Nonwoven fabric manufacturing equipment

Abstract

To achieve homogenization of humidity in a humidity-controlled space intruded by outside air.SOLUTION: A humidity-controlling device B is assembled with a humidity-controlled space 12 which is surrounded with a wall face 13-18 and accommodates an installation 20, an intrusion port 50 which is opened at a bottom wall face 14 and allows intrusion of outside air 66 to the inside of the humidity-controlled space 12, and an air nozzle 61 which discharges introduction air 65 for introducing the outside air 66 having intruded from the intrusion port 50 into the humidity-controlled space 12. The outside air 66 intruded from the intrusion port 50 into the humidity-controlled space 12 is introduced by the introduction air 65, so that random flow and nonhomogeneous discharge can be suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention No relates to a woven fabric manufacturing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrospinning apparatus for manufacturing nanofibers. This electrospinning apparatus includes a process gas supply unit as a means for manufacturing nanofibers of uniform quality. The process gas supply unit supplies a process gas for controlling humidity to a spinning region (the space where electrospinning is performed) between the spinning unit and the nanofiber collection unit. By maintaining the humidity of the spinning region constant through the supply of the process gas, the quality of the nanofibers is made uniform.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the spinning region of the above apparatus is an open space, there is a risk that air with a humidity different from that of the process gas may mix in. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to accommodate the spinning unit, the nanofiber collection unit, and the spinning region in a spinning chamber partitioned from the outside. However, when the nanofiber collection unit is a sheet-like base material for a non-woven fabric and the nanofiber collection unit is conveyed between drums arranged outside the spinning chamber, it is necessary to make an opening serving as the conveyance path of the nanofiber collection unit in the wall surface of the spinning chamber. In this case, if outside air that has entered the spinning chamber through the opening mixes into the spinning region, it becomes impossible to achieve uniform humidity in the spinning region.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to achieve uniform humidity in a humidity control space where outside air enters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The humidity control device of the first disclosure is A humidity-controlled space enclosed by walls, where equipment is housed, An inlet that opens into the wall surface and allows outside air to enter the humidity-controlled space, The system includes an air nozzle from which guide air is discharged to guide the outside air that has entered the humidity-controlled space through the inlet.

[0007] The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus in the second disclosure is: The aforementioned equipment includes a first disclosure humidity control device equipped with an electrospinning apparatus that applies a high voltage to atomize the raw material liquid, thereby obtaining ultrafine fibers deposited on a sheet-like substrate, The conveying device comprises a winding roll for winding the sheet-like substrate and a feeding roll for unwinding the sheet-like substrate, wherein at least one of the rolls is located outside the humidity-controlled space. A portion of the opening through which the sheet-like substrate passes is the entry point. In the aforementioned humidity-controlled space, the ultrafine fibers are deposited on the sheet-like substrate to produce a nonwoven fabric. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the first disclosure of the humidity control device, outside air entering the humidity control space from the inlet is guided by induced air, thereby suppressing random flow and uneven diffusion. This makes it possible to equalize the humidity within the humidity control space into which the outside air enters. In the second disclosure of the nonwoven fabric manufacturing device, the uniformity of the basis weight, which is the thickness of the fibers deposited on the sheet-like substrate, is achieved by equalizing the humidity within the humidity control space into which the outside air enters, thus enabling the manufacture of high-quality nonwoven fabric. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of the humidity control device and nonwoven fabric manufacturing device of Embodiment 1 [Figure 2]Cross-sectional view of line XX in Figure 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Herein lies a preferred example of this disclosure.

[0011] In the first disclosure, it is preferable that the air nozzle is located near the inlet. With this configuration, since the air nozzle is located near the inlet, the dead space between the inlet and the air nozzle is small, which allows for space saving or miniaturization.

[0012] In the first disclosure, it is preferable that the induction air is induced by taking in the outside air into the flow of the induction air. With this configuration, since the outside air is taken in and induced into the flow of the induction air, random flow and uneven diffusion of the outside air are easily suppressed.

