Centrifugal Spinning Head With Adjustable Orifices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifugal spinning technologies face challenges in easily adjusting the size of spinning orifices without interrupting the spinning process, and they are difficult to clean, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The spinning head features displaceable discs with adjustable interconnecting members, including flexible and rigid interconnecting members with grooves, allowing for the adjustment of spinning orifice cross-sections without dismantling the head, facilitated by threaded connections and auxiliary flexible members that change the distance and compression force between the discs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the spinning head uses fixed grooves in discs to form spinning orifices, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spinning orifice size cannot be adjusted without interrupting the spinning process and replacing components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of spinning orifice sizeVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the interconnecting member flexible instead of rigid, allowing it to deform elastically under compression to adjust the spinning orifice cross-section dynamically during operation. The flexible interconnecting member can be compressed axially to reduce the gap between discs, thereby reducing the spinning orifice size, and can return to its original shape when compression is released, enabling continuous adjustment without interrupting the spinning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the parameter changes principle by changing the physical state of the interconnecting member from rigid to flexible, and by changing its compression parameter to control the spinning orifice size. The flexible interconnecting member's elastic deformation under varying compression forces allows continuous adjustment of the spinning orifice cross-sectional area, enabling adaptation to different polymer viscosities and fiber thickness requirements without replacing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of repair

If the spinning head uses fixed grooves in discs, then cleaning is difficult due to polymer residue, but modifying the structure to be adjustable increases complexity and potential damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the segmentation principle by separating the interconnecting member from the fixed disc structure. The flexible interconnecting member can be independently removed from between the discs, allowing the discs to be separated for easier cleaning of grooves and surfaces. This modular approach enables maintenance and cleaning without damaging the精密 grooves, as the flexible interconnecting member can be detached and replaced if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the disposable principle by making the flexible interconnecting member a replaceable component that can be easily discarded and replaced if damaged or contaminated during cleaning. Since the interconnecting member is relatively simple and inexpensive compared to the precision grooved discs, it can be replaced rather than risked during maintenance operations, facilitating easier cleaning of the critical disc grooves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spinning head uses replaceable intermediate members to change spinning opening size, then adaptability improves, but the spinning process must be interrupted and replacement costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to change spinning opening sizeVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static replaceable intermediate member with a dynamic flexible interconnecting member that can be continuously adjusted during operation. The flexible member's elastic properties allow it to be compressed and expanded in real-time to change the spinning orifice size, eliminating the need to stop the spinning process for component replacement and maintaining continuous production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the continuity of useful action principle by enabling continuous adjustment of the spinning orifice size during the spinning process. The flexible interconnecting member can be compressed or released at any time during operation to adapt to changing polymer viscosity or fiber thickness requirements, ensuring uninterrupted production and eliminating downtime associated with replacing intermediate members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of manufacture

If the spinning head uses rigid discs with fixed grooves, then manufacturing cost is low, but cleaning requires mechanical means that risk groove damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the segmentation principle by introducing a separate flexible interconnecting member between the rigid discs. This segmentation allows the flexible member to be removed independently, providing access to the disc grooves for cleaning without risking damage to the precision grooves. The rigid discs maintain their simple manufacturing, while the added flexible component enables easier maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by using the flexible interconnecting member as a mediator between the rigid discs. This flexible intermediary can be removed to facilitate cleaning of the disc grooves, and its presence during operation prevents direct contact between cleaning tools and the delicate groove surfaces, thereby protecting the grooves from mechanical damage while enabling thorough cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables easy adjustment of spinning orifice sizes without stopping the process, simplifies cleaning, and reduces production costs by allowing continuous operation and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a spinning orifice (310) is formed by at least one groove (31) in the flexible interconnecting member (30) and by at least one surface of an adjacent disc, wherein the flexible interconnecting member (30) is deformable under compression force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Rotation of the head causes the material to be ejected from the reservoir to the circumference and through the spinning orifices outward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3524713B1A spinning head for centrifugal spinning of nanofibers and/or microfibers from polymer solutions and/or melts
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 VUTS AS
  • EP3524713B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3524713B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5b
  • EP3524713B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~7

AI summary

A spinning head for centrifugal spinning of nanofibers and/or microfibers from polymer solutions and/or melts comprising a support body (1) coupleable to a drive, a reservoir (121) of the polymer being spun and spinning orifices (310) for feeding the polymer being spun from the reservoir (121) to the circumference of the spinning head, whereby the spinning orifices (310) have a cross-section adjustable without dismantling the spinning head.