CN113306116A - Orientation control element and forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an orientation control element, wherein the orientation control element includes, from upstream to downstream in an advancing direction of a filler, a flow dividing portion provided with a plurality of cell passages formed in at least one row and a flow joining portion.

Description

Orientation control element and forming device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an orientation control element for aligning a filler (for example, an anisotropic heat conductive filler) and a molding apparatus provided with the same.

Background

The directional arrangement of the fillers (such as anisotropic fillers) in the matrix is beneficial to the remarkable improvement of the mechanical, heat conduction, electric conduction and other properties of the whole material.

In general, anisotropic fillers tend to align naturally along the direction of fluid flow, an effect which has been widely reported and utilized by many researchers. The devices for controlling the orientation of the anisotropic filler are mainly extrusion equipment, injection molding equipment, and molding equipment. In the material obtained by these methods, the anisotropic fillers are aligned in the transverse direction, and are difficult to align in the vertical direction. Therefore, the prior art often adopts a method of firstly arranging in the transverse direction and then converting into the longitudinal direction by cutting. The method comprises the steps of firstly obtaining strips or sheets and the like of anisotropic fillers arranged along the extrusion direction by an extrusion means, then laminating and pressing a plurality of the strips or sheets into a block, and finally cutting the cross section into sheets, so that the anisotropic fillers are arranged along the longitudinal direction in the cut sheets.

It can be seen that when using the existing orientation control elements, at least a number of steps of extrusion, lamination, molding, cutting, etc. are required, with a low degree of continuity. And is limited by the operating size of the lamination and the size of the molding die, the size of the block to be produced is limited, and the size of the material after cutting is greatly limited. In addition, the cutting precision is limited, the thickness uniformity of the cut product is difficult to ensure, and the surface roughness is greatly increased.

The statements in the background section are merely prior art as they are known to the inventors and do not, of course, represent prior art in the field.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present invention provides an orientation control element, which can easily longitudinally orient a filler (e.g., an anisotropic heat conductive filler), reduce process steps, improve the degree of continuous production, and improve the stability of product performance.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an orientation control element characterized in that the orientation control element includes, from upstream to downstream in an advancing direction of a filler, a flow dividing portion and a flow joining portion, wherein a flow dividing structure of the flow dividing portion is provided with a plurality of cell passages formed in at least one row.

Wherein the height of the pore canal is 0.05-15mm, more preferably 0.25-10mm, and most preferably 1-5 mm; preferably, the width of the pore canal is 0.01-3mm, more preferably 0.05-2mm, and most preferably 0.2-1 mm; preferably, the path of the duct is 10-1000mm, more preferably 15-100mm, most preferably 20-60 mm.

Wherein the cross-sectional area of the pore channel is rectangular, the total width of the pore channels in the at least one row is gradually reduced or kept constant from upstream to downstream, preferably, the maximum part of the total width is 30-1000mm, preferably 50-500mm, and the minimum part of the total width is 10-300mm, preferably 30-200 mm.

Wherein the width of each of the cell channels is gradually reduced or kept constant from upstream to downstream in the advancing direction, and the total width of the plurality of cell channels of the at least one row is gradually reduced.

Wherein the plurality of the pore channels are formed into two rows in the advancing direction of the materials, preferably, the total width of the pore channels in the row at the upstream side of the advancing direction is kept constant, and the total width of the pore channels in the row at the downstream side of the advancing direction is gradually reduced.

Wherein the confluence portion comprises a confluence structure having a cavity, and the cavity has a cross-sectional shape of a substantially rectangular shape at least near an outlet thereof, preferably a height of the rectangular shape is 0.05 to 15mm, more preferably 0.25 to 10mm, and most preferably 1 to 5mm, and a width of the rectangular shape is substantially the same as a minimum width of the total of the plurality of cell channels, preferably 10 to 300mm, and more preferably 30 to 200 mm.

