Removable Electrospinning Head Support for Nanofiber Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing nanofiber manufacturing apparatus has poor working efficiency and safety issues during maintenance, especially for large-scale setups, due to the need for operators to enter the electrospinning space for cleaning and replacement of nozzles within the housing.

Innovation Solution

A support structure that is fittable to and removable from the housing, allowing the electrospinning head with nozzles to be self-standing outside the housing, enabling safe and efficient maintenance by isolating the electrospinning space and providing a mechanism for power and grounding connections that disconnect when the support structure is removed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus is larger-scaled with increased number of nozzles and larger housing, then the nanofiber production capacity is improved, but the working efficiency for maintenance becomes even poorer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanofiber production capacityVSAvoidmaintenance working efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into a removable portion that can be detached from the housing. This segmentation allows the electrospinning head and support structure to be removed as a unit, enabling maintenance of nozzles outside the housing without requiring operators to enter the electrospinning space, thus improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining large-scale production capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrospinning head and support structure are extracted from the housing as a removable assembly. This extraction enables maintenance operations to be performed externally, eliminating safety concerns and improving working efficiency for maintenance while preserving the large-scale configuration needed for high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If operators enter the electrospinning space for maintenance of nozzles, then the maintenance can be performed, but the operator's safety is compromised and working efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle maintenance accessibilityVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into a removable portion that can be detached from the housing. This allows the electrospinning head to be accessed for maintenance by removing the support structure externally, eliminating the need for operators to enter the electrospinning space and thereby ensuring operator safety while maintaining ease of repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrospinning head and support structure are extracted as a removable assembly from the housing. This extraction enables all nozzle maintenance operations to be performed outside the electrospinning space, completely eliminating safety risks associated with operator entry while maintaining full accessibility for maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the support structure is made removable from the housing, then the maintenance workability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance workabilityVSAvoidsupport structure configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into fixed and removable portions with a clear division point. This segmentation enables the electrospinning head and support structure to be removed together as a unit, improving maintenance workability while keeping the structural complexity manageable through a straightforward modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrospinning head and support structure are combined into a single removable assembly. This merging simplifies the removal process by treating them as one unit, improving maintenance workability without significantly increasing device complexity, as the combination leverages existing structural interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration enhances maintenance workability and safety by allowing nozzle maintenance outside the electrospinning space, reducing the risk of electrical hazards and facilitating immediate start-up of maintenance procedures.

Implementation Method 1

nanofibers are fabricated from a raw material liquid by electrostatic explosions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic explosion: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS8696953B2Support structure, nanofiber manufacturing apparatus using the support structure, and nanofiber manufacturing method using the support structure

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A nanofiber manufacturing apparatus for fabricating nanofibers from a raw material liquid by electrostatic explosions includes a housing internally having an electrospinning space in which nanofibers are fabricated, and a support structure for supporting an electrospinning head including nozzles for ejecting the raw material liquid into the electrospinning space. The support structure is fittable to and removable from the housing and is enabled to self-stand in a state of having been removed from the housing.