Stationary Liquid Dispenser Nozzle Sniff-Back Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing systems face issues with nozzle clogging, air ingress, and precision due to complex designs, cumbersome mechanisms, and the need for efficient management of multiple nozzles, especially when handling viscous liquids or high viscosity materials.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a nozzle system with a slider and gate mechanism that adjusts volume compensators to prevent air ingress and ensure liquid continuity, featuring a sniff-back function to maintain a flush liquid surface and prevent dripping, along with a stationary actuation system that simplifies motor placement and reduces complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a turntable system is used to dispense multiple liquids, then the system can accommodate many different colorants and pumps, but the design becomes complex and cumbersome with multiple motors required for rotation and pump operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the array of nozzles into multiple groups, with each group controlled by a separate motor. This allows the total number of nozzles to be large (high adaptability) while each motor only needs to control a manageable subset of nozzles (reduced complexity). The controller selectively activates only the motor group needed for the current dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which motor group to activate based on which nozzles need to operate. Instead of having all nozzles on a single rotating turntable that requires continuous rotation, the system can keep different nozzle groups stationary or rotate them independently as needed, reducing unnecessary movement and complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If nozzles are disposed in a stationary manifold, then the container and pumps remain stationary, but it is difficult to accommodate more than 20 different nozzles in a space-efficient and compact manner
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging all nozzles in a single planar manifold (2D arrangement), the system uses multiple separate nozzle arrays that can be positioned at different locations and orientations. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows many more nozzles to be accommodated without requiring a proportionally larger single manifold structure.
3Device complexity
If nozzles are kept stationary in a manifold, then the design is simpler, but nozzles are prone to clogging and dripping which compromises precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions to prevent clogging and dripping before they occur. This includes selective activation of only the needed nozzle groups (rather than keeping all nozzles continuously active), and implementing control strategies that minimize the time nozzles remain open after dispensing is complete. The controller can close specific nozzle groups immediately after their liquid is dispensed, preventing leftover material from dripping or clogging.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are used to operate each pump and rotate the turntable, then the system can handle multiple liquids, but the motorized components mounted on moving parts create a cumbersome design
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the motorized components into separate stationary units, each controlling a specific group of nozzles. Instead of mounting multiple motors on a single rotating turntable, each motor group is mounted on its own stationary platform or on a smaller, independently controlled rotating section. This reduces the complexity and cumbersomeness of having multiple motors on moving parts.
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 enhances precision, prevents clogging, and maintains a consistent liquid flow by ensuring nozzles are always filled with liquid, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and minimizing air interference, resulting in a more efficient and accurate dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
providing a volume compensator in liquid communication with the nozzle outlet and the interior space, the volume compensator configured to increase the available volume of the interior space when the nozzle is closed and the volume compensator further configured to decrease the available volume of the interior space when the nozzle is opened
Implementation Method 2
The disclosed nozzles may be equipped with a sniff back function and a reverse sniff back function that keeps the nozzle full of liquid before, during and after the opening and closing of the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator system having a stationary circular array of mechanical devices. The actuator system includes two stationary motors: one motor to rotate the actuator implement around the circular array of mechanical devices until the desired mechanical device is reached; and a second motor to rotate the actuator implement into engagement with an actuator pin of the mechanical device. A nozzle includes a three-sided or U-shaped stationary enclosure, together with a movable gate that completes the enclosure and forms an adjustable size nozzle outlet. As the gate closes after a dispense is complete, a controlled flow of residual liquid exits the nozzle outlet to avoid any additional displacement, thus preventing the undesirable effect of liquid being squeezed out of the nozzle outlet as the gate closes. Conversely, when the gate opens, this sniff back action operates in reverse, thereby filling the nozzle outlet and preventing air from filling the nozzle.