Detachable Nozzle Cap Layout for Cleanable EHD Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrohydrodynamic atomization systems face challenges with numerous nozzles, which complicate cleaning due to the high voltage required, making simple water cleaning impractical.
Innovation Solution
An atomizing nozzle system with a detachable nozzle cap made of flexible material, such as silicone, and a rigid carrier, allowing easy cleaning and replacement, along with a design that maximizes nozzle spacing and incorporates high-voltage contact within the fluid channel for efficient atomization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzles are used in electrohydrodynamic atomization, then atomization coverage and efficiency are improved, but cleaning complexity and difficulty increase due to high voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is divided into a permanent carrier (housing the high-voltage contacts and fluid distribution) and a removable nozzle cap (containing multiple nozzles). This segmentation allows the nozzles to be easily detached and replaced without dealing with high voltage, while the carrier maintains the atomization functionality. The patent states: 'several nozzles (10, 11, 12) are integrated into a nozzle cap (40), which can be detached from the carrier (41)'
2Productivity
If multiple nozzles are used in electrohydrodynamic atomization, then atomization coverage is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to high voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzles are extracted from the high-voltage environment by placing them in a detachable cap that can be removed from the carrier. This allows maintenance personnel to handle and clean nozzles without exposure to high voltage, significantly improving safety and ease of maintenance. The patent emphasizes: 'the nozzle cap (40) is detachably attached to the carrier (41)' enabling easy removal and maintenance
3Manufacturing precision
If nozzles are closely spaced, then atomization uniformity is improved, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By making the nozzle cap detachable, the system allows close spacing of nozzles for uniform atomization while enabling easy removal of the entire cap for cleaning. The segmentation separates the cleaning operation from the high-voltage carrier, improving accessibility. The patent states: 'several nozzles (10, 11, 12) are integrated into a nozzle cap (40)' allowing systematic arrangement
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
Facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, improves atomization efficiency, and enhances process reliability by ensuring optimal high-voltage application and droplet dispersion.
Implementation Method 1
The electrohydrodynamic atomization of fluids is gaining increasing importance in the field of coating processes
Implementation Method 2
a channel arranged between the reservoir and the nozzle, the channel enabling electrostatic charging of the liquid composition as the liquid composition moves within the channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Atomizing nozzle system for an electrohydrodynamic atomizer (1), wherein a nozzle cap (40) comprises several nozzles (10, 11, 12) and, to form a nozzle (10, 11, 12), comprises at least one nozzle opening (21, 22, 23), at least one nozzle channel and at least one nozzle bushing, wherein the nozzle cap is arranged on at least one support, and wherein the support comprises a nozzle connection for each nozzle bushing, wherein the nozzle cap is detachably attached to the support.