Concave Nozzle Jet Width Narrowing for Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat jet nozzles for sealing motor vehicle seams result in excessive PVC material being applied past the seam, leading to soiling of the application cell and increased cleaning efforts, and are unable to adjust for component tolerances, requiring application from both sides and increased material consumption.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle device with a concave opening configuration that narrows the jet width towards the dispensing side, allowing for precise application of viscous media onto folds, edges, or seams, reducing material consumption and enabling efficient sealing of varying seam types without the need for component measurement systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional flat jet nozzle with convex slit opening is used to seal standing seams, then the seam can be sealed, but excessive PVC material is applied past the seam causing contamination and increased cleaning effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional convex slit opening configuration to a concave configuration. This inversion causes the jet width to narrow towards the dispensing side rather than increase, allowing precise application of PVC material onto the seam without excessive material being shot past the seam edge, thereby reducing contamination of the application cell
Solution Approach 2:
The concave opening configuration creates a localized narrowing of the jet width at the dispensing side while maintaining adequate jet width at the component side for proper material distribution. This local quality change ensures material is deposited precisely where needed without overspray
2Device complexity
If a conventional flat jet nozzle is used with fixed geometry, then the nozzle structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate component tolerances requiring application from both sides and increases material consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the slit opening from convex to concave, which fundamentally alters the jet width profile along the dispensing direction. This parameter change enables the nozzle to accommodate component tolerances and apply material efficiently in a single pass, reducing PVC material consumption without increasing nozzle structural complexity
3Reliability
If the jet width is increased towards the seam to ensure coverage, then sealing is achieved, but material is wasted on areas beyond the seam requiring cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the slit opening geometry from convex to concave, the jet width profile is reversed to narrow at the dispensing side. This ensures material is concentrated precisely on the seam area for reliable sealing coverage while preventing material from being deposited on surrounding areas that would require cleaning, thus eliminating cleaning time
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a nozzle device (1, 10) for dispensing a viscous application medium in the form of at least one jet (S1, S2) onto a component (100), preferably for the encircling application of the application medium onto a rabbet, edge or transition joint of the component (100), wherein the at least one jet (S1, S2) defines a jet width (B1, B2). The nozzle device (1, 10) comprises an opening configuration (2) for forming at least one slit opening (3.1, 3.2) to dispense the application medium and is in particular distinguished in that the opening configuration (2) is concave to effect a narrowing of the jet width (B1, B2) towards the dispensing side (A). The invention also relates to an associated method.