JP2011174202A - Apparatus and method for producing nanofiber - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve production efficiency while keeping a quality of a produced nanofiber. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus for a producing a nanofiber includes: a first storage space 111 storing a material solution 300; a first introduction hole 131 introducing the material solution 300 to the first storage space; a storage tank 101 having a plurality of outlet holes 132 which derive the material liquid 300 stored in the first storage space 111 and which are disposed to make a pressure of the material liquid 300, passing through the outlet holes 132, uniform; a second storage space 113 storing the material liquid 300; a second introduction hole 112 introducing the material liquid 300 derived from the first storage space 111 to the second storage space 113; and a plurality of discharge bodies 115 having a plurality of discharge holes 118 discharging the material liquid 300 stored in the second storage space 113 to an outer space. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus and a nanofiber manufacturing method for manufacturing a fiber (nanofiber) having a fineness of submicron order or nano order by electrostatic stretching phenomenon.

  As a method for producing a filamentous (fibrous) material made of a resin and having a submicron scale or nanoscale diameter, a method using an electrostatic stretching phenomenon (electrospinning) is known.

  This electrostatic stretching phenomenon means that a raw material liquid in which a solute such as a resin is dispersed or dissolved in a solvent is discharged (injected) into the space by a nozzle or the like, and an electric charge is applied to the raw material liquid to charge the space. This is a method of obtaining nanofibers by electrically stretching a raw material liquid in flight.

  The electrostatic stretching phenomenon will be described more specifically as follows. That is, the raw material liquid that has been charged and discharged into the space gradually evaporates the solvent while flying through the space. As a result, the volume of the raw material liquid in flight gradually decreases, but the charge imparted to the raw material liquid remains in the raw material liquid. As a result, the charge density of the raw material liquid in flight through the space gradually increases. Since the solvent continues to evaporate, the charge density of the raw material liquid further increases, and when the repulsive Coulomb force generated in the raw material liquid exceeds the surface tension of the raw material liquid, the raw material liquid explodes. The phenomenon that the film is stretched linearly occurs. This is the electrostatic stretching phenomenon. The electrostatic stretching phenomenon occurs geometrically in succession in the space, and thereby nanofibers made of a resin having a diameter of submicron order or nano order are manufactured.

  Improvement of production efficiency can be cited as an exclusive problem of an apparatus for producing nanofibers using the electrostatic stretching phenomenon as described above. For example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a large number of outflow holes on the bottom surface of a rectangular box-shaped outflow body, and by flowing out the raw material liquid stored inside the outflow body at a time from the many outflow holes, The production efficiency is improved.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-190090

  In order to further improve the production efficiency of nanofibers, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the box-shaped outflow body is enlarged, and the number of outflow holes through which the stored raw material liquid 300 flows out can be increased. Conceivable. However, simply increasing the number of outflow holes breaks the balance of the outflow amount between the outflow holes, making it difficult to ensure uniform outflow of the raw material liquid. There arises a problem that the thickness of the nanofiber nonwoven fabric is not stable.

  In addition, although it is conceivable to provide a plurality of outflow bodies, in this case, the balance of the amount of the raw material liquid stored between the outflow bodies is lost, and it is difficult to ensure uniform outflow of the raw material liquid between the outflow bodies. Become. In this case as well, although the production efficiency is improved to some extent, the fiber diameter of the produced nanofiber and the thickness of the formed nanofiber nonwoven fabric are not stable, and it is difficult to maintain the quality of the nanofiber high.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned problems, and although the amount of the raw material liquid flowing out into the space at a time can be increased, the state of the raw material liquid flowing out from the outflow hole can be made uniform. An object of the present invention is to provide a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus and a nanofiber manufacturing method capable of maintaining high quality of nanofibers.

