Flag Mushroom Cup Nozzle for Viscous Fluid Spray Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle assemblies for disposable, manually actuated sprayers fail to provide precise control over droplet size and spray pattern, especially for viscous fluids like paints and lotions, and are not cost-effective for mass production.
Innovation Solution
A flag mushroom cup nozzle assembly with a fluidic circuit configured to generate an oscillating sheet spray, using a cup-shaped member and a sealing post with intersecting power nozzles to create a conformal fluidic oscillator geometry, allowing for precise droplet size control and flat fan-shaped patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional orifice cups with spin mechanics are used, then a conical spray pattern is generated, but precise control over droplet size and spray pattern is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is divided into separate functional components: a cup member with discharge orifice, a sealing post with power nozzles, and a fluidic circuit system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-dimension spray patterns to multi-dimensional control by introducing angled power nozzles (first and second power nozzles) that create intersecting fluid streams. This adds spatial dimensionality to the fluid dynamics, enabling precise control over droplet size and spray pattern geometry.
2Shape
If conventional swirl chambers are used, then a continuous spray is produced, but oscillating sheet spray pattern is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly incorporates dynamic fluidic elements including angled power nozzles that create intersecting streams and a fluidic oscillator circuit. This dynamic design generates an oscillating sheet spray pattern rather than a static conical spray, allowing the spray shape to adapt and oscillate for improved distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressurized fluid dynamics as the core mechanism, with power nozzles creating high-velocity intersecting streams and a fluidic oscillator circuit that utilizes pneumatic-hydraulic principles to generate oscillating flow patterns. This eliminates mechanical moving parts while achieving dynamic spray control.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex fluidic circuits are used for precise spray control, then droplet size precision is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup member and sealing post are designed to be assembled together to form the complete fluidic circuit, merging multiple functions into an integrated structure. This modular approach simplifies manufacturing by allowing components to be produced separately and then assembled, reducing overall production complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic circuit is designed to be self-configuring through the geometric arrangement of power nozzles and fluid passages. The intersecting streams and oscillating patterns emerge naturally from the fluid dynamics and geometric constraints built into the component design, eliminating the need for complex external control systems.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional nozzle designs are used, then simple structure is maintained, but uniform droplet distribution for viscous fluids is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly incorporates localized geometric features including angled power nozzles, specific passage configurations, and a discharge orifice positioned to receive intersecting fluid streams. These local quality variations create different flow conditions throughout the fluid path, optimizing droplet breakup and distribution uniformity for viscous fluids.
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 nozzle assembly achieves uniform droplet distribution and precise spray patterns for viscous fluids, reducing production costs while maintaining performance, and is suitable for commercial aerosol sprays like paints and lotions.
Implementation Method 1
first and second jets of fluid flowing into said chamber's interaction region to generate an oscillating spray of liquid product droplets
Implementation Method 2
generate oscillating flow vortices within said fluid channel's interaction region
Implementation Method 3
fluid pressures are developed as the liquid product is forced through a constricted discharge passage
Data Source
AI summary
An alignable conformal, cup-shaped flag-mushroom fluidic nozzle assembly is engineered to generate a flat fan or sheet oscillating spray of viscous fluid product 316. The nozzle assembly includes a cylindrical flag mushroom fluidic cup member 180 having a substantially closed distal end wall with a centrally located snout defined therein. The flag mushroom cup assembly effectively splits the operating features of the fluidic circuit between a lower or proximal portion formed in the housing's sealing post member and an upper, or distal portion formed in cup member 180 which, in cooperation with the sealing post's distal surface, defines an interaction chamber 192 fed by impinging jets each comprising a continuous distribution of streamlines that impinge at selected angles to define arcs providing a lesser degree of impingement at a centered axial plane within the exit orifice 194 and a greater degree of impingement at the edges of exit orifice 194.