[0013] In the first disclosure, it is preferable that the inlet opens in a slit shape, and the air nozzle opens along the inlet to discharge the induced air in a laminar flow manner. With this configuration, outside air entering through the slit-shaped inlet is uniformly taken into the laminar flow induced air discharged along the inlet, so that variations in humidity in the mixed flow of induced air and outside air are suppressed. This makes it possible to suppress non-uniform humidity in the humidity-controlled space.

[0014] In the first disclosure, it is preferable that the inlet opens to the bottom wall surface of the wall surface constituting the humidity control space, and that the induced air is air with lower humidity than the outside air and is discharged upward from the air nozzle. With this configuration, since the specific gravity of the outside air is lower than that of the induced air, it is taken into the induced air without disturbing the upward flow of the induced air.

[0015] In the first disclosure, it is preferable that an exhaust device for discharging the gas in the humidity control space is provided at the upper end of the ceiling surface or the peripheral wall surface among the wall surfaces constituting the humidity control space. According to this configuration, since the flow path of the mixed flow of the induced air and the outside air stabilizes as a path toward the exhaust device, it is easy to suppress random flow and non-uniform diffusion of the outside air.

[0016] In the first disclosure, it is preferable that the induced air is humidity control air for adjusting the humidity of the humidity control space. According to this configuration, since the induced air also has the function as humidity control air for adjusting the humidity in the humidity control space, the number of air nozzles dedicated to humidity control air can be reduced, and space saving and reduction of equipment costs can be achieved.

[0017] In the first disclosure, it is preferable that the humidity control air is discharged only from the air nozzles for the induced air. According to this configuration, compared with the case where nozzles for humidity control air dedicated to humidity control are provided in addition to the air nozzles for induced air, further space saving and reduction of equipment costs are possible.

[0018] In the second disclosure, the conveyance path of the sheet-like base material in the humidity control space includes a horizontal path for depositing ultrafine fibers on the lower surface of the sheet-like base material above the electrospinning device and a vertical path in the vertical direction connected to the end of the horizontal path. In the bottom wall surface among the wall surfaces constituting the humidity control space, a part of the opening for securing the vertical path serves as the intrusion port, the air nozzle opens along the intrusion port, discharges the induced air in a laminar flow, and the induced air is air with a lower humidity than the outside air and is preferably discharged upward from the air nozzle. According to this configuration, since the specific gravity of the outside air is smaller than that of the induced air, the outside air is uniformly taken into the induced air without disturbing the upward laminar flow of the induced air. Therefore, variation in humidity in the mixed flow of the induced air and the outside air is suppressed, and non-uniformity of humidity in the humidity control space can be suppressed.

[0019] [Embodiment 1] Embodiment 1 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In Embodiment 1, regarding the front-back direction, the F direction in FIG. 2 is defined as the front. Regarding the left-right direction, the R direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 is defined as the right. The left-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously. Regarding the up-down direction, the H direction in FIG. 1 is defined as the up.

[0020] The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus A of Embodiment 1 includes a humidity conditioning device B, an electrospinning device 20, and a conveying device 30. The humidity conditioning device B has a box-shaped housing 10. The electrospinning device 20 and the conveying device 30 are housed in the housing 10. The internal space of the housing 10 is vertically partitioned by a horizontal partition portion 11. The space above the partition portion 11 in the housing 10 functions as a humidity conditioning space 12 for maintaining a predetermined humidity. The humidity conditioning space 12 is surrounded by six wall surfaces: a ceiling surface 13, a bottom wall surface 14 which is the upper surface of the partition portion 11, a front wall surface 15, a rear wall surface 16, a right wall surface 17, and a left wall surface 18. The front wall surface 15, the rear wall surface 16, the right wall surface 17, and the left wall surface 18 constitute a peripheral wall surface 19. The outer peripheral edge of the partition portion 11 is connected to the peripheral wall surface 19 while maintaining airtightness. The upper end edge of the peripheral wall surface 19 and the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling surface 13 are connected while maintaining airtightness.

