Bagworm Silk Thread Collection Using Adhesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in producing long, contaminant-free bagworm silk threads due to issues such as entanglement, tearing, and the need for labor-intensive contaminant removal, which hinder efficient and stable production.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a movable loop-shaped rail, fixator, adhesion controller, and collection device, which allows bagworms to spin continuously while controlling adhesive forces and applying tension, enabling easy peeling and collection of bagworm silk threads without entanglement or tearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bagworm silk thread is collected using existing technology, then the thread can be obtained, but the thread becomes entangled and torn due to strong adhesion on the rail surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of the rail through coating it with a release promoter or applying a release promoter solution. This changes the adhesion parameters between the bagworm silk thread and the rail surface, reducing excessive adhesion that causes entanglement and tearing during collection, while maintaining enough adhesion to allow proper thread formation and easy peeling.
2Length of moving object
If bagworm silk thread is spun continuously to produce long fibers, then the fiber length increases, but the production process becomes complex and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the production process into distinct functional zones along the rail: a spinning zone where bagworms spin threads, a release promoter application zone that controls adhesion, and a collection zone where threads are gathered. This segmentation simplifies control of the continuous spinning process by localizing specific functions to specific areas, making the overall complex process more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The release promoter acts as an intermediary substance between the bagworm silk thread and the rail surface. It mediates the adhesion relationship, allowing the thread to be held in place during spinning while enabling easy release and collection. This intermediary simplifies the control of thread behavior throughout the continuous production process.
3Manufacturing precision
If contaminants are removed from bagworm silk thread using traditional methods, then the thread purity improves, but the production cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating contaminant removal functionality into the rail system itself through coating layers or integrated cleaning mechanisms. Contaminants are removed during or immediately after the spinning process rather than requiring separate post-processing steps, thereby maintaining thread purity while preserving production efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to develop: a method of efficiently producing a long bagworm silk thread without slack of reeling during collection while preventing a change in the spinning direction and the runaway of the bagworm from a rail, and alleviating a burden on the bagworm; and an apparatus for implementing the thread-producing method. Provided is an apparatus for producing a bagworm silk thread, including: a movable loop-shaped rail configured to move in the longitudinal direction and to be held by the legs of a bagworm; a fixator configured to fix the bagworm; and an adhesion controller configured to store an adhesion control solution for washing away or removing a gummy component from the bagworm silk thread spun on the movable loop-shaped rail, wherein the apparatus makes it possible to cumulate the bagworm silk thread spun on the movable loop-shaped rail.