  In order to achieve the above object, a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus that manufactures nanofibers by electrically stretching a raw material liquid in a space, and stores the raw material liquid. A storage space, a first introduction hole for introducing the raw material liquid into the first storage space, and a plurality of outlet holes for extracting the raw material liquid stored in the first storage space, which pass through the outlet hole. A storage tank having a lead-out hole arranged so that the pressure of the raw material liquid is equal, a second storage space for storing the raw material liquid, and a raw material liquid derived from the first storage space to the second storage space And a plurality of outflow bodies having a plurality of outflow holes through which the raw material liquid stored in the second storage space flows out to the external space, and a predetermined distance from the outflow body. A charging electrode, the effluent and the charging electrode Characterized in that it comprises a charging power source for applying a predetermined voltage between.

  According to this, the raw material liquid stored in the storage tank can be supplied to a plurality of outflow bodies in a uniform state, and the state such as the outflow amount of the raw material liquid flowing out from the outflow hole of the outflow body to the external space Can also be made uniform. Therefore, it is possible to ensure high production efficiency while maintaining the quality of the manufactured nanofiber in a high state.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a plurality of connecting pipes that connect the outlet hole of the storage tank and the second introduction hole of the outflow body, and have the same shape.

  According to this, the pressure loss of the raw material liquid due to the connecting pipe can be made uniform, and it is possible to contribute to the uniformization of the raw material liquid flowing out to the external space. In addition, the outflow body connected to the connecting pipe can be easily recombined, and the kind of the raw material liquid 300 can be flexibly dealt with. Furthermore, it is possible to easily perform operations such as removing a part of the connecting pipes and covering the outlet holes, and to easily adjust the region for manufacturing the nanofibers.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the connecting pipe has a straight cylindrical shape.
According to this, it is possible to enjoy all the effects of providing the connecting pipe while minimizing the pressure loss due to the connecting pipe.

  In order to achieve the above object, a nanofiber manufacturing method according to the present invention is a nanofiber manufacturing method for manufacturing nanofibers by electrically stretching a raw material liquid in a space, and storing the raw material liquid. The first storage space is stored in a first storage space disposed inside the tank, and the raw material liquid stored in the first storage space is led out at a plurality of locations with a plurality of outlet holes at an equal pressure, and the first storage The raw material liquid derived from the space is respectively stored in a second storage space disposed inside the plurality of outflow bodies, and the raw material liquid stored in the second storage space is discharged to the external space through the plurality of outflow holes. The raw material liquid flowing out from the effluent is charged by being charged.

  According to this, the raw material liquid stored in the storage tank can be supplied to a plurality of outflow bodies in a uniform state, and the state such as the outflow amount of the raw material liquid flowing out from the outflow hole of the outflow body to the external space Can also be made uniform. Therefore, it is possible to ensure high production efficiency while maintaining the quality of the manufactured nanofiber in a high state.

  According to the present invention, even if the amount of the raw material liquid flowing out into the space at once is increased to improve the production efficiency of the nanofiber, the state of the raw material liquid flowing out from the outflow hole can be made uniform, It becomes possible to maintain high quality.

It is a perspective view which shows a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus typically. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a storage tank partially cut away. It is a perspective view which cuts and shows an outflow body. It is an oblique view which shows the variation of an outflow body. It is a top view which shows the variation of a connection pipe, and the variation of the positional relationship of a storage tank and an outflow body from a side. It is a top view which shows the variation of the positional relationship of a storage tank and an outflow body in a cross section from the front. It is an oblique view which shows the variation of an outflow body.

  Next, a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus and a nanofiber manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus.
As shown in the figure, a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus that manufactures nanofibers 301 by electrically stretching a raw material liquid 300 in a space, and includes a storage tank 101, a plurality of connecting pipes 102, and the like. , A plurality of outflow bodies 115, a charging electrode 121, and a charging power source 122. In the case of the present embodiment, the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 further includes a supply unit 107, a collection unit 128, and an attracting unit 104. Furthermore, the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a moving unit 129.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the storage tank.
As shown in the figure, the storage tank 101 is a tank that temporarily stores the raw material liquid 300, and includes a first storage space 111, a first introduction hole 131, and a plurality of outlet holes 132.