[0021] The humidity in the humidity conditioning space 12 (the humidity appropriate for the electrospinning device 20) is set lower than the outside air 66 outside the housing 10. The electrospinning device 20, which exhibits a stable spinning function in an environment of uniform humidity, is housed in the humidity conditioning space 12. The electrospinning device 20 has a plurality of spinning nozzle heads 21 and a plurality of collector electrodes 23.

[0022] The spinning nozzle head 21 is elongated in the front-to-back direction. Multiple spinning nozzle heads 21 are arranged in parallel on the upper surface (bottom wall surface 14) of the partition wall 11 at predetermined intervals in the left-to-right direction. Raw material liquid 67 (spinning solution) is supplied to the inside of the spinning nozzle head 21. Multiple spinning holes 22 are opened on the upper surface of the spinning nozzle head 21 at predetermined pitches in the front-to-back direction. The spinning nozzle head 21 is provided with a spinning electrode (not shown) that is positioned to come into contact with the raw material liquid 67.

[0023] The collector electrode 23 is elongated in the front-to-back direction and has a flat plate shape. Multiple collector electrodes 23 are arranged horizontally above multiple spinning nozzle heads 21. A high voltage is applied between the spinning electrode of the prevention nozzle head, which is opposed to the collector electrode 23 in the vertical direction, and the collector electrode 23. When a high voltage is applied between the spinning electrode and the collector electrode 23 and an electric field is generated, the raw material liquid 67 in the spinning nozzle head 21 is ejected upward from the spinning hole 22 toward the collector electrode 23. The ejected raw material liquid 67 is atomized during the ejection process and deposited on the sheet-like substrate 40, which will be described later, in the form of nano-level ultrafine fibers (not shown). The ultrafine fibers deposited on the sheet-like substrate 40 become a nonwoven fabric (not shown).

[0024] Since the raw material liquid 67 used in the electrospinning apparatus 20 contains an organic solvent, the housing 10 is provided with an exhaust device 24 for discharging organic components from the humidity-controlled space 12 to the outside (into the atmosphere). The exhaust device 24 is positioned such that its intake port (not shown) faces the humidity-controlled space 12 on the ceiling surface 13. In a top view of the housing 10, the exhaust device 24 is positioned in the center in both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0025] The space below the partition wall 11 within the housing 10 functions as a storage space 25. Spinning equipment such as a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power to the electrospinning apparatus 20 and a raw material liquid 67 supply device (not shown) that supplies raw material liquid 67 to the electrospinning apparatus 20 are arranged outside the housing 10. Wiring (not shown) between the electrospinning apparatus 20 and the power supply device, and piping between the electrospinning apparatus 20 and the raw material liquid 67 supply device are provided in a way that airtightly penetrates the partition wall 11 and passes through a communication opening (not shown) in the wall that constitutes the storage space 25. Through the communication opening, outside air 66 (air) from outside the housing 10 can freely enter the storage space 25.

[0026] The partition wall 11 has a pair of transport openings 26 that connect the humidity control space 12 and the storage space 25. The transport openings 26 are openings that secure a transport path 41 for the sheet-like substrate 40 to be transported by the transport device 30, which will be described later. In a plan view, the transport openings 26 are elongated in the front-to-back direction, parallel to the right wall surface 17 and the left wall surface 18. The pair of transport openings 26 are arranged along the right wall surface 17 and the left wall surface 18 at both the left and right ends of the partition wall 11. In other words, the pair of transport openings 26 are positioned to sandwich the electrospinning device 20 from both the left and right sides.

[0027] The conveying device 30 is a device for supplying a sheet-like substrate 40 to the electrospinning device 20. The conveying device 30 has one feed roll 31, one take-up roll 32, a pair of left and right deflection rollers 33, and two pairs of guide rollers 34, 35. The feed roll 31 and the take-up roll 32 are arranged in a storage space 25. The feed roll 31 is supported so that it can rotate about a feed axis in the front-rear direction. The take-up roll 32 is supported so that it can rotate about a take-up axis in the front-rear direction. The pair of deflection rollers 33 are arranged in a humidity control space 12. The pair of deflection rollers 33 are arranged above a pair of conveying openings 26 and are supported so that they can rotate about a rotation axis in the front-rear direction.

