Soundproof Sheet Manufacturing via Differential Fiber Coating Melting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing soundproof sheets with natural fibers and resins face challenges in controlling the internal structure, leading to increased production time and cost due to complex material accumulation processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the accumulation, heating, and controlled cooling of natural fibers with thermoplastic coating layers, combined with compressive forces, to create soundproof sheets with adjustable density and structure, allowing for easier manipulation of the internal fiber arrangement and soundproofing properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If each material is accumulated so as to gradually vary the content ratio to produce a fiber accumulated material, then the internal structure can be controlled, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal structure controlVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the melting points of coating layers on different fibers. By selecting fibers with coating layers having specific melting points (first coating layer melts at lower temperature, second coating layer melts at higher temperature), the patent achieves precise control over internal structure formation during the heating process without requiring complex accumulation processes. The structured fiber body is formed by differential melting and bonding of coating layers at different temperature stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-coating the fibers with thermoplastic materials before accumulation. The fibers are prepared in advance with coating layers that have predetermined melting characteristics, allowing the internal structure to be controlled during the heating process rather than requiring complex real-time control during material accumulation. This preliminary preparation simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If each material is accumulated so as to gradually vary the content ratio to produce a fiber accumulated material, then the internal structure can be controlled, but the production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal structure controlVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes related to temperature to control the internal structure formation. By heating the fiber accumulated body to different temperature stages (first temperature to melt first coating layer, second temperature to melt second coating layer), the patent achieves precise internal structure control in a relatively short time without requiring slow, gradual material accumulation. The differential melting points enable rapid structural organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits phase transitions of the thermoplastic coating layers (solid to liquid at specific melting points) to control internal structure formation. When heated to the melting point of the first coating layer, it transitions to liquid state and bonds fibers together, forming a structured arrangement. This phase transition mechanism enables rapid structure control compared to gradual accumulation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Reliability

If the content of each material varies in the thickness direction, then soundproofing characteristics can be improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoundproofing characteristicsVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different material compositions at different locations within the soundproofing sheet. The first and second fibers with different coating layers are distributed throughout the fiber accumulated body, and during heating, these different materials melt at different temperatures and locations, creating a structured internal arrangement with varying density and composition in different regions, thereby improving soundproofing characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes (temperature) to achieve different material distributions within the sheet. By controlling the heating temperature to melt specific coating layers at different stages, the patent creates a structured internal composition with varying material content in different regions, improving soundproofing performance without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

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

This method enables the efficient control of internal structure and density in soundproof sheets, improving sound insulation characteristics while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Implementation Method 1

a heating step of heating the first accumulated fiber body to melt the first coating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

a first cooling step of cooling the first accumulated fiber body in a state where the first coating layer is melted to solidify the first coating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Implementation Method 3

a pressurized heating step of heating the first accumulated fiber body to melt the first coating layer and applying a predetermined compressive force to the first accumulated fiber body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20240071351A1Method of manufacturing soundproof sheet and soundproof sheet
Publication Date: 2024.02.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • US20240071351A1 patent drawing
  • US20240071351A1 patent drawing
  • US20240071351A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a soundproof sheet includes a first accumulating step of producing a web in which a plurality of first fibers, which are natural fibers, and a plurality of second fibers including a first core portion and a first coating layer coating the first core portion and having a first melting point are mixed, a heating step of heating the web to melt the first coating layer, a first cooling step of cooling the web in a state where the first coating layer is melted to solidify the first coating layer, a pressurized heating step of heating the web to melt the first coating layer and applying a predetermined compressive force to the web, and a second cooling step of cooling the web subjected to the pressurized heating step to a temperature lower than the first melting point to solidify the first coating layer.