Centrifugal potting method

Abstract

To provide a centrifugal potting method which can efficiently set a cylindrical container storing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes between vertical centrifugal potting jigs in a short time, even when a large number of slender cylindrical containers are set, in centrifugal potting that potting thickness is comparatively uniform and is easily stable.SOLUTION: A centrifugal potting method sets a cylindrical container storing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes on a lower jig 20 of a potting jig 2 having a plurality of cylindrical recesses aligned so as to set a potting resin injection side end face of the cylindrical container and a potting resin injection flow channel, then mounts a frame body provided with an opening part in the same arrangement as the plurality of cylindrical recesses of the lower jig so as to pass the plurality of cylindrical containers on the lower jig through the opening part of the potting resin injection side end face of the cylindrical container, and then covers the opposite side end face of the potting resin injection side end face of the cylindrical container with the upper jig of the potting jig having the plurality of cylindrical recesses in the same arrangement as the plurality of cylindrical recesses of the lower jig.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifugal potting method in which a potting resin is injected by centrifugal force into the end of a cylindrical container containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and the end is sealed and fixed. [Background technology]

[0002] In water purifiers, blood treatment devices, etc., hollow fiber membrane modules are used for the purpose of filtering or dialysis of the liquid to be treated. An adhesive (potting resin) is injected into the end of a cylindrical container containing multiple hollow fiber membranes, and the hollow fiber membranes and the hollow fiber membranes and the cylindrical container are sealed and fixed liquid-tight at the end of the cylindrical container (hereinafter, this process will be referred to as potting).

[0003] The injected potting resin penetrates between the hollow fiber membranes and between the hollow fiber membranes and the cylindrical container, and creeps up to form a sealing and fixing portion (potting layer), which needs to have a certain thickness (potting thickness) so that it can withstand the pressure of the liquid to be treated when the liquid is filtered through the hollow fiber membrane module.On the other hand, since the unpotted hollow fiber membrane portions of the hollow fiber membrane module are the parts that perform filtration, it is important to perform potting stably so that the potting thickness is a constant and minimum necessary thickness in order to ensure filtration performance.

[0004] Conventional potting methods for hollow fiber membrane modules include the static method, in which potting resin is poured in by gravity, and the centrifugal method, in which potting resin is injected and filled into the end of a cylindrical container using centrifugal force. Generally, the centrifugal method is widely used because it allows the potting resin to penetrate more easily than the static method, and it tends to produce a relatively uniform and stable potting thickness.

[0005] To perform potting, a potting jig is used, which can be fitted with a cylindrical container containing multiple hollow fiber membranes and has a flow path for feeding potting resin into the fitted cylindrical container. Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a potting jig used in the centrifugal method, which describes how the potting resin flows uniformly and in a plane from a single resin inlet into all of the multiple cylindrical recesses, ensuring a uniform resin layer in the hollow fiber membrane module, and also how, after potting, the hardened resin can be easily peeled off in a sheet form when removing the waste resin from the potting jig, thereby reducing the time required to clean the potting jig. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-69126 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when the potting jig of Patent Document 1 is used to set a large number of elongated cylindrical containers, the cylindrical containers containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are set in cylindrical recesses arranged at a predetermined interval in the lower jig of the potting jig, and then the upper jig of the potting jig, which has cylindrical recesses arranged in the same arrangement as the cylindrical recesses arranged in the lower jig, is placed over the upper end surface of the cylindrical container to fix the cylindrical container between the upper and lower potting jigs, but the cylindrical containers tilt in various directions due to gaps that form between the cylindrical recesses of the lower jig and the cylindrical containers, so it is necessary to adjust the tilt of all the cylindrical containers so that they are perpendicular to the lower jig, which poses the problem of taking a lot of time to place the upper jig on top.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a centrifugal potting method that allows cylindrical containers containing multiple hollow fiber membranes to be set efficiently between upper and lower centrifugal potting jigs in a short time, even when a large number of long, thin cylindrical containers are set and used in centrifugal potting, which tends to produce a relatively uniform and stable potting thickness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The centrifugal potting method of the present invention comprises the steps of: In centrifugal potting, a potting resin is injected by centrifugal force into an end of a cylindrical container containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and the end is sealed and fixed, The cylindrical container containing the plurality of hollow fiber membranes is set in a lower jig of a potting jig having a plurality of cylindrical recesses and a potting resin injection flow path arranged for setting the potting resin injection side end face of the cylindrical container, and then a frame having openings arranged in the same manner as the plurality of cylindrical recesses of the lower jig of the potting jig so that the plurality of cylindrical containers can pass through is placed on the lower jig of the potting jig from the opposite side of the end face of the cylindrical containers on the potting resin injection side through the openings; Next, an upper potting jig having a plurality of cylindrical recesses arranged in the same manner as the plurality of cylindrical recesses of the lower potting jig is placed over the end face of the cylindrical container opposite the end face from which the potting resin is injected.

