Patent Description:
Conventionally, a bundle of filaments (fiber bundle) is wound around a core material to obtain a member of a predetermined shape. PTL <NUM> and <NUM> disclose this kind of configuration.

PTL <NUM> discloses a following curved-shape pipe manufacturing apparatus. In this apparatus, fiber bundles are fed out substantially parallel to a center axis of the core material (<NUM>° winding is applied). Thereafter, a fiber bundle different from the above-described fiber bundles is wound onto the core material and the fiber bundles around thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the core material so as to tighten. In this configuration, the fiber bundles can be wound by other fiber bundle so as to be tightened. Accordingly, the fiber bundles can be prevented from striping from the core material.

PTL <NUM> discloses a following curved-shape pipe manufacturing method. The core material has a linear shape. The fiber bundles located around the core material are wound by the other fiber bundle so as to be tightened. Thereafter, the core material covered by the fiber bundles and the other fiber bundle can be bent. PTL <NUM> states that a curved pipe with improved stiffness can be obtained by the fiber bundles and the other fiber bundle covering the core material.

PTL <NUM> discloses a following axial composite member manufacturing method. Prepregs are attached to each of straight portions and bent portions of a core metal along the axial direction of the core metal (<NUM>° winding is applied). Thereafter, a heat-shrinkable tape is wound around the core metal on which the prepregs are attached. In this method, while positions of the prepregs attached on the core metal are held by a rubber member, the prepreg can be restrained by the heat-shrinkable tape.

The nearest state of the art regarding the present invention is disclosed in <CIT>. This document already shows a filament winding apparatus comprising a rail extending in a first direction, a core material support device for supporting a core material, and a winding device that is adapted to wind a fiber bundle onto an outer peripheral surface of the core material, the winding device comprising:
A guide unit having an opening through which the core material can pass, and which is adapted to guide the fiber bundle, and a main frame on which the guide unit is mounted, wherein the main frame is movable relative to the core material in the first direction.

The PTL <NUM> does not disclose the configuration that the fiber bundles are attached around the core material which is bent from the beginning, and the other fiber bundle is wound to tighten around the core material and the fiber bundles located around the core material. That is, the configuration of PTL <NUM> is not supposed to be applied to a core material which is already bent. The PTL <NUM> does not disclose the specific structure such that the prepregs move relatively to the core metal so as to attach to the bent portions before the heat-shrinkable tape is wound.

The present invention is made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a filament winding apparatus that can smoothly wind fiber bundles onto a core material having a curved shape.

Problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above, and next, means for solving the problems and effects thereof will be described.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a filament winding apparatus having the following configuration is provided. The filament winding apparatus includes a rail, a core material support device and a winding device. The rail extends in a first direction. The core material support device supports a core material. The winding device winds a fiber bundle onto an outer peripheral surface of the core material. The winding device includes a guide unit and a main frame. The guide unit has an opening through which the core material passes and guides the fiber bundle. The guide unit is mounted on the main frame. The main frame is movable relative to the core material in the first direction. The main frame is movable in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The main frame is rotatable around a first rotational axis extending in a third direction orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction.

Accordingly, a position and a direction of the guide unit can be changed with respect to the core material. Therefore, the fiber bundle can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core material which is curved.

It is preferable that the filament winding apparatus is configured as follows. The filament winding apparatus includes a first drive source, a second drive source, a third drive source and a control device. The first drive source moves at least any of the core material support device and the winding device in the first direction. The second drive source moves the main frame in the second direction. The third drive source rotates the main frame around the first rotational axis. The control device controls the first drive source, the second drive source and the third drive source. The control device controls operations of the first drive source, the second drive source and the third drive source to adjust a posture of the guide unit such that a center of the opening always coincides with a center of the core material.

Accordingly, the fiber bundle can be wound automatically around the outer peripheral surface of the core material, while adjusting the posture of the guide unit in accordance with a shape of the core material which is curved.

It is preferable that the filament winding apparatus is configured as follows. The main frame includes a sub frame. The sub frame is mounted so as to be movable in the third direction. The guide unit is rotatably supported around a second rotational axis extending in the second direction by the sub frame.

Accordingly, the position and the direction of the winding unit can be changed in a three-dimensional manner with respect to the core material. Therefore, even if the core material is curved in a three-dimensional manner, the fiber bundle can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core material.

It is preferable that the filament winding apparatus is configured as follows. The filament winding apparatus includes a fourth drive source, a fifth drive source and a control device. The fourth drive source moves the sub frame in the third direction. The fifth drive source rotates the guide unit around the second rotational axis. The control device controls the fourth drive source and the fifth drive source. The control device controls operations of the fourth drive source and the fifth drive source to adjust a posture of the guide unit such that a center of the opening always coincides with a center of the core material.

Accordingly, the fiber bundle can be wound automatically around the outer peripheral surface of the core material, while adjusting the posture of the winding unit in accordance with the shape of the core material which is curved in a three- dimensional manner.

It is preferable that the filament winding apparatus is configured as follows. The core material support device supports the core material rotatably around a third rotational axis being parallel to the first direction. The core material support device includes a sixth drive source that rotates the core material around the third rotational axis.

Accordingly, even if the core material is curved in a complicated three-dimensional manner for example, by rotating the core material in accordance with the shape of the core material (curvature), the posture of the core material can be changed such that the winding device winds the fiber bundles easily. Therefore, the scope of application of the filament winding apparatus can be expanded and the fiber bundle can be wound on the core material of various shapes.

It is preferable that the filament winding apparatus is configured as follows. The guide unit includes a plurality of bobbin mounting parts and a fiber bundle guiding part. Bobbins on which the fiber bundles are wound are mounted to the plurality of the bobbin mounting parts. The fiber bundle guiding part simultaneously guides the fiber bundles from the bobbins which are mounted respectively to the plurality of bobbin mounting parts to the core material.

Accordingly, the plurality of fiber bundles can be guided preferably. The plurality of fiber bundles can be wound simultaneously by a simple configuration.

It is preferable that the filament winding apparatus is configured as follows. The guide unit includes a tightening part, a unit frame and a fixed fiber bundle guiding part. The tightening part rotates around a center of the opening. The unit frame rotatably supports the tightening part. The fixed fiber bundle guiding part is fixed to the unit frame. The tightening part includes a bobbin supporting part and a tightening material guiding part. The bobbin supporting part supports a tightening material bobbin on which a tightening material is wound. The tightening material guiding part guides the tightening material to the core material. The fixed fiber bundle guiding part simultaneously guides the plurality of fiber bundles to the core material.

Accordingly, the <NUM>° winding, in which the fiber orientation angle is <NUM>° relative to the axial direction of the core material, can be easily performed.

The filament winding apparatus includes a creel stand. The creel stand supports each of bobbins on which the fiber bundles are wound. The fiber bundles are guided by the fixed fiber bundle guiding part.

Accordingly, the guide unit does not need to support bobbins. This can realize reduction in size and simplification of the winding device.

It is preferable that the filament winding apparatus is configured as follows. The winding device includes a base frame that is movable in the first direction relative to the core material. The base frame supports the main frame from below.

Accordingly, the stability of the main frame can be improved.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a filament winding apparatus <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a winding device <NUM> including a winding unit <NUM> (hoop winding unit 6x) viewed from the rear. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the winding device <NUM> viewed from the front.

The filament winding apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> is an apparatus configured to wind a fiber bundle F onto an outer peripheral surface of a core material <NUM>. The filament winding apparatus <NUM> includes a travel base <NUM>, core material support devices <NUM>, a winding device <NUM>, and a control device <NUM>.

"Front" in the following description means, in a direction where the travel base <NUM> extends, a side opposite to a position of a rotary table <NUM> which will be described later. "Rear" in the following description means, in the direction where the travel base <NUM> extends, a side where the rotary table <NUM> is positioned. "Left" and "Right" mean a left side and a right side when facing the front. The definition of these directions is for conveniently describing a positional relationship, etc. between components. An orientation, etc. for arranging the filament winding apparatus <NUM> is not limited.

As described later, the core material <NUM> has a curved shape, but a front-rear direction (first direction) is a direction substantially along an overall longitudinal direction of the core material <NUM>. A left-right direction (second direction) is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. A vertical direction (third direction) is orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction respectively.

The travel base <NUM> is elongated in the front-rear direction. The travel base <NUM> supports the core material support devices <NUM>, the winding device <NUM> and the like from below in the vertical direction. The travel base <NUM> includes a plurality of rails <NUM> extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the rails <NUM> is provided on an upper surface of the travel base <NUM>. The winding device <NUM> is mounted to the rails <NUM> so as to move back and forth in the front-rear direction along the rails <NUM>.

