JP6089054B2 - Nanofiber manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Nanofiber manufacturing apparatuses are used in a wide field such as the medical field as an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber material having a nano unit diameter. Electrospinning technology is used in nanofiber manufacturing equipment.

  The electrospinning technique is a technique in which a raw material liquid in which a polymer substance or the like is dissolved and a work are charged, and the raw material liquid is discharged toward the work by a potential difference between the raw material liquid and the work. Nanofibers are manufactured by electrically stretching the raw material liquid. In such a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus, it is desired to improve productivity.

JP 2011-94281 A

  Embodiments of the present invention provide a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus with improved productivity.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus including a discharge unit, a target unit, a power supply unit, and a drive unit is provided. The discharge unit discharges the raw material liquid toward the material to be deposited. The target portion is provided opposite to a side opposite to the side of the material to be deposited facing the discharge portion. The power supply unit generates a potential difference between the ejection unit and the target unit. The drive unit changes positions of the discharge unit and the target unit with respect to the deposition target material. The drive unit includes a first drive unit provided to rotate the discharge unit and the target unit, and a second drive unit provided to rotate the deposition target material.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows a part of nanofiber manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Fig.4 (a)-FIG.4 (c) are schematic diagrams which show a part of nanofiber manufacturing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the size ratio between the parts, and the like are not necessarily the same as actual ones. Further, even when the same part is represented, the dimensions and ratios may be represented differently depending on the drawings.
Note that, in the present specification and each drawing, the same elements as those described above with reference to the previous drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a part of the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows the rotation direction of the discharge unit 40.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a power supply unit 10, a drive unit 20, a control unit 30, a discharge unit 40, an adjustment unit 50, and a collection unit 60. The collecting unit 60 is provided with a base material 70 (deposited portion) on which the nanofibers N are deposited. A direction indicated by an arrow a1 in FIG. 1 (−Z-axis direction) indicates a direction in which the discharge unit 40 discharges the raw material liquid.

  The base material 70 has a first surface 70a and a second surface 70b. The second surface 70b is a surface opposite to the first surface 70a. A direction perpendicular to the first surface 70a is taken as a Z-axis direction. One direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction is taken as an X-axis direction. A direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is taken as a Y-axis direction. The first surface 70a is parallel to the XY plane.

  In the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when a voltage is applied between the ejection unit 40 and the adjustment unit 50, the raw material liquid remaining at the tip of the ejection unit 40 due to surface tension is positive (or negative). Is charged. Further, the raw material liquid is attracted by the electrostatic force acting along the lines of electric force directed to the adjusting unit 50 that is charged (or grounded) to a different polarity. In addition, the voltage applied between the discharge part 40 and the adjustment part 50 is about 10-100 kV.

  When the electrostatic force becomes larger than the surface tension, the raw material liquid is discharged from the tip portion of the discharge portion 40. The raw material liquid discharged from the tip portion is discharged toward the first surface 70 a of the base material 70 provided in the collecting unit 60. At this time, the solvent contained in the raw material liquid is volatilized, and the polymer fibrous body reaches the substrate 70. Thereby, the nanofiber N is deposited on the base material 70. The nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 of this embodiment forms the nanofiber N using an electrospinning method.

  The nanofiber N having a shape such as a smooth surface, a porous surface, a bead shape, a core-sheath shape, a hollow shape, or an ultrafine fiber is deposited on the substrate 70 by the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100. In FIG. 1, the nanofiber N is represented by a hatched portion.

  The power supply unit 10 is a power supply device that applies a high voltage between the ejection unit 40 and the adjustment unit 50. The power supply unit 10 is a power supply device using a DC power supply, for example. For example, one terminal of the power supply unit 10 is electrically connected to the discharge unit 40, and the other terminal of the power supply unit 10 is grounded. One end of the adjustment unit 50 is grounded. With such a connection, a potential difference can be generated between the ejection unit 40 and the adjustment unit 50.

  The drive unit 20 is electrically connected to the discharge unit 40. The drive unit 20 moves the discharge unit 40 in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction. The drive unit 20 is electrically connected to the adjustment unit 50. The drive unit 20 moves the adjustment unit 50 in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction. The drive part 20 drives the discharge part 40 and the adjustment part 50 using a drive motor etc., for example.

  The driving unit 20 can be electrically connected to the collecting unit 60 to drive the collecting unit 60. Thereby, when the base material 70 is a sheet-like member, the base material 70 is sent out from the collecting part 60 or driven from the collecting part 60 by driving the collecting part 60 (for example, rotation of the roller 61 and the rotating body 62). The material 70 can be wound up.

