Electrostatic Spinning Elements Direct Resistance Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for heating components in electrostatic spinning devices for producing nanofibers are inefficient, leading to high energy consumption, inaccurate temperature control, and safety concerns, especially when dealing with flammable or explosive polymer melts, which restricts the production of nanofibers.

Innovation Solution

Direct resistance heating of spinning elements using alternating or direct voltage, where the voltage difference is converted into thermal energy, allowing for precise temperature control and efficient heating without the need for heat-carrying media or high voltage transformers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heat-carrying media (hot air or hot oil) are used for warming-up spinning elements, then the temperature of spinning elements can be increased to maintain polymer melt in liquid state, but the heat transfer efficiency is very low and the device complexity and space requirements increase markedly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of spinning elementsVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical heat-carrying media system (hot air or hot oil circulation) with an electromagnetic heating system. The spinning elements are directly connected to a high voltage source, and the voltage difference across the spinning elements converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy through resistive heating, eliminating the need for external heat-carrying media and their associated circulation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the heat-carrying media circulation system from the device. By using direct electrical heating of the spinning elements, the complex system of pumps, heat exchangers, and circulation loops required for hot oil or hot air heating is completely eliminated, simplifying the device structure and reducing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If heat-carrying media circulation systems are used for warming-up, then the temperature of spinning elements can be maintained, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase markedly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of spinning elementsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical heat-carrying media circulation system with a simple electrical heating system. The spinning elements are directly connected to a high voltage source, and the voltage difference across the spinning elements converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy through resistive heating, eliminating the need for external heat-carrying media and their associated circulation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If induction heating plate is used under the reservoir, then the polymer matrix can be heated, but the temperature response is slow and the temperature control accuracy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of polymer matrixVSAvoidtemperature response time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies heating locally and directly to the spinning elements where it is most needed, rather than heating the entire reservoir indirectly. The high voltage source creates a voltage difference across the spinning elements, generating heat precisely at the location where the polymer melt contacts the spinning surface, enabling rapid and accurate temperature control at the critical interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the indirect induction heating method with direct electrical heating of the spinning elements. By connecting the spinning elements directly to the high voltage source, the heating occurs immediately at the spinning surface through resistive heating, providing fast response and precise temperature control without the delays associated with indirect heating through the reservoir.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Temperature

If high voltage transformer is used for heating polymer melt, then the polymer can be heated, but the energy consumption is very high and safety concerns arise for flammable or explosive polymer melts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of polymer meltVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high voltage transformer-based indirect heating system with a direct electrical heating system. The spinning elements are connected directly to the high voltage source, and the voltage difference across the spinning elements generates heat through resistive heating. This eliminates the need for high voltage transformers and the associated high energy consumption and safety risks, particularly for flammable or explosive polymer melts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spinning elements heat themselves through the direct application of voltage across them. The electrical energy is converted directly into thermal energy at the spinning elements through their electrical resistance, eliminating the need for external heating devices or transformers. This self-heating mechanism is more energy-efficient and safer, especially for flammable or explosive materials.

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

This method provides efficient, precise, and safe temperature control for spinning elements, enhancing the production of nanofibers by maintaining polymer melts in a liquid state and reducing thermal losses, while being suitable for both mobile and stationary applications.

Implementation Method 1

Direct resistance heating of spinning elements using alternating or direct voltage, where the voltage difference is converted into thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

electrostatic field induced in the spinning space between a spinning electrode and a collecting electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP2291555B1Method and device for spinning of polymer composition in electrostatic field

Publication Date: 2012.02.29 ELMARCO SRO

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to the method for spinning of polymer matrix in an electrostatic field induced in a spinning space between a spinning electrode and a collecting electrode, at which the polymer matrix is delivered from a matrix reservoir into the electrostatic field on surface of the spinning electrode or by the spinning elements of the spinning electrode, whose principle consist in that the temperature of the spinning electrode or spinning elements of the spinning electrode, and/or reservoir, and/or of polymer matrix is increased above the surrounding temperature by means of resistance heating. The invention further relates to the device for performing of this method.