Web Humidification Duct Layout for Uniform Sheet Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet manufacturing apparatuses face issues with non-uniform humidification of the web, which affects the quality of the sheet.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a humidification section with a unique duct configuration that retains and spirally winds humidified air, ensuring uniform moisture distribution, and a suction mechanism to evenly apply moisture to the web.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional humidification section is used, then the web can be humidified, but the humidification is not uniform which affects sheet quality
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into multiple sections (first duct, second duct, third duct) with different heights, creating segmented spaces that control mist and air distribution at different levels. This segmentation allows uniform humidification by distributing moisture evenly across the web surface area.
2Manufacturing precision
If the first duct top surface is made higher than the second duct top surface, then mist and air are retained and uniformly distributed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct configuration utilizes vertical dimension variations (different heights of first, second, and third ducts) to create retention spaces. This three-dimensional approach to duct design enables uniform mist and air distribution without requiring complex horizontal configurations or additional components.
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 ensures uniform humidification of the web, enhancing the strength and quality of the sheet by promoting fiber-to-fiber hydrogen bonds and preventing non-uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
a mist generation section that generates mist from the water
Implementation Method 2
a humidification section that humidifies the web
Implementation Method 3
a pressurization section that pressurizes the web humidified by the humidification section and compresses the web into a sheet shape
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a sheet manufacturing apparatus including: an accumulation section that accumulates a material containing fibers by an air flow to form a web; a transport section that performs transport; a humidification section that performs humidification; and a pressurization section that performs pressurization and compression into a sheet shape, with respect to the formed web, in which the humidification section includes an intake port that takes in air, a tank that stores water, a mist generation section that generates mist from the water, an exhaust port that exhausts the mist and the air toward the web, an air duct which is provided between the intake port and the tank and through which the air passes, and a duct which is provided between the tank and the exhaust port and through which the mist and the air pass, the duct includes a first duct provided above the tank, a second duct coupled to the first duct, and a third duct provided between the second duct and the exhaust port, and a first top surface of the first duct is higher than a second top surface of the second duct such that the first duct becomes a space in which the mist and the air are retained.