[0028] The two pairs of guide rollers 34 and 35 are supported by support shafts in the front-rear direction and are arranged in pairs on the left and right. The pair of guide rollers 34 and 35 on the right side are housed in the right-side transport opening 26 and are arranged side by side with a gap between them. The pair of guide rollers 34 and 35 on the left side are housed in the left-side transport opening 26 and are arranged side by side with a gap between them. In each transport opening 26, the guide roller 34 on the side closer to the spinning nozzle head 21 (electrospinning device 20) is defined as the inner guide roller 34. In each transport opening 26, the guide roller 35 on the side further from the spinning nozzle head 21 (electrospinning device 20) is defined as the outer guide roller 35.

[0029] An unused sheet-like substrate 40 is wound around the dispensing roll 31. The sheet-like substrate 40 dispensed from the dispensing roll 31 is wound onto the winding roll 32. The transport path 41 of the sheet-like substrate 40 from the dispensing roll 31 to the winding roll 32 consists of a right-side vertical path 42 that is vertically upward, a left-side horizontal path 43 that is horizontally left, and a left-side vertical path 44 that is vertically downward. The upward-facing right-side vertical path 42 is the path from the dispensing roll 31, through the gap between the guide rollers 34 and 35 of the transport opening 26 on the right side, to the right-side turning roller 33. The horizontal path 43 is the path from the right-side turning roller 33 to the left-side turning roller 33 at a height that is close to and opposite the lower surface of the collector electrode 23. The upward-facing right-side vertical path 42 is the path that goes from the left-side turning roller 33, through the gap between the guide rollers 34 and 35 of the left-side conveying opening 26, and to the winding roll 32.

[0030] Most of the opening areas of both the left and right transport openings 26 are blocked by a pair of guide rollers 34 and 35. In a plan view, the area of ​​the transport opening 26 that is not occupied by the pair of guide rollers 34 and 35 serves as an inlet 50 that allows air from the containment space 25 to enter the humidity-controlled space 12. The inlet 50 is the gap between the guide rollers 34 and 35 and the opening edge of the transport opening 26, and the gap between the pair of guide rollers 34 and 35. The upper end of the inlet 50 opens on the bottom wall surface 14 so as to face the humidity-controlled space 12.

[0031] Of the entry points 50, the gap between the front-to-back edge of the conveying opening 26 closest to the spinning nozzle head 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner guide roller 34 is defined as the first entry area 51. Of the entry points 50, the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the inner guide roller 34 and the sheet-like substrate 40 is defined as the second entry area 52. Of the entry points 50, the gaps between the front and rear end faces of the inner guide roller 34 and the outer guide roller 35 and the front and rear opening edges of the conveying opening 26 are defined as the third entry area 53. Of the entry points 50, the gap between the sheet-like substrate 40 and the outer circumferential surface of the outer guide roller 35 is defined as the fourth entry area 54. Of the entry points 50, the gap between the front-to-back edge of the conveying opening 26 furthest from the spinning nozzle head 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the outer guide roller 35 is defined as the fifth entry area 55. The first entry area 51, the second entry area 52, the fourth entry area 54, and the fifth entry area 55 all open in a slit shape that extends in the front-to-back direction.

[0032] A humidity control device B is provided as a means to maintain a uniform and stable humidity level within the humidity control space 12. The humidity control device B comprises a pair of symmetrical guide nozzle heads 60 and a humidity control air supply device (not shown) for supplying humidity-controlled air (guide air 65) with controlled humidity and flow rate to the guide nozzle heads 60. The guide nozzle heads 60 have an elongated shape extending in the front-to-back direction and are positioned on the bottom wall surface 14 (upper surface of the partition wall 11). The wall surface on which the guide nozzle heads 60 are positioned and the wall surface through which the inlet 50 opens are the same wall surface. An air nozzle 61 for discharging the guide air 65 upward is provided on the upper surface of the guide nozzle heads 60. The air nozzle 61 is composed of a plurality of discharge ports 62 arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction (length direction of the guide nozzle heads 60). The induction air 65 discharged from the air nozzle 61 (discharge port 62) functions as humidifying air to adjust and equalize the humidity within the humidifying space 12.

