Centrifugal Microfiber Spinner Diameter Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing micro and nanofibers lack efficiency in controlling chemical and physical properties, particularly in achieving uniform fiber distribution and precise diameter control, which is crucial for various applications including biomedical and textile industries.

Innovation Solution

A device employing centrifugal forces to transform materials into micro and nanofibers, featuring a rotating body with varying diameter and radial extensions, coupled with temperature sensors and a driver for precise control, and gas outlets to optimize fiber formation and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If electrospinning is used to produce nanofibers, then nanofibers can be manufactured, but control over chemical and physical properties and uniform fiber distribution is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber diameter control and uniform distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of electrospinning equipment and process control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrospinning mechanical system with a centrifugal spinning system. Instead of using high voltage electric fields to draw fibers, the invention uses a rotating drum with centrifugal force to extrude material through openings, achieving fiber production with better control over diameter and distribution while simplifying the overall process control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the controlling parameters from electrical field strength in electrospinning to rotational speed, material viscosity, and opening geometry in centrifugal spinning. By adjusting rotation speed and material properties rather than complex electrical parameters, the system achieves precise control over fiber diameter and uniform distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If centrifugal force is applied to produce fibers, then fiber production efficiency improves, but control over fiber properties becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber production efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol over fiber chemical and physical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing different opening geometries, sizes, and distributions at specific locations on the rotating drum to control local fiber properties. The material composition and viscosity can also be varied locally to achieve specific fiber characteristics in different regions, maintaining precision control while enabling high-volume production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses dynamic control of rotation speed during the spinning process to adjust fiber properties in real-time. By varying rotational velocity, the system can control centrifugal force magnitude, thereby adjusting fiber diameter, length, and distribution dynamically while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If uniform fiber distribution is achieved, then application quality improves, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform fiber distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of controlling fiber distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fiber production process into controlled extrusion through discrete openings on the rotating drum, followed by centrifugal distribution. The openings are strategically positioned and sized to ensure uniform material discharge, and the rotation naturally distributes fibers evenly across the collection surface, achieving uniform distribution through simple geometric design rather than complex control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution enables the production of uniform micro and nanofibers with controlled properties, enhancing their application in diverse fields by ensuring consistent fiber size and distribution, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

During use rotation of the body causes material in the body cavity to be passed through one or more openings and ejected from one or more material outlets to produce microfibers and/or nanofibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2900853B1Devices and methods for the production of microfibers and nanofibers
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 PARKER HANNIFIN CORP
  • EP2900853B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2900853B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP2900853B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Described herein are apparatuses and methods of creating fibers, such as microfibers and nanofibers, that include additives that modify one or more properties of the produced fibers. The methods discussed herein employ centrifugal forces to transform material into fibers. Apparatuses that may be used to create fibers are also described. Fiber producing devices with features that enhance fiber production and adaptability to different types of fiber are described.