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EP-4076913-B1 - FIBER TOW WRAP RESISTANT FIBER PLACEMENT HEAD

EP4076913B1EP 4076913 B1EP4076913 B1EP 4076913B1EP-4076913-B1

Inventors

  • NICHOLSON, Christopher, D.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20201215

Claims (13)

  1. A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold (20), comprising: one or more powered wheels (96) that are configured to engage and move composite tape; and one or more elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e); wherein the one or more elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) include an arcuate shape extending away from a mounting surface (126, 128); the contour of the arcuate shape closely conforms to an outer surface (134) of the one or more powered wheels (96) such that the one or more elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) are in close proximity to or directly contact the outer surface (134) and the one or more elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) closely conform to or abut the outer surface (134) of the one or more powered wheels (96) such that a portion of the one or more elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) is adjacent to or forms at least a portion of a lane path (72).
  2. The fiber placement head recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more powered wheels (96) and the one or more elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) are carried by a restart module (102) that is removable from the fiber placement head (14).
  3. The fiber placement head recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more elongated fingers include a planar surface (136) that forms at least a portion of the lane path (72).
  4. The fiber placement head recited in claim 1, further comprising a biasing element (144; 144c; 144d; 144e) that biases the one or more elongated fingers (124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) into engagement with the one or more powered wheels (96).
  5. The fiber placement head recited in claim 4, further comprising a resistance block (142) coupled to a center plate (112) and a pivot (140) positioned on an elongated finger (124b), wherein the biasing element (144) is constrained between the resistance block (142) and the elongated finger (124b) to rotate the elongated finger (124b) about the pivot (140) into engagement with the one or more powered wheels (96).
  6. The fiber placement head recited in claim 4, further comprising a link member (146) rigidly attached to the one or more elongated fingers (124d), wherein the biasing element (144d) abuts the link member (146) and rotates the one or more elongated fingers (124d) about a pivot (140).
  7. The fiber placement head recited in claim 1, further comprising a center block (112), positioned in between a plurality of the powered wheels (96), having a first mounting surface (126) and a second mounting surface (128); wherein a plurality of the elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) closely conform to or abut the outer surface (134) of the powered wheels (96) and are attached to the center block (112) at the first mounting surface (126) and the second mounting surface (128).
  8. The fiber placement head recited in claim 7, wherein the powered wheels (96) and elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) are carried by a restart module (102) that is removable from the fiber placement head (14).
  9. The fiber placement head recited in claim 7, wherein the elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) include a planar surface (136) that forms at least a portion of the lane path (72).
  10. The fiber placement head recited in claim 7, further comprising a biasing element (144; 144c; 144d; 144e) that biases the elongated fingers (124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) into engagement with the powered wheels (96).
  11. The fiber placement head recited in claim 1, comprising a center block (112), positioned in between the powered wheels (96), having the at least one mounting surface (126, 128); wherein a plurality of the elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) closely conform to or abut the outer surface (134) of the powered wheels (96) and are biased into engagement with the outer surface (134) of the powered wheels (96).
  12. The fiber placement head recited in claim 11, wherein the powered wheels (96) and the elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) are carried by a restart module (102) that is removable from the fiber placement head (14).
  13. The fiber placement head recited in claim 11, wherein the elongated fingers (124; 124b; 124c; 124d; 124e) include a planar surface (136) that forms at least a portion of the lane path (72).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to fiber placement machines and, more particularly, to a fiber placement head that prevents fiber placement tows wraps. BACKGROUND Fiber placement machines are used to create composite workpieces. Composite material, in the form of fibrous material impregnated with resin, is applied by the machines to a mold or mandrel at precise locations and lengths to collectively form a composite workpiece. The fiber placement machine moves a fiber placement head over the mold to precisely apply composite tape in the ultimate shape of the composite workpiece. As the fiber placement head moves, it leaves a plurality of composite tape segments, also referred to as a course, or tows, behind on the mold. While a plurality of composite tape strands can be simultaneously applied as part of the course, the fiber placement head can individually control each of the tows as part of applying the course. The automatic application of these composite tape segments to the mold involves the cooperation of a diverse collection of machinery that holds, moves, and ultimately cuts the composite tape. For example, a fiber placement head applying a sixteen-tow course of composite tape over a mold can include individual lanes for each tow and mechanisms that hold and cut the tape. Each individual lane can receive and communicate composite tape to the mold. However, as the composite tape passes through the lanes on its way to the mold, the tape, particularly the ends, can move outside of the lanes thereby preventing the passage of the tape to the mold. Removing tape from unwanted places can involve disassembling at least a portion of a fiber placement machine to remove the tape from where it left the lane and then properly guide the tape through the lane. Disassembly and attention to the fiber placement machine can consume time thereby decreasing the efficiency of the machine. CN 109 177 232 A discloses a composite material laying equipment. US 2008/0302483 A1 discloses a fiber placement head. SUMMARY In one implementation, a fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold including one or more powered wheels that are configured to engage and move composite tape; and one or more elongated fingers that include an arcuate shape extending away from a mounting surface, wherein the contour of the arcuate shape closely conforms to an outer surface of the one or more powered wheels such that the one or more elongated fingers are in close proximity to or directly contact the outer surface and the one or more elongated fingers closely conform to or abut an outer surface of the powered wheel(s) such that a portion of the elongated finger(s) is adjacent to or forms at least a portion of a lane path. In an implementation, the fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold includes a plurality of powered wheels that are configured to engage and move composite tape; a center block, positioned in between the powered wheels, having a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface; and a plurality of elongated fingers that closely conform to or abut an outer surface of the powered wheels and are attached to the center block at the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface. In an implementation, the fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold includes one or more powered wheels that are configured to engage and move composite tape; a center block, positioned in between the powered wheels, having at least one mounting surface; and a plurality of elongated fingers that closely conform to or abut an outer surface of the powered wheel(s) and are biased into engagement with an outer surface of the powered wheels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view depicting an implementation of a fiber placement machine;Figure 2 is another perspective view depicting an implementation of a fiber placement head;Figure 3 is a perspective view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 4 is another perspective view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 5 is another perspective view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 6 is another perspective view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 7 is another perspective view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 8 is another perspective view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 11 is another perspective view depicting an implementation of a portion of a fiber placement head;Figure 12 is another perspective view depicting an implementa