Carbon Nanotube Twisted Thread Winding Without Rotary Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for producing carbon nanotube twisted threads is limited by the need for a rotary connector for electric power supply, which restricts rotation rate and complicates the apparatus configuration, leading to inefficiencies in production due to unstable substrate rotation and reduced tensile strength.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the bundling of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes into a thread shape, winding around a first winder, and rotating the winder to twist the thread, eliminating the need for a rotary connector and allowing stable rotation and efficient production, with controlled filling ratios and twist angles to enhance tensile strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a connector for rotary connection such as a slip ring is provided to supply electric power to the driving source in the rotating portion, then electric power can be supplied to rotate the thread winding spindle, but the rotation rate cannot be sufficiently improved and the apparatus configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the connector for rotary connection (slip ring) from the system. Instead of using a complex rotary connector to supply power to the rotating portion, the invention reconfigures the system so that the substrate rotates while the rotating portion remains stationary, eliminating the need for rotary power transmission components and simplifying the apparatus configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by rotating the substrate instead of rotating the rotating portion. In traditional designs, the thread winding spindle and rotating portion rotate to twist the web; in this invention, the substrate rotation achieves the same twisting effect, thereby avoiding the need for rotary connectors and enabling higher rotation rates.
2Device complexity
If the substrate is rotated to twist the carbon nanotube web, then the rotating portion can be simplified, but the substrate rotation becomes unstable and the rotation rate cannot be sufficiently ensured due to substrate enlargement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotation function by introducing a dedicated rotation support structure that separates the substrate rotation mechanism from the substrate itself. The substrate is supported on a rotation support that provides stable rotational movement, while the substrate enlargement is accommodated by the design of the support structure, ensuring stable rotation even with enlarged substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotation support as an intermediary between the substrate and the rotation drive mechanism. This rotation support acts as a mediator that ensures stable rotation of the substrate while accommodating substrate enlargement, thereby improving the reliability of substrate rotation without requiring complex control mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the carbon nanotube web is twisted by rotating the rotating portion, then the thread can be formed, but the tensile strength is reduced due to the complexity and limitations of the rotation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the twisting mechanism by rotating the substrate instead of the rotating portion. This inversion allows for more effective twisting of the carbon nanotube web because the rotation occurs at the source where the web is formed, resulting in better alignment and higher tensile strength of the final twisted thread while maintaining high production efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of CNTs are drawn out of VACNTs so as to be continuous in lines and are bundled into a thread shape, and a temporary thread bundled into a thread shape is temporarily wound on the first winder. The first winder is then rotated about an axis along a feeding direction of the temporary thread to twist the temporary thread while the temporary thread is fed from the first winder.