  The control unit 30 is, for example, a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The control unit 30 controls operations of the power supply unit 10, the drive unit 20, and the discharge unit 40. The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 10, the drive unit 20, and the discharge unit 40. The control unit 30 controls the power supply unit 10 so as to determine a voltage value applied to the discharge liquid. The control unit 30 controls the drive unit 20 to move the discharge unit 40 and the adjustment unit 50. The control unit 30 controls the discharge unit 40 so as to determine the amount of the discharge liquid.

  The discharge unit 40 is, for example, a nozzle that discharges a raw material liquid that is a material for forming the nanofibers N. The discharge unit 40 includes a tip portion 41 and a main body portion 42. For example, the raw material liquid is stored in a tank or the like provided separately from the discharge unit 40 and is supplied from the tank to the main body portion 42 of the discharge unit 40 through a pipe. The raw material liquid stored in the main body portion 42 is discharged from the tip portion 41. For example, the tip portion 41 is a discharge head, and the main body portion 42 is a syringe. A flow path such as a tube may be provided between the tip portion 41 and the main body portion 42, and the raw material liquid may be supplied from the main body portion 42 to the tip portion 41. Particles such as ceramics may be provided in the discharge unit 40, whereby discharge in the discharge unit 40 can be suppressed.

  The raw material liquid is a liquid in which a solute serving as a base material of the nanofiber N is dispersed or dissolved in a solvent. The raw material liquid is a liquid that is appropriately adjusted depending on the material of the nanofiber N, the nature of the nanofiber N, and the like. For example, a resin is a solute that is dispersed or dissolved in a raw material liquid. Moreover, as a solvent used for the raw material liquid, there is a volatile organic solvent. An inorganic solid material may be added to the raw material liquid.

  The discharge unit 40 is movable in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction by the drive unit 20. The discharge part 40 is movable in the directions of arrows a2 to a4. As shown in FIG. 2, when the drive shaft 40a of the discharge unit 40 is provided in the Z-axis direction, the discharge unit 40 rotates about the drive shaft 40a in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The discharge part 40 rotates in the directions of arrows a5 and a6. In this case, the Z-axis direction is the first direction.

  The discharge unit 40 is movable in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, and rotates about the drive shaft 40a in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, so that the position of the discharge unit 40 with respect to the base material 70 changes. Thus, the nanofibers N can be three-dimensionally (three-dimensionally) deposited on the base material 70. Thereby, the nanofibers N can be uniformly deposited on the substrate 70.

  The adjustment unit 50 is provided to face the second surface 70 b of the base material 70. The adjustment unit 50 is a conductive member. The adjustment unit 50 has, for example, a rectangular shape. For example, the adjustment unit 50 is provided so as to have a potential that is opposite in polarity to the potential generated in the ejection unit 40. Moreover, the adjustment part 50 may be earth | grounded. Since the adjustment unit 50 has a potential opposite to that of the discharge unit 40 or is grounded, the raw material liquid is discharged from the discharge unit 40 and the nanofibers N are deposited on the substrate 70.

  The adjustment unit 50 is moved by the drive unit 20 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. The adjustment unit 50 can provide a drive shaft in a predetermined direction (from the X-axis direction to the Z-axis direction). The adjusting unit 50 is movable in the directions of arrows a7 to a9. Since the adjustment unit 50 is movable in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, the position of the adjustment unit 50 with respect to the base material 70 changes, and the nanofibers N can be uniformly deposited on the base material 70. .

  A plate 51 is provided on the adjustment unit 50. For example, the plate 51 is a conductive member and is charged with the same polarity as the potential generated in the ejection unit 40. For example, when the potential generated in the ejection unit 40 is a positive potential, the plate 51 is positively charged. When such a plate 51 is provided, it is difficult for the nanofibers N to be deposited on the portion of the base material 70 where the base material 70 and the plate 51 overlap. Thereby, the range in which the nanofibers N are deposited on the base material 70 can be controlled. In addition, an insulator may be provided on the adjustment unit 50 to control the range in which the nanofibers N are deposited on the base material 70.

The collection unit 60 collects the base material 70 on which the nanofibers N are deposited.
The base material 70 is a sheet-like member such as paper.
For example, the collection unit 60 includes a roller 61 and a rotating body 62. For example, the collection unit 60 conveys and collects the base material 70 on which the nanofibers N are deposited. When the base material 70 is a sheet-like member, the base material 70 is wound around the roller 61. The roller 61 is rotated by the rotating body 62 so as to wind the base material 70. By driving the roller 61, the nanofibers N deposited on the substrate 70 are conveyed in a direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the discharge unit 40 discharges the raw material liquid (the direction of the arrow a1).

  Here, in the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus using the electrospinning method, when nanofibers are deposited on a base material, the potential of the vicinity of the base material on which nanofibers are deposited becomes high, and the generated nanofibers are , It becomes difficult to deposit in a region where the potential of the substrate is high (a region where nanofibers are already deposited). Thereby, it was difficult to deposit nanofibers uniformly on the substrate.