[0010] According to this method, the cylindrical container containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes can be set between the upper and lower centrifugal potting jigs efficiently in a short time.

[0011] According to another preferred method of the present invention, the size of the C-chamfer of the ridge line on one side of the opening of the frame is 2 mm or more.

[0012] According to this method, it becomes easier to pass the cylindrical container through the frame, and the cylindrical container containing multiple hollow fiber membranes can be set between the upper and lower centrifugal potting jigs more efficiently in a shorter time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] To provide a centrifugal potting method in which a cylindrical container containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes can be set between upper and lower centrifugal potting jigs efficiently in a short time in centrifugal potting, which tends to produce a relatively uniform and stable potting thickness. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a centrifugal device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a lower jig of a centrifugal potting jig. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an upper jig of a centrifugal potting jig. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the short side of the centrifugal potting jig. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the long side of the centrifugal potting jig. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module after centrifugal potting is completed. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane module from which unnecessary potting portions have been cut off. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for assembling the centrifugal potting jig of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for assembling the centrifugal potting jig of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for assembling the centrifugal potting jig of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for assembling the centrifugal potting jig of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a frame of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, a centrifugal potting jig according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a centrifugal device 1. A distribution plate 3 for supplying potting resin is provided in the center of a horizontal centrifugal turntable 4, and centrifugal potting jigs 2 are arranged radially from the distribution plate 3, and the distribution plate 3 and a lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2 are connected by resin injection pipes 5. The lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2 has a plurality of cylindrical recesses 22, and ends of a hollow fiber membrane module 10 before potting, which is a cylindrical container 11 containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 12, are inserted into and attached to the cylindrical recesses 22, and the other end of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 before potting is covered by an upper jig 21 of the centrifugal potting jig 2, which is inserted into the provided cylindrical recess 23.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2. Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the upper jig 21 of the centrifugal potting jig 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the short side of the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2 before it is attached to the centrifugal turntable 4 of the centrifugal device 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the long side of the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2.

[0018] A potting resin injection port 24 is provided on the side surface of the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2, which becomes the upper surface when attached to the centrifugal turntable 4. The potting resin injection port 24 communicates with all of the bottoms of the plurality of cylindrical recesses 22 via an insertion portion 24a for the resin injection tube 5, a potting resin injection flow path 25 which is a substantially U-shaped groove, and a potting resin distribution flow path 26 which is a flat recess that communicates with all of the bottoms of the plurality of cylindrical recesses 22. A sheet-like packing 27 is fitted at approximately the middle of the depth of the cylindrical recess 22, and when an end of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is inserted, the outer peripheral end of the cylindrical container 11 of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 before potting is fixed by contacting the packing 27. The other end of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 before potting is covered with the upper jig 21 of the centrifugal potting jig 2, which is inserted into the provided cylindrical recess 23.

[0019] The operation and function of the centrifugal potting jig 2 configured as above will be described below.

[0020] 1 injects potting resin into the center of the distribution plate 3 while rotating, and the potting resin is then injected by centrifugal force through the resin injection pipe 5 into the centrifugal potting jig 2, filling each hollow fiber membrane module 10 with the potting resin. That is, the potting resin, such as urethane resin or epoxy resin, sent from the resin injection pipe 5 is injected through the potting resin injection port 24 of the lower jig 20 and flows into the potting resin injection channel 25. This channel is connected to the plate-shaped potting resin distribution channel 26 of the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2, so that the potting resin fills the plate-shaped potting resin distribution channel 26 and is injected with uniform pressure into all of the bottoms of the multiple communicating cylindrical recesses 22, and is distributed and injected into each hollow fiber membrane module 10, making it possible to uniform the amount of potting resin injected into each hollow fiber membrane module 10. The hollow fiber membrane module 10 inserted and attached in the cylindrical recess 22 has a sheet-like packing 27 attached to its lower part to make it liquid-tight, so the injected potting resin permeates and creeps up between the hollow fiber membranes at the end of the cylindrical container 11 and between the hollow fiber membranes and the cylindrical container 11, ensuring a uniform potting thickness and sealing and fixing the module in a liquid-tight manner.

