Grooved Plate Spray Nozzle for Adhesive Line Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray nozzles, particularly external mixing nozzles, are inefficient in creating a line-shaped application of high-viscosity adhesives, as they typically break down the fluid into droplets or threads rather than a uniform line, limiting their areal application precision.
Innovation Solution
A spray nozzle design featuring a grooved plate where fluid and gas outlets are arranged in a row, with interlocking grooves to facilitate a fan-shaped fluid dispersion by two gas streams, mimicking the application of a slot nozzle while allowing for non-contact line-shaped application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If external mixing nozzles are used to apply high-viscosity adhesives, then the fluid can be dispersed into droplets or threads, but the line-shaped application precision and areal application efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into separate functional components: a fluid outlet for adhesive delivery, a gas outlet for air supply, and a grooved plate for flow control. This segmentation allows independent optimization of fluid and gas flows to achieve both precise line-shaped application and efficient areal coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooved plate acts as an intermediary element between the fluid and gas outlets. It receives both adhesive and air, then channels them through interconnected grooves to produce the desired spray pattern, mediating between the conflicting requirements for precision and efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional nozzle bores are used for fluid delivery, then the structure is simple, but the ability to create uniform line-shaped application deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grooved plate introduces local variations in flow characteristics through strategically placed grooves and channels. Different regions of the plate provide different flow control functions, enabling uniform line-shaped application while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from simple radial flow through a bore to a multi-dimensional flow pattern using grooves and channels on the plate surface. This adds spatial complexity to the flow path while keeping the physical structure relatively simple, achieving uniform line-shaped application.
3Manufacturing precision
If slot nozzles are used for line-shaped application, then application precision is improved, but contact between the nozzle and substrate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design uses pneumatic assistance by introducing gas flow through the grooved plate to atomize and distribute the adhesive. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism enables non-contact application, eliminating nozzle-substrate contact while maintaining precise line-shaped application through controlled fluid dynamics.
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 enables a precise line-shaped application of adhesives, enhancing the areal application efficiency and versatility, particularly when retrofitted to existing slot nozzles with an air distribution strip, and accommodating the processing of hotmelt adhesives by preheating air.
Implementation Method 1
The outflowing fluid is fanned out by two gas streams positioned on either side. This creates a linear application similar to that of a slot nozzle, but without contact.
Implementation Method 2
When processing hot melt, the air (3) must be preheated.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a spray nozzle with a grooved plate (1) in which the fluid outlet (2) and gas outlet (3) are arranged side by side in a row, the grooves being interlocked opposite each other in such a way that fluid (5) is supplied from one side of the grooved plate and gas (5) from the other side and the outflowing fluid (4) is fanned out by two gas streams on either side.