Web Humidification Layout to Prevent Tank Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet manufacturing apparatuses face issues with fibers and other contaminants mixing into the water-storing part of the humidification section, leading to mold and germ generation.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a humidification section with an intake port, tank, mist generation, and exhaust port configuration that shifts the exhaust port in relation to the tank position to prevent contaminants from entering the water storage, using air flow directions to manage mist and contaminants effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the exhaust port is positioned directly above the tank, then the humidification efficiency is improved, but fibers and contaminants easily enter the water-storing part causing mold and germ generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of mold and germ generationVSAvoidfiber contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust port is positioned laterally offset from the tank rather than directly above it, changing the spatial arrangement from a vertical alignment to a lateral configuration. This dimensional change in port positioning prevents direct vertical drop of fibers into the tank while maintaining effective humidification through controlled airflow patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A deflector or baffle structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the exhaust port and the tank. This intermediary component redirects the airflow and mist directionally toward the web while preventing fibers from directly entering the water-storing part, thus mediating between humidification efficiency and contamination prevention

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

This configuration suppresses the entry of fibers and contaminants into the tank, preventing mold and germ growth, ensuring uniform moisture content and improved sheet quality.

Implementation Method 1

a mist generation section that generates mist from the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMist generation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

an intake port that takes in air, a tank that stores water, a mist generation section that generates mist from the water, and an exhaust port that exhausts the mist and the air toward the web

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12553183B2Sheet manufacturing apparatus and sheet manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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 transports the web in a first direction; a humidification section that humidifies the web; and a pressurization section that pressurizes the web humidified by the humidification section and compresses the web into a sheet shape, 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, and an exhaust port that exhausts the mist and the air toward the web, and a position of the exhaust port is shifted in the first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to a position of the tank.