  The first storage space 111 is a space for temporarily storing the raw material liquid 300 and is a space formed by being surrounded by the storage tank 101.

  The first introduction hole 131 is a hole for introducing the raw material liquid 300 into the first storage space 111 and is a hole formed through the storage tank 101. In the case of the present embodiment, the first introduction hole 131 is provided in the ceiling portion of the rectangular storage tank 101 and is connected to a guide tube 114 (see FIG. 1, the contents will be described later) which is a supply path for the raw material liquid 300. It has become.

  The lead-out holes 132 are holes for leading the raw material liquid 300 stored in the first storage space 111, and a plurality of holes are provided in a state of penetrating the storage tank 101. The outlet holes 132 are arranged in the storage tank 101 so that the pressure of the raw material liquid 300 passing through the outlet holes 132 is equal. In the case of this embodiment, the lead-out holes 132 are arranged in a line along the length direction (y direction) of the storage tank 101 on the floor surface portion of the storage tank 101. By arranging the outlet holes 132 in this way, the pressure of the raw material liquid 300 passing through the outlet holes 132 can be made uniform. Further, the outlet hole 132 is connected to the connecting pipe 102 that forms the path of the raw material liquid 300.

  The outlet hole 132 may be provided not only on the floor portion but also on the side wall of the storage tank 101. In this case, it is desirable to arrange the outlet holes 132 so that the heights of the outlet holes 132 are the same. As a result, the pressure of the raw material liquid 300 passing through can be made uniform.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with the effluent body cut away.
The outflow body 115 is a member for causing the raw material liquid 300 to flow out into the space by the pressure of the raw material liquid 300 (which may include gravity), and a plurality of the outflow bodies 115 are provided in the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100. Each outflow body 115 includes a second storage space 113, a second introduction hole 112, and an outflow hole 118. The outflow body 115 also functions as an electrode for supplying electric charge to the outflowing raw material liquid 300, and at least a part of the portion in contact with the raw material liquid 300 is formed of a conductive member. In the case of the present embodiment, the entire outflow body 115 is made of metal. In addition, if the kind of metal is provided with electroconductivity, it will not specifically limit, Arbitrary materials, such as brass and stainless steel, can be selected.

  The second storage space 113 is a space formed inside the outflow body 115 and is a space for storing the raw material liquid 300 supplied from the storage tank 101. The second storage space 113 is connected to the plurality of outflow holes 118 and supplies the raw material liquid 300 to the outflow holes 118 at the same time. In the case of the present embodiment, one second storage space 113 is provided for each of the outflow bodies 115 provided in the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100.

  As described above, the second storage space 113 has a function of temporarily storing the raw material liquid 300 in the vicinity of the outflow holes 118 and supplying the raw material liquid 300 to the plurality of outflow holes 118 with an equal pressure. Thus, the raw material liquid 300 can be allowed to flow out from each outflow hole 118 in an even state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress spatial unevenness in the quality of the manufactured nanofiber 301.

  The second introduction hole 112 is a hole through which the raw material liquid 300 led out from the first storage space 111 is introduced into the second storage space 113, and is a hole provided through the outflow body 115. In the case of this embodiment, the 2nd introduction hole 112 is provided in the ceiling part of the outflow body 115 with which the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 is equipped with two or more, respectively. The second introduction hole 112 is connected to the connecting pipe 102 that forms the path of the raw material liquid 300. Note that the second introduction hole 112 may be provided not only on the ceiling but also on the side wall of the outflow body 115.

  The outflow holes 118 are holes through which the raw material liquid 300 stored in the second storage space 113 flows out to the external space, and a plurality of outflow holes 115 are provided in the outflow body 115. In the case of the present embodiment, the outflow holes 118 are arranged in a line in the length direction (y direction) of the outflow body 115. Similarly, the openings 119 at the tips of the outflow holes 118 are also arranged in a line at a predetermined interval.

