Adjustable Nozzle for Viscous Fluid Application

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual application of viscous fluids to components with complex geometries is tedious, time-consuming, and results in variable quality due to the difficulty in managing varying widths and contours.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable nozzle system with movable side members and a biasing element that can adjust the size of the output opening in response to variations in distance between opposed surfaces, allowing for precise application of viscous fluids using a robotic arm and controller assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual application methods (brushes/rollers) are used to apply viscous fluid to components with complex geometries, then the ability to manage varying widths and contours is improved, but the process becomes tedious, time-consuming, and produces variable quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to manage varying widths and contoursVSAvoidapplication speed and consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly incorporates movable side members that can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate varying component widths and contours. The side members are biased by spring elements allowing real-time adjustment during the application process, enabling the system to adapt to complex geometries while maintaining consistent application quality and high productivity through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If automated robotic application is used to improve productivity and consistency, then application speed and quality uniformity are improved, but the ability to handle complex geometries with varying widths deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speed and consistencyVSAvoidability to handle varying widths and contours

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly incorporates movable side members that can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate varying component widths and contours. The side members are biased by spring elements allowing real-time adjustment during the application process, enabling the system to adapt to complex geometries while maintaining consistent application quality and high productivity through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of the nozzle assembly by allowing the side members to move between different positions. This parameter adjustment capability enables the fixed automated system to effectively handle variable geometries by modifying the nozzle opening width dynamically during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed nozzle opening size is used to simplify the device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the precision of fluid application to varying geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle structure simplicityVSAvoidfluid application precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly incorporates movable side members that can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate varying component widths and contours. The side members are biased by spring elements allowing real-time adjustment during the application process, enabling the system to adapt to complex geometries while maintaining consistent application quality and high productivity through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle is segmented into a body and movable side members that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each side member to be adjusted separately to match the specific geometry being applied to, enabling precise fluid application while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10065206B2Systems, methods, and apparatuses for applying viscous fluids to components

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for applying viscous fluid to a component having a primary surface and opposed surfaces perpendicular to the primary surface may include positioning an adjustable nozzle adjacent the primary surface such that first and second contact members of the nozzle, movable relative to each other, contact the opposed surfaces, the first and second contact members being urged toward the opposed surfaces by at least one biasing element of the adjustable nozzle, applying a viscous fluid from a passage in a body of the adjustable nozzle to the primary surface, and moving the adjustable nozzle along the primary surface.