Metal fiber molded body, temperature regulation unit, and method for manufacturing metal fiber molded body
In a metal fiber molded body ( 40 ), a ratio, to a presence ratio of metal fibers in a first cross-section, of a presence ratio of metal fibers in a second cross-section orthogonal to the first cross-section is in a range of 0.85 to 1.15. A method for manufacturing the metal fiber molded body ( 40 ) according to the present invention includes the steps of: accumulating a plurality of short metal fibers ( 30 ) on a receiving part; and sintering the plurality of short metal fibers ( 30 ) accumulated on the receiving part, to produce the metal fiber molded body ( 40 ).
1 . A temperature regulation unit comprising:
a metal fiber molded body, wherein a ratio, to a presence ratio of metal fibers in a first cross-section, of a presence ratio of metal fibers in a second cross-section orthogonal to the first cross-section is in a range of 0.85 to 1.15, wherein the short metal fibers each have a length in a range of 0.01 to 1.00 mm, wherein the short metal fibers are at least one type of fibers out of copper fibers, stainless steel fibers, nickel fibers, aluminum fibers, and alloy fibers thereof, and wherein the short metal fibers have a space factor in a range of 42.1 to 68.4%; and
a support supporting the metal fiber molded body.
2 . The temperature regulation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the metal fiber molded body is produced by sintering a plurality of short metal fibers accumulated on a receiving part.
3 . The temperature regulation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the metal fiber molded body has a columnar shape, and a plurality of the metal fiber molded bodies are arranged on intersection points of grid lines, respectively.
4 . The temperature regulation unit according to claim 1 , wherein voids are formed between the plurality of the metal fiber molded bodies.
5 . The temperature regulation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support includes a pipe, the metal fiber molded body having a plate shape is wrapped around an outer circumferential surface of the pipe in a bent state, and the metal fiber molded body having a fin shape is attached to the bent metal fiber molded body having a plate shape.
6 . A method for manufacturing the metal fiber molded body of the temperature regulation unit according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
accumulating a plurality of short metal fibers on a receiving part; and
sintering the plurality of short metal fibers accumulated on the receiving part, to produce the metal fiber molded body.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of physically impacting the short metal fibers to deform the short metal fibers, before the step of accumulating the plurality of short metal fibers on the receiving part.
8 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein, in the step of physically impacting the short metal fibers to deform the short metal fibers, the short metal fibers are physically impacted by shearing the short metal fibers with a rotary body rotating about a shaft.
9 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein, in the step of accumulating the plurality of short metal fibers on the receiving part, a molding frame having a through hole formed therein is placed on the receiving part, and the plurality of short metal fibers are accommodated inside the through hole of the molding frame placed on the receiving part.