The core material support devices <NUM> support the core material <NUM>. Two core material support devices <NUM> are arranged side by side with a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. The pair of core material support devices <NUM> is arranged so as to face each other. Each core material support device <NUM> is fixed to the travel base <NUM>.

The two core material support devices <NUM> support the core material <NUM> such that an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction of the core material <NUM> is raised above the travel base <NUM>. One of the two core material support devices <NUM> holds a front end (one end in the longitudinal direction) of the core material <NUM>, and the other core material support device <NUM> holds a rear end (the other end in the longitudinal direction) of the core material <NUM>.

When the two core material support devices <NUM> support the core material <NUM>, the core material <NUM> basically extends in the front-rear direction. An appropriate gap is formed in the vertical direction between the upper surface of the travel base <NUM> and the core material <NUM> supported by the two core material support devices <NUM>.

The core material <NUM> has an elongated shape, for example, with its cross section having a circular rod-like shape. In this embodiment, the core material <NUM>, with its longitudinal direction three-dimensionally changing, has a curved shape.

The core material <NUM> can be mounted to and detached from each core material support device <NUM>. Therefore, in accordance with a desired shape, the core material <NUM> having various shapes can be replaced and mounted to the filament winding apparatus <NUM>.

The winding device <NUM> is configured as a device for winding a fiber bundle onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>, while traveling along the rails <NUM>. The fiber bundle is made of, for example, fiber materials such as carbon fiber. The fiber bundle may be impregnated with liquid resin (for example, uncured thermosetting resin).

The winding device <NUM> is provided, on the travel base <NUM>, between the two core material support devices <NUM>. The winding device <NUM> keeps a state in which the core material <NUM> supported by the two core material support devices <NUM> penetrates the winding device <NUM> when moving back and forth in the front-rear direction along the rails <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the filament winding apparatus <NUM> includes a front-rear traveling drive motor (first drive source) <NUM>, a left-right traveling drive motor (second drive source) <NUM>, a rotary drive motor (third drive source) <NUM>, a lifting motor (fourth drive source) <NUM>, and a pitching drive motor (fifth drive source) <NUM>. Each component in the winding device <NUM> is driven by each of the above-described drive motors. Details of a configuration for driving will be described later.

The control device <NUM> shown in <FIG> including a controller <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and an operation part <NUM>, controls operations of each component in the winding device <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is configured as a control board, for example. The controller <NUM> is electrically connected to the above-described drive motors for driving each component in the winding device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls each drive motor in accordance with operations of the operation part <NUM>.

The display <NUM> can display various information regarding a winding work (such as a progress of the winding work).

The operation part <NUM> is used for manually controlling the front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM>, the left-right traveling drive motor <NUM>, the rotary drive motor <NUM>, the lifting motor <NUM>, the pitching drive motor <NUM>, and a winding drive motor <NUM>, or used for inputting various winding information.

The operator inputs the winding information (an initial setting value, a winding angle, etc.) regarding the core material <NUM> to be wound, via the operation part <NUM>. Based on the inputted winding information, the control device <NUM> controls a target rotational speed of the winding unit <NUM>, a target traveling speed in which the winding device <NUM> travels in the front-rear direction, and a target posture of the winding device <NUM> corresponding to respective positions in the front-rear direction.

Next, details of the winding device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a front view showing the winding device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the winding device <NUM> includes a base frame <NUM>, a main frame <NUM>, a lifting frame (sub-frame) <NUM>, and a winding unit (guide unit) <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the base frame <NUM> made of a plate-shaped member, is arranged with its thickness direction facing up and down. The base frame <NUM> is mounted so as to move in the front-rear direction along the rails <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the travel base <NUM>. The base frame <NUM> is driven to move back and forth in the front-rear direction by a linear motion mechanism including the front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM> and a rack and pinion.

Specifically, a front-rear traveling rack <NUM> extending in the front-rear direction is arranged on the upper surface of the travel base <NUM>. The front-rear traveling rack <NUM> is fixed to the travel base <NUM>. The front-rear traveling rack <NUM> has teeth for meshing with the front-rear traveling pinion <NUM>.

The front-rear traveling pinion <NUM> is rotatably supported below the base frame <NUM>. The front-rear traveling pinion <NUM> is driven in rotation by the front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the base frame <NUM>.

The front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM> drives the front-rear traveling pinion <NUM> in rotation. The front-rear traveling pinion <NUM> to be rotated moves in the front-rear direction so as to roll with respect to the front-rear traveling rack <NUM>. As a result, the base frame <NUM> (and thus the winding device <NUM>) moves in the front-rear direction.

A support base <NUM> for supporting the main frame <NUM> is provided across an upper surface of the base frame <NUM>. The support base <NUM> is formed in a substantially U-shape with its lower side open, as viewed in the front-rear direction. Left and right rails <NUM> extending in the left-right direction are provided on the upper surface of the support base <NUM>.

The main frame <NUM> is formed in a substantially U-shape with its upper side open, as viewed in the front-rear direction. The main frame <NUM> arranged above the support base <NUM> is mounted to the support base <NUM>. The main frame <NUM> can move back and forth in the left-right direction along the left and right rails <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the support base <NUM>. The main frame <NUM> is rotatable around a rotational axis (first rotational axis) A1 extending in the vertical direction, with respect to the support base <NUM>.

The main frame <NUM> supports the winding unit <NUM> such that the winding unit <NUM> can be rotated around a pitching axis (second rotational axis) A2 extending in the left-right direction. In the following description, a turning of the winding unit <NUM> around the pitching axis A2 may be refereed as "pitching".

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the main frame <NUM> includes a left-right traveling base <NUM>, a base <NUM>, a left arm <NUM>, and a right arm <NUM>.

The plate-like left-right traveling base <NUM> is mounted so as to move along the left and right rails <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the support base <NUM>. A left-right traveling rack <NUM> is fixed on a lower surface of the left-right traveling base <NUM>. The left-right traveling rack <NUM> has teeth for meshing with a left-right traveling pinion <NUM>.

The left-right traveling pinion <NUM> is provided above the base frame <NUM> and below the support base <NUM>. The left-right traveling pinion <NUM> is supported so as to be rotated around an axis extending in the front-rear direction. The left-right traveling pinion <NUM> meshes with a first gear <NUM> that is arranged in the vicinity of and slightly below the left-right traveling pinion <NUM>. The left-right traveling pinion <NUM> is driven in rotation due to rotation of the first gear <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first gear <NUM> is driven in rotation by the left-right traveling drive motor <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the base frame <NUM>. The first gear <NUM> meshes with the left-right traveling pinion <NUM>, and then transmits a rotation driving force from the left-right traveling drive motor <NUM> to the left-right traveling pinion <NUM>.

The left-right traveling drive motor <NUM> causes the left-right traveling pinion <NUM> to be rotated via the first gear <NUM>. The left-right traveling pinion <NUM> to be rotated feeds the teeth of the left-right traveling rack <NUM> toward left and right. As a result, the left-right traveling base <NUM> (and thus the main frame <NUM>) is moved to the left-right direction.

The elongated base <NUM> is arranged above the left-right traveling base <NUM>. The base <NUM> is supported by the left-right traveling base <NUM> so as to be rotated around the rotational axis (first rotational axis) A1 extending in the vertical direction. As the left-right traveling base <NUM> moves in the left-right direction, the rotational axis A1 accordingly moves in the left-right direction. When the base <NUM> is not rotated around the rotational axis A1, a longitudinal direction of the base <NUM> coincides with the left-right direction. That is, when the base <NUM> is positioned so as to extend in the left-right direction, a rotation angle θV of the base <NUM> is <NUM>°. In the following, a positional relationship between components will be described, on the basis of a state in which the rotation angle θV of the base <NUM> is <NUM>°.

The base <NUM> is formed in a substantially U-shape with its upper side open, as viewed in the left-right direction. A rotary drive motor <NUM> and a worm gear mechanism <NUM> are provided on the upper surface of the base <NUM>. The worm gear mechanism <NUM> includes a worm <NUM> and a worm wheel <NUM> meshing with the worm <NUM>.

The worm <NUM> is supported so as to be rotated around an axis extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base <NUM>. The worm <NUM> is driven in rotation by the rotary drive motor <NUM>. Screw teeth for meshing with the teeth on an outer peripheral of the worm wheel <NUM> are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the worm <NUM>.

The worm wheel <NUM> is supported on the upper surface of the base <NUM> so as to be rotated around the rotational axis A1. The worm wheel <NUM> is provided so as not to be rotated relative to the left-right traveling base <NUM>.