Wherein the stroke of the cavity of the confluence structure is 5-100mm, preferably 10-50mm, and preferably the stroke of the part of the cavity with the cross section shape of a rectangle is 10-50mm, preferably 15-40mm

The flow dividing structure and the flow converging structure are integrally formed or separated.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a molding apparatus characterized by being provided with the aforementioned orientation control member.

The molding device further includes a feeding section and an extruding section.

The molding apparatus further includes an injection molding apparatus or a molding apparatus.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a heat conductive gasket produced by the above molding apparatus, in which the heat conductive filler is oriented in the thickness direction of the heat conductive gasket.

The invention has the beneficial effects that:

according to the orientation control element of the invention, the flaky filler (such as the anisotropic filler) can be easily longitudinally oriented, the process steps such as lamination, molding, cutting and the like can be reduced, the product performance stability is improved (for example, the phenomena of layering and splitting caused by lamination are avoided), and meanwhile, the phenomena of uneven product thickness and rough surface caused by cutting are also avoided. In addition, the continuous production degree is promoted, products with the width reaching more than meter level, unlimited length and controllable thickness can be prepared, and the preparation of coiled material products with the lamellar fillers arranged along the longitudinal direction can be realized.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention. In the drawings:

fig. 1A is a perspective view of an orientation control member 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the orientation control member 1.

Fig. 2 is a six-side view and a perspective view of the shunting structure 11.

Fig. 3 is a six-sided view and a perspective view of the merging structure 22.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the packing P.

Fig. 5 is a sectional perspective view of the orientation control member 1 taken along line a-a of fig. 1, in which the process of changing the orientation of the packing P during the flow of the materials through the flow dividing portion and the flow merging portion is shown.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow dividing structure 11 taken along line a-a of fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow joining structure 22 taken along line a-a of fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an orientation control member 1A of modification 1.

Fig. 9 is a sectional perspective view of the orientation controlling member 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the process of changing the orientation of the packing P during the flow of the materials through the flow dividing portion and the flow merging portion is shown.

Fig. 10 is a cut-away perspective view of the flow diversion structure 12 of the orientation control element 2.

Fig. 11 is a sectional perspective view of the joining structure 22 of the orientation control member 2.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an orientation control member 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a molding apparatus 100 including an orientation control element according to the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a six-sided view of the molding apparatus 100.

Detailed Description

In the following, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", and the like, indicate orientations and positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of description and understanding of the present invention and to simplify the description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and thus, are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically defined otherwise.

In addition, "upstream" and "downstream" in the present invention refer to upstream or downstream in the direction of advance of a fluid or material.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different features of the invention. To simplify the disclosure of the present invention, the components and arrangements of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the present invention provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize applications of other processes and/or uses of other materials.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that they are described herein for the purpose of illustration and explanation and not limitation.

It should be noted that the XYZ coordinate axes shown in the drawings of the present invention and the definitions and descriptions of the planes, heights, widths, etc. based on the XYZ coordinate axes are for convenience of description and convenience of those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, unless otherwise stated, the height mentioned hereinafter refers to the length in the Z-axis direction, and the width refers to the length in the Y-axis direction.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an orientation control member 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the orientation control member 1. As can be seen from fig. 1A and 1B, the orientation controlling element 1 includes a flow dividing portion 10 and a flow joining portion 20. The flow dividing portion 10 includes a seal structure 11 and a flow dividing structure 12. The merging section includes an outer disk 21 and a merging structure 22.

Fig. 2 is a six-side view and a perspective view of the shunting structure 11. Fig. 3 is a six-sided view and a perspective view of the merging structure 22. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the packing P. Fig. 5 is a sectional perspective view of the orientation controlling member 1 taken along line a-a of fig. 1, in which the process of changing the orientation of the packing P during the flow of the materials through the flow dividing portion and the flow joining portion is shown. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow dividing structure 11 taken along line a-a of fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow joining structure 22 taken along line a-a of fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the seal structure 11 is a seal member of an annular structure, a seal ring in the present embodiment. The seal structure 11 is used to seal and connect adjacent members when the flow dividing portion 10 is assembled with the joining portion 20 or another structure (e.g., an extrusion portion described later).