[0021] Figure 6 shows a hollow fiber membrane module after potting has been completed in the manufacturing process. Subsequently, in the manufacturing process, unnecessary potting is cut off at the outer periphery of the cylindrical container 11 at its lower end, and the hollow fiber membrane is opened, resulting in a finished hollow fiber membrane module. Figure 7 shows a hollow fiber membrane module after unnecessary potting has been cut off.

[0022] Finally, a method for assembling the centrifugal potting jig of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0023] First, as shown in FIG. 8 , a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 12, the end of which is sealed at the potting resin injection side so as to prevent the potting resin from penetrating into the interior, are placed in the cylindrical container 11 of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 before potting, and then the end surface of the potting resin injection side of the cylindrical container 11 is set in the cylindrical recess 22 of the lower jig 20 of the potting jig 2.

[0024] Next, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, a frame 6 having openings 61 arranged in the same manner as the multiple cylindrical recesses 22 of the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2 so that the cylindrical container 11 can pass through is placed on the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2 from the opposite side of the end face of the cylindrical container 11 where the potting resin is injected, through the openings 61.

[0025] Next, as shown in Figure 11, the upper jig 21 of the centrifugal potting jig 2, which has a plurality of cylindrical recesses 23 arranged in the same manner as the plurality of cylindrical recesses 22 of the lower jig 20 of the centrifugal potting jig 2, is placed over the end face of the cylindrical container 11 opposite the end face on the potting resin injection side.

[0026] By using the frame 6 in this manner and aligning the inclination of the cylindrical container 11 in a direction perpendicular to the lower jig 20 of the potting jig 2, the cylindrical container 11 containing multiple hollow fiber membranes 12 can be set between the upper and lower centrifugal potting jigs 2 efficiently in a short time.

[0027] Furthermore, by making the size of the C-chamfer 62 of the ridge line on one side of the opening 61 of the frame 6 shown in Figure 12 2 mm or more, it becomes even easier to pass the cylindrical container 11 through the frame 6, and the cylindrical container 11 containing multiple hollow fiber membranes 12 can be set between the upper and lower centrifugal potting jigs 2 efficiently in a short time. [Industrial Applicability]

[0028] The present invention is not limited to the manufacture of hollow fiber membrane modules for water purifiers, but can also be applied to the manufacture of various membrane modules for medical devices, air filters, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1. Centrifugal device 2 Centrifugal potting jig 3 distribution board 4 Centrifugal turntable 5 Resin injection tube 6 Frame 10 Hollow fiber membrane module 11 Cylindrical container 12 Hollow fiber membrane 20 Lower jig 21 Upper jig 22 Cylindrical recess (lower jig) 23 Cylindrical recess (upper jig) 24 Potting resin injection port 24a Insertion part 25 Potting resin injection channel 26 Potting resin distribution channel 27 Packing 61 Opening part (frame body) 62 C chamfer

Claims

1. In centrifugal potting, a potting resin is injected by centrifugal force into an end of a cylindrical container containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and the end is sealed and fixed, The cylindrical container containing the plurality of hollow fiber membranes is set in a lower jig of a potting jig having a plurality of cylindrical recesses and a potting resin injection flow path arranged for setting the potting resin injection side end face of the cylindrical container, and then a frame having openings arranged in the same manner as the plurality of cylindrical recesses of the lower jig of the potting jig so that the plurality of cylindrical containers can pass through is placed on the lower jig of the potting jig from the opposite side of the end face of the cylindrical containers on the potting resin injection side through the openings; Subsequently, an upper jig of the potting jig having a plurality of cylindrical recesses arranged in the same manner as the plurality of cylindrical recesses of the lower jig of the potting jig is placed over the end face of the cylindrical container opposite the end face of the potting resin injection side. This centrifugal potting method is characterized by the above.

2. 2. The centrifugal potting method according to claim 1, wherein the size of the C-chamfer of the ridge line on one side of the opening of the frame is 2 mm or more.

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