The rotary drive motor <NUM> drives the worm <NUM> in rotation. The worm <NUM> to be rotated tries to feed the teeth of the worm wheel <NUM>, but the worm wheel <NUM> cannot be rotated relative to the left-right traveling base <NUM>. Therefore, along with rotation of the worm <NUM>, the base <NUM> is rotated around the rotational axis A1 with respect to the worm wheel <NUM> and the left-right traveling base <NUM>.

In the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, the base <NUM> (main frame <NUM>) can be rotated within a range of the angle ±<NUM>°. That is, the rotation angle θV that is an angle defined by the longitudinal direction of the base <NUM> and the left-right direction, meets a condition of -<NUM>° ≤ θV ≤ <NUM>°. Accordingly, even when the core material <NUM> has a portion substantially parallel to the left-right direction, the winding unit <NUM> can be oriented along such portion.

The left arm <NUM> is formed in a substantially U-shape, as viewed in the vertical direction. The left arm <NUM> arranged at a left end of the base <NUM> is provided so as to protrude upward from the base <NUM>. A left vertical rail <NUM> is provided on a right side surface of the left arm <NUM> so as to extend in the vertical direction. A left screw feeding shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported on the right side surface of the left arm <NUM> such that an axial direction of the left screw feeding shaft <NUM> is oriented to the vertical direction.

The right arm <NUM> is formed in a substantially U-shape, as viewed in the vertical direction. The right arm <NUM> arranged at a right end of the base <NUM> is provided so as to protrude upward from the base <NUM>. A right vertical rail <NUM> is provided inside the right arm <NUM> so as to extend in the vertical direction. A right screw feeding shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported inside the right arm <NUM> such that an axial direction of the right screw feeding shaft <NUM> is oriented to the vertical direction.

As shown in <FIG>, a right rotary drive gear <NUM> that drives the right screw feeding shaft <NUM> in rotation is mounted to a lower portion of the right screw feeding shaft <NUM>, so as not to be rotated relative to the right screw feeding shaft <NUM>. The right rotary drive gear <NUM> meshes with a lifting drive gear <NUM> (see <FIG>) that is driven in rotation by the lifting motor <NUM>. The right rotary drive gear <NUM> is driven in rotation along with rotation of the lifting drive gear <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the lifting motor <NUM> is provided below the right arm <NUM>. The lifting motor <NUM> drives the lifting drive gear <NUM> in rotation, the lifting drive gear <NUM> that meshes with the right rotary drive gear <NUM>. As a result, the right screw feeding shaft <NUM> is rotated.

A toothed pulley (not shown) is mounted at a lower end of the left screw feeding shaft <NUM> and at a lower end of right screw feeding shaft <NUM> respectively, so as to be rotated only together. Rotation of the right screw feeding shaft <NUM> is transmitted to the left screw feeding shaft <NUM> via transmission pulleys <NUM> provided in an upper portion of the base <NUM>, and a toothed belt <NUM>. Accordingly, due to driving of the lifting motor <NUM>, the left screw feeding shaft <NUM> and the right screw feeding shaft <NUM> are simultaneously rotated around their respective shaft centers in the same orientation and at the same speed.

The lifting frame <NUM> is mounted to the left arm <NUM> and the right arm <NUM> so as to move in the vertical direction. The lifting frame <NUM> includes a left lifting base <NUM> and a right lifting base <NUM>. The left lifting base <NUM> and the right lifting base <NUM> are moved up and down while always keeping the same height as each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the left lifting base <NUM> is mounted so as to move up and down along the left vertical rail <NUM> provided in the left arm <NUM>. The left lifting base <NUM> includes left screw coupling parts <NUM>. The left lifting base <NUM> is screw-coupled to the left screw feeding shaft <NUM> via the left screw coupling parts <NUM>. Accordingly, in conjunction with rotation of the left screw feeding shaft <NUM>, the left lifting base <NUM> is moved in the vertical direction.

A left rotation arm supporter <NUM> is provided on a right side surface of the left lifting base <NUM>. The left rotation arm supporter <NUM> supports a left rotation arm <NUM> in the winding unit <NUM> so as to be rotatable.

As shown in <FIG>, the right lifting base <NUM> is mounted so as to move up and down along the right vertical rail <NUM> provided on the right arm <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the right lifting base <NUM> includes right screw coupling parts <NUM>. The right lifting base <NUM> is screw-coupled to the right screw feeding shaft <NUM> via the right screw coupling parts <NUM>. Accordingly, in conjunction with rotation of the right screw feeding shaft <NUM>, the right lifting base <NUM> is moved in the vertical direction.

A right rotation arm supporter <NUM> is provided on a left side surface of the right lifting base <NUM>. The right rotation arm supporter <NUM> supports a right rotation arm <NUM> in the winding unit <NUM> so as to be rotatable.

The left rotation arm supporter <NUM> and the right rotation arm supporter <NUM> face each other in the left-right direction. The pitching axis A2 is arranged so as to pass through the right rotation arm supporter <NUM> and the left rotation arm supporter <NUM>. The pitching axis A2 passes through respective centers of the left rotation arm supporter <NUM> and the right rotation arm supporter <NUM>, as viewed in the left-right direction.

The right lifting base <NUM> supports a pitching drive motor <NUM> and an unit rotation worm <NUM>.

The unit rotation worm <NUM> is rotatably supported by a shaft arranged coaxially with a rotational axis of the pitching drive motor <NUM>. The unit rotation worm <NUM> is driven in rotation by the pitching drive motor <NUM>. Screw teeth for meshing with teeth on an outer peripheral of a unit rotation worm wheel <NUM>, are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the unit rotation worm <NUM>.

The winding unit <NUM> is configured as a hoop winding unit 6x for hoop winding the fiber bundle F in <FIG> with respect to the core material <NUM>. The hoop winding means a winding method in which the fiber bundle F is wound in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the core material <NUM>. The winding unit <NUM> has, as viewed in the front-rear direction, an opening portion (opening) <NUM>, with its center in which the core material <NUM> passes through. The opening portion <NUM> is formed so as to penetrate the winding unit <NUM> in the front-rear direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the hoop winding unit 6x includes a winding unit frame (unit frame) <NUM>, the hoop winding part <NUM>, a hoop winding tightening part <NUM>, and a winding drive part <NUM>.

The winding unit frame <NUM> is made of a plate-like member. The winding unit frame <NUM> is formed in a U-shape with its front open, as viewed in the vertical direction. The winding unit frame <NUM> supports a circular rotary table <NUM> included in the winding drive part <NUM>, so as to be rotated around a winding rotational axis (tightening part rotational axis) A3 extending in the front-rear direction. The winding unit frame <NUM> has, as viewed in the front-rear direction, a substantially circular opening 63a. The winding rotational axis A3 passes through a center of the opening 63a.

The left rotation arm <NUM> protruding outward is mounted on a left side surface of the winding unit frame <NUM>. The right rotation arm <NUM> protruding outward is mounted on a right side surface of the winding unit frame <NUM>.

The left rotation arm <NUM> and the right rotation arm <NUM> are provided symmetrically in a substantially center part in the vertical direction of the winding unit frame <NUM>. The left rotation arm <NUM> is rotatably supported by the left rotation arm supporter <NUM>. The right rotation arm <NUM> is rotatably supported by the right rotation arm supporter <NUM>. That is, the winding unit <NUM> is supported so as to be rotated around the pitching axis A2 with respect to the lifting frame <NUM> via the left rotation arm <NUM> and the right rotation arm <NUM>. Along with a vertical motion of the lifting frame <NUM>, the pitching axis A2 is also moved up and down. A pitching angle θH of the winding unit frame <NUM> with an upright posture, is <NUM>°. In the following, a positional relationship between components will be described on the basis of a state in which the pitching angle θH of the winding unit frame <NUM> is <NUM>°.

The unit rotation worm wheel <NUM> is mounted to the right rotation arm <NUM> so as not to be rotated relative to each other. In a state in which the winding unit <NUM> is mounted to the lifting frame <NUM>, the unit rotation worm wheel <NUM> meshes with the unit rotation worm <NUM> supported by the right lifting base <NUM>.

The pitching drive motor <NUM> drives the unit rotation worm <NUM> in rotation. Since the unit rotation worm <NUM> to be rotated feeds the teeth of the unit rotation worm wheel <NUM>, the unit rotation worm wheel <NUM> is rotated. Accordingly, the winding unit <NUM> turn up and down around the pitching axis A2.