[0033] In the left-right direction, the guiding nozzle head 60 is positioned between the transport opening 26 and the spinning nozzle head 21 closest to the transport opening 26 among the multiple spinning nozzle heads 21. In a plan view, the air nozzles 61 (multiple discharge ports 62) of the guiding nozzle head 60 are positioned along the left and right edges of the electric field prevention device. More specifically, the air nozzles 61 are located near the first entry area 51 and are positioned to align along the first entry area 51 and the second entry area 52. In a plan view, the guiding nozzle head 60 (air nozzles 61) is positioned outside the opening range of the entry opening 50. The guiding nozzle head 60 is not positioned between the multiple spinning nozzle heads 21.

[0034] The front-to-back length of the guiding nozzle head 60 (the front-to-back length of the air nozzle 61 formation area) is longer than the front-to-back length of the spinning nozzle head 21 and longer than the front-to-back length of the transport opening 26. The foremost discharge port 62 of the multiple discharge ports 62 is located in front of the front end of the spinning nozzle head 21 and the front end of the transport opening 26. The multiple discharge ports 62 opening at the front end of the guiding nozzle head 60 are located in front of the front edge of the sheet-like substrate 40 in the horizontal path 43. The foremost discharge port 62 of the multiple discharge ports 62 is located in front of the front end of the spinning nozzle head 21 and the front end of the transport opening 26. The multiple discharge ports 62 opening at the rear end of the guiding nozzle head 60 are located behind the rear end of the sheet-like substrate 40 in the horizontal path 43.

[0035] Next, the operation of this embodiment 1 will be explained. When electrospinning is performed, the sheet-like substrate 40 is conveyed by the conveying device 30, and the raw material liquid 67 is ejected upward from the spinning hole 22 of the spinning nozzle head 21, and the finely milled ultrafine fibers are deposited on the lower surface of the sheet-like substrate 40 in the horizontal path 43. When the ultrafine fibers deposited on the sheet-like substrate 40 are dried, they become a nonwoven fabric. When the ultrafine fibers are deposited on the sheet-like substrate 40, if the space enclosed by the vertical paths 42, 44 and the horizontal path 43 of the sheet-like substrate 40, that is, the milling space 29 in which the raw material liquid 67 ejected from the spinning hole 22 is milled between the spinning nozzle head 21 and the horizontal path 43, has a lower humidity (for example, 5% to 10%) than the outside air 66 and is uniform, then the amount of ultrafine fibers deposited on the sheet-like substrate 40 (basis weight) will be stable and uniform.

[0036] However, in the electrospinning process, the exhaust device 24 discharges air containing organic components of the raw material liquid 67 within the humidity-controlled space 12, resulting in a lower pressure (negative pressure) within the humidity-controlled space 12 compared to the outside air 66. Consequently, outside air 66 from outside the housing 10 continuously enters the humidity-controlled space 12 through the containment space 25 and the inlet 50 (transport opening 26). Since the humidity of the outside air 66 is higher than the appropriate humidity within the humidity-controlled space, when outside air 66 mixes into the micronization space 29, the micronization state of the raw material liquid 67 and the amount of ultrafine fibers deposited on the sheet-like substrate 40 (basis weight) become uneven.

[0037] As a countermeasure, guiding air 65 is discharged into the humidity-controlled space 12 from the air nozzle 61 of the guiding nozzle head 60. The guiding air 65 is discharged upward from multiple discharge ports 62 arranged along the front-to-back direction, so it forms a laminar flow (a low-velocity air curtain) parallel to the first intrusion area 51, the second intrusion area 52, and the sheet-like substrate 40. The laminar flow of guiding air 65 diffuses into the atomization space 29 while taking in outside air 66 that has entered the humidity-controlled space 12 from the first intrusion area 51 and the second intrusion area 52. The outside air 66, which has a higher humidity than the guiding air 65, has a lower specific gravity than the guiding air 65, so it is taken in by the guiding air 65 without disturbing the flow of the guiding air 65. Therefore, the guiding air 65 that has taken in the outside air 66 does not diffuse randomly, and the humidity of the guiding air 65 that has taken in the outside air 66 is maintained in a uniform state.

