Electrospinning Nozzle Block with Piercing Unit and Rotating Brush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrospinning nozzles often clog due to polymer material solidification when the process is temporarily stopped, especially with highly volatile solvents, leading to difficulties in maintaining a continuous nanofiber manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle block with a piercing unit and rotating brushes is used to prevent solidification and clogging by reciprocating the piercing unit and spinning needle, and chemically or physically cleaning aggregates with a cleaning solvent and brush, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrospinning process is temporarily stopped, then the solvent volatilization causes polymer material solidification at the nozzle tip, but continuous operation leads to aggregate formation and nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing unit is activated before the nozzle becomes completely clogged to pierce through the solidified polymer material at the nozzle tip, preventing complete blockage and enabling resumption of the electrospinning process without full nozzle replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-cleaning through the piercing unit that automatically pierces and removes solidified material, and the rotating brush that cleans aggregates, allowing continuous operation without external intervention for nozzle maintenance
2Reliability
If a piercing unit is added to prevent clogging, then nozzle reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing unit, rotating brush, and cleaning solvent injection system are integrated into a single nozzle block assembly, combining multiple functions (piercing, mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning) into one unified structure that operates automatically with the electrospinning process
3Reliability
If the rotating brush and cleaning solvent are used to clean aggregates, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating brush and cleaning solvent injection are automatically activated when aggregates are detected or when the process resumes after stopping, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective cleaning
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
This solution allows for continuous nanofiber production by preventing nozzle clogging and enabling thorough cleaning of aggregates, reducing labor and costs associated with nozzle replacement.
Implementation Method 1
clogging of a tip of the spinning needle is pierced by reciprocating the piercing unit and the spinning needle relative to each other
Implementation Method 2
aggregates deposited on the outside of the tip of the spinning needle are cleaned by using the at least one rotating brush
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning injection nozzle performs a cleaning process of removing deposits by injecting a solvent to the tip of the spinning nozzle
Implementation Method 4
The electrospinning process is a process of manufacturing nanofibers in an environment where an electric field is formed by applying direct current of high voltage of thousands to tens of thousands of volts to a solution
Implementation Method 5
there is a problem in that the nozzle is clogged due to solution solidification caused by solvent volatilization at the tip of the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a nozzle block applied to an electrospinning device. At least one piercing unit (means of piercing) having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of a spinning nozzle is coaxially disposed inside the spinning nozzle in order to prevent solidification of a solution at a tip of the spinning nozzle. The present disclosure includes a first cleaning mechanism for cleaning the spinning nozzle by reciprocating the piercing unit and the spinning nozzle relative to each other so that the tip of the spinning nozzle is unclogged, and a second cleaning mechanism for cleaning aggregates deposited around and outside the tip of the spinning nozzle through chemical cleaning and/or physical cleaning when the electrospinning process is temporarily stopped or after the electrospinning process is completed.