In the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, the winding unit <NUM> can turn up and down within a range of the angle ±<NUM>°. That is, if the pitching angle θH is <NUM>°, the pitching angle θH in a state in which the winding unit frame <NUM> extends in the vertical direction as viewed in the left-right direction, such pitching angle θH meets a condition of -<NUM>° ≤ θH ≤ <NUM>°. Accordingly, even when the core material <NUM> has a portion substantially parallel to the vertical direction, the winding unit <NUM> can be oriented along such portion.

The hoop winding part <NUM> is provided on a side opposite to the winding drive part <NUM>, across the winding unit frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the hoop winding part <NUM> is arranged on a front surface of the winding unit frame <NUM>. The hoop winding part <NUM> includes a rotating base <NUM>, a plurality of bobbin supporters <NUM>, a plurality of circumference guiding parts <NUM>, a winding guiding part (fiber bundle guiding part) <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotating base <NUM> made of two annular plates arranged in the front-rear direction, is mounted to the rotary table <NUM> so as not to be rotated relative to each other. In the following description, one of two annular plates located on a side close to the rotary table <NUM> may be referred to as a first annular plate 71a, and the other annular plate located on a side far from the rotary table <NUM> may be referred to as a second annular plate 71b.

The first annular plate 71a and the second annular plate 71b are respectively supported by the rotary table <NUM>. The rotary table <NUM>, the first annular plate 71a and the second annular plate 71b are arranged side by side, in the order from the rear to the front. The rotary table <NUM>, the first annular plate 71a and the second annular plate 71b are parallel to each other. Respective centers of the rotary table <NUM>, the first annular plate 71a and the second annular plate 71b are located on the winding rotational axis A3.

The first annular plate 71acarries the plurality of bobbin supporters <NUM> (four bobbin supporters <NUM>, in this embodiment). Each bobbin supporter <NUM> is arranged perpendicular to a front surface of the first annular plate 71a so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The plurality of bobbin supporters <NUM> is arranged side by side at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the first annular plate 71a. Accordingly, the winding device <NUM> of this embodiment can hoop wind the four fiber bundles F simultaneously onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>. The number of fiber bundles F may be changed if necessary.

In the following description, in order to identify each of the bobbin supporters <NUM>, one of the bobbin supporters <NUM> drawn in the upper right portion in <FIG> may be referred to as a first bobbin supporter 72a. Other bobbin supporters <NUM> may be referred to as a second bobbin supporter 72b, a third bobbin supporter 72c, and a fourth bobbin supporter 72d in the clockwise order from the first bobbin supporter 72a in <FIG>.

The second annular plate 71b carries the plurality of circumference guiding parts <NUM> (eight circumference guiding parts <NUM>, in this embodiment). As shown in <FIG>, each circumference guiding part <NUM> is arranged perpendicular to a front surface of the second annular plate 71b so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The plurality of circumference guiding parts <NUM> is arranged side by side at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the second annular plate 71b.

In the following description, in order to identify each of the circumference guiding parts <NUM>, the lower circumference guiding part <NUM> that is one of the two circumference guiding parts <NUM> drawn in the rightmost in <FIG>, may be referred to as a first circumference guiding part 73a. Other circumference guiding parts <NUM> may be referred to as a second circumference guiding part 73b, a third circumference guiding part 73c, a fourth circumference guiding part 73d, a fifth circumference guiding part 73e, a sixth circumference guiding part 73f, a seventh circumference guiding part <NUM>, and an eighth circumference guiding part <NUM>, in the clockwise order from the first circumference guiding part 73a in <FIG>.

Each of the first circumference guiding part 73a and the second circumference guiding part 73b is configured as one single roller, for example. The first circumference guiding part 73a and the second circumference guiding part 73b guide the fiber bundle F (a thick dotted line in <FIG>) fed from a bobbin which is supported by the first bobbin supporter 72a.

Each of the third circumference guiding part 73c and the fourth circumference guiding part 73d is configured as a multiple-roller in which two rollers are arranged in the front-rear direction. The third circumference guiding part 73c and the fourth circumference guiding part 73d can guide two fiber bundles F side by side in the front-rear direction without crossing each other. The third circumference guiding part 73c and the fourth circumference guiding part 73d guide the fiber bundles F (a thick dotted line and a thin solid line in <FIG>) fed from bobbins which are supported by the first bobbin supporter 72a and the second bobbin supporter 72b.

Each of the fifth circumference guiding part 73e and the sixth circumference guiding part 73f is configured as a multiple-roller in which three rollers are arranged in the front-rear direction. The fifth circumference guiding part 73e and the sixth circumference guiding part 73f can guide three fiber bundles F side by side in the front-rear direction without crossing thereamong. The fifth circumference guiding part 73e and the sixth circumference guiding part 73f guide the fiber bundles F (a thick dotted line, a thin solid line and a thin dotted line in <FIG>) fed from bobbins which are supported by the first bobbin supporter 72a, the second bobbin supporter 72b and the third bobbin supporter 72c.

Each of the seventh circumference guiding part <NUM> and the eighth circumference guiding part <NUM> is configured as a multiple-roller in which four rollers are arranged in the front-rear direction. The seventh circumference guiding part <NUM> and the eighth circumference guiding part <NUM> can guide four fiber bundles F side by side in the front-rear direction without crossing thereamong. The seventh circumference guiding part <NUM> and the eighth circumference guiding part <NUM> guide the fiber bundles F (a thick dotted line, a thin solid line, a thin dotted line and a thin chain line in <FIG>) fed from bobbins which are supported by the first bobbin supporter 72a, the second bobbin supporter 72b, the third bobbin supporter 72c, and the forth bobbin supporter 72d.

As shown in <FIG>, the winding guiding part <NUM> protrudes forward from the rotary table <NUM>. The winding guiding part <NUM> is supported by the rotary table <NUM> and the first annular plate 71a. The winding guiding part <NUM> is provided at a slightly outside part in a radial direction of the rotary table 117and the first annular plate 71a. The winding guiding part <NUM> is rotated around the winding rotational axis A3 along with rotation of the rotary table <NUM> and the first annular plate 71a.

The winding guiding part <NUM> carries a plurality of (three, in this embodiment) tension bars 74a and a ring guide 74b. Each tension bar 74a applies tension to the corresponding fiber bundle F by rubbing between each tension bar 74a and the corresponding wound fiber bundle F. As shown in <FIG>, such fiber bundle F is wound around each tension bar 74a in order, and then wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> via the ring guide 74b.

As shown in <FIG>, the fiber bundle F (the thick dotted line in <FIG>) fed from the bobbin that is supported by the first bobbin supporter 72a is wound around all of the circumference guiding parts <NUM>, in the order of the first circumference guiding part 73a to the eighth circumference guiding part <NUM>, and then guided to the winding guiding part <NUM>.

The fiber bundle F (the thin solid line in <FIG>) fed from the bobbin that is supported by the second bobbin supporter 72b is wound around six of the circumference guiding parts <NUM>, in the order of the third circumference guiding part 73c to the eighth circumference guiding part <NUM>, and then guided to the winding guiding part <NUM>.

The fiber bundle F (the thin dotted line in <FIG>) fed from the bobbin that is supported by the third bobbin supporter 72c is wound around four of the circumference guiding parts <NUM>, in the order of the fifth circumference guiding part 73e, the sixth circumference guiding part 73f, the seventh circumference guiding part <NUM>, and the eighth circumference guiding part <NUM>, and then guided to the winding guiding part <NUM>.

The fiber bundle F (the thin chain line of <FIG>) fed from the bobbin that is supported by the forth bobbin supporter 72d is wound around two of the circumference guiding parts <NUM>, in the order of the seventh circumference guiding part <NUM> and the eighth circumference guiding part <NUM>, and then guided to the winding guiding part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the hoop winding tightening part <NUM> is supported by the rotary table <NUM> so as to protrude forward of the hoop winding part <NUM>. The hoop winding tightening part <NUM> and the hoop winding part <NUM> are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The hoop winding tightening part <NUM> winds a tape T onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> that is hoop-wound by the hoop winding part <NUM>. The tape T may be, for example, a heat-shrinkable tape or a tape impregnated with an uncured thermosetting resin in a liquid state.

The hoop winding tightening part <NUM> is provided at a position away from the winding rotational axis A3 (slightly outside in the radial direction of the rotary table <NUM>), as viewed in the front-rear direction. The hoop winding tightening part <NUM> is rotated around the winding rotational axis A3 along with rotation of the rotary table <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the hoop winding tightening part <NUM> includes a base plate <NUM>, a tightening tape bobbin <NUM>, a first guide roller <NUM> and a second guide roller <NUM>.

