Curved Nozzle Outlet Arrangement for Wide Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing substrate coating devices are limited in flexibility and application width, requiring multiple nozzle modules and adjustments to achieve varying coating patterns, and struggle with uniformity due to gravitational influences on fluid threads.

Innovation Solution

The device features outlet openings arranged along a curved path with angles greater than 30°, allowing for a compact design that enables flexible coating by forming a starburst pattern, with flow openings strategically placed to counteract gravity and enhance uniformity, and allows for adjustable application widths by varying the distance between outlets and substrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If outlet openings are arranged along a straight line transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the substrate, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the application width is limited and corresponds to the distance of the two outermost outlet openings from each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidapplication width

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet openings are arranged along a curved path instead of a straight line, with the two outer outlet openings enclosing an angle of more than 30°. This curved arrangement allows the fluid threads to be aimed at the substrate surface at different angles, enabling the application width to exceed the distance between outermost outlet openings while maintaining a compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple nozzle heads are combined to form a linear row arrangement to enlarge the outlet width, then the application width can be increased to a multiple of the length, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication widthVSAvoidnumber of nozzle heads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple separate nozzle heads arranged in a linear row, the invention uses a single nozzle body with outlet openings arranged along a curved path. This curved arrangement achieves an enlarged application width without increasing the number of separate nozzle components, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If outlet openings are arranged to aim at the substrate surface at different angles along a curved path, then the application width is enlarged and flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in substrate coatingVSAvoidangular alignment of outlet openings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The curved path arrangement of outlet openings, with the two outer openings enclosing an angle of more than 30°, enables different aiming angles for each outlet. This geometric configuration provides flexibility in coating various substrate regions while the curved path itself serves as a manufacturing guide to achieve the required angular alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the two outer outlet openings enclose an angle of more than 30°, then the application width significantly exceeds the device dimensions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication width relative to device dimensionsVSAvoidcurved path arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved path arrangement of outlet openings, where the two outer openings enclose an angle of more than 30°, enables the application width to significantly exceed the device dimensions. This curved geometry is implemented within a single nozzle body, avoiding the need for multiple complex components while achieving the desired spread pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 configuration allows for a significantly broader application width than the device's dimensions, achieving homogeneous coating of both directly and laterally adjacent substrate regions, with improved uniformity and flexibility in substrate processing.

Implementation Method 1

the threads of fluid are caused to oscillate by means of lateral air flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThread oscillation:

Implementation Method 2

the threads of fluid to a pendulum-like movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPendulum-like movement: Pendulum

Implementation Method 3

the threads are deposited on the substrate surface in wavy lines, forming a network structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavy line deposition:

Data Source

PatentEP2459321B1Wide pattern nozzle

Publication Date: 2019.02.27 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

Figure 1
Figure 2~7
Figure 3~4b

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a device (10) for applying a plurality of threads (17) of a fluid, such as adhesive or lotion, to a moving web-like substrate (11), having a plurality of outlet openings (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e) for the threads of fluid (17, 17a, 17b, 17c), wherein each outlet opening is disposed between a pair of flow openings (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e), through which a flow fluid (21), in particular compressed air, flows in order to achieve thread oscillation. The special feature consists, inter alia, in that the outlet openings are disposed along a curved path (22, 22').