Absorbent Body Mixing Apparatus for Small-Scale Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for manufacturing absorbent bodies is not suitable for producing test samples as it requires large quantities of absorbent fibers and water-absorbent resin and cannot easily modify the blending ratio, making it inappropriate for testing purposes.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus with a conveying unit, mixing unit, chamber portion, and suction unit that allows for the dispersion and mixing of absorbent fibers and water-absorbent resin, enabling easy adjustment of the blending ratio and production of absorbent bodies with uniform distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large-scale apparatus is used to manufacture absorbent bodies, then the production capacity is improved, but the apparatus size and material consumption increase, making it unsuitable for testing purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the manufacturing process into separate functional units: a conveying unit for transporting the aggregate, a mixing unit for blending fibers and resin, a chamber portion for forming the absorbent body, and a suction unit for removing excess air. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall productivity, enabling efficient small-scale production suitable for testing without requiring large material quantities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mixing unit as an intermediary component between the conveying unit and the chamber portion. This mixing unit receives the aggregate of absorbent fibers and water-absorbent resin, thoroughly mixes them to ensure uniform distribution, and then conveys the mixed material to the chamber portion. This intermediary mixing step enables precise control over material blending ratios while maintaining continuous production flow, making the apparatus suitable for both small-scale testing and potential larger production
2Device complexity
If a fixed-configuration apparatus is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to modify blending ratios and composition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mixing system where the mixing unit can adjust its operation to accommodate different blending ratios. The mixing unit receives variable amounts of absorbent fibers and water-absorbent resin, mixes them according to the desired composition, and conveys the mixed material to the chamber portion. This dynamic capability allows the apparatus to adapt to different testing requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in the mixing process by allowing variable input ratios of absorbent fibers and water-absorbent resin into the mixing unit. The mixing unit is designed to handle different material compositions and blending ratios, and the chamber portion can accommodate variations in the mixed material properties. This parameter flexibility allows the apparatus to produce absorbent bodies with different compositions for various testing purposes without requiring complete redesign of the system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of absorbent bodies with uniform mixing of absorbent fibers and water-absorbent resin, facilitating the modification of blending ratios for testing purposes, and producing samples similar to commercial products with improved liquid absorption properties.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit that causes a negative pressure in the chamber portion
Implementation Method 2
a cylindrical body that is supported rotatably and has an outer circumferential surface on which recesses and protrusions are formed; a driving portion that rotates the cylindrical body
Implementation Method 3
a gap formation portion that forms a gap through which the aggregate of the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that were conveyed by the conveying unit pass, between the gap formation portion and the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, the gap being smaller than a thickness of the aggregate of the absorbent fibers
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to the present invention includes a conveying unit (2) that conveys an aggregate (101) of absorbent fibers and a water-absorbent resin (102), a mixing unit (3) that accepts the aggregate of the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that were conveyed by the conveying unit and mixes the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin, a chamber portion (4) that has an internal space (40) through which the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that were mixed in the mixing unit fall, a stacking portion (5) that is disposed below the chamber portion and has a recessed portion (531) in which the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that fall through the chamber portion are stacked, and a suction unit (6) that causes a negative pressure in the chamber portion.