Flexible Jetting Nozzle for Viscous Droplet Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jetting devices for viscous media suffer from inconsistent droplet size, placement, and shape, leading to reliability issues such as bridging and short-circuiting in circuit boards due to unreliable pressure control and deformation of flexible materials.
Innovation Solution
A jetting device with a flexible jetting nozzle made of material with a Young's Modulus of 1.0 GPa to 3.0 GPa, which reversibly dilates and contracts in response to internal pressure changes, controlled by a piezoelectric actuator, to ensure consistent droplet formation and minimize satellite formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid jetting nozzle is used, then structural stability is maintained, but droplet size control precision deteriorates due to inability to deform and adapt to pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible jetting nozzle made of elastomeric material that can deform in response to pressure changes. The flexible nozzle includes a flexible conduit that dilates when internal pressure increases, allowing precise control of droplet formation. This flexibility enables the nozzle to adapt to varying pressure conditions and maintain consistent droplet size control without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If flexible material is used for the nozzle, then droplet formation control is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to material deformation and inconsistent performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a particular Young's Modulus range (1.0 GPa to 3.0 GPa) for the flexible nozzle material to optimize its mechanical properties. This parameter control ensures the material is flexible enough to deform for precise droplet formation but stable enough to maintain reliable pressure control. The elastomeric material with controlled modulus provides consistent elastic deformation cycles, preventing material fatigue and maintaining reliable performance over time.
3Speed
If internal pressure is increased to force droplets through the nozzle, then droplet ejection speed is improved, but harmful effects worsen due to satellite droplet formation and bridging
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible nozzle dynamically adjusts its cross-sectional area in response to internal pressure changes. When pressure increases to eject droplets, the flexible conduit dilates to a larger cross-sectional area, reducing flow resistance and preventing satellite droplet formation. This dynamic adaptation allows high ejection speeds while minimizing harmful effects like bridging and satellite droplets that would occur with rigid nozzles under the same pressure conditions.
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 flexible nozzle provides precise and reliable droplet control, reducing errors in circuit board deposits and enhancing the reliability of workpieces by maintaining consistent droplet size, shape, and placement.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible jetting nozzle may include a flexible material, such that the flexible jetting nozzle is configured to deform to cause a cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit to dilate in response to the increase of the internal pressure of the viscous medium in the jetting chamber
Implementation Method 2
The impacting device may include a piezoelectric actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A device configured to jet one or more droplets of a viscous medium may include a housing having an inner surface at least partially defining a jetting chamber configured to hold the viscous medium, and a flexible jetting nozzle. The flexible jetting nozzle may include a flexible conduit extending between an inlet orifice in an inner surface to an outlet orifice in an outer surface. The device may cause an increase of internal pressure of viscous medium in the jetting chamber to force one or more droplets of viscous medium through the flexible conduit and through the outlet orifice. The flexible jetting nozzle may include a flexible material. The flexible jetting nozzle may deform, to cause a cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit to dilate, in response to the increase of the internal pressure of the viscous medium in the jetting chamber.