  In the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the discharge unit 40 and the adjustment unit 50 are movable from the X-axis direction to the Z-axis direction, and the discharge unit 40 is centered around the drive shaft provided in the Z-axis direction. Rotate in the Y-axis direction. Providing such a discharge unit 40 and adjustment unit 50 allows the nanofibers N to be uniformly deposited on the substrate 70. Moreover, since the discharge part 40 rotates, the nanofiber N can be deposited on the base material 70 in three dimensions. Thereby, a yield improves.

  According to this embodiment, a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus with improved productivity can be provided.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment.
Fig.4 (a)-FIG.4 (c) are schematic diagrams which show a part of nanofiber manufacturing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 110 includes a power supply unit 10, a drive unit 20, a discharge unit 40, a target unit 80, a charge removal unit 90, an insulating unit 91, and support plates P <b> 1 to P <b> 3. And the connection part C is provided. The drive unit 20 includes a first drive unit 20a and a second drive unit 20b. The second drive unit 20b is provided with a work W (deposition target part) on which the nanofibers N are deposited. The direction of the arrow a10 in FIG. 3 indicates the direction in which the first drive unit 20a rotates. The nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 110 may be provided with a control unit that controls the power supply unit 10 and the like.

  In the nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 110 of the present embodiment, when a voltage is applied between the discharge unit 40 and the target unit 80, the raw material liquid remaining at the tip of the discharge unit 40 due to surface tension is positive (or negative). Is charged. Further, the raw material liquid is attracted by the electrostatic force acting along the lines of electric force directed to the target portion 80 that is charged (or grounded) to a different polarity.

  When the electrostatic force becomes larger than the surface tension, the raw material liquid is discharged from the tip portion of the discharge portion 40. The raw material liquid discharged from the tip portion is discharged toward the workpiece W provided in the second drive unit 20b. At this time, the solvent contained in the raw material liquid is volatilized, and the polymer fibrous body reaches the workpiece W. Thereby, the nanofiber N is deposited on the workpiece W. The nanofiber manufacturing apparatus 110 of this embodiment forms the nanofiber N using an electrospinning method.

  The power supply unit 10 is a power supply device that applies a high voltage between the ejection unit 40 and the target unit 80. For example, one terminal of the power supply unit 10 is electrically connected to the discharge unit 40, and the other terminal of the power supply unit 10 is grounded. Further, one end of the target unit 80 is grounded. With such connection, a potential difference can be generated between the ejection unit 40 and the target unit 80.

  The first driving unit 20a is connected to the connecting portion C and rotates the connecting portion C. The first drive unit 20a has a drive shaft in a predetermined direction. The second drive unit 20b rotates the workpiece W. A method of rotating the workpiece W by the second drive unit 20b will be described later. The 1st drive part 20a and the 2nd drive part 20b can rotate the connection part C and the workpiece | work W using a drive motor etc., for example.

  The discharge part 40 is provided on the support plate P1. The target portion 80 is provided on the support plate P3. When the first drive unit 20a is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow a10, the support plate P1 and the support plate P3 connected to the first drive unit 20a via the connection part C rotate around the workpiece W. That is, the discharge portion 40 provided on the support plate P1 and the target portion 80 provided on the support plate P3 rotate around the workpiece W. Thereby, the nanofiber N can be deposited three-dimensionally (three-dimensionally) on the workpiece W. The nanofibers N can be uniformly deposited on the workpiece W.

  For example, when the drive shaft of the first drive unit 20a is provided in the Y axis direction, the first drive unit 20a rotates about the Y axis. When the first drive unit 20a rotates around the Y axis, the support plate P1 and the support plate P3 connected to the first drive unit 20a via the connecting portion C rotate around the workpiece W around the Y axis. Thereby, the discharge unit 40 and the target unit 80 rotate around the workpiece W around the Y axis. Note that the drive shaft of the first drive unit 20a may be provided in the X-axis direction or the Z-axis direction. In such a case, the discharge unit 40 and the target unit 80 rotate around the workpiece W around the X axis or the Z axis.

  The workpiece W is provided in the second drive unit 20b. The second drive unit 20b rotates the workpiece W. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the second drive unit 20 b includes an arm that holds the workpiece W. By changing the gripping surface of the workpiece W by the arm, the surface of the workpiece W facing the discharge unit 40 can be changed. Thereby, the second drive unit 20b rotates the workpiece W. For example, the holding surface of the workpiece W may be changed using a table on which the workpiece W is placed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second drive unit 20b may be formed of an insulator, and the electromagnet 20m may be provided inside the insulator so that the second drive unit 20b rotates the workpiece W. . In such a case, the 2nd drive part 20b can rotate the workpiece | work W by switching the part which applies the magnetic force of the electromagnet 20m.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the second driving unit 20b is formed by a plate-like insulator, and an opening 20o is provided in the insulating plate, and the second air is supplied to the opening 20o by the air. The two drive unit 20b may rotate the workpiece W. In such a case, the 2nd drive part 20b can rotate the workpiece | work W by making the workpiece | work W float with the flow volume of the air of the opening part 20o.

