Material Dispense Device Nozzle Fastening Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing material dispense devices, such as those used in three-dimensional printing and injection molding, face issues with nozzle clogging due to foreign matter adhering to the nozzle and fastening portions, which can mix with the material during replacement.

Innovation Solution

A material dispense device design that includes a nozzle portion with a tapered outer surface and a pressing member with a matching exposure opening, where the nozzle tip is pressed against a main body portion with a male screw at the body's periphery and a female screw at the pressing member's inner periphery, reducing the likelihood of foreign matter mixing during nozzle replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the nozzle is fastened to the main body by a male screw on the nozzle and a female screw on the main body, then the nozzle can be securely attached and replaced, but carbonized resin enters the fastening portion and mixes with the material during replacement causing nozzle clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle replacementVSAvoidnozzle clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional screw fastening configuration by placing the male screw on the main body portion and the female screw on the pressing member. This reversal positions the fastening mechanism away from the nozzle tip's outer surface, preventing carbonized resin from entering the screw threads during nozzle replacement while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the nozzle tip is pressed against the body portion with strong axial force, then material leakage is reduced, but the fastening structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial leakage preventionVSAvoidfastening structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pressing function and fastening function into a single integrated pressing member. The pressing member simultaneously applies axial force to prevent material leakage and provides the female screw for fastening, eliminating the need for separate pressing and fastening mechanisms while achieving both objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the nozzle is designed with a replaceable structure for easy maintenance, then productivity is improved, but foreign matter from the fastening portion can contaminate the material flow path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle replacement efficiencyVSAvoidforeign matter contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fastening function from the nozzle tip itself and places it on the pressing member. The nozzle tip becomes a simple replacement component without any fastening features, while the pressing member with the female screw handles all fastening operations. This separation prevents foreign matter from the fastening portion from contaminating the nozzle tip and material flow path during replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design effectively reduces the risk of nozzle clogging by minimizing the mixing of foreign matter with the material during nozzle replacement, while also allowing for stronger axial force to reduce material leakage and lower manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The main body portion includes a body portion provided with a male screw at an outer periphery thereof. The nozzle portion includes a pressing member having a female screw capable of being fastened to the male screw.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew fastening: Screw

Implementation Method 2

The nozzle tip is pressed against the body portion by fastening the male screw and the female screw

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical pressing: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12240171B2Material dispense device, three-dimensional shaping device, and injection molding device

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A material dispense device includes a nozzle portion that dispenses a material, and a main body portion that has a flow path for a material and to which the nozzle portion is attached. The main body portion includes a body portion having an outlet of the flow path, and a male screw provided at an outer periphery of the body portion. The nozzle portion has a dispense opening at a front end of an in-nozzle flow path for the material, and includes a nozzle tip that is pressed against the body portion in an arrangement of communicating with the flow path. The nozzle portion further includes a pressing member that presses the nozzle tip against the body portion in a state in which the dispense opening is exposed to the outside. The pressing member includes a female screw at an inner periphery thereof. By fastening the female screw of the pressing member to the male screw of the body portion, the nozzle tip is pressed against the body portion.