Ink Jet Head with Multi-Nozzle Shutter for Uniform Enamel Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pneumatic dispensers for applying ceramic enamel on tiles result in significant waste and uneven enamel layers due to limited thickness and streaks, necessitating multiple passes and increased booth size.

Innovation Solution

An ink jet head with a dispensing unit and actuator system, featuring a shutter mechanism that simultaneously controls multiple nozzles, allowing for uniform enamel application by aligning nozzles to cover a wide printing front and minimizing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If pneumatic dispensers are used to apply ceramic enamel, then the enamel can be sprayed onto tiles, but significant waste is created due to fog dispersal and limited enamel reach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenamel wasteVSAvoidenamelling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic spray system with a direct liquid injection system using injection nozzles. The enamel is delivered through a liquid supply system that injects enamel directly onto the tile surface, eliminating the pneumatic fog generation and associated waste. This mechanical substitution of the delivery mechanism resolves the contradiction by achieving efficient enamel application without the harmful dispersal characteristic of pneumatic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If pneumatic dispensers spray enamel at high flow rates, then more enamel reaches the tiles, but droplets form that compromise layer uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenamel coverageVSAvoidenamel layer uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the pneumatic atomization process with a direct liquid injection process. The injection nozzles deliver enamel in a controlled liquid stream rather than atomizing it through pneumatic force. This allows high flow rates to be maintained while preserving layer uniformity, as the liquid injection mechanism inherently controls the enamel delivery pattern without creating the droplet formation problems associated with pneumatic spray systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple consecutive pneumatic dispensers are arranged to overlap enamel layers and reduce streaks, then uniformity improves, but booth size and enamel waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenamel layer uniformityVSAvoidbooth size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple sequential pneumatic dispensers with a single liquid injection system that applies enamel in one pass. The injection nozzles are positioned to deliver enamel directly onto the tile surface in a controlled manner that inherently produces uniform coverage without requiring multiple overlapping passes. This eliminates the need for large booths accommodating multiple dispensers while maintaining enamel layer uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple consecutive pneumatic dispensers are used to cover the entire tile surface, then complete coverage is achieved, but enamel waste and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface coverage completenessVSAvoidenamelling cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes multiple sequential pneumatic dispensing operations with a single liquid injection operation. The liquid supply system with injection nozzles is configured to deliver enamel across the entire tile surface in one continuous process, eliminating the need for multiple passes. This single-pass injection process achieves complete surface coverage while dramatically reducing the time required compared to multiple sequential pneumatic dispensing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables consistent and uniform enamel application with reduced waste and time, replacing traditional pneumatic dispensers by ensuring even coverage and efficient enamel distribution.

Implementation Method 1

The nozzle (3) has an inlet opening, arranged at a first end of the nozzle (3) and facing the main channel (21), and an outlet opening, placed at the opposite end of the nozzle (3) and facing outwards. The main channel (21) is maintained at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4263226B1Ink jet head for enamelling

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SYSTEM CERAMICS SPA

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AI summary

An inkjet head, comprising: a dispensing unit (2), provided with: a main circulation conduit (21) for circulating a ceramic enamel; two or more nozzles (3), placed in communication with the main conduit (21) and distributed along a main direction (X); at least one shutter (4), activatable to close or free said nozzles (3); at least one actuator (5), arranged to activate the shutter (4); wherein the shutter (4) is movable between at least one closing configuration, in which it is capable of closing all the nozzles (3), and at least one opening configuration, in which it frees at least one nozzle (3) to allow the emission of ceramic enamel.