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the flow dividing structure 12 includes a plurality of cell channels 121 formed in a row, with adjacent cell channels 121 being separated by a sidewall 121a (fig. 6). The plurality of portholes 121 are for branching the packing P and are gradually oriented in the longitudinal direction. Each of the openings 121 has a height (i.e., a length in the Z-axis direction in fig. 5) of 5mm and a length (i.e., a length in the material advancing direction) of 50 mm. In addition, in the present embodiment, the width of each of the hole channels 121 is gradually narrowed from upstream to downstream in the advancing direction of the material, that is, the width is gradually reduced. The maximum width of each cell channel 121 (at the inlet of the flow divider 10) is 2mm and the minimum width of each cell channel 121 (i.e. at the outlet of the flow divider 10) is 1 mm. Thus, the total width W1 (fig. 6) at the entrance of the plurality of cells 121 of the row is 56mm, and the total width W2 at the exit is 38mm, being less than W1.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the outer disk 21 of the merging portion 20 is disk-shaped. The outer disk 21 can facilitate various attaching or detaching operations such as an operation of attaching the branching portion 10 and the joining portion 20 together, an operation of attaching the entire orientation controlling member 1 to another device (e.g., an extrusion device), and the like.

As shown in fig. 1, 5 and 7, the joining structure 22 of the joining portion 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a cavity 221. The cavity 221 has a rectangular cross section (taken perpendicular to the material advancing direction), and the length W3 (fig. 7) of the rectangle is 38mm corresponding to the width W2 of the flow dividing portion. The height of the rectangle (i.e., the length in the Z-axis direction) is 5mm, which coincides with the height of the porthole 121 of the flow dividing portion 10. The stroke (length in the material advancing direction) of the cavity 221 is 25 mm.

In the present embodiment, the flow dividing structure 11 and the flow merging structure 12 are integrally formed, and may be formed integrally by injection molding. The operation of the orientation control element 1 of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 4 and 5.

As shown in fig. 4, the filler P is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped sheet having six planes: 2 XY planes, 2 YZ planes, and 2 XZ planes. In the present embodiment, the length of the filler P in the X direction is the largest, the length in the Z direction is the next, and the length in the Y direction is very small (i.e., very thin). As an example of the filler P, anisotropic fillers such as one-dimensional carbon fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, metal fibers, and the like used for preparing the heat conductive gasket may be cited.

Since the thickness of the filler P in the Y direction is very small (thin), the natural state of the filler P is a flat state (i.e., a state in which the XZ plane is the bottom surface, also referred to as "transverse orientation" or "transverse alignment"), while a standing state (i.e., a state in which the YZ plane or the XY plane is the bottom surface, also referred to as "longitudinal orientation" or "longitudinal alignment" or "orientation in the vertical direction") is relatively difficult to achieve. In practical applications such as the production of a thermal gasket, it is often necessary to orient the filler P longitudinally (in the thickness direction of the thermal gasket) in the thermal gasket to achieve excellent thermal conductivity and heat dissipation properties in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in fig. 5, the filler P is in a disordered arrangement, most of which is in a natural flat state, before entering the plurality of cell channels 121 of the flow dividing part 10. After entering the channel 121, due to the narrower channel 121, the filler P in the fluid mass gradually stands up in order to pass through the channel 121, becoming oriented in the longitudinal direction, and this longitudinal orientation is further strengthened and kept stable as the channel 121 gradually narrows.

Subsequently, the fluid material flows out of the flow dividing portion 10 and enters the cavity 221 of the confluence portion 20 to be joined, and at this time, the packing P is still maintained in a longitudinally oriented state in the joined material. The combined mass is then extruded into a sheet (e.g., a thermal gasket) in which the filler P is oriented longitudinally (i.e., in the thickness direction of the sheet) in the final sheet product.

