Curtain Applicator Filter Integration for Nozzle Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Curtain coating systems face issues with partial clogging of nozzles due to particle accumulation, leading to uneven coating, increased cleaning efforts, and risk of web damage, despite fine filtration and the need for deaeration and precise metering of application medium.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a conical filter with a small mesh size (0.1-0.4 mm) directly connected to the application medium chamber opening, eliminating valves and hoses in front of the opening to prevent partial blockages, ensuring fine filtration immediately before application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fine filtration is applied in the feed system, then particle removal is improved, but partial blockages still occur due to particle accumulation in valves and dead zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all dead zones, valves, and complex piping elements from the application medium feed system. By simplifying the system architecture to eliminate components where particles can accumulate, the solution addresses the root cause of partial blockages rather than just filtering particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the filtration function into two distinct stages: coarse filtration in the feed system and fine filtration immediately at the nozzle opening. This segmentation allows each filter to be optimized for its specific function, with the fine filter positioned to protect the nozzle from any remaining particles.
2Reliability
If a filter is placed in the feed line with valves and hoses, then filtration is provided, but particle accumulation occurs in dead zones and transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts unnecessary complex elements (valves, hoses, dead zones) from the feed system and replaces them with a simplified direct connection to the nozzle. This reduction in system complexity eliminates the dead zones where particles accumulate while maintaining effective filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary fine filtration immediately before the application medium enters the nozzle opening. This preliminary action ensures that any particles remaining after feed system filtration are removed right at the critical point, preventing partial blockages before they occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves and hoses are used for flushing and bypass routing, then system functionality is improved, but partial blockages occur during operation and restart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all valves, hoses, and bypass routing elements from the system. By eliminating these components entirely, the solution removes the dead zones and transition areas where particles accumulate, thereby preventing partial blockages during operation and restart.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the fine filter directly at the nozzle opening where it is most needed. This localized filtration approach concentrates the filtering function at the critical point rather than distributing it throughout the entire feed system with multiple components.
4Ease of manufacture
If the filter is positioned away from the opening, then system design is simplified, but partial clogging occurs before the application medium reaches the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the fine filtration function directly at the nozzle opening where it is most critical. This localized positioning ensures that the application medium is filtered precisely where particles would cause the most harm, maximizing clogging resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the final filtration action immediately before the application medium enters the nozzle opening. This preliminary action at the critical point ensures that any particles remaining after feed system filtration are removed right when needed, preventing partial blockages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution prevents nozzle clogging, reduces cleaning time, lowers operational costs, enhances application quality, and minimizes the risk of web damage and rejects, while maintaining precise control over the application medium.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter (13) is provided for the respective application medium, the filter being directly connected to the opening (8) of the application medium chamber (7) and the filter having a conical filter insert (14) with a small mesh size between 0.1 and 0.4 mm
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a curtain applicator (1, 1a, 1b) for coating a moving paper, cardboard or other fibrous material web (2) with at least one liquid to paste-like application medium (3, 3a, 3b to 3n), comprising a machine-wide application head (4, 4a, 4b), which is arranged above the fibrous material web (2) and at a distance therefrom and has at least one application medium chamber (7, 7a, 7b), into each of which at least one opening (8, 8' to 8''', 8b to 8n) for the respective supplied application medium (3, 3a, 3b to 3n) opens, wherein the application head (4, 4a, 4b) delivers the at least one application medium (3, 3a, 3b to 3n) in the form of a free-falling curtain (9, 9a, 9b) onto the fibrous material web (2), and wherein the application head (4, 4a, 4b) or the opening (8, 8' to 8''', 8b to 8n) is connected to at least one application medium supply line (10), into which various means (11) for collecting or buffer-storing, ventilating, filtering, temperature-controlling, quantity-regulating and the like are incorporated. According to the invention, at least one filter (13, 13', 13'', 13''') is provided for the application medium (3, 3a, 3b to 3n), said filter being directly connected to the opening (8, 8', 8'', 8''', 8b to 8n).