Flexible Electrospinning Nozzle Cleaning Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electrospinning apparatus faces nozzle clogging issues due to residual source material liquid leakage and drying, leading to increased viscosity and polymer substance adhesion, which complicates cleaning and reduces productivity, especially with multiple nozzles.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a storage part and a flexible cleaning part that holds a solution, allowing for efficient cleaning of the nozzle tips by dissolving and removing adhered droplets and polymer substances, thereby preventing clogging and improving productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of nozzles is increased to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple nozzles into a single nozzle head assembly, allowing them to be cleaned collectively rather than individually. The cleaning device is designed to accommodate multiple nozzles simultaneously, enabling batch cleaning that maintains productivity while improving cleaning efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple nozzles of different configurations. It can accommodate various nozzle types and arrangements, providing a multi-functional cleaning solution that works efficiently regardless of the number of nozzles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the electrospinning apparatus is stopped to clean the nozzle, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle clogging preventionVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device enables preliminary cleaning actions to be taken before nozzle clogging occurs. By providing easy access to the nozzle tips and implementing a simple cleaning mechanism, potential clogging issues can be addressed proactively without stopping the electrospinning process, thus maintaining productivity while preventing clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device is designed to be self-service oriented, allowing operators to quickly clean nozzle tips without requiring complex procedures or extensive downtime. The simple dip-clean mechanism enables rapid maintenance that can be performed with minimal interruption to the electrospinning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 cleaning device effectively prevents nozzle clogging by dissolving and removing source material liquid and polymer substances, enhancing the efficiency of the electrospinning process and reducing downtime for cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning part (202) which is provided inside the storage part (201), is flexible, and is capable of holding a solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS10882079B2Cleaning device and electrospinning apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a cleaning device cleans a nozzle provided on a nozzle head of an electrospinning apparatus. The device includes a storage part and a cleaning part. The storage part is box-shaped, and one surface of the storage part is open. The cleaning part is provided inside the storage part, is flexible, and is capable of holding a solution.