  When the second drive unit 20b rotates the workpiece W, the deposition surface of the workpiece W on which the discharge unit 40 deposits the nanofibers N can be changed. Thereby, the nanofiber N can be deposited three-dimensionally (three-dimensionally) on the workpiece W. The nanofibers N can be uniformly deposited on the workpiece W.

  The target portion 80 is a conductive member provided on the support plate P3. For example, the target unit 80 is provided so as to have a potential that is opposite in polarity to the potential generated in the ejection unit 40. Moreover, the target part 80 may be grounded. Since the target portion 80 has a potential opposite to the potential of the discharge portion 40 or is grounded, the raw material liquid is discharged from the discharge portion 40 and the nanofibers N are deposited on the workpiece W.

  The charge removal unit 90 is, for example, an electrostatic removal device (ionizer) such as an ion generator. For example, when the tip portion of the discharge unit 40 is positively charged, the nanofiber N deposited on the workpiece W has a positive charge. In such a case, since the positively charged nanofibers N repel each other, it is difficult to continuously deposit the nanofibers N. Therefore, the nanofiber N can be continuously deposited on the workpiece W by removing (neutralizing) the positive charge of the nanofiber N that has already been deposited by using a negative ion generator in the static elimination unit 90. .

  Although the static elimination part 90 is being fixed with respect to the workpiece | work W, it is not limited to this. The static eliminator 90 may be movable (for example, rotated) with respect to the workpiece W. For example, when the static eliminator 90 is fixed to the workpiece W, if the deposition surface of the nanofiber N by the workpiece W is changed by the driving of the second drive unit 20b, the static eliminator 90 is applied to the nanofiber N that has already been deposited. On the other hand, static elimination processing can be performed.

  On the other hand, when the static elimination part 90 is rotating with respect to the workpiece | work W, for example, the static elimination part 90 performs static elimination processing with respect to the nanofiber N already deposited based on the rotational drive of the 1st drive part 20a. Can do. For example, the charge removal unit 90 can perform a charge removal process on the nanofibers N that have already been deposited from the side opposite to the side from which the discharge unit 40 discharges the workpiece W.

  The insulating portion 91 is provided between the workpiece W and the target portion 80 so as to sandwich the workpiece W from the Y-axis direction. The insulating part 91 is an insulating cover, for example.

  As described above, the ejection unit 40 and the target unit 80 rotate around the workpiece W to deposit the nanofibers N on the workpiece W by the rotational drive of the first driving unit 20a. Moreover, the deposition surface of the workpiece | work W on which the discharge part 40 deposits nanofiber can be changed by the drive of the 2nd drive part 20b. The nanofibers N can be deposited three-dimensionally (three-dimensionally) on the workpiece W by the first driving unit 20a and the second driving unit 20b. The nanofibers N can be uniformly deposited on the workpiece W.

  According to this embodiment, a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus with improved productivity can be provided.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Power supply part, 20 ... Drive part, 20a ... 1st drive part, 20b ... 2nd drive part, 20m ... Electromagnet, 20o ... Opening part, 30 ... Control part, 40 ... Discharge part, 40a ... Drive shaft 41 ... Tip Part 42: body part 50 ... adjustment part 51 ... plate 60 ... collection part 61 ... roller 62 ... rotating body 70 ... base material 70a ... first face 70b ... second face 80 ... target , 90 ... Static elimination part, 91 ... Insulating part, 100, 110 ... Nanofiber manufacturing apparatus, a1 to a10 ... Arrow, C ... Connection part, N ... Nanofiber, P1 to P3 ... Support plate, W ... Workpiece

Claims (2)

A discharge section for discharging the raw material liquid toward the material to be deposited;
A target portion provided opposite to a side opposite to the discharge portion of the material to be deposited;
A power supply unit that generates a potential difference between the ejection unit and the target unit;
A drive unit that changes positions of the discharge unit and the target unit with respect to the deposition material;
With
The said drive part is a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus which has the 1st drive part provided rotatably in the said discharge part and the said object part, and the 2nd drive part provided rotatably in the said to-be-deposited material. Using a nanofiber manufacturing apparatus having a discharge portion that discharges a raw material liquid toward a material to be deposited, and a target portion that is provided opposite to the side of the material to be deposited facing the discharge portion. A method of manufacturing a nanofiber comprising:
Rotating the discharge unit and the target unit and rotating the deposition material;
Generating a potential difference between the ejection part and the target part;
Discharging the raw material liquid toward the material to be deposited by the discharge unit;
With a method.

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