The base plate <NUM> is made of a plate-like member. The base plate <NUM> supports the tightening tape bobbin <NUM>, the first guide roller <NUM> and the second guide roller <NUM> such that they protrude forward.

The tape T for winding and tightening is wound onto the tightening tape bobbin <NUM>. The tape T drawn from the tightening tape bobbin <NUM> is wound around the first guide roller <NUM> and the second guide roller <NUM> in order, and then the tape T is wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> onto which the fiber bundle F has been hoop-wound.

As shown in <FIG> and the like, the winding drive part <NUM> includes the winding drive motor <NUM>, a first transmission pulley <NUM>, a transmission belt <NUM>, a second transmission pulley <NUM>, a transmission gear <NUM>, a rotary gear <NUM>, and the rotary table <NUM>.

The winding drive motor <NUM> is provided upward of and on a left side of the winding unit frame <NUM>. The first transmission pulley <NUM> is mounted to an output shaft of the winding drive motor <NUM> so as not to be rotated relative to each other.

The transmission belt <NUM> is wound around the first transmission pulley <NUM> and the second transmission pulley <NUM>, and transmits rotation of the first transmission pulley <NUM> to the second transmission pulley <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a tension roller <NUM> applying tension to the transmission belt <NUM> may be provided in the vicinity of an intermediate portion of the transmission belt <NUM> in the vertical direction.

The second transmission pulley <NUM> and the transmission gear <NUM> are rotatably supported by the winding unit frame <NUM> on a lower left side of the winding unit frame <NUM>. The second transmission pulley <NUM> and the transmission gear <NUM> arranged side by side in the front-rear direction are provided so as not to be rotated relative to each other.

The rotary gear <NUM> is provided at a center of the winding unit frame <NUM>, as viewed in the front-rear direction. That is, a center of the rotary gear <NUM> is positioned on the winding rotational axis A3. The rotary gear <NUM> meshes with the transmission gear <NUM>. The rotary gear <NUM> having an annular shape is supported by the rotary table <NUM> so as not to be rotated relative to each other.

The rotary table <NUM> made of an annular plate is arranged coaxially with the rotary gear <NUM>. The rotary table <NUM> is arranged forward of the rotary gear <NUM>. The rotary table <NUM> is rotatably supported by the winding unit frame <NUM>.

A driving force of the winding drive motor <NUM> is transmitted to the rotary gear <NUM> and the rotary table <NUM> via the first transmission pulley <NUM>, the transmission belt <NUM>, the second transmission pulley <NUM>, and the transmission gear <NUM>. Rotation of the rotary table <NUM> allows the hoop winding part <NUM> and the hoop winding tightening part <NUM> which are supported by the rotary table <NUM> to be rotated around the winding rotational axis A3.

Accordingly, the fiber bundle F guided by the winding guiding part <NUM> and the tape T guided by the second guide roller <NUM> are wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>. The hoop winding tightening part <NUM> is provided at a position displaced from the hoop winding part <NUM> in the front-rear direction. Therefore, after the fiber bundle F is wound around the core material <NUM>, the tape T is then wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the winding device <NUM> travels along the core material <NUM> such that the hoop winding part <NUM> precedes the hoop winding tightening part <NUM> in a traveling direction of the winding device <NUM>. Accordingly, with one traveling of the winding device <NUM>, the fiber bundle F and the tape T can be wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>. <FIG> shows an example in which the fiber bundle F and the tape T are wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> with one traveling of the winding device <NUM> rearward. However, in a first traveling, the fiber bundle F may be firstly wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> by means of the hoop winding part <NUM>. In a second traveling, the tape T may be then wound onto the outer peripheral surface in which the fiber bundle F has already been wound in the first traveling, by means of the hoop winding tightening part <NUM>. The traveling direction of the winding device <NUM> may be reversed between the first traveling and the second traveling.

The drive motors (specifically, the front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM>, the left-right traveling drive motor <NUM>, the rotary drive motor <NUM>, the lifting motor <NUM>, and the pitching drive motor <NUM>) included in the winding device <NUM> are controlled by the control device <NUM> in <FIG>. For such control, for example, as shown in <FIG>, a position of the winding unit <NUM> can be described to define an XYZ rectangular coordinate system with an X-axis that is a left-right axis, a Y-axis that is an up-down axis, and a Z-axis that is a front-rear axis.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the winding device <NUM> travels along the rails <NUM> while adjusting the position and the posture of the winding unit <NUM> such that the center of the opening <NUM> of the winding unit <NUM> always coincides with the center of the core material <NUM>. That is, the winding rotational axis A3 of the winding unit <NUM> always coincides with the axial direction of the core material <NUM>. Accordingly, even in the core material <NUM> having a curved shape, the fiber bundle F can be wound onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> according to its shape.

In this embodiment, the fiber bundle F can be wound around the core material <NUM> which is originally curved, according to such curved shape. Therefore, it is superior in that winding of the fiber bundle F is not disordered, as compared with a configuration in which a linear core material around which the fiber bundle has already been wound is curved.

The winding unit <NUM> may be configured as a helical winding unit 6y for helical winding shown in <FIG>. The helical winding means a winding method for winding the fiber bundle F in a direction tilted by a predetermined angle from the axial direction of the core material <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a configuration of the helical winding unit 6y. <FIG> is a partial enlarged view showing a configuration of the helical winding unit 6y. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration of a central guiding part <NUM> of the helical winding unit 6y. In the following description of the helical winding unit 6y, members identical or similar to those of the above-described embodiment may not be described and instead the same reference signs as in the above-described embodiment are given on the drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, the helical winding unit 6y includes a helical winding part <NUM> instead of the hoop winding part <NUM> and the hoop winding tightening part <NUM>. The helical winding part <NUM> includes a base circular plate <NUM>, a plurality of bobbin mounting parts <NUM>, a plurality of helical winding circumference guiding parts <NUM>, and a central guiding part <NUM>. The helical winding circumference guiding parts <NUM> and the central guiding part <NUM> form a fiber bundle guide section for guiding the plural fiber bundles F simultaneously.

The base circular plate <NUM> having an annular shape, its center position coincides with the center of the opening <NUM> in the helical winding unit 6y. The base circular plate <NUM> is provided on a side opposite to the winding drive part <NUM> in the front-rear direction, across the winding unit frame <NUM>. The base circular plate <NUM> that is mounted to the rotary table <NUM> in the winding drive part <NUM>, is rotated in conjunction with rotation of the rotary table <NUM>.

The bobbin mounting parts <NUM> are provided perpendicular to a front surface of the base circular plate <NUM> so as to protrude forward from the base circular plate <NUM>. A plurality of bobbins <NUM> around which the fiber bundle F is wound is mounted to the corresponding bobbin mounting part <NUM>.

The plurality of bobbin mounting parts <NUM> is arranged side by side at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the base circular plate <NUM>. Each helical winding circumference guiding part <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the corresponding bobbin mounting part <NUM>. Each helical winding circumference guiding part <NUM> is arranged side by side at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the base circular plate <NUM>.

Each helical winding circumference guiding part <NUM> includes one by one, first intermediate rollers <NUM> and second intermediate rollers <NUM> arranged in the front-rear direction. As shown in <FIG>, each first intermediate roller <NUM> is provided at a position farther from the base circular plate <NUM> than the corresponding second intermediate roller <NUM>. In other words, each first intermediate roller <NUM> is provided forward of the corresponding second intermediate roller <NUM>.

Each second intermediate roller <NUM> is mounted to the base circular plate <NUM> so as to slide in a radial direction. Each second intermediate roller <NUM> is biased in an orientation of moving outward in the radial direction of the base circular plate <NUM>, by means of an appropriate biasing member (specifically, a spring).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fiber bundle F from each bobbin <NUM> that is mounted to each bobbin mounting part <NUM> is wound around the corresponding first intermediate roller <NUM> and the corresponding second intermediate roller <NUM> in order, and then guided to the central guiding part <NUM>. The tension applied to the fiber bundle F is appropriately adjusted by spring force, which the biasing member exerts on each second intermediate roller <NUM>. As such, each second intermediate roller <NUM> functions as a tension roller.

The central guiding part <NUM> having a substantially cylindrical shape, is provided at the center of the helical winding part <NUM> such that an axial direction of the central guiding part <NUM> coincides with the winding rotational axis A3. An annular guiding part <NUM> is formed smaller than an annular area where each first intermediate roller <NUM> and each second intermediate roller <NUM> are arranged side by side.

