Nanofiber Sheet Density Control via Arcuate Edged Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for densifying nanofiber sheets, such as liquid-based densification and microcombing, are inefficient and require multiple steps, and do not effectively disentangle or straighten nanofibers, limiting the mechanical and electrical properties of the resulting sheets.

Innovation Solution

Mechanically altering the density of nanofiber sheets by drawing them over an arcuate edged surface, which can be convex or concave, to change the sheet's width and density, thereby disentangling and straightening the fibers without the need for solvents or additional processing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid-based densification or microcombing is used, then nanofiber sheets can be processed, but the methods are inefficient and require multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensification efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of densification from complex multi-step liquid-based methods and microcombing, achieving it through a single mechanical drawing operation over an edged surface. This eliminates the need for solvents, multiple processing steps, and complex equipment while maintaining effective densification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces chemical-based liquid densification and mechanical microcombing with a simpler mechanical drawing process. By drawing the nanofiber sheet over an edged surface, the method achieves densification through pure mechanical action without requiring chemical solvents or complex multi-step mechanical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If existing densification methods are used, then nanofiber sheets can be densified, but they do not effectively disentangle or straighten nanofibers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanofiber alignmentVSAvoiddensification effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses the curved profile of the edged surface to effectively disentangle and straighten nanofibers during the drawing process. The arcuate geometry of the edge allows nanofibers to conform and align as they pass over the surface, achieving both densification and improved fiber alignment simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and arrangement of nanofibers by drawing them over an edged surface with specific geometric parameters. This mechanical action transforms the nanofiber configuration from entangled to aligned, while simultaneously increasing density, through controlled physical deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If nanofiber sheet density is increased, then mechanical and electrical properties improve, but sheet width decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidsheet width

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality changes by using an edged surface with specific geometric characteristics (arcuate profile, specific orientation) that locally affect the nanofiber sheet. The edged surface creates localized densification and alignment effects that improve mechanical and electrical properties in the drawn region without requiring overall sheet compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Area of moving object

If nanofiber sheet density is decreased, then sheet width increases, but mechanical and electrical properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet widthVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamics by using an edged surface with a specific orientation (90°+/−30° relative to the plane of the nanofiber sheet) that creates dynamic effects during the drawing process. The motion of drawing the sheet over the angled edge produces controlled densification and alignment that maintains mechanical properties while allowing width adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11370191B2Changing a density of a nanofiber sheet using an edged surface

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 LINTEC OF AMERICA INC

AI summary

A density of a nanofiber sheet can be changed using an edged surface, and in particular an arcuate edged surface. As described herein, a nanofiber sheet is drawn over (and in contact with) an arcuate edged surface. Depending on whether the arcuate surface facing a direction opposite the direction in which the nanofiber sheet is being drawn is convex or concave determines whether the nanofiber sheet density is increased relative to the as-drawn sheet or decreased relative to the as-drawn sheet.