  The hole length and hole diameter of the outflow hole 118 are not particularly limited, and a shape suitable for the viscosity of the raw material liquid 300 may be selected. Specifically, the hole length is preferably selected from a range of 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The hole diameter is preferably selected from a range of 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. Further, the shape of the outflow hole 118 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and an arbitrary shape can be selected. In particular, the shape of the opening 119 is not limited to a circular shape, and may be a polygonal shape such as a triangle or a quadrangle, or a shape having a protruding portion such as a star shape.

  The side surface portion 117 that is two side walls arranged so as to sandwich the outflow hole 118 is a portion of the outflow body 115 that extends from the vicinity of the opening 119 and is arranged in an upright state. Further, the side surface portion 117 is provided so as to extend in the arrangement direction of the outflow holes 118 arranged side by side, and is provided so as to sandwich all the outflow holes 118 between the two side surface portions 117. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the side surface portions 117 are arranged so that the distance between them increases as the distance from the vicinity of the opening portion 119 increases.

  The outflow body 115 is provided with the side surface portion 117 so as to suppress the generation of the ionic wind, and even if the ionic wind is generated, the ionic wind can be blown in a direction not intersecting with the raw material liquid 300 flowing into the space. Therefore, the nanofiber 301 can be manufactured in a stable state without being affected by the ion wind.

  Further, since the side surface portion 117 is arranged so as to become gradually thinner toward the vicinity of the opening portion 119, charges are easily concentrated in the vicinity of the opening portion 119, and the charges are efficiently supplied to the raw material liquid 300. Can do.

  Furthermore, since the space around the opening 119 can be widely opened, it is possible to avoid charging with charged vapor. Further, it is considered that a gas flow along the side surface portion 117 is generated and the charging vapor is actively avoided.

  In the present embodiment, the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 includes four outflow bodies 115, all of which have the same shape, and the shape of the second storage space 113 and the shape of the second introduction hole 112 are both the same. The shape of the outflow hole 118 is also the same. The number of outflow holes 118 is also the same. Further, in the present embodiment, the position of the second introduction hole 112 in the effluent 115 in the XY plane coincides with the position of the corresponding outlet hole 132 of the storage tank 101 in the XY plane. The positional relationship in the XY plane between the second introduction hole 112 and the outlet hole 132 is the same. Thereby, the connecting pipe 102 is arranged straight in the Z direction from the outlet hole 132 to the second inlet hole 112. Furthermore, the length (Z direction) and the pipe cross-sectional area (tube diameter) of the connecting pipe 102 are equal to each other, that is, the shape of each connecting pipe 102 is the same.

  The charging electrode 121 is an electrode that is arranged at a predetermined distance from the effluent body 115 and induces electric charges to the effluent body 115 by itself becoming a high voltage or a low voltage with respect to the effluent body 115. In the case of the present embodiment, the charging electrode 121 also functions as an attracting means 104 for attracting the nanofiber 301 and is disposed at a position facing the lower end portion of the outflow body 115. Therefore, when the charging electrode 121 is at a low potential with respect to the effluent 115, a positive charge is induced in the effluent 115, and the raw material liquid 300 is positively charged. Conversely, when the charging electrode 121 is at a high potential with respect to the effluent 115, a negative charge is induced in the effluent 115, and the raw material liquid 300 is negatively charged.

  Note that the charging electrode 121 does not need to have a plurality of functions such as the function of the attracting means 104. For example, the charging electrode 121 and the attracting means 104 may have different configurations.

  The charging power source 122 is a power source that can apply a high voltage between the charging electrode 121 and the effluent body 115. In the case of the present embodiment, the charging power source 122 has a function of inducing an electric charge in the effluent 115 to charge the raw material liquid 300, and as an induction power source for generating an electric field that attracts the charged raw material liquid 300 and the nanofiber 301. It also has the function of The charging power source 122 employs a DC power source, and can generate a voltage set from a value in the range of 5 KV to 50 KV.

  Note that the charging power source 122 does not need to have a plurality of functions such as a function as an attracting power source. For example, the charging electrode 121 and the attracting means 104 may have different configurations.