In other words, the annular guiding part <NUM> is provided at a position closer to a center than each first intermediate roller <NUM> and each second intermediate roller <NUM>, as viewed in the front-rear direction. The fiber bundle F guided by each second intermediate roller <NUM> is guided from an outside in the radial direction of the central guiding part <NUM> to the core material <NUM> passing through an inside of the central guiding part <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the central guiding part <NUM> includes a first annular plate <NUM>, a second annular plate <NUM>, an annular guiding part <NUM>, and auxiliary guiding parts <NUM>. All of the first annular plate <NUM>, the second annular plate <NUM>, the annular guiding part <NUM>, and the auxiliary guiding parts <NUM> are respectively formed in an annular shape and arranged such that their central axes coincide.

The first annular plate <NUM> has a mounting part <NUM> extending in a radial direction. Although the base circular plate <NUM> is not shown in <FIG>, the first annular plate <NUM> is mounted to the base circular plate <NUM> via the mounting part <NUM>. Accordingly, the first annular plate <NUM> is rotated in conjunction with rotation of the base circular plate <NUM>. The first annular plate <NUM> is connected to the annular guiding part <NUM> on one side in the front-rear direction.

The second annular plate <NUM> has an annular shape like the first annular plate <NUM>. The second annular plate <NUM> is connected to the annular guiding part <NUM> on a side opposite to the first annular plate <NUM> in the front-rear direction.

The annular guiding part <NUM> having an annular shape, has a predetermined thickness in an axial direction. An outer diameter of the annular guiding part <NUM> is smaller than that of the first annular plate <NUM> and the second annular plate <NUM>. An inner diameter of the annular guiding part <NUM> is larger than that of the first annular plate <NUM> and the second annular plate <NUM>.

The annular guiding part <NUM> has fiber bundle guide holes <NUM> that penetrate the annular guiding part <NUM> in the radial direction. The plurality of fiber bundle guide holes <NUM> is formed side by side at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the annular guiding part <NUM>, in accordance with the number of bobbin mounting parts <NUM> (in other words, the number of helical winding circumference guiding parts <NUM>). Each fiber bundle guide hole <NUM> guides the fiber bundle F guided from the corresponding second intermediate roller <NUM> to the center side of the central guiding part <NUM>.

Each of the auxiliary guiding parts <NUM> is made of two plates having an annular shape. As shown in <FIG>, an outer diameter of each auxiliary guiding part <NUM> is larger than an inner diameter of the first annular plate <NUM> and the second annular plate <NUM>, and smaller than an inner diameter of the annular guiding part <NUM>. The inner diameter of each auxiliary guiding part <NUM> is smaller than that of the first annular plate <NUM> and the second annular plate <NUM>.

The two plates forming each auxiliary guiding part <NUM> are respectively connected to a front surface of the first annular plate <NUM> and a rear surface of the second annular plate <NUM>. The auxiliary guiding parts <NUM> are provided coaxially with the first annular plate <NUM> and the second annular plate <NUM>.

With this configuration, as shown in <FIG>, an inner peripheral surface of each auxiliary guiding part <NUM> is closer to an axis of the central guiding part <NUM> than the inner peripheral surface of the first annular plate <NUM> and the second annular plate <NUM>. That is, the fiber bundle F guided by each auxiliary guiding part <NUM> can be guided to a position closer to the core material <NUM> passing through the center of the central guiding part <NUM>, via the auxiliary guiding parts <NUM>. This can further stabilize behaviors of the fiber bundle F to be wound around the core material <NUM>.

The helical winding part <NUM> with the above-described configuration can guide the plurality of fiber bundles F radially to the core material <NUM>. The helical winding part <NUM> is rotated along with rotation of the rotary table <NUM>, and thereby the plurality of fiber bundles F can be simultaneously wound around the core material <NUM>.

The winding unit <NUM> may be configured as a <NUM>° winding unit 6z for <NUM>° winding shown in <FIG>. The <NUM>° winding means an arranging method in which fiber bundles F are arranged onto the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> in a direction in parallel with an axial direction of the core material <NUM>. Although the fiber bundle F does not circulate around the core material, this arrangement of the fiber bundle F can also be considered to be included in the "winding".

In the following, the <NUM>° winding unit 6z will be described in detail. <FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views showing a configuration of the <NUM>° winding unit 6z. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fiber guiding part of the <NUM>° winding unit 6z. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a configuration of a <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the filament winding apparatus <NUM> including a creel stand <NUM>. In the following description of the <NUM>° winding unit 6z, members identical or similar to those of the above-described hoop winding unit 6x may not be described and instead the same reference signs as in the above-described configurations are given on the drawings.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the <NUM>° winding unit 6z includes a fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> and the <NUM>° winding tightening part (tightening part) <NUM> instead of the hoop winding part <NUM> and the hoop winding tightening part <NUM>. The fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> and the <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

The fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> is fixed to the winding unit frame <NUM>. The fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> guides the plurality of fiber bundles F to the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> so as to be arranged at an appropriate interval in the circumferential direction of the core material <NUM>. Unlike the hoop winding part <NUM> or the like of the hoop winding unit 6x described above, even though the rotary table <NUM> in <FIG> is rotated, the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> is not rotated. Each of the plurality of fiber bundles F is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the core material <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> includes a mounting frame <NUM>, a first circular guiding part <NUM>, a second circular guiding part <NUM>, and a third circular guiding part <NUM>.

The mounting frame <NUM> is made of a plate-shaped member. The mounting frame <NUM> is mounted on the front side of the winding unit frame <NUM>, with its thickness direction facing in the front-rear direction. The first circular guiding part <NUM> is fixed at the center of the mounting frame <NUM>. The mounting frame <NUM> and the first circular guiding part <NUM> may be integrally formed.

The first circular guiding part <NUM> is formed in a substantially annular shape having a circular opening through which the core material <NUM> can pass. The first circular guiding part <NUM> is arranged on the front side of the mounting frame <NUM> (in other words, the upstream side with respect to the direction of traveling of the fiber bundles F). The first circular guiding part <NUM> is provided on the mounting frame <NUM> such that an axial direction of the first circular guiding part <NUM> is oriented in the front-rear direction.

A plurality of front guiding holes <NUM> are formed in the first circular guiding part <NUM> so as to penetrate the first circular guiding part <NUM> in the front-rear direction (thickness direction). The front guiding holes <NUM> are arranged side by side at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first circular guiding part <NUM>. The fiber bundle F passes through the respective front guiding holes <NUM>.

The second circular guiding part <NUM> is made of an annular plate having a predetermined thickness in an axial direction. The second circular guiding part <NUM> is arranged on the rear side of the first circular guiding part <NUM> with a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction with respect to the first circular guiding part <NUM>. The second circular guiding part <NUM> is arranged coaxially with the first circular guiding part <NUM>.

An outer diameter of the second circular guiding part <NUM> is smaller than an inner diameter of the first circular guiding part <NUM>. The second circular guiding part <NUM> is fixed on a front surface of the third circular guiding part <NUM>.

A plurality of rear guiding holes <NUM> are formed in the second circular guiding part <NUM> so as to penetrate the second circular guiding part <NUM> in a radial direction. The rear guiding holes <NUM> are arranged in correspondence with the number of front guiding holes <NUM>. The rear guiding holes <NUM> are arranged side by side at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second circular guiding part <NUM>. The fiber bundle F passes through the respective rear guiding holes <NUM>. Each of the rear guiding holes <NUM> guides the fiber bundle F guided from each of the front guiding holes <NUM> to the center side of the second circular guiding part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the third circular guiding part <NUM> is made of an annular plate. A plurality of support plates <NUM> (four support plates <NUM>, in this embodiment) are fixed on the third circular guiding part <NUM>. Each of the support plates <NUM> extends outward in the radial direction of the third circular guiding part <NUM>. The third circular guiding part <NUM> is mounted to the mounting frame <NUM> via the support plates <NUM>. The third circular guiding part <NUM> is connected to the rear surface of the second circular guiding part <NUM>. The third circular guiding part <NUM> supports the second circular guiding part <NUM> so as to be arranged coaxially with the first circular guiding part <NUM>.

The third circular guiding part <NUM> is formed to have substantially the same size as the second circular guiding part <NUM>. An inner diameter of the third circular guiding part <NUM> is smaller than an inner diameter of the second circular guiding part <NUM> and slightly larger than an outer diameter of the core material <NUM>. Accordingly, a circular gap through which the fiber bundle F passes is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the third circular guiding part <NUM> and the core material <NUM> penetrating the third circular guiding part <NUM>.

