Method for manufacturing a fiber sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing fiber sheets using electrospinning result in low tensile strength and anisotropy, as the fibers are randomly deposited and lack alignment, making them unsuitable for applications requiring high mechanical strength and directional orientation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving electrospinning to form fibers, followed by alignment using a rotating collector and a close-adhesion process with a volatile liquid, such as alcohol or acetone, to enhance fiber orientation and adhesion, resulting in a fiber sheet with high tensile strength and anisotropy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fibers are randomly deposited by electrospinning, then the deposited body can be formed easily, but the tensile strength and anisotropy of the deposited body remain low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoiddeposition process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotating collector that rotates in the direction of fiber deposition, dynamically changing the collection angle and position. This rotation transforms the static random deposition into a dynamic aligned deposition process, where fibers are continuously reoriented along the rotation direction, achieving both high tensile strength and anisotropy without significantly increasing process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary alignment action by rotating the collector before fibers are fully deposited. The rotation creates a predetermined orientation pattern that guides fiber deposition, ensuring fibers align in the desired direction before the deposition process completes, thereby achieving high tensile strength and anisotropy from the outset

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If a rotating collector is used to align fibers, then fiber orientation and tensile strength improve, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidcollector system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating collector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects fibers, aligns them through rotation, controls deposition angle, and determines fiber orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment devices, achieving high tensile strength while minimizing additional device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls fiber orientation by changing the rotation speed and rotation direction of the collector. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves desired tensile strength and anisotropy levels without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms, as parameter adjustment alone suffices for optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method achieves a fiber sheet with significantly improved tensile strength and anisotropy, allowing for higher mechanical performance and orientation, making it suitable for various technical applications.

Implementation Method 1

forming a fiber by electrospinning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrospinning: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

drying the deposited body including the volatile liquid to remove the volatile liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3702507B1Method for manufacturing a fiber sheet
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3702507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3702507B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3B
  • EP3702507B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a fiber sheet comprises forming a fiber by electrospinning; forming a deposited body by depositing the fiber; supplying a volatile liquid to the deposited body; and drying the deposited body.