According to the orientation controlling member 1 of the present invention, the high orientation of the filler P in the longitudinal direction can be easily achieved, improving the properties of the final sheet product. Compared with the prior art, the method obviously reduces the process steps, improves the continuous production degree and improves the product performance stability.

Fig. 8 shows an orientation control element 1A according to a modification of the first embodiment. As shown in fig. 8, the main difference between the orientation control element 1A and the orientation control element 1 is that: the side walls 121A (fig. 6) of the plurality of flow paths 121 in the orientation control member 1 have no curvature, while the side walls 121A of the plurality of flow paths 121 of the modification 1A are formed in an arc shape (fig. 8), and the curvature of the side walls 121A of the flow paths 121 closer to the center position is smaller, so that the side walls 121m of the flow paths 121 located in the middle have substantially no curvature. This modification can also achieve the technical effects of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 to 11 show schematic structural views of an orientation control member 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the orientation control member 2, and shows the process of changing the orientation of the packing P during the flow of the material through the flow dividing portion and the flow merging portion. Fig. 10 is a cut-away perspective view of a shunt structure 12 of the shunt portion. Fig. 11 is a sectional perspective view of the merging structure 22 of the merging section 20. The orientation control element 2 differs from the orientation control element 1 of the first embodiment mainly in that the flow dividing structure 12 and the flow merging structure 22 of the two are different as follows.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the flow dividing structure 12 of the orientation control member 2 is not a gradually narrowing structure, but the width from the inlet to the outlet is kept uniform, and at the same time, the width of the plurality of portholes 121 formed in a row is also kept uniform. That is, the total width W1 at the inlet of the plurality of cells 121 of the row is 80mm, which is the same as the total width W2 at the outlet. The other dimensions of the porthole 121 are the same as in the corresponding first embodiment.

In addition, as shown in fig. 9 and 11, the cavity of the confluence structure 22 of the orientation controlling member 2 is not a rectangular parallelepiped structure, but is formed into two different shapes of cavities 221A and 221B from upstream to downstream. The shape of the cavity 221B (i.e., the cavity 221 at the outlet close to the confluence section 20) is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the cross section is substantially rectangular, in other words, the cavity 221B has a rectangular parallelepiped structure.

As shown in fig. 11, the cavity 221A is located upstream of the cavity 221B and adjacent to the flow dividing structure 12, in other words, the cavity 221A is located between the cavity 22B and the flow dividing structure 12 of the flow dividing portion. The cavity width of the cavity 221A gradually narrows from upstream to downstream in the advancing direction of the material, i.e., the width gradually becomes smaller. The maximum width (i.e., the entrance of the material into the junction) W4 corresponds to the exit width W2 of the flow-dividing structure 12, which is 80mm, and the minimum width (i.e., the abutment of the cavity 221A and the cavity 221B) corresponds to the exit width W3 of the junction. In addition, in this embodiment, the two sidewalls 221A of the cavity 221A are curved (i.e., in opposite brackets), and this curved configuration facilitates the accumulation of material in each channel and merges together at the juncture.

Of course, the two side walls 221a may be linear without a curve, instead of the arc. That is, the both side walls 221A of the cavity 221A may have a linear shape (not shown) like the both side walls 221B of the cavity 221B instead of an arc shape.

In addition, the stroke (i.e., the length in the material advancing direction) of the cavity 221 of the orientation control member 2 is 60mm, wherein the stroke of the cavity 221A is 30mm and the stroke of the cavity 221B is 20 mm.

The second embodiment is comparable to the first embodiment in terms of directional shaping effect, while at the same time, since the width of each channel of the flow divider from the inlet to the outlet remains the same, the resistance to the material at this point is small, which facilitates the movement of the fluid material (especially of a relatively viscous material).

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of an orientation control member 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 12, the flow dividing structure 12 of the flow dividing portion of the orientation control element 3 includes two rows of orifices as compared with the orientation control element 1. In short, the shunting structure 12 of the orientation control element 3 comprises two parts: a flow dividing structure 12A (first row of cells) and a flow dividing structure 12B (second row of cells) located downstream of the flow dividing structure 12A. Wherein the shape and size of the flow dividing structure 12A are the same as those of the flow dividing structure 12 of embodiment 2. The shape and size of the flow dividing structure 12B are the same as those of the flow dividing structure 12 of modification 1. Of course, the stroke of the flow dividing structures 12A and 12B may be smaller or larger than that in the corresponding embodiment 2 or modification 1, respectively.

Compared with the embodiment or the modification having only one row of the cells, the second row of the cells of the third embodiment further guides the materials while the reinforcing filler P is oriented in the longitudinal direction, so that the materials are easier to control when merging.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the width of each cell 121 is gradually narrowed from the upstream to the downstream, so that the total width of the plurality of cells is gradually narrowed. However, it is also possible that the width of each cell channel 121 is kept substantially constant, and the thickness of the side wall 121a between adjacent cell channels 121 (i.e., the length in the Y-axis direction, see fig. 6, for example) is gradually thinned, so that the purpose of gradually narrowing the total width of the plurality of cell channels 121 in a row can also be achieved.

The structure and dimensions of the orientation control element of each embodiment or variation are described in detail above with reference to the drawings. But not limited to the above, the shape/size of each structure may be appropriately adjusted as necessary.

For example, the seal structure 11 is not limited to a seal ring, but may be another seal member such as a fixed seal, a self-tightening seal, a lap seal, an O-ring seal, or the like, and may be a separate structure or an integrally molded structure with the flow dividing structure 12.

The outer panel 21 may be omitted or replaced with another structure such as a handle, as long as it can be easily attached. The merging portion may be formed integrally with the merging structure 12 or formed separately and assembled.

In addition, the flow dividing structure and the flow converging structure can be an integrally formed structure or a split structure, and suitable materials which can be adopted comprise: stainless steel, brass, duralumin, polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.

In addition, the height of the plurality of channels 121 of the flow dividing structure 12 is 0.05-15mm, more preferably 0.25-10mm, and most preferably 1-5 mm. The width of the pore passage 121 is 0.01-3mm, more preferably 0.05-2mm, and most preferably 0.2-1 mm; preferably, the path of travel (i.e. the length in the direction of advance of the material) of the aperture 121 is 10-1000mm, more preferably 15-100mm, most preferably 20-60 mm.

In addition, the total width W1 at the inlet of the plurality of cells 121 in a row is preferably 30 to 1000mm, more preferably 50 to 500mm, and the total width W2 at the outlet is preferably 10 to 300mm, more preferably 30 to 200 mm.

In addition, the height of the cavity 221 of the confluence structure 22 is 0.05 to 15mm, more preferably 0.25 to 10mm, and most preferably 1 to 5 mm. The cavity 221 has an outlet width W3 (fig. 7 or fig. 11) of 10-300mm, more preferably 30-200mm, and an inlet width W4 (fig. 11) greater than or equal to the outlet width W3, preferably corresponding to the outlet width W2 of the flow dividing structure 12, of 10-300mm, preferably 30-200 mm.

The stroke of the cavity 221 of the confluence structure 22 (i.e., the length in the material advancing direction) is 5 to 100mm, preferably 10 to 50 mm. In addition, when the cavity 221 is formed of a plurality of cavities having different shapes (for example, the cavity 221 of the second embodiment), at least the cavity near the outlet portion is preferably formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the stroke of the rectangular parallelepiped cavity is preferably 10 to 50mm, more preferably 15 to 40 mm.

If desired, the orientation control element 1 of the present invention may be assembled with other devices/components to form a molding device to further simplify the process steps and facilitate the direct preparation of a longitudinally highly oriented sample (e.g., a thermal gasket) of a filler (e.g., an anisotropic filler). As an example, the present invention provides a molding apparatus 100 including the above-described orientation control member 1 and the extrusion member 30. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a molding apparatus 100 including an orientation control element according to the present invention. Fig. 14 is a six-side view and a perspective view of the molding apparatus 100.

The orientation control element 1 may be removably connected to the extrusion element 30 using fastening elements such as O-rings, flange seals, etc.

The exemplary extruded element 30 is provided with: the feed section 31, the outlet section 33, and the extrusion section 32, which is cylindrical in shape and inner cavity. The extrusion mode can be single screw extrusion, double screw extrusion, three screw extrusion or no screw extrusion.

The feeding section 31 may employ a feeding device commonly used in the art. The feeding mode can be piston feeding, double-wrist feeding or double-cone feeding. The size and dimensions of the feed portion 31 and the feed port are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected as needed.

In the exemplary extruded element 30, the feed section 31 and the extrusion section 32 are formed separately and then assembled as a single unit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the extruded member 30 and the orientation control member of the present invention may be integrally formed and then assembled with the orientation control member of the present invention to form a final molding apparatus.

In the molding apparatus 100, the feeding portion 31 is formed at one side of one end portion of the extruding portion 20, but the feeding portion 31 may be formed inside (not shown) one end portion of the extruding portion 32, thereby simplifying the external shape of the molding apparatus and saving cumbersome assembly steps.

The above describes an example of connecting an orientation control member to an extrusion member to form a molding apparatus of the present invention. Without being limited thereto, the orientation control member of the present invention may be connected to an injection molding device, an embossing device, or the like to form the molding apparatus of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the invention, the adopted liquid silica gel is taken as a representative of the adhesive, and other types of adhesives are also applicable.

Finally, it should be noted that: although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the embodiments and/or equivalents thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. An orientation control element characterized in that the orientation control element comprises, from upstream to downstream in the advancing direction of a filler, a flow dividing portion and a flow joining portion, wherein the flow dividing structure of the flow dividing portion is provided with a plurality of cell passages formed in at least one row.

2. Orientation control element according to claim 1, wherein the height of the duct is 0.05-15mm, more preferably 0.25-10mm, most preferably 1-5 mm; preferably, the width of the pore canal is 0.01-3mm, more preferably 0.05-2mm, and most preferably 0.2-1 mm; preferably, the path of the duct is 10-1000mm, more preferably 15-100mm, most preferably 20-60 mm.

3. Orientation control element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of the duct is rectangular and the total width of the plurality of ducts of the at least one row is gradually decreasing or constant from upstream to downstream, preferably the maximum of the total width is 30-1000mm, preferably 50-500mm, and the minimum of the total width is 10-300mm, preferably 30-200 mm.

4. The orientation control element of claim 3, wherein the width of each of the cells is tapered or remains constant from upstream to downstream in the advancement direction, and the total width of the plurality of cells of the at least one row is tapered.

5. Orientation control element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of portholes are formed in two rows in the advancing direction of the material, preferably wherein the total width of the row of portholes on the upstream side of the advancing direction remains constant and the total width of the row of portholes on the downstream side of the advancing direction becomes gradually smaller.

6. Orientation control element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said confluence portion comprises a confluence structure having a cavity and wherein the cavity has a cross-sectional shape at least near its outlet that is substantially rectangular, preferably wherein the rectangular shape has a height of 0.05-15mm, more preferably 0.25-10mm, most preferably 1-5mm, and a width that is substantially the same as the smallest of the total width of said plurality of cells, preferably 10-300mm, more preferably 30-200 mm.

7. The orientation control element according to claim 6, wherein the stroke of the cavity of the confluence structure is 5-100mm, preferably 10-50mm, and preferably the stroke of the portion of the cavity having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape is 10-50mm, preferably 15-40 mm.

8. The orientation control element of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow splitting structure is integrally formed or a split structure with the flow joining structure.

9. A molding apparatus comprising the orientation control member according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The molding apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising a feeding section and an extrusion section.

11. The molding apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising an injection molding apparatus or an embossing apparatus.

12. The molding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermally conductive filler is oriented in the thickness direction of the thermally conductive gasket.

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