In the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> configured as described above, the plurality of fiber bundles F from a later-described creel stand <NUM> shown in <FIG> passes respectively the front guiding holes <NUM> which are formed in the first circular guiding part <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Accordingly, the fiber bundles F are aligned so as to be arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the first circular guiding part <NUM>.

Thereafter, each of the fiber bundles F passes the rear guiding hole <NUM> of the second circular guiding part <NUM>. The rear guiding holes <NUM> are formed corresponding to the front guiding holes <NUM>. Accordingly, the fiber bundles F are guided so as to approach the outer periphery of the core material <NUM>, while keeping the state in which the fiber bundles F are arranged in a circular manner. That is, the plurality of fiber bundles F that have passed through the second circular guiding part <NUM> are arranged in a small circular manner.

Thereafter, the plurality of fiber bundles F pass through the circular gap between the third circular guiding part <NUM> and the core material <NUM>. As a result, the fiber bundles F are aligned preferably along the axial direction of the core material <NUM>.

The <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> is provided rearward of the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM>. The <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> is arranged side by side in the front-rear direction with the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM>. The <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> tightens the fiber bundles F which are guided by the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> and arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>, by winding a tightening fiber bundle (tightening material) F1.

The <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> is arranged forward of the winding unit frame <NUM> (the side opposite to the winding drive part <NUM> across the winding unit frame <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, the <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> includes a rotary plate <NUM>, a tightening fiber bobbin supporting part (bobbin supporting part) <NUM>, and a tightening fiber guiding part (tightening material guiding part) <NUM>.

The rotary plate <NUM> made of an annular plate is provided rearward of the third circular guiding part <NUM>. The rotary plate <NUM> is arranged coaxially with the rotary table <NUM>, the third circular guiding part <NUM>, the second circular guiding part <NUM>, and the first circular guiding part <NUM>.

The rotary plate <NUM> is arranged at the side opposite to the rotary table <NUM> across the winding unit frame <NUM>. The rotary plate <NUM> is mounted to the rotary table <NUM> so as not to be rotated relative to each other. The rotary plate <NUM> is rotated around the winding rotational axis A3 in <FIG> along with rotation of the rotary table <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the tightening fiber bobbin supporting part <NUM> is provided at an appropriate position in the circumferential direction of the rotary plate <NUM>. The tightening fiber bobbin supporting part <NUM> is provided perpendicular to a front surface of the rotary plate <NUM> so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the rotary plate <NUM>. The tightening fiber bobbin supporting part <NUM> supports a tightening fiber bobbin (tightening material bobbin) <NUM>. A tightening fiber bundle F1 is wound onto the tightening fiber bobbin <NUM>.

The tightening fiber guiding part <NUM> is arranged forward of the rotary plate <NUM>. The tightening fiber guiding part <NUM> is supported by the rotary plate <NUM>. The tightening fiber guiding part <NUM> is provided at a position apart from the winding rotational axis A3. The tightening fiber guiding part <NUM> is rotated around the winding rotational axis A3 along with rotation of the rotary plate <NUM>.

The tightening fiber guiding part <NUM> guides the tightening fiber bundle F1 drawn from the tightening fiber bobbin <NUM> toward the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>. The tightening fiber guiding part <NUM> includes a first fiber guiding part <NUM> and a second fiber guiding part <NUM>.

The first fiber guiding part <NUM> is made of a plurality of tension bars (three tension bars, in this embodiment). The tension bar applies tension to the tightening fiber bundle F1 by rubbing between the tension bar and the wound tightening fiber bundle F1. The tightening fiber bundle F1 is wound around each tension bar in order, and then guided to the second fiber guiding part <NUM>.

The second fiber guiding part <NUM> is made of, for example, an elongated plate-shaped member. As shown in <FIG>, one end of the second fiber guiding part <NUM> is fixed on the front surface of the rotary plate <NUM>, and the other end thereof is provided at a position near the center (the core material <NUM>) of the rotary plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the second fiber guiding part <NUM> extends inside in a radial direction from the rotary plate <NUM>.

In the second fiber guiding part <NUM>, a tightening fiber bundle guide hole <NUM> is formed through in an end on a side close to the center of the rotary plate <NUM>. The tightening fiber bundle guide hole <NUM> penetrates the second fiber guiding part <NUM> in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis of the rotary plate <NUM> and is perpendicular to the radial direction of the rotary plate <NUM>. The tightening fiber bundle F1 passes the tightening fiber bundle guide hole <NUM> and is guided to a position near the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>.

As the rotary plate <NUM> rotates, the tightening fiber bobbin supporting part <NUM> (and thus the tightening fiber bobbin <NUM>), the first fiber guiding part <NUM> and the second fiber guiding part <NUM> rotate around the winding rotational axis A3 (that is, the core material <NUM>). As a result, the tightening fiber bundle F1 is wound in a direction tilted by a predetermined angle from the axial direction of the core material <NUM>. The plurality of fiber bundles F aligned on the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> along the axial direction thereof is fixed on the outer peripheral surface of the core material by the tightening fiber bundle F1, as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the filament winding apparatus <NUM> which uses the <NUM>° winding unit 6z, includes a creel stand <NUM>. The creel stand <NUM> can support a plurality of bobbins.

The creel stand <NUM> is used for supplying the plurality of fiber bundles F to the <NUM>° winding unit 6z. The creel stand <NUM> includes a support frame <NUM>, a plurality of bobbin supporting parts <NUM>, and an aligning guide <NUM>. The creel stand <NUM> is drawn in a simplified manner in <FIG> for avoiding complication of drawing.

The support frame <NUM> is a frame-shaped structure. One of the two core material support devices <NUM> is arranged within the creel stand <NUM> and at a center portion in the left-right direction of the support frame <NUM>.

A large number of bobbin supporting parts <NUM> are arranged in the support frame <NUM>. A bobbin (not shown) can be set to each of bobbin supporting parts <NUM>. The fiber bundle F to be supplied to the winding unit <NUM> is wound onto the Bobbin.

The aligning guide <NUM> is mounted on a surface of the support frame <NUM> on a side close to the winding device <NUM> on the support frame <NUM>. The aligning guide <NUM> has an opening 123a through which the core material <NUM> can pass. Various guide members which guide the fiber bundles F are mounted to the aligning guide <NUM> around the opening 123a. Examples of the guide members include a roller.

In this configuration, the fiber bundles F are drawn from the plurality of bobbins in the creel stand <NUM> and are aligned by the aligning guide <NUM>. Thereafter, the fiber bundles F can be supplied to the <NUM>° winding unit 6z of the winding device <NUM>.

As described above, the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment includes rails <NUM>, core material support devices <NUM>, and the winding device <NUM>. The rails <NUM> extend in the front-rear direction. The core material support devices <NUM> support the core material <NUM>. The winding device <NUM> winds the fiber bundle F onto an outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>. The winding device <NUM> includes the winding unit <NUM> and the main frame <NUM>. The winding unit <NUM> has an opening through which the core material <NUM> passes and guides the fiber bundle F. The winding unit <NUM> is mounted on the main frame <NUM>. The main frame <NUM> is movable relative to the core material <NUM> in the front-rear direction. The main frame <NUM> is movable in the left-right direction that is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The main frame <NUM> is rotatable around the rotational axis A1 extending in the vertical direction orthogonal to each of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

Accordingly, a position and a direction of the winding unit <NUM> can be changed with respect to the core material <NUM>. Therefore, the fiber bundles F can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> which is curved.

The filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment includes the front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM>, the left-right traveling drive motor <NUM>, the rotary drive motor <NUM>, and the control device <NUM>. The front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM> moves the winding device <NUM> in the front-rear direction. The left-right traveling drive motor <NUM> moves the main frame <NUM> in the left-right direction. The rotary drive motor <NUM> rotates the main frame <NUM> around the rotational axis A1. The control device <NUM> controls the front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM>, the left-right traveling drive motor <NUM> and the rotary drive motor <NUM>. The control device <NUM> controls operations of the front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM>, the left-right traveling drive motor <NUM> and the rotary drive motor <NUM> to adjust a posture of the winding unit <NUM> such that the center of the opening <NUM> always coincides with the center of the core material <NUM>.

Accordingly, the fiber bundles F can be wound automatically around the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>, while adjusting the posture of the winding unit <NUM> in accordance with a shape of the core material <NUM> which is curved.

In the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, the main frame <NUM> includes the lifting frame <NUM>. The lifting frame <NUM> is mounted so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The winding unit <NUM> is rotatably supported around the pitching axis A2 extending in the left-right direction by the lifting frame <NUM>.