[0038] Within the miniaturization space 29, induced air 65, which maintains a uniform humidity while taking in outside air 66, passes through, maintaining an appropriate and uniform humidity level. The induced air 65 that has passed through the miniaturization space 29 changes direction from the front edge of the sheet-like substrate 40 in the horizontal path 43 to the front and from the rear edge to the rear, and is discharged into the atmosphere (outside the housing 10) through the exhaust device 24 located above the horizontal path 43.

[0039] The outside air 66 that enters the humidity-controlled space 12 from the third intrusion areas 53 at both the front and rear ends is taken in by the front and rear ends of the induction air 65. With the outside air 66 taken in, the front and rear ends of the induction air 65 rise along the vertical paths 42 and 44 of the sheet-like substrate 40 and are discharged by the exhaust device 24. The outside air 66 that enters the humidity-controlled space 12 from the fourth intrusion area 54 and the fifth intrusion area 55 is not taken in by the induction air 65, but rises along the vertical paths 42 and 44 of the sheet-like substrate 40 and is discharged by the exhaust device 24.

[0040] The humidity control device B of this embodiment 1 comprises a humidity control space 12 and an air nozzle 61 that discharges induction air 65. The humidity control space 12 is a space enclosed by six walls (ceiling surface 13, bottom wall surface 14, front wall surface 15, rear wall surface 16, right wall surface 17, and left wall surface 18). An electrospinning machine 20, which is equipment that requires humidity control, is housed inside the humidity control space 12. An inlet 50 is opened in the bottom wall surface 14 facing the humidity control space 12, allowing outside air 66 to enter the humidity control space 12. The air nozzle 61 is provided on an induction nozzle head 60 and discharges induction air 65. The induction air 65 performs the function of guiding the outside air 66 that has entered the humidity control space 12 from the inlet 50.

[0041] Since the outside air 66 that enters the humidity-controlled space 12 is guided by the guided air 65, random flow and uneven diffusion of the outside air 66 within the humidity-controlled space 12 can be suppressed. This makes it possible to equalize the humidity within the humidity-controlled space 12. The guided air 65 guides the outside air 66 by incorporating it into the flow of the guided air 65, making it easier to suppress random flow and uneven diffusion of the outside air 66.

[0042] Of the inlet 50, the first inlet area 51 and the second inlet area 52 are slit-shaped openings. The air nozzle 61 is positioned to follow the first inlet area 51 and the second inlet area 52, and discharges the induced air 65 in a laminar flow manner. The outside air 66 that enters the humidity-controlled space 12 through the slit-shaped first inlet area 51 and the second inlet area 52 is uniformly taken into the laminar flow induced air 65 discharged along the first inlet area 51 and the second inlet area 52. This suppresses variations in humidity in the mixed flow of the induced air 65 and the outside air 66. This suppresses uneven humidity within the humidity-controlled space 12.

[0043] Of the inlet 50, the first inlet area 51 and the second inlet area 52 open into the bottom wall surface 14 of the wall surface that constitutes the humidity control space 12. The induction air 65 is air with lower humidity than the outside air 66 and is discharged upward from the air nozzle 61. Since the outside air 66 has a lower specific gravity than the induction air 65, the induction air 65 can take in the outside air 66 without disturbing the upward flow.

[0044] An exhaust device 24 is provided on the ceiling surface 13, which is a wall surface constituting the humidity-controlled space 12, to discharge the gas inside the humidity-controlled space 12 to the outside. Since the flow path of the mixed flow of the induced air 65 and outside air 66 is stable as a path toward the exhaust device 24, random flow and uneven diffusion of the outside air 66 are easily suppressed.

[0045] The induced air 65 is humidifying air used to adjust the humidity of the humidified space 12. Since the induced air 65 also functions as humidifying air to adjust the humidity within the humidified space 12, the number of dedicated humidifying air nozzles 61 can be reduced, resulting in space savings and reduced equipment costs. The humidifying air is discharged only from the air nozzles 61 for the induced air 65. Compared to a system where a separate nozzle for humidifying air is provided in addition to the air nozzles 61 for the induced air 65, this allows for further space savings and reductions in equipment costs.

