Carbon Nanotube Collection Device Pre-adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The poor orientation and uniformity of carbon nanotube macroscopic bodies affect their mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, limiting their applications in fields like electromagnetic shielding and composite materials.

Innovation Solution

A collection device with pre-adjustment mechanisms, including rotatable wheel bodies with annular protrusions, and a winding mechanism to adjust and collect carbon nanotube aggregates, improving their internal structure and orientation for controlled properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional collection methods are used, then the collection process is simple, but the orientation and uniformity of carbon nanotube macroscopic bodies are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation and uniformityVSAvoidcollection device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a pre-adjustment mechanism before the main collection process. This mechanism includes first and second wheel bodies that pre-press and align the carbon nanotube aggregates in a first direction, and a third wheel body that draws and aligns them in a second direction. This preliminary orientation adjustment ensures that the carbon nanotubes are properly aligned before being wound into the final macroscopic body, thereby improving orientation and uniformity without complicating the main collection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the collection device into distinct functional modules: a pre-adjustment mechanism with multiple wheel bodies for orientation control, and a winding mechanism for collection. The pre-adjustment mechanism is further divided into first and second sub-mechanisms that operate in sequence. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system clarity and manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If pre-adjustment mechanisms are added to improve orientation, then the internal structure and orientation of carbon nanotubes are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal structureVSAvoidnumber of wheel bodies and mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-adjustment mechanism performs preliminary orientation alignment before the main winding process. The first wheel bodies pre-press aggregates in a first direction, the third wheel body draws and aligns them in a second direction, and the fourth wheel body provides additional drawing force. This sequential preliminary action ensures proper internal structure formation without requiring complex adjustments during the main collection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel bodies act as intermediary elements that transfer and control the orientation of carbon nanotube aggregates. These intermediary components enable precise control over the internal structure through mechanical interaction, serving as mediators between the raw aggregates and the final organized macroscopic body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple wheel bodies are used for pre-adjustment, then orientation control is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation controlVSAvoidassembly and operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple wheel bodies are arranged to perform preliminary orientation actions in a fixed sequence. The first wheel bodies pre-press, the third wheel body draws and aligns, and the fourth wheel body provides additional drawing force. This predetermined sequence simplifies operation by eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments, as each component automatically performs its specific orientation function in order.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple orientation-control functions into a single integrated pre-adjustment mechanism section. The first and second wheel bodies, third wheel body, and fourth wheel body work together as a unified system that simultaneously performs pre-pressing, alignment, and drawing functions, reducing the complexity of coordinating separate operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of carbon nanotube materials, enabling large-scale production of films and fibers with varied properties.

Implementation Method 1

a first pre-adjustment sub-mechanism including at least a first wheel body and a second wheel body rotatably arranged in a first direction for prepressing both sides of the carbon nanotube aggregates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a winding mechanism for winding and collecting the carbon nanotube aggregates drawn from the pre-adjustment mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical accumulation: Mechanical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3778460B1Collection device and preparation system
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 SUZHOU JERNANO CARBON CO LTD
  • EP3778460B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3778460B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3778460B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A collection device and a preparation system, comprising: a pre-adjustment mechanism, disposed in a housing and used to adjust at least one bundle of carbon nanotube aggregate, and comprising a first pre-adjustment sub-mechanism and a second pre-adjustment sub-mechanism for adjusting the carbon nanotube aggregate in a first direction and a second direction, respectively; and a winding mechanism, used to wind the carbon nanotube aggregate collected by the pre-adjustment mechanism. The first pre-adjustment sub-mechanism and the second pre-adjustment sub-mechanism are added to the collection device, so as to respectively adjust the orientation of at least one bundle of carbon nanotube aggregate, and to improve the internal structure, orientation, and uniformity of carbon nanotubes, thereby achieving regulation of the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of collected carbon nanotube materials.