin has cured, the mold shell 22 with the frame 23 is pivoted about 180° and deposited on the stationary mold shell 20 such that half shells that have been created in the mold shells 20, 22 are interconnectable as workpiece parts.
A locking receptacle 35 on the frame 21 of the stationary mold shell 20 is also a component part of the locking means mentioned. The locking head 27 and the locking receptacle 35 are configured in a mutually corresponding manner. The locking head 27 is conical or cone-shaped, respectively, having cams 36 that project transversely from the tip thereof. The locking receptacle 35 has a conical or cone-shaped depression, respectively, having L-shaped grooves 37 for receiving the cams 36.
By way of the cone-shaped/conical design, the locking head 27 and the locking receptacle 35 not only form the locking means but also simultaneously a centering means, or the centering head and the centering receptacle, respectively. The locking head 27 can enter the locking receptacle 35 with a relatively high degree of play. On account thereof, tolerances that are parallel to the opening plane 28 can be equalized.
The displacement unit 24 is moreover assigned a securing means which here has a holding arm 38 which is pivotably held on an articulation 39 on the locking head 27 or on the rotary unit 26, respectively.
The mold shell 22 having the movable frame 23 on the longitudinal sides of the former (not shown) is assigned a plurality of displacement units 24 having the features described, there being one displacement unit every 2 meters, for example. In a manner corresponding thereto, the stationary mold shell 20 having the frame 21 on the two longitudinal sides of the former has a corresponding number of locking receptacles 35.
The linear unit 25 and the rotary unit 26 can be pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically, or electromagnetically driven. The action of the rotary unit 26 can also be performed in a positively guided manner, so as to depend on a movement of the linear unit 25. The rotary unit 26 preferably has a rotating range of 270 degrees and supports both the holding arm 38 as well as the locking head 27. Proceeding from the parking position of the rotary unit 26 at 0 degrees as shown in
Range 0 to 90 degrees, having a locking function (to be explained further below) and having an inwardly folded holding arm 38;
Range 90 to 180 degrees: outward folding of the holding arm;
Range 180 to 270 degrees: inward pivoting of the holding arm to a securing position (also referred to as the operating position).
The function of the displacement unit 24 and the sequence in the production of a rotor wing for a wind power plant will be explained hereunder by means of
Proceeding from the position of the rotary unit 26 and of the holding arm 38 in
Lifting of the holding arm 38 from the vertical position according to
The holding arm 38 in
The mold shell 22 with the frame 23 is subsequently lifted, pivoted about 180 degrees preferably by an articulation system (not shown), and held in a proximal position above the stationary mold shell 20, see
In the next step, the rotary unit 26 by way of the piston rod 40 of the linear unit 25 is again moved to the external position according to
In the next step, the locking head 27 is deployed further by the linear unit 25, that is to say in
Subsequently, or in a later step, the locking head 27 is rotated by the rotary unit 26 about 90 degrees to the position according to
In the next step, the linear unit 25 moves the locking head 27 back by a small measure, such that the pinch edges 31, 32 having the projecting peripheries of the cured half shells (not shown) are in a contacting position on top of one another and can adhesively bond to one another by means of a previously applied adhesive. To this end, the linear unit 25 can apply a defined tensile force and/or maintain a precisely defined position of the locking head 27. The spacing between the mold peripheries 33, 34 that can be seen in
After the adhesive and the permanent connection of the half shells (not shown) have cured, the mold shells 20, 22 are mutually separated again by lifting the upper mold shell 22. To this end, the linear unit 25 is activated in order for the piston rod 40 to be deployed, see
In the next step, the locking head 27 by the rotary unit 26 is rotated back about 90 degrees such that locking is released. The holding arm 38 also travels to the still vertical position shown in
In the next step, the linear unit 25 completely retracts the piston rod 40, see
As an alternative to the aforementioned embodiments, the holding arm 38 can also be configured in a fixed horizontal manner on the rotary unit 26, see
In a manner corresponding to the pin 41 and to the holding arm 38, the locking receptacle 35 in
Alternatively, only one of the two grooves is available, the latter then interacting with the holding arm 38 or the pin 41. For example, only the holding arm 38 without the pin 41 is available.
According to
A further peculiarity can be derived from
The locking head 27 is configured so as to be wedge-shaped, having a trapezoidal cross section in the X-Y plane and a rectangular cross section in the Y-Z plane. Herein, the Z-direction runs approximately parallel to an articulation line (not shown) between the mold shells 20, 22 or in the longitudinal direction of a rotor blade, for a wind power plant, to be produced, respectively. The wedge shape of the locking head 27 guarantees centering or equalizing of deviations in the X-direction when the mold shells 20, 22 are brought together, respectively.
Additionally, the locking receptacle 35 in this case also has a wedge shape, specifically a wedge-shaped internal cross section such that wedge faces 48 on both sides of the locking head 27 can slide along wedge faces 49 on both sides of the locking receptacle 35.
The locking receptacle 35 here, instead of an L-shaped groove, has two wedge-shaped grooves 50, 51 in which the holding arm 38 and the pin 41 can engage. In a manner matching the wedge shape of the grooves 50, 51, the holding arm 38 and the pin 41 at least on the upper side are provided with oblique bearing faces 52, 53, the inclinations of the latter being adapted to the wedge shape of the grooves 50, 51.
The interaction between the locking head 27 and the locking receptacle 35 of this exemplary embodiment can be seen by means of
The cylindrical rotor 55 is mounted between the wedge 54 and a mounting plate 56 which can be fixedly connected to the piston rod 40.
20 Stationary mold shell
21 Frame
22 Mold shell
23 Movable frame
24 Displacement unit
25 Linear unit
26 Rotary unit
27 Locking head
28 Opening plane
29 Double arrow
30 Rotation arrow
31 Pinch edge
32 Pinch edge
33 Mold periphery
34 Mold periphery
35 Locking receptacle
36 Cams
37 Grooves
38 Holding arm
39 Articulation
40 Piston rod
41 Pin
42 Groove
43 Holder
44 Transverse support
45 Transverse support
46 Double arrow
47 Double arrow
48 Wedge face
49 Wedge face
50 Wedge-shaped groove
51 Wedge-shaped groove
52 Inclined face
53 Inclined face
54 Wedge
55 Rotor
56 Mounting plate
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
102016003326.6 | Mar 2016 | DE | national |