[0046] Since the air nozzles 61 are arranged side by side near the inlet 50, the dead space between the inlet 50 and the air nozzles 61 is small. This makes it possible to reduce the size or size of the humidity control space 12 in the left-right direction.

[0047] The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus A of this embodiment 1 comprises the humidity control device B and the conveying device 30. The equipment housed in the humidity control space 12 of the humidity control device B is an electrospinning apparatus 20 that obtains ultrafine fibers deposited on a sheet-like substrate 40 by applying a high voltage to atomize the raw material liquid 67. The conveying device 30 has a winding roll 32 for winding the sheet-like substrate 40 and a feeding roll 31 for feeding out the sheet-like substrate 40. The winding roll 32 and the feeding roll 31 are located outside the humidity control space 12 (within the containment space 25). A part of the conveying opening 26 for passing the sheet-like substrate 40 is an entry point 50. Nonwoven fabric is manufactured by depositing ultrafine fibers on the sheet-like substrate 40 within the humidity control space 12. By homogenizing the humidity within the humidity control space 12, uniformity of the basis weight, which is the thickness of the ultrafine fibers deposited on the sheet-like substrate 40, is achieved, and high-quality nonwoven fabric is manufactured.

[0048] The transport path 41 for the sheet-like substrate 40 within the humidity-controlled space 12 includes a horizontal path 43 that deposits ultrafine fibers on the underside of the sheet-like substrate 40 above the electrospinning apparatus, and a vertical path 42 on the right side and a vertical path 44 on the left side that are connected to the left and right ends of the horizontal path 43. In the bottom wall surface 14 that constitutes the humidity-controlled space 12, a part of the transport opening 26 for securing the right vertical path 42 or the left vertical path 44 serves as an inlet 50. The air nozzle 61 opens along the first inlet area 51 of the inlet 50 and discharges guiding air 65 in a laminar flow manner. The guiding air 65 is air with lower humidity than the outside air 66 and is discharged upward from the air nozzle 61. Since the specific gravity of the outside air 66 is lower than that of the guiding air 65, it is uniformly incorporated into the guiding air 65 without disturbing the upward flow of the laminar guiding air 65. Therefore, variations in humidity in the mixed flow of induced air 65 and outside air 66 are suppressed, and non-uniformity of humidity within the humidity-controlled space 12 can be suppressed.

[0049] <Other examples> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. This invention can also be applied when the set humidity (appropriate humidity) in the humidity-controlled space is higher than the outside air. The present invention can be applied not only when the entry point is on the bottom wall surface, but also when it is open on the surrounding wall surface or ceiling surface. • This invention can also be applied when the entry point is not open in a slit shape. The present invention is not limited to cases where the entry point is a passage made of a sheet-like substrate, but can also be applied to gaps in openings that are opened and closed by opening and closing members such as doors, or ventilation openings, etc.

[0050] The air nozzle for the induction air may be placed on a wall surface different from the wall surface (bottom wall surface) through which the inlet opens. The induction air nozzle may be positioned only on the opposite side of the entry port from the electrospinning apparatus, or it may be positioned both between the entry port and the electrospinning apparatus, and on the opposite side of the entry port from the electrospinning apparatus. The air nozzle for the induction air may be positioned within the opening of the inlet in a plan view. The air nozzle for induction air is not limited to a configuration in which multiple discharge ports are arranged along the inlet, but may also consist of a single slit-shaped discharge port. The direction of discharge of the induced air from the air nozzle is not limited to upward; it may also be horizontal or downward. • In a plan view, the positions of the induction air nozzles are arranged symmetrically in the electrospinning apparatus, but they may also be arranged asymmetrically in the electrospinning apparatus. In a plan view, the air nozzle for the induction air may be positioned at the center in the left-right direction within the electric field prevention device. • When the induced air has a humidity control function, a separate nozzle for humidity control air may be provided in addition to the induced air nozzle. • The induced air may be air that does not have the function of regulating humidity within the humidified space.