  In the present embodiment, one of the charging power sources 122 is connected to the outflow body 115 and the other is grounded. The charging power source 122 is connected to the grounded charging electrode 121 via the ground. As a result, the charging power source 122 can apply a voltage set in the range of 0 V (grounded state) to 200 KV or less between the effluent body 115 and the charging electrode 121.

  Alternatively, a power source may be connected to the charging electrode 121 to maintain the charging electrode 121 at a high voltage, and the effluent 115 may be grounded to apply a charge to the raw material liquid 300. Further, the charging electrode 121 and the outflow body 115 may be in a connection state in which neither is grounded.

  The collecting means 128 is a member that deposits and collects the nanofibers 301 manufactured by the electrostatic stretching phenomenon. In the case of the present embodiment, the collecting means 128 is, for example, a polyethylene sheet on which nanofibers are deposited, and is supplied in a state of being wound around a roll 127.

  The collecting unit 128 is not limited to this. For example, the collecting means 128 may be made of a rigid plate-like member. Further, when only the deposits of the nanofibers 301 are used, the collecting unit 128 has a high releasability when the nanofibers 301 are peeled off, such as performing a Teflon (registered trademark) coating on the surface of the collecting unit 128. Also good.

  The attracting means 104 is an apparatus for attracting the nanofiber 301 manufactured in the space to the collecting means 128. In the case of the present embodiment, the attracting means 104 is a metal plate that also functions as the charging electrode 121 and is disposed behind the collecting means 128. The attracting means 104 attracts the charged nanofiber 301 to the collecting means 128 by an electric field. That is, the attracting means 104 is an electrode for generating an electric field for attracting the charged nanofiber 301.

  In addition, as the attracting means 104, the raw material liquid 300 and the nanofibers 301 may be attracted by a gas flow instead of attracting the raw material liquid 300 and the nanofibers 301 by an electric field. Further, the material liquid 300 and the nanofiber 301 may be attracted by using an electric field and a gas flow in combination.

  The moving unit 129 is a device that relatively moves the outflow body 115 and the collecting unit 128. In the case of the present embodiment, the outflow body 115 is fixed, and only the collecting means 128 is moved. Specifically, the transfer means is configured to pull out the long collection means 128 from the roll 127 while winding it, and convey the collection means 128 together with the nanofibers 301 to be deposited.

  The moving means 129 may not only move the collecting means 128 but also move the effluent 115 relative to the collecting means 128. The moving means 129 moves the collecting means 128 in a certain direction. Arbitrary operation states, such as reciprocating the outflow body 115, can be exemplified. Further, although the collecting means 128 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the openings 119 are arranged, the present invention is not limited to this, and the collecting means 128 is moved in the direction in which the openings 119 are arranged, and the effluent 115 is moved to the opening. You may make it reciprocate in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of 119.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the supply means 107 is a device that supplies the raw material liquid 300 to the effluent 115 via the storage tank 101. The supply means 107 stores a large amount of the raw material liquid 300 in a container 151 and a predetermined amount of the raw material liquid 300. A pump (not shown) for conveying by pressure and a guide tube 114 for guiding the raw material liquid 300 are provided.

  Here, the resin constituting the nanofiber 301, and the solute dissolved or dispersed in the raw material liquid 300 is polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, poly- m-phenylene terephthalate, poly-p-phenylene isophthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride-acrylate copolymer, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylonitrile-methacrylate copolymer Coalesce, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyester carbonate, polyamide, aramid, polyimide, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid Collagen, polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyvinyl acetate, polypeptides and the like, and polymeric materials such as copolymers thereof can be exemplified. One kind selected from the above may be used, and a plurality of kinds may be mixed. In addition, the above is an illustration and this invention is not limited to the said resin.

  Examples of the solvent used for the raw material liquid 300 include volatile organic solvents. Specific examples are methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, tetraethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dibenzyl alcohol, 1,3-dioxolane, 1,4-dioxane, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl. Ketone, methyl-n-hexyl ketone, methyl-n-propyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, acetone, hexafluoroacetone, phenol, formic acid, methyl formate, ethyl formate, propyl formate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, benzoate Propyl acid, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate, methyl chloride, ethyl chloride, methylene chloride, chloroform, o-chloroto Ene, p-chlorotoluene, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethane, dichloropropane, dibromoethane, dibromopropane, methyl bromide, ethyl bromide, propyl bromide, acetic acid, benzene, Toluene, hexane, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone, cyclopentane, o-xylene, p-xylene, m-xylene, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, pyridine, water, etc. Can be shown. One kind selected from the above may be used, and a plurality of kinds may be mixed. In addition, the above is an illustration and the raw material liquid 300 used for this invention is not limited to employ | adopting the said solvent.

Furthermore, an inorganic solid material may be added to the raw material liquid 300. Examples of the inorganic solid material include oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides, fluorides, sulfides, and the like. It is preferable to use an oxide. Examples of the oxide include Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Li ₂ O, Na ₂ O, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, B ₂ O ₃ , P ₂ O ₅ , SnO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , K. ₂ O, Cs ₂ O, ZnO, Sb ₂ O ₃ , As ₂ O ₃ , CeO ₂ , V ₂ O ₅ , Cr ₂ O ₃ , MnO, Fe ₂ O ₃ , CoO, NiO, Y ₂ O ₃ , Lu ₂ Examples thereof include O ₃ , Yb ₂ O ₃ , HfO ₂ , Nb ₂ O _{5 and the} like. Moreover, the kind selected from the above may be used, and a plurality of kinds may be mixed. In addition, the above is an illustration and the substance added to the raw material liquid 300 of this invention is not limited to the said additive.

  The mixing ratio of the solvent and the solute in the raw material liquid 300 varies depending on the type of solvent selected and the type of solute, but the amount of solvent is preferably between about 60 wt% and 98 wt%. The solute is preferably 5 to 30% by weight.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the nanofiber 301 using the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 of the said structure is demonstrated.

  First, the raw material liquid 300 supplied by the supply means 107 through the guide tube 114 is stored in the first storage space 111 disposed inside the storage tank 101 (first storage step). The raw material liquid 300 stored in the first storage space 111 is led out at a uniform pressure through the plurality of lead-out holes 132.

  The derived raw material liquid 300 is guided to the outflow body 115 while maintaining an equal pressure in each connecting pipe 102.

  Next, the raw material liquid 300 led out from the first storage space 111 and guided by the connection pipes 102 is stored in the second storage spaces 113 arranged inside the respective outflow bodies 115 (second storage step). ). As described above, the raw material liquid 300 is evenly supplied to the second storage space 113 of each outflow body 115. That is, the amount of the raw material liquid 300 stored in the second storage space 113 of each outflow body 115 is maintained in an equal state.

  Next, the charging electrode 121 is set to a positive or negative high voltage by the charging power source 122. Charge concentrates on the lower end portion of the effluent 115 facing the charging electrode 121, and the charge passes through the outflow hole 118 and is transferred to the raw material liquid 300 flowing out into the space, so that the raw material liquid 300 is charged (charging process). .

  The charging process, the first storage process, and the second storage process are performed substantially simultaneously, and the charged raw material liquid 300 flows out from the outflow hole 118 of the outflow body 115 to the external space (outflow process).

  Here, since the amount of the raw material liquid 300 stored in the second storage space 113 of each outflow body 115 is maintained in an equal state, the raw material liquid flowing out from each outflow hole 118 provided in each outflow body 115. 300 also flows out in an even state. That is, the pressure of the raw material liquid 300 flowing out from each outflow hole 118 is uniform, and the flow rate per unit time of the raw material liquid 300 is also uniform.

  Next, the nanofiber 301 is manufactured by an electrostatic stretching phenomenon acting on the raw material liquid 300 that has flew in the space to some extent (a nanofiber manufacturing process).

