Fiber Assembly with Thickness-Direction Fibrils for Liquid Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a fiber assembly that is both low in density and high in strength, while also excelling in liquid diffusion and absorption, particularly at the surface and within the material, using fibrils.
Innovation Solution
A fiber assembly with a network structure formed by binding between fibrils and fibers, where fibrils extend in the direction of thickness, providing a high void ratio and specific fibrillation ratio, and manufactured using cavitation energy to create a nonwoven fabric with enhanced diffusibility and absorbency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a fiber assembly uses fibrils to improve liquid diffusion and absorption, then liquid diffusibility and absorbency are improved, but strength may deteriorate due to the fine structure of fibrils
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines fibrils (fine fibers) with binding portions that connect fibrils to parent fibers, creating a composite structure. This composite material approach allows the assembly to benefit from the high surface area and capillary action of fibrils for liquid absorption while the binding portions and parent fibers provide structural strength to prevent disintegration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: fibrils for liquid interaction, binding portions for structural connection, and parent fibers for strength. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - fibrils provide liquid diffusion pathways while binding portions maintain structural integrity.
2Quantity of substance
If a fiber assembly achieves low density for better liquid absorption, then absorbency is improved, but strength deteriorates due to reduced material density
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a porous structure with controlled void spaces between fibrils and fibers. This porous material approach allows high liquid absorption capacity through capillary action in the pores while the interconnected fiber network maintains structural strength. The porosity is optimized to balance absorption and strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from considering only two-dimensional fiber arrangement to three-dimensional network structure with vertical fibril extension. This dimensional approach creates multiple pathways for liquid absorption throughout the thickness of the assembly while maintaining strength through the three-dimensional interconnected structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fiber assembly uses a simple structure for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but liquid diffusion capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs self-service mechanisms where the fiber assembly structure itself creates the liquid diffusion pathways through its inherent porous network and capillary structures. The fibrils and binding portions automatically form diffusion channels without requiring additional manufacturing steps or complex processing, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and functional performance.
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 fiber assembly efficiently transmits and absorbs liquids, maintaining strength while being low in density, making it suitable for applications like liquid absorbent sheets and incontinence pads.
Implementation Method 1
applying cavitation energy to a fiber assembly and at least partially converting the fibers forming the fiber assembly into nanofibers
Implementation Method 2
a fiber assembly excellent in strength in spite of being low in density and excellent in diffusion of a liquid particularly at a surface and absorption thereof in the inside
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber assembly including fibrils including a fibril which is a part of a fiber extending in a direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and including a network structure formed with a binding portion resulting at least any from binding between fibrils and binding between a fibril and a fiber in at least any end portion in the direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a fiber assembly which is excellent in diffusion of a liquid particularly at a surface and absorption thereof in the inside and includes fibrils and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a method of manufacturing the fiber assembly can be provided.