[0051] The present invention can be applied even when either one of the winding rolls and unwinding rolls constituting a sheet-like substrate conveying device is located in a humidity-controlled space, or when both rolls are located in a humidity-controlled space. The present invention can be applied to cases where the transport path for a sheet-like substrate in a humidity-controlled space consists only of a horizontal path and the two entry points open to two opposing peripheral walls, or where the transport path for a sheet-like substrate in a humidity-controlled space consists only of a vertical path and the two entry points open to the ceiling and bottom wall, or where the transport path for a sheet-like substrate in a humidity-controlled space is L-shaped. In the case of an L-shaped transport path, the two entry points may be arranged on a peripheral wall and a ceiling, on a peripheral wall and a bottom wall, or on two peripheral walls that are adjacent at right angles in a plan view. • This invention can also be applied when the equipment is a device other than an electrospinning apparatus. The humidity control device of the present invention can be applied to equipment other than nonwoven fabric manufacturing equipment. • The exhaust system may be located not only on the ceiling but also at the upper end of the surrounding wall surface. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] A…Nonwoven fabric manufacturing equipment B... Humidity control device 12…Humidity-controlled space 13…Ceiling surface (wall surface) 14…Bottom wall (wall) 15…Front wall surface (wall surface, surrounding wall surface) 16…Rear wall surface (wall surface, surrounding wall surface) 17…Right wall surface (wall surface, surrounding wall surface) 18…Left wall surface (wall surface, surrounding wall surface) 20… Electrospinning apparatus (equipment) 24... Exhaust system 26…Opening for transport (opening) 30…Conveyor device 31... Feeding Roll 32... Reel roll 40…Sheet-like substrate 42... Right-side vertical path (vertical path) 43…Horizontal path 44…Left vertical path (vertical path) 50…Entry point 61... Air nozzle 65... Induction Air 66...Outside air 67…Raw material liquid

Claims

1. An electrospinning apparatus for obtaining ultrafine fibers deposited on a sheet-like substrate by applying a high voltage to atomize the raw material liquid, A humidity-controlled space enclosed by walls, in which the electrospinning apparatus is housed, A conveying device having a winding roll for winding the sheet-like substrate and a feeding roll for unwinding the sheet-like substrate, wherein at least one of the rolls is located outside the humidity-controlled space, An inlet that opens into the wall surface and allows outside air to enter the humidity-controlled space, The system includes an air nozzle from which guide air is discharged to guide the outside air that has entered the humidity-controlled space through the inlet, A portion of the opening through which the sheet-like substrate passes is the entry point. A nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus in which a nonwoven fabric is produced by depositing the ultrafine fibers on the sheet-like substrate within the humidity-controlled space.

2. The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air nozzle is located near the inlet.

3. The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the induction air is induced by taking in outside air into the flow of the induction air.

4. The aforementioned entry opening is slit-shaped, The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the air nozzle opens along the inlet and discharges the induced air in a laminar flow manner.

5. The aforementioned entry point opens to the bottom wall surface among the wall surfaces that constitute the humidity control space, The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the induction air is air with lower humidity than the outside air and is discharged upward from the air nozzle.

6. The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an exhaust device for discharging gas from the humidity-controlled space to the outside is provided at the upper end of the ceiling surface or the peripheral wall surface among the wall surfaces constituting the humidity-controlled space.

7. The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the induction air is humidity-controlled air for adjusting the humidity of the humidity-controlled space.

8. The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the humidified air is discharged only from the air nozzle for the induction air.

9. The transport path for the sheet-like substrate within the humidity-controlled space includes a horizontal path for depositing ultrafine fibers on the lower surface of the sheet-like substrate above the electrospinning apparatus, and a vertical path in the vertical direction connected to the end of the horizontal path. In the bottom wall surface of the wall surface constituting the humidity control space, a portion of the opening for securing the vertical path serves as the entry point. The air nozzle opens along the inlet and discharges the induced air in a laminar flow manner. The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the induction air is air with lower humidity than the outside air and is discharged upward from the air nozzle.

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