Fluid Dispenser Delivery Head Nozzle Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing delivery heads for fluid dispensers face issues with residual fluid drying and forming deposits in nozzle openings, which can obstruct further fluid delivery and lead to corrosion, hindering the creation of fine droplets and spray mist.

Innovation Solution

A delivery head with a removable and refittable protective cap that creates a small isolation space around the nozzle unit, reducing evaporation and preventing deposits, combined with a moisture-absorbing element to facilitate fluid removal, and a filter system to prevent particle blockage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If nozzle openings are used to create fine droplets and spray mist, then droplet size is reduced and spray quality is improved, but residual fluid dries in the nozzle openings forming deposits that obstruct further delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet sizeVSAvoiddelivery consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a protective cap that is fitted to the delivery head after use. This cap prevents residual fluid in the nozzle openings from drying and forming deposits before the next use occurs, thereby maintaining delivery consistency while preserving the fine droplet spray quality achieved by the nozzle openings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful element (deposits and dried residue) from the system by using a protective cap that isolates the nozzle openings from environmental factors that cause drying. This extraction prevents the formation of obstructive deposits while maintaining the nozzle's fine droplet generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If nozzle openings are used to create fine droplets, then spray mist quality is improved, but corrosion occurs in subsequent delivery processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray mist qualityVSAvoidcorrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap is fitted after use as a preliminary protective measure before storage or transport. This preliminary action prevents corrosive substances from interacting with the nozzle openings and surrounding materials, thereby preserving spray mist quality while preventing corrosion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap creates an inert or protected environment around the nozzle openings by isolating them from external factors that could cause corrosion. This inert environment preserves the nozzle's fine droplet generation capability while preventing corrosive damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Reliability

If a protective cap is fitted to prevent evaporation and deposits, then delivery consistency is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery consistencyVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily fitted and removed. This disposable or reusable cap maintains delivery consistency by preventing evaporation and deposits without adding significant structural complexity to the overall device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently fitted to the delivery head. This segmentation allows the cap to function as a standalone protective element, maintaining delivery consistency while adding minimal complexity to the integrated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution effectively reduces the risk of deposits and corrosion, ensuring consistent delivery of fine droplets and spray mist by maintaining fluid within the nozzle openings and preventing evaporation, thus maintaining the delivery head's performance over time.

Implementation Method 1

at least one filter is connected upstream of the nozzle unit for eliminating particles from the fluid so that they cannot block the nozzle openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the protective cap defines an isolation space which adjoins the nozzle unit on the outside and only has a small inner volume... The effect of this isolation space is to counter the evaporation of fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a moisture-absorbing element is arranged inside the isolation space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240101337A1Delivery head for a fluid dispenser and fluid dispenser with such a delivery head

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 APTAR RADOLFZELL

AI summary

A delivery head for a fluid dispenser for coupling to a fluid store. The delivery head has a nozzle unit with a plurality of fine nozzle openings with a maximum clear cross-section of 0.02 mm2. The protective cap is configured to encourage the fluid to remain in the nozzle openings for a long time, or to remove the fluid from the nozzle openings in a targeted fashion.