CNT Yarn Aggregating Unit with Dynamic Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing yarn producing apparatuses for carbon nanotube fibers face instability in aggregation due to varying fiber amounts, leading to insufficient strength and appearance in the produced yarn, and require frequent replacement of spinnerets for desired thickness.

Innovation Solution

A yarn producing apparatus with an aggregating unit that includes an adjusting mechanism to stabilize the aggregation of carbon nanotube fibers by adjusting the positional relation and opening area of a through hole, allowing for consistent tension and dense twisting, and a tensioning unit to apply desired force, ensuring stable fiber alignment and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pair of rotatable rollers is used as holding means for aggregating carbon nanotube fibers, then the aggregation process can be performed, but the aggregation state becomes unstable when the amount of fibers varies, resulting in insufficient yarn strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaggregation processVSAvoidaggregation state stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fixed rotatable rollers with a dynamic aggregating unit that can adjust its aggregation force and opening area based on the amount of carbon nanotube fibers. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain stable aggregation state regardless of fiber amount variations, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The aggregating unit incorporates an adjusting mechanism that changes physical parameters (opening area, aggregation force) in response to varying fiber amounts. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains optimal aggregation state for different production conditions, ensuring consistent yarn strength while keeping the aggregation process easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If spinnerets or nozzles are used to create alignment of suspended nanotube arrays, then the intensity of extensional flow and degree of carbon nanotube alignment increase, but the spinnerets have to be replaced each time depending on desired yarn thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon nanotube alignmentVSAvoidspinneret replacement frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aggregating unit is designed as a universal component that can handle various yarn thickness requirements through adjustment of its opening area and aggregation parameters, replacing the need for multiple specialized spinnerets. This multi-functional design maintains high carbon nanotube alignment precision while eliminating the complexity of frequent spinneret replacements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The aggregating unit incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow it to adapt to different production requirements for yarn thickness. By adjusting the opening area and aggregation force, the same unit can produce various yarn specifications, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-configuration spinnerets and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the amount of carbon nanotube fibers drawn from the substrate varies, then production flexibility is maintained, but the aggregation state becomes unstable and yarn strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidcarbon nanotube yarn strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The aggregating unit incorporates an adjusting mechanism that responds to variations in fiber amount by adjusting aggregation parameters. This feedback control ensures that yarn strength is maintained at desired levels regardless of production flexibility requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes aggregation parameters (force, opening area) based on the amount of fibers being processed. This parameter adjustment maintains optimal aggregation state and yarn strength across varying production conditions, allowing both production flexibility and consistent yarn strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3026153B1Thread production device, and aggregating part
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 MURATA MASCH LTD
  • EP3026153B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3026153B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3026153B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A yarn producing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for producing CNT Y from CNT fibers F while allowing the CNT (carbon nanotube) fibers F to run. The yarn producing apparatus 1 includes an aggregating unit 3 configured to aggregate the CNT fibers F, and a twisting and winding device configured to twist the CNT fibers F aggregated by the aggregating unit 3. The aggregating unit 3 includes an adjusting mechanism 10 for adjusting the aggregation state of the CNT fibers F.