Accordingly, the position and the direction of the winding unit <NUM> can be changed in a three-dimensional manner with respect to the core material <NUM>. Therefore, even if the core material <NUM> is curved in a three-dimensional manner, the fiber bundle F can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>.

The filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment includes the lifting motor <NUM>, the pitching drive motor <NUM>, and the control device <NUM>. The lifting motor <NUM> moves the lifting frame <NUM> in the vertical direction. The control device <NUM> controls the lifting motor <NUM> and the pitching drive motor <NUM>. The control device <NUM> controls operations of the lifting motor <NUM> and the pitching drive motor <NUM> to adjust a posture of the winding unit <NUM> such that the center of the opening <NUM> always coincides with the center of the core material <NUM>.

Accordingly, the fiber bundles F can be wound automatically around the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM>, while adjusting the posture of the winding unit <NUM> in accordance with the shape of the core material <NUM> which is curved in a three- dimensional manner.

In the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, the helical winding unit 6y, which is a type of winding unit <NUM>, includes the plurality of bobbin mounting parts <NUM>, the helical winding circumference guiding parts <NUM> and the central guiding part <NUM>. The bobbins on which the fiber bundles F are wound are mounted to the plurality of bobbin mounting parts <NUM>. The helical winding circumference guiding parts <NUM> and the central guiding part <NUM> guide simultaneously the fiber bundles F from the bobbins which are mounted respectively to the plurality of bobbin mounting parts <NUM> to the core material <NUM>.

Accordingly, the plurality of fiber bundles F can be guided preferably. The plurality of fiber bundles F can be wound simultaneously by a simple configuration.

In the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, the <NUM>° winding unit 6z, which is a type of winding unit <NUM>, includes the <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM>, the winding unit frame <NUM>, and the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM>. The <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> rotates around the center of the opening <NUM>. The winding unit frame <NUM> supports the <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> rotatably. The fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> is fixed to the winding unit frame <NUM>. The <NUM>° winding tightening part <NUM> includes the tightening fiber bobbin supporting part <NUM>, and the tightening fiber guiding part <NUM>. The tightening fiber bobbin supporting part <NUM> supports the tightening fiber bobbin <NUM> on which the tightening material is wound. The tightening fiber guiding part <NUM> guides the tightening material to the core material <NUM>. The fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM> simultaneously guides the plurality of fiber bundles F to the core material <NUM>.

Accordingly, the <NUM>° winding, in which the fiber orientation angle is <NUM>° relative to the axial direction of the core material <NUM>, can be easily performed.

The filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment includes the creel stand <NUM>, which supports bobbins on which the fiber bundles F are wound. The fiber bundles F are guided by the fixed fiber bundle guiding part <NUM>.

Accordingly, the <NUM>° winding unit 6z does not need to support bobbins. This can realize reduction in size and simplification of the winding device <NUM>.

In the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, the winding device <NUM> includes the base frame <NUM>. The base frame <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the travel base <NUM> so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The base frame <NUM> supports the main frame <NUM> from below in the vertical direction.

Accordingly, the stability of the main frame <NUM> can be improved.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a filament winding apparatus 100x according to the second embodiment. In a description of this embodiment, members identical or similar to those of the above-described embodiment are given the same corresponding reference numerals on the drawings, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

In the filament winding apparatus 100x of this embodiment, the base frame <NUM> provided in the winding device <NUM> is fixed on the upper surface of the travel base <NUM> so as not to be movable. On the other hand, the pair of core material support devices 2x is mounted so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the rails <NUM>. The front-rear traveling drive motor <NUM> and the front-rear traveling pinion <NUM> are mounted to the core material support devices <NUM>, instead of the winding device <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the core material <NUM> is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the winding device <NUM>. Accordingly, even if the winding device <NUM> does not move in the front-rear direction, the winding device <NUM> can move relatively in the front-rear direction with respect to the core material <NUM>. Therefore, the substantially same operation as in the first embodiment can be realized.

In this embodiment, core material support devices 2x support the core material <NUM> so as to be rotatable around an axis of both end portions which are supported. Core material support devices 2x can rotate the core material <NUM> around a supporting axis A4 which is an axis extending in the front-rear direction and passing supported portions of the core material <NUM>.

A core material rotary drive motor (sixth drive source) <NUM> is provided in core material support devices 2x. The core material rotary drive motor <NUM> rotates the core material <NUM> around the supporting axis (third rotational axis) A4 extending in the front-rear direction. The core material rotary drive motor <NUM> is controlled by the control device <NUM>.

In this configuration, rotation of the core material <NUM> can change a position and a direction of the core material <NUM> with respect to the winding device <NUM>. Therefore, by appropriately rotating the core material <NUM> according to the shape of the core material <NUM>, even if the core material <NUM> is curved in a complicated three-dimensional manner for example, the fiber bundle F can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core material <NUM> in accordance with the shape.

As described above, in the filament winding apparatus 100x of this embodiment, core material support devices 2x support the core material <NUM> rotatably around the supporting axis A4 extending in the front-rear direction. The core material support device 2x includes the core material rotary drive motor <NUM>. The core material rotary drive motor <NUM> rotates the core material <NUM> around the supporting axis A4.

Accordingly, even if the core material <NUM> is curved in a complicated three-dimensional manner for example, by rotating the core material <NUM> in accordance with the shape of the core material <NUM> (curvature), the posture of the core material <NUM> can be changed such that the winding device <NUM> winds the fiber bundles F easily. Therefore, the scope of application of the filament winding apparatus 100x can be expanded and the fiber bundles F can be wound on the core material <NUM> of various shapes.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-described configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

In the filament winding apparatus <NUM>, at least one of the two core material support devices <NUM> may be configured so as to move a position at which the core material <NUM> is support in the vertical direction. At least one of the two core material support devices <NUM> may be configured so as to move a position at which the core material <NUM> is support in the left-right direction. In this configuration, the core material <NUM> in which both ends in the front-rear direction are not positioned in a straight line, can be supported.

Core material support devices 2x may be configured so as to rotate the supported core material <NUM> around an axis different from the supporting axis A4.

The configuration of core material support devices 2x for driving the core material <NUM> in rotation may be applied to the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of a first embodiment.

The configuration in which the core material <NUM> is supported so as to move in the front-rear direction with respect to the winding device <NUM>, may be applied to the filament winding apparatus <NUM> of a first embodiment.

The lifting frame <NUM> may be omitted, and then the winding unit <NUM> may be mounted so as not to be rotated relative to the main frame <NUM>. In this case, the winding unit <NUM> cannot be moved up and down and cannot turn up and down. However, if the core material <NUM> is two-dimensionally curved, the fiber bundle F can be wound around the core material <NUM> without any problem.

The main frame <NUM> may be configured so as not to be movable in the left-right direction and not to be rotatable around the rotation axis A1. In this case, the fiber bundles F are wound onto the core material <NUM> by only vertical movement and pitching of the winding unit <NUM>. In this modification, the vertical direction may be regarded as the second direction and the pitching axis may be regarded as the first rotational axis. Even with this configuration, the fiber bundle F can be wound if the core.

The front-rear traveling drive motors <NUM> may be mounted to the winding device <NUM> and the core material support devices <NUM> respectively.

In the above-described embodiment, in order to three-dimensionally change the posture of the winding unit <NUM>, a mechanism that realizes left-right motion and rotation around the rotational axis A1 is provided in the base frame <NUM>. Such mechanism further includes a mechanism that realizes vertical motion and rotation around the pitching axis A2. However, the mechanism that realizes vertical motion and rotation around the pitching axis A2 may be provided in the base frame <NUM>. Such mechanism may further include the mechanism that realizes left-right motion and rotation around the rotational axis A1.

In the <NUM>° winding unit 6z, for example, a heat-shrinkable tape instead of fiber bundle can be wound for tightening.

Claim 1:
A filament winding apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a rail (<NUM>) extending in a first direction, a core material support device (<NUM>) for supporting a core material (<NUM>), and a winding device (<NUM>) that is adapted to wind a fiber bundle (F) onto an outer peripheral surface of the core material (<NUM>), the winding device (<NUM>) comprising:
a guide unit (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) through which the core material (<NUM>) can pass, and which is adapted to guide the fiber bundle (F); and
a main frame (<NUM>) on which the guide unit (<NUM>) is mounted; wherein
the main frame (<NUM>) is movable relative to the core material (<NUM>) in the first direction,
characterized in that
the main frame (<NUM>) is movable in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, and
the main frame (<NUM>) is rotatable around a first rotational axis (A1) extending in a third direction orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction.