JP4549220B2

JP4549220B2 - Hollow fiber bundle dispersion method and hollow fiber bundle dispersion device

Info

Publication number: JP4549220B2
Application number: JP2005119894A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正章吉川; 英俊金澤; 富雄西川; 英幸鈴木
Original assignee: Nikkiso Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nikkiso Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-18
Filing date: 2005-04-18
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-18
Also published as: JP2006297222A

Description

本発明は、血液浄化等に使用する中空糸型モジュールの筒型ケーシング内に中空糸束を装填するに先立って、中空糸を分散させて中空糸同士が密着することを防ぐ中空糸束の分散方法、および中空糸束分散装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a dispersion of a hollow fiber bundle that prevents the hollow fibers from sticking to each other by dispersing the hollow fibers prior to loading the hollow fiber bundle into a cylindrical casing of a hollow fiber type module used for blood purification or the like. The present invention relates to a method and a hollow fiber bundle dispersing device.

中空糸型モジュールは、筒型ケーシング（あるいは、単にケーシングと称す）の内部に中空糸束を装填すると共に、この中空糸束の両端を樹脂組成物でケーシング内面に固定（ポッティング）し、ケーシングの両端に被処理液の供給口または排出口を備えるキャップ部材をそれぞれ装着し、ケーシングの外周部両端近傍に処理液の流入口及び流出口となる接続口を設け、上記供給口から被処理液を供給して各中空糸の内部を通過する際にその外側の処理液により浄化処理を行う装置である。 In the hollow fiber type module, a hollow fiber bundle is loaded into a cylindrical casing (or simply referred to as a casing), and both ends of the hollow fiber bundle are fixed to the inner surface of the casing with a resin composition (potting). A cap member having a supply port or discharge port for the liquid to be processed is attached to both ends, a connection port serving as an inlet and an outlet for the processing liquid is provided near both ends of the outer periphery of the casing, and the liquid to be processed is supplied from the supply port. It is an apparatus that performs a purification process with a processing liquid outside when supplying and passing through the inside of each hollow fiber.

そして、中空糸型モジュールの製造工程に関し、ケーシング内へ装填する前に、中空糸束をフィルムで巻いてバンドルを形成し、このバンドルを３本のローラにより押圧しながら回転し、中空糸束内の中空糸の偏りを解消する処理が提案されている（特許文献１参照）。この処理は、中空糸型モジュール（血液透析器）の被処理液（血液）接触面における処理液の残留を少なくし、中空糸型モジュールの物質除去性能のバラツキを減少させるために提案されたものである。
特開２００３−１５９３２５号公報 Then, regarding the manufacturing process of the hollow fiber type module, before being loaded into the casing, the hollow fiber bundle is wound with a film to form a bundle, and the bundle is rotated while being pressed by three rollers. Has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). This treatment was proposed to reduce the residue of the treatment liquid on the liquid (blood) contact surface of the hollow fiber type module (hemodialyzer) and reduce the variation in the substance removal performance of the hollow fiber type module. It is.
JP 2003-159325 A

ところで、中空糸型モジュールに使用される中空糸は、凝固液中に製膜原液を、二重管紡糸口金を用いて芯液とともに吐出して製造される。そして、中空糸束は、中空糸を束ねて所定の長さに切断して作成され、その後、中空糸に付着した凝固液を洗浄液で洗い流したり、中空糸にグリセリン等の保護剤で処理を施したりする。このとき、保護剤が過度に付着してしまうことがあり、このまま中空糸束を乾燥すると、中空糸同士が余分な保護剤により密着してしまう。また、保護剤が微量であっても、乾燥時に起こる水素結合等により中空糸同士が密着してしまう場合もある。さらに、中空糸同士が密着状態のまま、中空糸束をケーシングに装填してポッティング工程を行うと、中空糸間に樹脂組成物が十分に浸透しない。そのため、中空糸束の端部を切除した場合に中空糸の端部において中空糸の内側と外側とが連通してしまい、中空糸型モジュールの使用時に、中空糸内を通る被処理液が中空糸の外へリークしたり、あるいは処理液が被処理液に混入したりしてしまうことになる。 By the way, the hollow fiber used for the hollow fiber type module is manufactured by discharging a membrane forming raw solution into a coagulating liquid together with a core liquid using a double pipe spinneret. The hollow fiber bundle is created by bundling hollow fibers and cutting them to a predetermined length, and then washing the coagulation liquid adhering to the hollow fibers with a washing liquid or treating the hollow fibers with a protective agent such as glycerin. Or At this time, the protective agent may be excessively adhered, and if the hollow fiber bundle is dried as it is, the hollow fibers are closely adhered to each other by the extra protective agent. Moreover, even if the amount of the protective agent is very small, the hollow fibers may adhere to each other due to hydrogen bonding or the like that occurs during drying. Furthermore, when the hollow fiber bundle is loaded in the casing and the potting process is performed while the hollow fibers are in close contact with each other, the resin composition does not sufficiently penetrate between the hollow fibers. For this reason, when the end of the hollow fiber bundle is cut off, the inside and outside of the hollow fiber communicate with each other at the end of the hollow fiber, and the liquid to be treated passing through the hollow fiber is hollow when the hollow fiber type module is used. Leaks out of the yarn, or the processing liquid is mixed into the liquid to be processed.

そこで、特許文献１に記載された、中空糸の偏りを解消する処理方法を利用して、互いに密着した中空糸を離して分散させることが考えられる。しかしながら、この分散処理方法では、中空糸束がその中心軸を中心にして回転するため、ローラに押圧される外側部分においては中空糸が離れ易くなり分散されるのだが、中央部分（中心軸周辺の部分）においては、各ローラの回転速度を異ならせたとしても、単に回転しているだけになりがちであり、中空糸が十分に分散されず、中空糸同士が密着したまま中空糸束が筒型ケーシングに装填されて固定されるという不具合を解消できない。 Therefore, it is conceivable to separate and disperse the hollow fibers that are in close contact with each other using the processing method described in Patent Document 1 that eliminates the unevenness of the hollow fibers. However, in this dispersion processing method, since the hollow fiber bundle rotates around its central axis, the hollow fiber is easily separated and dispersed in the outer part pressed by the roller. In this part), even if the rotation speeds of the respective rollers are varied, the rollers tend to simply rotate, and the hollow fibers are not sufficiently dispersed, and the hollow fiber bundles are kept in close contact with each other. The problem of being fixed in a cylindrical casing cannot be solved.

また、中空糸束に圧縮空気を吹き付けて、互いに密着した中空糸同士を分散させることも考えられるが、中空糸は、高圧の圧縮空気を吹き付けると折れ曲がって損傷してしまう虞がある。中空糸が損傷して気密性が損なわれると、中空糸型モジュールの使用時に、被処理液に処理液が混入するので製品検査において不適合品として除去され、製品の歩留まりが低下することになり、特に中空糸の充填率が高い場合には顕著となる。 It is also conceivable to blow compressed air onto the hollow fiber bundle to disperse the hollow fibers that are in close contact with each other. However, if high pressure compressed air is blown, the hollow fiber may be bent and damaged. If the hollow fiber is damaged and the airtightness is impaired, when the hollow fiber type module is used, the processing liquid is mixed into the liquid to be processed, so it is removed as a nonconforming product in the product inspection, and the yield of the product is reduced. This is particularly noticeable when the filling rate of the hollow fiber is high.

本発明は、上記の事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、中空糸型モジュールの筒型ケーシング内に中空糸束を装填するに先立って、中空糸束の外側部分に配置された中空糸だけではなく、内側部分に配置された中空糸も十分に分散することができる中空糸束の分散方法および中空糸束分散装置を提供しようとするものである。 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object thereof is to be disposed in the outer portion of the hollow fiber bundle prior to loading the hollow fiber bundle into the cylindrical casing of the hollow fiber type module. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hollow fiber bundle dispersion method and a hollow fiber bundle dispersion device that can sufficiently disperse not only hollow fibers but also hollow fibers disposed in an inner portion.

本発明は、上記目的を達成するために提案されたものであり、請求項１に記載のものは、中空糸型モジュールの筒型ケーシング内に中空糸束を装填するに先立って、可撓性を有するフィルムで中空糸束を巻いてバンドルを形成し、該バンドルを押圧してフィルム内に中空糸束の中空糸を分散させる中空糸束の分散方法であって、
３本以上の押圧ローラでバンドルの外周を押圧し、この押圧状態で押圧ローラを回転してバンドルを回転させる回転分散工程と、
バンドルを押し潰しながら転動させて搬送する転動分散工程と、
を経て、中空糸を分散させることを特徴とする中空糸束の分散方法である。 The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and in accordance with the first aspect, the flexible fiber is loaded before the hollow fiber bundle is loaded into the cylindrical casing of the hollow fiber type module. A hollow fiber bundle is formed by winding a hollow fiber bundle with a film having a shape, and pressing the bundle to disperse the hollow fibers of the hollow fiber bundle in the film,
A rotation dispersion step of pressing the outer periphery of the bundle with three or more pressing rollers and rotating the pressing roller in this pressing state to rotate the bundle;
A rolling dispersion step of rolling and conveying while crushing the bundle;
The hollow fiber bundle is dispersed by passing through a hollow fiber.

請求項２に記載のものは、前記回転分散工程を経て押圧されたバンドルを、前記転動分散工程にて押し潰しながら転動させて搬送することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の中空糸束の分散方法である。 The hollow fiber according to claim 1, wherein the bundle pressed through the rotating and dispersing step is rolled and conveyed while being crushed in the rolling and dispersing step. This is a method of dispersing the bundle.

請求項３に記載のものは、前記転動分散工程を経て搬送されたバンドルを、前記回転分散工程にて押圧しながら回転させることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の中空糸束の分散方法である。 The method according to claim 3, wherein the bundle conveyed through the rolling and dispersing step is rotated while being pressed in the rotating and dispersing step. It is.

請求項４に記載のものは、中空糸型モジュールの筒型ケーシング内に中空糸束を装填するに先立って、可撓性を有するフィルムで中空糸束を巻いて形成されたバンドルを押圧してフィルム内に中空糸束の中空糸を分散させる中空糸束分散装置であって、
前記バンドルを回転させる回転分散機構と、前記バンドルを転動させながら搬送する転動分散機構とを備え、
前記回転分散機構は、
仮想円周上に回転軸を配置した３本以上の押圧ローラを備え、該押圧ローラの外周面に囲まれた空間をバンドルの回転空間とし、該回転空間をバンドルの太さよりも狭く設定し、
前記回転空間内にバンドルを配置した状態で押圧ローラを回転すると、バンドルが押圧されながら回転するように構成され、
前記転動分散機構は、
バンドルの外周部分に当接し、この当接状態で前記バンドルを搬送する方向へ移動する搬送操作部と、該搬送操作部に対向し、バンドルの搬送方向に沿って延設された押え面材とを備え、該押え面材と搬送操作部との間隔をバンドルの太さよりも狭く設定し、
押え面材と搬送操作部との間にバンドルを配置した状態で搬送操作部を移動すると、バンドルが押し潰されながら転動するように構成されたことを特徴とする中空糸束分散装置である。 Prior to loading the hollow fiber bundle into the cylindrical casing of the hollow fiber type module, the bundle formed by winding the hollow fiber bundle with a flexible film is pressed. A hollow fiber bundle dispersing device for dispersing hollow fibers of a hollow fiber bundle in a film,
A rotation dispersion mechanism that rotates the bundle, and a rolling dispersion mechanism that conveys the bundle while rolling it,
The rotational dispersion mechanism is
Provided with three or more pressing rollers having rotating shafts arranged on a virtual circumference, a space surrounded by the outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller is a rotating space of the bundle, and the rotating space is set narrower than the thickness of the bundle,
When rotating the pressing roller in a state where the bundle is arranged in the rotation space, the bundle is configured to rotate while being pressed,
The rolling dispersion mechanism is
A transport operation unit that contacts the outer peripheral portion of the bundle and moves in a direction in which the bundle is transported in this contact state; and a pressing surface material that faces the transport operation unit and extends along the transport direction of the bundle; The distance between the pressing face material and the transport operation unit is set narrower than the thickness of the bundle,
A hollow fiber bundle dispersing device configured to roll while the bundle is crushed when the conveyance operation unit is moved in a state where the bundle is arranged between the pressing face material and the conveyance operation unit. .

請求項５に記載のものは、前記押圧ローラを移動させて押圧ローラ間の距離を調整可能なローラ調整機構を備えたことを特徴とする請求項４に記載の中空糸束分散装置である。 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a roller adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the distance between the pressing rollers by moving the pressing rollers.

請求項６に記載のものは、前記押え面材を搬送操作部に対して進退させる押え面材進退機構を備えたことを特徴とする請求項４または請求項５に記載の中空糸束分散装置である。 6. The hollow fiber bundle dispersing device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a pressing surface material advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing and retreating the pressing surface material with respect to the transport operation unit. It is.

請求項７に記載のものは、前記回転分散機構を、前記転動分散機構のうち搬送操作部の上流側の近傍に配置したことを特徴とする請求項４から請求項６のいずれかに記載の中空糸束分散装置である。 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the rotational dispersion mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of the upstream side of the transport operation unit in the rolling dispersion mechanism. The hollow fiber bundle dispersing device.

請求項８に記載のものは、前記回転分散機構を、前記転動分散機構のうち搬送操作部の下流側の近傍に配置したことを特徴とする請求項４から請求項６のいずれかに記載の中空糸束分散装置である。 The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the rotation dispersion mechanism is arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the transport operation unit in the rolling dispersion mechanism. The hollow fiber bundle dispersing device.

本発明によれば、以下のような優れた効果を奏する。
すなわち、可撓性を有するフィルムで中空糸束を巻いてバンドルを形成し、押圧ローラでバンドルの外周を押圧し、この押圧状態で押圧ローラを回転してバンドルを回転させる回転分散工程と、バンドルを押し潰しながら転動させて搬送する転動分散工程とを経て、フィルム内に中空糸束の中空糸を分散させるので、回転分散工程により中空糸束の中空糸、特に外側部分の中空糸を押圧して十分に分散させ、転動分散工程により中空糸束の中空糸、特に内側部分の中空糸を分散させることができる。したがって、中空糸束の全体に亘って中空糸を分散させることができ、中空糸同士が密着状態のまま筒型ケーシングに装填されることを防ぐことができる。このことから、中空糸型モジュールのポッティング工程において、中空糸間に樹脂組成物を十分に浸透させることができ、中空糸型モジュールの使用時に、中空糸内を通る被処理液が中空糸の外へリークしたり、あるいは処理液が被処理液に混入したりしてしまうという不具合を防ぐことができる。 According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
That is, a rotation dispersion step of winding a hollow fiber bundle with a flexible film to form a bundle, pressing the outer periphery of the bundle with a pressing roller, rotating the pressing roller in this pressing state, and rotating the bundle; The hollow fibers of the hollow fiber bundle are dispersed in the film through the rolling and dispersing process of rolling and conveying while crushing, so that the hollow fibers of the hollow fiber bundle, particularly the hollow fibers of the outer portion, are dispersed by the rotational dispersion process. It is possible to sufficiently disperse by pressing, and to disperse the hollow fibers of the hollow fiber bundle, in particular, the hollow fibers in the inner part, by the rolling dispersion step. Accordingly, the hollow fibers can be dispersed throughout the hollow fiber bundle, and the hollow fibers can be prevented from being loaded into the cylindrical casing while being in close contact with each other. Therefore, in the potting process of the hollow fiber type module, the resin composition can be sufficiently infiltrated between the hollow fibers, and when the hollow fiber type module is used, the liquid to be treated passing through the hollow fiber is outside the hollow fiber. It is possible to prevent inconveniences such as leaking or mixing of the processing liquid into the liquid to be processed.

また、回転分散工程を行う回転分散機構に、押圧ローラを移動させて押圧ローラ間の距離を調整可能なローラ調整機構を備えると、バンドルの太さに対応して回転分散機構を調整することができ、あらゆる太さのバンドルを押圧しながら回転して中空糸を分散させることができる。さらには、転動分散工程を行う転動分散機構に、バンドルを押し潰す押え面材を備えるとともに、押え面材を搬送操作部に対して進退させる押え面材進退機構を備えると、バンドルの太さに対応させて転動分散機構を調整することができ、あらゆる太さのバンドルを押し潰しながら転動させて搬送して中空糸を分散させることができる。 Further, if the rotation dispersion mechanism that performs the rotation dispersion process is provided with a roller adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the pressure rollers by moving the pressure roller, the rotation dispersion mechanism can be adjusted according to the thickness of the bundle. The hollow fiber can be dispersed by rotating while pressing a bundle of any thickness. Furthermore, if the rolling dispersion mechanism that performs the rolling dispersion step includes a pressing surface material that crushes the bundle and includes a pressing surface material advance / retreat mechanism that advances and retracts the pressing surface material with respect to the transport operation unit, The rolling and dispersing mechanism can be adjusted in accordance with the thickness, and the hollow fibers can be dispersed by rolling and conveying bundles of all thicknesses while crushing.

以下、本発明を実施するための最良の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
まず、中空糸型モジュールについて説明する。図１は、中空糸型モジュールの片半を断面図にした正面図である。
中空糸型モジュール１は、図１に示すように、筒型ケーシング２の内部に、多数の中空糸（中空糸膜）３を束ねて構成された中空糸束５を装填し、筒型ケーシング２の一方の端部（図中左端部）に、被処理液（例えば、血液）を導入する供給口６を突設したキャップ部材７を螺合装着するとともに、他方の端部（図中右端部）に、処理された血液が流出する排出口８を突設したキャップ部材９を螺合装着している。また、筒型ケーシング２内の両端部に、中空糸束５の端部をポリウレタン樹脂等の樹脂組成物により筒型ケーシング２の内面に接着固定するポッティング部１０をそれぞれ設けて封止し、筒型ケーシング２内の空間を被処理液が通る被処理液空間（各中空糸の内側）と処理液が通る処理液空間（各中空糸の外側）とに区画してある。さらに、筒型ケーシング２の外周両端部近傍に浄化処理する処理液（例えば、透析液）の流入口１３または流出口１４を設け、上記供給口６から供給する血液等の被処理液を、中空糸３を介して流入口１３から注入される透析液等の処理液により浄化処理する。 Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the hollow fiber type module will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view in which a half of a hollow fiber module is shown in a cross-sectional view.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hollow fiber type module 1 is loaded with a hollow fiber bundle 5 formed by bundling a large number of hollow fibers (hollow fiber membranes) 3 inside a cylindrical casing 2. A cap member 7 protrudingly provided with a supply port 6 for introducing a liquid to be treated (for example, blood) is screwed into one end (left end in the figure), and the other end (right end in the figure) ) And a cap member 9 protrudingly provided with a discharge port 8 through which the treated blood flows out. Further, potting portions 10 for fixing the ends of the hollow fiber bundle 5 to the inner surface of the cylindrical casing 2 with a resin composition such as polyurethane resin are provided at both ends in the cylindrical casing 2 and sealed. The space in the mold casing 2 is divided into a liquid space to be processed (the inside of each hollow fiber) through which the liquid to be processed passes and a processing liquid space (the outside of each hollow fiber) through which the processing liquid passes. Further, an inflow port 13 or an outflow port 14 for a treatment liquid (for example, dialysate) to be purified is provided in the vicinity of both ends of the outer periphery of the cylindrical casing 2, and a liquid to be treated such as blood supplied from the supply port 6 is hollow. Purification is performed with a treatment liquid such as dialysate injected from the inlet 13 through the thread 3.

中空糸束５を構成する中空糸３は、セルロースアセテート、銅アンモニアセルロース、ポリアクリロニトリル、ポリメチルメタクリレート、ポリエチレン、ポリビニルアルコール、ポリスルホン、ポリアミド、ポリエステル系ポリマーアロイ等、セルロース系中空繊維や合成高分子中空繊維等、適宜な材質の中空繊維を用いて形成されている。 The hollow fiber 3 constituting the hollow fiber bundle 5 is composed of cellulose acetate, copper ammonia cellulose, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polysulfone, polyamide, polyester polymer alloy, cellulose hollow fiber, and synthetic polymer hollow. It is formed using hollow fibers of an appropriate material such as fibers.

このような構成の中空糸型モジュール１の製造工程においては、まず、凝固液中に製膜原液を、二重管紡糸口金を用いて芯液とともに吐出して中空糸３を製造し、この中空糸３を束ねて所定の長さに切断して中空糸束５を作成する。そして、この中空糸束５を洗浄して中空糸３に付着した凝固液を洗浄液で洗い流したり、中空糸３にグリセリン等の保護剤（膜透過能維持剤）で処理を施したりし、その後十分に乾燥する。次に、筒型ケーシング２内に乾燥した中空糸束５を装填すると共に、この中空糸束５の両端を樹脂組成物で筒型ケーシング２の内面に固定（ポッティング）し、筒型ケーシング２の両端に被処理液の供給口６または排出口８を備えるキャップ部材７，９をそれぞれ装着する。 In the manufacturing process of the hollow fiber type module 1 having such a configuration, first, a membrane forming raw solution is discharged into a coagulation liquid together with a core liquid using a double pipe spinneret to manufacture a hollow fiber 3, and this hollow The yarn 3 is bundled and cut into a predetermined length to form a hollow fiber bundle 5. Then, the hollow fiber bundle 5 is washed and the coagulation liquid adhering to the hollow fiber 3 is washed away with the washing liquid, or the hollow fiber 3 is treated with a protective agent (membrane permeability maintaining agent) such as glycerin, and then sufficiently To dry. Next, the dried hollow fiber bundle 5 is loaded into the cylindrical casing 2, and both ends of the hollow fiber bundle 5 are fixed (potted) to the inner surface of the cylindrical casing 2 with a resin composition. Cap members 7 and 9 each having a supply port 6 or a discharge port 8 for the liquid to be processed are attached to both ends.

ところで、中空糸束５の洗浄後、僅かではあるが保護剤が中空糸３の表面に過度に付着してしまうことがあり、このまま中空糸束５を乾燥すると、中空糸３同士が余分な保護剤により密着してしまう。また、保護剤が微量であっても、乾燥時に起こる水素結合等により中空糸３同士が密着してしまう場合もある。そこで、本実施形態では、中空糸型モジュール１の筒型ケーシング２内に中空糸束５を装填するに先立って、可撓性を有するフィルム１８で乾燥後の中空糸束５を巻いてバンドル１９を形成し（図３および図４参照）、該バンドル１９を、中空糸束分散装置２１を用いて押圧してフィルム１８内に中空糸束５の中空糸３を分散させて、中空糸３同士の密着を解消している。以下、中空糸束分散装置２１について説明する。
なお、中空糸束分散装置２１にて分散処理を施されるバンドル１９は、フィルム１８をある程度弛ませた状態で中空糸束５へ巻き付けたものであることが好ましい。例えば、フィルム１８が中空糸束５の太さの約１０％増しの太さで筒を形成するように巻き付けることが好適である。 By the way, after washing the hollow fiber bundle 5, a slight amount of protective agent may be excessively adhered to the surface of the hollow fiber 3. If the hollow fiber bundle 5 is dried as it is, the hollow fibers 3 are excessively protected. It will stick to the agent. Further, even if the amount of the protective agent is very small, the hollow fibers 3 may be in close contact with each other due to hydrogen bonding that occurs during drying. Therefore, in the present embodiment, prior to loading the hollow fiber bundle 5 into the cylindrical casing 2 of the hollow fiber type module 1, the hollow fiber bundle 5 after drying is wound around the flexible film 18 to bundle 19 (See FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), the bundle 19 is pressed using a hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 to disperse the hollow fibers 3 of the hollow fiber bundle 5 in the film 18, and the hollow fibers 3 Has been eliminated. Hereinafter, the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 will be described.
In addition, it is preferable that the bundle 19 which is subjected to the dispersion treatment by the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 is wound around the hollow fiber bundle 5 in a state where the film 18 is loosened to some extent. For example, it is preferable that the film 18 is wound so as to form a tube with a thickness about 10% larger than the thickness of the hollow fiber bundle 5.

中空糸束分散装置２１は、図２に示すように、バンドル１９を回転させる回転分散機構２２と、バンドル１９を転動させながら搬送する転動分散機構２３とにより構成されている。回転分散機構２２は、図３に示すように、３本の押圧ローラ２５を備え、仮想円周Ｃ上のうち１２０度ずつ位相をずらした位置に各押圧ローラ２５の回転軸２６を配置している。本実施形態では、下側に２本の押圧ローラ２５を配置すると共に、上側に１本の押圧ローラ２５を配置している。また、各押圧ローラ２５には、回動駆動機構（図示せず）を接続し、この回動駆動機構により押圧ローラ２５を所望の回転速度で回転駆動できるように構成されている。そして、３本の押圧ローラ２５の外周面に囲まれた空間をバンドル１９の回転空間２７とし、この回転空間２７をバンドル１９の太さよりも狭く、好ましくは、バンドル１９の約８０〜９０％の太さとなるように設定し、バンドル１９が押圧された状態で収まるように構成されている。
なお、本実施形態では、各押圧ローラ２５は、直径がφ５０ｍｍに設定され、表面には硬度の数値が７０程度のシリコンゴムをコーティングして、回転空間２７内のバンドル１９に過度な押圧力や集中荷重が掛かることを抑えるように構成されている。さらに、シリコンゴムのコーティング面上に密着防止用フィルム（図示せず）を巻き付け、押圧ローラ２５とバンドル１９のフィルム１８とが密着したままバンドル１９を回転してフィルム１８が破れてしまう不具合を防いでいる。 As shown in FIG. 2, the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 includes a rotation dispersing mechanism 22 that rotates the bundle 19 and a rolling dispersion mechanism 23 that conveys the bundle 19 while rolling it. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation dispersion mechanism 22 includes three pressure rollers 25, and the rotation shafts 26 of the pressure rollers 25 are arranged at positions shifted on the virtual circumference C by 120 degrees. Yes. In the present embodiment, two pressing rollers 25 are disposed on the lower side, and one pressing roller 25 is disposed on the upper side. Each pressing roller 25 is connected to a rotation driving mechanism (not shown), and the rotation driving mechanism can rotate the pressing roller 25 at a desired rotation speed. A space surrounded by the outer peripheral surfaces of the three pressing rollers 25 is defined as a rotation space 27 of the bundle 19, and the rotation space 27 is narrower than the thickness of the bundle 19, preferably about 80 to 90% of the bundle 19. It is set so as to be thick, and is configured to fit in a state in which the bundle 19 is pressed.
In the present embodiment, each pressing roller 25 is set to have a diameter of φ50 mm, and the surface is coated with silicon rubber having a hardness value of about 70, so that excessive pressing force or It is configured to suppress application of concentrated load. Further, a film for preventing adhesion (not shown) is wound around the coating surface of the silicon rubber, and the bundle 19 is rotated while the pressure roller 25 and the film 18 of the bundle 19 are in close contact with each other, thereby preventing the film 18 from being broken. It is out.

また、３本の押圧ローラ２５のうち、上側押圧ローラ２５ａおよび右下側押圧ローラ２５ｂには、押圧ローラ２５ａ，２５ｂを移動させて押圧ローラ２５間の距離を調整可能なローラ調整機構２８を備えている。このローラ調整機構２８は、押圧ローラ２５を軸支する軸受部２９をスライドガイド３０に沿ってスライド可能とし、所望の調整位置に軸受部２９を配置（維持）できるように構成されている。具体的に説明すると、上側押圧ローラ２５ａに備えられたローラ調整機構２８ａは、そのスライドガイド３０を、上側押圧ローラ２５ａの回転軸２６と左下側押圧ローラ２５ｃの回転軸２６とを結ぶ直線Ｌ１に沿って延設し、軸受部２９を直線Ｌ１に沿って移動させる。さらに、右下側押圧ローラ２５ｂに備えられたローラ調整機構２８ｂは、そのスライドガイド３０を、右下側押圧ローラ２５ｂの回転軸２６と左下側押圧ローラ２５ｃの回転軸２６とを結ぶ直線Ｌ２に沿って延設し、軸受部２９を直線Ｌ２に沿って移動させる。 Of the three pressing rollers 25, the upper pressing roller 25a and the lower right pressing roller 25b include a roller adjusting mechanism 28 that can adjust the distance between the pressing rollers 25 by moving the pressing rollers 25a and 25b. ing. The roller adjusting mechanism 28 is configured to be able to slide the bearing 29 supporting the pressing roller 25 along the slide guide 30 and to arrange (maintain) the bearing 29 at a desired adjustment position. More specifically, the roller adjusting mechanism 28a provided in the upper pressure roller 25a has its slide guide 30 on a straight line L1 connecting the rotation shaft 26 of the upper pressure roller 25a and the rotation shaft 26 of the lower left pressure roller 25c. The bearing portion 29 is moved along the straight line L1. Further, the roller adjusting mechanism 28b provided in the lower right pressing roller 25b has the slide guide 30 on a straight line L2 connecting the rotating shaft 26 of the lower right pressing roller 25b and the rotating shaft 26 of the lower left pressing roller 25c. The bearing portion 29 is moved along the straight line L2.

転動分散機構２３は、図２に示すように、バンドル１９を載置することによりその外周部分に当接し、この当接状態でバンドル１９を搬送する方向（図中左方向）へ移動する搬送操作部（ベルトコンベア）３３と、該搬送操作部３３の上部に対向し、バンドル１９の搬送方向に沿って延設された押え面材３４とを備え、該押え面材３４と搬送操作部３３との間の空間（すなわち搬送空間部３５）をバンドル１９の太さよりも狭く設定、好ましくは、搬送空間部３５の上下幅をバンドル１９の太さの約８０〜９０％の寸法となるように設定して構成されている。 As shown in FIG. 2, the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 abuts on the outer peripheral portion by placing the bundle 19, and transports in the abutting state to move the bundle 19 (left direction in the figure). An operation unit (belt conveyor) 33 and a pressing surface material 34 facing the upper part of the conveyance operation unit 33 and extending along the conveyance direction of the bundle 19, the pressing surface material 34 and the conveyance operation unit 33. The space between the two spaces (that is, the conveyance space portion 35) is set to be narrower than the thickness of the bundle 19, and preferably the vertical width of the conveyance space portion 35 is about 80 to 90% of the thickness of the bundle 19. Configured and configured.

搬送操作部３３は、バンドル１９の全長よりも広い幅を有するポリウレタン製の無端ベルト３８と、この無端ベルト３８を掛け渡す両端の搬送操作ローラ３９と、一方の搬送操作ローラ３９を回転駆動するモータ等の搬送駆動源（図示せず）とにより構成され、搬送駆動源を駆動することにより無端ベルト３８の上部をバンドル１９の搬送方向（図中左方向）へ移動する。 The transport operation unit 33 includes a polyurethane endless belt 38 having a width wider than the entire length of the bundle 19, transport operation rollers 39 on both ends of the endless belt 38, and a motor that rotationally drives one transport operation roller 39. The upper end of the endless belt 38 is moved in the transport direction of the bundle 19 (left direction in the figure) by driving the transport drive source.

押え面材３４は、搬送操作部３３の無端ベルト３８の下流寄り（図中左寄り）の上方に、無端ベルト３８の上面と略平行となる状態で配置され、バンドル１９の全長よりも広い幅を有して形成されている。また、押え面材３４の上部には、当該押え面材３４を上下動させて搬送操作部３３に対して進退させる押え面材進退機構４１を備え、押え面材３４と搬送操作部３３の無端ベルト３８との間隔（搬送空間部３５）をバンドル１９の太さに対応させて変化でき、バンドル１９の太さが変わったとしても搬送空間部３５をバンドル１９の太さよりも狭く設定できるように構成されている（図２（ｂ）参照）。そして、押え面材３４のうち無端ベルト３８の上流側に対向する部分（図中右側部）には、端部（右端部）から押え面材３４の長手方向へ向けて次第に下り傾斜した導入部４２を形成し、該導入部４２と無端ベルト３８との間の空間、すなわちバンドル１９を受け入れる入口がバンドル１９の太さよりも広く設定され、バンドル１９の搬送方向（無端ベルト３８の移動方向）へ向けて次第に狭くなるように構成されている。さらに、押え面材３４の下面（無端ベルト３８と対向する面）には、シリコンシート等のすべり防止材（図示せず）を備えている。
なお、本実施形態では、搬送空間部３５の長さを２６０ｍｍに設定している。また、搬送空間部３５は、バンドル１９が２〜４回転できる程度の長さに設定することが好ましい。 The holding face material 34 is disposed above the downstream end of the endless belt 38 (left side in the drawing) of the transport operation unit 33 in a state substantially parallel to the upper surface of the endless belt 38 and has a width wider than the entire length of the bundle 19. It is formed. Further, on the upper part of the pressing surface material 34, a pressing surface material advancing / retreating mechanism 41 for moving the pressing surface material 34 up and down to advance and retract with respect to the conveyance operation unit 33 is provided. The distance between the belt 38 (conveyance space portion 35) can be changed in accordance with the thickness of the bundle 19, and the conveyance space portion 35 can be set narrower than the thickness of the bundle 19 even if the thickness of the bundle 19 changes. It is configured (see FIG. 2B). In addition, the portion of the presser face material 34 facing the upstream side of the endless belt 38 (the right side part in the figure) is an introduction part that is gradually inclined downward from the end part (right end part) in the longitudinal direction of the presser face material 34. 42, the space between the introduction portion 42 and the endless belt 38, that is, the inlet for receiving the bundle 19 is set wider than the thickness of the bundle 19, and the bundle 19 is conveyed in the conveyance direction (the movement direction of the endless belt 38). It is comprised so that it may become narrow gradually. Furthermore, a slip prevention material (not shown) such as a silicon sheet is provided on the lower surface (the surface facing the endless belt 38) of the pressing surface material 34.
In the present embodiment, the length of the conveyance space 35 is set to 260 mm. Moreover, it is preferable to set the conveyance space part 35 to such a length that the bundle 19 can rotate 2 to 4 times.

そして、本実施形態の中空糸束分散装置２１は、転動分散機構２３のうち、搬送操作部３３の搬送方向の上流側の近傍、具体的には搬送操作部３３の上流側の上方に、回転分散機構２２を配置し、回転分散機構２２から落下してきたバンドル１９を搬送操作部３３の無端ベルト３８上に受け、そのままバンドル１９を搬送空間部３５へ向けて移送できるように構成されている。したがって、回転分散機構２２と転動分散機構２３との間に、バンドル１９を搬送するための機構を別途設ける必要がない。 And the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 of the present embodiment is, in the rolling dispersion mechanism 23, in the vicinity of the upstream side of the transport operation unit 33 in the transport direction, specifically, on the upstream side of the transport operation unit 33, The rotation dispersion mechanism 22 is arranged, and the bundle 19 that has dropped from the rotation dispersion mechanism 22 is received on the endless belt 38 of the conveyance operation unit 33, and the bundle 19 can be transferred to the conveyance space portion 35 as it is. . Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a mechanism for transporting the bundle 19 between the rotation dispersion mechanism 22 and the rolling dispersion mechanism 23.

このような構成を備えた中空糸束分散装置２１を用いてバンドル１９内の中空糸束５の中空糸３を分散させるには、まず、ローラ調整機構２８ａを操作して上側押圧ローラ２５ａを移動し、上側押圧ローラ２５ａと右下側押圧ローラ２５ｂとの間（あるいは、上側押圧ローラ２５ａと左下側押圧ローラ２５ｃとの間）を広げ、回転分散機構２２内の回転空間２７にバンドル１９を装填し、バンドル１９を装填したならば、上側押圧ローラ２５ａを戻して回転空間２７をバンドル１９よりも狭く、好ましくは、バンドル１９の太さの約８０〜９０％となるように設定し、この回転空間２７内にバンドル１９を、その外周が押圧ローラ２５で押圧される状態で配置する。例えば、φ３４ｍｍのバンドル１９をセットする場合、押圧ローラ２５の位置を調整して回転空間２７を、該回転空間２７内にφ３０ｍｍの円筒が各押圧ローラ２５に外接する状態で収納できる程度の広さに設定する。バンドル１９を押圧ローラ２５で押圧したならば、この押圧状態で押圧ローラ２５を全て同じ方向へ所定回転数（例えば２００ｒｐｍ）で回転する。すると、バンドル１９は、回転空間２７内で押圧されながら回転し（回転分散工程）、中空糸束５のうち特に外周部分に配置された中空糸３が押圧ローラ２５により回転空間２７の中心側へ押し込まれながら回転して揉み解されて分散し、この外周部分の中空糸３同士の密着が解消される。
なお、本実施形態では、回転分散工程において押圧ローラ２５を反時計方向にのみ回転したが（図２および図３参照）、本発明はこれに限定されない。例えば、押圧ローラ２５を反時計方向へ回転し、その後に時計方向へ回転してもよいし、あるいは、時計方向の回転と反時計方向の回転とを繰り返し行ってもよい。 In order to disperse the hollow fibers 3 of the hollow fiber bundle 5 in the bundle 19 using the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 having such a configuration, first, the upper pressing roller 25a is moved by operating the roller adjusting mechanism 28a. Then, the space between the upper pressure roller 25a and the lower right pressure roller 25b (or the space between the upper pressure roller 25a and the lower left pressure roller 25c) is widened, and the bundle 19 is loaded in the rotation space 27 in the rotation dispersion mechanism 22. When the bundle 19 is loaded, the upper pressing roller 25a is returned to set the rotation space 27 to be narrower than the bundle 19, preferably about 80 to 90% of the thickness of the bundle 19, and this rotation. The bundle 19 is disposed in the space 27 in a state where the outer periphery thereof is pressed by the pressing roller 25. For example, when a bundle 19 having a diameter of 34 mm is set, the position of the pressure roller 25 is adjusted so that the rotation space 27 can be accommodated in a state where a cylinder with a diameter of 30 mm circumscribes each pressure roller 25 in the rotation space 27. Set to. If the bundle 19 is pressed by the pressing roller 25, the pressing roller 25 is all rotated in the same direction at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 200 rpm). Then, the bundle 19 rotates while being pressed in the rotation space 27 (rotation dispersion step), and the hollow fiber 3 arranged particularly in the outer peripheral portion of the hollow fiber bundle 5 is moved to the center side of the rotation space 27 by the pressing roller 25. While being pushed in, it is rotated and kneaded to disperse, and the close contact between the hollow fibers 3 in the outer peripheral portion is eliminated.
In this embodiment, the pressing roller 25 is rotated only in the counterclockwise direction in the rotation dispersion step (see FIGS. 2 and 3), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressing roller 25 may be rotated counterclockwise and then rotated clockwise, or the clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation may be repeated.

押圧ローラ２５を所定時間（例えば４〜８秒間）に亘って回転し、回転分散機構２２で中空糸束５の外周部分の中空糸３を分散したならば、押圧ローラ２５の回転を停止し、ローラ調整機構２８ｂを操作して右下側押圧ローラ２５ｂを移動し、右下側押圧ローラ２５ｂと左下側押圧ローラ２５ｃとの間を広げる。すると、回転空間２７内のバンドル１９は、回転分散機構２２から下方へ落下し、転動分散機構２３の搬送操作部３３上に載置される（図４（ａ）参照）。搬送操作部３３上にバンドル１９を載置したならば、搬送操作部３３を作動して無端ベルト３８を搬送方向へ所定速度（例えば、３．２６ｍ／ｍｉｎ）で移動し、バンドル１９を搬送空間部３５へ向けて搬送する。そして、バンドル１９が導入部４２と搬送操作部３３との間に入り込んで搬送空間部３５へ到達すると、このバンドル１９は、図４（ｂ）に示すように、押え面材３４と搬送操作部３３との間に挟まれて押し潰された状態となる。この状態で搬送操作部３３をさらに作動すると、バンドル１９の下部が無端ベルト３８とともに搬送方向へ移動し、バンドル１９の上部が押え面材３４に止められて、バンドル１９が押し潰されながら転動する（転動分散工程）。 When the pressure roller 25 is rotated for a predetermined time (for example, 4 to 8 seconds) and the hollow fiber 3 in the outer peripheral portion of the hollow fiber bundle 5 is dispersed by the rotation dispersion mechanism 22, the rotation of the pressure roller 25 is stopped. The roller adjustment mechanism 28b is operated to move the lower right pressing roller 25b to widen the space between the lower right pressing roller 25b and the lower left pressing roller 25c. Then, the bundle 19 in the rotation space 27 falls downward from the rotation dispersion mechanism 22 and is placed on the transport operation unit 33 of the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 (see FIG. 4A). When the bundle 19 is placed on the transport operation unit 33, the transport operation unit 33 is operated to move the endless belt 38 in the transport direction at a predetermined speed (for example, 3.26 m / min). It conveys toward the part 35. Then, when the bundle 19 enters between the introduction unit 42 and the conveyance operation unit 33 and reaches the conveyance space unit 35, the bundle 19 includes the press face material 34 and the conveyance operation unit as shown in FIG. 33 and is crushed between them. When the transport operation unit 33 is further operated in this state, the lower part of the bundle 19 moves in the transport direction together with the endless belt 38, the upper part of the bundle 19 is stopped by the pressing face material 34, and the bundle 19 is rolled while being crushed. (Rolling dispersion process).

この転動分散工程では、転動するバンドル１９内において、中空糸束５の中央部分よりも外方に位置する中空糸３（例えば、中空糸束５の外周部分に位置し、回転分散工程で既に分散状態となった中空糸３）が、図４（ｃ）〜（ｆ）に示すように、フィルム１８からの距離を大きく変化させることなく、フィルム１８とともに回転し、押し潰されたバンドル１９の外周形状（具体的には長円形状）に沿って移動する。したがって、バンドル１９内の中空糸束５のうち、回転分散工程で分散され易い位置（すなわち外周近く）に配置する中空糸３は、この転動分散工程においては分散の作用を受け難い。 In this rolling dispersion step, the hollow fiber 3 positioned outside the central portion of the hollow fiber bundle 5 in the rolling bundle 19 (for example, located in the outer peripheral portion of the hollow fiber bundle 5 and in the rotational dispersion step). As shown in FIGS. 4 (c) to 4 (f), the hollow fiber 3) already in a dispersed state rotates with the film 18 without being greatly changed in the distance from the film 18, and is crushed bundle 19 It moves along the outer periphery shape (specifically, oval shape). Therefore, the hollow fiber 3 disposed in a position where the hollow fiber bundle 5 in the bundle 19 is easily dispersed in the rotational dispersion process (that is, near the outer periphery) is not easily affected by the dispersion in the rolling dispersion process.

しかしながら、図４（ｇ）に示すように、中空糸束５の中央部分５ａについては、中空糸束５の上下方向の略中央を境界にして、下半部分に配置される中空糸３がバンドル１９の搬送方向と同じ方向（図中左方向）へ移動し、上半部分に配置される中空糸３がバンドル１９の搬送方向とは反対の方向（図中右方向）へ移動する。したがって、中空糸束５の中央部分５ａには、保護剤等により密着した中空糸３同士を引き離すのに十分な剪断力が発生し、この剪断力により、中空糸束５の中央部分５ａに配置される中空糸３、すなわち、回転分散工程で分散され難い位置に配置する中空糸３が十分に分散される。 However, as shown in FIG. 4 (g), with respect to the central portion 5a of the hollow fiber bundle 5, the hollow fiber 3 disposed in the lower half portion with the substantially vertical center of the hollow fiber bundle 5 as a boundary is bundled. 19 moves in the same direction (left direction in the figure) as the conveyance direction 19, and the hollow fiber 3 arranged in the upper half moves in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the bundle 19 (right direction in the figure). Accordingly, a sufficient shearing force is generated in the central portion 5a of the hollow fiber bundle 5 to separate the hollow fibers 3 that are in close contact with the protective agent or the like, and the shearing force is arranged in the central portion 5a of the hollow fiber bundle 5. The hollow fiber 3 that is to be dispersed, that is, the hollow fiber 3 disposed at a position that is difficult to be dispersed in the rotation dispersion step, is sufficiently dispersed.

そして、バンドル１９が搬送空間部３５から排出されると、このバンドル１９は、中空糸束５やフィルム１８の復元弾性力により再び略真円状の断面を呈する円筒形状に戻り、さらに、搬送方向へ搬送すると、搬送操作部３３の端部から落下し、下方に配置されたバンドル回収箱（図示せず）へ回収される。 When the bundle 19 is discharged from the conveyance space 35, the bundle 19 returns to the cylindrical shape having a substantially circular cross section again due to the restoring elastic force of the hollow fiber bundle 5 and the film 18, and further in the conveyance direction. Is dropped from the end of the transport operation unit 33 and is collected in a bundle collection box (not shown) disposed below.

このようにして中空糸束分散装置２１によりバンドル１９を分散処理すると、回転分散工程により中空糸束５の外側部分の中空糸３を押圧して十分に分散させ、転動分散工程により中空糸束５の内側部分の中空糸３同士の間に剪断力を発生させて中空糸３を分散させることができる。したがって、中空糸束５の全体に亘って中空糸３を分散させることができ、中空糸３同士が密着状態のまま筒型ケーシング２に装填されることを防ぐことができる。このことから、中空糸型モジュール１のポッティング工程において、中空糸３間に樹脂組成物を十分に浸透させることができ、中空糸型モジュール１の使用時に、中空糸３内を通る被処理液が中空糸３の外へリークしたり、あるいは処理液が被処理液に混入したりしてしまうという不具合を防ぐことができる。 When the bundle 19 is dispersed by the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 in this way, the hollow fibers 3 in the outer portion of the hollow fiber bundle 5 are pressed and sufficiently dispersed by the rotational dispersion process, and the hollow fiber bundle is dispersed by the rolling dispersion process. The hollow fibers 3 can be dispersed by generating a shearing force between the hollow fibers 3 in the inner part of the members 5. Therefore, the hollow fibers 3 can be dispersed over the entire hollow fiber bundle 5, and the hollow fibers 3 can be prevented from being loaded into the cylindrical casing 2 while being in close contact with each other. From this, in the potting process of the hollow fiber type module 1, the resin composition can be sufficiently infiltrated between the hollow fibers 3, and when the hollow fiber type module 1 is used, the liquid to be treated passing through the hollow fiber 3 is It is possible to prevent problems such as leakage to the outside of the hollow fiber 3 or mixing of the processing liquid into the liquid to be processed.

また、中空糸束分散装置２１は、回転分散機構２２にローラ調整機構２８を備えているので、バンドル１９の太さに対応して回転分散機構２２を調整することができ、あらゆる太さのバンドル１９を押圧しながら回転して中空糸を分散させることができる。さらには、転動分散機構２３に押え面材進退機構４１を備えているので、バンドル１９の太さに対応させて転動分散機構２３を調整することができ、あらゆる太さのバンドル１９を押し潰しながら転動させて搬送して中空糸を分散させることができる。 Further, since the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 includes the roller adjusting mechanism 28 in the rotation dispersing mechanism 22, the rotation dispersing mechanism 22 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the bundle 19, and bundles of all thicknesses can be obtained. The hollow fiber can be dispersed by rotating while pressing 19. Furthermore, since the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 is provided with the pressing surface material advance / retreat mechanism 41, the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 can be adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the bundle 19, and the bundle 19 of any thickness can be pushed. The hollow fiber can be dispersed by being rolled while being crushed and conveyed.

ところで、上記実施形態では、回転分散機構２２を、転動分散機構２３のうち搬送操作部３３の上流側の近傍に配置し、回転分散工程を経て押圧されたバンドル１９を、前記転動分散工程にて押し潰しながら転動させて搬送するように構成したが、本発明はこれに限定されない。すなわち、図５に示すように、回転分散機構２２を、前記転動分散機構２３のうち搬送操作部３３の下流側の近傍に配置し、転動分散工程を経て搬送されたバンドル１９を、回転分散工程にて押圧しながら回転させてもよい。なお、転動分散機構２３の搬送操作部３３の下流側と回転分散機構２２との間に、回転空間２７へ向けて下り傾斜したシュート４５を設け、シュート４５の下端側に臨ませた押圧ロール２５を回転空間２７の外方へ移動できるように構成することが好ましい。そして、押圧ロール２５を外方へ移動して回転空間２７のシュート４５側をバンドル１９が通過できる程度に広げておき、搬送操作部３３の下流側端部から落下したバンドル１９をシュート４５により案内して回転分散機構２２の回転空間２７へ導入し、その後で押圧ロール２５を元の位置に戻せば、バンドル１９を転動分散機構２３から回転分散機構２２へ移す作業に人手を割く必要がなくて好適である。 By the way, in the said embodiment, the rotation dispersion | distribution mechanism 22 is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the upstream of the conveyance operation part 33 among the rolling dispersion | distribution mechanisms 23, and the bundle 19 pressed through the rotation dispersion | distribution process is made into the said rolling dispersion | distribution process. Although it is configured to roll and convey while crushing, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotation dispersion mechanism 22 is arranged in the vicinity of the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 on the downstream side of the conveyance operation unit 33, and the bundle 19 conveyed through the rolling dispersion process is rotated. You may rotate, pressing in a dispersion | distribution process. In addition, a chute 45 inclined downward toward the rotation space 27 is provided between the downstream side of the conveyance operation unit 33 of the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 and the rotation dispersion mechanism 22, and the pressing roll faces the lower end side of the chute 45. 25 is preferably configured to be movable outward of the rotation space 27. Then, the pressing roll 25 is moved outward to widen the chute 45 side of the rotation space 27 to the extent that the bundle 19 can pass through, and the chute 45 guides the bundle 19 that has dropped from the downstream end of the transport operation unit 33. Then, if the pressure roll 25 is returned to the original position after being introduced into the rotation space 27 of the rotation dispersion mechanism 22, it is not necessary to spend time on the work of moving the bundle 19 from the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 to the rotation dispersion mechanism 22. It is preferable.

また、上記実施形態では、転動分散機構２３の上部に押え面材３４を配置するとともに、下部に搬送操作部３３を配置したが、本発明はこれに限定されず、転動分散機構２３の上部に搬送操作部３３を配置するとともに、下部に押え面材３４を配置し、押え面材３４の上面と、搬送操作部３３の無端ベルト３８のうち押え面材３４に対向する部分との間にバンドル１９を供給し、搬送操作部３３を作動してバンドル１９を押し潰しながら転動して搬送してもよい。 Further, in the above embodiment, the pressing face material 34 is arranged at the upper part of the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 and the transport operation unit 33 is arranged at the lower part, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the rolling dispersion mechanism 23 The transport operation unit 33 is disposed at the upper portion, and the pressing surface material 34 is disposed at the lower portion. Between the upper surface of the pressing surface material 34 and the portion of the endless belt 38 of the conveyance operation unit 33 that faces the pressing surface material 34. Alternatively, the bundle 19 may be supplied, and the conveyance operation unit 33 may be operated to roll and convey the bundle 19 while being crushed.

さらに、図６に示すように、転動分散機構４７を上下に並べて配置した２つの搬送操作部４８，４９で構成し、上側搬送操作部４８の無端ベルト５０の下部（本発明における押え面材に相当）と、下側搬送操作部４９の無端ベルト５１の上部とを対向させて、バンドル１９の太さよりも狭い搬送空間部５２を形成してもよい。そして、この実施形態における転動分散機構４７では、下側搬送操作部４９の無端ベルト５１の上部をバンドル１９の搬送方向へ移動するとともに、上側搬送操作部４８の無端ベルト５０の下部をバンドル１９の搬送方向とは反対方向へ移動し、下側搬送操作部４９の無端ベルト５１の移動速度を上側搬送操作部４８の無端ベルト５０の移動速度よりも速い速度で設定し、この状態で搬送空間部５２にバンドル１９を送り込むと、搬送空間部５２内でバンドル１９を押し潰しながら転動して搬送することができる。さらに、各搬送操作部の無端ベルトの移動速度を調整すれば、バンドル１９の転動回数を増減したり、バンドル１９の搬送速度を増減したりすることができる。したがって、中空糸束５の中空糸３の密着度合いに応じて転動分散工程の設定（例えば、バンドル１９の転動回数や転動時間）を変化させることができる。また、長大な搬送操作部を備えることなく、転動分散工程の設定を調整可能な転動分散機構４７を実現することができ、中空糸束分散装置２１の小型化を図ることができる。 Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the rolling dispersion mechanism 47 is composed of two conveying operation portions 48 and 49 arranged side by side, and the lower portion of the endless belt 50 of the upper conveying operation portion 48 (the pressing surface material in the present invention). And the upper part of the endless belt 51 of the lower transport operation unit 49 may be opposed to each other to form a transport space portion 52 narrower than the thickness of the bundle 19. In the rolling dispersion mechanism 47 in this embodiment, the upper part of the endless belt 51 of the lower transport operation unit 49 is moved in the transport direction of the bundle 19 and the lower part of the endless belt 50 of the upper transport operation unit 48 is moved to the bundle 19. The moving speed of the endless belt 51 of the lower transport operation section 49 is set at a speed higher than the moving speed of the endless belt 50 of the upper transport operation section 48, and the transport space is set in this state. When the bundle 19 is fed into the section 52, the bundle 19 can be rolled while being crushed in the transport space section 52 and transported. Furthermore, by adjusting the moving speed of the endless belt of each transport operation unit, the number of rolling of the bundle 19 can be increased or decreased, and the transport speed of the bundle 19 can be increased or decreased. Therefore, the setting of the rolling dispersion process (for example, the number of rollings of the bundle 19 and the rolling time) can be changed according to the degree of close contact of the hollow fiber bundle 5 with the hollow fiber 3. Moreover, the rolling dispersion mechanism 47 capable of adjusting the setting of the rolling dispersion process can be realized without providing a long transport operation unit, and the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 can be downsized.

なお、上記実施形態では、転動分散機構２３，４７は、バンドル１９を横方向へ搬送するように構成されたが、本発明はこれに限定されず、例えば、搬送操作部３３および押え面材３４（あるいは２つの搬送操作部４８，４９）を縦向きに配置して搬送空間部３５（あるいは搬送空間部５２）を縦長に形成し、バンドル１９を縦方向へ搬送するように構成してもよい。このようにして縦長な転動分散機構２３，４７を構成すれば、中空糸束分散装置２１の設置スペースを縮小することができて好適である。 In the above-described embodiment, the rolling dispersion mechanisms 23 and 47 are configured to transport the bundle 19 in the lateral direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the transport operation unit 33 and the pressing surface material. 34 (or two transport operation units 48 and 49) may be arranged vertically to form the transport space 35 (or transport space 52) in a vertically long shape, and the bundle 19 may be transported in the vertical direction. Good. If the vertically long rolling and dispersing mechanisms 23 and 47 are configured in this way, it is preferable that the installation space of the hollow fiber bundle dispersing device 21 can be reduced.

また、回転分散機構２２の押圧ローラ２５は、３本に限定されず、３本以上でもよい。要は、回転空間２７を形成し、バンドル１９を押圧しながら安定して回転できるものであれば、押圧ローラ２５を何本配置してもよい。 Further, the number of pressing rollers 25 of the rotation dispersion mechanism 22 is not limited to three, and may be three or more. In short, as long as the rotation space 27 is formed and the bundle 19 can be stably rotated while being pressed, any number of the pressing rollers 25 may be arranged.

中空糸型モジュールの片半を断面図にした概略図である。It is the schematic which made the half half of the hollow fiber type module the cross-sectional view. （ａ）は中空糸束分散装置の概略図、（ｂ）は押え面材進退機構により位置を調整した押え面材の拡大概略図である。(A) is the schematic of a hollow fiber bundle dispersion | distribution apparatus, (b) is the expansion schematic of the pressing surface material which adjusted the position by the pressing surface material advance / retreat mechanism. （ａ）は回転分散機構の概略図、（ｂ）はローラ調整機構により押圧ローラの位置を調整した回転分散機構の概略図である。(A) is the schematic of a rotation dispersion | distribution mechanism, (b) is the schematic of the rotation dispersion | distribution mechanism which adjusted the position of the press roller with the roller adjustment mechanism. 転動分散機構におけるバンドルの状態図であり、（ａ）は搬送操作部上に載置された状態図、（ｂ）は押え面材に押し潰された状態図、（ｃ）は（ｂ）から９０度転動した状態図、（ｄ）は（ｂ）から１８０度転動した状態図、（ｅ）は（ｂ）から２７０度転動した状態図、（ｆ）は（ｂ）から３６０度転動した状態図、（ｇ）は転動中の中空糸束の中央部分の状態図である。It is a state figure of a bundle in a rolling distribution mechanism, (a) is a state figure mounted on a conveyance operation part, (b) is a state figure crushed by a pressing face material, (c) is (b). (D) is a state diagram rolled 180 degrees from (b), (e) is a state diagram rolled 270 degrees from (b), and (f) is a state diagram rolled from (b) to 360. (G) is a state diagram of the central part of the hollow fiber bundle during rolling. 転動分散機構の搬送操作部の下流側の近傍に回転分散機構を配置した中空糸束分散装置の概略図である。It is the schematic of the hollow fiber bundle dispersion | distribution apparatus which has arrange | positioned the rotation dispersion | distribution mechanism in the downstream vicinity of the conveyance operation part of a rolling dispersion | distribution mechanism. ２つの搬送操作部により構成された転動分散機構の概略図である。It is the schematic of the rolling dispersion | distribution mechanism comprised by two conveyance operation parts.

Explanation of symbols

１中空糸型モジュール
２筒型ケーシング
３中空糸
５中空糸束
６供給口
７キャップ部材
８排出口
９キャップ部材
１０ポッティング部
１３流入口
１４流出口
１８フィルム
１９バンドル
２１中空糸束分散装置
２２回転分散機構
２３転動分散機構
２５押圧ローラ
２５ａ上側押圧ローラ
２５ｂ右下側押圧ローラ
２５ｃ左下側押圧ローラ
２６回転軸
２８ローラ調整機構
２９軸受部
３０スライドガイド
３３搬送操作部
３４押え面材
３５搬送空間部
３８無端ベルト
３９搬送操作ローラ
４１押え面材進退機構
４２導入部
４５シュート
４７転動分散機構
４８上側搬送操作部
４９下側搬送操作部
５０無端ベルト
５１無端ベルト
５２搬送空間部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hollow fiber type module 2 Cylindrical casing 3 Hollow fiber 5 Hollow fiber bundle 6 Supply port 7 Cap member 8 Discharge port 9 Cap member 10 Potting part 13 Inlet 14 Outlet 18 Film 19 Bundle 21 Hollow fiber bundle dispersion | distribution apparatus 22 Rotation dispersion | distribution Mechanism 23 Rolling dispersion mechanism 25 Pressure roller 25a Upper pressure roller 25b Lower right pressure roller 25c Lower left pressure roller 26 Rotating shaft 28 Roller adjustment mechanism 29 Bearing portion 30 Slide guide 33 Conveying operation portion 34 Pressing face material 35 Conveying space portion 38 Endless belt 39 Conveying operation roller 41 Pressing surface material advancing / retreating mechanism 42 Introduction portion 45 Chute 47 Rolling dispersion mechanism 48 Upper conveying operation portion 49 Lower conveying operation portion 50 Endless belt 51 Endless belt 52 Conveying space portion

Claims

Prior to loading the hollow fiber bundle into the cylindrical casing of the hollow fiber type module, the hollow fiber bundle is formed by winding the hollow fiber bundle with a flexible film, and the bundle is pressed into the hollow fiber bundle. A hollow fiber bundle dispersing method for dispersing the hollow fiber of
A rotation dispersion step of pressing the outer periphery of the bundle with three or more pressing rollers and rotating the pressing roller in this pressing state to rotate the bundle;
A rolling dispersion step of rolling and conveying while crushing the bundle;
The hollow fiber bundle is dispersed by passing through the hollow fiber.

The method for dispersing a hollow fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein the bundle pressed through the rotational dispersion step is conveyed while being rolled while being crushed in the rolling dispersion step.

The method for dispersing a hollow fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein the bundle conveyed through the rolling dispersion step is rotated while being pressed in the rotation dispersion step.

Prior to loading the hollow fiber bundle into the cylindrical casing of the hollow fiber type module, the hollow fiber bundle hollow fiber is pressed into the film by pressing the bundle formed by winding the hollow fiber bundle with a flexible film. A hollow fiber bundle dispersing device for dispersing
A rotation dispersion mechanism that rotates the bundle, and a rolling dispersion mechanism that conveys the bundle while rolling it,
The rotational dispersion mechanism is
Provided with three or more pressing rollers having rotating shafts arranged on a virtual circumference, a space surrounded by the outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller is a rotating space of the bundle, and the rotating space is set narrower than the thickness of the bundle,
When rotating the pressing roller in a state where the bundle is arranged in the rotation space, the bundle is configured to rotate while being pressed,
The rolling dispersion mechanism is
A transport operation unit that contacts the outer peripheral portion of the bundle and moves in a direction in which the bundle is transported in this contact state; and a pressing surface material that faces the transport operation unit and extends along the transport direction of the bundle; The distance between the pressing face material and the transport operation unit is set narrower than the thickness of the bundle,
A hollow fiber bundle dispersing apparatus configured to roll while the bundle is crushed when the conveyance operation unit is moved in a state where the bundle is disposed between the pressing face material and the conveyance operation unit.

The hollow fiber bundle dispersing device according to claim 4, further comprising a roller adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting a distance between the pressing rollers by moving the pressing rollers.

The hollow fiber bundle dispersing device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a pressing surface material advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing and retreating the pressing surface material with respect to the transport operation unit.

The hollow fiber bundle dispersing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the rotation dispersion mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of the upstream side of the transport operation unit in the rolling dispersion mechanism.

The hollow fiber bundle disperser according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the rotation dispersal mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of a downstream side of the transport operation unit in the rolling dispersal mechanism.