  Here, the raw material liquid 300 flowing out from each outflow hole 118 flows out with an equal thickness. As a result, a large number of nanofibers 301 having a uniform fiber diameter are manufactured.

  In this state, the nanofiber 301 is attracted to the collecting means 128 by the electric field generated between the attracting means 104 and the outflow body 115 arranged behind the collecting means 128 (attraction process).

  Thus, the nanofiber 301 is deposited and collected on the collecting means 128 (collecting step). Since the collecting means 128 is slowly transferred by the moving means 129, the nanofiber 301 is also collected as a long belt-like member extending in the transfer direction.

  By using the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 configured as described above and performing the above nanofiber manufacturing method, high quality nanofibers 301 are not spatially uneven while maintaining high production efficiency. It becomes possible to manufacture uniformly. Moreover, it becomes possible to manufacture the nonwoven fabric which consists of the nanofiber 301 of a uniform fiber diameter.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the effluent body 115 may be box-shaped. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the storage tank 101 and the outflow body 115 may be connected by a bent connection pipe 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the lead-out hole 132 of the storage tank 101 and the second introduction hole 112 of the outflow body 115 may be directly connected without using the connecting pipe 102. Moreover, the outflow body 115 does not need to be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of outflow bodies 115 may be arranged side by side in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the outflow bodies 115. In this case, the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 101 and the longitudinal direction of the outflow body 115 intersect.

  Further, the present invention may be another embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification as an example of the present invention. The present invention also includes modifications obtained by making various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention, that is, the meaning described in the claims. included. Further, terms such as “identical” and “equal” are used in a sense that allows an error that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for producing nanofibers, spinning using nanofibers, and producing nonwoven fabrics.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 101 Storage tank 102 Connection pipe 104 Attraction means 107 Supply means 111 First storage space 112 Second introduction hole 113 Second storage space 114 Guide pipe 115 Outflow body 118 Outflow hole 119 Opening part 121 Charging electrode 122 Charging power 127 Roll 128 Collecting means 129 Moving means 131 First introduction hole 132 Outlet hole 151 Container 300 Raw material liquid 301 Nanofiber

Claims (5)

A nanofiber manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing nanofibers by electrically stretching a raw material liquid in a space,
A first storage space for storing the raw material liquid, a first introduction hole for introducing the raw material liquid into the first storage space, and a plurality of outlet holes for extracting the raw material liquid stored in the first storage space, A storage tank comprising a lead-out hole arranged so that the pressure of the raw material liquid passing through the lead-out hole is equal;
A second storage space for storing the raw material liquid; a second introduction hole for introducing the raw material liquid derived from the first storage space into the second storage space; and a raw material liquid stored in the second storage space. A plurality of outflow bodies having a plurality of outflow holes for flowing out into the space;
A charging electrode disposed at a predetermined interval from the effluent body;
A nanofiber manufacturing apparatus comprising: a charging power source that applies a predetermined voltage between the effluent and the charging electrode. further,
2. The nanofiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of connecting pipes connecting the lead-out hole of the storage tank and the second introduction hole of the outflow body, the connecting pipes having the same shape. The nanofiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connection pipe has a straight cylindrical shape. further,
A collection means for collecting nanofibers produced in space;
The nanofiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an attracting unit that attracts the nanofiber to the collecting unit. A nanofiber manufacturing method for manufacturing a nanofiber by electrically stretching a raw material liquid in a space,
The raw material liquid is stored in the first storage space arranged inside the storage tank,
Deriving the raw material liquid stored in the first storage space at a plurality of locations with a plurality of outlet holes at an equal pressure,
Each of the raw material liquid derived from the first storage space is stored in a second storage space arranged inside a plurality of outflow bodies,
The raw material liquid stored in the second storage space is caused to flow out to the external space through a plurality of outflow holes,
A nanofiber manufacturing method in which a charge is applied to a raw material liquid flowing out from the effluent to be charged.

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