Apparatus for inserting connection yarn into three-dimensional fabric

A connection yarn inserting apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional fabric, wherein the apparatus inserts a connection yarn into a lamination, which is formed by laminating a plurality of fiber layers and has fibers extending in at least two different directions, along a direction crossing the fiber layers, the apparatus comprising:

• a first feeding mechanism for feeding the connection yarn;
• a needle for inserting the connection yarn into the lamination;
• a tension applying mechanism located in the path of the connection yarn, which extends from the first feeding mechanism to the insertion needle, wherein the tension applying mechanism applies tension to the connection yarn;
• and
• a brake device located closer to the first feeding mechanism than the tension applying mechanism, wherein, when the tension applying mechanism applies tension to the connection yarn, the brake device is actuated to hold the connection yarn;
• wherein the tension applying mechanism includes:
• two fixed rollers, the axes of which are perpendicular to the connection yarn;
• a movable roller, wherein the movable roller is moved in a direction perpendicular to a plane that includes the axes of the fixed rollers;
• and
• an actuation mechanism including an air cylinder and a moving device, which has a motor as a drive source, wherein the actuation mechanism reciprocates the movable roller to change the length of the connection yarn between the two fixed rollers.

A connection yarn inserting apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional fabric, wherein the apparatus inserts a connection yarn into one of a plurality of laminations, each of which is formed by laminating a plurality of fiber layers and has fibers extending in at least two different directions, in a direction transverse to the fiber layers, the apparatus comprising:

• frames for holding the laminations, wherein one of the frames holds an unprocessed lamination, and one of the frames holds a processed lamination;
• at least two carrier tables for supporting the frames, respectively;
• a guiding mechanism for guiding the carrier tables, wherein the guiding mechanism simultaneously guides the carrier tables to move in a conveying direction;
• and
• a conveying device for moving the carrier tables by a predetermined pitch such that the laminations consecutively pass a position at which the connection yarn is inserted.

A connection yarn inserting apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional fabric, wherein the apparatus inserts connection yarns into a lamination, which is formed by laminating a plurality of fiber layers and has fibers extending in at least two different directions, in a direction transverse to the fiber layers, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame for holding the lamination;
• a row of needles for simultaneously inserting the connection yarns into the lamination held by the frame, each needle having an eye, wherein, when the insertion needles are at an operation position, the eye of each insertion needle has been passed through the lamination and the each insertion needle forms a loop of the associated connection yarn, wherein the loop is connected to the associated insertion needle;
• a lock yarn needle movable along the row of the insertion needles, wherein the lock yarn needle includes a hooking member for hooking a lock yarn and is moved between an operational position, at which the lock yarn needle is received by the loops of the connection yarns to insert the lock yarn into the loops, and a standby position, at which the lock yarn needle is outside the loops;
• a plurality of pulleys;
• an endless belt engaging the pulleys;
• a motor for actuating the pulleys to move the belt along a running path;
• wherein a segment of the belt is parallel to the row of the insertion needles, wherein the segment is longer than the distance that the hooking member of the lock yarn needle moves to insert the lock yarn to the loops;
• and
• a support member fixed to the belt for supporting the lock yarn needle, wherein the support member moves the lock yarn needle between the operational position and the standby position as the belt runs.

A connection yarn inserting apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional fabric, wherein the apparatus inserts connection yarns into a lamination, which is formed by laminating a plurality of fiber layers and has fibers arranged in at least two different directions, in a direction transverse to the fiber layers, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame for holding the lamination;
• a row of insertion needles for simultaneously inserting the connection yarns into the lamination held by the frame;
• a support body movable in a direction perpendicular to the lamination held by the frame;
• a row of perforation needles supported by the support body, wherein the perforation needles are arranged at a pitch corresponding to the insertion needles;
• and
• an actuation mechanism for moving the perforation needles between a standby position, where the perforation needles are separated from the lamination, and an operational position, where the perforation needles penetrate the lamination;
• wherein the speed of the actuation mechanism is controlled such that the perforation needles are moved relatively quickly when the perforation needles are separated from the lamination and are moved relatively slowly when the perforation needles engage the lamination.

A connection yarn inserting apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional fabric, wherein the apparatus inserts connection yarns into a lamination, which is formed by laminating a plurality of fiber layers and has fibers extending in at least two different directions, in a direction transverse to the fiber layers, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame for holding the lamination;
• a row of needles for simultaneously inserting the connection yarns into the lamination held by the frame, each needle having an eye, wherein, when the insertion needles are at an operation position, the eye of each insertion needle has been passed through the lamination and the each insertion needle forms a loop of the associated connection yarn, wherein the loop is connected to the associated insertion needle;
• a lock yarn needle for inserting a lock yarn through the loops of the connection yarns;
• an actuation mechanism for actuating the lock yarn needle;
• a support frame for supporting the lock yarn and the actuation mechanism, wherein the support frame is moved in the moving direction of the lock yarn;
• and
• a driving device, wherein, when the insertion needles are being retracted, the driving device moves the support frame until the lock yarn needle is on a side of the lamination that is opposite to the side from which the insertion needles are inserted into the lamination.